Happy

Life is good right now.

Drake is at a fun stage.

The weather is absolutely gorgeous.

Football season is here (Go HAWKEYES).

Fall is in the air.

As you can see it has been awhile since I last posted. This blog break has been good-refreshing. I've decided to really cut back on the blogs I read and the social media I use. I cut my Google Reader down by half and shut off my Twitter account. MAke life a little bit simpler is freeing and so needed sometimes.

Ben is still looking for a job. We are remaining upbeat and enjoying this extra time we have as a family. Worrying does not change anything so instead we try to remain positive and pray for the right job to come along. In the meantime, we are counting our blessings and going on with life.

This last month has taught me a very important lesson; Everything does not always have to be perfect in your life for you to be happy. Sometimes happiness can be found in the most unexpected places and joy can come from many different sources.

Yeah, life is not perfect, but it pretty darn good.

And I'm happy.

Less is More-Part III

If you missed the first two parts check them out here- Less is More- Part I and Less is More-Part II  

I really want to live by the 'Less is More' motto in all areas of my life, including blogging.

I love blogging.

I love the friends I have made.

I love the creative outlet.

I love the opportunities it has given me.

I love blogging.

But it is time for me to find a better balance between blogging and real life.

Time for me to better utilize my blogging time.

Time to focus on content.

Time to prioritize life and blogging.

Time to realize less really is more in so many ways.

Less is More-Part II

If you missed it -Less is More- Part I

In the last several months I have cleaned out my closest a handful of times and have filled a good 5 garbage bags full of clothes to donate to Goodwill.

You would think I would hardly have any clothes left, but you would be wrong.

My closest is still overflowing with clothes. 

So much so, that I could wear a different long sleeve shirt, sweater, or sweatshirt for 2 months and still not run out of clothes.

That does not even include all my short sleeve shirts, tank tops or dresses.

Factor those in and I've got a good 4 month supply of tops without ever having to wear the same shirt twice.

Disgusting isn't it?

My guess is that many of you are in the same boat of me and could go months without wearing the same shirt.

And to think that some people in the world get by with one outfit.  ONE OUTFIT.

Looks like it is time for me to reprioritize and really live by the less is more mentality.

Come back tomorrow where Less is More-Part III will take on blogging.

Less is More-Part 1

You might remember seeing this picture a few posts below. This is what Drake received from Santa on Christmas morning. What this picture does not show is a whole Little People Village that was set up right next to the tool bench. Drake never saw that toy and never will because it was taken away to donate to charity.

Why you might ask?

Because at that moment on Christmas Eve it hit me-Less is More.

By the time Santa came on Christmas Eve, Drake has already received gifts from his Aunt and Uncle, 1 set of Grandparents, my sister in-laws parents, and us. We still had to celebrate Christmas with my parents and sisters. He already had received so many toys and was going to be getting many more.

After seeing too many kids on TV being ungrateful for gifts and hearing too many stories from parents about how spoiled their kids are, I made the choice on Christmas night to take one of the presents away and give it to a good cause.

You see, it is beyond important to me that my son knows that Christmas is not about Santa or presents or food or stockings. I want him to know it is about Jesus. 

I want  to teach him about this early so he knows nothing else and wants to celebrate Christmas for what it really is. I started our traditions this year. On Christmas Eve we made a birthday cake for Jesus and sang Happy Birthday Jesus.  

 I already know I want to change the way we do gifts at our house on Christmas and  think I will take a cue from my friend Mandey. Drake will receive 3 presents from us because that is how many Baby Jesus received. He will only get 1 present and a stocking from Santa.

 Because less is really MORE!

Stayed tuned tomorrow for Less is More-Part II where I take a hard look at the way I'm living.