Real kitchen. Real life.

We live on a wonderful street with friendly neighbors.

The great part about our street is....people feel comfortable enough to stop by at a moment's notice.

The bad part about are street is...people feel comfortable enough to stop by at a moment's notice!

My home is definitely not "company ready" at a moment's notice.  In fact, it usually isn't "company ready" within a few hours notice!

So, basically, when a neighbor rings the doorbell I have two choices: 

       1)  Pretend like we're not home.           OR            2)  Embrace the mess and invite them in.

You see, on any given day my kitchen can look like this:

#1

#2

#3

But, before you call the producers of Hoarders, let me explain each picture and the story behind the mess.

#1- Blue Recycle Bag (from our recent field trip to the landfill).  Mixing bowl and rolling pin (baked homemade pretzels for a neighborhood "teen" party).  Amazon box (ordered two new books and couldn't wait to look at them).  McDonald's cup (Diet Coke/ afternoon energy).

#2- Crockpot (w/ Chicken-n-Dumplings for dinner).  Dirty bowls (from dinner). Diet Coke can and water bottle (waiting to be recycled). Measuring bowl, measuring cup, scissors (more remains of pretzel making).

#3- Plastic cup w/straw (trying to drink more water). Bible (morning devotions and Bible time for homeschooling).  Santa hat (youngest child's torture, I mean, "dress up" for the cat).  iPad (playing "Stack the States" near the homeschool area).  Piles (no reason, just always have a few).

At first glance all you see is a whole lot of "mess", but to me it's the life happening behind the mess that matters.  Each item on the kitchen counter tells a story...  

A field trip to the Recycling Center.  Teens gathered at a neighbor's house, eating homemade pretzels around a bonfire.  A home cooked meal eaten together as a family.  A love of books that my children and I share.  

Let's face it - life is messy, and when you're a busy mom raising kids the daily mess is inevitable!  But, the mess tells a story.  Our story.  A story of fun times.  Family dinners.  Caring for sick kids.  Enjoying the life that God meant for us to live.

Normally, when someone stops by at a moment's notice and the house is a mess, I'll apologize and say "You caught me right in the middle of picking up."

However, from now on I think I'll say, "We've sure had a busy day.  Come on in and I'll tell you all about it!"

><> Kelly


P.S.  Just to ease your mind and show you that our kitchen can be clean, here are a few more pics...

 By the way my hubby said, "Make sure you give me credit for cleaning the kitchen this morning."