Last week my husband, out of the blue, took all four kids and went to Walmart and Publix- while I was at work, an amazing feat. He called me while they were there and asked what I needed "Um, lots of things, why?" I said. "Because we're here, getting all of our groceries," he replied. "OH! Did you take my list and coupons?" I asked. "No, I didn't know where it was." "Oh ok, just get whatever we normally get then." I said, trying not to be frustrated. I had about $8 worth of coupons for things at Walmart and Publix and a very detailed list of what was needed. But I decided that whatever he got would be great. It's not like it's his first time shopping for the family. He's had to do it plenty of times when I've been sick or after I've had one of the babies, so he had a general idea of what we get each week. Did he get everything on the list? No, but he did get a lot of things we needed. Did he use coupons? No, but they don't expire until Thursday--maybe I can make a trip to the store to pick up those items - if not, it's not going to break our bank.
Then, he did two loads of laundry. Washed, dried, folded, and (here's the shocker) put up. He also had dinner ready for me when I got home. Did aliens invade and take over his body you ask? No, he's just an amazing man and I'm one lucky lady. :)
Yesterday he washed our windows, window sills, and the walls next to the windows (some had gotten moldy--but I haven't been able to get to due to regular chores). He is just awesome!!
He says he's been lazy for way too long and wants to ease my burden by helping out. He's done this a few times before, but it only lasts 2-4 weeks. I'm hoping he's able to continue this one for a little bit, it is wonderful.
The kids are on their two week break right now and start back to school next week. I told him that he won't be able to do as much with them in school, to which he replied "I know, but I can at least do one or two things." This is just fantastic!
The Lord is really working in his life and it's so beautiful to see.
We've been together for 10 years this week and to see how he's changed over those 10 years is awesome. He went from talking the talk to actually walking it. He has such a heart for the Lord and it encourages me. Don't get me wrong, he's not the only one who's changed - I have too. And it's wonderful to be changing, learning, and growing together. What an amazing journey God has for us.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
10 years
A few weeks ago, my husband reminded me of a very important anniversary, the day I finally came to Christ. It was February 14th, 2000 and I was driving home from somewhere (can't remember where--probably my best friend at the time - Kelli - or Kelleigh as she liked to spell it). After denouncing Christianity and God about 7 or 8 months previously and living life how I wanted it, I realized how empty and unsatisfying it was. I didn't find the freedom I thought I would. Being able to do what I wanted to do, when I wanted to do it. So naive. God, in His amazing providence, put people in my life - Christians in my life - to draw me back to Him. After speaking with them about their beliefs and their book, I realized I had it SOO wrong. I spent about a month studying - just to make sure it was all legit - and was amazed at what I saw. Before now, reading the Bible was boring and blasse, now things were leaping off the pages at me. It actually made sense!!
So on that drive home, on the day our country celebrates love, I found out what true Love is.
May you all come to know true Love.
So on that drive home, on the day our country celebrates love, I found out what true Love is.
"Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not
love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing . And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing. Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; 5does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails . "1 Corinthians 13:1-8
love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing . And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing. Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; 5does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails . "1 Corinthians 13:1-8
May you all come to know true Love.
Monday, February 15, 2010
Confessions of a Couponaholic
I've been cutting (and using) coupons a lot more recently in an effort to save more money for our move in the next few months and this could get addicting! I would always look for sales for things we buy, but wouldn't use a whole lot of coupons. Well, after talking to an amazingly organized and resourceful friend, I have reorganized my shopping strategy. Clipping coupons for items that I know will go on BOGO soon at Publix, going to brand name websites to search for coupons there, and scouring my parent's Sunday paper for additional coupons (we don't buy the paper, thankfully they do). Sometimes my efforts only unearth one or two coupons, sometimes I find 25 coupons that don't expire for another month. I'm having a lot of fun with this!
My most favorite find this weekend was at Kohl's. We have a lot of little kitchen and household items that we need, so we've made a list, allotted some money to use each month, and are searching for sales. Kohl's had their entire section of kitchenware on sale this weekend. I had $10 Kohl's cash from a previous purchase (Pyrex kitchenware that was 60% off with coupons, sales, and mail-in-rebates), and received another $5 in e-mail. I was able to get a very nice bamboo wooden spoon and a very sturdy (and very cool looking) measuring cup set for FREE!! I actually still have $1.98, but it expires today and I don't forsee using it. My adrenaline is pumping.
I'm trying to instill in the girls the importance of finding the best deal (but not spending hours upon hours of looking). Right now they're learning about comparing "price per ounce" on grocery items and comparing prices for namebrand and generic items (we buy about 90% generic items at our house - the 10% namebrand are either onsale or I had coupons for). It's made a little adventure when we head down certain aisles like the cereal aisle. They have a game where they find the cheapest price per ounce cereal. Sometimes they are surprised at which ones are cheapeast!
If anyone has any coupon clipping ideas they'd like to share, feel free to do so - I could use any and all suggestions!
My most favorite find this weekend was at Kohl's. We have a lot of little kitchen and household items that we need, so we've made a list, allotted some money to use each month, and are searching for sales. Kohl's had their entire section of kitchenware on sale this weekend. I had $10 Kohl's cash from a previous purchase (Pyrex kitchenware that was 60% off with coupons, sales, and mail-in-rebates), and received another $5 in e-mail. I was able to get a very nice bamboo wooden spoon and a very sturdy (and very cool looking) measuring cup set for FREE!! I actually still have $1.98, but it expires today and I don't forsee using it. My adrenaline is pumping.
I'm trying to instill in the girls the importance of finding the best deal (but not spending hours upon hours of looking). Right now they're learning about comparing "price per ounce" on grocery items and comparing prices for namebrand and generic items (we buy about 90% generic items at our house - the 10% namebrand are either onsale or I had coupons for). It's made a little adventure when we head down certain aisles like the cereal aisle. They have a game where they find the cheapest price per ounce cereal. Sometimes they are surprised at which ones are cheapeast!
If anyone has any coupon clipping ideas they'd like to share, feel free to do so - I could use any and all suggestions!
Friday, February 5, 2010
The Budding Writer
As Doodle as progressed into writing more "stories", her writing style is beaming with 7-year-oldness and it's just awesome! Last week she and Lulu spent an entire week learning about Coral Reefs. So this week I let them make up their very own coral reef animals and they did a pretty good job. Lulu created an eel that curls up like a snail, and it's name is Eelya. :) Doodle created a fish called a Nailfish. Turns out, its predator is the Scalloped Hammerhead Shark. The shark tries to hammer the nead into the Woodfish (it's true, she even called Uncle Bobby to tell him all about it). What imagination!! She had to write a story about her fish last night, as if she herself were the creature. She surpassed my expectations. Aside from forgetting to capitalize I a few times and mispelling some words, her story is fabulous! Can't wait to have her write more.
To accompany her story, both girls got to make awesome stained-glass art of their animals. We took black construction paper, drew on their animals and habitats with a pencil, then went over the pencil with glue. We let the glue set over night then brought out Doodle's oil pastels (only, I can't call them "Oil Pastels" because Lulu says that word "pastel" sounds weird... so we can only call them oils..). The girls colored around their lined creations and added some extra dazzle to their pictures (Doodle said that the Nailfish lays 500 eggs at one time, similar to the Clownfish who lays 400 at a time.. so she decided to draw about 100 beautifully colorful fish below her nailfish). They turned out great! I'll have to take some pictures and upload them on here for you to see.
We talked a little bit about how much fun it was to create your own animal, what it looks like, where it lives, what it eats, etc. And we came to the conclusion that God must've had an awesome time creating all of His creation - hopping toads, flying birds, fish the size of an airplane. The Bible tells us that He frequently looked at His creation and said "It is good."
To accompany her story, both girls got to make awesome stained-glass art of their animals. We took black construction paper, drew on their animals and habitats with a pencil, then went over the pencil with glue. We let the glue set over night then brought out Doodle's oil pastels (only, I can't call them "Oil Pastels" because Lulu says that word "pastel" sounds weird... so we can only call them oils..). The girls colored around their lined creations and added some extra dazzle to their pictures (Doodle said that the Nailfish lays 500 eggs at one time, similar to the Clownfish who lays 400 at a time.. so she decided to draw about 100 beautifully colorful fish below her nailfish). They turned out great! I'll have to take some pictures and upload them on here for you to see.
We talked a little bit about how much fun it was to create your own animal, what it looks like, where it lives, what it eats, etc. And we came to the conclusion that God must've had an awesome time creating all of His creation - hopping toads, flying birds, fish the size of an airplane. The Bible tells us that He frequently looked at His creation and said "It is good."
Monday, January 25, 2010
The Storm
So the storm did come after the calm, but thankfully it wasn't a hurricane, and God is using it for good. Doesn't He always? Boy, I'm glad He does.
On another note both Doodle and Lulu lost teeth last week (D's third and L's first). What excitement! The cool part is that Lulu let me pull her tooth out (which only a little bit of effort). Doodle was terrified at the thought of someone pulling her tooth out, so she left it hang by a thread of flesh for two days (eew). In addition to this, Buddy got two of his molars in after many consecutive-exhausting-Tylenol-filled nights. Little Man was feeling a bit left out, he has all of his baby teeth (for now) and doesn't have any loose teeth yet (he's only four). But, that'll be over when he visits the dentist for a check up tomorrow. Yes, it's tooth month at our house.
We're debating on whether or not to get a (low) mortgage and buy a (cheap) house or to throw our money away suck it up and pay rent. I think we may apply for a loan, just see what we could be approved for and what's available. If we're declined then I guess we have our answer (if only all decisions could be solved this easily).
Doodle is learning how to write stories and we're having so much fun!! I'm trying to play her writing assignments off of things she's done with her regular school work, so this week she's going to be writing about a book they read last week called Caps for Sale . It's a hilarious book, and I'm going to have her write about why the monkeys were stuck up in the tree when the peddler took his nap (makes you want to read the book, doesn't it?). Should get her creative juices flowing and of course she'll provide the artwork to go along with her writing. Two weeks ago she wrote a story called "Buddy Boy plays ball" that detailed Buddy playing ball in his room, outside, and somewhere else---can't remember now. But it's a cute story. Should be great to see how her writing progresses throughout the year.
That's it for now. Hopefully we'll get some more bike riding in this week since the weather's supposed to be gorgeous most of the week. Fun stuff!
On another note both Doodle and Lulu lost teeth last week (D's third and L's first). What excitement! The cool part is that Lulu let me pull her tooth out (which only a little bit of effort). Doodle was terrified at the thought of someone pulling her tooth out, so she left it hang by a thread of flesh for two days (eew). In addition to this, Buddy got two of his molars in after many consecutive-exhausting-Tylenol-filled nights. Little Man was feeling a bit left out, he has all of his baby teeth (for now) and doesn't have any loose teeth yet (he's only four). But, that'll be over when he visits the dentist for a check up tomorrow. Yes, it's tooth month at our house.
We're debating on whether or not to get a (low) mortgage and buy a (cheap) house or to
Doodle is learning how to write stories and we're having so much fun!! I'm trying to play her writing assignments off of things she's done with her regular school work, so this week she's going to be writing about a book they read last week called Caps for Sale . It's a hilarious book, and I'm going to have her write about why the monkeys were stuck up in the tree when the peddler took his nap (makes you want to read the book, doesn't it?). Should get her creative juices flowing and of course she'll provide the artwork to go along with her writing. Two weeks ago she wrote a story called "Buddy Boy plays ball" that detailed Buddy playing ball in his room, outside, and somewhere else---can't remember now. But it's a cute story. Should be great to see how her writing progresses throughout the year.
That's it for now. Hopefully we'll get some more bike riding in this week since the weather's supposed to be gorgeous most of the week. Fun stuff!
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Fruits of the Spirit
Since this weekend, we've seen a major change in Little Man. The once very strong-willed toddler is now becoming a wonderful little boy. He was throwing a fit about something before church and we've been working with him for a long time to calm down. The kids know that when they whine, it's an automatic "no" response, and that has helped. But he's so different from the girls. I keep forgetting that boys aren't generally as mature as girls are, so it may take longer for things to "set in" with them. Well, all of a sudden his fit stopped and he said "Mama, I'm going to be good now. I'm done with my fit and I'm going to behave now." It was awesome!! He's learning self-control! He's done this two more times since Sunday and it's just a joy to see. Of course, he gets smothered in kisses when he does this, that helps too :) Last night he was spending some time with my parents and my dad commented that it was so nice to see him so well behaved.
Speaking about self-control, I'm reading a study on Ruth (love it!) and was challenged to pick a fruit of the Spirit this week to begin asking God for and living it out. Well, I need more patience. Some days it overflows, other days it's as dry as a desert. I'm trying to lean on God for the patience, because He knows I don't have it in me otherwise. I want to raise patient children and set a patient mood for the home, since kids learn best by observation, I really want this fruit in my life. I want my family to reap the rewards for this planting.
Now, I'm turning onto my oldest, Doodle Bug. She's just started reading chapter books (although she really could've started reading them months ago) so we borrowed a Nancy Drew and the Clue Crew book from the library. She was reading it to us last night and I was amazed at some of the words she was able to decipher. She's so good!! After struggling to read in Kindergarten (our fault, not hers) she is reading way above grade level. It's wonderful!! Feels like we're doing something right for a change :)
Things have gone so smoothly since our Christmas break, and I thank God for it and also hope it's not the calm before the storm.. but even if it is, I know He'll get us through it and around it or over it - whatever it may be. For now, we're just enjoying it, it's wonderful!
Speaking about self-control, I'm reading a study on Ruth (love it!) and was challenged to pick a fruit of the Spirit this week to begin asking God for and living it out. Well, I need more patience. Some days it overflows, other days it's as dry as a desert. I'm trying to lean on God for the patience, because He knows I don't have it in me otherwise. I want to raise patient children and set a patient mood for the home, since kids learn best by observation, I really want this fruit in my life. I want my family to reap the rewards for this planting.
Now, I'm turning onto my oldest, Doodle Bug. She's just started reading chapter books (although she really could've started reading them months ago) so we borrowed a Nancy Drew and the Clue Crew book from the library. She was reading it to us last night and I was amazed at some of the words she was able to decipher. She's so good!! After struggling to read in Kindergarten (our fault, not hers) she is reading way above grade level. It's wonderful!! Feels like we're doing something right for a change :)
Things have gone so smoothly since our Christmas break, and I thank God for it and also hope it's not the calm before the storm.. but even if it is, I know He'll get us through it and around it or over it - whatever it may be. For now, we're just enjoying it, it's wonderful!
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Hello 2010
I'm back at work after a wonderful and much needed 2 week break. The kids had a short break from school and it was nice to just hang out and be together.
I finished reading completely through the Bible some time last year and have had the sense that I really need to dig deeper, but don't really know how to start. Well, apparently my husband did, because he bought me 4 Bible study books for Christmas! I started reading the Ruth/Esther study last week and am thoroughly enjoying it. Ruth is one of my favorite books of the Bible, brought to life by our dear pastor many years ago. Esther is also a dear book to me, as our oldest daughter is named after Esther. It feels good to be digging deep again isntead of merely "skimming the surface" as it feels like I've been doing for the past year. I'm excited about the things God is showing me and the things He has in store for me. Hopefully I can better conform to the image He has for me and be the wife and mother I should be.
On another note, this is my "off" semester from school, and already I'm loving it. I only have five classes left to complete my associate's degree, but it will take me a while to finish. Some days I just want to tackle 2 classes a semester and get it done quickly. Then I realize that it's hard to even fit in one class a semester, juggling two is just asking for a stressful disaster. I'll be glad when it's finally over, even if it does end up taking me 11 years to finish.
And I'm leaving with this, some of the new vocabulary Buddy has added over the last month: apple, lap (accentuate the 'a'), down, Lulu, Dassah, mine, Pop (and Pops), I don't know (ah dunno), yes, and my all time favorite 'yep' with a very loud 'p' sound. :) Too cute.
I hope and pray you all had a Merry Christmas and are excited for this New Year God has given us.
I finished reading completely through the Bible some time last year and have had the sense that I really need to dig deeper, but don't really know how to start. Well, apparently my husband did, because he bought me 4 Bible study books for Christmas! I started reading the Ruth/Esther study last week and am thoroughly enjoying it. Ruth is one of my favorite books of the Bible, brought to life by our dear pastor many years ago. Esther is also a dear book to me, as our oldest daughter is named after Esther. It feels good to be digging deep again isntead of merely "skimming the surface" as it feels like I've been doing for the past year. I'm excited about the things God is showing me and the things He has in store for me. Hopefully I can better conform to the image He has for me and be the wife and mother I should be.
On another note, this is my "off" semester from school, and already I'm loving it. I only have five classes left to complete my associate's degree, but it will take me a while to finish. Some days I just want to tackle 2 classes a semester and get it done quickly. Then I realize that it's hard to even fit in one class a semester, juggling two is just asking for a stressful disaster. I'll be glad when it's finally over, even if it does end up taking me 11 years to finish.
And I'm leaving with this, some of the new vocabulary Buddy has added over the last month: apple, lap (accentuate the 'a'), down, Lulu, Dassah, mine, Pop (and Pops), I don't know (ah dunno), yes, and my all time favorite 'yep' with a very loud 'p' sound. :) Too cute.
I hope and pray you all had a Merry Christmas and are excited for this New Year God has given us.
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