Holidays!
The Motz house is gearing up for the holiday season again. I feel like it is the first one we have truly had in a couple years due to the move in December of last year. We have our christmas tree up, making out christmas lists, and planning our travels. This will be our first christmas as Kentuckians, and were hoping for a white one! We more than likely will not be here on the actual date but a white holiday break for Ry would be fantastic! I would like to clarify that we are asking for snow not the ice and unbearable cold winds. We will be completely happy with a safe break and travels of course.
As far as christmas shopping, we have been able to stay true to our minimalist lifestyle choice so far. We have controlled our present list for Rylence to things he needs (pajamas, clothes, etc.) and one big item. I have some stocking stuffer items (headphones, drawing utensils) but he is not receiving multiple toys and gadgets on top of his already large collection. Our family has also graciously complied with out requests and kept the gifts to one or two and something useful but that he still wants and would enjoy. I don't know that he will notice much of a difference honestly. The only thing truly changing is the practicality of presents, not the amount. Ry is always a grateful receiver though.
Next weekend the yearly christmas purge will take place. I am hoping that he handles this year graciously even though he has already downsized his collection once this year. Earlier this year we started downsizing the family's belongings to reflect a more minimalist lifestyle. Rylence was mostly gracious about the purge and ended up cutting his toy collection almost in half. By the end of the purge he was treating it like a game, which made us proud. But our yearly tradition is for him to go through his belongings at christmas time and decide which things he would like to give to other children who may not be as blessed as he is or to be getting new ones. I know it seems like a lot to ask of a seven year old, but the lesson of giving something you have to someone less fortunate is a lesson I want to keep even though we don't have an abundance anymore. Plus it helps us to keep control of the amount of stuff we accumulate.
On another note Matthew is facing a dilemma again when it comes to his education. He is unsure of what degree he wants to pursue. He has always been torn between one of the many computer degrees because he doesn't know which side of the profession makes him more passionate or that he would still enjoy after a few years. A few years ago he toured the Nashville auto diesel college and became very passionate about an automotive career. Due to some recent findings regarding the online university he is currently enrolled in, he now is facing that dilemma again. Let me back up. He found out that the university he was attending had some flaws and was not the best place to obtain his degree, especially for the money involved. So we have started looking into the options he has as far as transferring to another college. We found a few near us that have the degree he is in and even one that has an online version. In order for all the work he has already completed to not be a waste we looked into community colleges that would accept the credits and we did find one. While he was on their website he found out they also have a 2 year automotive technician degree. He still really loves the idea of a mechanic's career. This discovery has lead to an unsureness for him. He knows that anything he chooses to do I will support but he is so afraid of making the wrong decision that he has created this big looming cloud that has him anxious and stressed about what to do. I just wish I could help him understand that this decision is no where near a permanent one and that he can easily change gears when needed if he so choses. Matthew is very stubborn of course and believes that he should not be one of those people who change careers later on in life. He says he wants to be one and done but is scared of making the wrong decision. If only I could reveal how unsure of their career choice I would at least 80% of people are.
I will now be returning to my shopping lists so that I can have all of christmas done and ready next weekend (don't like the holiday rush). Happy Holidays to all of you and stay warm!
XoXo
As far as christmas shopping, we have been able to stay true to our minimalist lifestyle choice so far. We have controlled our present list for Rylence to things he needs (pajamas, clothes, etc.) and one big item. I have some stocking stuffer items (headphones, drawing utensils) but he is not receiving multiple toys and gadgets on top of his already large collection. Our family has also graciously complied with out requests and kept the gifts to one or two and something useful but that he still wants and would enjoy. I don't know that he will notice much of a difference honestly. The only thing truly changing is the practicality of presents, not the amount. Ry is always a grateful receiver though.
Next weekend the yearly christmas purge will take place. I am hoping that he handles this year graciously even though he has already downsized his collection once this year. Earlier this year we started downsizing the family's belongings to reflect a more minimalist lifestyle. Rylence was mostly gracious about the purge and ended up cutting his toy collection almost in half. By the end of the purge he was treating it like a game, which made us proud. But our yearly tradition is for him to go through his belongings at christmas time and decide which things he would like to give to other children who may not be as blessed as he is or to be getting new ones. I know it seems like a lot to ask of a seven year old, but the lesson of giving something you have to someone less fortunate is a lesson I want to keep even though we don't have an abundance anymore. Plus it helps us to keep control of the amount of stuff we accumulate.
On another note Matthew is facing a dilemma again when it comes to his education. He is unsure of what degree he wants to pursue. He has always been torn between one of the many computer degrees because he doesn't know which side of the profession makes him more passionate or that he would still enjoy after a few years. A few years ago he toured the Nashville auto diesel college and became very passionate about an automotive career. Due to some recent findings regarding the online university he is currently enrolled in, he now is facing that dilemma again. Let me back up. He found out that the university he was attending had some flaws and was not the best place to obtain his degree, especially for the money involved. So we have started looking into the options he has as far as transferring to another college. We found a few near us that have the degree he is in and even one that has an online version. In order for all the work he has already completed to not be a waste we looked into community colleges that would accept the credits and we did find one. While he was on their website he found out they also have a 2 year automotive technician degree. He still really loves the idea of a mechanic's career. This discovery has lead to an unsureness for him. He knows that anything he chooses to do I will support but he is so afraid of making the wrong decision that he has created this big looming cloud that has him anxious and stressed about what to do. I just wish I could help him understand that this decision is no where near a permanent one and that he can easily change gears when needed if he so choses. Matthew is very stubborn of course and believes that he should not be one of those people who change careers later on in life. He says he wants to be one and done but is scared of making the wrong decision. If only I could reveal how unsure of their career choice I would at least 80% of people are.
I will now be returning to my shopping lists so that I can have all of christmas done and ready next weekend (don't like the holiday rush). Happy Holidays to all of you and stay warm!
XoXo
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