Day 18

Well, I've been at this for over two weeks and overall, it's going quite well. I'm feeling pretty good about finishing out the month without losing my mind or being irritated at my lack of choices. I think the creativity is the most fun part. Turning a scarf into a blouse and accessorizing a plain sundress so it's appropriate for a wedding has been a challenge, but one I'm happy to say I've risen to. It's funny to do laundry and see my stack be so small compared to everyone else's. Usually I spend all day, every Monday doing all the laundry (except for A.J. and Stacee's), but I can't always last a week on my meager wardrobe, so I've had to do some extra. That's been the hardest part. The other challenge has been not wearing the same thing to church every Sunday and Wednesday that I wore the previous week. I think I sound vain assuming that everyone notices what I wear and maybe vanity is a good enough reason to challenge myself this way.

Whittling down my wardrobe to only a handful of pieces has definitely made me much more grateful for the other pieces in my closet. I caught myself wistfully feeling one of my favorite blouses the other day, being tempted by its color and texture - so different than anything I've worn this month. It's easy for me to do this, knowing that it's only for a month. I keep thinking, though, about all the kids who are wearing shoes two sizes too small and homeless teens washing their clothes in park bathrooms. I keep thinking that there must be something that can be done, beyond raising awareness or being disciplined for a small portion of the year. I know there are clothes closets at non-profits and churches all over the city and thrift stores, which I know from experience keep low-income families clothed on a tight budget. Here's my question, though: if there are still kids, teens and adults without those resources, are we doing a good enough job? The same could be asked about food. Are we, as Americans who waste hundreds upon hundreds of pounds of goods and food PER PERSON each year, doing enough for the society we live in?

I know I'm not.

My Ten Things

The average American throws away roughly 68 pounds of textiles each year, the majority of this ending up in landfills. I was shocked by this statistic. As someone who takes a small amount of pride in my appearance, I am pretty low-maintenance when it comes to my wardrobe itself. I don't spend much on my clothing. In fact, most of the things I wear are either hand-me-downs or come from thrift stores. For the last several years I've had a $10 rule: any clothes I buy have to be less than $10. Still, I was appalled that we, as Americans, throw so much usable stuff away.

Recently, I watched a short news story on a woman who wore only 6 items of clothing for an entire month. She was a career woman, a reporter. She blogged about it and others participated in the experiment with her. It really intrigued me, so I decided to try it as well. I didn't think I could handle only 6 articles, so I upped it to 10: 2 sundresses, 2 skirts, 2 pairs of shorts, 3 shirts and a pair of jeans. That's what I'll wear for a month. I'm not too worried about pulling it off and I'm already enjoying the creativity of pulling in different shoes and accessories so I don't feel like I'm wearing the same thing everyday. I think it will be fun to be challenged in this way. The hardest part will be things that are out of the ordinary this month: a weekend away with friends and a wedding I'm coordinating. We'll see how that goes...

As much as I love the challenge, and it has certainly made me more aware of being wasteful, there's a bigger reason for me to do this. I like the lessons it enables me to teach our kids. I like that I've been able to have conversations about what what we actually need and how it differs from what we want. I enjoy being an example of living a little more simply, and being aware of how much the rest of the world doesn't have by comparison to our country. I'm not trying to punish myself for living here, I just think that living here gives us a responsiblity to not be blind to how people live beyond our borders. I like that I'm able to be thankful that I can choose only 10 items, instead of being limited to them.

What I Believe...

I've spent a lot of time thinking about what I believe about life, faith, God and family lately. I'm not sure why. Maybe I'm trying to line up how I feel about certain things with what I've been taught. I've found they're not always the same. Maybe I'm trying to figure out how to raise my kids well in a culture that doesn't always support the same things Kris and I do. Maybe it's just because I have more time to think than I used to. In any event, here's the start:

I believe...

• that most anything can be fixed with zip ties, a hot glue gun or gaffer's tape.
• that what we put into our bodies as nourishment effects far more than our waistline.
• that I have a responsibility to my family, my God and the earth not to be wasteful with my money, time or resources.
• that choosing to love two more kids and welcoming them into my home is first about my obedience to God, and second about my love for them.
• that I've lived out my faith better outside the church walls than I did inside them.
• that kids don't need to go to pre-school. They need parents who are engaged.
• that health care should be accessible to everyone; that it isn't a right protected under the Constitution; that it shouldn't be mandated by the government.
• that homosexuality is not a salvation issue.
• that, as a Christian, I'm supposed to love people. Period.
• that most Americans could live very comfortably on a portion of what they currently do.
• that cable, internet, cell phones and new cars are not necessities.
• that music is beautiful.
• that Kris is the perfect fit for my broken, silly, passionate self.
• that I am honored to raise these kids, more than I could ever begin to express with words.
• that I would be a happier mommy if I could walk around with a cocktail in my hand all the time.

That's it for now.

LBD

Yesterday, I wore a black dress with tights and heels. It was by no means an evening gown (that would have been absurd), but it's made of a fabric that covers up flaws and hangs nicely on me. It has pleats down the front and ties at the waist to show that I have one. Nevermind that there are unflattering rolls above and below it. I had my make-up done prettily (smoky eyes, glossy lips), my conditioned and (newly grayless) black hair pulled back with a shiny clip. For a splash of color, my new brick red Harvey's handbag was slung gracefully over my shoulder, (this, a present from Kris for Christmas and the most expensive purse I've ever owned) and a black and white checkered retro-style jacket over my dress while I ran errands. I looked sharp and I felt attractive.

I don't usually go around feeling ugly. I take a little time with my appearance every morning and don't leave the house in sweats and slippers. I always have my hair nicely styled, though I'm aware that it's hard to screw up one length straight hair and bangs. I do my make-up everyday. I'm by no means high-maintenance when it comes to what I look like, but it's important to me that I look finished when I walk out the door. It has very little to do with what people think of me or expect from me. It has a lot more to do with taking care of myself and feeling ready to face the world around me everyday. I'm more prepared to deal with flat tires, car pools, long lines and too many errands if my clothes match, my eyelashes are visible and I'm wearing jewelry.

I dressed up yesterday for really hardly any reason at all. I mean, really, how many days in a row can one wear jeans and still feel feminine? Sometimes I miss working. Well, not so much the working part, the needing-to-look-somewhat-nicer-than-a-stay-at-home-mom part. I love to feel pretty. If I could wear a dress or skirt and tank top everyday of the year with little strappy, heeled sandals, I would. It really is when I feel the most attractive. I can't though, which is why yesterday I put on my new, black dress and picked up kids from school, went to Old Navy and bought toilet paper with sore feet and a sexy strut. It was time to feel cute, like I had more exciting things to do than drive around in my old minivan with its funny noises. I enjoyed myself all afternoon yesterday. I think I'll do it again soon.

You Can Teach An Old Dog New Tricks!

Actually, I'm not that old.
I've spent a lot of my time recently planning a mission's trip for middle schoolers. This is not really an area I feel gifted in. I've never planned an event like this and I have no contacts in LA. I haven't even been on a mission trip since I was in high school. God has made a huge effort (well, actually, he's God, so maybe it's not that much of an effort?) to push me out of where I think I fit this last year. Intellectually and spiritually, I've been picked up, shaken around and placed back down OUTSIDE of my comfort zone. I realize that I'm not being sent to Africa, I'm not trying to get through college and I'm not fighting or watching someone I love fight a terrible disease. However, I have been challenged more in my love for Jesus and my desire to know him better more in this past year than ever before.
I've decided to blame a few people around me, who shall remain nameless...

• My brother (okay, his relation to me gives away his identity). He went through seminary and would ask me to proof some of his papers, then ask me questions about them. Also, many times when he learned something new about the Bible or Jesus, he would tell me, thus me learning something new. I'm impressed that I got all the highlights of a seminary education without the student loans. If I were him, I wouldn't have shared on lick of knowlege!
• A friend whom I met through church. She is such an encourager, prayer warrior and Jesus-follower. She has the biggest heart for Jesus and I am envious of the time she spends with him. She has prayed for me and pushed me to find all my solace in my Savior's love for me and this has impacted my marriage enormously.
• A friend with whom I've done ministry. He is a question-asker. He doesn't always need the answers, but he always asks them. He has inspired me to use the non-mommy part of my brain and think critically about the culture around me. I've have learned so much from him about what it means to follow Jesus and love the people I come in contact with.
• My married friends. This last year they decided to leave the church. If anything, they're committed to following Jesus more and not less, and do this in being active in their community and loving on people living in a marginal society.

I guess I took for granted the learning curve in adulthood. I've been wrapped up in being a wife, a mommy, a secretary and forgot that I need to keep stretching myself. It's been really awesome to experience all this, though it's not always comfortable. I find myself talking to God more, learning about him more, enjoying my relationship with him more. I've found, too, that the more I think I know, the less I know. There's always a new facet of his personality to discover, another revelation in his word. I'm so thankful we worship a God who lets up keep learning.

I Love It When...

My brother posted a list on his blog and I thought it was such a good idea, that I'd copy him. After all, imitation is the best form of flattery. I know I've been absent (as if I had thousands of loyal readers following me...), but I'm back now. It's been a difficult few months as we continue to adjust to me being home and the restrictions that come with it. However, it's still worth it. Enough of that melencholy, here's my list:
I love it when...

• my kids sit together without arguing.
• my husband surprises me with his generosity for my students.
• I get to hang out with my Mom just for fun.
• when I get to REALLY use my brain.
• I have fabulous conversations with friends that leave me with more questions than I started with.
• my students call me "Mom" or "Auntie Joy."
• Colin cuddles with me in the morning.
• Kris thinks I'm hot and we've been together for like, ever!
• we have family dinners with my brother and his family and my mom.
• Kris and I get to hang out at home without our kids.
• my kids grasp a really abstract concept.
• I hear Stacee singing.
• A.J. takes time to play baseball with his brothers without me asking him to.
• I see Colin reading because he enjoys it.
• Brennan shows me what an amazing kid he actually is by treating people with kindness and generosity. (Shhh, I assured him I wouldn't share that with anyone!)
• I get to spend Tuesday nights with a bunch of kids, just because I love them.
• my kids hug their dad.
• Kris looks at me across the room and I know what he's thinking without him saying anything.
• it's sunny outside and the house is quiet and clean.
• my kids tell me what they learned at church.
• I get to make new friends.
• I get to spend time with my old friends.

I think that's it for now. My battery is running low and the boys are almost out of school. I'll be posting more regularly now. I think I've got lots to share ;-)

And so it begins... again.

Today is the first day of school. Actually, it's a day full of firsts. A.J. started high school, Stacee started junior high (more on this is a moment) and Colin started first grade. Which all culminates into a fantabulous milestone for me:

ALL FOUR KIDS ARE IN SCHOOL ALL DAY!

Yes, that's correct. If I so choose, I can actually be alone in my home with silence from 9 am to 2:30 pm. That's potentially 5 and a half hours of just me. In case you're wondering why this warrants a blog entry, the last time I was alone was in the 90s. I'm sure you can see why I'm so excited.

Not that my days will be empty. Kris and I made the agreement that if I got to quit my job and stay home, I'd have days full of mopping, organizing, cleaning, dusting, etc. But let's face it, my house can only get so clean, right? Truth be told, I'm really looking forward to finishing projects and starting new ones. I like it when dinner's done when Kris walks in the door. It's a very peaceful feeling when I get up in the morning and the kitchen is clean, or when I have time to clean the toilets before the ring is visible. These are things that make me smile. If I get to do them alone and in the quiet, more power to me!

So, A.J. started high school today. He chose zero period which starts at 6:55 am (yes, that was am!), which means he left the house on his bike about 6:20 this morning. Far too early for me, but his body clock is different than mine. I tried to convince him to let me drive him the first day, but he wasn't having it. It's strange for me to think of him in high school. He's the third generation to go through that school. My parents met there, my brother and I went there and now him. Not to mention several aunts, uncles and cousins, as well. I'm glad that he doesn't have any teachers I had, although it really wasn't that long ago that I graduated. Sometimes it seems like I'm still about 19 in my head, but then I look up to A.J. (literally - he's 6"2' now) and realize that I am actually old enough (but barely!!!) to have a high schooler. It makes me teary to know that there's only a few more years he'll be living here under our roof. Such a limited amount of time to speak truth into his life and teach him all the things he needs to know before he's an adult. He's such an incredible young man, and it's only because he's such a good boy that Kris and I even have the ability to still impact his life. For so many parents that ship has already sailed. How fortunate we are with this gift.

And Stacee started junior high. This has been the hardest thing for me about school starting this year. As far as her maturity level goes, she was so, so, so ready to move from elementary school to junior high. The concern lies in two areas: 1) Only 2 other kids that she knows from 6th grade are attending her school, and 2) She really has no time for drama, gossip and pettiness. I don't know where she got that, but it's truly a zero-tolerance personal policy with her. This is what makes me worry the most. She's perfectly capable of making friends and meeting new people. New situations tend to make her nervous, but she's able to talk herself through it. She's a fun, straight-forward young woman who knows right from wrong and isn't afraid to choose the right thing, even if she's the only one. I'm just afraid she's the only one, which will make junior high an incredibly lonely place. In a culture where your "tribe" counts for everything, I worry that she won't be able to find her own. It's such a precarious balance to strike between being yourself and finding approval for it.

School starting also means the beginning of all the activities that accompany it. This means that I'll spend way too much time driving/carpooling/picking-up/dropping-off than I want to. A.J., Stacee and Brennan will all be taking dance classes again, and participating in our church's Christmas production, "An Evening In December." A.J. will attend youth group once a week, as will Stacee and I. Brennan will want to, but he's not old enough and Colin is still perfectly happy at home. I wonder if he'll ever grow out of that. For the sake of my gas budget, I hope not.