End of THE FIRST month

At the end month 1, at the risk of sounding pretty shallow, a few things can be noted:

1. I frequently see things I want to buy.

It was hard for me to walk past this magazine cover at the Walmart:

I am a big fan of the Bachelor. Hubby convinced me to watch Ben's season right after we had Little Lou and I got hooked. I look forward to it for months! Listen people, I am not convinced that anyone is finding true love here;  but I love seeing what everyone wears, the places they travel, and of course observing all the hilarity that unfolds. Some wives I know don't like their hubbys to watch it on account of the scantily clad ladies but I like Mike to tune in alongside me so he sees how MUCH drama a woman can bring to the table--  makes me look totally normal!

Since we don't have cable (we just use Netflix and watch our fav network shows online), I now wait a week to watch it on ABC.COM instead of buying it the next day on i-tunes. Oh the horror! Yes, a true test in patience.

My favorite comfy clothes are Life is Good and they ran a special on Zulily last week- there were some great deals. And how fun is this beach towel?!

For Christmas, Sister gave me a $30 gift-card to Ulta, in order to use this coupon I needed to spend $40--- cheating! Hate to pass up a good deal.

Gap had their MLK sale- loved these great Winter-Spring transition pieces all 40% off! (I know there is NO sign of 'transition' in this Iowa winter that is mimicking the arctic tundra--- but a gal can hope)

2. I still do not feel grateful for all the things I do have.

I spend moments of my day feeling content with my life. It's more than contentment at times, it's even awe. But the flashes of discontentment that surge through my day are what I'm seeking freedom from. So thus this journey is more about contentment than it is about 'not spending.'

To clarify, those flashes come when I put on my make-up, I wish I had more of it or different kinds. When I get dressed, I am thinking about how a warmer sweater would just make this day so much better. When I leave the house sans kiddos, I am thinking I deserve a latte for all the poopy diapers I have changed that morning (my littles are both in diapers and have had a stomach bug for a few weeks- so I change 4-6 dirties BEFORE NOON, Lord have mercy!)

3. Something needs to change.

I do not want to be a materialistic person. Yes, I love and think about my children, the hubs, my faith, world issues, how to love my friends, cooking, health, etc throughout the day. It is not like ALL I think about all day is stuff but I am definitely 100% bought into our American consume, consume, CONSUME mindset.

And I'm starting to be NOT okay with it but to be honest, I'm not quite sure what changing that looks like. I thought that by abstaining from spending I'd start to feel free but it seems like there's more to it than that. Anyone who has tips or things to share, please join the conversation!

Thanks for stopping in! I'll continue to let you know how things go...