That’s just what God offers us.  A new start.  New mercy.  New grace.  New freedom.  A new man. A new heart. Whatever has happened.  Or passed.  Or you’ve done.  Doesn’t matter - it’s all new.  Isn’t that amazing?!

This post will be somewhat random.  And long.  That’s your fair warning.

I was reading this post today, and I have to say, I’m shocked, for two reasons.

First of all, I don’t shop. Not because I don’t want to. I just can’t. I can’t believe that people actually have to decide to NOT shop. Who has money to shop whenever the mood strikes? I actually NEED to do some shopping for various things (clothing, household, homeschooling), but the funds are tight. And they’ve always been. I even swallow hard when our accountant suggests jotting in a clothing expense line in our budget. You mean, that’s an actual valid line??? I break out in a sweat and start having heart palpitations just thinking about it! I didn’t know you could validate regular, frequent clothes-shopping so easily! However, we usually end up needing that money for other things. Which is fine. Because we’re all dressed. So apparently, we don’t “need” anything. I digress.

But for me, the most shocking was that people would seriously be so completely ignorant and arrogant to accuse Chris or Rachel of ab-using their children by NOT shopping. GIVE ME A FRIGGIN’ BREAK!!!! Call S*cial S*rvices! The Mothers have eliminated Stuff-Buying! Horror of horrors! The trauma! The therapy! I have three words….GET A LIFE! I would suggest to those that are “struggling” with a decision that is so far-removed from being their business  completely not going to change their own lives one iota, that you need to examine how you are damaging your own children by indulging them too much.  Gosh, I struggle with feeling guilty for getting my kids a “treat” (often just a lollipop or a box of special crackers to share) EVERY time I grocery shop.  Like I’m over-indulging them by allowing them to expect a treat each shopping trip.  I had no idea I was actually ab-using them by not buying them bigger, better and more frequent offerings.  Well, at least I can stand with my head held high on the platform of the accused when in such wonderful company as Chris and Rachel.  I will never know who, but someone has called C*ild P*otection D*partment of S*cial S*rvices (I’m being cryptic to protect myself - I doubt S-S reads my blog, but who knows what they might google?) for offenses of having a six-year-old in a pull-up at night, not having same six-year-old reading fluently, and leaving my toddlers to finish a nap in their carseat after a trip to town.  Out in the country.  Where people who have been given clear directions still can’t find our house.  Parked two feet away from my front door.  *ahem*  Sorry, tangent.  Clearly I am on a level-playing field with the equal deviance of Chris’ and Rachel’s decision to not shop.  Though not perfect, we are moms who have attempted to give our best days devoted to the children we adore.  I haven’t personally read Rachel’s blog (though I now intend to!), but I follow Chris faithfully at Notes from the Trenches.  I love her humour (that’s not a typo - I’m Canadian.), enjoy her insights, and appreciate her personality.  I have much to learn from her I’m sure, and I admire her for saying enough spending.  I’m going to go out on a limb here and suggest that based on this latest accusation, as well as others I’ve seen thrown towards her, that there are some petty, jealous women out there.  You are threatened by Chris, and the many positive things she represents, and that you are either unable or more likely unwilling to give to your families the way she has.  She is talented, BEAUTIFUL, and you can’t stand it.  Get over yourself, and grow up.  I don’t normally stick my nose in stuff like this, but this is too much.  Poor Chris has enough trouble remembering her youngest son’s birthday….I joke!  It’s one of those “had to be there” moments.  Let me just say there was a pretty nervy, yet cowardly commentor.

Ok, now, with that out of the way.  I’m 31.  Yeah.  My birthday was on Saturday.  I thought I might be getting the flu, as the boys all had it.  But I was able to ward it off.  Greg gave me a great day.  It started with getting up after a bad night with the baby.  She’s just got too much to do right now to sleep, apparently.  But she’s doing it with such JOY.  So it’s hard to be annoyed for long.  Anyway, he loaded the whole gang - dog included - into the van for a 2&1/2 hour “drive”, so I could sleep.  I am an extremely light sleeper, and I wake up when someone rubs their nose down in the basement, so sleeping would not happen if anyone was in the house.  He took them to town for hashbrowns, which made them all sorts of happy, while I settled in.  And sleep I did.  Sometimes when I’m on a time-limit, I get stressed that I won’t sleep, and then I don’t.  But I did.  And it was wonderful!  They returned home with much shushing as the younger ones yelled “We got you a cake!”  I pretended I didn’t know, as they presented me with my glorious chocolate cake, and the most beautiful, off-key rendition of Happy Birthday ever!  They also had a CD of one of my favourite groups.  I received a few phones calls (ironically, not one from my own father and mother, but from my step-mother, who isn’t even legally my step-mother anymore!), more gifts through the day from various people, and then a DATE!!!  My husband arranged for the kids to go to our former neighbour’s home for the evening, and we indulged in Boston Pizza and a movie.  I felt very spoiled and special. 

The best gift however, was something Greg *gave* me.  He had been praying in the morning before I got up, and said he saw a picture of me with a coin collector on my heart - like what city buses have on for putting your fare in.  He said he felt like it meant people have been putting their “two-cents’ worth” in for a long time, and the fare they’ve been depositing has been guilt.  And it was time to lose the money-box.  That rings so true with me.  If you’ve read my “what’s in the name” page, you know that I have often been pulled by the opinion of others.  And that’s something that I have been fighting for freedom from for some time now.  Even the events of the past year with my Dad have found him trying to force me to change my stance through guilt.  It was wonderful to have my husband bless me with such an encouragement, and then to pray this over me.  Wow!  I am truly blessed!

One more thing.  Did I mention we’re in a wedding on Feb. 29th?  Yes, I said “we.”  We knew over a month ago that all of our children that could walk were going to be in the party, but just last week I’ve been asked to assume the title of Matron of Honour.  And I am truly honoured.  Erin (the bride) is a very special young lady who lived with us for some time, and we love her to death!  She has found a really great guy, and we are blessed to witness this, and to be part of making it come about.  I REALLY need to lose a few lbs.  And I get to wear black, which makes me really happy.  The bride will be wearing RED, and Ellie will be dressed to match.  How fun!  And what a memorable anniversary date they’ll have!

So hopefully after a foggy, somewhat overwhelming month or so of not blogging regularly, I’ll be in better form from here on out. 

Blessings!