I was day dreaming with the Pottery Barn catalog, we all know that it sells and idea of perfection and I was wondering how I would describe our house...
We have seven people living in this house with one dog, two bearded dragons and a guinea pig (the tortoise just died). The 5 kids are ten and younger and love to do art projects that I proudly hang on the walls. The windows are covered with finger prints and the sofa with crumbs. The front driveway is scattered with sidewalk chalk, bikes, leaves and plastic glasses of one kind or another. The backyard has filthy stuffed animals and broken toys that found their death by being pitched off the deck. And truth be told, I toss dead flowers and watermelon rinds trying to make them land in my neighbors yard...throw me a bone I'm a stay at home mom!
Laundry is never caught up, well, maybe only for a day or two. The dishes...I can't even talk about the dishes. The walls have little fingerprints and if you look close have faded artwork from washable markers that are not really that frick'n washable. The main floor bathroom needs bleaching on almost a daily basis and it gets it about once a week.
The basement where 2 of the girls sleep has a bathroom that has been banned from liquid hand soap, bubble bath, toothpaste and I have threatened to turn the water off. It's like a woman's prison down there, they have to ask for what they need. Now, you may think that this is harsh, but you get tired of almost killing yourself sliding across a vinal floor daily and drastic measures need to be taken.
The dusty mantel holds pictures of family members who have passed away, baby photos of the children and memories from Ethiopia and life in general. I talk to the photos (don't judge) when I miss my father or my husband's parents. This is one spot in the house that keeps me grounded.
The kitchen is always busy with my prayer candles burning and my makeshift altars to remember who I am saying a prayer for. The front door is always opened even before we had a screen door I used a baby gate. The fridge is covered with reminders for field trips, bake sales, birthday parties, vacation plans, a half filled out calendar and more fingerprints...stainless steel seemed so cool at the time :-/. The sinks with dishes, the dishwasher with dishes, the stove with pots and pans...
Our dining room table is named Bruce and she expands to hold 14 people. I am happy to say she is often to her full capacity. The chairs where you sit have different coverings on them, my way of refusing to buy a full amount of fabric until I know it will stand up to my kids...it never does. They could make me a fortune in R and D at a textile house.
The house is full.
Full of laughter, full of pride, full of tickles, giggles, snorts and hugs. It is full of listening and helping one another. It is full of yelling, when we are happy, sad, mad or just talking (there is 7 of us). The door is always open for those who wish to come in. It is full of love and like. Hopes and dreams...and sometimes tears. It is a home.
It is our home.
It is not a museum.
It also full of amazing food, singing, dancing and drink makings for those who need one. The funny thing is that I remember thinking not too long ago that your walls reminded me of a cool art museum (but maybe it's more of an interactive museum - free admission!)
ReplyDeleteThanks johanna! we are like a hand ON museum :)
DeleteLove this. Every time I've been in your house, I feel nothing but warmth and coziness. You have made a home...
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