As I sit here, on this last day in July, I can’t help but allow myself to get caught up in the laughter and joyful noises emanating from my yard. My children are so full of life, so full of energy. I’ve always said that if I could bottle up their energy and sell it, I would be a millionaire. If only.
Countless hours are spent, in these summer months, watching my boys run through the sprinklers or glide down the slip ‘n slide. Memories are made as I observe my daughter, chalk in hand, creating art on the sidewalk or playing hopscotch in the street.
The frustrations of yesterday are forgotten, the worries of tomorrow non-existent.
To try to see things through my children’s eyes brings me joy. How wonderful to experience the giddy pleasure in finding a shimmering dragonfly, or the elation in discovering a rainbow in the mist of the backyard hose.
Not too long ago, Ray, in an effort to help, decided to cover up the dirty walls going up our stairwell with a darker shade of paint than the original paint color. Not quite sure how that helped, but it made for a good blog post, at the very least, I figured.
So, I have a post sitting in my drafts folder with the following picture ::
But, I never got around to writing about the incident. I think it’s because, no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t really find the humor in it.
Until about two weeks ago, when I received the following email ::
I’m reaching out to you on behalf of Lisa LaPorta, HGTV designer and host of “Designed to Sell” & “Bang for Your Buck”.
Lisa has picked her 5 favorite bloggers in the California area looking to do consultations with and she’s a huge fan of you! If you’re open to it, Lisa would like to spend a few hours with you and give you a design consultation in your own home as well as provide products on behalf of KILZ paints and primers.
Oh. my. goodness.
Naturally, I responded with ::
Lisa didn’t happen to see my draft article, highlighting my stairwell walls half-painted, somehow, did she? LOL
It would be an honor to have her come and consult this design-ignorant mama… I (and my house) could use some serious help!
Squeeee!!!
Today was the day that Lisa was to come, and I was running around trying to make the downstairs of my house at least somewhat presentable. I had no intention of allowing Lisa upstairs. None. No way.
After talking her way through my living room and front room, Lisa expressed how much she really wanted to see my master bedroom. It must have been because I opened my big mouth and told her how much I would love to create a sanctuary in my room, being that Ray and I will be celebrating our tenth anniversary next month, and we’ve never really had a nice oasis in which to spend time. (Yes, I think I actually said all that in one breath. Whew.)
Up we went past unfolded laundry, tiptoeing through all of my stuff from Chicago strewn about all over my bedroom. And, even though I was so very embarrassed, I am so glad we did! Lisa was so excited to help me make over my master suite and started throwing ideas at me from all different directions. She is truly amazing and so much fun!
So, we went shopping. We picked up everything, including several gallons of KILZ paint and primer, to transform my messy, cluttered, and unfinished room into a master bedroom to die for! All on a very limited budget.
I can’t wait to show you my completed room, but I still have a ton of work to do!
Within five minutes of being welcomed home, I was running through the airport, with three little ones in tow, looking for a restroom before an accident.
Within forty minutes of receiving hugs and kisses from kiddos who missed their mama, I was reprimanding them for being too loud in the restaurant.
Within two hours of being peppered with stories and questions from six excited children, I was urging them to be still so I could finish my dinner.
Within four hours of being reunited, I was kissing each of my kiddos goodnight, thinking of how much I missed each one of them while I was away.
Even with all of the little frustrations that come with being a mom, it’s so good to be home.
As I finished packing up to go home today, I couldn’t help but realize how much swag I was given throughout the course of my time here in Chicago. While all of it was amazing, not even the video camera that I received can truly compare to the memories I made when I saw a good friend in person for the first time, when I met up with tried and true blogger buddies, or when my favorite PR gal and I squealed when we saw each other.
Oh, and the hugs are always one of the best parts for me… Hugs from old friends, new friends, and even some celebrities!
Even though most of these moments weren’t captured on film, they are memories that will last forever.
Tara Kuczykowki, Julie Cole of Mabel’s Labels, and me ::
We have seventeen (yes, you read that right… 17!) children between the three of us!
Tim Gunn and some of my bestest blogging buddies ~ Erika, Lori, Arianne, Audrey and Tara
Having a ball at BowlHer with Kristin, Tara, and Tonya
Two of the most amazing and down to earth artists out there, Brooke White and Chris Mann.
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