We’ve just moved after 31 years in one home.  Mike and I built that home when we were 29 years old.  We raised both of our children in that home, and honestly, we feel like we grew up there as well.   We remodeled and updated on a regular basis and we thought it was cozy and inviting. One of my favorite things about it was the built-in shelves and bookcases where we kept and displayed books and photos.  Certain family members insisted I had too many photos and books there, but I won’t name names! 😊

We’ve decided to sell and build one more time, so we have just moved into a rental home.  It’s cute and clean and will be just fine for a year (we hope) or so.  One thing that’s missing, though, are shelves!  There are none.

So, I’ve been on a mission. And I’m thrilled about my discovery.  Some of you know how much fun it is when you find the very thing you’ve been looking for at Marshalls or Homegoods.  I found the PERFECT book shelf.

Why is this important to me?

We display the things that are meaningful to us.   We put up pictures of those we love.  We use our grandmother’s vases for flowers.  We hang our father’s oil painting.  We cook in our mother’s aprons and use her mixing bowls.   We keep and display our children’s booties or baptismal gowns. These things have special meaning to us.

When we have a designated place for BOOKS, it demonstrates to our children that they are meaningful, that they are important.  And when we create a place for them to explore books, they will.

We can put the books on the shelves in many kinds of categories:  books we’ve read, books we want to read, books that rhyme, our favorites, or books we want to share or pass on.  We can use a simple bookshelf, or we can purchase cute little baskets from Target, Walmart, Hobby Lobby, Homegoods or Amazon.   Whatever organizational system works is just fine!

If we want to “book time with our kids” we have to have some books.   A cute little organizational system will demonstrate that these books and these moments have value.   Hopefully, our little ones can spend time on the floor, next to the shelf or the baskets, and just BE.  

This also gives us a very specific reason to hit Homegoods or Hobby Lobby.

You’re welcome 😊.

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