adventures in babysitting

This weekend, Stephen and I had a couple of house guests that kept us entertained, kept us {me} up,  and kept us on our toes, and I felt truly blessed to have them around. Before their arrival, I made a list of things we could do with the kids...well, this is what we actually did:

We...
..read books in the bathtub two different times {we had a couple of tornado warnings and watches}
..played Where is Sock Monkey?
..played with legos
..changed a lot of poopy diapers
..cleaned poop out a bath tub and  the living room floor
..watched one particular Wild Kratts episode several times...I think I could quote the entire thing.
..went on walks
..colored
..played with bubbles
..played tickle monster...Stephen was the tickle monster
..went to The Creative Discovery Museum
..made blueberry muffins
..called Aunt Nana (my sister Amanda)
..were kissed and hugged constantly...and Tommy constantly told us he loved us. {my heart melts}

These boys make me so happy!

Lots of Love,

Meagan

sunday kind of love

Having a  lovely Sunday?

Did you rejoice, reflect, or remember the love Christ has for his children--a true love? {2 cor. 5:14}

Since Thursday, my hubby and I kept our two nephews, one 2 and one 4. They just left us and I am now filled with lots of love, joy, and a lot of patience. A love that's hard to describe. These boys are very special to me and Stephen. Stephen and I do not have kids of our own yet, but after this weekend, it has made me that more excited about being a mommy one of these days...like in a year or so... :-) I will post pics and stories from our weekend adventures. For now I'm going to rest...later I will reflect.

In the meantime, I am going to beautify my blog, My creative director (my hubby) told me my title needed a change too, yet again. I'm not going to change it entirely, just one word... hopefully this time I have it right. Thanks for letting me be creative.

LOL,

Meagan

Spring Cleaning Checklist

{via}

It's almost that time of year friends! The time of year, we open up our windows, turn up the music, and spend an entire Saturday, cleaning, purging, and organizing-- "spring-cleaning". I find having a spring-cleaning list very helpful. A list keeps me on track and provides me something to check off as a task is completed.

Our nephews are coming to stay with us this weekend, so I have a feeling my home is going to need a good deep clean afterwards {I will hold off any cleaning, until the little boys leave...hehe}. I like to get my spring cleaning done the beginning of March, sometime around my b-day, and since we are so close, I felt the need to share a list I find very helpful:


FOYER

1. Dust lighting fixtures.
2. Wash walls and trim.
3. Wash doors, knobs and switch plates.
4. Wash furnishings.
5. Empty out coat closet. Wash walls and floor. Sort items as you return them to the closet. Store out of season items, donate unneeded items.
6. Clean or replace entry mat.
7. Sweep and scrub floors.

BEDROOMS

1. Open windows
2. Dust furniture.
3. For each drawer: remove items, wash drawer, place items back neatly. Donate Items you no longer need.
4. Remove everything from closets. wash closet walls if necessary. Sweep and wash closet floor. Put everything back neatly. Donate items you no longer need.
5. Move Bed. Sort and put away anything that was under bed. Sweep or vacuum under bed.
6. Put bed back. Flip mattress. Vacuum both sides.
7. Launder bedding and curtains.
8. Wash pillows and duvet in hot water. Air out mattress pad, if you have one.
9. Dust lights and clean shades.
10. Wash windows and window sills.
11. Wash switch plates.
12. Wash walls and trim.
13. Wash mirrors or dust art.
14. Wash doors and doorknobs.
15. Sweep and wash floor or vacuum.

BATHROOMS

1. Open windows.
2. Empty all cabinets and vanity. Wash inside, replace items neatly.
3. Discard expired medications and cosmetics.
4. Wash outside of cabinets and vanities.
5. Clean tub. Clean drain.
6. Clean toilet, inside and out. Remove seat and clean around seat bolts.
7. Clean sink and drain.
8. Shine faucets.
9. Clean mirror and frame.
10. Dust light fixtures.
11. Wash windows and window sills.
12. Wash switch plates. wash walls and trim.
13. Wash doors and door knobs.
14. Sweep and wash floors.

KITCHEN

1. Open windows.
2. Remove and clean window coverings.
3. For each cabinet or drawer: Remove items, wipe out drawer, place items back neatly.
4. Wash and sanitize cutting boards.
5. Wash cabinet doors and knobs.
6. Clean out and organize pantry. Check food expiry dates.
7. Clean oven.
8. Clean stove top. Remove elements and drip bowls, if applicable, wash and put back.
9. Clean and organize fridge and freezer.
10. Defrost freezer, if necessary. Check food expiry dates.
11. Clean under fridge and stove.
12. Clean microwave.
13. Clean crumbs out of toaster oven.
14. Wipe down any other counter appliances.
15. Wash counters and back splash.
16. Wash and shine sink. Shine faucet. Clean drain.
17. Dust light fixtures.
18. Wash windows and window sills.
19. Wash switch plates.
20. Wash walls and trim.
21. Wash doors and door knobs.
22. Sweep and wash floor.

DINING ROOM

1. Open windows.
2. Wash curtains.
3. Wipe down table and chairs.
4. Wipe down or dust other furnishing.
5. Create a pretty spring centerpiece on table.
6. Dust any displayed china or serving dishes.
7. Launder table linens.
8. Wash windows and window sills.
9. Wash switch plates.
10. Wash walls and trim.
11. Wash doors and door knobs.
12. Clean floors. 

LIVING ROOM/FAMILY ROOM

1. Open windows.
2. Vacuum sofas.
3. Spot clean sofas, if applicable. 
4. Dust and Clean lamp/lampshades.
5. Dust shelves, furniture and decor.
6. Wash windows and window sills.
7. Clean television screen.
8. Carefully dust electronics.
9. Tidy electronics wires. Tuck nicely out of sight.
10. Wash switch plates.
11. Wash walls and trim.
12. Wash doors and knobs.
13. Clean floors.

LAUNDRY ROOM

1. Open windows.
2. Wash windows and window sills.
3. Wash cabinet doors.
4. Wash inside cabinets.
5. Wash laundry sink. Shine faucet. Clean drains.
6. Wash outside of washer and dryer.
7. Wash inside of washing machine.
8. Wash lint trap.
9. Wash switch plates.
10. Wash walls and trim.
11. Wash doors and door knobs.
12. Sweep and wash floors.

Happy Cleaning!!

LOL,

Meagan 

psalm 42:2

"My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?"

#Marchphotoaday challenge created by fatmumslim

My first month participating in the photo challenge created by Chantelle, was truly enjoyable! I can not believe I managed to post everyday with out forgetting. Go me! It's hard to believe February is coming to an end and my birth month is almost here! I am excited for March's photo-a-day challenge and recently Chantelle posted next month's prompts.

How to play:

*Starting on March 1st take a photo each day with inspiration from the prompt. You can interpret the prompt any way you like!
*Once you've taken your photo you can share it on your blog, Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, etc.. If you're sharing on Twitter or Instagram add the hashtag #Marchphotoaday, so others can find your photos too.

I hope you will join the challenge!!

LOL,

Meagan

a weekend with my cutie patooties...25 things to do

Next weekend, Stephen and I will be keeping our two nephews {ages 2 and 4} for the entire weekend. So, I made a list of 25 things we can do with the boys to keep both entertained.

1. go on a nature walk

2. draw with sidewalk chalk

3. dye eggs

4. make mommy and daddy artwork with crayons

5. make a fort in the living room out of sheets and cushions

6. play "superman"

7. read books

8. make pizza

9. give maxwell a bath {hahaha}

10. play hide-and-seek

11. have a dance party

12. give piggy back rides

13. go to the park

14. play go and stop

15. go to chi-fil-a

16. take a nap

17. go on a treasure hunt in the apartment

18. color

19. play chase

20. call aunt nana, grandma & grandaddy

21. sing songs

22. play with bubbles

23. go for a walk

24. do a spring craft

25. watch a 3D movie with Uncle Stephen

Super excited to have my nephews stay with us for three entire days! What a great way to kick off the month of March! They fill me up with joy, love , and laughter.

LOL,

Meagan

"I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!"

John 15:11

just a few of my favorite things

1. Scout by Bungalow- The Pleasure Chest is perfect for a day at the beach or pool. http://www.bungalowco.com/

2. The Original Donut Shop K-Cup

http://www.keurig.com/

3. Falsies Mascara by Maybelline

http://www.maybelline.com/

4. Monogrammed Silver Matte Earrings

http://www.handpicked.net/

5.Coral Reef Revlon Lipgloss

http://www.revlon.com/



6. Auburn Tumblers

http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/

LOL,

Meagan