Sometimes packing up and getting away from it all is the best answer.
I put our house up for sale last week. The prospect of keeping it show ready with 6 children is nerve-wracking. 6 children can wreck a house in a hurry.
Two days before listing, this house looked like World War 3 just happened. A long week of a Momma struggling to keep up, plus a passel of kiddos with a stomach bug (requiring laundry mat visits for at least one child’s bedding every single day) took its toll.
Enter our amazing family. My sister-in-law got the house on the market for me, while my in-laws and my parents worked like crazy to check off a mile long to-do list. New doors, new glass, new molding, holes patched, pressure washing, paint touch up, cleaning, straightening… check. check. check.
I really should have taken a before picture. It was very, very, very bad. It made sense to leave the house ‘show ready’ and take the pressure off an already stressed out family by leaving town for awhile.
Too bad there were no showings while it was so perfect! Ya’ll please, please pray- this house needs to GO! The children and I need a fresh start, and we need it quick.
We needed that time away, I had no idea how much. The immediate change in my children away from the ‘home’ that holds nothing but sadness and broken dreams was huge.
Happy, carefree, surrounded by love, feeling safe and secure. These are things that should be a given for a child. The last 18 months have been rocky, and they’ve felt the stress of that.
My parents’ home is called ‘Lakehaven’. I had a part in helping to come up with that name. Little did I know at the time that it would also be my haven; my children’s haven.
The place we would come to let our cares go for a moment. Safe, secure, loved. 
Pressing pause on worry and decisions…just being, loving, playing.
It was a much needed break. A reminder that life will be good again once we can put this chapter behind us and move on.
A weekend at a lake is a great vacation away from life. Good luck selling your house, hope it goes quickly.
Good luck on selling your house! I’m sl glad you got to get away from the stress and enjoy some family time.
That water looks so good, in this heat. I bet your kids had such an awesome time, they don’t like it when is time to go back home!!! Maybe your parents will invite me over one day lol
Dear Amanda,
My heart goes out to you, I know it’s not easy … but God is so good and has plans for you and your sweet family. Sometimes life takes us down paths we never dreamed of finding ourselves but He knew all along this was coming your way and He has a plan! It’s such a blessing to have family for support and Joe and Brenda are such amazing people…what a blessing! Praying your house sells quickly so you can begin your next chapter!
Blessings,
Cindy
How lucky you are to have such a great lake escape! My daughter loves to go to her grandparents house near the ocean… water is just a wonderful getaway for kids!
“Sometimes packing up and getting away from it all is the best answer.” I echo that sentiment! So glad you have family with such an awesome place for you and the kids to retreat. Hope the house sells soon so you can start anew with the crew.
Nothing having family that can pitch in when needed. Glad you guys got an opportunity to relax at the lake.
I need to scoop my kid up and have a weekend getaway. This looks like a just what you needed to recharge.