Quiet Bustle

Almost two years ago we bought our current home. You long time readers remember the drama surrounding that purchase.

First, the sale of our house.

Then, the rejected offers on other houses.

Finally, the God-directed find and purchase of our current home.

It was quite a ride, and I never tire in my thanksgiving that Someone else was completely in control the entire time.
:)


The best part about our new home is that we can accommodate vast quantities of people without feeling like the walls are going to burst. Regardless of our house size, I have always subscribed to the axiom "the more the merrier"... but I am realizing something very valuable.

I'm realizing that it's difficult to house the "more" and "be merry" if you are all on top of each other constantly.

Now. I am not advocating a tv/computer in every child's room so we don't have to socialize with one another. (although I've been tempted... oy, the fighting!)

:)

What I am specifically speaking of are the times when we host dinners and parties, and have family come to stay.

In our old house, Lil Sis came over with her friends once so they could make brownies or something, and they ended up huddled around the dining table, speaking in hushed tones while baking, since the kids were all sleeping at the end of the hall and DH was watching television 20 feet away.

When we moved, Lil Sis brought her gang of friends over for dinner many times. After eating, they would gather outside on the patio for s'mores and songs and joke-telling. Later they moved into the home school room for more romping and internet browsing while DH and the boys lounged in the living room watching hockey and I would shoo the girls upstairs to bed.

It was a busy night, but everyone was comfy, everyone was enjoying themselves (well, maybe except the girls who had to go to bed) and no-one felt like they were putting us out.

And this is key.

They most definitely were NOT putting us out when we lived in our smaller home, but they were acutely aware of the acoustics and the close proximity of the bedrooms, and so were hesitant to really kick back and enjoy.

This is the inner beauty of our lovely new home that I am so so very grateful for...

~When Lil Sis needed a place to stay, I could immediately offer the spare bedroom and a place at the table without a moment's thought.

~When my parents come into town to watch Lil Sis play soccer, there is enough room to put up a comfy bed.

~American Thanksgiving is celebrated at the Nut House now, or at least whenever my family can make it down. And this year promises to be one for the books, since my brother and another "Lil Sis" will also be making the trip.

These days of craziness and love in our home I affectionately term "Quiet Bustle" since I know that there will come a time (all too soon, most likely...) where there will be little to no "Bustle" here.

"Quiet Bustle" is what I hear every morning, as muted alarms go off in the various bedrooms, and the beloved inhabitants start their day.

"Quiet Bustle" is Lil Sis downstairs eating breakfast and listening to Little Dear who knows how to take advantage of a sleepy Auntie who is too tired to resist her prolific stories.

"Quiet Bustle" is the washing machine humming, the coffee pot spouting, dishes clanking and children playing... all under one roof.


God has been so very good to us, providing us with enough room for our little family... and allowing us the space to open our hearts and home for even more merriment in our lives.

:)