My Crazy, Chaotic Family

I love controlled chaos and whenever I forget, I make myself go watch the Cheaper by the Dozen movie just to get it all back in perspective again. Probably my favorite move EVER. In the general world kids are a complete nuisance and the house should be perfect at all times. Whenever I start freaking out about the house and get annoyed at the noise, I know it's time for me to get it back into perspective again.  The trailer of the movie sums it all up in what I mean by controlled chaos.  Sure, it's chaotic at times but in the end, everyone is safe, happy, and a team.

I can match the condition of the house in the video easily by pictures I have.  I haven't shared them before so people think my house always looks like what they see on my blog.  Here is a before chore time pics and after.

Controlled Chaos.  
Kids playing swords, Caleb was clomping around in his big brother's boots, Charles on computer, kids playing video games.  It was very loud and messy.  I don't even know why the high chair  and kid table was out.

An hour later (after chore time at 7pm)

So if any of my friend or family pop in before 7pm, most likely it's the top picture you'll see.  A full living room with playing kids and toys everywhere.  Plus, it'll be loud.

Ivy playing bow and arrow (in her underwear) with one of daddy's hangers, Caleb climbing on lawn chairs that somehow made it in there from the back yard.  "Not me" did it.

Ashley snuck into her brothers room and was bouncing on his bed.  He didn't know yet....  heh heh.  He has a big sign on his door that says "No girls.  Please knock".  Hopefully she didn't get caught.

Caleb crying in the hallway, needing a diaper change and spaghetti on his face.  Toys everywhere and marks in the wall from skating in the house.  I love this picture. You can see one of my girls riding her tricycle in her room.  This is one of the reasons I got tile in the house.  Kids can ride through the house and I don't have to clean carpets.

Charles wrestling kids

See?  To me, this is such a happy life.  So much better than worrying about a messy house, having quiet.  I had someone tell me they felt sorry for my kids because how they have to share time with us. We have so much fun together.  It's like a ready made party.  Other people may have to call friends to have a lively house but we don't have to.  There is plenty of us to have a wrestling match with cheerleaders, players for a board game, volleyball game in our backyard.  If one person doesn't want to play video games then they just ask another kid.  My kids ask me all the time when I'm gonna have another while the world is telling me enough is enough.  

World, try and beat that.  You can have your money and "things".  I'll take my chaos and fun.  This is a rockin' team.