Visionboard 2014: My Home

Yesterday we woke up to a driveway full of snow and a case of pink eye. 

Needless to say, it was a stay home day. 

And it was glorious... no obligation to be anywhere and plenty of snow to stomp around and play in. I love days like this. I think I finally am getting over my post holiday blues and embracing reality... But it's not too hard when my reality is spent home playing with my littles.

Sometimes that is the problem though. That is all I really feel like doing... housework... not so much. But I do love a clean and organized home. 

Sigh...so it's got to be maintained. Anyone know of someone I could hire? I forgot to add her to my vision board. :) Seriously though...I may need help with this one.

When envisioning my vision boards I originally just rolled Home into Motherhood into one...but as I got started on the vision boards- I realized that the Home needed it's own vision board. It is a space rather than an actual role... and it needs it's own undivided attention over here.

I see:

-organized space

-countertops without piles 

-a family working together 

-traditions and daily rituals

-smiles

-forts being built

-bright pieces of furniture

-photographs of my family on the wall

-guests coming over for dinner

I feel:

-peace

-joy

-bread dough under my fingertips

-tiny hands in mine

-my apron around my waist

-complete

I smell:

-lemons

-fresh flowers

-dinner on the stove

-fresh bread

I hear:

-laughter

-family prayer

-kind words exchanged 

-kids playing outside

-greetings at the door

I taste:

-homemade bread

-hot breakfast

-cookies

-fresh garden veggies

Mmmmm....doesn't that sound nice? Is it too ideal? Why not strive for ideal right?

That's all. Kiddos are asleep still and I just may get a shower in this morning if I hurry!

besitos, xo

Homemaking is not my strength: Letter #1

Letter #1 Homemaking is not my strength.

Dear 30 year old self-

I have a confession... homemaking is not my strength.  The dishes pile up in my sink, I forget to make my bed, and I absolutely HATE putting away laundry.  In fact, it takes every ounce of energy to remember to do these things. I would much rather play with Little man. read something interesting, get messy in my art journal, blog, be outside, create something, paint, and pretty much anything else there is to do besides spend the afternoon cleaning floors and folding laundry.

I didn't grow up in what some may think of as a "typical Mormon" home where the house was spotless and there was a plate of cookies and fresh baked bread waiting right as you walked through the door from school. (exaggerated I know- but that is how I envisioned other families to be like)

My mom grew up in a culture where there was hired help to cook, clean, drive, run errands, and garden. I often fantasize what that may be like... but at 30 years old- snap out of it...my entourage of hired help are not knocking at my door anytime soon.

It's time to find the JOY IN HOMEMAKING. 

So to be totally serious about this qwest... I am taking the summer off from work and am on a mission to see if there is really indeed joy in homemaking and hopefully find that balance in my life I have been looking for! 

Wish me luck!

Sincerly, 

The deprived homemaker in you

Side note: 

This letter comes from an "ah ha" moment I recently had when I attended Womens' Conference at BYU a few months ago. It is a conference for women with several different topics. I had only signed up for one day due to a conflict of wanting to attend a play therapy conference instead. 

However, the Lord had other plans for me.  

 It was the final speaker of the day and I had this impression that I should get up and buy my ticket for the next day. "But why?" I thought- I am not planning on attending. And then the same thought came to me again...so, I immediately got up crawling over people and chairs to make my way to the exit.  Needless to say, I bought my ticket for the next day. Then, I told God- "Okay if there is something I need to hear please help me choose and find my way to those classes." 

 Let me just say- I needed to be there. 

It was then that I made the decision to take another thing off my plate and take care of my home.

Besitos, xo