This pic was taken at the beginning on the month while we were at the mall spending all of our Christmas gift-cards!
I love January. It always feels like a fresh start. And even though we don’t really do resolutions at our house, there’s still a clean slate. A new beginning!
But this month has also been one of change for us. I resigned from my job a few weeks ago, and we started actively looking for a house in another area of Jacksonville (Riverside.) We’ve been casually searching since November but haven’t found the right place yet. So we’re in that weird phase where we don’t know if we should put our house on the market (homes in our neighborhood are moving pretty fast right now!) when there don’t seem to be a lot of great options where we want to move. Oh, and there’s Kingston’s school and our church that are both in our current neighborhood. Do we move? Do we stay? AHHH!! We’re in limbo for now!
But… in anticipation of selling our house, I started purging the place this month. Like, “Watch out, because Mom’s throwing everything out!” purging. We’re hoping to find a smaller house – in the hood, and if that’s going to work, we have to get rid of a lot of stuff! Last weekend Anderson and I were talking about how that probably sounds crazy to most people, and I get it. But we live with so much more than we need. So much excess, and I’m tired of it. Our home isn’t big, but it’s more than we need! We have a bedroom that is unused unless family or friends are in town. Why?! Plus another bedroom that is used as a drum room. I won’t meddle in that too much though, because I might get myself kicked out along with all the other junk we’re throwing out. 🙂 The more we’ve talked and prayed about it, the more our hearts continue to be stirred towards finding a small place in an area that isn’t quite as nice as the one we’re in now. We want to spend less, so we can give more. And this is the perfect time to get rid of all the extra stuff we’ve been holding onto without even realizing it. Want an example? We have enough bath towels for a family of 25. It’s the strangest thing. There are three people living in our home, and we have at least 50 bath towels. What the heck? Did I register for every towel at Target when we got married? And crystal bowls. Apparently I thought we needed every crystal bowl, vase, and dish that Dillard’s carried in the wedding registry department. (I think I’ll blame my Grandma for that one!) But we aren’t even “crystal around the house” kind of people. It’s ridiculous! I’m just starting to notice little (and big!) things like this all over our house. So our garage is becoming temporary housing for the excess as I sort in into give away, yard sale, and dumpster piles. Do you remember that show on TLC called Clean Sweep? Yeah. I could use them right about now. So if this moving thing works out, great! But if not, we’ll at least have a much less cluttered house!
January has been a wild start to what I know is going to be a good year. Crazy. But good.
I’ll keep you posted!
PS – I forgot to mention what this post title is about. A few years ago I did a little photo project (not my original idea) called 3 People 12 Times. I just took a picture of all 3 of us each month, and it was so fun to look back at all 12 pics at the end of the year! It’s hard for me to remember/make the effort to get pictures of the whole family. And I’m guessing it’s not any easier for those of you with more than one kiddo! This project is a good reminder though, and unlike so many other photo projects out there, this one doesn’t overwhelm me! So I’m doing it again this year, and I think you should join in. 🙂 We can do one picture a month, right?!?
Love everything in this post. It's hard, too, because I'm a packrat. You're inspiring me!
My husband and I talk about this all the time – we have so much more than we need! And every time I find something in the kiddos' closet with a tag on it, I want to shake myself for adding to the clutter. Purging sessions are good for the soul. 🙂 Good luck on all your decision making!
I'm going to need to know when this yard sale happens 🙂 Good luck purging, it feels nice when you're done!
Me too. We're collectors of wonderful treasures though, not pack-rats. No, really… 🙂
Thanks Cate! Glad I'm not the only one!!!
Oh, I'll definitely let you know!!
I LOVE the idea of 3 people 12 times! It’s always so nice to look back and see how your family changes over the year. Also, I’m with you on the purging thing… If it were up to me, I’d throw everything out and live only with the essentials.
Hey Teresa! That new baby is gorgeous. 🙂 Hope you are feeling well.
Hi Lyndsay! I emailed you last week, but my family and I are moving to your city & I just love your little blog here 🙂 Would love to connect as a fellow photographer, mama, & Jesus lover 🙂
Hey Sally! So sorry it took me forever to write you back, but I did. :))
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