Who's coming to dinner?

Kids are messy. And my kids are really messy. So, it was sensible of my husband to suggest that I put away my "pretty table thing" and save it for when we have guests.
My new table runner was a holiday clearance item at Target. I bought it with the thought that it could not get nearly as filthy as a whole table cloth, but would still lend some pizzazz to our second hand, very functional table. And I was pleased with the results. It does make our table look more welcoming.
So, should I fold it up and keep it safe from the kool-aid, spaghetti sauce, peanut butter, and ice cream that would eventually make its way onto my new purchase if left unguarded. I hesitated, but decided against it. Here’s why: the people I want to impress, the people I want to make feel most welcome, the people that matter most… are my family, my husband and my four sticky-fingered kids (and my mom when she’s around). I want our family dinners to be fun and pleasant, a time for everyone to relax together. I don’t always achieve that, but my theory is that a little candle light or a clearanced table runner can help turn our tuna helper nights into something… a little more.
One of my goals for 2009 is to enjoy my family more. If you are a stay at home mom or a homeschooler you know that one benefit is the massive amount of time you have together as a family (a benefit, which in the words of one of my favorite bloggers, Pioneer Woman, “also sometimes makes me want to pluck out my eyelashes one-by-one with needle nose pliers”. But that’s a topic for another day.) With all that time together, it’s easy to fall into the routine of just making it. I tend to get so overwhelmed by the laundry, the dishes, and the schooling- that I forget how much I really like these guys. I would have them over as dinner guests any day, if I didn’t live with them. So, I will do what I can to take time in the ordinary to enjoy these very extraordinary gifts I’ve been given.
Happy New Year to all of you!