I have one main resolution for 2011: simplicity. For about two years now, Andrew and I have been on a quest to find simplicity in our lives. We may only be in our 30's, but we already feel the need to just slow down and breathe. I don't mean this in a "let's get lazy" way, rather to find a way to embrace the amazing life that God has given us. We have been purging through our belongings and giving away and/or selling all our excess. Originally, I was getting rid of 5 things a day until our home only contained things we either loved or used daily. I try to take the following approach: I look at an object and say "would I buy this again?" If the answer is no, it has to go away.
Don't worry, I haven't sold Ella on ebay...yet. I kid...although she has been rather naughty lately. But I guess that is what happens when you stay up until 10pm singing "OH Christmas tree" to your Belle doll and still wake up at your usual 7am.
Speaking of simplicity, isn't this little girl just stunning? No flashy clothes or hats or big bows...just Audrey all swaddled up in a blanket. She had just woken up and Andrew was holding her and looking at the newly fallen snow out the window.
So in the coming months, we are going to brave this terrible economy and try to tell our house. We are going to try and move within a 15-10 minute radius of Andrew's work. No more one hour commute for him...hopefully. After all this purging of our things, we have decided to DOWNSIZE to a much smaller home. I know that sounds crazy since our family has grown from one child to three this past year. But, since we began on this journey a couple years ago, we have realized we don't need all this space or yard. We spend too much time keeping it clean and doing yard work...and I'm just talking basic yard work and cleaning. We know exactly how many rooms we need and exactly how it needs to be laid out. We have the backyard for our next home all figured out in our heads. It is all centered around simplicity and having more time together as a family. Instead of Andrew being gone from 6:30am-6:30pm 5 days a week, he could leave at 7:15 and be home at 5:20. Daddy being gone 12 hours a day is hard on this mama...and equally hard on him as well.
So that is our one simple resolution this year. If last year taught us anything, it was to embrace these three special gifts God has given us. And maybe I'll lose that baby weight...
just let me finish this chocolate doughnut first...
13 comments:
I am still hoping you will do a photography post!!! Especially after seeing those delicious shots!
Way to go on simplifying and downsizing!!! I am so proud of y'all. We are trying to do the same thing. I just finished a wonderful read on that very subject: Organized Simplicity. Perhaps purchasing and reading another book doesn't sound simplifying, but Tsh Oxenreider put things so clearly and that was very helpful for me.
Your babies are all three BEAUTIFUL! I am so happy for y'all!
She has gotten so big.
The photos are stunning. You're an amazing photographer!
de-cluttering is TOPS on our list for 2011 too. tired of being possessed by my possessions! i read somewhere to pretending like you were moving to europe and only the things you would haul over the ocean are the things you really need. and your babes are GORGEOUS! (p.s. since i wrote that about layla, she hasnt gone longer than 6 hours.)
Good luck. I totally understand the need for simplicity.
Very well said! I am so tired of the "things." I feel like I am constantly picking up toys that both kiddos play with for only a few minutes and then toss aside for empty oatmeal boxes, etc. or constantly asking Annabelle to pick up these same toys. I feel like if we didn't have so many "things" we could enjoy each and every moment that much more. Now if only I could figure out how to get others to buy less for my children, we'd be golden!
Beautiful pictures (as always)!
beautiful pictures and babies! and simplicity is also my goal since we are moving from a 3 bedroom house to sharing one bedroom! I am glad to have to though, because I am slowly learning what we really need in life.
LOVE THE PICTURES! i can't believe how big she's gotten! she's beautiful :)
love the idea of getting rid of 5 things a day...i am definitely going to have implement that, seeing as i collect at least 5 things a day - ha!
praying for y'all as you go about simplifying your lives and investing in your family - what an amazing 2011 it will be!
Beautiful post! In fact I did a similar one and linked to you. I just love it. We have the same goal for the year...we talked at length about it last night. We desire contentment above all. Thanks for writing it!
What a gorgeous picture. :) We are int he same mode - especially since we've been trapped in the house all week. We now have no room in our garage for one of the cars (we used to park both in there) because of all the "stuff" we have pulled out of the rooms and tossed into the garage to ready them for consignment sales. Feels GOOD.
I can't WAIT until you get closer. Playdates galore. :)
What a beautiful girl! Good Luck with your house. You can do it!!!! Just think you only need 1 buyer. My little tip is to list the top 10 things you LOVE about your house on the fridge. It worked for us and for a friend that I mentioned it to as well. That would be a MAJOR quality of life change for your family. Hoping you can make it happen in 2011.
LOVE This!!! She's beautiful.
Hi Sarah! So nice to "meet" you =)
Have you read "Simple Abundance"? I am reading it now and LOVING IT. If you are saying to yourself now "how in the world does this girl think I have time to read?? She has twins, she should know!" well I DO know but the thing is it's only a day reading -like a devotional, so it just takes a minute! =)
I too feel SO called to downsize. I had no idea what a hoarder I was until I really starting thinking about getting rid of stuff and realized I hang on to WAY TOO much. And seriously, pants from High School are NOT going back on this body. Let's just call a spade a spade.
Having twins is enough chaos (fun chaos!) in itself, I gotta do what I can to keep the rest of our lives in order.
Looking forward to keeping up with you! =)
Be sure to never get rid of the miracles! What an amazing journey you have had this year! On to the next journey---
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