Welcome friends new and old! I am so glad you are here! I have to admit it’s been three years since we moved in to our home and this is the first year I have decorated for a season before it was almost over.
Seriously, most years I feel like I am hanging on by my finger nails…. but not this year! I’m actually prepared….
Come on inside and check out what’s been going on. But, before I let you in check out my fall front porch… I have some amazing planters that were given to my by Southern Living Plant Expert Carmen Johnston.
A few weeks ago my husband, my four year old and I took the 40 minute drive into the heart of Brentwood, TN..
You know, the place where all the mega country music stars live…
We didn’t go there to check out their houses … oh no… we went there for one thing and one thing only!
HomeGoods!
Oh and a quick side note. My husband was in Brentwood yesterday and guess who he ran in to?
Nicole Kidman! Yep, she’s just as nice and pretty in person. It’s been confirmed.
Okay, back to the story… the day we went to Brentwood as a family … the only shining star I saw was HomeGoods and a cornucopia of fall decor.
We found tons of great stuff! And Jude, our 4 year old, was all into shopping for fall and Halloween decor.
Some of the stuff Jude picked did not really fit my idea of fall decor.
Like the skeleton newlywed snow globe. Although very eccentric, it just really wasn’t my style. But boy did he love it.
And these dishes…. Don’t get me wrong I thought they were cute but they are super small. And they only had four. I wanted six.
But I saw how much he loved them and I put them in the cart.
Then I started decorating and they grew on me.
In fact, I pretty much love them now.
Then a few days later, Jude and I took a trip to our local nursery to get some more plants for our front porch and to our surprise they had amazing gourds.
We giggled hysterically as we both carried arms full of gourds up the stairs and to the cashier.
And we dropped them….
Several times….
And they rolled through the store….
Jude had the best time ever… and for once so did I.
Did you all just GASP?
What does she mean “for once” she had a good time?
Well, you see for so long I’ve been so laser focused on making things perfect, like my house, my kids’ behavior, this blog….
That I kind of lost site of enjoying it….. I mean any of it.
And for once instead of worrying about gourds rolling down the isles at the store… and if someone was going to be mad at me…
I stopped… I listened to his laughter and I laughed too.
It was AWESOME!!!
That day in my journey to constantly try to find the “calm” ……
I stopped and realized that it was right there in front of me.
In my child’s sweet little laughter.
Taking that time to just let go of control and let him have fun without worry about what others thought brought me so much peace.
Letting go of having to have my perfectly decorated fall tablescape ended up in an unexpected way…..
Because Jude choose these decorations… he loves them… he has ownership of them and he is enjoying them.
And that makes this tablescape perfect….
And the memories we make around this table makes me calm….
and his laughter brings joy to my heart and peace to my soul.
And seeing his little hands wrapped around the eccentric skeleton wedding couple snow globe and the big gigantic smile on his face, reminds me that these childhood moments are precious.
And like the glitter in the globe they swirl around us in an exhausting flurry but one day those moments will be gone and they will be grown ups.
And the days of getting excited about snow globes will no longer exist. But the memories will… so I will take time to enjoy them… That’s my promise to you.
Oh, Lesley, I have no words… because your words left me speechless! It’s true: perfectionism is a curse! And your table is gorgeous, enhanced by Jude’s quirky little finds! And he’s a little cutie!! You nailed this table and post. So happy to be on the tour with you!
THanks so much Sondra Lyn! and Thanks for coming by!
An absolutely beautiful post that brought tears to my eyes and joy to my heart. These are the things and the moments that are shaping who your sweet little boy will become and develop the relationship you will have in the years to come. So happy that you found the truly important thing on your shopping trip was enjoying each others company and building sweet memories.
Lesley, now that I have grandchildren I take time to just be with them and enjoy it all! When we are creating something I don’t worry that it isn’t perfect. (little secret, I’m a perfectionist too). I wonder if I wanted perfection too much with my sons when they were young? I hope not, maybe sometimes, but I think I was pretty open to anything. You are lucky to see that now and I loved that you shared with us in your post.
P.S. You’re son is adorable! If I was there I would just hug him and enjoy hearing his laughter!
You go Jude. You rocked the decorations on the table! I learned as soon as I had kids that I needed to let go of the reigns…since it’s their house too! Pretty table. Love those plates. Happy Fall
I totally agree. I also feel like if they add to it they respect it a lot more. Meaning they don’t try to go and throw all the stuff of the table etc.
Your going to make my cry! What a sweet post! Love your beautiful home and yes just like you I used to be worried about things being perfect.Then my daughter came along and changed all of that.My home may look perfect in photos but its no where near perfect! Love your beautiful tablescape! Enjoy the little years with your son,the time goes by too fast! My daughter…..she is heading to her first homecoming dance tonight….YIKES!
AWWW! Time goes by so fast it’s like you blink and they’re grown and going to dances. My 12 year old just went to his first middle school dance too
Gorgeous fall tablescape. Love those touches of black! Those fall plates are absolutely precious!!! ~Christy
Thanks and I love the plates too! More and more because they are Jude’s additions!
Thanks Christy!
Thanks for sharing such a sweet story and reminding us of what is most important. Happy Fall!
Sometimes I need the reminder myself! Happy fall to you too!
Lesley, I love your home, yes, but I love your story of your little boy and your trip to Tennessee to get to a HomeGoods so much it made my heart jump. Anything with kids will tug at my heart as I’m a Mom first and foremost. And, then, closely following that love is my love of HomeGoods. 🙂 Yeah, I’ve been known to travel to every possible location just to find the rest of a set, etc. haha. My daughter is a big snowglobe collector so I get the one you ended up buying. Keep it and when he is all grown up, remind him why it is still in your collection of Halloween decorations. xx
Thanks so much Dana! I remember as a child wanting a snow globe collection as well. They are such fun little things.
Beautiful tablescape! We love gathering up the gourds too… fun for the kiddos! Happy to be on tour with you… PINNED!
This is my first visit via Pinterest. Love your tablescape! I think Jude has great taste!!! I was just in that HomeGoods yesterday with my son(we live in Franklin). I think y’all must have snapped up all of the good stuff because I didn’t find anything. Love how you are cherishing the moments with Jude! My son just turned 19 a couple of weeks ago and we love spending time with each other. 🙂
Oh no! Did we take it all! I have to be honest the day we were there the line was like one at an amusement park. I wouldn’t be surprised if there was anything left at all!
I realized it’s been forever since I visited your blog! Love your dining room so much. Happy Fall 🙂
Thanks Shauna! Good to hear from you!