I know I'll look back and laugh

Speaking of spirituality, it has become evident that the purpose of a child's existence in my life may simply be to test my basic nature. And part of J's job may be to gently suggest that I might look at the world a little differently. So far her efforts have been an exercise in futility.

Is it me, or is it unbearably frustrating to have toys co-mingled with other toys, rather than being stored away in their original containers? Not a day goes by when I am faced with things not only not put away, but spaced evenly throughout the basement in an almost perfectly combined state. I swear, it takes WORK to get things this messed up. Want to play pretend cooking? Sure, but half of the fake egg that velcros together is across the room in the Lego tub with one third of the marbles, two of the eight My Little Ponies, JBL's guitar pick, several puzzle pieces (from different puzzles), and three non-matching Polly Pocket shoes. (Note that there are no actual Legos in the Lego tub.)

Want to do crafts? Absolutely! But where are the kid scissors? We have no idea. They were last seen in one of the drawers in the apothecary-style coffee table in the family room, but have inexplicably disappeared.

I honestly try to clean up behind the girls, sometimes intra-day, sometimes in the evening after bed time. So how is it that K inevitably leaves something here every time she goes back to her mom's? Homework is left on the laundry room floor right next to where the backpack sat over the weekend. Her fleece jacket is in the basement inside the 'fort', with a lone sock turned half inside-out.

This lack of organization continues to make me absolutely insane (ask JBL), but I have neither lightened-up nor successfully helped the girls set up a process to clean up after themselves. Clearly there is a message for me in all this, but like a typical human I would rather have circumstances magically change themselves than to have to change myself.

So what is easier? Laugh it off in lieu of ripping my hair out, or go behind the girls constantly (in a kind way, of course) helping and encouraging them to clean as they go? Maybe I'll just sit here and surf the 'net awhile and see if anything better occurs to me....