Provident Living By Shawn

I am ready to play a more active roll in posting on the blog. Tonight I journey into the blog world.

My next post will be about the three date rule.

Provident living- Living joyfully within your means.

Well that is not easy some times. However, ever since I learned what the heck it means I have enjoyed living within my means much more.

For example, Weeks ago, I might have said to my wife, "Dang it, I want that new Nissan skyline, I want it and I should be able to have it."

Now I say," Dang it, I Really love my Chrysler PT Cruiser. Chrysler's are only warming up when they hit 100,000 miles. Man what a cool car I have. I love having something in common with females over 65. Man what a great car!"

Another example for those struggling to see the benefit of provident living. Real Oreo's or fake ones? Fake Oreo's are $1 cheaper and after a few years you actually forget how good the mint flavored real Oreo's taste.

In a moment of weakness I bought the real Oreo's the other day because I, for a moment said, "To heck with Provident living!" What a sinful attitude I had, my wife saw what I had done and before she could rescue me from my sinful state, I ate. Years of forgetting the real flavor of mint Oreo's came back to me and now I must return to living within my means, joyfully, and eat the fake ones. It will be hard to find joy in the fake ones for another year.

One more for the road: Keeping the house at 78 degrees or 76 degrees? Hard to find joy in 78 degrees. I found it through long hard meditation.

In all actuallity, I like reminding myself that one can live very happily living within ones means, no matter the means. I learned that in Mexico many years ago on my mission and don't have to try hard to remind myself now. Its nice to remind myself that a used Dodge Caravan is a sweet, sweet ride, when it has air conditioning.

Happy Belated Birthday to Crew

Crew is now one year old. It has been a busy and adventurous year. We counted the other day: he has spent 28 days in the hospital during his first year (not including outpatient visits or doctor appointments). He had four surgeries. He now has a working palate in his mouth. He is able to breathe easily and safely. He still eats using a g-button but he is thriving and growing and is off the charts for height. He has been through a lot. Not only have his medical milestones been important, but so have the "normal" ones. This year he learned to roll over, sit up and crawl. He says "mama" and other unidentifiable jabbering. He can give kisses and likes to bonk you on the forehead with his own. Sometimes he gets confused as to which game involves kissing and which one involves bonking. He can stand for about 7 seconds unsupported. He smiles and laughs. He loves to cuddle. He plays with Mia. He gets mad at the dog when she gets in his face. He is a joy.

Isn't he handsome? We love you, Crew.