If you’ve been here this week you know June 1st started our home makeover one room at a time. Three days ago, our upstairs hallway was one of the most cluttered spaces in our home. It had become a place where things were set down “just for now” until there was barely room to walk through. Today, I’m happy to say that’s no longer the case.
The hallway is finally clean, organized, and ready to be enjoyed again. Thank the LORD for that because now, Gerald who is blind and I can get up and down the stairs safely. Its not perfect but it gives me enough space to go through things in my room.
One of my goals for this challenge was to clear enough space that I could comfortably sit in the hallway and sort through the storage totes instead of feeling overwhelmed every time I walked by them. Now I can do exactly that, and it already feels like a huge accomplishment.
One of the best moments this morning was making myself a cup of coffee in our hallway coffee bar. It may seem like a small thing, but just a few days ago our coffee pot was sitting in the bathroom because there wasn’t room for it in the hallway. Being able to make coffee where it belongs made me realize just how much progress I made.
Another thing that made me smile today was walking through the hallway without worrying about tripping or falling. It’s amazing how much safer and more relaxing a space can feel once it’s been cleaned and organized. I can honestly say part of it is Charlie removing the vacuum cleaner and my carpet cleaner from the corner where it was sitting.
I even moved all the totes by myself downstairs although it sounded like I was tearing down the house. As I dragged them to the stairs and moved them one step at a time PRAYING I wouldn’t fall down as I was going down the stairs backwards. But I did it and I did it all on my own. That is a huge win to me.
As I worked, I also chose the first three items we’ll be reviewing as part of this challenge. Clearing out the hallway isn’t just helping organize our home—it’s helping me rediscover products and books that deserve to be shared here on The Mommies Reviews.
The first three reviews will be the Nutella B-Ready snack bar, the adult book Why We Suffer and How We Heal, and the children’s book Invisible which will include a whole series on the book. I’m looking forward to sharing my thoughts on each of them over the next few days.
This project has truly become a family effort. Charlie and Bradley both loved the new rugs and commented on how nice the hallway looks now. Charlie even said he would help me hang the rest of the signs up Bradely and I wasn’t able to get up.
David and I found the new rugs at DD’s Discounts, and while we were there we also picked up a new comforter / blanket for our bed. I also found a couple more cup towels I plan on picking up this week. The rugs completely changed the feel of the hallway, making it warmer and more inviting.
The sweetest comment came from David. He told me how much he loves the way the hallway looks now and said he can’t wait to sit down and have a cup of coffee with me there in the morning. Moments like that remind me that this challenge has never been just about cleaning. It’s about creating spaces where our family can spend time together and enjoy being at home.
There is still plenty to do throughout the house, but finishing this hallway has given me the motivation to keep going. Sometimes all it takes is completing one room to realize that the rest of the house can be transformed too. It just takes time and motivation and doing it one step at a time.
We’re taking this journey one room at a time, one project at a time, and one day at a time. Charlie, David and I wanted to remind you it’s Room by Room, Grace by Grace. 💙
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
