Just say no

 

You don’t have to buy things.  You can just walk away. Walk away from your online cart or that nonessential item at Walmart or TJ Maxx. Give yourself time to think about. Do you have a real need for it? Do you want it or need it?  Will it wreck your budget?  Is it over the budget you set?  Ask yourself a million questions before spending. Actually, just try to talk yourself out of the purchase.  If you can because it is necessary or just really makes sense AND you have plenty of “extra” money for the purchase then fine. 

I still do this for a thing $10 and over.  Yes just $10. That $10 stacked up on items adds up quickly.  Suddenly you’ve spent $300 in one item, especially if you have a family.  

This process will keep you in check.  And most of all don’t buy things because everyone else is. Buy things because they would make your life better or add worth to yours.  I saw a reel where Rachel Cruze said she has to ask herself “if no one sees what I bought or ever knows I have it would I still buy it”. That is a great question to ask. If you’re not buying it for your own likings then why have it. It will never fulfill you if it’s to impress others. 

And have a place for it. Don’t buy more stuff you have to store away and eventually sell for almost nothing.  Clutter is clutter of the mind and soul and a weight on both.  Depleting clutter frees up everything and gives you space to breath. So don’t buy what you don’t need and you’ll reduce the clutter easy peasy. 

Happy Chuseok 2023

 

Happy Chuseok 2023!  When we decided to adopt from South Korea we knew their heritage would come with them. Or rather it was our job to embrace it as well as them so they could be Korean Americans and be confident in who they are and where they came from. Thankfully we love Korean food, traditions and people.  And yep, we’re blessed to have adopted them and opened doors to the world  and thoughts and understandings we never thought about before.  I have to say I’m a little sad that Korean adoptions are slowly shutting down  not because they kids have homes but because of politics. 

Happy Korean Thanksgiving. For us it was a little untraditional version of bibimbap and tteokbokki!  

Too good not to share

 

This is what going to the doctor with my oldest daughter is like knowing any part of it has to do with a needle.  And then yes, she is that loud screamer you can hear in the other room.  Wow!

How to feed a high school cross country team

 

This feeds about 20 kids. 2 crocks of Alfredo, 1 pan of lasagna and 1 pan of spaghetti along with 3 loaves of Italian bread baked to a light crisp with butter and some dessert.  

Carb load nights the week of a meet are a tradition where they eat and hang out together playing outside games et close and just having fun bonding.  And for us parents we get one on one time as we take our turn hosing them to get to know them. 

As my husband was making the lasagna the night before while I was making that nights dinner he was saying how hectic it was and that’s when it hit me. This is our LAST pasta party night!!!

We are officially done with cross country after this year. The sport we didn’t know we’d have a kid doing until half way through the freshman season as they bullied (lol) her until she tried it. And she liked it. 

Inexpensive room refresh

We went from this light that was too high up to clean when the glass got dusty and too small for the area to 

This. And it literally brightens the room and my face every time I walk through. It’s matte gold and has perfect led lights in it. It’s also a little bigger so it fits the space much better. Installed by us so just the price of a Lowe’s light. 

Sneak peak at Disco Day

 Homecoming week is coming.  My other 3 kiddos were never really into the spirit weeks. Even the cheerleader. The would do some here and there but never all of the days and never planned out. My youngest two. Definitely different.  They’re figuring out what they have and what they can borrow. Neon, disco, characters etc. and the baby girl ended up on court so she had to quickly find someone’s suit to borrow for the newspaper photos. Thankfully she found one that fit well enough and we only had to buy the shoes. So we’re planning on getting the momma a gift card to thank her for letting us borrow and save money.  But Amazon had a great supply of fun disco accessories and on the cheap. Here’s what Jae will have on…with a shirt of course. No violating dress code. Lol

My dearest boys

 

When I get onto you for things like not saying goodnight to me because you’re still a little sour I wouldn’t let you do something you wanted it’s NOT because I am hurt. Don’t get me wrong I love goodnights and hugs but I’ll get over it. I know it’s a passing frustration. But the reason I tell you to do it anyways is so that when you’re in a relationship with your forever love you don’t do that to them.  I want you to get past it and over a small disappointment or disagreement you will have with people you love.  It’s inevitable. Always tell them anyways. Be good men and let the small things go.  Love. Choose love.