I really love talking about homes with you all. I enjoy the creativity, the sharing of ideas, the kindred spirits I meet every day. You are all my best girl friends, the ones with whom I cannot wait to share the beautiful things I find, the things I’ve learned, and the ups and downs of life. And even more than what I can share with you, I love hearing your ideas and being inspired by you.
Last night as I was getting ready to do some blogging, my husband came in the room and said he was taking me out to dinner! In spite of our financial strain and complete busyness of life, we have been trying to stay committed to going out on regular dates. Whether it is a drive together, a chat at Starbucks, or a rare dinner out — it doesn’t matter much, the point is that we want to find ways to make our relationship a priority. Yes, even above blogging about houses and chatting with my girl friends {imagine that!}.
So, last night I looked at my husband and then back over at my blog and the still blank screen, shut down the computer and went out to dinner.
I really love talking about all the ways to create a beautiful home. But as you know, this blog isn’t just about creating a beautiful house, it is about the life we create within our homes.
How impressive our homes are, how beautiful they look in photos, how many accessories we have to play with or how many blog-worthy ideas we have to impart to the world — those are not the measure of a home’s true beauty or our success as keepers of our homes.
The lives behind the walls cannot be put together in one afternoon with a hammer and a glue gun and shared the next day in staged photos with four easy bullet point directions.
No, a truly beautiful life is slowly built a little each day — piece by piece, thought by thought, action by action, sacrifice by sacrifice, choice by choice.
Our houses may be a little crooked, imperfect and at times a little crazy, but remember what matters most every day and hang on to it for dear life. That is what creating a beautiful home is all about.
image: Boston.com
this post shared with Chatting at the Sky
What a beautiful post! I agree wholeheartedly because I have been making extra time this week to play games with my kids and read to them instead of visiting blogs (which I do love). However, I want to make a childhood for them they will remember, not just Mummy sitting on the computer all the time…
RML – Being More Through Having Lesss inspiring blog post..Little Mini-Blitzes
It’s so important to take time out of busy lives and to connect with our loved ones…hope you had a wonderful dinner together and thank you for sharing all you do!
perfectly spoken… it is a beautiful life, this one surrounded by walls and momentos… and the love that swirls around inside ’em!
Thank You, Melissa! You are so right. I am so happy that you are making the time to spend together. God will honor that, I know it!
Praying for a sale on your other home soon.
Becky K.
Becky K.s inspiring blog post..Blues and More from a Sunday Drive
so well said as always, Melissa. Thank you for sharing these words and thoughts this morning. I can’t help but think about kids playing in that crooked house and dreaming about a house of their own, for real, one day. Your words really capture what home really means.
emilys inspiring blog post..eight years later
So sweet, you are so right Melissa!
Our families are why we make our home beautiful in the first place!
Dinner out with your hubby will always be more important than a blog post. I hope you had a great time:>)
Kathys inspiring blog post..Monday, Monday…
Wonderful post Melissa. It is easy to get caught up in the things we want to change and miss seeing the things that are perfect in our lives just the way they are!
Hugs,
Penny
Your blog is the first thing I read this morning as I opened my email and drank my first cup of coffee. What a pleasant way to wake up! Your words are so true and so important at this time in our lives. May God bless you each and every day.
Charla
Charla @ For the Sake of Times inspiring blog post..Welcome to a New Kitchen
Thanks Charla, you are so sweet!
Girl, can you put a warning next time that I need tissues? What a beautiful post. Thank you for your words today.
Emily@remodelingthislifes inspiring blog post..Cottage Kitchen
my home is about the people in it. A place for my family , where I’ve raised my 3 beautiful girls together with my wonderful husband. It’s nice to have a comfortable and nicely decorated surrounding, but it’s always been about us, our family.
SJNs inspiring blog post..Scout totes
I’m so glad you went to dinner! A blog is one thing, but family is another thing altogether. =)
Deidras inspiring blog post..Father’s Day Rocks!
So true– I love the sentiment behind this post!
Jess @ The Finer Thingss inspiring blog post..A New Look for Cupcakes
So beautiful. So true.
Pams inspiring blog post..Happy Father’s Day – A Tribute
Truer words have never been spoken. I wholeheartedly agree and thank you for sharing.
*tricia
Tricias inspiring blog post..Message Board Frame Options…Help Me!
Thank you for helping us keep our priorities straight. . .We all hope you make time for both, because we would certainly miss your blogs
Have a great day!
This is perfect! I am a very strong believer that your husband comes first, it keeps the family and home together! Good for you!! :) Keep on writing… I love your blog!!
Cheles inspiring blog post..Feeding Time – Redemption and Blasphemy
The funny thing is that blogging has helped me create a more beautiful life for my family. I’ve been inspired by others and pushed beyond my own comfort zone to create a more pleasing atmosphere. I never really put much consideration into it before, but I do now. I think it’s made me taking new look at the way I not only surround myself, but how I help my girls learn the importance of it, as well. I hope they will not have to “learn” this skill as an adult, but just remember it as always being that way from childhood.
Gina @ The Shabby Chic Cottages inspiring blog post..Porch Pillows
Amen, my friend.
songbirdtiffs inspiring blog post..
I Amen that too- Thanks
teresas inspiring blog post..I’ve never-
Very well said. Thank you for the reminder – I really needed to hear something like this today!
Thanks for the reality check!
Jesss inspiring blog post..The Twins are Girls!
Oh Melissa, what a beautiful post! Your words really touched me this morning. Sometimes life gets all busy and we really need to slow down & enjoy those precious moments. Why else do we do the daily grind, if not for the enrichment of our families and lives.
BTW, loved the crooked houses on last night’s episode of J&K+8. Now there’s a family that could use a little bit of that advice. So sad for them.
Stephanies inspiring blog post..It’s a Painted Patio Furniture Party!
Yes, such a sad thing happening to J&K, breaks my heart.
Oh Melissa,
You are such a blessing! I have loved your blog for a very long time. I want to thank you so much for today’s post-just the insight I needed ! You found a thoughtful,kind and classy way to address a tough issue. God uses you in a very special way. I am going to find a way to really bless my husband today-almost 21 years and still going strong. I am so thankful. Have you ever considered a blog-fan retreat/workshop? No, that might be too much wolesom fun!!! HAHA
Aw, Penny, that is so sweet of you to say. THANK YOU! I would love to do a retreat someday and meet all of you lovely ladies!
you got it right… and are getting it right, and doing it right by sharing
thanks
debs inspiring blog post..GETTING WHAT YOU NEED
Wholesome fun that is!
Thanks Melissa. I try to live this each day and appreciate my hubby for all that he is. Making the relationship priority is key. A cruise to the Med doesn’t hurt either, lol.
Janet
janets inspiring blog post..NAPLES AND CAPRI
“No, a truly beautiful life is slowly built a little each day — piece by piece, thought by thought, action by action, sacrifice by sacrifice, choice by choice.”
I love this. Thank you.
Erins inspiring blog post..In the Midst of the Storm
How wonderfully spoken-and so true. Today I’ll be working on what matters most and holding on to it for dear life! I love that and so appreciate the reminder.
Ginas inspiring blog post..Through the Lens: Slowing Down
Great post!
Blakelys inspiring blog post..Column Choice
Great post, Melissa! I wish Sound Man and I went on more dates. He’s so good to give me some much needed ME time away from Kiddo, but we don’t go on dates nearly enough. I think we’ve let the business of life get in the way. Thanks for the reminder of what matters most.
Heathahlees inspiring blog post..Happy Father’s Day!
Melissa, this needed to be said. And I think you were the one chosen by God to say it. Thank you for answering that call, and for saying it in such a gentle and kind but clear and firm way. Thank you for reminding us where we really live. God bless you.
Richellas inspiring blog post..Surprised by simplicity
Beautiful sentiments and just perfect…xv
Vicki Archers inspiring blog post..What are green and purple, deliciously squishy, a taste sensation and with a scent that can only be described as heavenly?
This is precious and so true. Thank you for reminding us.
Melissa,
I agree 100% creating a beautiful home is nurturing those who live there and making it a happy and loving place. My family has been through many transfers and I relate to your situation. You know what is important in life and have such a positive and cheery attitude, which makes all the difference.
Cathy
Cathy @ The Stylish Houses inspiring blog post..Beautiful Historical Victorian Homes!
YES! In the end, what will last are not great and beautiful blog posts (which I LOVE yours), but how we related to those in our sphere of influence and particularly those of our primary relationships – husbands, children, etc.
I want to end life knowing that Michael knew that he was my priority and that I responded to those little moments to whisk me away for love’s sake.
Again, dear friend…great job.
lylah ledners inspiring blog post..What To Do With Arugula
How appropriate. . .I was watching a show last night about a certain couple with eight children, and they were installing those adorable crooked houses on their property. How sad to hear that their home life is changing, but a reminder to us all that communication with the people that live within our homes is paramount! Your point is well taken, thank you for your insight!
Hollys inspiring blog post..Last Day of School
I think I am a broken record when it comes to your blog. Or perhaps I should simply just have a comment on auto- post… :)
But really you inspire me. (my blog post today is because of you.)
Obviously there are many of us, but thank you …thank you.
TTFN~~Claudia
Claudia@DipityRoads inspiring blog post..Angels among us
Michelle, you have a way, that’s all I can say. I’m so glad you went out on your date night. I cherish mine, usually every Saturday night it’s Mexican Food and a Barnes and Noble run. I know, we’re creatures of habit. But, they are very special habits. ;-)
Blessings,
Karen
Karen Bs inspiring blog post..Work
After a blissful but far too short marriage of 14 months, my husband passed away unexpectedly. We had just moved into a new home and he spent hours working on it, but we also spent a lot of time together. There was much left undone when he died and while I am glad he made the progress he did, I am even more grateful that we played together as much as we did. I had no idea my time with him would be so short, but I can honestly say I have no regrets with regards to our relationship. Our homes are important, but nothing trumps our relationships.
Your posts are beautiful. I’ve enjoyed reading them for the last several months. But I’m glad you know where your real treasures lie. Bless you.
Please stop by my blog for a blog award! :)
Julies inspiring blog post..Spreading the Blog-Love!
Hi, Melissa! Its so great to meet you. Thank you so much for spreading the love and dropping by my blog today. Wow, your home and story are really inspiring. I’m going to have to settle in with my latte and read more. The world could use more people like you:)
Sarah from pewter+sages inspiring blog post..The Travelling Butterfly
Thank you for continuing to inspire. This post touched my heart as does your blog. Thanks for sharing.
Maureens inspiring blog post..Beauty at a Price
Wonderful post and lovely words of wisdom. I love that you have date night with your hubby. How romantic. My hubby and I have movie night once a week. Isn’t that crooked house on your post adorable! I saw it first on TV so I googled it last night. They are very expensive and out of reach for most childrens. Wouldn’t be wonderful if every child could have something darling like that to play in? I’m hoping it will get a lot of dads out there to think about ways of building them themselves.
Carols inspiring blog post..Tea and friendship Tuesday’s……….
Love it! Thanks for the words of wisdom:-) I’m loving that little house. You have inspired me to get off my computer and start drawing up ideas for my kid’s tree house!
Amy @ Living Locurtos inspiring blog post..Happy 1st Blog Birthday
Preach on, sister, preach on!
the BLAH BLAH BLAHgers inspiring blog post..Mind Candy
Beautiful! Can’t do more than echo what folk have said above. Thank you.
janice|Sharing the Journeys inspiring blog post..Connected and Encouraged
Thanks for this insightful reminder Melissa. If only we could remember to look at life that way when things get difficult. I have been sick all day over the news of J&K all day after watching last nights crooked house episode and am praying for them all. You and your family have been in my prayers also regarding the sale of your home.
Blessings.
Shar
what a wonderful post. but boy are those crooked house adorable!!
courtneys inspiring blog post..sun and earth tour
Pretty nice post. I just came by your site and wanted to say
that I’ve really enjoyed reading your blog posts. In any case
I’ll be subscribing to your blog and I hope you write again soon!
So very true dear girl!!! Reminders of this are something we all need to hear……..life, it’s a BEAUTIFUL thing!!!
I love the crooked house.
katys inspiring blog post..Chalkboard Paint Simplicity
Hi! This was my first visit to your blog and WOW, I am so impressed with your insight and wisdom to such a viable and current issue. Now I am going to go back and read some more…… ;)
Hi,
I like what you write about houses and it’s all truth too ! A home must grow and can’t be done in a a short time .
Have a lovely day :)
xx
Ancis inspiring blog post..Nya tankar…. New thoughts…
Very very true. We often forget this. We try so hard to make things appear lovely, when we forget how lovely they are without us even trying.
kristen@nosmallthings inspiring blog post..Pretty Stories
Beautiful.
The Scoopers inspiring blog post..God in Everything
so well said.
love it.
:)
now…my man just said “ok..i am going upstairs to bed.”
i said “well…i guess that means i am too.”
goodnight.
meg duerksens inspiring blog post..the summer list.
A beautiful home helps to inspire a beautiful life, that is so true, and it takes the same kind of work and commitment to maintain both.
I love creating a inspirational and creative space to bless my family, and sharing it together is the bets part.
Diane
Diane Costanzas inspiring blog post..
God bless you. This is so inspiring. Thank you.
Imelda Phillipss inspiring blog post..It’s Official