Confessions of a complusive organizer...with a creative streak

***Warning I am about to reveal some serious OCD tendancies.  If you don't want to be overwhelmed with my crazy then I suggest you move on to the next blog :)***

I can't say that I remember when "it" started.  I've just always been this way.  Yes folks, that's right.  My name is Angela and I am a compulsive organizer.  The thing is I have this odd creative, right brained side as well.  I can't just organize EVERYTHING in my life I have to make it pretty too.  I guess if I'm going to be honest I might as well admit that I have no plans to stop anytime soon.  My family has adapted without too much trouble so why change something that isn't broken right?! :)

Well fast forward to my life right now.  I have a 4th grader, a 1st grader, a Certified Flight Instructor hubby, and too many "jobs" of my own to even bother listing here.  When school started a few weeks ago I knew I would need some sort of a "system" to keep our lives on track.  Enter the "Command Center".  Clearly, I have a problem with over puncuation as well.

It took some time for me to gather all the necessary supplies and get my hubby to hang everything but I am happy to report that we are up and running.  I am feeling so much better now.  Like I can tackle the world, and maybe add some glitter to spiff things up.

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This is my new life and I love it.  Just for kicks I will explain it all for any moms out there who need some extra OCD today.  I mentioned the 1st and 4th grader so I figured each child would need their own board.  Savanna my 4th grader gets pink because well she's a girl and girls need pink.  Logan my 1st grader loves all things green (except veggies that is) so naturally his board needed to be green.  They each have their own cork board as well.  Basically Savanna gets the top row and Logan gets the bottom row.  They have their own matching clips, magents and thumbtacks as well.  Remember that right brained creative streak I mentioned?  Well here's where it comes into play. 

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My kids go to a Charter School nearby and have several teachers throughout the day.  I typed up a card for each child with all of their teachers listed by subject with their email address, websites and phones #s.  I also listed what days they have library or PE.  And yes I color coordinated them, DUH!



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The cork boards are used for things like spelling lists, notes and extra curricular schedules. 



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I also included a magnet pen/marker holder. 

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Each person has their own color marker and pen.  They are used on the all important calender.

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I only have 2 weeks schedules listed as I just finished everything up yesterday.  Like I said each person has their own color marker so their daily schedule is listed in their specific color.  This keeps everyone on the same page and we can all go to 1 central location to check any one of our daily schedules. 



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As you can see I have horrible handwriting.  It's genetic.  My Grandpa had bad handwriting, my Dad has bad handwriting, I have bad handwriting and apparently so do my children.  I read somewhere one time that bad handwriting is a sign of intelligence, so that is what we are going with here.  We're all just super smart!

Now that I've let you all peak into my crazy, over organized life I'd better run.  I have "real" work to do today.  Thanks for stopping by!

Angela

http://www.lilyquistphotography.com/

http://angelalilyquistphotography.blogspot.com/

www.facebook.com/angelalilyquistphotography

Sweet Baby Sadie

Hello internet.  I know it's been a while but I thought I would let y'all know that yes in fact I am still alive.  Barely...No really I had the craziest week ever last week.  Unfortunately this week is looking worse :(  I'm sure I'll figure it out, I always do right?! 

Anyway on to the photos shall we.  Everyone say hello to Sweet Baby Sadie...

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Yes she really is that cute!!  I could gush on and on about those sweet little lips but how about another photo instead?

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Maybe some little piggies this time.  You know how I LOVE me some baby piggies!

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Since things always look better in groups of 3 here is photo number 3.  Don't let this sleepy little angel fool you.  She was not so happy to have her photos taken or to go to sleep for that matter.  I pulled out my best baby whispering techniques and it finally worked.  Thank you so much Nick and Krystal!  I loved every second of working with Sweet Baby Sadie.  Yes even the crying parts.

Until Next Time...

Angela

http://www.lilyquistphotography.com/

http://angelalilyquistphotography.blogspot.com/

www.facebook.com/angelalilyquistphotography

"in between" photos of the week

I know I'm a slacker and didn't post an "in between" photo last week and I'm sorry.  What can I say back to school got the best of me.  So this week I'm going to make up for it by posting 2 photos.  How's that?  Does everyone feel better now?  Well I do anyway...

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The sweet kiddos are the Hewetts.  Doesn't it look like they are having fun?  Well let me give you a little background info.  This day was a particularly hot July day and even at 7pm it was miserable.  When I say hot I mean HOT HOT HOT!!  Well what's a photographer to do when the thermostat outside is measuring the same temperatue as the sun?  Bubbles of course!  As you can see the idea went over pretty well.

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No proper little girl likes to get bubbles on their face!  Lucky me look what I got.

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And because I don't want Spencer to feel left out here's 1 more.  Technically yes I lied when said I would post 2 photos.  And yes I know I shouldn't start a sentence with and.  Silly me!

That's all folks!

Angela

http://www.lilyquistphotography.com/

http://angelalilyquistphotography.blogspot.com/

www.facebook.com/angelalilyquistphotography

We made it...

We offically survived the 1st week of school.  The kids are totally loving it!  Me?  Well I'm still not sure.  It's so hard to see my babies grow up, even when it's something as important as school.  I'm sure that by next week when I can actually get something done at home I will feel better!

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Man when did they get so big?  On a funny side note; Logan managed his 1st day of school lunch remarkably well.  They take home lunch everyday except pizza day so I wasn't sure how it would go.  Apparently he asked for a small piece of pizza and "A LOT OF WATERMELON!"  I guess it's just proof he is mine right?!

Signing off...

Angela

http://www.lilyquistphotography.com/

http://angelalilyquistphotography.blogspot.com/

www.facebook.com/angelalilyquistphotography

"In Between" photo of the week...

I know I missed last weeks installment and I'm sorry.  I'm sure you were all sitting on pins and needles waiting for the next "in between" photo so here goes...

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Internet meet The Biglers.  I met this sweet little family about 3 1/2 years ago when the oldest daughter Chelsea was graduating from high school.  Fast forward and now she just left to serve a mission in Peru.  This was a combined family/missionary session and as you can see we certainly had fun!!

Thanks so much Bigler Fam-I just love you guys!!

In other news my baby starts 1st grade next week so I can't promise anything when it comes to blogging etc.  I'm sure I will be spending some time wiping my tears and adjusting to a quiet house.  Once I get myself together and figure out a new routine things will be back to normal around here.  Until then hang on, I know it's a bumpy ride but those are the best kind right?!

xoxoxo!

Angela

http://www.lilyquistphotography.com/

http://angelalilyquistphotography.blogspot.com/

www.facebook.com/angelalilyquistphotography

Something fun...

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Y'all know I believe that Photoshop is like salt...too much and it's just plain yucky!  Well this is one time I played a little...but not too much :).

Gotta be quick,

Angela

http://www.lilyquistphotography.com/

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(become a fan of Angela Lilyquist Photography)

Sweet little gifts from my children...

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We've been growing strawberries in our little flower garden for the last 2 years only to have the birds eat them all up before we get a chance.  Well this year my kiddos had a different plan...they would pick them before the birds got to them.  Needless to say they are a little on the small side but I couldn't love them more!

As I sat down to type this post my mind started to wander, which happens a lot :).  I started thinking about all of life's little gifts.  The small things that go un-noticed.  The little strawberries I might throw out if I wasn't paying attention.  It goes without saying that we are all grateful for our families, however dysfunctional they may be.  But do we really pay attention to all the little parts of our lives that are made better just by living with the people we love the most? 

The other day my hubby made the bed for me while I was gone working out.  No biggie right?  Well I'm usually the last one up so I always make the bed.  In a rush to get out the door early I saved the task for later only to come home and see that he had done it for me.  It was a fabulous way to start the day. 

Along with the fun of the summer sun comes all the fighting and arguing when 2 kids are home together everyday.  I have certainly spent my fair share of time refereeing all the disagreements.  Well today I got out of the shower earlier to find them playing together and actually sharing their toys.  It was a summertime miracle!  Another one of those little moments I might've missed. 

My life is full of crazy chaos 99% of the time.  It's that other 1% that stops me in my tracks.  I am truly blessed to have a hubby who works really hard and loves me unconditionally.  I have 2 amazing "miracle" babies who are growing up to be 2 kind and compassionate big kids.  I have an extended family that I can laugh and cry with anytime.  I have a circle of friends that I consider family and upon whom I can count on anytime.  I have a warm home to live in and yummy food to eat.  I have a job that I LOVE that allows me to document the connections of other people who love each other.  I am truly blessed and today I'm feeling incredibly grateful!

Just needed to put this out there.

xoxoxo!

Angela

http://www.lilyquistphotgraphy.com/

http://angelalilyquistphotography.blogspot.com/

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(become a fan of Angela Lilyquist)