Benjamin is in LOVE with the Box Car Children. We just finished the second book, and quite honestly his momma is also in LOVE. Those sweet kids. Their hard work. Their contentment with milk and bread in the midst of Grandfathers riches. The honesty of Benny's "howling"/royal fits. Their life was weird...and Hard. But they lived simply, beautifully, and happily!
I keep coming back to my ideal world(the thought) of minimalism and thankfulness. We're in a smaller space this summer and its been eye opening. I think I like having less...If only I didn't get in the way of myself!
My dear friend Liz was over a few weeks ago, and both our husbands will be finishing distinguished degrees in one year. We were imagining a beautiful "housewives" sitcom where we raised our broods side by side as neighbors and our handsome husbands were established in their professions...And then I piped up:
"I really don't want a lot of things once we start making money... Just a small house and a decent yard. and one large room where we could entertain. and it would be great to have an extra bedroom for guests. and after Joel has worked sooo hard at school, I really want him to have a boat. and oh my goodness...he needs a hobby room or man cave or something. I love him and I love his hobbies, but not in my living room! and wouldn't it be great to have the back yard of the neighborhood and all the kids would come to our house, so I can keep an eye on my own kids! and...and...and...and..."
The more I talked the more my prideful hearts inaccurate assessment was exposed!
Why is it that having little to nothing I feel content more than not...and once I image having more, I want ALL of it.
How do I stay content? God's hand is so obvious when he's providing daily. But there is a foreseeable day when I begin to have more and it will require much more purposeful thinking to remain content with what I have, and reliant on God for my daily bread.
Well now that Ive exposed my ideals and struggles, here is my materialistic evaluation of what we cherish. The things that show our heart and make earthly dwelling not too shabby. What things are essential to you, that you couldn't live without? I would love for you to tell me what it is that makes you tick. If you were little Benny from The Box Car Children, what would be your "teddy with a tail"?
Here are some "essentials" we are glad to have brought with us on our 12 week adventure:
* Vitamix
* Benjamin and Violet's Grandma blanket and Nana Blanket and sound machine
* french press coffee pot
* kids DVD's
* Joels hobby tools
* basic cosmetics and curling iron
* hair cutting tools
* books for me and the kids!from the library, and the tenant of the house we are staying - )
Things we shouldn't have brought:
* so many shoes(guilty mom)
* so many clothes for Violet (she wears the same things over and over anyway!)
* the tub of baking ingredients that I was SURE I would use in my summer baking adventures...seriously, who bakes a lot in the summer?!?!?!
* I wish I could have a smart phone (Iphone without email or facebook)
Things we miss:
*my Starbucks friends (I cut some Starbucks employees hair and they share their coffee beans...and I MISS THEM!)
*my garlic press, my cast iron pan, more counter space to cook, and my oil sucking baster...:)
*the kids bikes and great space to ride them (we have generous friends who are letting us borrow, but no great space to use them!)
*NEIGHBORS - we miss people to play with in "the square", and borrow ingredients from, and last minute park trips and coffee dates across the way...we miss the VILLAGE!
* our camping and fishing stuff
* our bed. our big beautiful king size bed.
* although I'm in love with outdoor dining, breakfasts and some meals inside at a coffee table has created disarray and a loss of structure for B and V. I'll be happy to have a Dining Room Table( and booster!)
* garbage disposal...those things should not be overlooked!
And what I love being without:
* TV
Now that I'm incredibly thankful for all that he has provided this summer, and horribly homesick for past neighbors that have moved I'm going to go wash some dishes...because small spaces don't come with dishwasher ;)
