This spring, my home has been a crazy place.
Having five children, one dog, and four cats is liable to make any home crazy. But add to that homeschooling, a multitude of after-school activities, out-of-town sporting meets and debate tournaments, and evening meetings and speaking events.
In addition, we’re in the beginning stages of doing a major remodel on our kitchen. After almost eight years of having green counter tops, I’m looking forward to an update! But the process of picking out new flooring, cabinets, and counters is time-consuming and daunting.
And finally, during all the family-busyness, I’m also attempting to work very hard on several different writing projects. I’m super excited about some of the possibilities before me. But needless to say, the projects have kept me up late many a night.
Amidst all the craziness in my home–the barking dog, the plunking of the piano, squabbling siblings, and the constant blare of teenage music–I still consider my home the sweetest place on earth.
Crazy or not, it’s still home sweet home.
It’s the one place where I can most be myself. It’s the place where I’m most needed and loved. And it’s the place where I have my deepest conversations and relationships.
There are times we turn up the music and dance around the kitchen together. There are snuggles on the couch during scary movies. There are shared gasps of shock and delight at the audio books we just can’t stop listening to. There are giggles and laughter over the silly antics of our cats. There are sweet bedtime hugs and kisses.
My home is far from perfect. We have the usual tears and problems. We’re a sinful group of people living in close confines. We hurt each other, sometimes painfully.
But through it all, we cry, forgive, and continue to love.
As we begin a new chapter of blogging here at Inspired by Life . . . and Fiction, it’s my prayer that this blog will become Home Sweet Home to both writers and readers alike.
In the craziness of our lives, through the challenges and difficulties, we all need a safe comforting place where we can unwind, where we can smile and laugh, and where we can find encouragement.
I hope this blog will be a place where we can let down our guard and be our true selves, where we can feel needed and loved, and where we can have deep and fulfilling conversations.
I hope Inspired by Life . . . and Fiction can become a virtual home for all of us.
So grab a cup of coffee, pull up a chair, and join in the conversation!
Welcome to the family!
I’d love to hear how things are going in your life lately! Has your home been as crazy as mine? 🙂
Jody Hedlund
Latest posts by Jody Hedlund (see all)
- Saying Farewell - October 7, 2022
- Another New Book Release - September 16, 2022
- The Beauty of Weddings - September 2, 2022
I know what you mean about writing in a busy home, Jody. My entire house is upside-down right now as we prepare to move to Michigan. (Maybe we’ll be “neighbors”.) But at least my computer still functions and our family laughs together..
Lynn! I didn’t realize you were moving to Michigan!! Where? I do hope it’s somewhere close enough that we could do coffee sometime! 🙂
And moving is one of the most stressful upheavals! Whenever my husband mentions even moving to another house in town, I always tell him (somewhat jokingly) that I’m planning to live in my current house until I die. I really hate all the packing and sorting and cleaning and messes of moving!
Lynn, if you’re moving from Illinois, I’m saddened. I planned to see you somewhere at the signing. But now, I might never get to know you.
Oh Jody, I think you know my answer to your question already.:) Our house is completely topsy turvey with everything that has happened ,in the last six months but for all that, it is our refuge as we turn in to our driveway,breathing a sigh of relief that the day’s events are behind us, if only for another 24 hours before we begin again.
The words “Home Sweet Home” is like music to our ears, even when it’s invaded by the grandies talking in dulcet tones ,as only teenage boys know how(NOT!)From the topic being discussed ,namely girls and cars, to “Where’s my Lego pieces gone ?”and last but not least, the littlest one mourning his loss of his favourite biscuit, because big brother sat on it and now it’s a mass of crumbs fit only for the birds!
The phone rings and it’s my Mum’s Residential Care Facility asking if we’re taking her out today. We do a quick count and yes…,we can fit Great Grand Nan into the car(bus) LOL You’ve said it! School Holidays are about to hit us with a vengeance at the end of next week, so thought I’d share in advance, a little of what’s to descend on our peaceful domain aka our crazy household.LOL
Whoever said Grandparents should retire?
Retire?
We don’t have time! LOL
What better place indeed to let our hair down and air our views, to our wonderfully supportive network that is ALWAYS there for us. Authors and Readers alike, thank you.:)
This Blog is Home Sweet Home…. I feel so Blessed to be a part of this.
BTW The coffee is great and the choccies sooo yummie!!
Love You ladies.:
Hi Rosie!
Thanks for that brief glimpse into a few minutes of what life is like at your house! I could picture everything as I was reading it, and I was smiling because those same kinds of things happen in our house too! 🙂
Thank you for all you do to make this blog (and the old one) such a welcoming and warm place. You have such a big heart! And I know I speak for the others when I say, we love you too! 🙂
Boy, can I relate to your description. Three kids, soccer, band, math meets, tennis, theater rehearsals, church activities, teaching ladies Bible class, holding down a day job . . . Whew! Life is Crazy with a capital C. But you are so right about home being sweet no matter how crazy things get. There is no other place where I can feel comfortable walking around in bed hair and PJs, where love and acceptance is a given even when tempers flare, and where laughter is the stress reliever of choice. Thanks for making me feel normal today, Jody. 🙂 And thanks for the beautiful sentiment of this blog becoming that same accepting, sweet place of belonging for all of us.
Hi Karen,
I don’t know about you, but it has seemed as my kids have gotten older that we’ve gotten so much busier. Maybe I just don’t remember how harried I was when they were all toddlers! Or perhaps it’s just a different kind of busy now. But it honestly seems that there’s a never-ending list of places to be and things to do. And then when there is a window of rest, the kids are sure to fill it by asking to go shopping or to be with friends or something! 🙂
Yes! Finally, someone understands.
Hi Anna! Totally and completely understand! 🙂
Oh Jody….I loved your post, and reading about the “crazyness” of your present super-busy lifestyle brought back sweet memories for me. Yes, I so understand how very hectic it can be—even though I didn’t homeschool (I longed to, but my husband would not agree) I taught public school and was pretty much a single parent as my husband traveled a LOT during those years. But oh how I do miss those days….and even though none of my kiddos still live here, our home is filled with soooo many precious memories from over the years. And even now after being out running errands or at a medical appt., I feel a sense of peace and happiness as I arrive back home (okay, I’ll admit having all my kitties glad to see me makes me smile too).
We’ve been talking about moving to a smaller home (with no stairs *smile*) but I’ll admit I do feel sad at the thoughts of leaving this house, filled with such special memories.
I always felt right “at home” when you all had the Writes of Passage blog, and already am feeling at home on this beautiful new blog too! You ladies are doing a wonderful job.
Hugs from Georgia, Patti Jo
Hi Patti Jo,
I’m sure some day I’ll miss this craziness! I imagine life just gets crazy in a different way (like in the way that Rose has it being a grandparent!). I guess that’s why it’s important not to wish the time away for calmer days, because there are no guarantees that it every will get calm, right? 🙂
I’m still working my way around this new blogging home too, but already I’m excited about the friendships and virtual home that we have!
Yes, indeed! My home HAS been as crazy as yours this Spring. Crazy and wonderful. Like you, home is the sweetest place on earth for me. I so enjoy traveling, but I love returning home even more. Each time I come home again, I feel this fabulous sense of belonging and comfort and relaxation. I’m already feeling the very same way about Inspired By Life and Fiction. I’m honored to be at home here. 🙂
Hi Becky,
I agree. I always love returning home to hugs and kisses, the belonging and “relaxation.” (Although I have to admit the relaxation part doesn’t come easy for me since I’m such an on-the-go person!) But I love this community here on this blog. It’s a precious place to fellowship! 🙂
Whooo-wee, Jody! I am in awe of the wonderful novels you produce, while keeping up such a busy and productive home life. I am a person with very different internal wiring, requiring heaping gobs of solitude and rest to keep producing prose. My hat’s off to writers who are raising children and books, or working a day job, simultaneously.
Hi Lori,
My kids had spring break this week, and so I loved being able to devote more time to work this week and spent large chunks of each day rewriting. I loved the ability to spend longer and concentrated times. So I hear you on appreciating the gobs of writing time and solitude. But I’m also grateful that I can work under less-than-ideal circumstances and continue to keep my sanity! 😉
“Home” has taken on a new meaning for me these days. As of last October, my husband and I became first time home owners. And what an experience it has been so far with this artic winter the Midwest (and many other parts of the country) has seen! But I couldn’t be happier. Our log home on just under 8 aces in the heart of Wisconsin’s farmland is also the home of many critters. With spring on the way, I hope to spot even more in the upcoming months. I have discovered there is a peace with living in the country that cannot be gained by any other means. Yes, life has become even busier now that we own a home. I’m frequently daydreaming about my first garden and can only hope I’ve inherited even a little of my mother’s green thumb. However, in the past keeping houseplants alive has been a challenge. But I’m determined to try. On top of everything else, after a three week hiatus, I will be jumping back into the busy writing routine once again.
Reading through everyone else’s crazy, busy lives makes me wonder how anyone can do it. Especially you homeschooling mothers! You continue to inspire me as I learn to try to use my limited time wisely, adjust to what life throws at me and try to be flexible, and simply enjoy each moment.
Oh WOW, Shelly! Your new home sounds wonderful! A log home on 8 acres? Sounds like a writer’s paradise. Guess we all know where to come for a retreat! 😉
And honestly, I think we slowly adapt to having the busy lives and learning to juggle as much as we do. If someone had plopped my pre-kid self down in the middle of my life now, I think I would have ran away screaming! But as you said, we learn to adjust, use time wisely, and enjoy each moment as best we can.
This blog has evolved in to one of my favorites. Thank you ladies. I know you are all busier than a one-armed paper hanger, but the time you invest in this blog is greatly appreciated. My personal world used to sound like yours, Jody, and I miss it! Now I tell my adult children to cherish every moment with their own sweet babies; even the hectic moments.
I love how you summed it up, Jody: “But through it all, we cry, forgive, and continue to love.” Amen and amen. And even as your kids get older and finally grow up and move from home, that never changes. It all just…matures. As does your love and friendship. And it’s such a blessing.