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Home ยป Blog ยป Ordinary Days

Ordinary Days

by Sarah Turner Clover Lane, Ordinary Days

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Holey, Moley, we are busy here.  May can be crazy can’t it?  I keep telling myself in a few weeks things will quiet down, but I won’t count on that, just in case.  Soccer and crew and tennis and school are winding down-but of course it first has to wind UP before it winds down.  

I won’t have a nice Mother’s Day post up this year, I’ll be warning you now.  I am too busy doing that mothering thing to even think about Mother’s Day.  It always catches me off guard anyways-I’ve written before I MUCH prefer this little holiday low-key.  No breakfast in bed, or fancy things.  I bought myself a new vacuum a few weeks ago and I’m telling Jeff and the kids they can roll with that for the gift.  I’d rather just have an ordinary day anyways-that’s the best gift of all in my book.  

Here’s Patrick out waiting for the “boys” to come home off the bus:

And Andrew helping Patrick climb a tree.  He needed a ladder boost:

The three little ones had school off on Tuesday.  We all did some yard work, the reward being, of course, Mr. Freeze.  I wanted to shed some more light on our play area/sandbox so I asked Matt to climb the tree and cut a branch off for me.  He was more than willing than to stand 20 feet off the ground with a saw.

Last weekend we had SEVEN soccer games, no kidding.  (Rain dates caused that little fiasco.) Jeff had to handle five of those between two hours all alone because I was with Abbey at the one regatta I was able to attend this season.  I caught Matt’s game on Sunday.  He is a good soccer player and it’s fun to watch him.

Over the last 3 weeks I’ve caught up, here and there, on my scrapbooks.   My motivation was to have Isaac’s complete by his graduation party, mission accomplished, and I managed to get the other four caught up at the same time.

Stopped by the library, paid my large fine, and grabbed a few books quickly.  I have NO idea if they’ll be good or not…I’ve already rejected a few by the first chapters.

Abbey’s regatta.  Boy oh boy, crew is not for the faint of heart, or the faint of time, or the faint of travel, or the faint of opening your wallet.  (I have said a few times, “Don’t you just want to run cross country?  Or how about tennis?  That seems easy enough.”  No-she loves the boat and as much as it requires those big commitments above, I do think it’s a pretty cool sport.)

This was the “easiest” regatta-a one day event (no hotel stay in another city), and was only about 90 minutes away…on what turned out to be a gorgeous day.  We left at 5 a.m. and returned at about 7 p.m. and that is one long day.

Abbey is in the first boat-looks like they are winning, but the course bends a little so alas, that wasn’t the case. I think crew is a little like ballet-it looks so peaceful and pretty, but it is super hard work to get the “peaceful and pretty”.  I am dying to get myself into one of those boats just to see what it is like.  I guess they have a parent-try-it day in the summer, but I’ll spare myself and Abbey the embarrassment and the risk of a sinking boat and hold off a year.

 At this location, they had one dock to load and unload…which meant the unloading took place in the water.  I cringed when I first saw this-I am not a lake/pond/river swimmer (only ocean on a warm day in clear water) and there is nothing grosser to me than the mush at the bottom of a lake.  My sister-in-law and I had a good laugh because when Abbey got out of the boat to walk in this was her face.  I would have been making the same one. (She is the one in the back with the pink head band.)

I have to laugh because she can barely reach that boat.

Here’s a funny video Jeff took of Abbey learning to drive.  She has her temps now, and by golly, she will have her license about 3 weeks after Isaac leaves for college.  An extra driver is a God-send, even with the heart palpitations and endless worry it causes.  She has an issue with using the windshield wipers to put the car in drive but I hear she is actually a great driver (I pass the driving lesson duties to Jeff that’s why I don’t know firsthand.)

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May 10, 2012 ยท 21 Comments

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  1. The {Prince} Family says

    May 10, 2012 at 6:18 am

    What a cute video! I will CRY when my kids are old enough to drive. But hopefully they will turn out to be great kiddos like yours ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  2. Magnolia Verandah says

    May 10, 2012 at 9:30 am

    Oh its such a relief when the oldest can drive and they are so helpful and happy to drop off and pick up other siblings – they feel so independent. Its a bit more nerve wreaking waiting for the car to come up the driveway after a night out. I could never sleep a wink until everyone was home safe and sound!
    Great photos as always.

    Reply
  3. Kelly says

    May 10, 2012 at 12:05 pm

    Watching the video actually made me tear up – my older daughter is a few months younger than your Abbey and this is my future! Love hearing the conversation between her and her daddy- so sweet and fun.

    I'm with you on the mother's day- simple and being the Mom is what I really want to do on that day. (When I had a one year old and a baby I wanted to sleep and be alone…but with a 13 and 14 year old I just crave being with my people, being needed. Funny how perspective shifts!)

    Reply
  4. Jenny@ L.O.T.s of Love says

    May 10, 2012 at 1:17 pm

    That's so awesome that she loves to be in a boat! My sister does adventure races and marathon kayak races. There are not nearly enough girls in the sport. There are times she is the only girl in a race with men!

    Reply
  5. Readings, Recipes and Rambles says

    May 10, 2012 at 1:28 pm

    I would love to know how you keep up with your scrapbooks and how you organize your materials!! Your table seems way to clean! I am so far behind and would love to get going again but I am so overwelmed!!!

    Reply
  6. Meagan Kenney says

    May 10, 2012 at 2:21 pm

    Okay, at first I thought you were kidding about Abbey and the windshield wipers. Then I watched the video! Oh my….that made me laugh! She's such a cute girl! Abbey….I used to hit the curb EVERY time I took the car out when I was 15, and turning a corner. I am 32 years old and my mom and dad still tease me about this!

    Reply
  7. Unknown says

    May 10, 2012 at 3:16 pm

    Your little Patrick is the cutest thing how he waits for his siblings like that. : )

    Reply
  8. Cath says

    May 10, 2012 at 3:48 pm

    Move Robinson's Gilead to the top of your list. It is one of my favorites!! And Abbey's driving video is the best! Can't believe you are going to have a kid on the road!!!! And a babe in your arms!!! You amaze me. Sure love you dear friend.

    Reply
  9. Dessie says

    May 10, 2012 at 3:50 pm

    I'm forever grateful that reading your blog got me started on digital scrapbooking!! I ordered my prints this weekend (for the NSD sale) and LOVE them- as usual!! I really just want to sit and turn the pages of your book there!

    Reply
  10. Windhover Farm says

    May 10, 2012 at 4:22 pm

    Gilead is one my all-time favourite books. For a random pick you did alright!

    Reply
  11. Grace in my Heart says

    May 10, 2012 at 6:59 pm

    I sooo need to catch up on my scrapbooking. I'm about a year behind and E is only 2! ๐Ÿ™‚ So I'm impressed…you're doing well!

    Abbey is adorable. I still have that same problem with the windshield wipers sometimes too, haha…

    Reply
  12. Jill says

    May 10, 2012 at 8:13 pm

    I am very far behind in my scrap booking, my basket is overflowing… ๐Ÿ™‚ How do you manage to balance it all as busy as you are? I'm a stay at home mom and full time college student and I am desperately trying to find more hours in the day ๐Ÿ™‚
    thanks for sharing!

    Blessings,
    Jill

    Reply
  13. Simply LKJ says

    May 10, 2012 at 9:32 pm

    You amaze me with all you get accomplished! Abbey is so cute. Love the video. I remember those days. I was thanking that the girls daddy is a driving instructor on the side!!

    Reply
  14. Anonymous says

    May 11, 2012 at 12:13 am

    Gosh you guys stay busy! No wonder you want a low-key day. It would feel like a vacation! :o) We like to keep Mother's Day small, too. We normally just go out for ice cream because nothing beats a Dairy Queen Cookie Dough blizzard in my opinion! ;o)

    Reply
  15. Anonymous says

    May 11, 2012 at 3:47 am

    I loved Abby's driving video.

    My recollection of my first and only learn to drive with my Dad teaching me featured my Dad having the tanty!
    Wish I had a video of that! He would go viral over YouTube these days…….

    So off to Driving School I went/was sent.

    Reply
  16. It's me ...Mavis says

    May 11, 2012 at 7:51 pm

    "Don't you just want to run cross country?"
    Ahhh HA HA HA.

    Do you know how many pairs of $150 custom Nike running shoes I have had to buy? Oh and lets not forget the running spikes, and running flats, and flipping $60 matching track pants. LOL

    I may just have to suggest rowing to my daughter… I think it might be less expensive.

    Well, if I don't have to buy a boat that is. ๐Ÿ™‚

    Peace out Girl Scout. Enjoy your Mother's Day.

    I love reading your stories.

    Mavis

    Reply
  17. Ruthanne says

    May 12, 2012 at 3:35 am

    I just started Gilead too, I'm not sure if I like it yet, is that one that you rejected? I've heard good things but I'd like to hear your take. Abby is too cute.

    Reply
  18. Jessica says

    May 14, 2012 at 2:34 am

    I need to get caught up on scrapbooking too. I love your tutorial for digital scrapbooking. I'm so far behind on my kiddos scrapbooks and as soon as we move and get settled in I'm going to carve some of their nap times to getting caught up this way! Thanks.

    Reply
  19. Shawni says

    May 14, 2012 at 5:19 am

    I love your Ordinary Days posts.

    Happy Mother's Day to one of my favorite mothers who helps me retain the balance I need to survive this motherhood journey.

    Hope you had a good one with your new vacuum ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  20. author says

    May 15, 2012 at 12:44 am

    How do you do scrapbooks with more than one child? What do you do with photos that have other kids in them? Put a copy in each scrapbook?

    Reply
  21. Susan R says

    May 15, 2012 at 1:03 am

    I absolutely LOVE that Patrick waits for the kids at the bus stop, it is heartwarming.
    Funny thing about girls learning to drive…they smile and giggle A LOT. My girl still does it and she has her license. It's kind of scarey.

    Reply

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Sarah Turner

When our first baby was placed in my arms I knew there was no place I wanted to be other than home with him every day. Twenty five years, and five more babies later, (six children, now ages 26-8), I still feel the same. I blog here about motherhood, how to make a house a home, easy recipes, and simple living. You can read more about me here.

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Nothing pretty, flashy, or spectacular. Just an o Nothing pretty, flashy, or spectacular.  Just an ordinary Monday morning breakfast counter after the kids leave for school.  Because ordinary gets the short hand in our culture but really it's extra special. 
It's a symbol of unselfishness, contentment, prudence and gratitude.  There is a certain peace about the ordinary.  It's the opposite of temporary-it holds the joy of contentment and gratitude and prudence all in one hand.  It's lends itself toward peace, and a settling in, not a constant search for more or less or anything.  Ordinary is authentic and good enough- in short it's a gem in disguise. ๐Ÿƒ
I love my home and I hope you do also. With all t I love my home and I hope you do also.  With all the imperfections and maintenance it requires, when I pull up and walk in I want to stay, to relax, to feel safe, for daily life to be easy, and to care for "home". I want simplicity, ease, convenience.  To me when my home is simple, without being filled to the brim of things that just take up space I love it best.  I hope if you've participated fully or even partially as time allowed in 40 Bags in 40 Days you've found that joy and pride in your home.  I plan to share more little challenges and tips as the year proceeds to trouble shoot areas and keep maintenance effortless and the house love flowing.  Daily life in our homes should bring us joy and ease while we care for our families, we should be thoughtful stewards of our money and of our time and simple living is the answer to that. 
Thank you for participating! ๐Ÿก
I think this is one of the best things about the 4 I think this is one of the best things about the 40 Bag decluttering process.  When I know what I have and have removed all that I don't, it cultivates more discretion and caution about what I bring back in.  I think there is also some realization of how much money is wasted on fads, or thoughtless purchases.  It's quite eye-opening.  I've become so much more careful, and find we all take better care of things, as do my children.
The final week of 40 Bags in 40 Days! I've tackle The final week of 40 Bags in 40 Days!  I've tackled all the areas of my home with exception of my oldest daughter's room (not the photo)- which she is excited to work on this week.
The simpler the room, the easier it is to clean an The simpler the room, the easier it is to clean and straighten up.  And then the more enjoyable it is to actually sit in that room.  It's not a hard equation, all it takes is ruthless purging-and not just little things but larger items also.  Functional furniture is the key and very few decorative pieces especially when children are in the home, makes life so much easier. 
๐Ÿƒ
As we head into the last week of the 40 Bags in 40 As we head into the last week of the 40 Bags in 40 Days Challenge I'm hearing from so many of you what a difference it has made in your appreciation of your homes, a certain contentment, and at the same time a thrill of looking in on the organized kitchen, closet and living space.  I agree!  I love purging, cleaning and organizing a space and then going back later that day just to get that wonderful sense of accomplishment.  It makes such a difference! 
๐Ÿƒ
A lighter, fresher, calmer home is the result of de-cluttering.  I even had a participant who had been planning on listing her home, start 40 Days just to get her house ready to sell, and then was so ruthless in the process and also thrilled by the results that they decided to stay put in what seemed like a new home to them.  What a savings of time, money and energy. 
๐Ÿƒ
Next week I will be talking maintenance and answer all questions! โ˜€๏ธ
Tips For Shared Kids Rooms- This bedroom has seen Tips For Shared Kids Rooms-
This bedroom has seen every configuration possible.  With kids spread out 18 years apart, I've had to be creative over the years-which I think is the key to sharing rooms.  It is all possible-I consider it a rare luxury and privilege to not have to share a room although I know that is not the norm today. 
๐Ÿƒ
I like to create a simple look with white furniture (this ends up making room transitions easier also when moving someone out and someone else in.) I also like to match bedspreads for a cohesive look. 
๐Ÿƒ
Clip on bed lights save space. 
๐Ÿƒ
A simple shared book shelf can hold a child's special books and knick knacks and if necessary can be assigned per shelf.
๐Ÿƒ
When my kids were younger I had my dad build me a large wooden roll out box for under each bed.  This held each child's toys. 
๐Ÿƒ
All clothes are kept in a closet instead of dressers to save space.
I feel like I bailed on everyone following 40 Bags I feel like I bailed on everyone following 40 Bags progress and tips.  My excuse is the stomach flu ravaging us all here in the last week with me being the last to fall and the slowest to recover.  On top of that the weekend before I tried to roller blade (don't even ask how many steps I made it) and majorly bit it.  Thankfully I think I just sprained my arm. So I've been using one arm for nursing sick children back to health, and doing whatever cleaning and cooking and straightening I can do.  Alas, last week was a wash.  We have two weeks to go.  I'd like to continue and end on a high note.  How about you?  Even a little de-cluttering counts! Spring is in the air and I can't wait to throw open my windows and let fresh clean air circulate through my fresh clean orderly home. โ˜€๏ธ๐ŸŒท๐ŸŒฑ
Especially where kids are concerned- we tend to th Especially where kids are concerned- we tend to think that the more things they have the happier and more occupied and loved they will feel.  Nothing can replace human interaction and I've found that too many toys has the reverse affect.  They cause overwhelm-just like us - we'd rather sit in an orderly space than one filled with too many things to do and too much stuff.
โ˜€๏ธ
When it comes to kids closets here are some tips-
1. Hand me downs don't all have to be received.  Or received at all.  Be choosy and keep just what they will use and need.
2. When children are presented with too many choices, tension and acrimony can exist.  Being able to open a closet with a reasonable amount of outfits can create more peace.
3. Cultivating independence in care of clothes is easier when there is less and the space is simplified and organized. 
โ˜€๏ธ
More tips coming on the blog this week.  I am moving my blog platform so I can't make any promises - it's under construction and that's exciting!
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