What did I just do?!!

After months upon months of agonizing and praying, I finally submitted my application to grad school. GRAD SCHOOL!!!! It might not seem like a big deal to anyone else but me, but to me it's a HUGE MEGA DEAL! When I got started college my whole intention was to get my bachelors, then my Masters, then my Doctorate. Well, after 5 years of school for my undergrad I was done. My GPA wasn't high enough to get accepted into the Master's program and Bowling Green State University. I would have had to take an extra year of classes just to get my GPA up. I wasn't interested in doing that. So, I made the choice to be done with school. Even at that point I thought maybe I would take a  year off and go back eventually. Well, it's been 11 years.

I started thinking about furthering my education awhile ago. I might have even written a post about it. I could go look, but my brain is sort of fried right now. ;) A few months ago I decided to go ahead and apply. I figured no harm. Then I realized the application required an essay. I should have known that, but for some reason it really threw me for a loop. It was the standard "Where do you see yourself in 5 years and why do you want a degree from us." I don't know why it threw me so much, but it did. You see, I don't have a 5 year plan. For some reason "Be a good Christian, wife and mother, have a decent job, be able to pay the bills and have a little extra" didn't seem to fit into what they wanted. And they needed 500 words?! So, I spent the last few months trying to come up with a 5 year plan. I researched what types of jobs I would be good at. I researched which graduate degree would best fit those jobs. And still...no 5 year plan. I saw a bunch of careers I would be really good at. A bunch of careers I would be more than qualified for with a MBA. So, I went with that theme. I did all the revising I could do (with a little help from a friend) and hit the submit button.

And now I wait.

Then This Happens

Ben and I often talk about moving. We talk about how nice it would be to be closer to the grocery store, his work, and pizza. I really miss pizza delivery.

Then we get a perfect day. The one where the sky is blue, the sun is shining, the light breeze ruffles your hair. And I remember why we live in the country.

I'm big stuff

You may remember my friend Ashley from the guest post she wrote for me awhile back.

I was lucky enough to meet her when Adelae was just a baby. We were part of a message board for moms with kids born in Feb 2007. We've actually met a few times, so I know she's not some creepy internet stalker and she's a real person. And I love her. We might not see each other all the time, but we do keep in touch via Facebook several times a day.

About a year ago Ashley decided she was going to take her love of blogging to the next level. She started doing product reviews in addition to her regular blogging. She hit a snag when she realized that she could only review toys and clothes geared toward boys. Naturally, due to my awesomeness, she asked if I would be interested in helping her do reviews. And, since I don't have enough to keep me busy, I said yes! (I won't like the prospect of free stuff didn't hurt.)

So, you can occasionally find my reviews on her blog And The Little Ones Too. While you're there reading my introduction post, look around her blog. She has some giveaways open right now that I'm sure some of you would love.

IN. THE. TRASH!

I was sitting in the kitchen checking my Facebook, Email, and the like. I hear this conversation coming from the girls.

A: You NEVER EVER play with these toys! I am SICK AND TIRED of seeing them laying around. I'm throwing them in the TRASH!

B: Lots of fake crying

A: That. Is. It! I told you a zillion times to CLEAN UP THESE toys! Now they're IN. THE. TRASH!

B: a bit panicked No! Don't throw them away for real Adelae!

A: I told you I'M SICK OF IT!

Lots of giggles

As you can guess, this is a conversation we've had more than once in this house. I've never actually resorted to throwing their toys away. Mostly because I'm a pack rat. And I hate to think of all that money going in the trash. We bought those toys with our hard earned money. I can't see just pitching them. I know of some parents that have though.

I think the mess associated with kids is something all parents struggle with. I know there are parents out there that manage to keep a perfectly clean and clutter free house, even with little ones. I'm not one of them. I wish I were, but I'm not. I'm more about the play than the clean up. As a result, our house is rarely, if ever, truly clean. About once a week I get fed up with the mess and I demand the kids pick up. This results in the "If you don't clean up, I'm throwing your stuff away" conversation.

I was sort of hoping one of my kids would have that "neat" gene that makes them want to clean up all the time. So far, that hasn't happened. It's a constant struggle to get them to pick anything up. It's not just toys. It's dirty clothes, dishes, dress up clothes, and just about anything else they get out. I hear "But I HATE to clean up" at LEAST once a day. For almost a week we had them cleaning up two times a day. It was amazing! Then work, life, and laziness got in the way. I find it hard to be the enforcer when I've been at work all day. I just want them to be happy and have fun. I don't want the few hours I have with them to be spent yelling about cleaning up.

I wish I had a magic wand. Or some Mary Poppins type magic. I would LOVE cleaning up if I could snap my fingers and BAM! clean house. What tricks do you use to get your kids to pick up? Tips for keeping the house clean? When I get home from standing on my feet all day, the last thing I want to do is stand at the sink and do the dishes, or walk around picking up all the junk that magically accumulates when we're gone. (Where DOES that come from anyway?!)I'm open to any tips that can keep us from struggling with the stuff all the time.