God Has Answered

Photo by Mozart Do you remember the show "Clean Sweep"? A team with a goofy construction pro, a dramatic designer, a hard-nosed organizer, and an over-the-top host would enter a family's home and convince them to get rid of the majority of the "junk" in a room with the promise of a new, better room. At first, it was a humorous show with playful banter and a few tears, but as time went on, America began to realize that some of these people had problems, big problems, that could not be solved in two days on site and a 30 minute television show. Fast forward a few years, and now there is a clinically diagnosed anxiety disorder called hoarding and much darker, more serious shows "Hoarders" and "Hoarding: Buried Alive". I have a close family member, who if she consented to psychological help, would no doubt be diagnosed with this disorder. As I considered her history, her life that led to this place where she is completely obsessed and co...

Last weekend I moved my oldest daughter, Elli, into what had once been deemed her "someday room," the room she would have when she got old enough to be farther away from me at night. It's the room farthest from my bedroom where I might have trouble hearing her if she cries or she might have to weave her way down a hall to find me. When we moved into our home five years ago, it seemed like it would probably be many years before she would be big enough for her "someday room". Two nights ago, she spent her first night there. While moving Elli into her new room, I also removed the final remnants of baby from Makaylyn's room, no more changing table or rocking chair, just a big girl bed and big girl toys. I'll admit it. I cried. I am thrilled about the stage of life we are entering as a family, the growth I see in my children and in myself, but I am a little sad saying goodbye to where we've been too. I can't help but wonder if I cherished enough momen...