One of the best things about moving to Orlando is that winter will be a thing of the past. NO complaints from me on that one! Winter and I have never been friends and after two years of Malaysian blood-thinning, I like cold even less. As spring finally arrived and the days warmed up I was able to breath a sigh of relief that winter was out of my life. So you can imagine my surprise when we were driving back to the apartment where we are staying to see this...
Snow. In May. I said to Jason as we pulled in last night, "You have GOT to be kidding me!" And Alaina, being herself, said, "Mommy, why does dad have to be kidding you. It really is snowing!" Aaahhhh...kids.
Leaving the cold and snow aside, Colorado Springs is still a gorgeous place. As promised yesterday, this is the view out our window...
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So, yesterday was good. A bit of culture shock. We have been living in a tiny town of 3000 people for the last ten months. Before that, we lived in Asia. City life is not something I am used to...at least not American cities. EVERYWHERE you go there is a store or restaurant. America at its finest. I'm not saying it is good, or bad, just really different. And something I will have to get used to. Although we choose to live a simple life I am aware of my own struggles with materialism. And the more you are around it, the more it creeps in unnoticed. When you are around the stuff and people who have lots of things, the whole line between NEEDS and WANTS can get blurry. I have grown a lot in this area and I am a little scared that I will go backwards once faced with having all the stuff available. I guess it is easy to realize things aren't needed when you aren't around them. But as I drove to Target yesterday...10 minutes instead of over an hour...I realized that I am having to be careful. And to pray for strength and guidance as I raise my kids to be thankful for God's blessings in life without looking for peace and happiness in material things. I have no problem surrounding myself with nice things, with beautiful things, but I don't want to fall prey to the thought that THINGS could ever bring happiness. I also want to set an example to my kids of self-control. Just because we see something in a store that we like, or would even use, it doesn't mean that we NEED it. Our kids have done really well with learning that. They don't ask for things at the store (and in return I usually let them pick out one small treat). If they do ask for something (a toy, etc.) we say no. Then they put it back. No tantrums. No fighting. It makes it so much more fun when I decided that they can get something. They are so surprised and it is a real treat.
Anyway, I am totally rambling (coffee not fully ingested yet). All this to say that although we are really excited to live in a city again, with so many things to do and places to go, I am just a little scared of myself and my selfish and worldly tendencies. AND, I have learned that a clean and uncluttered house brings me a LOT of peace, so I need to keep it simple. Hard to do with so much stuff around you. Make sense?
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Back to yesterday -- good, laid back day. Jason took the kids to the library and they all went to story time and we checked out books and DVD's (our library card from three years ago still works!) Then we came home, had lunch and naps, and then just hung out together. Then out to Wal-Mart and some dinner, then home, baths, and playtime. Then I got to scrap (yea!) and work on stuff for the sale this weekend. Good day. Good to be together.
A few pictures and LO's...
Alaina drawing in the car. She is getting good...I can actually tell what it is she is drawing. This (according to her) is her dad and her in a garden. So sweet.
This is what I woke up next to yesterday morning (and something quite similar this morning). I guess he is not doing well sleeping in a new place because sometime in the middle of the night Jason has to go get a crying little Levi. Doesn't help that he is teething.
There is no TV at the apartment, but Caleb happily enjoys watching Diego at the computer after the other kids have gone to bed (he had a three hour nap).
SP's WILD LOVE kit
Dani Mogstad's ROCK STAR kit @ Sweet Shoppe Designs
Both of these are using new templates that will be in my shop tomorrow! Along with a big sale. Yea...so fun! Can't wait to show you what my CT has been up to. Really talented ladies!
Snow?!? Yuck!! But...you can't beat that incredible view! Colorado was seriously one of my favorite vacations...besides getting sick from the high altitude on top of Pikes Peak! LOL!!
Your new pages are GORGEOUS!! I can't wait to see what all hits the store tomorrow! I just posted a layout today using one of your sketches & Jessica Bolton's new kit. Looks pretty cute if I say so myself! LOL!
I am glad you all are enjoying some down time as a family!
Posted by: KellieP | May 24, 2007 at 10:18 PM
Wow - your thoughts about materialism and concerns about getting caught up in all of it mimic mine a lot. This is one of my biggest struggles. But I'm in constant prayer about it!
Gosh, snow, wow. I live in FL and, let me just tell you, you're gonna love it here! :)
Posted by: Kresta | May 25, 2007 at 12:57 AM
OK - did you just step into my body again!!! I agree whole-heartedly about the material thing and simplicity of life (partly b/c I am dutch and have a HARD time spending money - LOL). We go to Target like MAYBE once a month - and the kids get new toys for birthday's and christmas - poor things. No really - I don't think it is poor kids whatsoever. They are so blessed really. Keep your mind focused and it will not be too hard!
Great new LO's/templates! Keep enjoying that vacation.
Posted by: MandaKay | May 25, 2007 at 09:06 AM