I think I can, I think I can!

When I think back to my house as it was when I was at my lowest, surrounded by cluttered chaos and general feeling of being overwhelmed, I am shocked at where I am today. I am so stunned that it was without fear that I had a new friend over for lunch today. And (I might add) it was with very little stress!! :)

My entryway, kitchen, dining room and living room were actually pretty clean!

And GET THIS! It was during a couple weeks of crazy business! I have been more busy in the past two weeks than I have ever been. I haven't stopped! I have some health issues and have had numerous Dr.'s appointments, the kids started school again and of course there are extra trips to the stores and teacher's meetings and back to school meetings etc. Our schedule has been so crazy!

I'm watching my sister's 3 children while she and her husband are out of the country for 2 weeks. All of the kids are school age, but my two attend a local school and her three are home schooled. So I am helping my nephews and niece with their home school work. I also have a baking business from my home and had cake orders. I drive over to my sister's house a couple times a day to take care of their pets. I have other obligations and errands that creep up (like they do for all of us).

I also went away over Labor Day weekend and packed everything and didn't forget anything!!! You have no idea how huge this is that I didn't forget anything. (except my pillow - oye). I made lists! (LISTS!) We went away because my mother in law has cancer and we went to see her. I was worried that I wouldn't be able to hold up physically or emotionally while I was there with all that we have going on in our own lives. But, I felt such a strong sense of God and His strength come over me that I was able to be calm and peaceful in the face of negative turmoil and also (I think and I hope) be a blessing to her as I cooked and cleaned there at her house. We returned home last night and everything is unpacked and put away. This morning, I only had an hour or so to get ready for my friend to come. In the past, I would have cancelled or begged her to meet me at a local cafe, especially because she is a new friend who I wouldn't want to scare off my usually cluttered and messy abode. But I didn't cancel and my house was actually presentable!

I don't say any of this to brag or be filled with pride, please don't read those 'I' statements above and misunderstand. You have to know me to realize how HUGE it was for me to do all of the above and then have a house TODAY that looks like this:

There is HOPE:

I think today... I found MY HOUSE!!!!