my house is trashed - sorry

I find myself apologizing a lot when people come over the house lately.  

Maybe it's the giant cardboard Charlie Brown house spilling open with My Little Ponies that greets you in the foyer.  Or perhaps it is the front room sewing room that is a piled mess of fabric, thread, and ribbons.  Then there is the perilous journey from the front door to the family room jumping over the Thomas the Train tracks.  

I'm sorry that you might need help moving mountains before you can sit on the sofa.  It is often littered with football cards, legos and such.  

Looking for clean clothes, dishes or such - I might say sorry there too.

It's not that the house is filthy, It is just not Better Homes and Gardens perfect.  

But what it is is life.  

A good life.

A real life. 

 A recognition that the kids won't remember how many loads of laundry that were put up but rather homemade meals around the table together.

  

They won't look back on childhood thankful that we had a pristine dining room that never housed a fancy meal but rather a room full of imagination and laughter. 

This house is real, and the door is always opened.  

It doesn't matter that the floors are polished and that the toys are picked up. 

What matters is that you know you are welcomed.  No matter the time, you are welcomed.  And we are thankful that you came.  

This is real life, this is a good life - a life meant to be shared. 

So when I say sorry I'm not.  I'm not sorry that we are enjoying life.  I'm not sorry that I choose time with my children over folding laundry.  I'm sorry, I'm not sorry. 

Overachiever - the life of a mom

For the past month, I have been sick.  Sinus infection, bronchitis, flu, the pneumonia.  Yup- wonderful!  

Because of all the germ visitors I have had, it has been hard to make it to visit my beloved friend the "dreadmill".  To sum it up when you can't breathe - you can't run.

But then last week I had a bit of a spurt.  I have made it four times.  One day I can ever kicked butt.  But then, then came yesterday.  

It had (for no reason in particular) been a bit of a long day with the gaggle of children I have.  Just bits of bickering and nothing accomplished.  I was so frustrated.  Instead of drowning my sorrows in Girl Scout Tagalongs - I loaded them up for a late afternoon run.  I put on my bright green Savannah Half Marathon shirt, some leggings and off we went!

It was a great first 20 minutes.  Dave Matthews was singing right to me, the world was mine to own.  Then he showed up.  

All muscles, the agility of a large gazelle - he was a machine.  And even though there was 50 open treadmills, he has to come right.next.to.me!  Seriously, did he really need that ego boost for the day?

Source: comicartcommunity.com via Ralph A. Gilmore, Orange Moonwerks Studios on Pinterest

Anyway, I did great keeping up with him.  Although I am sure that my leggings riding up, my shorts bunching up and the sweat poring down my tired face did not give the appearance that the hulk and I were in the same zone.  

Feeling well accomplished (even if in my own mind), I departed the treadmill and headed downstairs to "stretch" (which is really code for checking facebook on my phone while sitting on a mat).  

I was downstairs when I ran into a fellow mom from school.  You know the kind of mom who always says what is on her mind no matter what?  I have been told that I, "look like hell, did you just crawl out of bed, I can't believe you made it here."  All by the same mom.  Meeting her after my successful treadmill encounter was torture. 

Pleasant hellos were first.  Then, just like I thought, came the bombshell.  She looked at my shirt (the one I earned for completing my first half marathon under my projected time).  Then from her mouth came the line, "did you actually finish that race?  I wouldn't peg you to be able to do that."

Source: thefluffingtonpost.com via Jenny on Pinterest

I was in shock. No, I really wasn't.  I did a half pivot turn to flip my ponytail her way and with a sly, yet cutesy, voice I replied, "yup, I finished - I know, I think I am a bad ass too." 

Instead of walking casually away, I skipped the entire way out of the gym.  

Source: google.nl via Dawn on Pinterest

Hello Monday!

Hello to a fast first year of marriage to My SIL and BIL - I love you guys!  ((Did I mention a baby coming in about two weeks!  Can not wait to meet my nephew))

Hello to looking like a baby at the wedding last year- WOW she has grown up fast!

Hello to last year's summer fun list.  Slacker mom hasn't made one yet this year but I can say we are having fun!  How about a last month of the summer list?

Hello!  Loved the nature on the trip to the mountains, love to visit! 

Hello to visiting the woman who taught me so much!  She is amazing and I am thankful for her!  I can count with a few fingers the number of people who love me completely unconditionally and she is the top one!

Hello to having my camper back! 

Hello to beautiful memories from a 3/4 family trip!