By American standards we have a small house, 1350 sq. ft. to be exact! We have a kitchen, living room, dining room, 1-1/2 baths, a mudroom, 2 legal bedrooms and 1 office. There are 5 of us! It is cozy.
A couple years ago we decided to put our oldest son in the office, since three boys in one bedroom is a little crazy! A friend gave us a twin bed frame with a mattress and it fit nicely with our one desk. It gave him a little space away from his younger brothers. However, since that time we changed schools and now my two older boys are home on Thursdays and Fridays doing schoolwork. I am not homeschooling but they are attending a public school with a hybrid online twist. I enjoy being more involved with their schoolwork but also appreciate not being the official teacher. I also started volunteering part time in August as a sponsorship coordinator. We needed more space in our office.
Last school year I got the idea to get a loft bed with a desk underneath. IKEA had the perfect bed. It was $220 new. I have been watching Craigslist for several months and I finally found one a couple weeks ago. It was white, had the desk & shelf, was practically brand new and was only $110! 50% off made me happy! This past Saturday I tore apart our office, cleaned and reorganized every nook & cranny. It felt great! Today was our first school day with the new arrangement and it worked perfect.
I was talking to my son about how this room had multiple purposes and thanked him for his willingness to share his room. In an effort to give him perspective I said, "In Ethiopia our family would be..." He cut me off and said, "Sleeping in this whole room, along with the cow! You know mom, our house would be considered a mansion in Ethiopia." I love those moments when I see that my boys are listening and learning from me.
So check out a little piece of our mansion:
I decided to place the bed in front of the window. I love sitting and working with natural light and view!
Yep, we LOVE books!
This post is linked to Some Girl's Website,
Thought-provoking Thursdays &
MOB Society's, Growing Godly Men
Thought-provoking Thursdays &
MOB Society's, Growing Godly Men
Looks like a good fit-I have always loved times at your house, by the way.
ReplyDeleteLove the message of contentment! What a blessing to your boys to be taught that at an early age!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great bedroom for your boys & a even better lesson you are teaching them to appreciate what they have.
ReplyDeleteThanks Sharon! I always love having you around. We still need to do lunch!
ReplyDeleteI was amazed at my son's comment. Often times I talk and wonder if they are listening :-) It is good to know that they are not only hearing but understanding.
I love this! We live in a smaller ranch style house. Sometimes I want to go crazy! But most of the time I love having everyone so close together. I think it makes us a stronger family. That's what I'm a holdin' to, anyway! :)
ReplyDeleteI definitely think living in a smaller space teaches great lessons but I wouldn't turn down a chance at a bigger house :-) We always want to entertain and it is a challenge in a small house. However, I am thankful and bound and determined to be content!
ReplyDeletei love the built in book shelves.
ReplyDeleteyour boys are so sweet.
i remember thinking how nice it would be to have a home "as big as yours." LOL! But i guess 1350 is pretty small.
Janelle, I always think of you when it comes to small houses!! You win the award. Was it 900 sq. ft. with 6 children? I am so thankful God blessed you guys with the new house and lots of space!
ReplyDeleteLove this. Something to consider in the future! Looks great.
ReplyDeleteI love that he gets it. I hope they (and mine too) always get it and act on it.
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