The clean and tidy house, while nice, is not the be all and end all of life.Do what you can when you can. Enjoy your kids. Decluttering will be much easier when they are all a little older.
And I want to
: to the person (Incamama?) who pointed out how temperament of the children plays a big role in what is feasible. My not so little one still doesn't like to be in a room alone. He never slept as a baby/toddler/preschooler except in arms. There was no child free time during naps or in the evening. There is no child free time while he is in school since we homeschool. Just doing laundry is a PIA because ds must follow me all around asking me if I'm done yet. You'd think having only one child would make things easier (it does in some ways, less laundry) but it means he is always interacting with ME and needing MY company and help. I can't even put on a video and have that keep his attention. He just doesn't get absorbed that way.Not only that, but not all mamas are created equally. Some need more sleep than others. I'm not going to compromise my health by shortchanging myself on sleep. And I'm not going to stay home and do chores when the weather is nice and we could be going on a walk or a bike ride. Doing dishes isn't more important than taking ds to a park or a museum. They'll be there when we get back. Of course, I'll be too tired to do them at that point. So I will go to sleep.
Yes, my Christmas tree is still up.
:.
:. But it's all true. The kids are old enough that I've discussed what I remember vs. what they remember. Whe I mentioned toys strewn everywhere, they said, no way! Clutter? Unpainted walls, unfinished floors? Really? I had to tell them that MY room, where I still sleep and where thye slept for years, had never been painted. THey just thought the primer white was the color I chose. 
(their rooms have a loft, neat built-in bunks, cubbies and shelving, etc, not to mention the cool paint jobs. Mine? Nothin'.)
: your posts! I'm printing those out. I've been getting way too caught up in trying to keep the house clean. Thanks for reminding me of my priorities!
)
If it makes you feel better, you are inspiring me to clean up my clutter! And I know it took a lot of courage to put your pics up..and they really were not that bad..just a bit cluttered. And I will tell you that post 19 is what did it for me...it was very judgmental and also post 40 questioning your parenting methods. Look, I struggle with a messy house too and I know it's messy so I don't need people telling me that...I need suggestions and encouragement like you wanted. Making a person feel bad about their house when they are already embarassed about posting pictures is not helpful. This is why people who have homes that are cluttered feel like just giving up because it is sooo overwhelming and we don't need people saying how we shouldn't believe it that it's not bad, it is sooo bad.
for all you have accomplished!!!! You are a brave woman and a creative mom! 
Follow Mothering