Like many mothers, I always knew I would have kids. I knew I liked kids, and having them was just something to check off of my endless lists. There were a few things that I would come to realize when I had children that I was completely unprepared for.
1. Just how much you could love someone you had never “met”.
2. How hard it would be to leave them and go back to work.
3. How amazing it is to see the world through their eyes.
4. How awesome it is to just sit and watch them.
5. The unbelievable amount of crap that comes with them.
I have read countless articles about all of the above topics, and I promise to elaborate on each of them at some point in the future but today, I would like to focus on #5.
(D) and I were married in 2004, we waited 6 years to have children. The planners that we are we needed to have all of our “T’s” crossed and “i’s” dotted. We needed the house, my masters (I got two), his MBA, paid off cars, the dog, the whole deal. Before we had children we swore that our house would remain organized, neat and clean (HA!). We even had a little sanctuary, in the form of a sun porch off the back of our house, which was outfitted with lovely resin wicker furniture, and a ceiling fan. It looked out on our nice sized, quiet backyard. It was the perfect place to enjoy a hot cup of coffee, or a cold beer. A great setting for a long catch up phone call with a friend who had moved away.
Fast-forward, to 2014. (D) and I now have two children and two dogs. Mess comes with kids, I know that, and I love every moment of it. I would not trade Motherhood for anything in the world. However, I am tripping over toys in my living room, and spend more time “picking up”, cleaning, and washing than sipping coffee, beer or talking to those long lost friends.
Then there is my sanctuary. It has become a catch all, and transition area. Items that belong outside but we needed to store for the winter, shoes, party items from BBQ’s I never quite finished organizing. It’s sad really.
I have often thought of what I should do with this space, and recently came to a decision while attempting yet again to confine the toys to the corner of the living room that we lovingly call the “garage”. It would make a fantastic play room. (D) and I have discussed for two years now trying to find a space for the kids to play and keep all of the toys, often resigning ourselves to the fact that the basement project will have to wait; but will be great when we do it.
My father had suggested using the sun porch for a playroom several times, and each time I dismissed the idea. It was just recently that I realized he was right. It’s on the same level with the house, in close proximity with the main living space. The door can remain open and the kids would be close enough to feel safe and keep an eye on, while giving Mommy (and Daddy?) a space for herself (obviously to a point). A great plan.
My father loved photography, and I wanted to dedicate the room to him, and at the suggestion of a very smart Mommy from my Warwick, NY Facebook group, the room will be themed in his honor. I will be posting updates to show you all of the progress made in the room that will once again be a sanctuary not just for me, but for my children as well.
My sanctuary turned into a “catch all”. Sadly, I don’t even have pictures of its glory days. This is my “BEFORE” picture.
