Reality Romneys--Tagged!

I've seen this tag on a few other blogs and thought it was really cute, so I was glad when Jessica tagged me. I think it's a fun insight into the minute-to-minute reality of our lives.

So here are the rules: You take pictures of the following things...WITHOUT cleaning or changing anything. I am a BIG rule follower (I will never cheat if I play a game with you) and so here it is, totally unvarnished.

Which was not easy because these pictures were taken between 5:35 and 5:50 and you KNOW how hideous the house is right during the witching hour.

But I did it anyway. Because (Holly!) I really am not a naturally neat person and people should know, right?? I have strengths, like holiday celebrating, and I have weaknesses...and you wouldn't be my true friends if you didn't know all of it, right??

1. The fridge

Please don't enlarge this photo. It looks so much nicer with poor lighting and a few extra feet. Notice there is no rhyme or reason to the placement. 25% my fault, 75% kid's fault, 0% Ryan's fault.

2. The closet

There are better closets I could have chosen, but in the interest of truth, I'll show you the worst. In my defense, a)I'm transitioning from winter to summer clothes and I haven't cleared it out and b) I really have to try on 10 things to decide what fits and so they get thrown on the floor out of irritation by the time the process is over.

But really, my closet is usually not neat. Sorry, Ryan.

3. The sink

At least it's right in the middle of dinner prep. And you know you want to lick that banana bread bowl.

4. The toilet

This is the guest toilet. It's usually pretty clean. I could've gone upstairs because I KNOW that there are un-flushed remnants in the kid bathroom, but you can go look in your own for that, can't you?

5. Favorite shoes.

Modeled by Seth. (It said FAVORITE, not "ones I actually wear".)

6. Favorite Room

See, some rooms in my house are clean!

This is the family room and I like it because it's decorated simply and cleanly, like I like and it's a comfortable room to be in.

7. What my kids are doing right now

Their jobs. Jane: dishwasher, Gabe: table setting, Emma: laundry sorting, Seth: not potty training.

8. The laundry room

Thanks to my laundry system, it stays pretty manageable. Plus, Emma had just done her job (see above).

Wait, I just noticed the assortment of bottles, not in their cabinets, on the dryer.

Whatever.

9. Self-portrait.

Here's the belly at 18 weeks.

(notice the thermals and cords. There is nothing more irritating than Spring in the Northwest. Thermals in June??!)

10. Dream vacation

Right before I got married, I went to France, Italy, Spain and Belgium on a five week tour with my best friend Adrianne. Although, I'd love to go somewhere new, I'd rather go see it all again with Ryan.

While you all feel sorry for the mess I wallow in, I'll just dream about France...and dwell on the evidence that my kids actually do their chores!

(oh yeah...I'm not tagging anyone specific. Just do it if you need a post idea.)