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Home ยป Blog ยป A Few Things

A Few Things

by Sarah Turner Clover Lane

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We have snow!  How exciting!  Last year I don’t think we had an inch, and I don’t think it will stay for Christmas. But it’s so pretty outside.  I remember snow for Christmas almost every year when I was little.  I grew up in the snow belt, so it was pretty much a sure thing.   Most of the time the snow piles were bigger than us.

(It was obviously a little bright out that day for my sister and I.)

Janey is finally feeling like her sweet happy self again and what a difference that makes.

And I love this message I received in my in-box the other day, and it seemed like perfect timing for me to hear-

“One of the great values of Advent is that of quieting down, of being still, of being awake and alert, so that we might prepare ourselves for the coming of the Lord, and that we might hear his voice when he comes to us. There is no substitute for this preparation. No other way.

It would be a shame to be distracted and miss out.   Hence, this is why in Advent we hear John the Baptist tell us, in no uncertain terms, that we must prepare the way for the Lord-make straight his paths. John tells us to get rid of anything that hinders us from meeting God.

If John would to come to us now in this modern day, perhaps he would be speaking of shutting things off, turning down the volume, putting the gadgets aside, to quiet down, be still, and listen for the voice of God. And, perhaps also, he would also mention going to confession, reading the scriptures, expressing your hunger for God in your prayer. Telling God that you truly want to see his face, that you need him, and that you want to serve him.

John uses a special word for “repent” and “repentance.” It’s not just simply about being sorry for your sins. The Greek word used [metanoia] means “to go beyond the mind you have.” That is, change your attitude, change your way of thinking. Go beyond how you view the world. Not letting the world or the media shape your vision or your values, but rather, more and more, to see things as God sees them, and to walk God’s path – not our own. Seeing as God sees changes everything for the better. How we see life and what it’s about, how we see each other, how we see ourselves.”


The promise of Advent is that God indeed is coming, and that he wants to speak to us, be with us, and through his Holy Spirit, help us to live. But we must say “Yes,” and want this. And so, we listen, we prepare the way, we make straight his paths.   This is the challenge of Advent; this is the promise of Advent. God is coming to us, and we joyfully prepare the way.

Msgr. Marvin Borger


“It would be a shame to be distracted and miss out.”

My life is so busy right now-not just the day to day parenting and household duties, but the preparation that comes with Christmas.  Layer on top of that the assault (because it really is) of the materialistic messages that dilute it all, and I have to admit, there are times when I am most definitely not feeling any Christmas spirit. But being still, and quieting down, to remind myself what it’s really all about is always the answer.  If I don’t do this, the season will be gone before I know it, and I will feel like I missed the special-ness of it all.

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December 15, 2013 ยท 10 Comments

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  1. Billie Jo says

    December 15, 2013 at 3:45 pm

    Beautiful pictures, Sarah…

    And your "all better" baby is adorable. : )

    I wrote a similar post about Christmas…so glad to see others feel the same.

    Enjoy your snow!

    Reply
  2. Happy Annie says

    December 15, 2013 at 3:46 pm

    There is something about a heavy snowfall, the beauty and quietness it brings, that I just love. Enjoy your winter wonderland Sarah! ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  3. The Bryants says

    December 15, 2013 at 9:59 pm

    That email was beautiful. What wonderful words for us all to remember during this holy season.
    And isn't it so hard to tune out the materialism? I'm sure it's always been hard to quiet ourselves no matter when we lived. But we must try mustn't we.
    Thanks for the reminder.

    Reply
  4. stephanie says

    December 16, 2013 at 3:54 am

    Oh Sarah, I loved this! I've had all of the same thoughts today. I am ready to burrow in with my family and shut out the world til Christmas. Enjoy your snow!

    Reply
  5. Liesl says

    December 16, 2013 at 1:25 pm

    Thank you

    Reply
  6. Amy Makechnie says

    December 16, 2013 at 2:54 pm

    Perfect to hear today. Thank you, Sarah. Merry Christmas!

    Reply
  7. Midwest Mom says

    December 16, 2013 at 6:11 pm

    This post is such a beautiful reflection of who you are and why I love your blog. Thank you, Sarah.

    Reply
  8. mmommo1 says

    December 17, 2013 at 4:07 am

    yay janey! and Advent!

    Reply
  9. Simply Fresh Country says

    December 17, 2013 at 1:52 pm

    I feel so blessed to have come across your blog today! Your e mailer really touched my heart. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
    Merry Christ mas!

    Reply
  10. Julie H says

    December 28, 2013 at 4:32 am

    How cute your little one is in her bright red jacket ๐Ÿ™‚ So sweet!

    Reply

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Welcome!

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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