If only
we had a second full bathroom. I mean, 4 kids…we really need that second bathroom. It’s hard to believe we’ve lived this long without it, and it’s only going to get harder as they get older.
If only
we had a mudroom…more closet space…a bigger kitchen…a newer kitchen.
If only
our laundry room were upstairs, life would be so much easier.
There’s an amazing photojournalist—Michael Wolf–my friend Heather just introduced me to. He’s taken amazing photographs in China and elsewhere, making the ordinary transform into extraordinary. And, his 100×100 project made me take pause.
Hong Kong. An apartment building with 100 apartments. 100 individual living spaces for different families. And, each only 100 sq. feet.
If only
I valued what we’ve been given more.
If only
I realized that we need a lot less and took every opportunity to teach my kids the same.
If only
I were thankful we have clothes to wash with clothes still in our small closets, extra shoes for different outfits, and hair accessories and jewelry to go with them all.
Not sayin’ that extra bathroom wouldn’t be nice. That a new kitchen wouldn’t be great. That a front loading washer and dryer in a bright color (orange? green?) outside my bedroom door wouldn’t make me smile during my housework.
But, you know what?
I’m going to be just fine without all that.
Found your blog thru a friend’s link. :)
Wow. These pictures sure put things into perspective. Thanks for sharing.
We would also love a 2nd bathroom (4 kids here as well) and a mudroom and heck, I’d like my OWN room too. But we do have more than 100 sq feet in our 38-ft trailer!
A little perspective always serves us well!
Wow!
Amen.
You are echoing my own heart!!!!!! We have the same gripes at times – five of us with one full bath…. not enough closets in our old Victorian house…. only a one-car garage and a postage stamp-sized lot.
Our work with orphans has led me to so much conviction of my own perspective not being how it ought. After working with orphan care for a few years, we have recently “adopted” a family of 8 refugees who’ve come from Afghanistan through the children’s center we work with in Ukraine and now to my own town, where I daily share life with them. And the 8 of them have lived for 2 months in 2 hotel rooms and arrived with only one outfit each, having left everything behind in search of a place to live unpersecuted and free of fear.
Thank you for reminding us all of what we DO have so abundantly.
Love the perspective! There will always be ‘wants’ in life, but more of us need to step back & be grateful for all we have. Beautiful post!
Sooooooo well said! The pictures are unbelievable. May we all be reminding ourselves how abundantly blessed we are too!
Thank you for telling it how it is and keeping it real!
Surely does put things into perspective. Great reminder to be content and opens our eyes to others’ circumstances!
Hi! My name is Anne and I just found you through TMB. Love your blog and can’t wait to go exploring. We also started out with 3 kids by birth and then added to our family through adoption. Be warned: we now have 6 kids! You might also like the blog Five of My Own. She is getting ready to travel to China for her 3rd adoption (also started with 3 by birth, this will be her 3rd adoption). Love for you to pop over to my blog Life on the Funny Farm sometime to say hi. I’m at http://annesfunnyfarm.blogspot.com.
Have a great day!
Great post. Love your blog!
I’m with you. We will be bringing home a 7 year old boy this summer from China which will make our fourth child with ONE bathroom too. Thanks for the post.
We live in a 2 bedroom/1bath house with four kiddos and somedays I want to scream but then the Lord is gracious to remind me be thankful for what I do have:-) Thank you for sharing this!