To Keep or Not to Keep

As I sit here writing I realize that I may not be alone in the world of "saving" my kids clothes. My thought is well the little ones can wear the big ones clothes one day and keeping the little ones is someone might need them one day. I know I think I have lost it. I am starting to realize I have had my last baby and need to being the purging of all those cute little baby clothes. I have some great memories with some of the outfits and am really having a hard time parting with them.

This outfit from Vinyard Vines is one of my all time favorites, but do I really need to keep it? This idea of out with the old and in with the new or the minimalist living has me a bit conflicted. I want to be able to have items of my children from their childhood for their children one day to use. My mother has done this for both my sister and me and I have seen the joy my own children have going through my things from when I was little. So where do I draw the line?

Do I keep the really nice things, the more sentimental things, or keep nothing? Definitely a hard choice, but my goal is going to keep the items that have a meaning to me and the kids. I hope to be able have one box for each of my boys with really special clothes/items from when they were babies, kids, and teenagers. As they get older they will be able to help pick those special items that they would like to keep for their future families.

I have kept my letter jacket and yearbooks for my kiddos to look at. When I had my 10 year reunion a few years ago Donovan and Landon had a blast looking through all my old stuff. I remember doing the same with my parents yearbooks and pictures from when they were younger.

I know we should de-clutter and not keep so much but what can I say I want to keep these memories going for years to come. So how am I going to tackle this goal?

1. Keep only what I absolutely cannot part with

2. Will this bring "Joy" to my kids in the future?

3. What is the value of my keeping versus getting rid of

Once I tackle these three I hope to be able to let go of things that are just taking up space. Once I have purged then I will be taking these items to the following:

1. Once Upon A Child (Denton)

2. GoodWill (Denton)

3. Plato's Closet (Denton)

4. Loretta House (Denton)

Not only will this get our home back in order but is a great way to teach the kids about giving back to the community as well. Any time we can have a learning moment with our kids is a good time.

Wish me luck and would love to hear how you decide what to keep and what to purge.

XOXO,

Amanda