Re-introduction

Hello dear readers,

Today I am re-introducing my blog, mainly to solidify my point to myself, but also to give this writing a framework. I find myself composing blog posts in my head all day long, but as evidenced by my blog, they are rarely typed out. I have so much to say, weather it is interesting or not is up to someone else, but it must come out. My head is getting too cluttered and I have recently vowed to de-clutter my life. So here it goes.

A little background on the new found motivation: Simply put (as simplicity is my focus) I went on a month long trip with my four children and brought each person only five changes of clothing. It was wonderful! Never once did I wish I had some article of clothing that I did not bring and to my surprise, most of what I left behind I had actually forgotten about when I returned. I had first hand experience of "less is more" and it was so freeing. I want to apply that motto to my entire life. I want to get rid of all the stuff that junks up my house, my time, my brain and my car. I want to discover all of those things that I have said I "need" but really do not. I know that there are many others that want the same because I have read their blogs or articles and found motivation from them. It is my hope that I can hold myself accountable while at the same time, possibly, help motivate someone else.

Now, about me: I am a homemaker. I have a busy group of young cubs that fill my time with activities that seem like they should not be actual activities (like scrubbing jelly off door knobs). I've been known to honestly use the excuse, "I had to clean up poop from the floor" more than once as to why I did not do something I should have. In a nutshell, I'm busy chasing my tail and I don't need more stuff that is supposed to help save me time because really it just slows me down. Remember, Less is More (I say this to remind myself, not you).

I admit, I have fallen prey to all kinds of devices, organizers and books that have promised to help me get it all together but have only created more clutter for me to wade through as I try to find a clean diaper and a pack of wipes that actually has some moistness left (don't you find that these dry out if you even think about leaving it open?). That being said, now I will pause and give an exception. Tsh Oxenreider's book "Organized Simplicity" is wonderful. She is inherently organized and apparently a natural at keeping her life simple. I keep her book on my desk and refer to it often. I have used many of her suggestions and follow her blog, simplemom.net. Please check her out for some great resources.

Back to my re-introduction though. My time and words here are multi-faceted; I hope to blow off some steam (I’ve never met another parent that didn’t have steam), connect with other parents in similar situations and hopefully offer up some support and humor from our daily lives.

As a family, our goal is to live, grow and learn together while focusing on kindness and compassion. Our world seems to present more and more choices, which, while greatly appreciated, can make for a more hectic and stressful day. We strive to simplify our surroundings and find the joy in the little things we often overlooked. My husband and I want to raise our kids to appreciate others and see the beauty that the natural world has to offer. Sometimes it seems so complicated and difficult to take the simpler path, but we truly believe that it is the better path for our family.

Please join us on our journey to try and find the balance that so many of us strive for in our swift modern day world.