Thursday, February 18, 2010

Thankful For Hand-Me-Downs

Remember the other day when I wrote my ABC's and said that folding laundry was my least favorite chore? Well, for some reason that prompted me to actually do the kids' stuff...AND fold it...AND put it away. So amazing, isn't it? Here's what my bed looked like before I put it away.













Now, I'm not sharing this with you because I'm so proud of myself for doing a basic, household chore. I mean, that would be like me writing a blog entry and saying I'm proud of myself for brushing my teeth or something! And I'm not sharing this with you because of my excellent folding skills because I'm sure someone like Tina has a far superior method (I'm totally teasing you, Tina)!

I'm sharing that picture with you because I am thankful. In fact, I don't think that picture even does it justice as to how many clothes were on the bed...not to mention the fact that there were still clothes in their dressers and hanging in their closets. I am thankful because I'd say over 90% (heck, it might be 95%) of their clothes are hand-me-downs from friends. It's amazing to me. Every time I do laundry, I look at the mass amounts of clothing and think to myself, "Wow, I am so thankful that I was given all these clothes! I sure hope my friends know how thankful I am!"

I rarely buy clothes, and if the kids do need something my mom and mother-in-law are always willing to get those things for me. They are always asking if they can get clothes for the kids. My mother-in-law bought Sarah's Easter dress last year. My mom got the kids their coats this past fall. I made them pose for this picture so I could send it to my mom...she just gave me a check and told me to pick them out...













And I think they are pretty nicely dressed...even if they are (almost) exclusively hand-me-down kids! Below is one of my favorite outfits from a large bag of clothes I received from Sarah C last fall.


















So thank you dear friends (Sarah C, Sarah H), Mom, and Mary. When God says He will provide for us, it's always amazing to me how He does that. And I am convinced that this is one way He does it. Thank you for letting Him use you in this way for our family.

"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will He not much more clothe you?" Matthew 6:28-30

13 comments:

kimberly said...

What a blessing! I am thankful that you gave us a coat. You don't know how much I appreciate it. Thanks

Scott S. said...

It is great to get hand me downs. The best we can do for hands me downs is going from C1 to C2 to C4. We get some nice clothes from friends but not so much and my parents for some reason what my kids to look like they are from Little House on the Prairie. We usually point out to them what to buy if they want to. At least your mom and in laws do a nice job....But I have be a bigger man and say it is the thought that counts

Heather said...

I came over from This Daddy's blog.
We are quite thankful for hand-me-downs also. My oldest gets clothes and then we pass it onto my youngest. We also shop at consignment sales and I take what I already have for the kids and match it up and then shop for what we need.

Shoes on the other hand are really hard because you can't really hand shoes down because the kids are so rough on them.

Sonora said...

Thank goodness for hand-me-downs. I don't know how we would have managed dressing the twins. People have given us boxes full of clothes and we are so grateful. We plan on passing them all on to someone else.
BTW I have a few awards for you on my site. I know one of them came from you, so you don't have to worry about that one, but check out the others.

Malika said...

I love hand me downs. And it just amazes me how God comes through at just the right time for us. D desperately needed some pants since he had gone through a growth spurt and we had no money (since daddy is laid off during the winter). Wouldn't you know, just when I was sitting down to see what bill would have to be late, etc., a friend stops by with a bag of clothes.

I love our God and the way he consistently provides for his children.

Jess said...

I absolutely love that little skirt on Sarah!! I remember when you first posted that picture...

Causey Fam said...

I love that little shirt too! ;o) There are some velour (sp?) pants that go with it. Not sure you got them at the same time though. I love seeing the clothes again!

Anonymous said...

We NEVER buy clothes for our kids.Our's are either from Mamaw or hand-me-downs too...and I think they all look really nice most the time!
I agree...thank you God for hand-me-downs and grandmas!

Jen said...

We are almost exclusively hand me downs too! I love it, so much. I have two nephews who are two years older than my twins, so not only do I get boy hand me downs, I get TWO boys' worth! I'm so thankful for that. And between my mother-in-law's coworkers, and my sister, both my girls have tons to wear.

I can't believe how rarely I have to buy anything for my kids. It is really a wonderful thing for us.

Cheryl said...

how amusing that I was just thinking earlier today that i am so grateful for the hand-me-downs that we have gotten as well!! over half of brody's clothes are hand-me-downs or from goodwill right now, and the tons of 2T/3T/4T clothes we have are 95% hand-me-downs/goodwill. unfortunately i really like to buy clothes (used to buy them for myself before brody came along, now it's more fun to buy them for him), but when i do so they are at rock bottom prices, and i am doing WAY better on not buying so much these days. isn't it nice to have such generous friends??? God always provides!! =)

Helene said...

With 4 kids who are constantly outgrowing clothes and shoes, I'm so thankful for our friends who continue to give us their hand-me-downs. My kids love it too...they're always so excited when a friend gives us some "new" clothes.

Life Is A SandCastle said...

Following from Follow Friday, looking forward to your posts:)

I love hand me downs- usually my best friends son age 5- to my son-age 3-my 7 month old.

Also, it's good for the enviroment.

Melissa said...

Happy friday follow hope you are having a great time today wondering through blogs. stop by my blog sometime and leave a little bit of luv :)

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