Cleanliness Is Next to Godliness

 My grandpa calls me "Mrs Monk". In reference to the show Monk. I recognize that I have classic signs of OCD and germaphob tendencies that continue to get worse and worse as the years go by.

I don't really know when it started. I was raised in a large family and we never had a house big enough for all of us to have our own spaces and rooms, but I never remembered living among clutter, filth, or chaos. You would never come into our home and think a tornado blew through or that we didn't care for our things.

I  think it was always important to my mom that we learned that everything has its place and that just because we were a large family living in small areas didn't mean we needed to fit the stereotype. We were always clean, groomed and presentable and our home reflected that too. 

I can remember we would have heavy cleaning days and all work together and the only thing that made it go by fast was to listen to music. We all got along better if there was music playing.  We each had our assignments and areas to clean.  I am sure I reacted as all kids do and complained and grumbled about having to do it, but I can look back and realize that I was comfortable in my surroundings and enjoyed our home.  (side note: I don't care how other people keep there homes, it is just how I need to keep my surroundings in order for me to be at peace)

So I find myself now a mother of 5 living in my own home and constantly not feeling Ike it is "clean enough" or organized enough or sanitized enough!  Last night I started the nightly routine of getting kids fed, bathed, to bed and when that was all done it was 9pm. As I walked through the house, completely clean and organized I still managed to find an hour and a half of "clean enough" to do. I bleached the sink drains and the scrub brushes, the water dispenser and the bathtubs, cleaned Rix packaging office and refolded the swim towels in a more "neat" fashion. I really can't sleep or go to bed until everything is done, I cant leave something for the next day, because I can't start my day behind.  

Do I realize that all of this is insane and too much?   Absolutely!   Do my kids think I'm crazy? Certainly!  I know the Lord teaches moderation in all things, EVEN cleanliness. So I guess I post this to remind myself that while some may look at these habits as a problem, I realized what these habits provide for me...INNER PEACE. When I have peace I can be a better wife and mother.  I feel closer to the Lord (stop laughing, you know who you are) and I feel accomplished.  So I applaud the logic that Cleanliness is Next to Godliness.  

Today was a very Holy Day!     

Happiest place on earth!

So we recently returned from a wonderful vacation to So Cal with the kids and enjoyed a day at Disneyland then a family day for Aubreys birthday, then a day at Raging Waters. It was great to get away from the heat and enjoy doing stuff that we don't usually do. The kids all had great fun and we enjoyed watching them make memories. It is always nice to get away, but it is always nice to be home!

So I got to thinking about the happiest place on earth and there have been moments in these past few weeks that have helped me to see what is truly "my happiest place". So here are a few of my places...

Wherever and whenever my family is together eating, laughing and reminiscing about good times.

Being at Target when something I really want has gone on sale and I have $ in the bank to buy it! That is a happy place!

Going to Costco and checking out only to have Rick pay for my shopping spree! THAT is a happy place.

But mostly I have realized where my happiest place is and knowing that I will have my family forever and that there are
No Empty Chairs and thinking about my dear friend Don, and looking forward to the day when he will greet me... That will be the happiest place for me.