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:
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| #1 |
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| #2 |
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| #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."
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."
