I can’t begin to tell you the number of times I have worried about someone stopping by my house unannounced. Somewhere along the line, I got the message that anything less than a clean house, like the ones in magazines, made me less of a mom. As if the pristine floors and neatly arranged, carefully accessorized coffee table, were indicators of the amount of care and love I have for my children.

Well, I can guarantee you if that is the standard I am failing!

My house is often a mess. I have piles of unfolded laundry, dishes in my sink, dust bunnies under my couch, and I am not even sure what that spot on the carpet is. As a busy mom and student, I just don’t have time to keep it immaculate. Sure we do a light pick-up but I would ever say my house is “clean”. I am often trying to balance the whirlwind of parenting, laundry, meals, homework, errands, and all the other things I do.

It’s no surprise cleaning often falls to the wayside, especially when it means sacrificing time with my family. But a house is not a home without the people in it. So despite the mess and chaos, my house is a home. It is a home filled with the love, laughter, tears, fears, of the people who fill it.

So yes, my house can sometimes be an embarrassment, it doesn’t look like the ones in the magazine. It is a house that is clearly lived in and full of love and that is just the way I like it!

We live here, my family and I

We live here, my family and I.

So you might not find a spot to sit since my couch is covered in unfolded laundry and the chair is draped with coats.

You might not be able to find a clean glass since the dishes in the dishwasher aren’t done yet and the ones in the sink were just put there.

You might not be able to find a folded towel since the ones on the floor are from this morning’s showers and the pile by the sink is clean but thrown there in haste.

You step on a toy as you cross the floor; I told the girls 10 times to pick them up but one always seems to get away.

My house might seem messy, chaotic and unkempt, but we live here my family and I.

My house is a place where we laugh and cry.

My house is a place where you can be yourself and that’s ok.

My house is a place where we play and have fun.

But most of all my house is a home filled with love!