Letting Go

This week and those this past month have been filled with moving my parents "treasures". My mom has an obsession with beautiful antique dishes and linens, and sometimes I wonder, how much can one person collect? I'm feeling overwhelmed trying to honor her wishes and keep it all. Boxes and boxes of a lifetime of collecting dishes and gifts from dear friends of long ago. Precious memories of a life well lived and loved. I know my children may enjoy having it one day so for now I'm storing it in my basement. My husband has been reminding me to just breathe. Our basement has been overrun by boxes, old pictures and furniture. I was just getting things organized and now, I'm back to square one.
JUST BREATHE


As I age, and see my parents toward the end of their life, I'm learning there needs to be a constant letting go of stuff and a shift toward embracing life and the faith you believe to be true. Praying and getting to know Jesus as much as you can. I feel so strongly about letting go of material things and embracing faith family and living the life God has given us. I love having my parents here and I continue to learn from them daily even if they don't realize they are still teaching me life lessons.

My husband has reminded me  this is our year to refocus. We are shifting toward becoming debt free, learning to live with mom and dad here and really being aware of their feelings and needs, and focusing on our children and ourselves. This year has already been a year of learning so much about myself and trying to understand why I react to situations the way I do. My co workers and I were asked to take a personality test a few weeks ago, it really helped to see my traits, the good, the bad and the ugly written down in black and white. My husband agreed they had me 90% correct.

This year 2013 is our year to refocus and take a step back to achieve our goals. I invite you all to try to reconnect to your authentic self and refocus to live the life that you want to live.

The Move

Moving, moving, moving!
 
  They are in. Mom and Dad have been here about three weeks now.

Everything went quite well and all are adjusting nicely. We still have stuff

to move, the villa to clean and touch up the paint, then we can sell it

hopefully sooner than later. It will just be nice to have it all wrapped up.

My goal is by the end of the summer. We are having computer problems at the

moment so this post is from Ethan's kindle so no new pictures to show.

Blogging break is over and more new posts to follow.

Blogging Break

Putting finishing touches on the Parents Suite and moving Mom and Dad in this week so we are taking a blogging break. Sharing a picture of a great Lady, Tim's Grandma Myrtle.

My Laundry Products

I'm really trying to get my home toxic free. I feel I have so much to be grateful for, being blessed with healthy children and a healthy family. I want this to continue on for generations to come so I am trying to do all I can to insure my children have the best health possible as they continue to grow and start their own families. Also as my parents join us and my husband and I age, having less toxins in our environment will only be an asset to us all.

Here is what I'm currently using in my laundry:

ECOS laundry detergent found at Walmart for 8.97, Natural stain remover found at Keeper of the Home, and vinegar as a fabric softener. These are what I use and I have been happy with these products. I have made my own laundry detergent and it just didn't cut it for my family so this is the best for us so far.

My only complaint is with the ECOS. I read an article that they support the Susan G. Kohman foundation and I cannot support them because they support Planned Parenthood. So I am currently searching for another brand that is as eco- friendly and cost effective.

Here is the link for the stain remover recipe From Keeper of the Home.

If any one has any suggestion for what they use I would like to hear them.

Up for a Challenge

I am joing the Natural Home Challenge at the link above. I use a lot of nautural cleaning products already but I'm really interested in using natural personal care products. I'm excited about joining this challenge and ridding my home of all the yucky toxins that are not needed, hopefully I will save a little money in the process!

Royality

Several weekends ago, our daughter had the honor of being chosen Junior Class Representative for the Silver Arrow Court. This tradition has been going on in our High School since it began. Each class chooses a representative and the Senior class chooses three, then of the three Seniors, one is chosen Queen. They have a dance also for the big night. Tim escorted her onto the basketball court at half time for the announcement of the Queen. It was fun seeing her all dressed up and Tim looking so handsome.

Progress on Our Parents Suite

This January has been so busy for me. I've been really trying to find out all I can about whole foods. More to come on that soon, but for now I thought I would show you some new photos of the Parents Suite we are adding to our home.

This will be the sunporch and the entrance to their home. See where the board is, this will be Mom and Dad's front door. There will be a ramp going up to the door. Even though neither one is in a wheel chair, navigating steps is hard for them.

This is their bedroom window in the first photo and the side door and window for the living room in the second photo. Fortunately we were able to use our sunporch windows for their place so the only windows to be bought are the new sunporch windows.
It is getting close but I wish it was done. They need me to help them with everyday tasks more and more so I'm ready for them to be here. If you want to read Our Caring Journey from the beginning check out the side bar and click on Our Journey.
 The sun is shining bright in the boondocks today hope it's sunny where you are. Cheers!