Day One of the Cleaning Challenge....check!

So I read my first day of 31 Days to Clean. I really like how the heart of the book is knowing your own heart and *why* you want to have a clean home. Like Sarah Mae says, it's more than just "keeping the roaches away." :) I'm supposed to write down why it's important to me to have a clean home. So here's why.

Ok, so there's so many reasons that it's hard to put them in a way that doesn't sound like a hot, jumbled mess of words and ideas. I'll try.

For my boys. I want my kids to have a clean, uncluttered home in which they can learn well, play well, live well, and *be* well. They can't play in a room that's a mess with toys, trash, clothes, games, and books. There's nowhere to play. I can tell right away if there's a clean space for them to play because they are quiet (errrr, sorta) and playing together. We can't learn in our school room if it's unorganized and chaotic (which it totally is right now. And I hate that.) We can be healthy and well if the house is a mess. And I want them to be proud of their home. I want them to be able to welcome people in with no hesitation. Shoot, I want to do that, too. You know, I'll turn on Hoarders and see these kids who can't have anyone over, ever, because the house they live in is so deplorable. My house has never looked that way, but I don't ever want my boys to feel like they can't invite people over because they are ashamed of our home.

For my husband. My mother-in-law is a VERY tidy and neat person. She and I have very distinct differences when it comes to our housekeeping. We love one another regardless, so that's a blessing. :) But it's very difficult for Adam to be at peace in our home because he was raised in a MUCH tidier environment. Cleaning is not something I enjoy. I don't love to clean, I don't like to clean, most days I'd rather not clean a single thing. It's a CONSTANT battle. I wish Adam knew how much I struggle with it. I mean he knows because the house isn't as clean as he'd like, but it's very much an internal battle. I wish I did LOVE to clean, this whole process would be much easier. :) He's unhappy, so I'm unhappy.

For myself. I don't want to be the wife and mom that can't keep a clean house. It's embarrassing and depressing.

Ok, so there are my reasons. I want to have a clean home for the people that live in it. We all deserve it and I need to put in the work to make our home the best it can be.

Bring on Day 2!! (I say that now, but I looked ahead and tomorrow I'm cleaning out the fridge. Ugh. :)