Deviating off our Ghana series a bit because well… this topic spoke to me a little differently today.
Joining in with Lisa Jo for “Five Minute Friday” which is absolutely one of my favorite memes…
Here’s how it rolls: (in Lisa Jo’s words!)
1. Write for 5 minutes flat with no editing, tweaking or self critiquing.
2. Link to www.thegypsymama.com and invite others to join in
3. Go and tell the person who linked up before you what their words meant to you. Every writer longs to feel heard.
It’s a great way to exhale at the end of a beautiful week.
This week’s topic is: Welcome…
GO.
Barefoot because, you know, shoes are hard to find…
Welcome to the “House of Organized Chaos”. Casa de Organizada Caos.
Take your shoes off if you want and if not, don’t. We aren’t fancy around here but we do want you to feel at home.
Let me just warn you that in approximately two minutes, you will be subjected to a loud, ear-piercing screetch. That would be my youngest child – it’s his thing. He’s got quite the set of pipes, that one.
Stick with us until 5 p.m. and you could join what I affectionately refer to as the “Clockwork Orange Club” to which you might feel eligible if you have been hearing those screetches intermittedly throughout the day.
There’s a dog, a big, bouncy yellow lab that is joyful and loves her life. And she sheds. Badly. Lint brushes available.
Our backyard currently looks like a bad “Toys ‘R Us” ad gone bad. Plastic pool on its second year. Second “Slip and Slide” OF THE SEASON – we work those hard. The obligatory green sandbox turtle. A raised bed my sweet husband built last year in which so far we’ve only grown weeds.
A girl can dream at this place, no?
Something happens to shoes here so now that I think about it, you might want to leave yours on your feet (see the second line). Someone is always missing a shoe.
Therefore, the boys will often resort to the trusty-standby-and-easy-to-put-on rain boots, not complete, of course, without shorts and an optional shirt. An older sister will often be looking on with amusement.
Clearly, this is not a place where fashion is a priority.
However, this IS a place where love resides in the walls. You might see a few remnants of Peanut Butter Playdough still stuck to the table (I’ll get to it!) prepared amidst giggles and stolen bites before it was really done.
You’ll hear music about Jesus and now and then some “Diego” will be shown on the big screen.
It’s a normal house of small children so you’ll also hear bickering. Whining. Choices to not obey. Whining. Tattling. Whining.
And as I embrace this organized chaos, this season God has placed me in for the here and now, there are moments when I dream of walls that don’t contain handprints made by a hand covered in Aquaphor because we “just wanted to see what it would do.” I dream of a time when I will be able to get up at 9 a.m., go on a walk, have coffee, time with God AND shower before my teenagers awaken. I would like a convertible again.
But then I cringe.
So welcome. Welcome to our home. Earplugs optional.
STOP.
Yes!!!! I totally relate, screaming, whining, showering and all. I hope to see God help me enjoy the mess more than I do.
Hi!! I’m your newest follower from the Gypsy Mama….I sooo totally just loved reading your blog!! It sounds like an excerpt from my day, except those would be my grandkids running around with one shoe off and one shoe on and the dog running in and taking a toy under the couch and eating it etc….ahhhhh so nice to know someone else is out there with the same sorts of days, we love them, and the littles…I have hopes of not finding petrified food stuffed places I never knew they could put it!! Hugs!!
Hah! Very detailed portrayal! I could picture it. But, like you said, you’ve got the most important things – God and love! Nice to meet you through Five Minute Friday.
Excellent description- physically and mentally of being a mom! Loved this piece, and hope your day rocks!
Did you come over before you describe your house? The screeching: my oldest. Not Aquaphor but VicVaporRub on the wall (“Because it’s shinny!”). Not peanut butter, but honey on the table. Not Diego but Elmo. And always songs to Jesus!
Thank-you for welcoming us to your house. There definitely are seasons of life–and the time will come when you can take the walk. In the meantime may you have moments of refreshment,
I enjoyed your post. Blessings to your family.
A beautiful picture of your home, your life and your sweet heart!
Blessings
Love it. Great reminder of the season you are in & well, I am in too.
Blessings abound in fingerprints and shoeless children!