Giving

Our local Children's Resource Center asked for donations to help people who lost everything in the tornado's last week. Apparently there is a partnering resource center in that county and they have created a 'free baby-sitting' type place where parents can bring their kids while they work and clean up their home devastation. They specifically asked for a few things that we had. We talked to Amy about giving to other kids who don't have anything and then showed her some pictures of wrecked houses online.

She was so sweet and kept saying, "You can give this mom, it's ok. I don't want those kids to cry." I think she would've given away everything she has. What a big heart she has! Unfortunately her mom is a little more "stuff oriented" (something I'm really trying to work on).

One thing they asked for, and she rarely uses anymore, is the play kitchen. I hated to get rid of it... but I'd rather teach her in the 'real' kitchen anyway. And it was given to us... so we can just pay it forward

They asked for some DVD players and we happen to have 2 extra ones (one of which we do use sometimes). Amy went to get it and I said, "Amy, I think we should probably keep that one." She replied with, "Mom, those kids are crying because they can't watch any movies! It's ok, we'll keep daddy's xbox." (which is what we mostly watch movies on) Wow! That taught me a lesson! So we unplugged the DVD player and got it ready to go. We also looked thorough our DVD book and got out some discs that she never watches. I probably would have gotten rid of more, but with Will coming up right behind her, I was a little more reluctant. Which probably was the wrong attitude, we've been so blessed and I know we'll be able to 'get' anything we need in the future. But I did pretty good... and now that I'm in the spirit of it, I'll probably clean out a few more things.

.So anyways, I guess I'm the one learning a few lessons myself. I seem to be the only "keeper of things" in the family. And that's something I'm definitely working on! BUT in defense of myself... I have gotten rid of a TON since moving here! I mean truckloads full. So I'm getting better! But I still have a LOT more to learn!