I am a closet organizer...

Deeds--I took off work on Friday and Julie and I did something we have needed to do (Not sure we really wanted to do) for a long time. We went through every kids closet and the basement closets. Pulled everything out. Organized it. We found their were five categories of stuff.

1. Trash (You don't want to see a picture)
2. Yard Sale/Donation items --->
3. Items we are Keeping-to actively be used --->
4. Items we are keeping-for sentimental value that need to be put in storage
5. Unknown (usually ended up in category 1)

We also cleared off any shelf or bin that had toys in it. With four kids and over a decades worth of stuff this was a monumental task. We started in the morning and did not wind down until almost 7:00pm. Afterwards we all watched the "LDS" movie "Church Ball" and ate ice cream until bedtime. It was exhausting but extremely satisfying to have it done. Of course the best part was spending the whole day with Julie!

Thoughts--A couple of observation about the whole process.

• We found that we actually have a lot more closet space than we thought
• We are already talking about keeping some child toys for our "Grandkids". These are toys the kids no longer play with but are such favorites we want to save them for possible later use.
• Why is it so hard to throw away that random piece of plastic, game or puzzle piece that looks like it goes to something. Yet after going through every game and toy none of these "pieces" seem to go to anything. So in the trash they go. Still I have that nagging feeling that I am going to find the item they go to and kick myself for not saving them. Still if they have been at the bottom of that bin or closet for the past 4 years unused, I think we can live without them.
• Its funny what you can have a sentimental attachment to. Its almost always because it reminds you of someone (especially our kids) or a place in time. Baby things are really hard to part with because almost all of our kids used the same things and it reminds me of when they were babies (Tear rolling down my cheek...). Julie and I allowed ourselves to keep one bin of these "items" for "Grandkids" usage.

Words--After this project we made sure it was clear to the kids (Joseph and Seth) not to dump out all of the organized bins or trash the organized closets. We will see if that actually happens as it never has in the past, HENCE the need for this full day project.