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  • Thinking, Playing, Reading
  • Thinking, Playing, Reading
  • Thinking, Playing, Reading
  • Thinking, Playing, Reading
  • Thinking, Playing, Reading
Home ยป Blog ยป Thinking, Playing, Reading

Thinking, Playing, Reading

by Sarah Turner Clover Lane, Thinking Playing Reading

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(Gorgeous sunset on the river – wish I never missed one.)

Thinking:

Of how excited Jeff and I are to have almost all my kids home this weekend.  Matt won’t make it home from college (Halloween weekend at campus is not to be missed this first year) but having almost all of them home has to be close enough for me.  I have a list of recipes to bake and cook which makes me so happy.  (I’ll post those all next week.)

I’ll have to wait until Thanksgiving to get them all back.  I now know what my mom meant when she said, “I just want you all here under my roof.”  It’s really a deep settling feeling, even with the extra work and chaos, that our hearts all crave as parents, even subconsciously I think.

Playing:

You have all helped me so much with my winter/sleep issues.  I had a good time shopping for all the things I need, and have already tried several and they really really work.  I went all out because I know I need to.

1. Epsom saltsat night have really made a difference-the magnesium helps, and the lavender scent.

2. Lavender essential oil-I learned this during yoga class, at the end, when our instructor gives us a cloth that smells like lavender to put over our eyes and I almost fall asleep.  I really want to lay there for the rest of the day but that is probably not allowed.

3. Citrus essential oils anddiffuserfor the daytime.  I LOVE LOVE LOVE this.  It smells like summer and like ‘clean’ at the same time.

4.A super warm hood so I can walk outside and get some exercise.

5. Vitamin D.

I found a cozy blanket at TJ Maxx and some running gloves at Costco (they aren’t warm enough though-I think I need mittens?).  I am still working on finding some good magnesium supplements.

I also found the CUTEST winter clothes on Amazon of all places, for Janey (after giving up on Gymboree :(.)  I wish I would have spent more time online shopping (I feel like I am always way behind on the trends-Costco, grocery pick up, etc…I always end up saying “This is genius!”)

Osh Kosh Leggings

Striped Unicorn Dress

Bow

It’s Boden knockoff but the quality is good enough for the price.  We had so much fun choosing them together. 

Reading:

Janey is beginning to read on her own and she is SO proud of herself and it’s just so exciting.  I love that little “click” when they get it.  And it’s happened at all different ages for all of my kids (and had no bearing on how well they did learning in the future!!!).  It’s just such a wonderful thing to witness.

Bob Books (our’s are so well-worn)

Patrick is reading all these books at once (which drives me crazy, but one is for school and one for home and one he and Jeff are reading together-Resistance is about WWII, so pretty heavy material.)

He LOVES this one.

Mike Lupica 

Lone Stars

Jennifer Nielsen

Resistance

The Rookie Bookie

Math, stats, and reading all in one and no complaints! ๐Ÿ™‚

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October 27, 2018 ยท 13 Comments

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  1. Deanna says

    October 27, 2018 at 5:07 pm

    I love that you found Lavender Essential Oils. Please make sure you get good quality. A lot of store brands have chemicals in them, which defeats the whole purpose. Hope you're sleeping better!

    Reply
  2. makingitmine says

    October 27, 2018 at 6:14 pm

    Finding little girls clothes is so tricky! The only places we found stuff this year were gap and h and m surprisingly! I have been searching for nightgowns though, I should try amazon!

    Reply
  3. knit one, knit two says

    October 27, 2018 at 7:11 pm

    I got chelated magnesium on amazon. It seems to help.

    Reply
  4. Ana of the Nine+ Kids says

    October 28, 2018 at 1:19 am

    I love how you expressed your appreciation for the hints people gave, that you tried them, and found some that worked! What a good example of humility you are! I've been thinking about your post about winter. I live in Montana where we have about five months of hard winter. For me, I think having a wood stove has made a huge difference. And a heating pad to set on my lap when I am not in the room with the stove. I also like winter because of the things we do NOT have to do–no yard work, no fruit flies, no flies, etc. I am grateful for the evenings we get to spend at home. I am also grateful that winter is dotted with the major holidays. I also have a good book recommendation for you: Self Coaching 101 by Brooke Castillo. Her ideas about how our thoughts influence everything in our lives is very compelling. We may not have control over our circumstances but our choices in how to view them are everything. It has helped me realize I have a lot more power than I have sometimes thought–I do NOT have to take the lowest common denominator road just because.
    https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0977853993/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

    Reply
    • Sarah says

      October 28, 2018 at 7:02 pm

      Ana I just started listening to her podcasts! Really really interesting and helpful. Thank you!

      Reply
  5. twinsontherun says

    October 28, 2018 at 2:59 am

    For magnesium I love this resource and her products.
    http://www.livingthegoodlifenaturally.com
    She is my go-to expert on magnesium. She has a magnesium cream that is the ONLY thing that eased my daughters growing pains (and Iโ€™ve tried 20+ remedies). Lots of good info regarding magnesium & sleep, too!

    Reply
  6. Susan says

    October 28, 2018 at 4:35 pm

    Sarah – thank you for sharing your heart with us. I love reading your posts! I am so happy that you are finding some solutions to your sleep issues. There is nothing more therapeutic than a good night's sleep! xo

    Reply
  7. S says

    October 28, 2018 at 11:47 pm

    The diffuser and citrus oils sound wonderful- do you like them all? I am contemplating just the sweet orange. I use citrosolv to clean my bathroom because I love the smell – if I could have that in a diffuser, I would love it!!

    Buy good quality ski gloves – Marmot or North Face – invest and you will not regret it. I wear gloves because I find it hard to walk the dog etc in mittens but I invested in a few good pairs and my hands stay toasty. Wool socks are great too to stay warm!

    Reply
  8. andersrmtm says

    October 29, 2018 at 4:58 pm

    I have been using this magnesium supplement. http://naturalvitality.com/natural-calm/

    Reply
  9. Lauralli says

    October 29, 2018 at 7:02 pm

    I'm waiting patiently to have all my "kids" home for Thanksgving, too!! It will do this mama heart good!
    Thanks so much for getting back to us with an update on the winter suggestions! I'm going to chime in, too, to say make sure you are getting good brands of essential oils. Do your research. I get mine from Rocky Mountain Oils. Two other things: It took me a while to find a magnesium supplement that didn't have ill effects on my gut. I take Magnesium Glycinate and it's made a great difference. Lastly, make sure to take the Vitamin D with a good source of fat. Since it is a fat soluble vitamin it needs to bind to fat for you to absorb it. It has made such a difference in my life in the last 6 or 7 years that I've been taking it!! Hoping you get the same results!
    I'd also like to encourage you to read up on taking Curcumin supplements for breast cancer fighting and prevention. Here's one that specifically talks about triple negative…..https://www.researchgate.net/publication/271265702_Curcumin_and_its_derivatives_in_breast_cancer_Current_developments_and_potential_for_the_treatment_of_drug-resistant_cancers

    Reply
  10. Beth in the City says

    November 2, 2018 at 1:47 am

    I worked up to two of these magnesium a day – but start with one for a while! This type is easier on the digestive tract! https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00013YZ1Q/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

    Reply
  11. Maren says

    November 7, 2018 at 2:36 am

    I love what you said about learning to read. My son was born a couple weeks after Janey and he's starting to read too, it's fun to see it happening. My mom had seven kids and most of us learned to read before kindergarten except for one of my sisters who didn't until second grade. She was always stuck in the lowest group and felt ashamed. Well, six of the seven of us have college degrees, but she's the only one with a PhD. So your disclaimer about when they learn to read is 100% true. ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  12. Angela S. says

    November 14, 2018 at 5:55 pm

    Hi Sarah! I recommend Ancient Minerals magnesium oil for your sleep needs. There are a lot of different kinds of magnesium and they all help different issues. I started using it for my daily headaches and ocular migraines and I can really tell a difference. I would order straight from them so you can get discounts and free samples:)

    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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