Wowzers

Isabel FINALLY went down for her nap. Singular. This morning she decided that she did not want to take a nap. Oh, how I tried to encourage the nap this morning. But NO, she was not having it. I knew I would be paying for it later but I took her out and we played while she was bright eyed and bushy tailed. So weird. She does have a bit of a cold I think so maybe that has something to do with it. Maybe this current nap will extra long and I can finish my cleaning and laundry. That would be wonderful!

Cleaning and tidiness relaxes me. I love the feeling of going to bed at night, that the house is clean, dishes are in the dishwasher and being washed, laundry is always at a continual state, and the baseboards are clean. It makes me feel warm inside. I especially love sanitizing everything. Especially toys. I know the next time Isa puts one of her toys in her mouth that it is 99.9% germ free. That's good to know. I know I probably don't get everything, but again, it still makes me warm inside that I Lysol all the door knobs and light switches, and other "hand" popular spots. Hey, you can catch all kinds of nasties from places like that. OCD-no, trust me on that. I just really enjoy keeping house. Hey, it's my job! Why not be good at it?

Let me share with you a secret...

It's lysol cleaning wipes!

Seriously...they have changed my life.

As a stay at home mom, I'm always looking for new ways to keep a clean house. Well this little "discovery" is KEY. Keep one container in each bathroom, and one underneath your kitchen sink. (All Eco-friendly types-just look away now). And really, in minutes a day, all you have to do is wipe down all sinks in your home, toilets, and countertops. Every day it takes me 5-7 minutes to do a really good shine job. And one wipe does go far, I think I use 3 wipes for all the rooms in my house. And now they even have the wipes that clean glass-will be getting that next time! Jason is always commenting how the house is so clean all the time, so that makes me really happy. Another thing that these are good for is sanitizing toys. I might be a little overboard when it comes to that, but I do that every day!

Anywho, you know what else I'm getting next time--that broom that has a built in little sucker vacuum thingy at the bottom, so no more dustpans! Awesome. It doesn't take much to get me excited. If anyone gets that, let me know if you like it!

Ok, I'm listening now

Well today is a day like no other. Seriously. I did my usual cleaning during Isa's first nap of the day (she took an extra long one today too, I think she knew I needed it :). The cleaning today was to include: master bedroom, and master bath. Plus general cleanup around the house. And, the always favorite, baseboards (in Mbath and Mbed). Again, it was crazy, fast forward like cleaning just to make sure I got it done in time before Isa woke up. Surprisingly, as soon as I put the mop away, I hear her gibber-gabbering in her crib. Such a good baby.

Well as I was reveling in good work (I think in another life I would be a housekeeper, pretty lame I know, but I really do like cleaning!) I did, and secretly knowing Jason is going to be way thrilled that I am cleaning sheets today as well, I hear the Voice that I know (or maybe don't sometimes) all too well. "If you put as much effort in to getting to know ME, as you do cleaning, maybe we could be better friends."

I'm sorry, whaaat??? Stops me dead in my tracks, because for me, this doesn't happen often. In fact, this is probably the second real time it happened.

Ok, you got my attention.

"But, part of being this crazy amazing Proverbs 31 woman, I need to keep a clean house. That's what I get from it. Being a stay at home mom and all, Lord, this is what I do!"

"But, you have to keep balance. I know you. I know every hair on your head. I know how much MORE you enjoy doing certain things rather than talking to me..and that hurts my feelings."

Tears.

"Ok, I get it, I think. I will try harder, And, Lord, I'm so..so sorry. And I'm probably going to dissapoint you many times more. And for that, I'm sorry too. From the bottom of my heart."

"I know. I know."

This was my convo with my Maker today. Sometimes the things we do, thinking he wants us doing, isn't what He wants us doing at all.