Sunday, November 9, 2008

What Isn't Working......

Oh boy... here we go. I'm airing all of my dirty laundry (literally), because in my quest to share some tips with my fellow adopters, I'm afraid I've created an online alter ego that does not represent reality. I've had people comment that "they could never do what we're doing". Nothing could be further from the truth, people. Nothing. God has not gifted me with more patience, better housekeeping skills, or any other gift than any of you. God chooses average people to do His work every day. Less than average people many times. Moses had a speech impediment, Paul had a "thorn in his flesh". Me? I'm a procrastinator big time. I'll doodle around on Facebook instead of sweep the floor, I'll not clean out the closet because, well, because I want a Coke right now. 

 You know our handy dandy Mudroom/Computer room/homework room?  The one we created because our front closet couldn't handle all of the jackets and backpacks.  The one that would allow us to use the front hall closet for guest's coats and the such.  So much for that theory, this is our front hall closet  (keep in mind, all pictures are actual unretouched photos, taken TODAY)....
We moved Nathan downstairs into what used to be the computer room, and made it his room.  The problem is, we haven't put doors on the poor boy's room yet.  It is the first thing you see when you walk in the front door.  And because there are no doors, the little ones use it as their play room, jump on the bed, drag out his video games, and strew clean and dirty clothes everywhere.  Then I feel bad for him, and let him slide instead of clean it up.  This is his room:

This my friends, is what is currently living under my chair in our living room:

Now, you may be thinking "well, okay, she may not be the best house cleaner ever, but at least her kids are always well fed and happy".  Not so much.  Friday night we had popcorn FOR DINNER.  Seriously.  And this is how we usually see Jorah, in all her sweet 2 year old tantrumness:
So, as you can plainly see, our life is not all sunshine and roses, smiles and laughter.  But we are living life together.  We are trusting God, and doing the job that He has given us to do.  I may not have sparkling floors or 'have it all together', but this is our reality... and I wouldn't have it any other way.

(Now, please know that I will probably never look any of you directly in the eye again.  This is humbling as all get out.....)

18 comments:

April said...

LOL!!! That is great. You mean you are human Heather?
Thats what it looks like under my couch too. Your just lucky you don't have a dog. I

Jen said...

Bee-u-tee-full! Oh, I love it. We should all do this as we all have our places like this.

Two AWESOME posts here!

I like you even more now that I know you have dirty places in the house!!

Jennine

Katie said...

You have inspired me. I am always wanting my house neat and tidy when people come over but it rarely looks that way when there are no guests expected. I might just post some confessional pictures of my own. LoL :)

Amy said...

Can I just tell you that my adoration of you is now complete! Bless you for your bravery, complete with photos... Love it!

Fabu

Laurel said...

AWESOME ... LOVE it!!!

Thanks for the honesty!


Laurel
mama of 13

Becky said...

Your honesty and candidness is wonderful and refreshing!! I happened upon your blog a few weeks ago and find it so encouraging. I love seeing large families and knowing that they aren't perfect - just walking in obedience to the Father!! You inspire me to not put limits on myself but to instead just listen for the voice of God telling me what is next for my life!

Bingaling said...

Bless you for your honesty Heather! I love it!
Chanda

Heather said...

Heather, you still rock in my book! That's what some parts of my house and most of my closets look like and I only have two! Thanks for the honesty, though. At least I can sleep well tonight knowing that I'm not the only one. . . .

Ericka said...

I LOVE it!
Too funny!

Ericka said...

You still rock!

kori bates said...

Hi, I found your blog from reading on that I follow....I am glad that I a m not the only one who feeds my kids like that sometimes...God Bless.

coffeemom said...

Whew, I feel better already and I think that maybe each one of u s could have made this exact post, w/ almost identical pics. Ok, I sure could have!!! THanks for the honesty, it's refreshing~! M

Anonymous said...

A friend sent me your blog and I am SO HAPPY she did because this is exactly what Ineeded to see today (isn't God awesome in the way that He works?). I have been so down today because, frankly, my house looks just like that (and then some) and I'm too overwhelmed to even start because as soon as our 5 kids (which will be 6 soon I hope) are home from school it will look like that again in 10 seconds. I'm SUCH a procrastinator too(just finished the Beth Moore Breaking Free bible study and I identified this as my biggest stronghold). Thank you for this post!! :)

happy2bhomeschooling said...

Is this my post? Who else could know EXACTLY what my life is like?! Minus the Coke which I reluctantly gave up! :( Who snuck into my house and took pictures?! Popcorn and Breyer's ice cream IS a food group- they have ingredients that God would recognize anyway, that's something!
Now I am off to Facebook...oh, and do more research as we attempt to adopt from Ghana on our own (due to lack of finances and yet a strong desire to do God's will).
Blessings,
Kirsten

Jenny said...

I linked here from Steppinheavenward...thanks for sharing! Your honesty is commendable ; ) It brought back memories of when my house had little ones in it...and i don't regret one dust-bunny or closet floor covered with coats!! I do wish I could hold them one more time and read their favorite book (that are tucked in my bedside table) one more time : ) Loving your babies is what life is all about! Enjoy.
Merry Christmas

Amy said...

Ha! I LOVE IT!!! Amy

Laurel said...

Missing your blogging! Hope everything is okay at your place.

If you need to talk to an adoptive mama of an extra-large family that has "been there, done that", just hop on over to my blog and send me an email. I'd love to walk this journey with you. It isn't always easy.

Laurel
mama of 13

Gwen Oatsvall said...

i have no idea how i have missed your blog ... i love it !!! i love how you view life, your humor, and your God given passion for family ..