The last 24 hours have been insane. Thank heavens for laughter, because it has preserved my sanity.
Remember when I talked about how much I valued authenticity in people? Well, I am no fool. While I stand by my desires for people to be real, I realize in real estate image is everything. So, in preparation for a caravan of buyer's real estate agents today, life has been a little nuts. I painted, scrubbed, decluttered and steam cleaned for over 10 hours yesterday. By midnight last night, the thought of my precious but grubby toddlers' fingerprints marring the fresh, crisp walls was more than I could handle. So, this morning I had a plan.
When the children woke up, I was dressed, caffeinated and ready. (Thank you, Lord, for causing them to sleep in until 7am. Or was it the sound of the steam cleaner that kept them up half the night?) I changed their diapers and dressed them at the foot of their cribs. I then carried them downstairs and put them straight in the car.
Once they were securely buckled in their carseats, I did something effective but ridiculous...I gave them each a blow pop, turned on a Dora CD and dashed inside to light a fire, switch on the appropriate lights, lock up the dog and start the mood music. Guess what? It worked! They were happy as clams, my nerves remained intact and my house was kept impeccably clean and ready for its big debut on the market. I then drove my happy-but-sticky kiddos to the nearest IHOP for a yummy pancake breakfast before our church Bible Study. After Bible Study, we went to a nearby deli for grilled cheese sandwiches and returned home. These was another showing scheduled for 3:30, so I carried them inside and straight to their cribs for naps. At 3:15, I had to wake them up and transport them to the car for an hour of errands while another prospective buyer came by for a tour. When we returned home at 5pm, I realized by sweet children's feet had not touched the floor of our home in almost 24 hours.
They were wonderful little troopers, the day is over and I now know in case of fire, I can have the three of them from their beds to the car in under 3 minutes.
Now I am off to bed, until we do it all again for a viewing on Thursday!
17 comments:
that definitely is a day of insanity! i hope your house sells quick! and get some rest :)
Oh I pray you sell your house "real quick". I remember selling our old house with 2 little ones. I bit exhausting....but so worth it be in our new home;)
I thought this was priceless!! You are amazing Jenmom and the perfect mom for theses precious babies!! Hey whatever works right!! I will also pray the house sells quicky so you don't work yourself plum to death lol!!
I can relate to all the work, I am painting my whole house!! But I have no littles anymore.
I'm right there with you, my friend! Good luck, the house is beautiful--we would buy it if we could!!!
You are amazing and very creative. They are right, you are the perfect mother for those sweet babies!
i love it! esp. the blow pops and music. survival mode at it's best! hang in there... i'm quite impressed!
Way to go mom! Somehow we always can do more than we think possible.
I have not so fond memories of being pregnant, having 5 month old twins and a (barely) two year old and showing our house...day after day after day. Whew!
Get some rest!
BTW, you will surely think I am crazy, but I swear that I know you IRL - or at least my brother does. He lives in the same area as you (just moved back after 5 years in Atlanta) and he has been heavily involved in YL for years. Stranger things have happened!
I think the only good thing about showing a home for sale is that is makes the actual moving seem just a little less daunting by comparison! Good luck on the sale. As much as God was in the finding of the new one,I'm sure He already has the buyer lined up!
The blow pops were a stroke of genius. I'm tired just reading about it. Here's hoping the house sells soon!
My kids spent many, many hours in the van watching a movie and eating Sonic while we drove around during showings. They thought those were the best hours of their little lives :)
I hope that house sells pronto!! :)
I have a feeling you shall have no problem selling the house. As someone else stated God already has a buyer. They just need to walk through the door!
Um, I think you just cured my desires to move. Well, ok, the desire is still there, but you've reminded me of the reality trying to sell a home with little ones under foot.
You gotta do what you gotta do! I loved showing our house, but I always stressed about it too. I am a "detail" person and want everything to be just right. We would also play classical music over the surround sound, light a fire (or the candleabra in the fire box if it was too hot), and even fill the tub and turn on the jets! It worked though!
Will you PLEEEEASE post pictures of the new house when you're moved in? I LOVE house pictures! We just bought our house in December and have been redoing everything...
this sounds like my days!
And I'm not even selling my house... ;)
And Sarah's comment got me hungry for some Sonic...
(Ps - I always read you on bloglines and so I hadn't noticed the change in your blog decor - love the new look!)
Blessings,
Karla
Jen, I've been laughing out loud! That sounds exactly like something I would do; I totally emphasize with you. I've been known to load my kids up prior to leaving for vacation and then run back through the house doing a last minute wipe down. I just can't come home to a house that isn't neat and clean! Hope it sells soon!
Pardon the mis-spelling above-I should try focussing on one thing at a time!
Whew. I was tired just reading about what ALL you went through to get the house - and the children! - ready. I so hope the house sells FAST!
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