The Room

As a child, I recall that rooms in our farmhouse had a name. One room was regularly referred to as the "blue room" simply because it was painted blue.

A few months ago my husband began to refer to a room in our home as ...The Room from ....Well, I can't really write what he said in good conscious. Needless to say my husband's description was true.

The first time I heard him mumble the room's new description...I wanted to argue with him, but knew it was true. Miraculously, I made the split second decision to let the new name sink into my lil wife heart. I knew why he dubbed it with that title. When something was placed in that room....it was LOST forever! No joke.

:: a small sampling of the room :: 

Later that day, I stood in the door way staring at the random assortment of stuff, junk, and more stuff. Clearing this room was multi-layered. I took a deep breath, rolled my eyes and shut the door.

Time passed.

Something had to change and will power wasn't going to solve this problem long term.

Hello?! I knew somewhere in that room was a book I had ordered on SIMPLICITY. You can't get much better than that folks, a book about simplicity gets lost in The Room from...

http://tshoxenreider.com/organized-simplicity

Well, it's been a few months. The room is still problematic.  On the bright side, you don't have to play hopscotch when you enter because of the random stuff sitting on the floor and stacked on either side.


A few weeks ago, I had cleared enough layers of this room to rescue the book about simplicity. We're slowing working on destroying bad habits and forming new habits. It's not the fix-all book. It's not about will power. It's not about cleaning systems.

It's about intentional living. It views the first art of homemaking as discovering or knowing your "family purpose statement." What has God called your home to be? A place to cultivate deep relationships? A place for rest? A place to learn? A place to celebrate and nourish creativity? A place to learn character through work? a place to laugh?

Amazingly helpful!

Though still in process, the Weddle Family Purpose statement includes the word "rest". That probably explains why these quotes stood out to me.

"Creating a more peaceful living space doesn't happen overnight, nor does this tranquility remain forever unchanged once you've arrived at uncluttered nirvana. A peaceful home requires a change of attitude, a habit of regular maintenance and a lifelong commitment to place higher priority on relationship and events than on things."   Pg. 105

"Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful 

or believe to be beautiful." pg. 103

"Make your home a place 

where you can slow down." Pg. 103

"When you take the time to declutter 

and purge your home of the unnecessary, 

you buy time for the future to enjoy your home 

and share it with others." pg 102

Ok, so here's the picture you've all been waiting for. Now, now! Don't act disappointed. I looked. I didn't have any pre-room pictures.

Here is "the room" as it looked at 2:30 today...

Thank God, hope is not about our perfection

18 months

To my lil man, Clark Allyn

Here is what you've been up to...

- You love to go "ows-sisszs" and play
- The Doctor today just told us you have pink eye. The joys of childhood!
- You cling to two naps a day. 10-12 and 4:30-6:00.

- You love to go to Tim and Lydia's pool and JUMP in. No fear of water there.
- New vocabulary words include Bap bool (purple), tack ur (tractor), DADDA! at the top of your lungs, EEEEk, EEEK (tweet, tweet)
- You really concentrate when you shake your head and say yes or no.

- Potty training is right around the corner!
- You have become proficient at signing all done, please, thank you.
- You get pretty excited when the word - Lane, Tim, Claira, Chris, Grandma, Brandon or Mason is mentioned in a questioning tone.
- Your Dr. is pleased that you are back on the charts at 25 lbs & 32 inches in height.
- You get excited to see Grma and Grnpa....even the B side that you don't see very often. Of course, cows, tractors, cousin and good food win you over pretty quickly.
- You adore your daddy....which in itself is a pretty good Father's day gift!