What do you do when both parents want to get up early and have "me-time?" You tag-team it! Damm got up at 4:30. This is also so he can get used to his basic training wake up time which will be at 2:30 our time. He figured 4:30 was close enough. I got up at 5:30, he went back to bed, and everyone's happy.
So I was perusing through my blogs and noticed a recurring theme. All the moms would recommend products that they thought were cool but that they just couldn't see splurging on for themselves. This made me sit back and evaluate.
I have no problems splurging on myself. I try really hard not to wince when Damm splurges on himself (he usually asks me after we've purchased something expensive or I've looked at our account balance and been horrified by how much we spent on sodas that week. And yes, when I'm not pregnant I'm in charge of finances-I'm better at keeping track of the day-to-day stuff). I have no qualms about spending money on the Orclette. My list of stuff to buy for little one #2 is growing.
So am I abnormal? I think it's very important for moms to spend money on themselves. Not blow out the bank, of course, but when mama ain't happy ain't nobody happy (my mom's FAVORITE saying) and who is happy when they've denied themselves the pleasure of buying something just for themselves? And of course you need to rotate the buying. Dads need cool stuff too. (I'm not mentioning the little kiddos again-I think it's a given that they'll get stuff bought for them.)
And sort of on the same topic: did you know there's a whole line of products just for your little girl's baby doll? Orclette saw them and squealed, pointed, and said her name (which means she wants it). I got her the cute little diapers since they cost almost nothing. I did buy some clothes that I thought would fit but in fact are WAY too small. Maybe I need to go back and buy her a matching doll (or just return it:). I think we'll also get the little stroller since Orclette loves pushing her "baby," her "bear," and her "babbitt" around. (My kids are going to be so spoiled.)
Sort of on the same topic ..... so I was reading the Bible one day, and I noticed that when Jesus was speaking about the poor he didn't qualify. He said you needed to help them-no matter what they look like or what they might spend the money on. I never used to give out money to beggars/homeless people. What if they go out and spend it on alcohol? or drugs? you've just enabled them. But that passage really struck me. If you speak "churchese" you'll understand what I mean when I say convicted. So we withdraw a certain amount each month and give it out. And I want my kiddos to also understand the importance of helping others. So we'll be participating in those Christmas shoebox thingies the churches always seem to do. Once Damm has a steady income we'll be sponsoring a child, most likely from Africa. And, once they're old enough, we'll volunteer at homeless shelters and the like.
I don't recount this to toot our horn. I actually don't think it's enough. But we've been going through European church history in class lately-that big debate between Luther and the Catholic Church. Luther stressed faith only, but if you're a believer good works should automatically follow. Pretty much exactly what James (author of a book in the Bible) said. And in English class we've been reading about the plight of black people in the South, which, although better, is apparently still not all sweet roses. And we've moved on to the Native Americans .....
Anyway, I've been feeling like a loud, over-privileged, too-rich and too-white American. Now don't get me wrong-I wouldn't trade my upbringing. I wouldn't change or give away the nice officer's salary that Damm's gonna make. I don't want to live outside the U.S. But I do think that we could do more as individuals (not government-mandated or anything) to help those not as fortunate.
So, that's my soapbox this morning.
So I was perusing through my blogs and noticed a recurring theme. All the moms would recommend products that they thought were cool but that they just couldn't see splurging on for themselves. This made me sit back and evaluate.
I have no problems splurging on myself. I try really hard not to wince when Damm splurges on himself (he usually asks me after we've purchased something expensive or I've looked at our account balance and been horrified by how much we spent on sodas that week. And yes, when I'm not pregnant I'm in charge of finances-I'm better at keeping track of the day-to-day stuff). I have no qualms about spending money on the Orclette. My list of stuff to buy for little one #2 is growing.
So am I abnormal? I think it's very important for moms to spend money on themselves. Not blow out the bank, of course, but when mama ain't happy ain't nobody happy (my mom's FAVORITE saying) and who is happy when they've denied themselves the pleasure of buying something just for themselves? And of course you need to rotate the buying. Dads need cool stuff too. (I'm not mentioning the little kiddos again-I think it's a given that they'll get stuff bought for them.)
And sort of on the same topic: did you know there's a whole line of products just for your little girl's baby doll? Orclette saw them and squealed, pointed, and said her name (which means she wants it). I got her the cute little diapers since they cost almost nothing. I did buy some clothes that I thought would fit but in fact are WAY too small. Maybe I need to go back and buy her a matching doll (or just return it:). I think we'll also get the little stroller since Orclette loves pushing her "baby," her "bear," and her "babbitt" around. (My kids are going to be so spoiled.)
Sort of on the same topic ..... so I was reading the Bible one day, and I noticed that when Jesus was speaking about the poor he didn't qualify. He said you needed to help them-no matter what they look like or what they might spend the money on. I never used to give out money to beggars/homeless people. What if they go out and spend it on alcohol? or drugs? you've just enabled them. But that passage really struck me. If you speak "churchese" you'll understand what I mean when I say convicted. So we withdraw a certain amount each month and give it out. And I want my kiddos to also understand the importance of helping others. So we'll be participating in those Christmas shoebox thingies the churches always seem to do. Once Damm has a steady income we'll be sponsoring a child, most likely from Africa. And, once they're old enough, we'll volunteer at homeless shelters and the like.
I don't recount this to toot our horn. I actually don't think it's enough. But we've been going through European church history in class lately-that big debate between Luther and the Catholic Church. Luther stressed faith only, but if you're a believer good works should automatically follow. Pretty much exactly what James (author of a book in the Bible) said. And in English class we've been reading about the plight of black people in the South, which, although better, is apparently still not all sweet roses. And we've moved on to the Native Americans .....
Anyway, I've been feeling like a loud, over-privileged, too-rich and too-white American. Now don't get me wrong-I wouldn't trade my upbringing. I wouldn't change or give away the nice officer's salary that Damm's gonna make. I don't want to live outside the U.S. But I do think that we could do more as individuals (not government-mandated or anything) to help those not as fortunate.
So, that's my soapbox this morning.
Comments
Great post.