clothes - day 6

August 15, 2009

I guess I tend to keep clothes for a long time.  

This pair of black capri yoga pants is one of the items of clothing I chose for 7 clothes month around our house.  

This photo is from when I was newly pregnant with David.  They've lasted through two pregnancies and lots of mothering - spit up, crawling on the floor building train set layouts, etc.

I wondered if I would get tired of wearing the same 7 tops and bottoms over and over for a month but for the most part I really didn't.  That was an interesting thing for me to discover.  

Also, in case you didn't see Kori's comment from yesterday's post, I think this is very well said:

"I totally agree with this. I haven't read the book. But I think the purpose is 2 main points - to realize and appreciate our blessings (which allows us to automatically share more of those blessings as God commanded us and keeps us from taking things for granted) and also to live purposefully (not allowing things to happen because they happen but to make sure we are living life to God's plan, in His intent and serving Him - not just slipping through our to do list and schedule). I believe to do either of those things we must plan to do them because in our sinful human nature they don't happen automatically!"

I like my to do list and my routine and my normal and taking steps to try to step out of it in different little ways at a time is good for me.  

Right now, my house feels overwhelmed with possessions and I have company coming tomorrow - I'm writing this Saturday night - so I'm off to clean up and maybe, just maybe I'll see a thing or two I don't need and can get rid of along the way.  

We'll see.  

Have a wonderful Lord's Day.  I am looking forward to spending it with family and relaxing.  

Blessings!

Kelly

your questions - day five

Sarah had a good question. 

"Was there some kind of catalyst event that brought this experiment of her's on? Did she have a goal at the beginning - or just do something and see how it changed her?"

As she explains it in the book, taking in victims of Hurricane Katrina and having a child comment on how "rich" her family was when they considered themselves "normal" middle class gave her a jolt to look at the excessive/consumptive lives we tend to live in America.  

I feel like the point is not to necessarily decide to quit media all together or to forever only own 7 outfits or whatever but by taking a limited amount of time to see what life is like when you do alter your "norm" you can begin to let go of things being your status quo.  

For instance, I am far happier with less clothes than I ever thought possible before this challenge.  That doesn't mean that every season of my life will look exactly the same regarding clothes, food, media, possessions, etc. but it is good to know that "how I've always been" doesn't necessarily have to be "how I'll always be".  We all have choices and it is easier to actively decide what choices you want to make when you step out of doing what you do out of habit.  

I also think about what I want these two (in their funny hats) to take away from their time in our home.  

Hope you're having a good weekend!  

Kelly

Five Years!

photo by Rachel Debell Photography

Fasting? - day four

So I told you that my friend in Texas asked me if we were going to do any of the "giving ups" like Jen Hatmaker and her family did as she was writing the book 7.  

So, what would be the point anyway?  

For me the main take away from what Jen was getting at in her book about why experiment with giving things up is to disrupt our routine, to make room in our lives for us to actually think instead of being on automatic pilot, to allow room and headspace for God to speak to us about whatever he wants to.  

Here is a quote from Jen herself:  

“If a fast doesn't include any sacrifices, then it's not a fast. The discomfort is where the magic happens. Life zips along, unchecked and automatic. We default to our lifestyles, enjoying our privileges tra la la, but a fast interrupts that rote trajectory. Jesus gets a fresh platform in the empty space where indulgence resided.” 

― Jen Hatmaker, 7: An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess

So beginning August 20th and continuing through September 19th, our friends in Texas and we had "clothes month".  

We each had our own way of going about it and that was good.  The point is not to follow some sort of regimen prescribed by someone else but the point is to allow yourself to step out of your normal and leave room for God to speak and to just explore change.

For our family 7 clothes month looked like narrowing down Adrian, David's and my wardrobes to 7 outfits.  7 tops, 7 bottoms, the occasional layering piece if it was part of the "outfit".  No accessories or jewelry for me though (the guys plainly don't wear accessories to begin with).  :)  

7 pair of undies, 7 things in the pj drawer, 7 pair of socks.  I narrowed myself down to four pair of shoes.  

I will say here that there is nothing especially magical about 7 of everything.  It is mostly just a number to have a number.  Does that make any sense?  Not too big, not too small . . . 

So here is my sock drawer before I narrowed it down to 7 pair.  Now granted, it was still flip flop weather and I didn't even wear all 7 of my chosen pairs during our clothing month but still there is a big difference between 7 pairs of socks and this!!

I guess I have a thing for socks.  I really like these socks.  But seriously, I didn't count how many pairs I have but there are easily more than 30 meaning even in the winter months when I wear socks daily, I have more socks than I can wear in a month if I wear a different pair every day!  And the truth is if my smartwools are clean I do gravitate toward them.  Oh and of course this is not counting my Christmas socks which get pulled out at the beginning of December.  

hmmmm . . . .

So the advantages of just having less socks would be:

1. not having to shove the clean ones in and barely shut the drawer when putting away the laundry

2. I can see what I actually have

3.  I could give some of these socks away to people who really could use them

4.  I could have less socks to let pile up and then have to match and fold (probably my least favorite part of doing laundry)

more to come tomorrow . . . 

in the meantime, here are two more bloggers who have linked up to The Nester's 31 day challenge who are writing on topics that I feel kind of go along with what I am pondering here

Check them out:

Life In Grace

and 

The Learner Observer

Processing 7 by Jen Hatmaker - day 3

This picture has nothing to do with this post really but I couldn't help but share a cutie pic of my boy drawing on his face (and the chalkboard) with yellow chalk - his favorite color.

Our library's check out period is three weeks and it took me the three full weeks to make it through Jen Hatmaker's book 7.  

In fact, I was "cramming" the last night that I had it checked out trying to finish. 

One thing I meant to say yesterday is that Jen doesn't "preach" in her book.  

It is definitely her account of what having an "experimental mutiny against excess" meant in her life.  She doesn't tell other people what to do.  She's all nice that way.  :)  

I think it was just a whole lot for me to process and thus slow reading at times even though the writing style makes for a "quick read".  Obviously I'm still processing and choosing to write a 31 day series about my thoughts on the book and it's been since June so it has impacted me a lot.

July was a busy month for us with travel and family in town and although I thought about the book some it took a bit of a backseat in my thoughts which is fine of course.  Then I found that I kind of wanted to stop processing largely on my own and talk to some other people who'd read it.  Two friends, one local and one back in Texas had read it and we chatted over dinner and on the phone.  My friend in Texas asked me if Adrian and I were doing any of the "giving ups".  

Hmmm . . . no.  

It is actually the sort of thing I like to "experiment" in practical ways but talking my husband into it and adding one more thing when I have a little baby . . . hmmm.

I/we decided to join she and her husband though in putting some of these ideas into practice in our lives in some way.  

I will openly admit here that I was glad they were already in the middle of their "food month" when we started talking about this and it was "too late" for us to join in.  Well, more accurately we just skipped that part.  I'm not saying it probably wouldn't be enlightening and a growing experience for us to modify our eating habits for a season to realize the absolute bounty of good food that we have.  It would.  I just didn't want to and that's the honest truth.

So that gave me a good two weeks to contemplate how I wanted to tackle clothes month which was coming up next.

Oh and for those of you who haven't read the book, Jen's 7 areas that she experimentally mutinies against excess in her life and that of her family are food, clothes, possessions, waste, media, spending and stress.  

Okey dokey.

I would really like to dialogue with you guys as we go along so if you have thoughts, questions about anything, etc. please, please share in the comments!

Processing 7 by Jen Hatmaker - day 2

So I told you yesterday that I was WAY down on the library hold list for the book 7: An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess by Jen Hatmaker.  

I would log on to my account every once in a while and watch the number climb downwards.  

11, 9, 5, 4, 1

Finally I got an e-mail notice that the book was mine!

It was the beginning of June and we would be going near the library that night on the way to VBS at our church so we stopped to pick it up then.  I was so excited to read it that I was cracking it up in the parking lot on my way to my car.  

I joked with Adrian that I might have to smuggle it in with me to read instead of listening to the speaker.  :)  

I didn't but did start reading it that night when we got home.  

Jen is a very funny writer and I would laugh out loud at parts. 

On one hand it is a very easy read and on the other hand, the further I got into it, the more I did feel convicted about things and feel like I needed time to process through what she was saying.  

Here is a quote from the book:

“Sometimes the best way to bring good news to the poor is to bring actual good news to the poor. It appears a good way to bring relief to the oppressed is to bring real relief to the oppressed. It's almost like Jesus meant what He said. When you're desperate, usually the best news you can receive is food, water, shelter. These provisions communicate God's presence infinitely more than a tract or Christian performance in the local park. They convey, "God loves you so dearly, He sent people to your rescue.” 
― Jen Hatmaker, 7: An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess

You see, Jen wasn't just saying "think nice thoughts about this stuff" she is pointing out how much our actions *really* do count!

I really do believe this and so the tricky part is figuring out what actions to spend your time and energy on.  

That is what I am in the middle of processing through and plan to be talking about on the old blog these 31 days.  

If you are coming over from Nesting Place, welcome!  I would love for you to "introduce" yourself.

Thanks!  

Kelly

31 days of Processing the book 7 by Jen Hatmaker

The Nester holds a blog link up each year during the month of October where people choose a topic and write about it every day for 31 days.

I have never before participated but decided to this year as I have been "mulling over" my response to reading the book 7: An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess by Jen Hatmaker, since June and I would love to have more of a "dialogue" with others about it as various thoughts swirl through my head. 

I know this "button" is all blurry.  I didn't have it in me to try to learn button making as I've been "single parenting" while Adrian's been on a business trip.  

I first began hearing about the book a year or so ago on various blogs I read but will admit that although I was somewhat intrigued I didn't really *want* to read it because I feared it might be too uncomfortable, too convicting, lead to too much *change*.  My husband can tell you that I don't tend to be a big fan of change!

I'm not really sure what finally made me want to read it but once I wanted to, I really did want to read it and I got on the waiting list for a chance at it from my library.  I started out WAY down the list - at least #19 or something like that.  

I'll tell you more about finally getting it and beginning to read it tomorrow.  My goal is to write a little bit about my "processing" through this book and the ideas that it presented to me each day in October.  I will also still hopefully do some non "7" related posts too.  

So regular readers, I hope you are up for this "departure" from "regular programming" and those of you coming over via the link on Nesting Place, welcome!

So, I'm curious, have any of you read the book?  

Be back tomorrow.  

If you're interested, stay tuned over the course of the month for what clothing items were my "cheater" items, what I missed the most, what stressed me out the most (it was different than what I would have thought) and more!

Kelly

when?

When did these boys . . . 

get this big???

love them!

Kelly

ten on ten - September 2013

greeting

seeing

cooking

friends and family

dating

helping

savoring

snacking

sorting

What did you do today?

September 2012

September 2011

September 2010 - my first ten on ten!

communion quiet book

To be honest, I didn't think I was a "quiet book making mom".  I had seen them and they're very cute and all but I just didn't think it was "me" to spend the time making one and I didn't really think that my efforts would turn out very well if I did try.  Paper and I get along much better than fabric and I.  :)  

But as they say "necessity is the mother of invention".  

David has started coming into "big church" with us and I was looking for ways to teach him more about communion.  

As I often do when I am seeking out ideas, I sent an e-mail to several friends asking what they do.  My sweet friend Vanessa encouraged me to make something with felt that he could hold and that would be a tactile way of learning about Jesus on the cross, the empty tomb and Jesus now in Heaven.  

My friend Tamara is great at making quiet books so a trip to Joann's and a phone call to Tamara later, I knew what I was going to do today.  

After having read Ann Voskamp's book One Thousand Gifts this summer I knew I wanted to focus on the Lord's Supper as being a time of thanksgiving.  David is already used to saying things that he is thankful for and praying thanking God for things so I wanted this to tie in for him in that way.  

I didn't want to take the time to cut "thank you" out of felt so I printed it on cardstock and attached it to the cover with brads.  I have no idea how long it will last but it will be simple to repair if it tears. 

The letters for "Jesus" are felt glued to thin cardboard with velcro on each one so he can put them on and take them off. 

I made a page with Jesus on the cross and this Jesus doll is attached via velcro too and can be taken off and attached onto the next two pages as well.  

Here is the tomb.  I really liked this gray textured felt that Joann's had and thought it would be perfect for the tomb.  The flowers are brads that I got at a garage sale once upon a time and I just clipped off the backs with wire cutters and hot glued them on (to avoid the backs of the brads showing on the back of this page).  You can see the spot of velcro to the right of the stone where the Jesus doll can be affixed.  

And the stone can be pulled back to reveal the empty tomb.  

This page depicts Jesus in Heaven.  I wasn't quite sure how to visually represent Heaven but I went with a blue sky, clouds and a street made of gold.  

The pom pom balls are also attached with velcro and can be taken on and off.  

The last page I have so far is the grapes and crackers page.  

The crackers are not yet attached because I want to go and buy some snaps so that he can practice snaps.  The grapes are made of buttons and little round pieces of felt with slits cut in them that can be "buttoned on".  He does not yet know how to button so this will be good practice too I think.  

He is very curious about the book I was making for him today and I plan to only bring it out at church so that it's novelty will not wear off too quickly.  I think it will give him a way to be engaged and also help him learn about communion and it's meaning to us as Christians.  

Oh and I should definitely say that the *only* thing I sewed were the buttons for the grapes.  Everything else I used the glue gun or brads to attach.  There is no way this project ever would have gotten done otherwise.  I have no idea how it will hold up but I am not interested in perfect here but in done!  

Also, I am thankful for other friends also chiming in with ideas of how to talk to kids about communion.  I have really great friends.

Kelly

happy five months, Cora Elise!

Cora, I cannot believe this photo from the beginning of the month and then this one from the end!  You have grown so much and we love you to pieces baby girl! 

I love your hair and your pretty eyes.  

I bought this little sunshine outfit before I was ever even pregnant with you just because I liked it so much (and it was on clearance!)  :)  It was so much fun to see you in it at last!  

When Daddy was out of town you and Brother and I went to the Denver Children's Museum together.  You were such a trooper.  

You are giving us such great big smiles!  You especially like being on your changing table.  You're "talking" and laughing and giggling and we love it.  You've also found your lips and you purse them up and make all kinds of movements and sometimes sounds with them.  

(Also, I love this vintage sheet turned changing pad cover!)

You look so cute in your Christmas present from Uncle Edmund and Aunt Cecy and your bow from Mrs. Tamara.  

Poor baby girlie, you just get to chew on Katy doll while we eat gelato after church.  Just one more month till solids sweet baby!  

You and your brother are interacting more and more.  Sometimes you cry when he is hovering as I think you may get a little claustrophobic, understandably but other times you laugh and smile.  He is enjoying you so much!  He knows which toys are "big" and which are "small" and should stay out of your reach.  He is a very good big brother!  

He likes to include you in playing with he and I which I find very sweet.  On this day everyone was supposed to be wearing necklaces and "vests" but we settled on this cape for you.  :)  

We have been so blessed by many hand me downs and you look so cute in them!  

And you got this "Nana's Little Cutie" shirt at our church shower and this was the first time you got to wear it - for a playdate with Nana and the boy cousins at Monkey Bizness!  

You did sooo much better when you got your shots this month.  You were very brave and Mama was very thankful!  

Oh sweet girl,  I remember this day well.  You *would not* nap!  

Sleeping has been an interesting subject this month.  Pretty much, we got into some bad habits in July while we were traveling and such that were encouraging you to get up multiple times a night and it was wearing us out!  You have been doing really well going longer between day time feedings and putting yourself to sleep and you are sleeping much longer stretches at night now!  Thank you!!  Mama appreciates it so much!  

You stayed with brother and our sweet other "grandma" while Mama and Daddy went on a date.  You were such a good girl.  

Look at you in this SUPER cute outfit from Mrs. Pat!

This is the day that David was telling you that God and Jesus will always take care of you!  Such a precious, precious moment!

Oh baby, girlie!  You love to have any kind of cloth item.  You scrunch it and hide your face under it and then take it off.  You were so cute laying on the bed with Mama while I went through some clothes playing with this laundry bag.  

Sacked out!  

You're drooling a ton (as evidenced by Daddy's shiny arm!)  You have a hard time going to sleep at night whether we rock you or put you in your bed but it's getting better!  

You are able to pull this little birdie down all by yourself and you'll do it over and over.  It's fun to hear that little noise coming from the back seat when we're driving.  You also love to reach up and try to get the canopy of your car seat.  

You went through a time of not really caring much for your swing one way or another but you have really been enjoying it lately!  

Brother was making a "gum ball track" and he wanted you to check it out which you seemed happy to do.  I love these jammies on you too.  I can't remember who gave them to us but they are nice and thick and warm and cozy and those little hot pink ruffles are adorable.  You need nice cuddly jammies because you don't sleep in your swaddle anymore.  Big, big girl!  

I definitely had to monitor this closely but the two of you were having so much fun!  You were both laughing and you were trying so hard to get Brother's face in your mouth!  

I am so glad you two are friends!  

Brother even gave you a bottle for me one day and you took it like a champ!  

He really likes for you to be nearby!  

One night though David got to spend the night at Nana & Ducca's with the boy cousins for a sleepover so you got to go to breakfast with Mama and Daddy!  Daddy was proud to be out to breakfast with "his girls".  We love our Daddy!  He's a keeper for sure.  

You held Daddy's hand while he was feeding you a bottle.  

All smiles!  

Every once in a while you will still put yourself to sleep while you're playing first thing in the morning.  It's really sweet.  

bath time for a pretty girl!

You got to stay with Brother at Nana and Ducca's on this night and you did a great job without Mama nearby.  It doesn't hurt that you love your Nana and Ducca!  

taking a snooze in your sweet little bonnet during church 

You seem to enjoy riding in the Ergo on hikes or just in the neighborhood, in stores, etc.  I enjoy having you close.  

bestest smile!!

hiking with Mama and Daddy and David at Seven Bridges

I love snuggling with you at home or on the go.  It is so cute when you get your thumb.  

It started raining on us on our hike but your ROSK (Rain or Shine Kids) cover kept you snug as a bug in a rug!  

pj Saturday at home

You still enjoy your bouncer and play vigorously with the toys.  We did try out your Johnny Jump Up Seat this month too and you're enjoying that as well.  You even sit up on your own on the floor for at least thirty seconds at a time now.  

Most people say you look like your daddy but every once in a while someone will say they see me.  

We say all the time how you are *such* an easy baby and how thankful we are!  

You *love* your feet and I love that you do!  You still don't roll over much but you sure can entertain yourself rolling around on the floor and holding onto and chewing your feet and anything else you find nearby.  Twice now you have been rolled over onto your tummy when I've gone into get you out of your bed and those were the first times you had ever rolled from back to tummy.  When Daddy went into your room just now where you are sleeping we discovered why, you're sleeping on your tummy!

David was saying, "Boz is back on duty!" while putting this play frying pan on your head.  

You went to cradle roll for the first time!  They said you did very well!  

You are enjoying playing on your tummy more and more!  You like to play with the vintage fisher price apple that chimes when you rock it back and forth.  

You are very interested in books and often read with Brother and I.  You will handle and chew on any board book we let you get your hands on.  You've also begun chewing on Sophie the giraffe a lot.  

You like to be where the rest of us are so we usually sit you in the bumbo in the kitchen while we are getting dinner ready and you are quite content and sometimes even talk to us.  

You and Brother both like to play with this tea set.  

One day we did (very closely supervised) water play with you and Brother and you had a good time splashing around in the water in the sheet pan.  

You love, love, love your Ducca! 

You have become super interested in food and cups and try to get your hands on them!  :)  

We love you so much, baby girl!  We are so thankful to have you!!

love, Mama

David's five month post