Every flat surface is covered with toys or books, art work or unopened mail. The chaos threatens to overwhelm, until I remember that I have a choice. I can let the mess boss me, or I can embrace the living it points to. Today, I’m choosing to embrace. What about you?
to embrace the living
December 12, 2010
THOMAS!!!! i love for my nephew to come over because we get out the trains again. my house is quite lived-in. in no way a showcase. i sometimes wonder what a CSI team woudl find! i had my family over recently and my dad hugged me and said, “thank you for making this house a home.” it was pretty sweet.
kendal´s last [type] ..over coffee and dessert
What a wonderful way to appreciate the magic that children bring! Live is not always (or even usually) about how things look. It is about who we are, what we do, and who we are going to become. I love this post today!
Pattyann´s last [type] ..The Sunday Devotional – The Greatest Gift
That’s exactly what I’m doing, too! The boys’ rooms have been stressing me, and I’ve finally decided on an easy solution – put it all in a big basket in the closet. Easy for me & for them, and no mess to look at.
With the 18 inches of snow that we were blessed with….I am trying my hardest to embrace all this cooped up family time. But the boys need to run, daddy isn’t used to their all day cooped up energy, and I, frankly, could use some fresh air. But yes, embracing. Embracing the warmth of our house and family time! Tis the season!
For the Love of Naps – Sarah´s last [type] ..Saturdays Snow Storm
Such a good simple reminder to just relax and be and enjoy and chill-out.
I love that in the midst of the pressure to go and do and make-perfect.
This is a perfect post for this time of year.
And so glad to hear your little guy is doing allright. Just caught up on that.
Merry Christmas, Emily.
Laura@Life Overseas´s last [type] ..Still Madly
I think I will have to print out this post and hang it in my kitchen – or somewhere where I will see it as often as possible. I tend to be overwhelmed by the mess. Thank you for reminding me that I do have a choice to celebrate the living instead!
Tine´s last [type] ..How to quilt this
Definitely embracing.
Looks like someone is having fun in that space.
Southern Gal´s last [type] ..Christmas Cookie Exchange 2010
I eyeballed my laundry piled up sky high in my chair while waiting for this post to load.
Thank you for your honesty and the reminder.
Amanda´s last [type] ..Steam from the Mug
This is day 2 that i’ve been in my pajamas. Definitely embracing it. Probably should get in the shower before we go see Narnia.
Angela´s last [type] ..I Believe
every sunday I struggle with that. I want to relax but I find it so difficult to relax looking at the mess: Every sunday I want the kids to enjoy themselves and have fun in the lounge….which means a BIG mess. I often fail, but today I succeeded. They made boats: moved every chair, pillow they could find, toys all over, but had great fun. I was a nice sunday. L~
lea Jones´s last [type] ..my babies
Thanks for helping me see the chaos that is my counter tops differently today.
Oh, I love your tree!
And your mess? I’d embrace yours. You should see our house…
Kelly Sauer´s last [type] ..Christmas Change- Life in Transition
embracing the chaos…my husband calls it “signs of life.” he’s a good man.
adornedlife´s last [type] ..four is fun
Looks like/sounds like our house. I’m afraid I haven’t been embracing like I should. Great reminder today…
I love the fabric of your chair. So pretty.
Bevy´s last [type] ..Fridays Finds- no 39-10
I don’t have little kids these days but I sure do remember… If there is one thing I’ve learned that is…balance. Let the kids make a mess, join in with their activities wholeheartedly and encourage creativity. Then there is a right time to clean up and if you have been part of the messy enjoyment you have grounds to expect them to take part in the clean up. The clean up is the end of that particular time and is also preparation for another creative event of messiness and means you can begin another activity with a clear conscience and a clean slate….maximum enjoyment!
Naturally Carol´s last [type] ..Im Grateful for Fake Flamingoes!
Good job, mom . . . creating memories for your kids. Sweetly balanced by the times you make them clean up . . . teaching them order. A tough balance to find sometimes. Again, good job.
Fondly,
Glenda
Glenda Childers´s last [type] ..BIRTHDAY WEEKEND BREAKFAST
don’t you know the perfect rooms are only in magazines… they’re staged, they’re only perfect because no one lives there. Seeing that train track run all over the floor warms my heart! I hope recuperating son did that. That would mean he’s feeling better!
Sandra´s last [type] ..one week post op
Looks to me like a fun place to play….right in front of the tree
Kim´s last [type] ..I have NOT given up
I think play like this (on the floor, in the mess) is what heals little bodies almost as much as rest and a mamma’s love. Easy for me to see beauty when I look at this (well, I don’t have to step around it, do i?).
laura´s last [type] ..Saturdays-Soul Days
I’m a complete idiot. I can’t believe I forgot about Little Man’s surgery this week. Sheesh. I’m such a great friend. Wow. Head hung in shame.
LOVE LOVE LOVE this!! Wonderful!
And the messier it is, the more alive you are. All five of you. Five people create a lot of mess, don’t they? Thank God.
Love you! So glad your little guy is better!
Richella´s last [type] ..Christmas Tour of Homes
Sitting in a big heap o’ mess right now girl. Laundry, books, legos, dvd’s. But I am tired and they have been happy so I am choosing to just chill. I’ll clean up sometime before Christmas. : )
Scooper´s last [type] ..On Belief
oh, that picture made my mama-heart sing.
Elizabeth @claritychaos´s last [type] ..comma
Oh my goodness, sooo true! I have something going on every day after work this week & the house is a mess. Thank goodness for a hubby who helps out & keeps me positive
why does it always seem to me like everyone else’s messy living is so much prettier than mine? I am so much better at embracing everyone else’s messy living than my own.
Oh, I so needed this today. I have papers and laundry and wrapping paper and decorations all over the place (except in their rightful place, of course). Thank you for reminding me that I have a choice in how I deal with it all. Wonderful post!
Dust is a decoration. Pet air makes the perfect tinsel. Toys say how well loved that child in the house is, and flour dust on my clothes say I spent the day baking something to show someone else how much I care about them. You’re doing nothing wrong.
Nikole Hahn´s last [type] ..An Amish Christmas- December in Lancaster County
I try to embrace life each and every day, to not take things for granted. The small stuff/ the distractions are always trying to get in the way. Sometimes I have to intentionally appreciate…if that makes sense??? Your post really caught my eye because the name of my little blog is Embraceable Life.
Kitty @ Embraceable Life´s last [type] ..Gingersnaps
so true that we should focus on those around us, not the mess they make (its hard though).
living with gratitude is so much more relaxing (for everyone!).
Oh my word! This is so me! When my house is in chaos from the toys, the artwork, the books, the dirty socks the boys like to leave for me all over, my head starts to swirl with chaos. It’s not that I’m a clean freak, but the chaos outside of me creeps in to the inside of me. I do try to enjoy finding the toys under the dining room table and my living room accessories that somehow find their way to the bathroom. Some times I’m ok with it, other times…not so much. In ten years when they are out driving my car around, I’ll wish they were home flinging stuffed animals from their ceiling fans. Thank you for sharing that you feel this way too. I thought maybe it was just me.
Beautiful. I appreciated this so much today. Last week i told the dishes they would have to wait. And i held my sleeping baby instead. Because dishes do wait, they’ll be there forever. But sleeping babies grow up. Thank you for the reminder to embrace the living we do, and to be thankful for all the beautiful messes.
you have a home that looks like it will wrap its arms around you when you walk in. then it will ask you how your day was and allow you to keep dreaming anything that your imagination will allow…… have a great day.
Mikelle´s last [type] ..my new favorite cleaner
A very wise mom came over to my “oh so clean” house one day when the boys were little and said; “It doesn’t look like any children actually live here. It’s too clean!” And she went on to counsel me that it was alright for the house to be a mess and to enjoy the beauty in their fun. Then she said, “teach them to put their own toys away.”
I love what I see at your house. People actually “live” there
Jeri´s last [type] ..My Healing Began with a Stranger
I about died when I saw this picture. My living room has been *full* of train track and matchbox cars (b/c apparently the cars like to drive on track more than the trains) all. week. long. I like a tidy floor. I had to continually remind myself that I like the 3 little men playing more than a tidy floor. Great reminder in this post!
Kathryn´s last [type] ..come adore Him