It is just as much fun when I can give to a family member and be there to see their response and capture their smile in my heart. Such will be the case very soon. It is Jeremiah's first birthday on March 21st. And his momma is over 5 months pregnant with his brother. Alisha works a total of 3 roles at two restaurants. She needs clothes that fit or expand with her for work attire. Some of the black shirts esp are new, in sizes for now, and when she is almost due in July. And since both Chili's and Applebees require black shirts??? I made sure to get her some pink, green and blue for her down times.
For my Little Dude? A used Blues Clues backpack full of $. 25 books :-)
Today, I had a few down hours in Ballwin, MO (St. Louis) and I used my time to go catch up at the laundry mat. Next door? A St. Vincent De Paul's thrift store. Not only did I get Jeremiah Tommy Hilfiger, Blues Clues, and OshKoshBGosh for $1 each piece? The funds go to a great cause. So I am helping even as I am blessing Alisha's young family! 3 pairs of maternity jeans for $3 each! And a rolling suitcase for Jan with palm trees on it for $3. It has all of its zippers and will be super easy to spot on the luggage conveyor belt at baggage claim!
This added 30 minutes to my laundry duties, as I went and freshened up the new stuff as well.
I am exercising EXTREME RESTRAINT though to STOP buying clothes, books, and gifts. I HAVE TO CARRY IT AS LUGGAGE!!! Hello! Nana!!! Wake up!! lol.
Jeremiah busted his lip today. It bled. He did not even cry but it shook up his mommy. LOL,,, give her a few more months. Between 2 sons? She will get over her nervousness pretty quick and adopt some sort of "If you ain't dying, I don't want to hear about it" routine. Big grin!
Along the lines of not being able to outgive God, He also makes provision for me when I get "me" out of His way and let him bless me. This trip was in danger of being too expensive. The flight is 2-3 times what it was in October. To even it out, I secured truly luxurious hotel accommodations for super cheap. After a few days of wondering if this was the right time to make this trip? I took the leap of faith last night and paid for flight and hotel.
Alisha made a comment in passing the other night when she said that Jeremiah is now big enough to hug her back. I suppose that was the exact moment I KNEW that this trip to Colorado needed to happen in the here and the now.
If anyone wants to help me out? They can zap me with electricity when I try to shop for them before I arrive in their town. Or hold my wallet. As it is, it's at least $25 for one checked baggage per flight. And as it is still obviously Winter in southern Colorado?? I think I need a little bit of layers and clothes for me too. Big grin!
Please bear with me. It takes me sooo long to make a decision. So much back and forth. Once I declare it? I am on it like a pitbull on a ham bone.
Meanwhile, it is my joy and fun to continue to give and bless all of whom God lays on my heart. It is a beautiful life. I choose to share it and all the bounty thereof. I can not take anything in a UHaul behind my hearse, so I choose to lift another's spirits while I am yet living.
My gift, my privilege,
Jan M. Olsen
~J~
