Beautiful Mess . . . A Re-Posted Reminder

I ran across this post recently . . . written exactly one year ago today. I read through it while on a break from attempting to get this new house "settled". It was the perfect reminder that perfection has no place here--at least when it comes to housekeeping. My Littles had pulled a large flattened box from the garage, placed it across two stools they'd dragged from the dining room, and then draped every blanket they could get their little hands on, over the box (and I do mean every blanket) all to create the perfect "cave of darkness" in the middle of my living room. "The Cave" stayed for three days, before giving in to collapse. They enjoyed it. I must admit, I enjoyed reclaiming the space it had been taking up . . . but I was proud of myself for letting it stand . . . for three . . . . long . . . . . . . . days.

If you are a mama suffering from the same "mess control" symptoms, I would encourage you to read last year's comments at the bottom of the post. You are not alone. If you are one of the mamas who left one of those comments, thank you for reminding me that I am not alone. I once again give to you . . .

A . . .

Beautiful Mess

In my perfectionist way of thinking--this is how my children's (the Littles) room should look. Just like the photo I took for our homestudy packet . . .

In reality, this is how my children's room more often looks. It is continually "under construction" with one project or another, of their own doing . . .

a new fort . . .

the inventory taking of their own personal "junk toy" totes . . .

tinkertoy creations, that of course must stay for days,

to be enjoyed (and tripped over).

Then there is the living room. One minute (and I do mean one minute) it's neat and orderly . . . but I turn my back and waaa laaa-- "the leaning tower of anything stackable" appears.

What?

Or a fort made out of a year or so worth of Highlights magazines . . .

Of course we can always transfer the Highlights magazines to the sunroom to make a drawbridge for the castle. It's the perfect addition to the pile of "hey, I want that" cardboard, pulled from the recycling bin.

Just steer clear of the pile of muddy clothes and shoes, as you build, guys!

Then there is the crafting table in the sunroom. My apologies for not having a photo so that you can ooh and ahh over its beauty. The table is an eternal mess -- interrupted only by things such as birthday parties, weddings, or special visits from company. (You know--occasions where we might actually need the extra tabletop to do something like . . . eat.)

I have been so stressed lately with trying to reach the housekeeping standard that I have set for myself. A standard that seems forever unattainable. A standard that I talk myself into believing everyone else can, and does, attain.

Amy G*rant has a new song out titled "Better Than A Hallelujah"--it's a beautiful song. The chorus says, "We pour out our miseries, God just hears a melody, Beautiful the mess we are, The honest cries of breaking hearts, Are better than a Hallelujah."

I had just dropped my two best mess makers off at school the other morning, when this song came on the radio. The Lord spoke two words to my weary heart as I listened to the chorus, "Beautiful mess." He continued . . . "The home you are stressing over. Comparing yourself over. Dreading dealing with. It's a beautiful mess. Beautiful because you have small children- gifts from me, to mess it up. Beautiful because there are things to make a mess with. Beautiful because you allow them to explore, and create, and be who I made them to be. Beautiful because I say it is."

Wow. Okay Lord. So after pondering this for a few days here's what I've come up with . . . I don't think what He is saying gives me a license to live in a constant mess, but it does cause me to look at the mess with different eyes. It also reminds me to stop comparing the state of my house to other people's houses.

I flipped my little daily calender a couple of days later, with this "mess" post already swimming around in my head. April 27th greeted me with some wise words from Mrs. Beeton's Book of Household Management. Isabella Mary Mason, universally known as Mrs. Beeton, wrote these wise words in 1861, at the wise old age of twenty five. (Have I ever mentioned how much I love Goo*gle?)

This is what the young Mrs. Beeton had to say about the way we should manage our homes . . .

"It ought, therefore, to enter into the domestic policy of every parent, to make her children feel that home is the happiest place in the world . . . this delicious home-feeling is one of the choicest gifts a parent can bestow."

A perfectly kept home screams, "Don't mess me up!" It screams, "Don't play here, don't play there, don't get that out!" In my opinion, it consumes hours, better yet days, that could be much better spent living life.

I'm still looking to find a happy place somewhere between beautiful mess, and organized and simplified mess. I think it's do-able. I am hearby laying down the unattainable standard of what I think my house needs to look like!

After all, the King and Queen of Mess, won't be little for long, and they deserve to live in a place that is the happiest place in the world . . . a place with that delicious home-feeling! I'm going to do my best . . .

Thank you Father for Your reminder of what is important in life. Thank you for your daily guidance in our lives. Please guide our steps--that we would not waste a moment on unnecessary tasks. Help us all to make our homes the happiest places in the world. In Jesus name, Amen.

Blessings from my messy, but deliciously homey, nest ~

Tina

Easter Smiles . . . 2011

We had a great day celebrating our Risen Lord!

I just love Easter morning worship --

and that feeling in my heart

that it might burst with gratefulness

for what Jesus did for me!

The grave could not hold our King!

I think this may have been the first holiday

we celebrated with just our Littles.

I sure missed my Bigs . . .

I spent time pondering a special Easter Day

spent in Okinawa, Japan

when they were all three baptized together

in the East China Sea.

A sweet, sweet life changing memory.

Brady played guitar and sang worship,

at the church he and Bryce attend in Spokane

-- for their Easter service.

Oh if I could have only been two places at one time . . .

I'm so proud of my big kids

and so grateful for where

each of them is on their journey.

*sigh*

Now back to my Littles . . .

This is the smile brought on by the realization that you

just received your very own CD!

(Francesca Battist*elli)

Pretty in pink . . .

all the way to her toes . . .

and so proud of her Easter dress

she wore it until bedtime!

My two peas in a pod.

Teddi spotted the blue egg

(just below Brogan's basket)

as she came out the door.

I made her wait until I got a picture of them

and she could barely contain herself--

she grabbed it on "GO"!

The girl was flying . . .

never let a dress slow you down!

Brogan wasted no time grabbing his fair share!

Such fun!

A beautiful Easter day . . .

enjoying His gifts . . .

including our smallest treasures.

I love me some Littles!

Blessings from my nest ~

Tina

Beneath the Cross

Elizabeth Cecilia Clephane

Elizabeth Cecilia Clephane BENEATH the Cross of Jesus, I fain would take my stand, The shadow of a mighty rock Within a weary land; A home within the wilderness, A rest upon the way, From the burning of the noontide heat, And the burden of the day. Upon the Cross of Jesus, Mine eye at times can see The very dying form of One Who suffered there for me. And from my smitten heart, with tears, Two wonders I confess, -- The wonder of His glorious love, And my own worthlessness. I take, O Cross, thy shadow For my abiding-place; I ask no other sunshine than The sunshine of His face: Content to let the world go by, To know no gain nor loss, My sinful self my only shame, My glory all, the Cross.

Rejoicing! And A Recap.

I woke this morning (actually yesterday morning as my post got delayed) excited to get to my computer to see the face of a little boy in China. A little boy who would no longer be an orphan, but the new son of my friend Joy, her husband Eddie --and the new little brother to their beautiful daughters, Sarah Chang, Allison and Quinn!

The morning did not disappoint . . .

as Joy shared the wonderful news that

Malachi Qingcheng (Kai)

was indeed the newest member

of their family.

Can you even resist that face, oh my!

And he is a precious Zhuhai treasure, like our Teddi.

God is so good!

But then . . .

a surprise awaited . . .

as not only had Joy and Eddie

accepted Kai's referral

but two months after Kai's,

they accepted the referral of another

little man as well.

Only they had kept it a . . .

shhhhhhh . . .

secret!

And suddenly there were two . . .

as Joy and Eddie proudly introduced

their second son

three and a half year old, Zane Yunfei!

I think Eddie's face pretty much says it all --

as do the faces of all three big sisters!

Congratulations to this beautiful new

family of seven--

on their TWO new sons!

We rejoice with you!

Thank you Lord for this double blessing!

If you'd like to follow along on their journey

you can find Joy here @

Two Tots and a Teen

(I think she's going to need to add a +2, to that title)!

* * * * * *

Now to recap our past ten days or so, including my internet-less time --

Last Friday morning (after many a late night

spent packing up our household),

the moving van came to transport everything across town.

Bry followed the truck to the new house

and oversaw the unloading.

The kids and I stayed behind to continue working on loose ends.

The Newlys came into town about 5:00

and we all headed for church at 6:00

to see a much anticipated

Brandon Heath/ Dave Barnes concert . . .

along with about 700 others.

It was great!

The tickets had been part of Brogan's birthday surprise

and he was blessed to get to meet

Brandon Heath after the concert . . .

and get his autograph.

(Thank you to the Newlys for getting

a good place in the line!)

Saturday was spent on more moving details

nothing that makes for an exciting post--

just a lot of w-o-r-k!

On Sunday we celebrated the 25th

birthday of this guy . . .

by hanging out with friends at the park!

We love you Frankie,

and we are so blessed to have you in our family!

It's been a blessing to watch the Lord working

in you and through you --

an I look forward to what

He has in store for your life!

On Monday we drove the "leftovers"

to the new house . . .

and did more unloading.

On Tuesday Bry brought the last of our things on a

flat bed trailer . . .

the swing set, the lawn mower,

the gas grill, etc.

I didn't take a picture,

just envision the Beverly Hillbillies.

On Wednesday Teddi started at

her new school.

Her new teacher is very sweet,

and just so happens to homeschool her

eleven year old son.

(They school in the evenings--

he stays with his grandma

during the day and does his homework).

So my daughter's public school teacher

is also a homeschooling mom.

I love it when God winks at me like that!

In the wee hours of Saturday morning

the Newly's brought their trailer load from

Houston, and we did more unloading.

They will "officially" move in at

the end of the month,

when Taye finishes classes at U of H.

Whew.

Are you tired yet?

I am.

In between the unloading and unpacking

we've taken a little time

for some in-home shopping . . .

(Not sure why she's wearing my reading glasses

must have had to read some fine print.)

and we've done a lot of . . .

"boxing" as I like to refer to it.

Moving's finest form of entertainment.

* Note Teddi's baby doll in midair.

I asked her if she thought that was a

good way to treat her baby

and she responded with,

"She a circus girl, and her knows it."

I guess this means that

"baby" completely understands the risks

of being a circus girl--

and has signed the release forms.

Poor baby.

We've also taken some time to just enjoy the view

from our new backyard--

it is definitely one like no other we've had!

The large planes beyond Brogan look to

be a long way off--but from our patio

they seem to be in our backyard

(especially when they take off)!

Beyond that is the San Antonio skyline, so fun!

I must get back to our routine of homeschooling vs. unpacking . . .

Blessings from our busy new nest ~

Tina