Stuff

Those of you who know me well know that I love things to be uncluttered and organized. Not perfect, but fairly clean and simplified. Y'know, where everything has a home, stuff isn't just shoved into closets, etc.

I don't know why, but even though the town house we live in technically has more square footage than our home in Indiana, I have had a heck of a time feeling settled and organized in this "house." (Maybe because I had more closets in Indiana?)

So, during this pregnancy, my nesting urges have really kicked in. For months now I've been on a steady pace, tackling various drawers, cupboards, closets, and shelves. I love the feeling when I get one done, but lately it's been feeling like I've hardly made a dent.

Then there's Christmas. For the past couple of years my mom and I have been expressing that we want to downsize the amount of gifts given. And I think we both made a concerted effort this year. She even had me do some of her shopping for her, so I can't complain--and the kids got things they can definitely use and be creative with, too. But somehow, when we arrived home yesterday after spending Christmas with my family in Waconia, I still couldn't believe the amount of stuff we came home with! The amount seems equal to the last four of my Goodwill donations combined!

I feel like I know most of the tricks...rotate toys, keep an ongoing Goodwill box handy (I do--and it fills often), sort toys into piles of "keep, throw, sell," lay out all the ______ (purses, stuffed animals, or whatever) and tell the kids they can choose a certain amount to keep, adopt the policy "for everything that comes in, something goes out," etc. etc.

So what am I missing? Why do I always feel like there's too much stuff? (Now, mind you, I did not feel this way at our house in Indiana.) What are your secrets for simplifying your stuff--especially on the kid front?

When You're 3...

(Disclaimer...I did a post similar to this sometime last year. Well here we go again...)

Did you know that being 3 can be harder than being 2? Yes, it's true. And I'm not sure whom it's harder on--you or the momma who spends all day trying to parent you.

You see, when you're 3, stuff bugs you and no one can figure out why. You might wake up smiling, but that quickly fades when you realize someone else picked the cereal you wanted and they got to put it on the counter first. Then you will be upset when you wanted the orange bowl and there weren't any left. If there are orange bowls available, the same upset will occur if the spoon is not the matching shade of orange to coordinate with your bowl. Oh, and you won't appreciate the wisdom in Mom's "Get what you get and you don't throw a fit" ditty.

Next you will be mad that one of your sisters sat on the stool you had secretly claimed as yours. After making a second choice, your stool is bound to be pushed too far in or out, and once again mommy will have to coach you on manners on how to ask nicely for an adjustment. You don't appreciate the lesson and begin whining and crying for your teddy bear. When told that no, mommy won't be complying with the request, your volume and hopping ability immediately escalate. You are removed to the bathroom to calm yourself down and everone gets to enjoy the lovely not-so-muffled toddler serenade. You eventually regain your composure and are let out of your confinement, and breakfast proceeds. You happily wave the girls off to school and it's just you and Mom to tackle the morning.

You are happy to watch a bit of Sesame Street or Super "Y" until Mom says it's time to shut the TV off. Then the next battle ensues...getting dressed. Inevitably, you won't appreciate the socks going on (though later, no one dare try to take them off--they've become special to you) and then you won't like any of the pants available to wear. You'll want to stand up and pull them up yourself, except you're still learning how and that infuriates you. And your shirts--you'll deem most to be acceptable, except when you want to stay in your cereal crusted pajama top all day and Mom says no.

So finally it's time to get dressed to go wherever we're going in this freezing weather. You get to pick whether you want boots or shoes, but somehow neither will make you happy. And you'll also want to do those yourself--which is hit or miss of course. Suddenly you are convinced that the shoes that fit yesterday are suddenly too tight, or your boots don't come up as high as you want them to. So finally we get your coat on and move on to the hat and mittens. You insist on the hat that itches or bugs your ears, and no amount of fixing will make it right. Same with the mittens--those darn thumb holes. Mom finally scoops you up and out to the van, and your fit escalates more as you wanted to open the door yourself, climb into the seat yourself, etc. etc. Then the seat belt that was fine yesterday is too tight today. Mom ignores your complaints and you eventually forget about why you were mad.

The rest of the day includes more of the same. And have I mentioned that you're in that in-between nap stage? Many days you could use one, but then you're often awake 'til all hours. We've been through this before with 2 other children. This too shall pass.

In the meantime, Mom prays often for wisdom as to when to use timeouts, when to spank and when to instruct or distract. She also prays for a lot of self control with her own words and actions--not always succeeding. But God is good. His mercies are new every morning. I bet you wouldn't guess by this post that most days I actually enjoy hanging out with my little guy, and that I love being a stay at home mom. Well, believe it or not, it's true. I'm even looking forward to doing this all again one more time, beginning in February.

P.S. I'm actually not looking for sympathy or advice. Writing about it just helps me see the humor in it all.

And I've said this before and I'll say it again--It really is a good thing God makes them cute. Covers a multitude.

It's a What?!

Yesterday the Crim girls were over for lunch. A discussion ensued about the gender of our baby who's due in February. Everyone cast their vote: Karin--girl, Kara Jo--boy, and Nathan--"I think it's a goldfish!"

This reminds me of when Jen was pregnant with Karin. They weren't finding out the gender, but Jay was praying hard for a sister. After she was born and he discovered it was a girl, he wondered out loud "What if I prayed for a baby kangaroo?!"

P.S. Yesterday marked 30 weeks for me!

Christmas Music Recommendations?

Hey all! Our computer crashed last week so I've been out of commission. Thank you, however, to the kind souls (P&B) who gave us one they weren't using last night. I had been praying about that. What a blessing!

Anyway, just wanted to ask if anyone had any good recommendations for Christmas music? I realized I'm getting a little tired of the 4 CD's I own--and have owned for years. My collection consists of: an Amy Grant, 2 Michael W. Smiths, and a Steven Curtis Chapman. So I'm looking to expand! Would like something from a different style--maybe Jazz or something beyond choral/traditional. What are some of your favorites?

Moments

This past weekend was one of those that makes you wonder "What was I thinking--trying to parent 3 children with another on the way? I stink as a mom, I don't know how to do this right. I'm surely messing my kids up."

Nothing out of the ordinary really. It was a Saturday. Wade was up at the farm and the kids and I were home for some much needed down time. But they bickered and bugged. Nathan whined and wailed. I fought back tears as I struggled with patience and the need for wisdom in parenting. I did keep myself from yelling at the top of my lungs and/or saying things that would really wound their spirits (unfortunately I have done both before, more times than I can count)--so small victories I guess. Anyway, the kids weren't horrible, but they were driving me crazy. I knew it and they knew it. I just feel crummy after days like that.

Last night there was a bit of a bright spot, though. As I tucked the girls into bed, we took some extra time to chat. (We should do that more often--but I'm always in a hurry to get them to bed it seems.) Abby shared a prayer of hers that God had answered.

"Mom, I got to talk to two of my classmates today about how Christmas is really about Jesus coming...and Easter is really about Him dying on the cross for us. My classmates had never heard that before and were so surprised to find out that Christmas and Easter aren't just about presents and candy! And Mom, I had just prayed the night before that God would give me an opportunity to share His love in a way where I wouldn't be embarrassed. And He did!"

This time I fought back tears of gratitude.

The kids and I talk a lot about looking for chances to share God's love & to speak His truth in love. When I was growing up, my dad used to say to me every morning before I left for school "Be nice to people." I have adapted that with my own kids and they often hear me say "Love people with God's truth" as they are walking out the door to catch the bus.

Whether God is using me & my utterly imperfect self to shape my kids, or whether He's growing them in spite of me, (hopefully both) I am thankful that some of the right stuff is getting through somehow. :) Thanks Lord.