The HausMAN

While my husband and oldest daughter are at camp this week, I've enjoyed spending some "quality time" with my son, Andrew.

Andrew and I are a lot alike.  We get frustrated easily because we have high expectations and like things "just so" - except Andrew is already learning from his dad to let things go and to not have outbursts when things don't go as expected.  I'm still working on those traits!  :)  Andrew also likes things to be neat and organized; like me as a kid, he cleans and re-arranges his room often.  He is also a GREAT big brother and has helped me SO MUCH with Miriam this week.   Andrew likes to help his mom out and senses when I need a few moments alone or am starting to stress out.  He is a very kind young man, and I attribute a lot of that to his dad's influence ... While I can't quite fathom having a TEENAGER soon (Andrew turns 13 in 2 months!), I am looking forward to seeing what the Lord as in store for our boy.  :) 

 

On Monday Andrew and I determined to clean our house thoroughly!  I putter around and try to organize and clean - but with Miriam being SO BUSY these days, I really needed the help.

 We started in the living room, and Andrew helped me move all the furniture aside, take apart the couches for a good cleaning, and take down window treatments for washing.  Andrew even dusted his dad's bookcases, which is a huge job in and of itself!

We had some fun along the way, building a fort out of couch cushions:

And burying Andrew inside of it!

With all of Dan's bookcases in our living room, we really don't have a lot of options for furniture placement, but we did move things around slightly.   We made a little "reading nook" with the rocking chair I got when I was pregnant with Andrew (12+ years ago!).

Miriam approves, I think!

The next day, we tackled the dining room.

(ASIDE:  I'm not liking that leafy-ivy thing coming down the side of my china hutch, are you?!   I'm thinking it's gotta go!)

Next was the kitchen - complete with wiping down appliances and taking the stove apart to scrub it:

 And then we cleaned the refridgerator and freezer:

It hasn't been all work and no play though ... We have managed to go out for dinner one night, and today after Andrew's school physical we plan to head to Springfield for some fun in the BIG CITY.  :) 

Tomorrow Dan & Anna return!!  I've missed them SO MUCH this week but am SO thankful for this week with Andrew ... and Miriam.