Humility: True Greatness

I sit here in the still warmth of the afternoon (oh, blessed spring!), contemplating a book I just finished reading for the second time; a book that, more than any other in my life, has left me standing at a spiritual crossroads, knowing which road to take but struggling over that first tentative step.

If you don't want to be convicted, don't read this book!! I've always known of the pride in my life, but I never lost any sleep over it - until God began revealing to me, through Scripture and C.J. Mahaney's words, the all-pervasive nature of my pride, and His total abhorrance of it.

Let me first mention that Mahaney describes himself as "a proud man pursuing humility by the grace of God." His words, while full of truth, exhibit a gentleness and grace that can only come from one truly seeking humility.

Mahaney defines pride as "contending for supremacy with God." Pride is the root of all sin, and has only one end: self-glorification. He contrasts cultural greatness with biblical greatness (serving others for the glory of God), emphasizing that true greatness is attainable only through Christ's sacrificial death. And lest we think too highly of our own abilities, he reminds us that Christ died as a "ransom for sinners" - a ransom being the price paid for a slave, prisoner of war, or condemned criminal. We lack the ability even to rid ourselves of pride and selfish ambition; this requires divine rescue!

Mahaney doesn't leave humility in the theoretical realm, but offers over 30 pages of concrete ways to purposefully pursue humility on a daily basis; at the beginning and end of each day, as well as throughout the day.

Of particular poignancy for me were his thoughts on pride as it relates to anxiety - that a truly humble person is care free, not bound up by the pressure of trying to be self-sufficient. I must daily cast my cares on Christ and in so doing, humble myself. He also suggests playing a lot of golf and learning to laugh at yourself!

He admonishes us to identify "evidences of grace" in others (fellow believers, family members, etc.), and adresses the issue of correcting / admonishing in humility. We are to guard each other spiritually! A truly humble person sets aside self-interest and speaks words that will save a brother in Christ from the deceitfulness of sin and its hardening effects. Bottom line: "The biblical purpose for every conversation you have, in every personal interaction, is that the person will receive grace." Ouch. Definitely room for improvement there . . .

The last two chapters, which address humility in the midst of hardship, and leaving a legacy of humility for your children, are both insightful and powerful.

What makes these pages stand out from others I've read is that they are intensely convicting. Since the first time I read through them, I am repeatedly reminded of the foothold pride - selfish ambition - has in my attitudes, words and actions. I know what I need to do and yet I don't want to do it!! I need to give God the first moments of my day, which will require rising earlier. And I need to find several people with whom I can be honest about sin issues I battle daily. These things are absolutely necessary for spiritual growth, even though they are certainly contrary to my natural bent.

So - READ THIS BOOK!! (unless you have "itching ears")

Making Memories

Seven months after Karis' birth, I've finally realized that extra hours are never going to magically appear in my day. So I've decided that it's time to take on the monumental task of catching up on the last 9 months of scrapbooking. *groan* I think I might actually enjoy it someday when I'm not always way behind.

I've made great progress so far. After about an hour of staring at a blank page, I decided to reorganize all my supplies . . .

That led to a trip to Hobby Lobby (50% off on all paper, stickers and albums!!).

One piece of advice, if I may: Do not ever, under any circumstances, make an elaborate first-year scrapbook for your darling firstborn. It's great the first time around, but not so great when you realize you're stuck doing the same thing for EVERY child.

Also, don't try to scrapbook while watching "White Oleander."

Dumped Cake

Well, here goes the account of yet another bizarre happening in the Wright household . . .

For LIFE group last night, I made a dump cake. I remember thinking how nice it is to live in the Age of Pyrex Portables - to be able to just pack up your pan in a convenient carrying case and go.

This morning, running late for Bible Study, I was attempting to load two children into the car while yelling for another to come back from the street, and noticed that the remaining bit of dump cake was still sitting where we had left it last night - on Zekers' car seat (I guess there is ONE good thing about the current cold weather!). Annoyed, I took it out and finished loading the kids.

We had just finished lunch, and I thought there's just enough cake left to give to R & Z for dessert. But an extensive search of the kitchen, dining room, garage and car left me puzzled and empty-handed.

It was then that I remembered, as through a fog, setting the dish up on something - maybe the car!? just to get it out of the way. I gasped, searched the car top (nothing there), and told the kids to get ready: we were going to look for Mommy's dump cake. We began to retrace our route to the church, with Zekers in the back saying, "We're gonna find Mommy's dump cake," and looking proud of himself.

We found the cake, alright - about halfway between our house and the church - in someone's yard. Thank goodness for that carrying case, which now contained "glass chunk dump cake." The highlight of this whole scenario, though, was Rachel, who, as soon as I spotted the dish in the yard and brought it back to the car, congratulated me with, "Good eye, Mommy. That was amazing!"

And if I may add a little aside to this whole thing: When I came into the house to get the kids so we could look for the cake, I was greeted by Rachel, running toward me, wearing one of Danny's shoes on one foot and one of my clogs on the other, and NOT wearing any pants or underwear. She's done the shoe thing, and the no underwear thing, many times before, but not often at the same time, and not while attempting to run.

There are times in my life when words completely fail me. This was definitely one of those times.

Top Ten Things I Learned on our Trip to Cincinnati

10. At nicer dining establishments, it is customary to tip the guys who do the valet parking AFTER they bring you your car following the meal - not as you're arriving!

9. Tipping is also expected when the host/hostess seats you at a table for 2 near a window, apparently.

8. Montgomery Inn = THE BEST RIBS EVER!!!!!

7. Shopping at the Gap Clearance Center could quite possibly be even better than shopping at any thrift store.

6. There are actually clothing stores in the US that allow you to take nearly 100 clothing items into the dressing room at once.

5. 24 hours is the perfect amount of time to be away. We missed our munchkins like crazy by the time we came back!

4. Never buy a bathing suit one size too small and hope you'll somehow fit into it by summer.

3. You know you need to get out more when going to a 9:45 movie makes you feel all wild and crazy.

2. When you have kids, everyone just assumes you're going away for the sole purpose of having sex.

1. I really like being with my husband alone. (TALKING!)

A Word to the Wise

Don't EVER buy generic deoderant!! Just don't do it!

Trying to save a couple bucks? Think, "It's just deoderant - what difference could it make" ?

DON'T DO IT, I SAY!!!

Generic is great when purchasing many items, but I learned from my mistake on this one. For the last several weeks, it has felt like I'm rubbing my pits with sand paper. Take it from a tightwad: definitely not worth the $1.43 I saved.

It's Over!

As I write, I'm heaving a huge sigh of relief.

About four months ago, I was asked to provide music for the March meeting of the Christian Women's Club here in Greenville. I was supposed to come up with 2 songs - one secular and one sacred. Well, they met in a different room than usual - one with no piano. And I don't exactly have a great selection of background tracks for secular songs (or Christian songs, for that matter!) My only option was to *GULP* dig out my guitar and go to it.

For the past two weeks I have been SO nervous!! This whole solo act thing, providing my own accompaniment, was entirely new to me.

It actually went OK, though. None of the cataclysmic disasters I've been visualizing all week came to pass. I didn't forget the words or have to make any up as I went, and it was kind of fun. Although I don't think the mostly-over-70 crowd really connected with my Michelle Branch selection! I also sang "Less Like Scars" by Sara Groves, and it totally went with the speaker's message - so cool.

Several good things came out of the morning:

1. I don't think anything else could have motivated me to pick up my guitar again after several years of not playing. But now I'm addicted!

2. I got to try something new: asparagus, mashed potatoes and cheese rolled up in a tortilla. Yum!

3. Phyllis, who sat by me at the brunch, is going to teach me how to make apple pie - with a super easy crust recipe! Yea - I don't think I've actually made a pie crust since getting married.

4. I won a really cool shamrock sweatshirt (won the contest for most recent birthday!) :-)

5. I learned that Danny does every once in a while give me good advice! (it was his idea to use my guitar and I fought him on it for a while)

And now . . . Cincinnati, here we come!

More Than Rubies

"You have an influence that supercedes any constitutional rank."
- Chief of Staff Mike Novick, to First Lady Martha Logan on "24" (3.13.06)


In the midst of terrorist plots, betrayal, heart-wrenching deaths, and Jack Bauer's hoarse shouting, one small but breathtakingly profound sentence caught my attention - so much so that I haven't been able to stop thinking about it for the last three days, which is why I'm here now, writing about it, when there are about 14 other things I should be doing.

A little background: as the veep feeds the president some very bad advice about instuting martial law during a terrorist crisis, Chief of Staff Mike Novick pleads with the First Lady to intervene. To her protests of, "But he's the vice president!" Novick responds with the above quote. Heeding his counsel, she goes to her husband, using her influence for the good of the country. (Unfortunately, we'll have to wait until next Monday to find out what the president decides, but so far, things are looking up!)

There aren't a whole lot of earthly accolades for trying to be a God-honoring wife and mother. Now in a completely different role than I was four years ago, or even one year ago, I find periods of self-doubt more the rule than the exception. Is God using me at all? Has my sphere of influence shrunk to the point almost of non-existence?

But I find the following truths from Scripture:

"A wife of noble character is her husband's crown. (Prov. 12:4)"

"A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. (Prov. 31:10)"

I read about Timothy's godly mother and grandmother (2 Tim. 1:5). Their legacy: sincere faith that lived on through him and had a timeless effect on all of Christendom.

My latest newsflash is this: Although the number of people my life touches regularly has grown smaller by necessity; God has entrusted to my care four people for whom I am a PRIMARY influence. Frankly, that scares me to death! As a wife and mother, God has given me incredible power to use either for destructive purposes or for His glory.

Oftentimes I've misinterpreted Scripture passages, taking them to mean that my role is somehow lesser as a woman. NOT TRUE! I get to spend all day every day with a baby, a toddler and a pre-schooler, helping to mold their very lives and character. I get to be there for all the ordinary, and the extraordinary, moments of their existence. I get to teach them about Jesus and how much He loves them. I get to be a sounding board for Danny - a safe place where he can express his heart. I get to support him in his ministry to the point that it becomes OUR ministry.

Women, we have an incredibly powerful, God-given role that we must not take lightly. I try to remind myself of this as I change dirty diapers and fold mountains of laundry and Swiffer the dining room floor. Sometimes the flesh takes over and I find myself resenting every minute of it. But more and more frequently, a still, small voice whispers, "As you perform these mundane tasks to keep your house and family in order, it's Me you serve. So fold joyfully; instruct faithfully; prepare meals with a glad heart; mop with reckless abandon. As you do so you worship ME."

Thanks for reading.

Freecycling

If you have stuff you want to get rid of, or if you like getting free stuff, this site is for you! It's in conjunction with Yahoo, so you have to join Yahoo to use it, but that also is free of charge. There's another similar site that allows small charges, also through Yahoo.

The Dayton Daily News ran an article on these sites this weekend; apparently, you can find everything from kids clothes to major appliances and furniture. Just go to the site, hit "US Central" for Ohio, find your local board, and follow instructions from there.

Why spend all your hard-earned money at thrift stores when you can get what you need for free??

Thanks, Mom!

Keeping Yourself Happy

Believe it or not, this is the actual title of a televised sermon I watched last night.

It was a little after 9, the kids had just gone to bed, and I was idly flipping through the channels looking for something to watch so I wouldn't die of boredom while folding laundry. What I ended up viewing was fascinating, in an I-can't-believe-I'm-actually-hearing-this kind of way.

It started out OK. The preacher hammered home the need to guard against enabling people who continually take advantage of others' kindness; to be discerning when it comes to the negative, controlling people in our lives. It sounded more like a therapy session than a sermon, I thought, but maybe he was just trying to offer a very practical, specific application of a Scripture passage. I kept listening.

About halfway through, I stopped folding laundry, grabbed a pen and paper, and began writing down quotes I found particularly astonishing coming from someone who calls himself a follower of Christ:

"I had to do what I felt good about."

"Follow your own heart." (This said repeatedly)

I gotta do what's best for me - that's my 1st priority."

"We live to please everyone else, but we need to take time to please ourselves."

Not a word about living for CHRIST & His glory, about following the Savior, about actually praying for and loving negative people in my life, about making GOD's agenda first priority. As if my own heart is an accurate gage of truth!!

The Scripture he threw out was Song of Solomon 1:6. "They made me a caretaker of the vineyards, but my own vineyard I have not tended." And the point he made from that one verse (actually only half a verse) was that the most important thing we can do is to take care of our own vineyard. And how is this accomplished? Get away from people who make you feel bad about yourself and only associate with people who don't pressure you or demand anything from you. Because it's all about YOU and YOUR vineyard.

About a dozen Scriptures are parading through my head right now, but I'm not writing to make an argument; this entire line of reasoning is pretty obviously anti-biblical. I guess what saddened me the most was seeing the thousands of people in the audience, nodding along and applauding. Yes, I'm a victim of mean people - I need to start putting myself first. And then there's the viewing audience, probably thousands more. I pray that their eyes will be opened to the hope and the joy that are found only through complete surrender to Christ. And I pray that God will continue to open my eyes to selfishness and pride in my own life. But for the grace of God . . .

Hungry

Is there anything my son won't eat??

Last summer it was sand and wood chips at the park. In the fall it was dirt and leaves from our backyard. Now that he has more refined tastes, it's green and blue play doh (I guess pink and yellow just don't possess the same melt-in-your-mouth quality).

I've caught him eating what I assumed were raisins, until I realized they were actually a couple of month-old grapes he scrounged from under the couch (Yes, the house does get cleaned, on occasion).

Today we stopped in at Kroger to grab a few items for LIFE group. In keeping with our custom, Rachel and Zekers both got to carry a "baby apple" (just a regular old apple, but I'm not gonna be the one to tell them any different!) around with them while we shopped. Upon arriving home, I went to unstrap Zekers from his car seat, and was met by a fat grinning face, and a hand holding out a stem with a few little pieces of apple clinging to it. He had eaten the ENTIRE thing - peel, core, seeds and all.

I'm currently checking colleges across the country for a "food consumption" degree. He'd be first in his class.

Ode to Mediocrity

I'm searching for the right word to describe today (actually, the last five days), and, ironically, I can't quite put my finger on it.

Not that it's been a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day or anything like that. I just can't seem to get anything right. I made soup a couple days ago - soup that was a big hit with the fam the last time around. We practically had to force feed it to the kids this time. How can you make the exact same recipe and have it turn out completely different each time?

In addition to losing all my (severely limited) cooking skills, I've been a very subpar wife and mother & lousy friend; my guitar doesn't like me much anymore, as I can't elicit any sound from it that doesn't set my teeth on edge; my voice has gone to you-know-where since I got this sinus infection; I introduced myself to a lady last Sunday at church and found out she is a charter member of the church (oops); I scheduled a woman to serve in the nursery during her surgery - a surgery she'd told me about months ago.

I tried to get back into doing Pilates and lasted about 8 minutes (of an hour workout); I've read several disturbing articles on newssites and secular blogs this week, but can't think of any response intelligent enough to put in a comment; my prayers are ricochetting (sp?) off the ceiling and hitting me in the head; I can't seem to focus on anything; I have exactly zero creative scrapbooking ideas and four books to work on; and as I write, I'm polishing off the last of an entire box of girl scout cookies (samoas!).

Maybe I just need a vacation . . .

10 Ways to Get Your Kids to Eat Vegetables

10. Chop them up (liquefy them) and add them to other things, such as meatloaf, muffins, etc.

9. Make up new names for them - ie., broccoli = "baby trees" (note: it is NOT a good idea to call them things like Larry, Bob, or Laura Carrot. This can actually scar your children for life.)

8. Tell them they need to eat the number of bites corresponding to their age. ("You're three now, so you can take three big bites!")

7. In honor of The Wailer, there is no #7.

6. Two words: ADD CHEESE!!

5. "Hide" them behind bites of other food and sneak the offending party into their unsuspecting mouths.

4. If your kids have disturbing issues, pretend each bite is killing the veggie as it screams for mercy (a favorite at our house).

3. Suspend all talking privileges until the desired number of bites is taken. (works especially well with talkative children)

2. Bribe with dessert

1. Yell and threaten

Girlfriend Appreciation Week

Women are beautiful!!

It's not that I've never noticed this before. But this weekend I had the privilege of spending time with, and learning from, some pretty amazing girlfriends. (Men, I think you are wonderful, too, but this particular post is dedicated to the women who have lately touched my heart.)

I didn't want to go on this retreat. In fact, the thought running through my mind as we took off was, "I just want to make it through this crazy week, and I can't wait until it's over." Truth be told, I've always been a cynic when it comes to events like this, but hey, I go because it's the good little pastor's wife thing to do!

So, armed with this great attitude, I entered the first session.

Over the course of Friday evening and Saturday morning, we listened to six different women share their testimonies and challenge us from God's Word. These sisters bared their souls: they spoke with transparency, with conviction and passion. They spoke of their own disappointment, failure, fear, and pain. They spoke of restoration and healing. Most of all, they spoke of Christ.

The message came through loud and clear. It's NOT about me and what I'm doing for God (as if He needed my help!). I can make myself crazy trying to "be all things to all people" in my own strength! It's about being broken before my Savior, realizing that He alone, in His astounding grace, can lift me from the ashes of myself to walk beside Him. It's all God and Who He is and what He's done. More of Him, less of me!

And that wasn't all.

With God, nothing is accidental (not even a third child!). I firmly believe He placed my 2 roommates and I together at this very specific time for a very specific purpose. We shopped so hard on the way down that we almost missed dinner; we laughed at the dumbest things; we had one of the most gut-level honest conversations I've ever been a part of; we cried, and cried out to God, together before falling into bed around 1am (then we laughed some more).

How often does someone invite you into her very soul - unabashedly revealing the stains and the scars, and the breathtaking beauty that is there because of Christ? Every woman has a story - a story that needs to be shared. After this weekend, I just want to grab every woman I know - heck, even some I don't know! - give you a big hug and tell each of you how lovely you are.

Thanks to all of you, and to God, who created beauty in the first place.

Time for a Haircut

Here it is, folks . . . the raw, un-gelled, untamed bush we've all grown to love. As of tonight around 7:30, it will be history. So sad.

Snowbash 2006

I've grown up knowing about God's grace and unconditional love. Why, then, does it surprise me when He actually extends it to me in ways I never imagined, with gifts I never thought to request?

This weekend was one such gift. Danny spoke for Snowbash, a Youth For Christ event held every winter in Southern Ohio at Shawnee State Park. A week before the event, they called to invite the whole family to accompany him. Although we rejoiced at the the chance to be together, none of us had any idea what to expect.

We stayed in an adorable cabin, complete with fireplace and fridge/cabinets crammed with enough food to last a month. The main lodge housed a large swimming pool, a hot tub, a gameroom, and a duck display, which got Zekers all giddy. The staff, counselors and students were wonderful, crazy people you couldn't help but feel drawn to.

In ways I can't even explain, moments from this trip will stay with me always: Zeke & Rach splashing happily in the pool; reading by the fire after the kids went to bed (that part was a bit surreal!); watching snow fall on the trees outside our cabin; yes, even my hairspray freezing in the cabinet. And Rachel asking us on the way there, "Mommy, where is there no snow?" Me: "I don't know." Rachel: "Snowbash!"

I got to see Danny in several different capacities - gifted speaker, devoted father, attentive husband. We came back refreshed and relaxed . . . well, at least refreshed!
Praise God for unexpected gifts.

Meltdowns and Blowouts

These 2 stories are just too funny NOT to tell . . .

Our 3-year-old, Rachel, can be something of a "mother hen" to our 5-month-old, Karis. In her enthusiasm to help, she often ends up nearly smothering her poor little sister, who has really been a good sport about the whole thing. Until Saturday night.

Rach, Zeke (1 1/2), Kari & I sat on the couch watching the edge-of-your-seat thriller, "Dora Dances to the Rescue." Rach, as usual, hair fully bushed out, was right up in Kari's face doing her Arial impression (if you haven't heard it, you're seriously missing out). Kari finally decided she'd had enough. As soon as Rachel backed off a little, she leaned forward slightly, spitting up directly into her big sister's lap and all over her hands, as though she had specially targeted those areas.

Now, Rachel has BIG issues with 3 things: color, (she has been known to completely melt down over having to wear a pair of socks that don't match her nightgown), smell (she also regularly cries over the scent of public restrooms), and mess on her hands. She instantly went into hysterics. Since convulsive laughter rendered Mommy completely helpless, Daddy finally came to the rescue with some wipes and a clean nightgown. *sigh of relief*

The second situation took place around lunch today. Again, trying to be helpful, Rach volunteered to check Zeke's pants because, of course, she was gagging from the stench and insisted that I change him immediately. Since I was feeding Kari, I agreed to let her check, thinking, "What could it hurt?"

Next thing I know, she's spazzing out, crying and waving poop-covered fingers in my face. Apparently, she had been right about his need for a change. We must have made a sorry sight: Kari sitting there, cereal all over her face; Rach dancing around the room, yelling and crying; Zeke standing there, saying, "Mommy, I pooped." And me? Once again immobilized by laughter. We had to wash Rachel's hands three times to appease her.

Sometimes the entertainment almost makes up for the stress!

A Clay Pot Full of Dirty Laundry

A youth pastor we met while on staff with Finish Line once told us that each time God gave him another child, his selfishness decreased, so that with the entrance of their third child, any hint of self-centeredness had been squeezed out completely. I wish I could say the same.

How can I desire so strongly to hand my life over to God, and yet fail so miserably? Why am I my own worst enemy when it comes to spiritual pursuits? This flesh is indeed weak.

Several weeks ago, I sat down with my Bible open to "the love chapter (I Cor. 13)," prepared to give myself a nice little pep talk about loving God and others. I thought I'd look over the qualities of love and check which ones need work and which ones I've got down. I began reading and comparing:

Love is patient
The character quality I've been demonstrating to my kids lately? Road rage!

Love is kind
I begrudge my 5-month-old the time it takes to feed her (Good grief, Karis, you're hungry AGAIN? You just ate 10 hours ago)

It does not envy
I want other people's houses; I want other people's minivans; I want other people's talents & abilities; I want other people's flat abs and stretch-mark-free skin . . . (you get the idea)

It does not boast; it is not proud
I'm better than most at this one.

It is not rude.
OK, getting sarcastic with the Wal-Mart cashier who couldn't add 15+21 may have been a little rude.

It is not self seeking
Actually, I do put others first sometimes. It makes me look like a better Christian.

It is not easily angered
Just ask Danny - he lives in fear.

Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
How many shows & movies do I delight in watching, which champion ungodly attitudes and lifestyles?

It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres
Always? I give up!

The harsh reality: I couldn't be farther from God's perfect standard of love. I'm not looking for easy answers (as if there were any!), just expressing what's been heavy on my heart lately. Again and again I go to Romans 7; somehow knowing the Apostle Paul struggled similarly gives a small measure of comfort. And how thankful I am for Romans 8! "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus . . ."

Oh, God - take all this selfishness and replace it with Your love, for even the capacity for love comes from You.

A Perfect Evening

Friday night, Danny & I went out – just the 2 of us – for the first time since Karis made her grand entrance over 5 months ago. It was glorious. Not that we did anything spectacular; we ate at Friday’s (where else?), because I love their bruschetta chicken pasta. Danny, of course, had a burger. We walked around the mall holding hands, not even trying to hide our gleeful smiles every time we saw harried parents struggling with strollers, infant seats, and screaming children. We discussed life, ministry, our kids, our future, our dreams. We also talked about things of absolutely no significance whatsoever.

And we laughed. I forgot how important laughter is for a marriage. Experts are always extolling the virtues of intimacy & sex (and those are definitely essential – as my loving husband regularly reminds me), but I think shared laughter deserves a mention as well. Laughter infuses a marriage with life and wipes away months of stress. (And besides, what else can you do when you’re stopped behind a pimped-out car with a license plate that says, “QUIT H8 N”?)

So, in spite of our fruitless search, both for Once Upon a Child and for kids’ educational software for Mac, we came home relaxed and energized. We stopped at our favorite gas station (where Danny bought Propel and I bought possibly the worst cappuccino I’ve ever tasted), and we sat in warm, blissful silence most of the way home.

Jason & Jodi, after an evening with our little angels, were completely worn out. We owe them BIG.

The Wright Family Takes a Final Bus Ride

Danny is pumped about raising a family of Steelers fans . . . of course, those who know me shouldn't be at all surprised when I say that this is the closest I will ever come to posting on football.

A Crash Course in Thrifty Shopping

Frequenting thrift stores is one of the best ways I have found to make our money stretch. I proudly admit that I have been an avid thrift store shopper since my high school days; it is both cheap and fun! On the other hand, it can also present a daunting challenge for the novice thrifter, so the following are some helpful tips I've filed away over the years.

1. Know what you're looking for. In many larger stores, there are huge sections of jeans, pants, shirts, sweaters, etc. and if you don't know where you're going, you can waste hours wandering aimlessly with a semi-dazed look on your face.

2. Skim for color and texture. Often similar colors are grouped together, but you will shop much faster by browsing each aisle and scanning for the shade you're after. Grab part of any item that catches your eye and feel its texture. (All this can be done as you're walking!) If it passes your inspection, check the size and pull it from the rack.

3. Wear tight-fitting clothing under your regular clothing so that you can try things on. This is a must. Because many large thrift stores have no fitting rooms, I wear a ribbed sleeveless shirt and spandex shorts, so I can plop my potential purchases down near a mirror and try them on. I can't tell you how many times I've grabbed a cute pair of jeans that look like a perfect fit, only to find I can't pull them past my knees! (This happens with alarming frequency after having 3 kids)

4. Many thrift stores offer discounted prices on certain days. Find out when these days are!! Goodwills across the country sell almost everything in the store at 50% off the last weekend of each month. Other stores offer 25% off every Monday. Others offer a percentage off certain colored tags on various days. Why pay full price on Monday when you can wait till Friday and pay half?

5. Do not take your kids with you!!!!!!!These stores can be like a maze - which equals great fun for your munchkins and a heart attack for you.

6. Take a Claritin before you go. The price I pay for this kind of shopping is not being able to breathe for the rest of the day. Many of these clothes have probably been sitting in an attic for several weeks or months and can be dusty.

7. Be picky; be very, very picky.There are lots of clothes, and lots of good name brands to choose from. Don't settle for something you don't absolutely love. Some of my favorite outfits have been thrift store purchases; other times, I've thought, "It's only $1.50 - what the heck, I'll buy it," and the item sits in my drawer or closet until one of the kids pulls it out and tries to flush it down the toilet. Be sure to check every item for stains, holes, snags, etc. These clothes are non-returnable.

There are few things as rewarding as coming home with 2 giant bags full of clothing for less than $50. The only thing better than thrifting is garage saling! (more on that later)

If you are an experienced thrift store shopper and have any other good tips, let me know. If you'd like recommendations of specific stores and their locations, I'd be happy to provide them.