Tsunami Mommy

"Tsunami Mommy"

That's my new nickname, bestowed upon me by my loving husband.  He means it as a strict warning to our four children that mom is on a cleaning/straightening rampage and that they'd better have everything neat and orderly.  I kind of think he means it in a negative sense (It's just a vibe I'm getting...), but I totally take it as a positive nickname - one that I have earned. 

It has taken several years, many messes, four children, and many messes and episodes with those four children for many years....to acquire this special nickname.  So I am honored to have earned it.    I am grateful for my newly-earned nickname.  I think it makes me a legend, don't you??? ;)

My mother-in-law was known as "Hurricane Sharon".  She got her nickname from being a mother to six and houseparent at Tipton Home to 17....YES  S-E-V-E-N-T-E-E-N!  22 TOTAL PEOPLE IN HER HOUSEHOLD FOR 12 YEARS!  She earned her nickname, too, in more ways than I will ever earn mine.  I've heard it told that she would empty out dresser drawers and have a pile waiting for a child to come and straighten it up - in a neat and orderly fashion.  She's still the most organized person I know.

My house isn't that orderly, though I kind of wish that it was. (Maybe I should invite "Hurricane Sharon" over for a  cleaning visit while???? Ummmmm. No.  I'd be embarrassed!) My drawers aren't straight.  Some of them are, but very few.  My philosophy is more "out of site - out of mind", but by that I don't mean "stuff everything under the bed" or "stuff everything in a garbage bag" or having "12 water bottles stuffed in crevices by the bed/under the bed" (as this photo illustrates).  No.  I'm more into things being put up in the right place; however, that place, in and of itself, may be messy. (Does that make sense??)  I can only go so far.  I don't have the time to organize everything perfectly.....and honestly, if I had the time, I wouldn't do it. It's just not that important to me.  I like to do to many other things to be totally organized.

Photo:  Source - Mom....June 2010

Prosecutor - Tsunami Mommy

Defendant: Jacob, age 12

Crime:  12 water bottles by/under his bed

Luckily for my kiddos, a few weeks out of October are fairly free on my calendar during the daytime while they're at school, so "Tsunami Mommy" is out in full force and finding lots of piles for them to take care of when they get home from school. I know they will thank me when they're older.  I'm certain of it.  But for now, I'd better get back to earning my new nickname.  I wouldn't want it to be taken away.

I'll be back for another more devotional-type post tomorrow.  See ya then :).

This post is linked to Gratituesday at Heavenly Homemakers. Join us for Gratituesday, why don't cha?