There are some things that are must haves around here. For fun. For memories. For time’s sake. Because life is too short and must have some ‘rules’ to make the most of it.
Keep the camera and/ or phone charged and easy to get to. Kodak moments seem to come as quickly as they go.
Keep fruit in the house. It makes for pretty and fun snacks. And the orange peels keep the disposal smelling great.
Keep the laptop closed until naptime. That is unless you’re looking up that recipe you pinned for homemade bubbles! :]
Open all the windows. Sunlight is such a gift! And it makes the home feel happy.
Play music. All day long. Loud, and soft. Priscilla Ahn, Tim McGraw, The Lumineers, Mumford… it doesn’t matter. Music does wonders for the soul, no matter what kind of day we’re having.
Candles or Scentsy bars. I am a strong believer in the significance of scents and smells. Ten years from now the scents that fill the house today will bring me back to these days with babies.
A small, but loose plan. Some days there is no getting around an appointment or place to be but I like to keep my day-to-day routine loose. Loose enough to pop over to a friend’s house if something fun comes up, go garage sale-ing on a whim or take Bubby for donuts one morning.
Tell my kids that Jesus loves them every night. I can still remember my mom telling me this as a kid, and to this day I can say that has helped me believe in his incredible, unconditional love in my most undeserving moments.
Have intentional conversations with Joseph, and answer his 792 questions that come up that day (and try not to pull my hair out when he repeats the same questions over and over again!).
Pull out play-do, crayons and paint on a regular basis. And someday have the chance to feed my son’s curiosity about the guitar sitting in our bedroom. I want to give my kiddos every chance to feed their imaginations and creativity.
Clean up as much as I can, but be ‘okay’ with a little mess. Mess now, memories later. I don’t think I’ll be remembering the pile of laundry that I should have done or the stack of dishes that needed to be washed. I’m learning to let these small things go.
Yes!! This post brings a smile to my heart.
Your children (& you) will always cherish these choices you’ve made.
I always remember the light streaming through our house…the music was my mother singing (or whistling)…my sibs & I were just talking the other day about my mom’s special treats of orange slices sprinkled with a little powdered sugar…the scent was fresh air & fresh picked flowers & freshly laundered clothes & good food & fresh baked goodies. :-) We knew we were blessed then…our friends knew it too: our house was a gathering place.
I’m 42 now. My mom is 66. I live with her. My sister lives 5 minutes away. My brother lives 40 minutes away. Our houses are also filled with light and fresh air and music and flowers…and art & music experiences for my nieces & nephews. We love living with/near her still. And we love that she is able to be a strong influence in her grandchildren’s lives.
Your precious Bubby & Peach ;-) will remember those sights, scents, sounds, touches, experiences, and love forever. And they will pass it on to future loved ones…whether friends or (future) children. *sigh* #lookingintoyourfuturenear&far #seeingloadsoflovd
That was to be: #seeingloadsofLOVE :-)
I love that you still have these memories to look back on Mary. How precious!!! I so hope that Bubby and Peach can look back on our days with those kinds of memories one day. Thank you for giving me a beautiful glimpse!!!
Franchesca recently posted..Life Rules
I like those rules :)
Sarah recently posted..family fridays
:)
Franchesca recently posted..Life Rules
I’m sharing you over here, Fran! <3 because you rock, of course :)
Beth recently posted..Soul Refreshment
Oops over here: http://studiojru.com/blog/
Thank you SO much!!!!
Franchesca recently posted..Life Rules
These are great, Fran! What a wonderful list of rules. :) So happy Beth shared your fantastic blog with the ‘it’s a small world blog hop’… your blog inspires others!
Jennifer {StudioJRU} recently posted..it’s a small world {blog hop}.
Thank you Jennifer!! I love your blog hop idea!!
Franchesca recently posted..Life Rules
Great rules, and gorgeous photos
Amanda Jillian recently posted..Nurture Photography: Winter 2013
thank you :)
Franchesca recently posted..Life Rules
How’s life with a newborn and the big boy going?
Amanda Jillian recently posted..Nurture Photography: Winter 2013
Oh it’s wonderful! Busy, crazy (all kinds of crazy) but I wouldn’t trade it for the world :) xo!
Franchesca recently posted..Life Rules
Good! Enjoy that baby, they grow way too fast.
Amanda Jillian recently posted..Shadow Play
i would love to know how you did that painting!! :) precious!
I got the idea from Casey Wiegand! She shows how to do this with your kiddos on this link:) http://www.thewiegands.com/2012/10/we-were-on-tv.html
Franchesca recently posted..Life Rules