In preparation for our upcoming spring JBF event in North Tampa, Florida, I have been busily cleaning out my kids' closets, drawers and toy boxes, gathering up items that have been outgrown or are no longer played with. In part, it’s a fantastic feeling. Twice a year, my kids' rooms are so clean and organized that I hesitate to let them back through the doors. But, while cleaning out my two-year-olds drawers to make room for this year’s next-size-up summer wardrobe, I got hit with a momentary wave of sadness.

Packing away his little jammies got me thinking how each season ends an era for our children. With every growth spurt comes the reminder that they’re not going to stay little forever. Each seemingly shrunken shirt tells me a story of a once much smaller child who is changing and maturing daily. My little man is growing up, and before you know it, the name “little man” will no longer be a term of endearment but will, instead, turn him beet-red should I dare to utter it in front of his friends.

“Why, oh why, can’t he just be little like this forever?”

As quickly as the words escaped my lips, I was reminded of how much my little guy makes me smile. Just the other night, I told him we only had time to read a “short, little bedtime story.” He promptly brought me two books, laid them on my lap and exclaimed, “Here mommy, dis one is short and dis one is little!” Not a day goes by when he doesn’t throw his arms around me in a giant munchkin squeeze, snuggle his soft little nose into my neck and whisper, “I so glad you’re my mommy.” It absolutely melts my heart.

This is certainly not the first instance in which I have made the wish for him to stay little forever. I wished it when he was born. I wished it on his first birthday. I wished it when he first started walking and talking. I have wished it during those precious little moments that I just never wanted to end.

But the reality is, if he had stayed “like this forever” when he was born, I would have missed the joy and pride that surges through me whenever he calls me “Mommy.” If he had stopped changing after he turned one, he wouldn’t be able to greet me in genuine, toddler enthusiasm, running as fast as his roly-poly legs can go, every time I come home. If he had halted all milestones after his first words and movements, I would be missing out on all of the sweet, funny characteristics and personality traits that become more and more apparent every day through his words and actions.

So, today, I make a resolution not to ever wish for time to stand still or go backwards, but to cherish and love every moment with my little ones just as it is. Every minute and milestone that I love about today is a reminder that there are even more wonderful memories yet to be made. Every change that tomorrow will bring promises to hold just as much joy and laughter as the current moments. After all, some changes are for the better – and some are just a continuation of what is just so perfect about right now.

Christina Ruhlig
Just Between Friends North Tampa
 

Christina's "little man"...

Our monthly guest blogger, Kate Holmes of www.HowToConsign.com, knows the joys of volunteering. In addition to community volunteering, Kate’s life-long experience (she’s a second-generation second-hander, having “inherited” the knack from her mother) translates well on her free web sites and blogs. She’s a long-time workshop presenter and conference organizer for the resale industry’s trade association and has won awards for her volunteer work. “And friends,” Kate adds. “The biggest joy of volunteering is the good, life-long friends I have made.” Kate is the author of the best-selling manual,Too Good to be Threw The Complete Operations Manual for Resale & Consignment Shops .

The Joys of Volunteering

You’re a busy woman, with children, chores, job and hobbies. Your calendar is full. Why would you want to volunteer at a JBF sale?

Well, sometimes it’s about the thrill of the hunt. After all, our volunteers get to shop our sales before the general public does. And who can deny us the excitement of first dibs on all the great stuff every JBF event has?

But beyond the merely monetary, there’s the joy of volunteering for your community’s sake. All those reasons you have for not volunteering melt away when you realize that for a specific and short length of time, you can help your community in a tangible way. Think about it: you’re helping keep down the cost of raising healthy and happy kids in your town; you’re uniting the parents of your area together; you’re even helping preserve the ecology by recycling! All this in addition to making and saving money for the smallest community you belong to: your own family.

Volunteering can be an adventure too. Reaching out to others brings you into a new environment where you might learn something that will influence your life down the line. Getting out into the world can give you untold gifts and change your whole way of thinking and doing. It could show you new interests, suggest new hobbies, or even lead you to a new career.

And what could be more fun than volunteering to help organize the cutest kidstuff ever? Well, nothing, except doing it in the company of new friends! If you’ve ever felt like there must be someone out there who thinks just like you do, who has the same concerns and loves the same things you do...you’re right. And where better to find a new friend or two or three than during a JBF volunteer shift? You could go home with not only a great deal or two but a new circle of folks who’ll make your life a joy.

It all boils down, I think, to three things. Helping your community in a visible way, expanding your personal boundaries and making friends. Who can’t find a few hours to discover all three of those? It’s a great way to spend a little time, give a little... and get a lot back.

Speaking of making friends, don’t neglect the ones you have. Pass on the word about our sale to everyone you know. Friends, neighbors, members of your social groups and clubs. Chances are, they’ll be interested in consigning or buying. And, if you have a friend with some things to sell or some things she needs...volunteer to show her how easy and fun and profitable a JBF event can be!

Consignment guru Kate Holmes of Too Good to be Threw offers good consigning and shopping advice to eco- and economy-conscious consumers at www.HowToConsign.com

Letting Go!

I have to admit that I am not much of a reader.  However, I stumbled upon a blog recently that caught my attention.  The young Tulsa mother was lamenting about needing to simplify her life without getting rid of what their family needs. She confessed that their closets and dresser drawers were full to overflowing with items that they no longer needed.  With one infant child in the house, they didn't know that a baby needed so many things. 

She commented that they weren't sure if they were going to have another child and asked the questions that so many of us have had at one point or another.....do I need to save this stuff and if not..how do I let go?  She spoke of the baby's first Christmas outfit or the outfit that her child walked in for the first time and all the memories attached to those items.

She then went on to mention that she knew about the options in which to let go. Just Between Friends as well as a local non-profit that helps families in emergency situations, Emergency Infant Services were both on her option list.  Her question to her readers was...How can I let go?

I have copied my response to her below.

My kids are now teenagers. It's been a long time since I had some of those same feelings, but reading your blog took me back to the time when my children were infants. I remember having a hard time getting rid of things initially. I had to train myself to think about the people that would be blessed by the items that I was cleaning out.

I think it is funny that you mentioned two options that are close to my heart, JBF and EIS.  I have been blessed by being able to witness the smiles on customers faces as they come through the lines at JBF knowing that they have wonderful items for the children and that they would not be able to clothe their children in that manner without others consigning their beautiful, gently loved items that they no longer need.

I don't get to work the check out as often as I like, but did have the chance to work it a little at the Fall Just Between Friends sale in Tulsa. I had a woman with a tiny infant come through my line, a teenage mom. She did not have a mom or a husband with her at the time. It was the 1/2 price day and she came up with three outfits (none were over 2 dollars), two bibs and some bottles. When I rang up the sale, it came to about $11.00. She looked embarrassed and told me that she needed to put something back, that she didn't realize that there was tax. She had ten dollars to spend on her new baby and I could tell it was a stretch. Of course, I told her that there wasn't going to be any putting-back. She left there with all of her purchases and I went in my office and started crying.?

That experience solidified my feelings that consigning and donating my items is the way to go. I recently joined the board at Emergency Infant Services (www.emergencyinfantservices.org) and get to hear about the tons and tons of families that use their services. About two years ago, they would see about 15-20 families a day offering help with clothing, formula, medicine, car seats, cribs, etc. With the recession, those numbers have gone up to 50-60 a day!

The needs around the country are so great and every little bit helps! When you are looking at your child's precious clothes and thinking of the memories....start a new thought, one that envisions another needy mom getting to experience the joy of the outfit too, because of your generosity!

It's a life changer and makes it so much easier to take that first step and let go.

Shannon Wilburn
Tulsa, Oklahoma
 

Our monthly guest blogger, Kate Holmes of www.HowToConsign.com, knows what makes shoppers buy. A second-generation second-hander, her mother owned two consignment shops and raised four children herself on that income. Kate is the author of a best-selling operations manual for the industry and its acknowledged “Consignment Guru." Kate’s wardrobe, home, and hobby gear are almost all previously-enjoyed.