Good Things Come to Those Who Wait – Chairs & Babes
Lately, I’ve been seeing a new variation of the “good things come to those who wait” quote. It crosses out “to those who wait” and adds “work hard and get shit done,” or something like that. I get the sentiment of both. I know people often wait for opportunities in life, when they could just go out and make things happen for themselves. But that doesn’t stop me from really clinging to the truth in the original quote. I believe our culture has lost a lot of the value of waiting. Of being still. Of not rushing into things, and in particular, not spending before you have the money.
Last year, Phil and I decided we were ready to have a baby. So, five minutes after having this life-changing realization, we were fully engaged in making said baby. And work hard at that we did! Every day, if not twice a day! (Phil thinks of those days fondly.) And guess what? We made a baby that very same month! Sadly, it wasn’t meant to be. I lost the baby two months later. We were very heartbroken. But we decided to slow things down. To not worry about our own timing, but to let things happen when they should.
At the same time of shifting our baby-making focus, Phil and I decided to get our finances in order. We made a very strict budget for the first time in our five years of marriage, and we pledged to stick to it. Let me tell you, it’s not easy planning meals when you’re only working with a limited amount of cash money each month, and restricting in other ways too, like spending only $40 a month (for the two of us) on going out for dinner and drinks. Sticking to our budget seemed impossible. But what was even worse for me was not making any of those home decor splurges I had easily justified in the past, on account of my normal frugality in such matters. A $150 floor lamp is totally justifiable when I only spent $3 on that wall-hanging, right? Well, not if there isn’t any money for it in our home decor envelope. (We do a cash budget, where we only spend the amount of money we have in each dedicated envelope.) And besides those big splurges, I began to see how much the little bargains were really adding up. My how difficult it was so stop spending! But how rewarding, too! Now we have to wait for the things we want (and sometimes need). And it makes us appreciate them all the more.
So, fast forward about a year. Here we are, not rich, but with some comfortable money in the bank, our credit cards paid off, and a baby in our arms. I can’t help but feel like God has blessed us for our patience. Our patience in starting a family, our patience in decorating our new home, and slowing down to appreciate what we already have.
The icing on our cake? That would have to be the moment we drove by Goodwill on Sunday morning and spotted these shell chairs sitting outside. I had almost dropped a pretty penny on a similar set just a year ago, but waited and stuck to our budget as we had agreed. And, well, here is my reward! $40 for a dining room facelift. I’ll take it! And I’ll still believe that good things really do come to those who wait.
i love this. You guys are too funny. ; ) twice a day!! that’s dedication. And you earned those chairs Mama! :D good for you sticking to a budget. I totally know what you mean.. even if you’re buying bargains.. all those little bargains add up. Right there with you! And btw, i really, really love your new ‘do. : )
So, so happy for your new blessing she is absolutely adorable.
The chairs are drool worthy. I’m so jealous. Hooray for a budget.
You are so cute! YAY for new chairs and for your sweet little family! :)
I love this post and the sentiment of waiting for the good things, even when waiting is hard work. I appreciate that you shared both the journey and the reward. Glad you guys are doing well, and I love that little Lucy-face!! <3
Wise woman you are! What a Beautiful family you have. I sure wish the more I was patient, some mid century Modern would show up at our thrift stores. :)
Such a lovely story with a wonderful wee one at the end! X
An inspiring post!
So far this is my favorite post of yours. A funny story, bargain chairs and BABY PICS! Yay!
Thanks doll,
The Glamorous Housewife
such a lovely post and i’m so happy for you all! x
You sound very wise! Budgeting is something that i try to do too, but some months its easy to slip up… :) Also your hair cut looks great on you!
Your 2nd paragraph made me LOL! :-) Awesome that you guys have been working on budgeting….it can be really fun (and freeing!) too. :-) We’re both savers my nature, so that helps, too. ;-)
fantastic find!! so happy for you and phil. you deserve this purchase.
oh, and that little lucy and her head of hair. i’m fighting off a cold, but as soon as i am better i’m coming over to hold her….if you don’t mid that is ;)
This is such a wonderful post. I really like what you wrote about working hard to make and stick to your budget but also having the patience to wait for things. They really do go hand in hand. Way to go on the baby, the chairs, and this post!
I love this post;) I feel the same way about waiting and not being impulsive in with our finances. I am so happy for you two and your new little baby:) I felt the same way after my miscarriage that our lives needed to slow down and it was time to enjoy where we were instead of waiting “until then” to be happy. Oh…and I’m totally jealous of those chairs!!
Slowing down can be the greatest move towards happiness!
You are such a cute family! I agree it is hard to wait to spend on things you need, but it is so worth it when you’ve saved up all the money and can pay for big purchases without dipping into credit! Next up for us is a new bed. A Double just isn’t cutting it!
Love this! Such a sweet baby & oh my, those chairs for $40 = awesome! :)
Great post! Very true. I love your honesty.
What an incredible score!!!!!!
Great post! Congrats on the new baby and an awesome Goodwill score! I’m no stranger to waiting, but my current goal is to get shit done! Wish me luck!
Aww I love this!! We’re not at the baby stage of life yet, but we talk about it often. And we just started a cash budget too. YEESH! It is so stinkin’ hard. We’ve cheated on the budget too many times to really see any difference. Palm—>forehead. But reading this is inspiration! Especially in the home decor area, and your treat for waiting!!
Lucy is one of the prettiest babies I have ever seen! LOVE the chairs SO much.
Mandi Thank you so much for sharing that. I to am trying to cut back on spending but haven’t given my all to it and reading your story I’ve decided that today is the day I full commit to it. We use cash but i ALWAYS rob one envelope to use on thrifting so then I have to replace to only rob again. Not anymore Ive got to stop and today is that day.Thanks again
I did the envelope robbing thing a few times for things for Lucy. But I had to tell myself NO MORE! Because I ran out of money for toilet paper and other necessities. haha
The budgeting money by keeping cash in an envelope has worked out amazingly for me! It is a treat when there is even a little left over! Congrats on a healthy and beautiful baby, and those great chairs too!!!
I love this post. We’re living on a tight budget ourselves right now, so I know how amazing it feels to find gems like those chairs. You’ve definitely earned them!
Congrats on chairs and child :-). I just stumbled upon your blog for the first time–you are making me homesick: University of Akron, Hudson, Canton. I’m a transplanted Summit County Buckeye in the southeast. Glad to have found you.
Always good to hear from locals, transplanted or otherwise! Gotta represent. ;)
I really need to do what you have done…I love those bargains AND you are so right, before you know it…YIKES…probalby would be SO amazed if I kept track. Kudo’s to you!!! Ok…that little baby girl of yours is beautiful, you must be giddy!!! And the chairs pretty darn cool too:)
Blessings blessings blessings! Lucy has to be one of the most beautiful babies I’ve ever seen. I can’t get over it. xo. Deanna
Congratulations to the whole family, you have a very beautiful girl, and mom is radiant. Welcome Lucy, my family I send a big hug from Madrid, Spain. As a follower of yours, see your baby’s face and how happy you are, has made me very happy. Congratulations again.
Beatriz Pb.
This post came at just the right time for me. I had a long conversation with my husband last night about having kids, budgeting and letting things happen in their time instead of rushing life. I needed this reminder to be patient and work hard! Thanks for sharing this!
You guys rule!! :) & my, are y’all lookin’ so lovely. I’m so glad you found the chairs!! &
It was really good to read this post today.
PS. You’re the coolest little family ever! :)
Look at all that hair! Your little baby is the cutest thing ever! And I just love her name :)
Also, thanks for an inspiring post :)
Scout
Cardigansandoldwatches.blogspot.com
I was so happy for you when I read your tweet about finding these chairs. OK, happy and maybe a bit jealous!
I love this post. I’ve been reading your blog for years now and am so happy things are falling into place. That beautiful baby girl (and those chairs) are just a sign that you’re on the right track.
Keep looking up!
x Elena @ Randomly Happy
I think this might be my favorite post. It speaks to where I’m at–both interpretations of “good things.” We, or at least I, usually falsely believe that when we make sacrifices and be patient that it won’t pay off somehow, that God won’t keep his promises, but your story is proof otherwise.
This was such a great inspirational post for me. I’m newly married going on nine months and my husband and I started out by doing the envelope system and have stuck to it, it’s really hard sometimes to have to wait so long for things, but it really is worth it. We’re paying off our student loans and trying to live the best way we can, because we know in the future we want to be at a better place. It’s so encouraging to see other people do this and for it to really pay off in life. You have such a beautiful little girl and I’m so happy for all your blessings.
xo,
Em
I know what you mean about being encouraged by others doing the same. Sometimes I get really frustrated, because I feel like I am the only one “going without.” But in actuality, we are living in (and below) our means so that we can be responsible members of society, and have a better, debt-free future. We are making good decisions, it’s just difficult when you feel all alone in it!
I am so jealous of your dining chair score!
and also, jealous x10 of how thick and GORGEOUS that baby’s hair is! curse my scraggly mess.
Hopping over from ABM. I live in your area and NEVER find stuff THAT good at Goodwill! Awesome find! So jealous!