I am so blessed! I have an amazing husband who loves me in spite of all my faults and three incredible girls who I would give my life for in a second. My wonderful family lives near and we get to spend lots of time with them. We have some great friends who stand by us through thick and thin. I love every minute of my life and although I can't even begin to express how much I love my family...I feel like I'm missing something. Maybe we are suppose to be doing something we aren't yet. And I'm okay with that, honestly. I have become quite good at waiting and have a peace I haven't had in a long while.
As a family, we have decided to do something BIG this year. We will buy nothing new! What??!! Yes, that's right. I like, no LOVE to shop for a bargain. It's almost a hobby for me. I like for my house to look pretty. I like to give gifts. I like for my kids to look "cute". But what am I saying? How pathetic is all that? I am ashamed to even admit all those things. So... this year WILL be different. We will buy only the things we "need" new. Clothes, books, toys don't fall into the "need" category (if only you could see the girls' closets, you'd understand).
We love giving gifts and will continue to do so. All gifts will just either be handmade or we'll "shop" from our stash of gifts I always have on hand that I've found on super clearance throughout the year. So, if you receive a mint chocolate chip Christmas candle for your birthday in April, know CHRISTmas should be celebrated year round anyway! If we need a new fan, we'll put a post on Freecycle. If someone needs tennis shoes, we'll make a trip to Goodwill and I will NOT shop for other things while there.
We are hoping to save thousands by doing this. We have always been quite frugal, but I am still kind of afraid to face the amount because I'd rather not admit how much we have been wasting. We are praying and will continue throughout the year to pray about what the saved money will be used for. I pray BIG things will happen. Maybe we'll be living in Africa next Christmas (just kidding, but who knows!). I am ready to be taken out of my comfort zone. I would sell EVERYTHING tomorrow if that's what He called us to do. I would terribly miss my "Chicken Eating Spaghetti" picture, but they don't really eat spaghetti anyway, do they?
We are ready for the challenge and are committed. I know the temptations will be great and this year may be the hardest so far, but we're ready. Just don't invite me to join you at Hobby Lobby, okay?
In Him,
E
P.S. Here is a picture of just one of the fabulous things our oldest has been working on. She is trying to make some extra $ herself by making felt items- remember the hair accessories? This photo is of some of the play food veggies she made last week. Just awesome!! Check out her stores at http://www.stripedtomatoes.etsy.com/ or http://www.sweetpotatosacks.etsy.com/.
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