Purge the House Update #2

Here are the original 56 items for my first 8 days!

So we got a family computer for Christmas from my super tech-savvy computer-smart brother-in-law Kyle and miracle of all miracle's- I can locate all the pictures I upload! (delight!) So this photo is a bit delayed but I am on track with my house purge. In fact my next post about it will probably include a picture of two weeks worth of items.  To be honest, the thing I am finding the most surprising is I am not struggling to get rid of things at an alarming rate. Now, to be fair, I have never been accused of being a pack rat. I've always followed the "if you haven't used it in a year- toss it" principal anyway. Still I thought at some point this would begin to feel tough or sacrificial, and it's strange to write, but it hasn't yet.

To me the most obvious point from that truth is- I don't need all this stuff. It's not even bothering me to get rid of it, for crying out loud! I've grown up in American suburban culture and it teaches you to stockpile stuff. Directly, indirectly and sneakily. One of my friends just posted a quote that stated:

Every advertisement you have ever watched is designed to nurture your discontentment.

Yep. And paradoxically we become more discontent the more we posses, not less. The more stuff I have, the more stuff has me. I'm not advocating sell-all-your-belongings-and-join-a-commune. Well, not exactly. It's more of a strip-away-the-needless-things-that-keep-us-from-knowing-we-need-the-Lord + be-willing-to-give-away-anything-that-someone-else-needs-when-you-don't. It's a combo of Hebrews 12 and Acts 2.  

Don't forget, if you live in my area and want to join the simplify plan too- I'll be happy to sell your items to fund my son's Nicaragua mission trip this May!             

Say Cheese!

While everyone sang Happy Birthday.....

He has just never liked having his picture made. In spite of my best efforts to show how delighted I was in him smiling for the camera for his two year "Barney" themed birthday, he remained stoic.

I love this picture because it reminds me of how often as a mom you are trying to get your beloved offspring to enjoy something they clearly do not; to satisfy a picture in your mind of what that child will do or be. Or simply because you want to share something you love with them, so you want them to love it too. A huge part of becoming a healthy and truly loving mom, is letting go of the picture of who you want your child to be, and accepting them for who they really are.

Having been at this mothering business for 17+ years now I have had to do my share of letting go of my preconceived ideas. I have found great reward in discovering who God created each of my kids to  be- both the smilers and the non-smilers alike.

couldn't you just pinch both their cheeks for the cuteness??!