While our Kentucky daughter and granddaughters were here over Christmas our local daughters and hubbies gathered often for meals, movies, games, or just chewing the fat. As you may already know, I’m a little bit of a freak when it comes to being tidy. Generally speaking, I keep the house picked up. But during that particular week, there was an explosion of new toys, clothes, suitcases, blankets & pillows, presents, and decorations. The dining room was crammed full with a huge Christmas tree, an air mattress, and extra side chairs pushed up to a crowded table. It was GREAT!
For our Clark family party, we had our traditional meal including breakfast casserole, cranberry pumpkin bread, hashbrown casserole, sausage gravy, biscuits, and fruit. Okay, I lied about the fruit, but it just sounded like we needed something healthier on the menu. We did have optional honey or strawberry jam on our biscuits. Oh, and orange juice. That balances it out, right? It was all delicious. We were so tightly seated that we had to take turns getting up for seconds. You know all that food wouldn’t fit on the table. So everyone next to the wall had to get up at the same time while I stood to “let them out.”
We also had to arrange for our two lefties to sit next to each other so as not to interfere with the flow. At one point, one of our daughters who shall remain nameless advised a granddaughter, not to hover over her plate like a puppy because her head was in her space. Yes, we are uncouth. But don’t you wish you could’ve been here?!
Oh how I miss it. Everything is back to tidy… decorations are away… and it’s quiet… too quiet.
If you currently live in a state of tornadic activity, don’t worry. Quiet will come soon enough. Have so much fun that once the kids are on their own, they can’t wait to come “home.” Build such sweet relationships that hanging out with you is a pleasure, rather than a duty. Take it from an old chick with freakish tendencies toward neatness: make the most important thing the most important thing.
If the house is perfect and the toys are grand, but we have not love,
If the food is delightful, but the table is quiet,
Though we have great wealth but the children don’t come,
Where is love?
Enjoy. Laugh. Talk. Love.
Throw in a big helping of prayer while you’re at it. I had Pray up there with the other stuff but then it brought to mind that Julia Roberts movie and I really did not want to do that.
Love while you can.
It would not be nearly as much fun if it wasn’t crowded. Love it….
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Now I feel guilty for telling my husband rinsing dishes is not the same as washing them…I am a neat and clean freak too. Guess I need to lighten up and just be happy he at least rinsed the dishes. I, too, sometimes miss all the activity we had when the kids were young and full of energy.
Quiet is nice sometines too 🙂 Thanks so much for your blogs…I look forward to them every morning.
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Little Sammy & ALL 3 of my girls will be in and out of the house today! Looking forward to it. I’ve really learned to lighten up over the past several years. It’s just not as important to me like it use to be. Wished I would have been that way when they were growing up. Guess I can make it right w/ the grandkids. By the way who are the 2 lefties? I am stunned that I don’t know.
Aunt jp
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Nina is a leftie and so is Shane. We were so packed in that eating was kinda like syncrinized swimming, thankfully without the hats.
Yep you’re right JP. We learn as we go and we can make up for alot with our grandkids! Have fun today = )
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A good reminder for a mama who is “in the trenches” right now:)
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Great way to phrase it Laura! Hang in there sweet mama. I love your beautiful family.
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I know how it is to have “quiet”. For almost 4 years Susie and the 2 grandchildren lived with us in a 2 bedroom house. There was always activity and noise going on. Never could keep the house “tidy” which used to drive me nuts. Well, they have been in their own house for almost a year now and the first few weeks all I could do was cry of the evening. I had my room back to watch my TV in or get on the computer any time I wanted, but the house felt so empty. Ray and I were not used to having quiet in this house. Most of the time now I have Eli till Susie gets off work so my house is not so “quiet” in the afternoons. Gets a little hairy, but quess I wouldn’t have it any other way 🙂
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My thoughts exactly! Have a great week end Jo Ann. Prayed for you this morning.
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Lynna, You will never know how much I look forward to your writings…… and the similarities in our families is uncanny….. Do you think it is possible that having the “Lord” in our lives might be the reason? (wink) Love you, Tonya
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