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Home ยป Blog ยป Ordinary Days

Ordinary Days

by Sarah Turner Clover Lane, Ordinary Days

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My brother called last week and informed us that one of us Marine buddies would be flying over our house.  The kids were all excited as we waited to hear the chopper blades. 

And someone else was too.  The kids are used to this sort of behavior and hardly bat an eye at their weird Dad who tries to embarrass them constantly-or just to make them laugh.

We are finishing up soccer, and Patrick has been over-joyed at the fact that I FINALLY signed him up for a a sport.  He got to be a “big kid” for one season and participate.  Once he received his soccer uniform he wore it everywhere.  The shin guards and socks and cleats and t-shirt-EVERYWHERE, all day. He is pretty darn good for a four year old, but then he’s watched a heck of a lot of games, and practices constantly, and spends most of the time playing with kids much much older than him who don’t give him much of a break so of course he would be.  I just can’t stop laughing the whole time I watch him.  He told me, “Mom, just sit here and say- Go Patrick, go!- when you watch me OK?”  He must hear me say that to the older kids and wanted a piece of it for himself.

His “coach” is from England and is so cute, and is also just great with this age group.  After listening to him talk in his awesome accent, my Matthew said, “I’m going to go live in England one day.”  I said, “Sounds good to me, I’ll visit you often.”

I needed some new recipes and love, love, love this this book
I bought.  Really family friendly.  I am hoping to work through the whole thing this summer.  I am sure my family is hoping so also since we’ve had my grilled chicken or spaghetti or calzones again and again and again.  I’m burning them out.

The weather has been gorgeous lately but one day a storm rolled through…I thought the sky was beautiful.

Matt won the 2 mile race for his class-his 6th grade class started training for the race that the 7th and 8th graders have to participate in next spring.  The two top 7th graders were very interested in Matt’s time anticipating some fierce competition.

There is always someone laying on my kitchen floor.  Why is this?  There are more comfortable places in the house.  (Notice the soccer uniform-sans socks and shinguards, which I made him take off since it was close to 90 degrees all day.)

I never did a Mother’s Day post, but mine was perfect this year.  Super low key just the way I love it.  I sat and watched this soccer game as the day came to an end.

This week’s agenda: Exams for Abbey-super stressful, glad it’s not me, trying to be supportive, graduation for Isaac!!!-party on Saturday, Patrick’s last week of preschool-can’t believe it, Matt and Andrew hanging in there for one more week till summer vacation.

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May 23, 2012 ยท 30 Comments

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Comments

  1. Karin - BluePip Designs says

    May 23, 2012 at 5:23 am

    I just want to tell you that I love your "ordinary days" blog posts. As soon as I see that title in my rss feed I get a huge smile on my face. Thanks!

    Reply
  2. AmyJane says

    May 23, 2012 at 5:36 am

    Our Best Bites= dinnertime awesomeness. I made their rolls and corn chowder tonight since it's STILL rainy and cold in the PNW.

    Reply
  3. Shari says

    May 23, 2012 at 5:41 am

    As always these are my favorite posts of yours.

    I melted when I saw that picture of Patrick playing soccer. Dang cute.

    And what a great pic of your hubby playing with your boys.

    I'm excited about your suggestion for the cookbook.
    I may buy that one myself. If my family has to eat chicken and rice again they just might die!

    Reply
  4. Sheryl says

    May 23, 2012 at 6:19 am

    Last week at Pre-school for Patrick too! My little one still has 6 weeks to go and then in September starts 'big' school. I am dreading it.

    Love your ordinary day posts!

    Reply
  5. Mindy says

    May 23, 2012 at 6:29 am

    My daughter has that cookbook! I love the idea of working through it this summer… maybe we'll do that together. Thanks! ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  6. Magnolia Verandah says

    May 23, 2012 at 10:39 am

    Might have to look out for that cookbook. Love the photos as always. Should be Special Days not Ordinary Days then again…..your ordinary days look special!

    Reply
  7. You Can Call Me Jane says

    May 23, 2012 at 11:44 am

    Thanks for sharing- I always love these posts…:-).

    Reply
  8. Allison says

    May 23, 2012 at 12:03 pm

    That is a great cookbook, I've had it for a year now and everything I've made has turned out great. My family loves it, too. Love your blog updates, always spot on. Congrats on your pregnancy, as well!

    Reply
  9. Ruth says

    May 23, 2012 at 12:09 pm

    So perhaps you live near a special retreat? My husband said a co-worker was complaining about the helicopters that go right over his house at certain times…
    Where did you get the rug Patrick is lying on? I really like it.
    In the family soccer game it looks like the dog is the ball!

    Reply
  10. Cassandra says

    May 23, 2012 at 12:22 pm

    That is so sweet he wears the uniform everywhere!

    Reply
  11. Caitlin says

    May 23, 2012 at 1:24 pm

    The picture of Jeff cracked me up. There is nothing NOTHING better than a big hearted and goofy dad. I know, I have one (and married a future one) and they sure are the best.

    Reply
  12. Amy says

    May 23, 2012 at 1:26 pm

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    Reply
  13. Stephanie says

    May 23, 2012 at 1:37 pm

    The picture of your husband cracked me up! That is something I would do. That cook book looks interesting. I will have to check it out!

    Reply
  14. Danett says

    May 23, 2012 at 1:49 pm

    Love the photo of Patrick playing soccer. Puts a great big smile on my face. I love it!

    Reply
  15. Lisa Zahn says

    May 23, 2012 at 1:55 pm

    Your spring looks and sounds wonderful, if a bit busy! Good luck with it all.

    I will look up that cookbook. It's funny because I just read an article somewhere online (Salon, maybe?) about how we're all so fascinated with Mormon mommy bloggers right now. I haven't read any of those blogs, but now I see there's a cookbook too! LOL

    Reply
  16. luvnmy10 says

    May 23, 2012 at 2:40 pm

    Ordinary days- : ).

    Reply
  17. PhoenixRising says

    May 23, 2012 at 2:46 pm

    Your husband is now officially my favorite 'internet dad'!!!!! I love that picture!!!

    Reply
  18. Maiden Jane says

    May 23, 2012 at 2:47 pm

    Enjoy this time Sarah! I know you are super busy. I feel like life spins a wee bit out of control at this time. So many concerts, picnics, etc….late nights, everyone is tired – but also excited and uplifted. Annie had a complete meltdown over exams, driver's test, her party, a speech….we had to sit down and map it all for her and she felt so much better. The simple, little speech was what was really getting to her – even though she has been doing speech all year. It was in a different class and she had convinced herself she was going to do so poorly she'd rather take a zero than deliver it. She was losing sleep over it! Thankfully we got it all sorted out. I hate to see so much stress in kids. Teaching them how to cope, I guess, is the best thing I can do.

    Reply
  19. Meredith says

    May 23, 2012 at 3:25 pm

    LOVE ordinary days! Can you post your calazone recipe. . .looking for new recipes!

    Reply
  20. Shauna says

    May 23, 2012 at 3:28 pm

    LOVE this cookbook! I use it constantly. Love their corn chowder, oven-baked steak fries, breadsticks, and many more that are on their website too. Have a great summer!!

    Reply
  21. The Locklins says

    May 23, 2012 at 3:33 pm

    Your posts and family bring a smile to my face. I've been a mom for 20 months now and I love to see mom's with many children at all stages raising them so well. It warms my heart and gives me strength for future family growth.

    Reply
  22. Louise says

    May 23, 2012 at 3:36 pm

    Love your ordinary day posts too. So pleased to hear that it's not just me who keeps producing the same things for dinner, week in and week out!

    Reply
  23. Midwest Mom says

    May 23, 2012 at 6:44 pm

    Ohh Sarah, that pic of your hubby is absolutely hysterical!! I laughed OUT LOUD! Too funny. Arent you glad that hubby's like your (and mine) help keep things light around the house. This time of year has the propensity to totally stress me out. One more week to go for us too.

    Hang in there and thanks for the laugh!
    AmyW
    Chicago

    Reply
  24. Meagan Kenney says

    May 23, 2012 at 8:08 pm

    Your hubby is funny up on the roof like that! And Patrick is so cute in his soccer uniform! He looks like he really IS a great player!

    Reply
  25. Simply LKJ says

    May 23, 2012 at 8:10 pm

    Super busy time! Good luck to Abbey!! Kate took her last high school exam yesterday. She is done with the exception on graduation practice and the ceremony tomorrow night. She is sooo excited and ready. Thanks for sharing your week. Congrats to Isaac!!

    Reply
  26. Natalie says

    May 24, 2012 at 1:08 am

    May I recommend the Spicy Honey Chicken with Coconut Rice from Our Best Bites. A staple and one of our FAVS.

    Reply
  27. Anonymous says

    May 24, 2012 at 3:13 am

    Team sports are so great for kids.
    There are just so many benefits, fitness, learning team skills, getting along, how to deal with victory and defeat, skills of persistence and surviving disappointment, picking oneself up and going on!

    Reply
  28. shansen20 says

    May 29, 2012 at 3:19 pm

    I would suggest the Carmel sauce from that cookbook with some French toast. Don't know that I can ever top my French toast with syrup again after having that.

    Love your approach to parenting.

    Reply
  29. Cath says

    May 29, 2012 at 11:48 pm

    Love the french dip sandwich recipe in that book. SO so easy, and all my little kids eat it!

    Your ordinary days are so fun to read about. Love you Sarah.

    Reply
  30. Noodle says

    May 30, 2012 at 11:07 pm

    I can tell by those action shots of your little boy – he is very athletic! Love your posts, and so do my grown daughters!

    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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