Some days, I am tired. Tired of the honey do list full of the unfinished projects. Tired of Saturday runs to Home Depot. Tired of family time turning into fixing it up time.
The reminders come in small doses. The gentle nudges, the glimpses I’m given that let me know it’s all how it should be. The life we’ve chosen, the house we’ve chosen – neither without their faults – is just right for now.
Three years ago, our 2 year old was helping daddy in the middle of an attempt at remedying a very bad bath. Without her, the floor would never have been level.
Last week, the newer version of Daddy’s Little Helper was right there in the same bathroom making sure the floor is still level and that the new white subway tile in the shower is installed just so. The subway tile that took 3 months to be finished. Not because we are slow or lazy, but I suppose because we have to mix the projects in with living life. And it got pushed aside again and again. But now it’s done and we can all take showers in a prettier shower stall.
And on Sunday, that Little Helper who sat in that same bathroom helping Daddy three years ago, took the paint brush from him and told him to go watch hockey. She’d be happy to finish the painting for him. My girl, slapping white paint on beaded board reminds me that it’s all okay. It’s all just right for now. The projects get done, life gets lived and we all learn a little bit along the way as we move slowly but purposefully toward the goal.
What a sweet story. Thanks for the reminder!
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Oh, I hear you. . . that balance is hard to strike– when to push through on the projects, when to take a break and LIVE– we’re seeking that too!
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I love your story and I love your tile!!! Isn’t it great to see all of your completed projects and the love and energy that went into it? So valued…. As always, I love your post.
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I love this and I love that your children get involved! It all does get tiring after a while. Sometimes I wonder if all the work is worth it and then I take a break and just enjoy it for a while and realize that it is worth the effort.
We’re working on our kitchen now. Ugh. Sometimes I’m not sure it will ever get finished, but it’s come a long way.
http://thedomesticfringe.wordpress.com/2010/04/26/the-recycled-kitchen/
Thanks for reminding me not to give up on the goal!
-FringeGirl
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Love those sweet lil helpers! : )
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thank you for sharing, you always inspire me.
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they’re beautiful. I needed to hear this, tonight, as I sigh heavily about a weekend already filling up with everything BUT stripping our front porch trim in readiness for paint. It’s only 4 yrs overdue! ack ack ack….. like I said. I needed to hear this.
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this reminded me so much of our life story in a 1915 Craftsman-style farmhouse that was in need of SO much fixin’ up ~ but we had little cash and two kids to raise. We did what we could, when we could. And life kept going on but we’ve enjoyed living there every minute. BTW, 21 yrs later, we’re STILL fixin’ up that house!!!
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I just dragged my daughter out into the sun so she could paint her “Peace signs” canvas to hang above her bed. Meanwhile, I’ve been painting that honey table…WHITE! It is gorgeous! As soon as you see it, you’re going to do it! I am in love with it! And yes, sometimes ya gotta know when to put the paint brush down.
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Great little story. Really liked this one!
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