Jul 20, 2010

Choosing Your Family Motto


I saw this You Tube video on Face Book and I just thought it was a neat idea--a family motto.

I actually just gave my daughter-in-law, Joanna, a plaque with these words on it for her birthday this month. I had seen in her Face Book profile that she "loved" this saying...

What are some of the sayings you have around your home? Just looking around here, I see "God Bless this Home and All Who Enter" and "Prayer Changes Things". Those are mottos with actual "words".

I never really thought about it, but what we surround ourselves with in our homes really DOES make a statement about us, doesn't it? And it doesn't have to be a motto with words. For example:

Our living room walls have a copy of the US Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and the Declaration of Independence, as well as a large print of an 1819 painting by John Trumbull, "The Signing of the Declaration of Independence", a collection of Avon cobalt blue goblets with Martha and George on them from our country's Bicentennial year (1976) as well as several blue & white plates commemorating the same. In my foyer is a large print of George Washington.

Throughout our house, but especially in our dining room and kitchen, we have pineapples. The pineapple has been a symbol of hospitality since early colonial days, when only the wealthy could afford to have them, and they were served to guests as a special treat.

It wouldn't take long for any house guest to figure out that we are Christians. Our end tables and bookshelves are stacked with Bibles and other Christian literature, both classic and contemporary.

My kitchen would never be mistaken for a museum and anyone who visits can tell I like to cook. I call it my "working" kitchen.

We have one spare room with a double bed, and another with a set of twin beds and a crib. Since by definition we are actually "empty nesters," maintaining our (now) spare rooms says "guests are always welcome!"

Last but not least, our backyard has a swing set and a sandbox. A corner in our family room is dedicated to children's toys. Our car has two child seats in the back. Yes, we are involved grandparents.

What do the things in your home say about you?

4 comments:

Dar said...

I love this entry. At the entrance to our home is a sign that reads,
"Welcome to Grandma and Grandpa's House, Kids Spoiled While You Wait!", another at Christmas is "Home for the Holidays", "Hugging Is Healthy", and the one in our entry reads, "God Bless Our Home", but my absolute favorite depicts the way I was raised..."This is the day the Lord hath made, Let us rejoice and be Glad in it. Psalm 118:24. My parents recited that verse to one another every day of my life. It IS our family motto. Thanks for sharing a piece of your heaven.
BlessYourHeart

Wanda..... said...

This is one of several framed pieces I have, which 'speaks' to me!

There's a house whose rooms I know by heart, where I tended the garden and read my books, where dreams were dreamt and memories made, where children grew up and I grew old. There's a house where life was lived. A house where I belong!
♥...Wanda

Jess said...

Hi Friend,
What a thought provoking and fun post!
I have a pretty framed print my dining room that says "In the place may you find food for thought and drink for a thirsty soul."
And in the kitchen I have a plaque that states "Great minds discuss ideas. Average minds discuss events. Small minds discuss people."
(by Eleanor Roosevelt)

Jacquelyn Stager said...

oooo....I love all of these sayings! That quote by Eleanor Roosevelt would help me keep a guard over my mouth when necessary!
Thanks friends!