Creating a Haven

I have been very honest with you all about my housekeeping abilities. I have been home full time for a year and a half now and I've come a long way. Before that, I worked full time and we weren't home much and not that much got done. Actually, before children, our house stayed pretty OK since we were never here!

My room growing up was always a disaster. And I shared that room with my naturally organized sister. Yes, it was just like The Odd Couple. I still struggle with learning to keep every single room in our house neat and orderly and clean....while we are home using them every single day. It's very hard!

But I have a good sense of humor about it all. A good friend came over this weekend and she wanted to see my house. Since she is a good friend I even took her into the laundry room. And ya'll...when she saw it, in all it's glory, she hugged me. She was so over-joyed that someone else's house gets like that. It really cracked me up. So..I'm an encouragment to others. Good to know.

Friday I woke up with one goal in mind: to get the living room in order. We were having friends over for Bible study that evening so I had a deadline to keep me on track. I vacuumed every corner, dusted every surface, cleaned the ceiling fan...everything. It looked really good when I got done. And we've done nothing but try to maintain it since that evening. I cannot believe the amount of stuff that gets put down in this room!

So of course I want to keep going and get another room really and truly clean. But I have to keep that living room in order at the same time. I can always do this for awhile, but let someone get sick, let it rain for a few days, let our schedule get busier than usual....and it all goes to pot...REALLY FAST.

But I will keep trying. The reason? I want to create a place for my husband to come home to and relax in the evenings. I want a room where I can not die of embarrassment when folks show up at the door. I've decided that since my kids have their own rooms, and I no longer have big plastic things in the living room (exercauser, swing, playpen, etc. etc. etc.) that there is absolutely no reason why we cannot have the living room stay free and clear of children's belongings. Oh they are welcome to play in here, but then that stuff best go back to it's own home!

If we are to use this house in ministry to others, if I am to have a place for my husband to unwind at the end of the day (and me!), if we are to have one island of calm amidst all this chaos...then I MUST keep this one room nice.

It is my mission.

So if you come over anytime soon, you are welcome to come on in. Just don't ask to use the bathroom, OK?