Hand Me Downs and Yard Sale Finds

I am so thrilled and blessed that we don't have to spend a bundle for kids clothes once the weather is starting to get cooler.  The Lord has tremendously blessed us with hand me downs and great bargains at yard sales. 

There are a few people that continually bless us with kids clothes that they no longer need, this is one way that the Lord has provided to our family.  I have also been amazed at the prices I find on kids clothes at yard sales, I mean like nice, looks like it has never been worn, church kinda clothes.  Like this past weekend I bought a few church outfits for Little Bits, they were dress shirts, dress pants, a sweater vest and 2 cozy pairs of pj's (17 items total) and I paid $10 for the whole bag.  I was very excited to say the least.  I had them babies washed and ready to go as soon as we got home, he even wore one of the outfits the next day to church. 

It is not only a blessing to get but it is a blessing to give.  I am thankful that we have been able to bless others.  I pretty much have a designated home for most of the clothes that the kids out grow.  Whatever these families can't use, we give to our church's Great Clothing Giveaway, which is actually coming up and part of my motivation to go through all our clothing bins.  Well that and the freezing cold weather we've been having : )

While I will admit that it is so tiresome to go through all our clothes bins in the fall and again in the spring, I am very thankful that we don't have to go buy all new stuff.  i am thinking that buying all new stuff for 4 kids would probably cost lots.

This year I am wising up though, I am pulling out the fall/ winter stuff that we need now and while I am at it I am also getting all the spring/ summer ready for next year.  I am going to just stick the bins on the top shelf of their closets.  Please don't ask me why I haven't been doing this all along, it really was one of those Duhh! moments. 

Have you switched out your clothes yet?  Any helpful hints to make the clothing switch out easier?

MathTacular Winner!

Thanks to everyone that entered! 

The winner is..

Gretta said...                         17
I would like the MathTacular 4 DVD because word problems seem to often to be an issue for kids and this might help simplify them some.

Links I Love...Fall Decor

If you have not been on Pinterest yet, may I ask what in the world you are waiting for??  I am not on there all the time but always find amazing stuff when I am.

Today I have been on the couch way more hours than I care to count.  Not because I am being lazy but I am sick and feel miserable.  So while my kids entertain themselves and pull out almost every toy we own in the process, I decided to do some mindless searching on the internet. 

I am helping to decorate for our homeschool support group's Fall Dinner this week.  I had a few ideas but decided to check out Pinterest for some more.  Here are some of my favorite fall decor links that I found. 

Like this gorgeous pumpkin topiary!!  I LOVE LOVE LOVE it!!!  Yvonne at Stone Gable has a simple tutorial to make them.  She actually has lots of great ideas and the RECIPES, oh how they make my mouth water. 

I have done cranberries & water in mason jars before for the Fall/Winter season but I really like the added greenery. Simple yet very elegant.

This is too Cuuute!  You can find them on Etsy bit I think I am going to make some of my own for the Fall Dinner.  I think these would make a great center piece.

I found this over at The Heart of a Home.  Let me just say that whoever this center piece really belongs to should count themselves lucky that I don't know where they live.  I would be the lady knockin' on the door saying, "Hi, excuse me, can I buy that!" (people in real life will get this)

I haven't pulled out my fall decor yet, I am still trying to get thru switching clothes.  But I have found lots of great ideas for when I do!

Have you heard what The Old Schoolhouse Magazine is up to??

The Old Schoolhouse Magazine has some very exciting changes in the works.  Click here to learn all about them!

Completely Done

By Jonathan Baird, Ryan Baird, and Rich Gunderlock

What reason have I to doubt
Why would I dwell in fear
When all I have known is grace
My future in Christ is clear

My sins have been paid in full
There’s no condemnation here
I live in the good of this
My Father has brought me near
I’m leaving my fears behind me now

Chorus
The old is gone, the new has come
What You complete is completely done
We’re heirs with Christ, the victory won
What You complete is completely done

I don’t know what lies ahead
What if I fail again
You are my confidence
You’ll keep me to the end
I’m leaving my fears behind me now

 
I love this song ( I know I say that A LOT : )  The old is gone and the new is come, that is the life of a Christian...
 
2 Corinthians 5:17

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

You can listen to Completely Done here.