Maggie over at MaggieReads is giving away an autographed copy of Mudbound by Hillary Jordan. To play, you have to look around your house and create the best name for it. Right now as I'm looking around, there are children's books on the floor along with some of the kids' pencils and artwork. The living couches are sporting the latest pencil marks, while the kids' bookcase is piled with books. If you listen closely you can hear a cartoon on in the background.
I was thinking about naming my home Kid Kingdom. There are five kids living here, ages 2, 4, 6, and 8 (twins), and they haven't left even one corner of this house for Mama or me. Which I don't mind. Living with so many kids is challenging but a whole lot of fun. Max and Ruby is tied with Scooby Doo for favorite cartoon, pink is the hottest colors for the girls, nap time is the most hated time (but my favorite), and going to Target is the best place in the world.
But then I started thinking about how Mama and I have arrived to where we are now, not just physically but emotionally. It took a lot of love, determination, prayer, and patience to get here. We've battled homelessness, poverty, single motherhood... The list is long. All that we've went through were lessons for us to learn how strong we are and what we can do. I'm glad for it all and to be where I'm at now. I went back to school and earned my high school diploma and now I'm in college, working toward my business and English degrees. I want to change the world with books, though exactly how I haven't figured out yet. I know how important school is, my relationship with my mom is the strongest it's ever been, and my kids worship their grandmother. So after thinking about everything from the past, the present and what I want the future to be, I decided to call my home Not quite what I was planning. A perfect name because to me I couldn't have planned it any better.
8 comments:
What a wonderful honest name. Does anyone ever get what they planned, but it shows foritude that you are still working for it.
Five kids? Where do you find the time to read!?! :D
Well, that's a great name! Definitely what I feel about my home -- not quite what I was planning.
This was a lovely insight into your life. I didn't realize you lived with your mom. I am sure you two lend each other a lot of support as you raise the kids.
It sounds like you have had a tough row to hoe, but you have emerged as a strong, independent woman and a great role model for your kids.
And one tough mama! =)
Jill
Life is like that, isn't it? You often end up somewhere other than what you had in mind but you sound like an exceptionally grounded young woman. That's a tribute to you and your mother these days.
cjh
Maggie: Hey. I have to have reading time around her, so they can be reading while I'm reading. Or I read when everyone is at school or asleep.
Bookfool: Thank you. At first I was thinking about changing the name, but I'm keeping it.
Jill: With my mom and I living together, we help each other out so much with everything.
Cj: Thank you so much.
You sound like an incredible woman. I can't tell you how impressed I was just reading your post. Your blog reminds me of the saying "Life is what happens while we're making plans". I hope you have a great week.
Judy
That's a great name - we miss too much when we plan out everything. Your name gives a great sense of possibilities!
What a great description. So often plans we make simply fall to pieces... hardly anything we end up in life is expected. It sounds like things, if not exactly how planned, are happy none the less:-)
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