Growing Up Gracefully

The title of this entry may surprise you if you've been following my blog for any length of time. You'll remember that I am the 'I don't wanna' girl and that I really am surprised all the time that I have to grow up at all. One of my least grown-uppy traits is that I am a messy, messy girl. That makes drop-in company very unpleasant for all concerned. However, this year I made a vow to grow up and get my home in order so that by my birthday in April, any of you non-scary, non-stalkers could theoretically drop by any time and I could just show you around. This is partially because: a) I don't like to be embarrassed and b) I do like to have friends over. However, the REAL reason is that God has been very clear to me that it's time to take care of what He's blessed me with. So, as all my previous attempts to argue with God have failed... I'm determined to obey with gladness this time.

My first project is to makeover my family room. I've discovered I spend way too much time in my bedroom because there is no place comfortable for me to be in the downstairs portion of my home. The kids like to hang out with me(who knows why, I'm really not that much fun) but I don't really like them in my bedroom.... so J and I decided that it was time to make a room that's comfy for our entire family. We've changed so much in the 6 years we have lived here... the kids have grown, our interests have evolved, our needs for a family room have changed. Yet, the room looked the same and functioned the same as the day we moved in. It was certainly time for a change. Here's a before shot for you:Confession: I so don't want to show you our room in this condition but I couldn't find even one pic where it is both clean and void of company in the shot. So, you get to see the real deal, Easter 2006, complete with thin mints cases, dog blanket on the couch, and crud all over the table. So proud. *squirm*


Now, for the better part. Here is our new, in progress family room, as it has looked every day for the last two weeks:
We're still working on stuff- want to lose the blinds, find some curtains, looking for a tv armoire, and for art, we're trying this (below). Our friends own a frame shop, and if we choose this, they'll add a bigger frame so this doesn't look so small here, but I think I like it! The craziest thing is that I picked the print out online, and my friends already had it in their shop and were thinking it would be the perfect thing for our new room! How awesome is that? The one that's hanging here is on canvas, and you can see a better shot of the print here:
So, anyway, I'd been feeling a little smug about keeping everything up in that ONE room, when God put my pride to the test: a surprise visit from my Father-in-Law and his grownup stepson...both of whom will be staying with us for a few days. YIKES!!! After a nice little day of scrambling to clean this place up, I have to say it was just the kick I needed to restart my efforts toward that mid-April goal! It feels good to be able to have them over, and to not be terrified at what they might find. True, I still have to keep my pigpen bedroom door LOCKED 'cause of all the rubble and general slovenliness... but overall this is a nice way to live, indeed. We've been blessed with so much...it's awesome to share what God has given with us with others... it just overflows.

Is that how you grownups out there always feel?

When someone has been given much, much will be required in return; and when someone has been entrusted with much, even more will be required.
Luke 12:48

PS: if you're playing the Hamper Scamper game, go on over to your underwear drawer, bin, basket, or pile... and throw out something that really should have been thrown out years ago... you'll be so glad you did.... Ready? Set....GO!