Reflections

I see the clock has not struck 10 pm, so it is not late yet by my standards.  Today was a big day in or house...the baby turned one.  Unfortunately she has a cold and her birthday giggles were frequently interrupted by nose wipes, and crankiness.  We will celebrate her this weekend with all the family and hopefully she will feel like herself again.  But the baby's birthday is not my reason for writing.  She is tucked into our bed with her daddy which gives me some quiet moments to reflect on our life as of late.

And so I sit tonight in quiet solitude (you would be surprised if you were here to know that all 7 kids are home at the moment) a glass of wine and my new reading glasses make for the perfect opportunity to write what's been on my heart as of late.

Recently we went away (on our yearly stay-cation) with my sister's family.  We stayed in a two bedroom condo (one for each family) for a week.  One of my favorite things about this week not related to time with family, is the minimalistic life we live for 7 days.  We pack clothes for 3-4 (there's a washing machine), food is bought when I arrive for the week, and toys and electronics are just what fits in each kids backpack.

The week was amazing (for me) Brad was still working and running R&S remotely so he is never able to fully relax.  But I found true moments of relaxation and I am grateful for the reboot it gave me.  Upon returning home I walked in the house and was hit quit forcefully with the realization that our house had become out of control with stuff.  Everywhere I looked there was stuff. (I'm sure this was magnified by the fact I had just checked out of a practically empty condo). Yes some was decorative and useful, but it didn't give me the feeling of peace I had wanted to feel when I returned to my home.  I knew something had to be done.

I have been struggling as of late on how to regain some of my OCD self without alienating my friends and family.  Truth be told I personally am a more contented person when things are in order, but the lengths I go to get  that level of organization are a turnoff to many people around me.  I desire to be a light and strive not to send people running from me, but I was dying a slow death by not maintaining order in my home. I needed to feel at peace.  I have spent the summer pouring over design ideas to implement a sense of peace amidst the crazy busy life we lead.  I was looking to create a space that begged us to slow down and breathe deeply.  I came across the book "the NESTING place" by Myquillyn Smith.  She spoke to my heart and gave me the push I needed to recapture my "in charge of things, organized" self.  I had been slowly purging over the summer, mostly clothes, toys, and books.  When I got home from our week away I was "all in" for a complete downstairs makeover.  And my plan was to do it alone.  I did not want to bother or burden Brad with projects when he was already working so hard.

And so I decided on a color palate and bought some paint.  Once the nook was painted I knew I was on the path to something great.  A hand me down wire shelf with some baskets from Big Lots helped to streamline some of the everyday item we use in our kitchen, i.e.. the blender, mixer, cookbooks, etc.  the yellow kitchen walls became a soft grey/beige which provided a perfect backdrop to my three tiered cake stands.  All the curtains were removed, washed and rehung, (the curtains are a newer purchase and already reflected the color change I was looking to make).

Next, I moved into the living room, our main downstairs gathering place.  It is the room I sit in every night and the place I do my writing.  I knew in my heart what I wanted it to be I just needed to get my head wrapped around the thought that certain items in the room needed to either go or find another place to live in our home.  First to go was a HUGE overstuffed chair that has never fit right in our life.  It took a little bit of time and the removing of all 4 feet to get the monstrosity up the stairs and into the family/tv room upstairs but we did it.  Next to go were a pair of wooden side chairs with red seat cushions. Having no other place for then they are shoved into the office/school room right now (along with a bunch of other stuff that needed to get out of my way while I paint) until I decide what to do with them.  Next was the rug, not hard because I did not care for it.  Last was the painting that took up most of the prominent wall of the Living room.  I LOVE the painting,  it is of a field of red poppies.  I waited a long time to purchase it many years ago, checking often for it to go on sale, and when it did it was a really big deal to buy something so big and beautiful for our home.  I plan to put it in our bedroom when I get to making over that area of the house.  The Living room was quietly transformed by the subtle teal color as I painted into the wee hours of the morning.  Things were already shaping up to be what I had envisioned.

I, being an organized person like to paint and pick up all at the same time.  So as the paint was drying the room was slowly put back together and it gave me a sense of accomplishment as I saw the room taking on a whole new feel of peace and tranquility.  I was exhausted, but it was worth it.  The rest of the project came together by rearranging what we already owned (one of my favorite things to do) and a  couple of trips to Tuesday Morning where I found the most perfect rug and side chair, a few perfect finds at Hobby Lobby and Big Lots rounded out the new purchases.

The result has been a place where my family sits and we talk, we snuggle, its calm and peaceful and no one really wants to leave the room.  I am grateful for a place to sit and reflect.  The world is so loud, I think it is important to have a home that allows us to hear each other and be in each others presence in a comforting way.  I am not finished with the house yet.  I will continues to make the rooms into the best home for my family. And I will cherish the time each one spends here with us.

Lord,
Thank you for creating us with a desire to be still and quiet at times.  Help us to seek You in the quiet.  thank You for instilling in us a love for beauty, help us to see Your beauty in the things around us and may our home reflect the love and beauty of You.