“The days are long, but the years are short.” I wanted to capture this moment.
When I started Carpe Diem, I hated cleaning (actually, I still do), but it gave me a unique glimpse into how hundreds of families live. I saw the spectrum between a house and a home. For years, I cleaned for a top surgeon at Duke. Their house was like a surgery room—sterile and precise. I remember the nanny telling me how, when their boys were babies, their mom would hold them literally at arm’s length. On the opposite end, I cleaned homes overwhelmed with hoarding, dirt, and chaos.
These experiences helped me define how I wanted to set up my own house: a home that’s a little messy but with systems for keeping things clean and organized. When you walk in, it’s a beautiful space with a few things out of place and almost everything is replaceable so the kids can play freely without me worrying. It’s a place where guests feel emotionally safe and welcome, without the pressure of perfection.
Our favorite room is the sun/playroom. It’s peaceful, and right now, it’s often covered with toddler toys!
There are pros and cons to being an older mom. Ryn was born on Monday, March 16, 2020, the day quarantine started, just two days after my 46th birthday. In this photo, I’m having my quiet time while she’s spreading her toys all over our favorite room. The sun is rising, she has bruises from playing hard, and she’s wearing a pretty leotard she picked out. She’s fully engaged with her toys, which will disappear in a few short years, if not months. Life is messy, but that messiness looks different in each season. This was a beautifully messy yet fleeting moment.
