A season for everything

I've never been one to be a "neat freak". I like things to be in order and I like my house to be clean on the surface (aka a glancing eye would think things are immaculate, but let's not take the white gloves out to really check it out, okay?) but you won't catch me cleaning the floors with a toothbrush or cleaning the baseboards any time soon. I  used to spend a few hours on the weekend straightening up and doing light cleaning, but that was it. My how things have changed...

At some point, I must have blinked a little too long and my little baby has become this toddler-like creature and is into everything. He has to touch everything. One single toy does not entertain him for longer than a 2-minute period. He eats big people snacks and prefers to eat them on the go. He's eating finger foods and thoroughly enjoys throwing it all over God's creation, stressing his mother out discovering the new textures of it all.

So now.. now... while I feel like I'm constantly cleaning up after this child... I have to let some things go. Like I said, while I was never OCDish about cleaning, but I've had to give up on the surface appearance of our home. I do my best. There are times (like right now) when I've been extremely productive during nap time and get to enjoy a swept, dusted, and wiped down, good smelling home (for about 20 minutes), but I promise you it's never like it once was.

If you come over, whether it be planned or not, you are guaranteed to see handprints over every glass surface imaginable. They ARE rather adorable little handprints though. You're pretty likely to step in a pile of cracker crumbs. Maybe even a whole one that has somehow been looked over by the human vacuum. Any area within 2 feet of the highchair will probably be disgusting. Unless it is between 8:15 and 9:30, 1:15 and 3, or anytime after 7:15.. I absolutely promise you that my living room will look like a tornado ripped through it. Toys everywhere.. watch where you step. Books thrown all over the floor (my boy loves his books, thank God). Chaos. Total chaos.

And I wouldn't have it any other way. Sometimes, I do have to remind myself of this. I'm human.. of course it stresses me out at times. But, I picture it the other way around and that makes me really sad. I can't imagine not seeing those little handprints. Not having little toy soldiers, cars or airplanes to pick up! When I really think about it.. it puts a huge smile on my face. This is just a season in our lives. The toys are only going to get bigger and have more threat of breaking something. One day my house will be clean again.. you know.. on the surface... and I'm going to miss all of this.
So for now, I'll remember how blessed I am! And for now.. I'm going to print this off and hang it somewhere noticeable. So next time I step on a lego and want to scream I can remember how thankful I am for that lego.