Minor Meltdowns

Tonight we had another meltdown festival. I don't know why Brandon fights it so much, but he does. 

After dinner we were playing Mario Party 8. He wanted to play, and even picked out which game he wanted to play. In the middle of the game he turned the Wii off. (Yes, he uses a remote that has power.)

He was then upset because I told him we wouldn't start all over again.  Meltdown #1.

Then I told him it was time for a shower. You would have thought I told him it was time to give away all of his toys.  Meltdown #2.

Then we didn't want to take off our clothes to get in the shower, we didn't want to get in the shower, continued fighting, I don't want to, again and again.

Finally I walked away and Tyler took over.

We got B showered, in a diaper and in bed. No toons, no stories, not even milk. He is now laying quietly in bed as I sit here and type this. I know he is beyond tired, I just don't know why he fights us so much on going to bed. I wish I could go take a nap right now, or even go to bed this early, but you should see the pile of papers I brought home tonight.

Time to go tackle them, and hope this kid goes to sleep soon!

Brandon is BATMAN!!

I love that Brandon's teacher takes pictures at school this year!  These make me so excited!!

He decided himself this morning that he wanted to wear this, the shirt, and hat!  This is not our normal Monday outfit, but he's so cute how could I say no!?!  Plus, look, he has a twin!!

I CAN do all things - with less!!

I was sitting in church this morning with no kids!  Let's take a moment to be amazed at that!!!  The church we went to this morning, the Heights in Prescott, has somewhere for both of my kids to go!!  Brandon was in a threes class, and Natalie is right across the lobby in the nursery.  Someone even mistook her for a two year old!!

I love going to the Heights.  I know this is something that I need, and a place where I need to worship.  I love parts of both of the churches that we attend here in town, but I LOVE all parts of worship when we are at the Heights.

Today the sermon series was on God is Good!  We are hit and miss with what sermons we get to hear because we are not there every weekend.  Tyler is required to attend Christ 80% of the time, and I have to attend Shepherd 50% of the time to maintain Brandon's discount.  You do the math on that one.

Ron was preaching this morning, and I could listen to him for hours!!  How many of you have read the following scripture from Philippians?

 

I just did a Google image search for Philippians 4:13 and it is amazing how many results you will find!  I am VERY familiar with this verse.  I even have my students memorize this verse!  I love all of the different ways that this verse is represented.

Now, how many of you have gone back and read this verse in context!?  I can honestly say that before this morning, yes I'm sure I've read it before, but never looked at it the way that Ron shared it with us this morning.

I am BLESSED with so much!  I have a roof over my head, I have TWO cars in my driveway, I have food in my fridge, I have babies sleeping in their beds right now, and I have clothes to wear.  I have WAY MORE than I could ever need, but to me most of these things feel like things I have to have!

Ron talked this morning about how so often we confuse what we need, with what we want.  I even teach this idea to my students, and still even this morning I was telling the lady who was helping me check Natalie into the nursery for the first time why we are there only every other weekend.  How amazing it is that we ARE able to be there every other weekend!  I am BLESSED that I have parents who give anything to help me support my kids!  I am BLESSED that I have in-laws who are willing to watch my kids every other week, and on weekends when we want a date night.  I am BLESSED to not HAVE to pay for childcare.  I am BLESSED to have my beautiful children!

I have WAY MORE than I need!!  I have a closet full of clothes, some that I don't even wear.  I have a closet full of shoes, some that I have only worn once or twice.  I have a fridge full of food that I sometimes throw away because we don't eat it all before it goes bad.  I have a lap top and a desktop computer.  I have hundreds and hundreds of movies, access to the Internet, DVR and Netflix!!  Really, who has that much time during their day!?!

I have a kitchen full of dishes, plates, cups, silverware, serving utensils and other gadgets that I rarely use.  I have a closet full of games, puzzles and cards that we hardly ever play with.  I have book cases and bins full of books that I haven't read, or that I have read.  My kids have shelves and bins full of toys, some that they never play with.  My kids have closets full of clothes and shoes.  We have a garage over flowing with Christmas decor.

Do I love my stuff, of course!  Who doesn't!?!  Do I need it all!?!  NO!!  I don't need the newest pair of Toms that are going to be on sale on Zulily tomorrow (even though I really want to shop the sale.)  I don't need another maxi skirt, I already own five.  I don't need another tank top, I have a drawer full!  My kids don't need another t-shirt or pair of shorts.  My kids don't need the cute Dusty plate we saw at the Dollar Spot, even if it is 70% off and 30 cents.

This Christmas we are beginning the 3 present idea.  I am really excited about this, and can't wait to only give my kids 3 presents.  We are not a family in need.  Sure, I might complain that we don't have enough, but guess what, God has ALWAYS provided for us!!  We have never been without water, electricity, water or a warm (or cool) place to sleep.  We have never been hungry.  We are BLESSED beyond our wildest imagination!

I am hoping that by starting the 3 present idea so early with my kids it will show them how blessed we are!  We don't need piles and piles of presents to be happy.  Those things will quickly be forgotten, and they will want the next best thing any ways.  I hope to use this as a way to share how much we have, and how we can share with others!

When I came home from my parent's today I quickly went to Brandon's room to begin going through his stuff.  We went through his shirts and were able to find about six more that he doesn't wear, or he has outgrown.  We have already started our new pile of clothes for Hans and Otto.

I can't wait to go through Nat's clothing and start sorting piles of her stuff to be able to pass on.

I even went through my closet last week to start pulling out those pieces that I haven't worn in the last year and that need to go.

Less is MORE!!  We can be a family that doesn't need to impulse buy, do a quick run to Target, or buy that extra bag of chips at the store just because it is on sale.

I want to be content with what I have now.  I want to be content with the blessings that God gives me!  I want to be content even when I feel like I need more, but know that God will provide for me!  I want to be more like Paul.

I leave you with my new favorite song.  They sang this at the Heights a few weeks ago, and they sang it again this morning.  Thankfully we have this on a CD by All Sons and Daughters.