Hospitality RemiX

When we were searching for our house, the number one important trait was that it would be able to be a gathering place for our friends, family, and our community. We wanted a home that people would feel comfortable, where they would feel welcome. We wanted our house to feel like a place of respite. We imagined beautiful conversations taking place in our living room as coffee brewed and children happily played. We dreamed of a huge basement playroom. We wanted a great (fenced in) backyard where kids could run and play and be safe. We also imagined neighbor kids running in and out of the house. We wanted our house to be the hang out spot for our kids and their friends. We imagined meals taking place with friends and family at our big dining room table.

I imagined our house would be, oh, at LEAST 2,000 square feet. And I imagined it would be in the heart of St. Paul. Then we began the search, and guess what? The typical house in St. Paul is way less than 2,000 square feet. I began to feel discouraged when all the houses we were looking at were closer to 12 and 14 hundred square feet. All my dreams of huge Thanksgiving dinners, Christmas parties, birthday parties and craft nights soon diminished as I had to face the reality of inner-city living and the tiny houses that came along with it.

The house we fell in love with only had three bedrooms. Which was perfect for the 5 of us, but then there was no room for a craft room or a guest bedroom. Huge bummer. The basement was as old-house- basement-y as they come... AKA not a dreamy playroom. We loved it though because it had the big (inner-city "big") fenced yard, and a wide open 1st-floor plan, which is not common for the houses in our area. At only1340 sqft, we decided to take a chance on it and make it work.

So I had to change my mindset.

If people came to stay with us, no they wouldn't have their own room and guest bathroom. But they could have a comfy couch to crash on, or even a room to themselves if they didn't mind sleeping in Max's room. This last summer we were blessed with more than a few opportunities to host friends and families. We even had a family of SEVEN stay with us for a few days. We made it work, and it was wonderful!

And we don't have a gloriously huge playroom to send the rascally children to. But we do have a three season porch full of half eaten PB&J sandwiches toys, blocks and a big comfy couch. And we do have a big fenced-in yard with a swing set (it was free!), a Barbie Dream House super spy head-quarters, a mini-van cozy coupe and a tractor to ride on.

We also have many worms (who apparently love riding in trucks)
and many places to dig in our outdoor playroom.

I don't have a craft room to host a craft night, but I do have a big dining room table to spread fabric on. And hardwood floor space to be able to lay chicken wire on frames for stapling.

Our dining room can't host a huge Thanksgiving or Christmas, but it can host 12 children eating PB&Js and apple slices. And it can comfortably seat a few tired mamas as they sip coffee, nurse babies and chat while their little ones scream and fight and spill goldfish crackers all over the place quietly play. And during the more pleasant months we can host a pretty great birthday party, open house, baby shower, cocktail party, girl's night or grill-out in that back yard of ours. It lights up beautifully with lights hanging from the tree.

I love LOVE loVe having playdates at my house.

It's better feeding kids outside anyway

Grilling out was so fun this summer. Especially when uncle pete and auntie m were here.

Our cocktail party last year. 

Christmas was nice and cozy last year. I think we had a little under 20 people over.
We ate in shifts at the dining room table. We made it work, and everyone was happy.

So if you are like me, and you love opening your home to those around you, never let insecurities like oh my house is too small stop you from doing so. Change your heart, be thankful that you have a space to invite people in to. Change your mindset, your house is good enough (even if it is only big enough to invite one small family over, or even a couple of friends or neighbors).

I want to encourage you to open up your space and let people in. You can start with me and my family. Or just me. (Or just my kids? My kids would love to come and be in your space. I would love for them to come and be in your space too. Preferably on a Friday night... )

Okay, it's late. That was just on my heart and I felt like sharing. I am in a season of trying to be more joyful and thankful. That ish is hard, but I am working on it. 

Good night friends.