Packing and Sorting Through The Mess!

Our little family sure has been a busy one lately! Our summers are usually packed with 2 church camps, Upwards basketball camp, Revival, and Vacation Bible school. But then add in the fact that I am pregnant and we are moving states and the summer becomes that much more hectic.

Thankfully I am over morning sickness and feeling more like myself. Praise God! Packing the house has begun, and I feel like I am living in the middle of a disaster area! I am the kind of person that is able to relax best when things are clean and basically tidy. So living in a house that looks like mine does now...is not so peaceful.

 I have been working to declutter and remove as many unnecessary items from our home. I am shocked to find that we have a lot of stuff. Not stuff that we need, just stuff stuff.  Letting go of things has not been easy for me. I tend to think...but maybe in the future some time we just might need this! But I have set my mind to it and decided that anything that has not been used, worn, enjoyed, or played with in the past 6 months is going. I am working to sell and donate as much as I can and hopefully pare down our items to what we really need and love. I think in the end that will make for a more easy to keep and peaceful home when we move. 


My boys have a lot of toys. I'm not even positive how we have accumulated so many. There are many toys we have decided to donate. But there are still quite a few very nice toys that special friends or family have given to us that I just wouldn't feel right getting rid of. So I decided to pack up two boxes full of toys. One would go to my parent's house and one would go to my In-laws house. This way we are able to still keep the toys and they get a new life at Grandma and Grandpa's house! 


So for the next two weeks I will be doing lots of this...yep that is what my house really looks like at this moment. Disaster area!!!

All Purpose Cleaner Revisited: Infused Vinegar

Today I am going to share my second favorite short cut I have found in making cleaning products. In my very first post ever (found here) about making your own cleaning products I share my super simple All Purpose cleaner. It is hands down my go to, favorite cleaner! Honestly, it is not hard to make and doesn't even take up much time. But one thing I have realized since being pregnant is that I do not like the smell of vinegar. It never bothered me before, but I am struggling with it now. I always added lemon to the gallon of my water vinegar solution to give it a fresh lemon scent. But that just wasn't cutting it for this sensitive nose.

Solution: Lemon and Orange Infused Vinegar

What you need:
-2-3 whole lemon and 2-3 orange rinds
- 2 old spaghetti jars or canning jars with lids
-Vinegar

What to do:
Place the lemon peels into the jar, pour vinegar in and fill to the top. Repeat with orange peels in a separate jar. Put lid on and let solution sit for 3-5 days before first use. The longer it sets the better. It will begin to change color over time. Lemon will become more yellow, and orange will become more brown.

Once it is ready to use grab a spray bottle and add 2 tablespoons of your lemon infused vinegar and fill the rest of the way with water. You are now ready to clean! 


Infusing the vinegar this way will give it a much more pleasant lemon or orange smell! My nose certainly does appreciate it! 


Additional notes....


You can do lemon, orange, lime, or grapefruit...get creative and use smells you enjoy. I am sure this would work with just about any citrus peel!


 

Turning Three

Today my first baby boy turned three. This beautiful little blue eyed, red haired baby is now...

...this fun, energetic, hilarious, kind, loving, and full of life, 3 year old big boy. 

Jack,

You bring so much joy to my life. You are my little buddy. My first sweet baby. I love when we snuggle on the couch and watch Power Rangers. I love how you play, and your incredible imagination. I love how you always want to help me cook and insist that you can 'do it yourself'. I love when you retell me the stories daddy tells you every night before bed. I love when you say "hey mom, watch this!" and then do a flip on the couch or so other crazy move.  I love your sweet spirit and your desire to do what is right. I love that you are always wanting to learn. I love the wonderful example to your little brother. But even if all that were to change, I would still love you no matter what! Just know Jack, that you are always and unconditionally loved by me, your dad, but most importantly by God. 


Happy Birthday big boy! I love you!