When do you stop?

How much stuff do you need? I am always thinking about what I need and don't need. There is a huge difference between 'need' and 'want'. I am always tiring to separate those in my mind. There are plenty of things I want and really very little that I need. Here's my list.

Need
-Jesus
-food
-water
-place to live
-clothes to cover my body
Let's just leave it that basic.

Want
-Jesus
-good food
-cold water
-nice place to live
-cool clothes
-car
-boots
-chocolate
-healthy family
-money
this list could go on and on and on but lets just leave it here.

I find the more I simplify my needs list the more I see the great blessings God has given me. Also it helps me to know where and when to draw the line when buying things. I say do I want this or do I need this. If I want it then can I afford it, will I use it, or do I know someone who could use it. I hate when stuff just goes to waste in my home. I do have those kinds of things around here but if I hear of someone who needs something or I think of something I have that could be better used elsewhere then I try to give it. This is a learning process for me. I use to keep everything, but really why keep crap around that you think you might use 10 years from now. Just get rid of it.

I'm thinking about this because I just went through the kids toys again and got rid of a bunch of stuff. They really don't need much. I want my kids to appreciate what they have and having less helps that. I want to appreciate what I have too. There are so many people in this world that could use food, water, and a place to live so why do I waste money on another toy for my kids or a new pair of socks when I can just keep wearing Ryan's :)

But really this is going to sound lame but I am trying to keep it REAL and simple so that I will be able to help others. That reminds me I need to check out the World Vision website. You can buy chickens and cows for families in other countries! SO COOL!

Pictures

Silver's gingerbread house


Trinity's house


The kids just getting started.


Daddie helping Trinity out with some sticky paper.




Me in my new penguin pj's :)

Delightful

Christmas at our house was so wonderful. This year was so much fun. Both of the kids really enjoyed it. Here's a quick rundown of the things we did to make Christmas special.
-made a bunch of different cookies
-made gingerbread houses from freshly baked gingerbread (oh it smells great)
-Ryan and I actually bought each other presents this year
-went to church
-left cookies,milk, carrots and a letter for Santa (he even wrote back)

Here is a funny story about Christmas Eve. All week I had been telling Silver that sometimes Santa's sleigh bells could be heard and if we did hear them then we should get to bed quickly because it meant he was coming soon. So just around bed time when Silver and Trinity where drawing pictures for Santa Ryan went outside and rang some bells that sound like sleigh bells. Well Silver just froze. He listened hard and said "Mommie, do you hear that?" Within 2 minutes they where both in bed and we never heard a word from them all night. In the morning I heard Silver from his room saying "Daddie is that you? Daddie?" I had to go and get them out of their room. Then the present opening began. I've got some pictures I will post this afternoon.

Well here we are just a few days left before Christmas and people are getting crazy. I love how people get really excited and crazy before Christmas but at the same time it's funny to me that all this time, money, and energy goes into one day.

We saw Narnia last friday and it was awesome. For some reason I totally forgot about St. Nick. You see it's been winter in Narnia for a hundred years but never Christmas. Finally the snow starts to melt and trees begin to bud and St. Nick shows up on his sleigh and gives out presents. Could you imagine winter without Christmas? It's a really great holiday that (for me) helps to soften the blow of yuckie winter. In this country most of us are very blessed to be able to give and receive gifts, have an awesome meal and enjoy time with friends. I plan on taking full advantage of that this season. I am going to celebrate Jesus birthday by blessing others and allowing blessing to come to me. Also I've been working a lot the last two weeks and I will enjoy my 6 days off!

Merry Christmas!

Over

I did it. Finally. I went to Ryan's work Christmas party. I don't really enjoy parties. I mean I don't hate them but when it's a room full of people I don't even know it's tuff. I am glad I went but I almost didn't make it. It was very last minute that I decided to go. Anyway all was good and I'm glad to be home now and going to bed. Today was nuts. Ryan worked I worked, we went to the church Jesus party then to the Starbucks party. I'm done. Night.

Just do it!

I'm getting my hair done tomorrow. In the past I have always put getting my hair cut or dyed last on the list. But I am just so sick of looking yuckie with grey brown roots. We really shouldn't afford it but that's what I always say which is why I end up cutting my own hair and getting my husband to streak it for me (but don't tell anyone that, he might be embarrassed:) I feel almost giddy. I can't wait.

Silver's school Christmas concert was tonight. It was so cute. Silver picked his nose and ate it then he fell off the stairs but pulled him self right back up and kept singing. It was really a good show and it was extra special because 'Gramma' could be here.

Well I need to get some sleep. The past two weeks have almost killed me with work and other stuff. But tomorrow is a full day off with Ryan and kids and Sue (MIL). We get to finish the night by seeing Narnia. Yah it's going to be a wicked day.

Weakness

Today I was thinking how awesome it would be to sit around with some people (trust worthy people) and talk about our weaknesses. For most people there strengths are obvious. Like, Sally is a great speaker, Mary can fix anything or Paul makes a great pie. But what about the weaknesses we all have. I have no problem talking about most of mine. In the right conversation I am willing to talk about almost anything. Of course I would never just jump into a conversation with "Hey I have anger issues" or anything like that but remaining open with our weaknesses in life can bring some freedom. I never want to be scared to share pieces of me with others. There is always wisdom in the when and how, but just being open to the possibilities is so freeing.

So what am I saying? I don't quite know. I guess I was just reminding myself that it is our strengths and weaknesses that makes us who we are and we should never forget either.

What's new?

I Love God. He is so amazing. As I look back on my 10 years of loving him I am in awe. I can't believe how much I am changed. In some ways it was an over night change. I m not going to tell that story right now but it was amazing (I mean the night I finally allowed God to have me).

Here are some of the cornerstone lessons God has taught me over the years.

- He loves me like crazy and shows it everyday. I don't have to work for it.
- Praying for wisdom and renewing my mind are VERY important.
- God cares about people more than anything and he wants me to do the same.
- BALANCE everything in life, don't get too crazy about anything. DO NOT BE ANXIOUS, but in everything through prayer and thanksgiving present your requests to God.
- For everything there is a season
- Do not always surround your self with like minded people, take risks and get to know those who think differently, you will be challenged and grow.
- peanut butter tastes good on hot toast
- Don't try to live on the mountain top (I mean on a spiritual high). Have a good time when your there but in the desert is where you become strong.
- bless your leaders,don't trash them, make fun of them, etc. This is dangerous.

I have been thinking on a lot of things. One of those things is all the little sayings and lingo we Christians use and pass off as truth. That makes me So freakin crazy. This one time I was in a church and an elder got up and said "If you serve the Lord you'll have no problems, your life will be great and you will be happy all the time"! Holy CRAP it took everything in me not to stand up and say that's a lie! (just to be clear I am not talking about WCV). There are more things but it is late and I have worked like a dog all week and have to teach dance tomorrow. Gotta sleep.



I just found this quote on a friends blog and I love it!

we don't need another bible study,
another book group,
another time of prayer,
another trip to the mall (don't get me wrong these are all good things.)

but we do need relationship. it has to be concious. it has to be intentional...

Bubba Jett Galactic Shrimp

We had the car fixed. Yippie! Borrowed money of course. I was on my way to the store with Silver when the noise got about 10 times louder and the car got about 10 times slower too. I was glad I made it home. Hurray for a fixed car!

Silver's birthday party was great! It was really fun. We played some games that I made up about 10 minutes before the party. The kids actually really seemed to have a good time. After the party Ryan went to work, the kids and I crashed on the couch and watched a movie. It was a good day.

This week is going to be busy busy busy. I am actually working 26 hours at Kite and Kabootle (so much for my usual 12 hours). So Christa for this week at least I DO work a lot. But as I said I don't mind. It's only for a short time.

This post is getting very very very boring.

I am having a lot of deep thoughts lately. I find that they are much too deep and personal to talk about on here. God is really challenging me on many levels I love it. It makes me question why I do the things I do, what is REALLY important on this earth and in heaven. But also when its O.K to just chill and have a good time.

over and out

What's that sound?

Our car is making a strange noise. It sounds more like a Harley than a Honda. This sucks. No money to fix any problems until January. So I hope it's nothing major.

Sickness has yet again attacked our family. I just got over yet another cold and now I have the flu. I caught it from Trinity who caught it from Ryan who caught it from Silver. Silver threw up all over the kitchen floor, and Trinity all over her bed. The kids and Ryan are now fine and I am feeling almost healthy. Wednesday night and Thursday morning where the worst. Has anyone else out there had this bug that's going around? My whole body ached it was terrible.

I have a bunch of Christmas presents to make over the next couple of weeks. I finished a couple of paintings that I am totally happy with. I would post pictures but then the person I made them for would see them :)

I can't wait to put up our Christmas stuff. My mother in law is coming to visit us on Wednesday so we are going to wait until then to put up the tree. Sue (mother in law) is coming to help with the kids so Ryan and I can work more. It's going to be great to have her here. The kids are going to love it too!