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At The Picket Fence with Vanessa Hunt

Where Ideas for your Home Meet Inspiration for your Heart

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August 2, 2016

Socks on My Table

There are socks on my kitchen table.

socks on the table

A hula hoop and jump rope on the rug in the entry.

hula hoop and jump rope

There’s a hotel upstairs.

pretend hotel room

And monopoly in the hallway.

monopoly

There are bathing suits drying outside.

bathing suit

And forts in the playroom.

forts

And well, frankly, this is the only kind of ‘decorating’ happening in my house these days.

Way back in May, I had visions of all of the things that I was going to get done this summer. Rooms that were going to be given makeovers, closets that were going to be cleaned out, DIY projects that were going to be completed.

And while we DID have our kitchen cabinets painted (here’s a sneak peek!) the reality is that right now my time and energy is being poured into more important things…or rather, more important people.

Like a girl who wants to bake banana bread.

baking bread

And make fairy gardens.

making a fairy garden

A boy who went and turned 13 on me and who we shocked (and scored major cool parents points!) with a surprise trip to the silicon valley.

surprise gift

It was pretty much like the mothership was calling him home.

IMG_6706

I’m going on fun dates with my favorite guy. Here we are at the James Taylor concert.

IMG_7025

I’m making a choice to spend less time on home decor projects and more time on heart building projects.

IMG_7061

And I’m embracing it all knowing that there will come a day when I will look back and remember with fondness this very special kind of summer home decorating.

Even the socks on the table. 😉

Thanks so much for meeting me (and the socks!) today at the Fence,

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18 Comments Filed Under: Family, Good Thoughts

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Comments

  1. Susie from The Chelsea Project says

    August 2, 2016 at 5:53 AM

    Lovely post! I am so inspired to do the same. But I must admit that, like it or not, my 1990’s home still needs refreshing. But even so, I’m so inspired to make it more about the journey and less about the destination. Thanks so much for reminding all of us to keep things in perspective. Susie from The Chelsea Project

    Reply
  2. Ellenann says

    August 2, 2016 at 6:02 AM

    Socks can always disappear in the laundry basket…..great memories, not so much!! Enjoy your summer with the family.

    Reply
  3. Carol says

    August 2, 2016 at 6:23 AM

    This is such a special time; you are so wise not to squander it. Blessings…..

    Reply
  4. Chloe Crabtree says

    August 2, 2016 at 6:24 AM

    What a wonderful take on the important things in life. earlier this year I had the rare opportunity to have my daughter and two toddler granddaughters spend two months with us in between their family move from Germany back to the US. I knew I would never have that opportunity again…so I went from blogging 3 times a week to twice…and spent that valuable time making those same wonderful memories like you are!

    Reply
  5. Leslie says

    August 2, 2016 at 6:52 AM

    So wonderful!! Love this!! And one you will not regret later. As my husband says…we are either building memories or sharing them! Keep building, sweet friend! ❤️

    Reply
  6. Janet says

    August 2, 2016 at 7:21 AM

    It seems like yesterday we were doing these kind of activities with our kids. Now we are watching our kids doing it with their kids. Time flies, so take advantage of the moments while you can. 🙂

    Reply
  7. june says

    August 2, 2016 at 7:26 AM

    What a great post! Great lesson to pass along as I wish I had done more of that when my boys were younger. We just moved our youngest 22 to grad school last week and I’m now changing over his room – he won’t be out of school until he is almost 29 – hmmm something tells me visits will happen but no more permanent residence.

    So while we embrace our empty nest I’m reminded to slow down a bit…enjoy each day…enjoy the summer…and not stress when my sweetie doesn’t pick up his socks:)

    Reply
  8. Anita says

    August 2, 2016 at 7:28 AM

    🙂 Love this Vanessa. We have the same kids I think. What is it with boys and socks?? I am realizing that they grow toooooo fast so you better enjoy it while you can:-)

    Reply
  9. Vicki says

    August 2, 2016 at 7:51 AM

    THE most important work to be done! And it has to be NOW!

    Thinking of all the moms you just encouraged.

    Reply
  10. Carol says

    August 2, 2016 at 8:05 AM

    Those dirty socks can always be picked up and washed, but the good memories will bring good family memories.

    Reply
  11. dee says

    August 2, 2016 at 8:33 AM

    You are spot on with your priorities . . . the house will wait but before you know it the children will be grown and that’s time that can never be made up. <3
    The old saying "families that play together . . . stay together!

    Reply
  12. Shelley says

    August 2, 2016 at 9:52 AM

    oh how well I remember making those summer goals way back when…..lol….then my daughter made them for her boys…now sort of all grown up….just sort of….lol
    and not many goals were met…but looking back…it’s okay

    Reply
  13. Laura says

    August 2, 2016 at 10:10 AM

    My children are pretty much grown now and I have great memories of forts, etc. in the summer and on snow days! Enjoy it! They grow up so fast.

    Reply
  14. MARY-ANN FROM CANADA! says

    August 2, 2016 at 1:29 PM

    Vanessa, nice you have put your own things aside and have spent time with your family! Bless you for doing this! “Making Precious Memories” is wonderful!

    Hope you are having a blessed day!

    Reply
  15. Lisa Mothersead says

    August 2, 2016 at 2:40 PM

    Tending to your marriage and growing kids is hard and wonderful and a blessing and worth it all. Good for you! ⭐️

    Reply
  16. kathy says

    August 2, 2016 at 3:11 PM

    You are so correct, those are the things that matter the most, they grow way to fast,I have three married children and still wondering where did the time go? I wish I would have realized that back when they were smaller, we did spend a lot of time together but I feel I some how I didn’t appreciate it the way I should have, I remember long days, thinking they were never going to grow up!! I miss those days so very much, but know I have 8 grandchildren and one on the way to spend time with, and love it. Don’t let the most important things slip by, there will always be time for the other things to do, when they are on their own. Wishing you m
    any blessings, and many good memories to enjoy…

    Reply
  17. Melanie says

    August 2, 2016 at 3:13 PM

    Great post- truth- you will not regret this!

    Reply
  18. Barbara Ann says

    August 2, 2016 at 6:11 PM

    The projects that build the hearts in the home are far more rewarding than any room make over can do. There only young for a short time. And the memories you build are stronger than any project you can make. Have fun…

    Reply

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