March 21, 2014

fess up friday - emily a clark

After we fess up today, be sure to head over to Driven by Decor where I am sharing my tip every blogger should know, along with a group of fantastic ladies. Very worthwhile reading.

Our Fess Up Friday guest today needs no introduction, but since that's my job, I'll introduce her anyway. Welcome Emily, of Emily A Clark! Emily was one of my very first blog addictions and in addition to watching her create some pretty beautiful spaces, I've loved watching her family of five grow to a family of seven. Yep, seven. So Emily, fess up!


When I saw Elizabeth’s email asking me to participate in one of her Fess Up Friday posts, I will admit I got nervous. I feel like I’m a pretty open book on my blog, but there is a less than pretty side you haven’t seen of my life. But, today, I’m prepared to come clean and share my “dirty” little secret.

That’s right. I’m a van slob. Oh, and I could care less.
I know I should be ashamed of how big a mess our van always is, but I’m too busy to feel bad about it. It’s the one area of life that I just can’t keep up with, and it all comes crashing down in a big pile of papers, school craft projects, coffee cups and empty juice boxes on our van floor. I’m focused on a mission when it comes time to load kids in and out of the car, and trying to be tidy in any shape or form just goes right out the window. I’ve even seen some of our “debris” fly out of the van door when I’ve dropped the kids’ off at school. It’s not the most fun to see a teacher pick it up, turn her nose up and throw it back in the van. But, I’ll live. On the upside, I never fear that our family of seven will starve to death should we get stranded on the side of the road for any length of time. I’m 99% sure we could put together a small buffet, if need be.
Now, I will admit that on a couple of occasions, I’ve had one of the kids’ friends comment on how messy it is and have felt a little shame. But, you know what? I’m not the only one contributing to this problem. I have three older accomplices (stuffed) in the back seat who have willingly admitted to drawing graffiti on the back of the seats, causing a ketchup packet to explode all over the ceiling and sticking the world’s strongest stickers to our windows. It’s really an uphill battle that this momma doesn’t have time to fight.
Alright, confessional over. Don’t think less of me. I’m going to drive a really nice car with the cleanest interior ever when all of the kids leave for college. Promise.
I'm right there with you Emily! What about you?

18 comments:

  1. Hi Emily and E, I am laughing so hard at this. With 5 kids, of course your car can't be clean. Now what's my excuse?

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  2. My car would look like that if I had 5 kids! Mine is not too far off and I have only one! xx

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  3. The graffiti part got me :) I like to think of my car as "decorated" ha ha!

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  4. 5 kids - yes - by all means you need to have provisions if you should break down on the side of the road! 2 of my 3 are teenagers and my car is STILL a mess, because they are endlessly hungry!

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  5. My friend's van was SO bad she decided to sell it instead of clean it!! :)

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  6. Thank God! I can't like anyone that is too perfect and because I think your house and children are so beautiful I only like you more because of your messy van! Love this series Elizabeth!!!

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  7. I'm dying laughing about the JB Christmas CD. I totally forgot that I'm guilty of the same crime. I have it stuck there too.

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  8. I love this!!! Has anyone ever found a petrified banana hiding in the crevices of their van? I have...twice! I could have hammered a nail into the wall with it! Thanks for [always] keeping it real.

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  9. Love this! I gave up judgement for Lent, but if I were still judging, I'd label you FUN! Have a great weekend!

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  10. It is only because we hired a neighbor for twice a week help in our home office that it stopped looking like a hurricane and tsunami swept through it!
    Totally understand! There is so much to do in daily life, so much multi-tasking, that some things just don't get done!

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  11. oh i can soooo relate! my husband is always on my about my messy car. ;)

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  12. No judgement here Emily! I've only got two kiddos in my brood and my car is every bit as messy. I had to pick my in-laws up from the train station yesterday and had to do some last minute damage control - I managed to fill one large garbage bag full of crap from my car. So bad....

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  13. Elizabeth--this was fun! Thanks for having me. And, thanks for all of the sympathetic comments. Glad to hear there are fellow van slobs out there :)

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  14. Emily, we must have been separated at birth. Honestly, your picture could have been taken in my car. I recently bought a small trashcan from Ikea -- the kind that might fit under the kitchen sink to keep in the car. I'm hoping this might help me...somehow...

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  15. Pha! I laughed out loud at the Justin Beiber's Christmas CD label and continued to chuckle throughout. The trash blowing out of the car…I have no idea what you're talking about. :)

    This is awesome!

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  16. Same here! I am always apologizing to people who have to see inside my vehicle for one reason or another regarding how messy it is! I never have the time to clean it...

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  17. hahah! I loved this post. My car looks a hot mess too and I don't even worry about it because kids and activities and carpools me shit gets dirty and heres what I have to say about trying to keep it spotless... #aintnobodygottimeforthat

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  18. Emily! So funny! You are in good company...my mommy bus looks pretty bad most of the time. xo Kristin

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I love it when you sweet talk me! It makes my day!
And please make sure you leave an email address so we can keep the convo going.

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