Did You Hear That? Silence. . . Absolute Silence

And doesn’t it sound nice!

Our house has been mostly quiet for the past couple of days, and I have to admit that, while I love having children and grandchildren around, it’s also nice to have some peace and quiet again.

We’ve had Sara and Sean and their five children for the past several weeks as they’ve moved back to Utah and been looking for a new home. And on top of that we had Shalae and Jon here for a couple of weeks as they prepared for their move to Georgia and Jon earning his master’s degree.

Six adults and eight children make for a full house!

While I’m so grateful for the opportunity to offer a place for our children and grandchildren to stay, I have to admit that I’m kind of grateful that they’ve all moved on to their next adventures in life as well! I’m a Type A, almost compulsive cleaner-upper and organizer, and near the end, I actually walked down the stairs and stepped over a toy on the ground and didn’t pick it up! That’s just not me!

But it was definitely good for me to relax a little, go with the flow a bit, and try to ignore the sticky fingerprints on the windows (which I actually kind of miss sometimes!), the unflushed toilets (which I don’t miss at all), and the blue Sharpie painting on the kitchen rug (don’t even ask).

So now Sterling and I are back to just the two of us, with much-anticipated visits from everyone and anyone who finds the time to drop in. But the moments of peace and quiet are nice too!

Comments

[Terry Molineux]

Shelli..

I know what you mean. While you love house guests, it is nice to get back into your own routine. But then there is the bittersweet missing of having someone there. It's like a part of you is missing. I used to feel that way so much when my parents would visits us from Florida and stay for two or three months, then go home...as much as you wanted them to go home at that point, you do miss them. Now that they are gone, I so long to have them back again!

You are such a loving and caring person and have a wonderful family. Enjoy them, time just passes by so quickly.

Happiness always,
Terry~~

[Joszette]

The sharpie sounds like my house with my 5 kids. You can use toothpaste to get it out. It takes just about everything off walls. I bet it would take it from your rug. It took it off my couch.

You will miss all the sounds in a few days or weeks that they brought to the house.

[Deborah]

As my neighbor always said, "I get excited to see the headlights coming in and just as excited to see the taillights going!" After having all the grandkids here, it can be so quite it makes your ears hurt!
Blessings,
Deborah

[Twila Davis]

Yes quite does sound nice, maybe for a little while. I just wanted to thank you for the stamp set I receive the other day for winning the So Shellie Summer Challenge! I picked the set For All You Do. Thanks again!

PS Can you get the marker out with the Magic Erasers? I think you might, they are wonderful!

[Cerise Welter]

Shelli,

As a grandma who lives 4 1/2 hours from her grandchildren I know how hard it is to watch them go, but also how nice it is when you've had days of noise and you're just ready for a little quiet and clean.

My mother embroidered this for me and I passed it to my daughter: Cleaning and scrubbing can wait till tomorrow for babies grow up much to our sorrow. So quiet down cobwebs, dust go to sleep. I'm rocking my baby and babies don't keep.

Having lost a child in infancy I learned the hard way that every second with your children or grandchildren is a miracle and not to be taken for granted. Leave the handprints as those hands grow and leave us much too soon.

Enjoy your quiet time.

Cerise

[Kay Hahn Casler]

You are so understood!!! I love having them come and love the peace and quiet afterward. While they are here I just hold my neatness and know that when they leave, all the clutter goes with them. When the quiet has been with us long enough, we are anxious for the next visit.

[Chris Gallacher]

That's why I like you so much. You are just like the rest of us! I have had those same feelings when my daughter and son in law come with their children. I get better each time about cleaning up after them. I had a heart to heart with my daughter (who somehow did not get the cleaning/picking up gene at all!) about trying to pick up a little. She's trying hard to do that and I'm trying hard to "go with the flow" as well.
Chris

[Dena]

I know you said not to ask but....I would really like to hear the story about the blue sharpie picture on the kitchen rug!! :oD

I know exactly how you feel about house guests....it's a pleasure to have them stay and visit, but it is also very nice to get back to my normal routine when they go home. Enjoy your quiet time!

[gabriella]

ooo that reminds me ! I am moving my sharpies out of the kitchen drawer right now

[Tammy]

Shelli, I just want to send you a little message and I am not sure how to make it so you can get it. I want you to know that I love Stampin' Up sooo much, and I am really and truly distressed about the recent events. I have checked the website, and am still looking for more positive information, but it is not to be found. Please tell me that things have changed, or address the hype somewhere, we as demonstrators need to know that you care about us. Thank you, Shelli.

Tammy

[Sharon Bridwell]

Enjoy the quiet time...but Shanna returns next month!! LOL!

[Stephanie Ferrara]

Shelli,
I loved the flower that you were wearing at Regionals. I know that you used the flower folds die, however I have no idea as to how you put the material pieces of the flower together. You said to remind you via a comment on your blog and that you would post instructions that explain how to assemble the flower!

Thanks,
Stephanie

[Sue]

I smiled at the Sharpie comment...my girlfriend called me the other day and said "I'm thinking of listing Kate on Craig's list "free to a good home" "
LOL..blue permanent marker on her new white leather sofa...Kate has not yet been listed LOL
I think I'd list the sofa...what do you think?
http://stampingandscrappin.typepad.com/photoaday_2009/2009/08/july-31-2009-my-girlies.html

[Tamara Rutledge]

Oh My Gosh!!! I so know what you mean, I have OCD the cleaning kind, and my youngest son has "Picassoed" EVERY wall in my apt avec sharpie, & baby fork -el scrapo supremo- he's into texture lol! This happened because I had the nerve to go to the washroom for 3 minutes. How dare I, I know! Soooo not cool! But he's 2 and far too cute for me to get angry at. I'm glad I saw this post, as I have TONS of tubes of toothpaste that haven't been opened yet, guess it's time to test out their cleaning power.

[aaa]

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