Lay out the red carpet

For a long time I’ve tried to establish a policy that our home is always guest ready; meaning if anyone just stopped by they’d feel comfortable and I wouldn’t feel bad that the house wasn’t in good enough shape for company. When we were doing the “free” series” w/ church and our small group I was trying very hard to let go of what exactly that meant, so instead of having a perfect house all day every day that it would be ok to have dishes in the sink when folks came over. that worked for a little while til I got behind and felt like I couldnt keep up w/ the chores I let go of little by little by trying to get “free” thus making me feel more trapped in a mess than ever!
So where are things now you ask? I’ve stopped being so anal about things,although my house is probably still cleaner than most folks you know, but will never be as clean as my moms house or my house would be if I didn’t have 3 kids, a dog, and 2 men living here! A few days ago a friend did the unexpected, the thing I always wanted to be ready for, the dreaded “drop by” and hang out. Funny thing was because I do my best to keep things picked up every day and was pretty worn out myself and pretty well medicated (code name : relaxed -not as uptight as normal!) I was ok with it. We hung out and I let the dinner dishes sit, and sit, until Dean cleaned them up a few hours later!
Spent that evening chatting and hanging out and really just devoted that time to her as best I could w/ aforementioned number of folks living in our house currently being around and needing things!
Today we hung out some more and I did do a few chores but really considering my normal amount of Saturday chores I really didn’t do that much workwise, despite the fact she asked when I was going to stop moving, which I find funny since I find it hard to stop moving, cause if I do I will quickly fall asleep! 🙂
There’s come to be a few people who liken our house to their second home, and I’ll never understand it. When I am at home I often feel overwhelmed by loud kids and/or disrespectful kids, dirty clothes, lots of dirty dishes (again that happens when so many folks live in one house!), and a slew of other things that often make me think that it’s the last place I want to be. I often dream of the times, like now, although it’s only because it’s 2 am, when our home is clean, quiet and comfortably calm that I can truly relax. Meanwhile others have come to realize that for them coming to our home gives them that place of escape or comfort that they need some times.
I have always hoped that we would have a home that was welcoming and that our family would be known as one that loved on any and all who needed us whenever we needed to be there for them, but I guess I never really knew what that would look like.
I’d like to say that this last week or so I’ve gotten the chance to see a glimpse of just a small part of the dream that God put in my heart for us as a family being lived out, by simply being here and having an open door w/ a spare bed or couch, a pantry w/ a box of brownie mix to be made at the last minute, and children who love to welcome anyone into their hearts and home! Sometimes being around our kids can be the best birth control for folks who need the reminders that they aren’t ready for that right now, but sometimes, our kids can be the most loving and accepting lot of blessing God has placed in our life and those who grace the doors of this home. I apologize now if you happen to come on a day when the boys are throwing a tantrum or happen to be getting punished and aren’t on their best behavior, but if you give them a chance they will be there to open the door for you, roll out the red carpet, and hold your hand as they welcome you into the warmth and comfort that we call our home. It’s not all that exciting but what we lack in high def cable tv and electronic devices we more than make up for with our wit and sarcastic humor (and the boys can even put on a really good show, either musical or something staged from a power rangers episode are their strengths) and ability to make a mean pan of brownies. So yeah, while they may drive me nuts, I’m really proud of this clan of McKenzies that I live with for being there for not only me but for our friends when they need us.
Thanks Dean for not getting overwhelmed by the abnormal flux of estrogen, and putting up with us few extra gals now and then, although I know it made us all a little feistier when you put us all together, just be glad we had 3 boys instead of 3 girls!