Our new adventure has begun. After months of planning and waiting we've finally combined households.

Combining households is exciting. Having everyone together in the same house -- minus the expected growing pains -- is just what we wanted. That said, combining everyone's stuff is for the birds. I've been amazed at how much stuff had piled up in my tiny house and how much stuff had been hiding in Shay's small apartment. We've gotten rid of so much stuff, but we still have quite a ways to go.

We've got the bedrooms traded that needed switched. Both sets of bunk beds are built. Two new mattresses and a new set of sheets have been purchased for the boys who needed them. The boxes and broken furniture have been disposed off. Now begins more of the decluttering process and getting the house all tidied up and ready for repairs. We've done a great job of thinning the boys' clothing. The amount of clothing they had accumulated was unreal. Most of the excess will be donated. Those items that are worn out will become rags or tossed.

We have just about 750 sq ft, three bedrooms, one bath. With seven people, staying organized is a must. That will be our focus this week. We'll finish the tidying and help the boys find "homes" for all of their things to live. We'll deliver our donations. Small clothes will go to the daycare. Bigger items will go to the clothes pantry at school. This way it will benefit families who need them. Extra home items will go to a niece who is preparing to move out on her own. Big items will be sold with the money to be used for repairs.

Once the sorting is done, we can work on the little things that make the house a home. OUR home. That is a wonderful thing.