Simplicity is a word that has plagued me since I was small. Samantha and I were looking at my old photos the other night. (Seizing the Moment, Hands Free Mama.) She noticed my old bedroom was bare, and she asked about it. I told her to take a good look at the house. We have furnitute, but not much "stuff." If it does not have it's own little spot, it's gone.
But lately, I started feeling like life should be that way also. But in a different way. If it is unnecessary, and it causes stress, it's gone. If it causes us to argue, it's gone.
This means less stuff....less cleaning.
Less clothes...less laundry.
Less activities....less chauffeuring.
This means more time....for God.
More time....for family.
More time....to devote to the activities that really mean something to us and add to our lives-church, Heritage Girls, school (for my Husband), baking business (for Big S), reading to lwarn more about the Bible for me....
Some days I KNOW we made the right decision. Those are the days that we are cuddling on the couch, doing our Bible study together or just cuddling and talking about the day. Those are the days when I am not saying to my Husband, "Five more minutes and I will be done cleaning..." an hour later...Those are the days I can devote a large chunk of time to my Bible or watching Little S play instead of folding yet another load of laundry.
Some days I question myself though. The holidays have been a source of that. While everybody around me is planning a Colonial themed Christmas, complete with crafts and a history lesson, or buying 100 gifts for their kids (You know, a 5th Christmas blanket or the newest gaming system)...and I'm like, "I Loved when Christmas was done up big as a kid!"
I am not saying there is anything wrong with doing those things. But we have to calculate the cost to our family personally. What kind of financial stress will it cost? How about the tension in the house when I say, "Now that you have all this new stuff, we have to get rid of stuff to make room." Or how about me being frazzled while trying to plan a themed Christmas that nobody really enjoys (in our family, anyway.) Not everything has to be educational.
Why not do what we have always done...have our few precious old fashioned traditions. Hide the German Pickle. Gold coins in the stocking. Make homemade chocolate. Snuggle on cold days and read books. 4 meaningful gifts. That is a new one this year-a toy that she REALLY wants (This Year-a Lionel Train), something that helps her get closer to God (Action Bible), something made, but useful (Cookbook of Her favorite Recipes), and an experience gift (Tickets to Rock Climb). Little S got a toy farm and box covered with bows and ribbons and glitter and such.
When I really think about it, as much as I thought it was cool to have a giant toys set out for me on Christmas and tons of gifts to open, I know that when the girls look back, they will have memories too. How do I know this? Because we didn't do popcorn strings this year, and Big S asked "why not?" How do I know this? Because at the beginning of December, Big S asked when we were making homemade hot chocolate. How do I know this? Because Big S is just as giddy and excited about Christmas this year, knowing she is only getting 4 gifts, as she has been every year before-including year that we spent over $300 buying gifts and redecorating her bedroom.
Lesson Learned: Simplicity doesn't mean giving up memories. It means creating different ones.
But lately, I started feeling like life should be that way also. But in a different way. If it is unnecessary, and it causes stress, it's gone. If it causes us to argue, it's gone.
This means less stuff....less cleaning.
Less clothes...less laundry.
Less activities....less chauffeuring.
This means more time....for God.
More time....for family.
More time....to devote to the activities that really mean something to us and add to our lives-church, Heritage Girls, school (for my Husband), baking business (for Big S), reading to lwarn more about the Bible for me....
Some days I KNOW we made the right decision. Those are the days that we are cuddling on the couch, doing our Bible study together or just cuddling and talking about the day. Those are the days when I am not saying to my Husband, "Five more minutes and I will be done cleaning..." an hour later...Those are the days I can devote a large chunk of time to my Bible or watching Little S play instead of folding yet another load of laundry.
Some days I question myself though. The holidays have been a source of that. While everybody around me is planning a Colonial themed Christmas, complete with crafts and a history lesson, or buying 100 gifts for their kids (You know, a 5th Christmas blanket or the newest gaming system)...and I'm like, "I Loved when Christmas was done up big as a kid!"
I am not saying there is anything wrong with doing those things. But we have to calculate the cost to our family personally. What kind of financial stress will it cost? How about the tension in the house when I say, "Now that you have all this new stuff, we have to get rid of stuff to make room." Or how about me being frazzled while trying to plan a themed Christmas that nobody really enjoys (in our family, anyway.) Not everything has to be educational.
Why not do what we have always done...have our few precious old fashioned traditions. Hide the German Pickle. Gold coins in the stocking. Make homemade chocolate. Snuggle on cold days and read books. 4 meaningful gifts. That is a new one this year-a toy that she REALLY wants (This Year-a Lionel Train), something that helps her get closer to God (Action Bible), something made, but useful (Cookbook of Her favorite Recipes), and an experience gift (Tickets to Rock Climb). Little S got a toy farm and box covered with bows and ribbons and glitter and such.
When I really think about it, as much as I thought it was cool to have a giant toys set out for me on Christmas and tons of gifts to open, I know that when the girls look back, they will have memories too. How do I know this? Because we didn't do popcorn strings this year, and Big S asked "why not?" How do I know this? Because at the beginning of December, Big S asked when we were making homemade hot chocolate. How do I know this? Because Big S is just as giddy and excited about Christmas this year, knowing she is only getting 4 gifts, as she has been every year before-including year that we spent over $300 buying gifts and redecorating her bedroom.
Lesson Learned: Simplicity doesn't mean giving up memories. It means creating different ones.
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