and I am still up. It doesn't happen very often, maybe when I am in the midst of a book I just can't put down or my dog or children wake me from a sound sleep but here it is: 11:46 pm on New Year's. So I am here to say Happy New Year. I haven't had a chance to really reflect on this past year but it has overall been a good year (or maybe I have just blocked out the bad stuff).
I don't really make resolutions b/c I usually fail miserably at them but I am contemplating monthly goals so I will write on my January goal soon, maybe tomorrow if I can wake up.
May God bless you all in 2011!
Friday, December 31, 2010
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Christmas is upon us
In 4 days but still, if you are like me, you are knee deep in preparations. Or in my case at this very moment avoiding those very needed preparations. I was feeling a little crazed last week thinking of everything I still had to do. Funny thing is, I still have almost everything on my list to do that I had last week but the crazed feeling, not so much. I decided over the weekend, that it didn't matter. What would get done would get done, what didn't would be okay.
I still want Christmas to go well. I want to remember to buy all the things I need for Christmas dinner, to wrap the presents, send the cards, clean my house (that is the worst because it is bad! Really, really, really bad. When your 7 year old tells you the toilet needs to be cleaned, you know it is bad), drive around and let the kids see the lights, make perfect memories for them. But I have decided not to be uptight about it. (which is stressing my mom out a little). My husband might disagree. He might think I am still stressing about it. But I am not. Really. I have peace about it.
Ask me again in 2 days and I might feel differently. But today, even though I have literally been gone all day running errands, I am good.
So this week, I am praying we each have memorable Christmas's. That our kids will begin developing an understanding of what it is about. That it will be more than presents. That Christ's light will shine.
I am so grateful for an amazing God who sent His son for us, knowing Jesus would die a terrible death, loving us so deeply.
Merry Christmas!
I still want Christmas to go well. I want to remember to buy all the things I need for Christmas dinner, to wrap the presents, send the cards, clean my house (that is the worst because it is bad! Really, really, really bad. When your 7 year old tells you the toilet needs to be cleaned, you know it is bad), drive around and let the kids see the lights, make perfect memories for them. But I have decided not to be uptight about it. (which is stressing my mom out a little). My husband might disagree. He might think I am still stressing about it. But I am not. Really. I have peace about it.
Ask me again in 2 days and I might feel differently. But today, even though I have literally been gone all day running errands, I am good.
So this week, I am praying we each have memorable Christmas's. That our kids will begin developing an understanding of what it is about. That it will be more than presents. That Christ's light will shine.
I am so grateful for an amazing God who sent His son for us, knowing Jesus would die a terrible death, loving us so deeply.
Merry Christmas!
Thursday, December 16, 2010
No More Rack
Apparently this is a new site where when you sign up you get a $10 credit. And if you sign up here then I get an extra credit as well. They put new deals out every day at noon and shipping is $2.
If you decide to sign up, make sure the code P1070 is in the "redeem gift card" box. You can add it later if it doesn't work the first time.
Yesterday when I looked, they had stuff under $10 so it would be getting something for free. Which is my favorite!
Let me know if the link doesn't work, it should bring up a box where register by putting your email and password and the spot to enter the code.
If you decide to sign up, make sure the code P1070 is in the "redeem gift card" box. You can add it later if it doesn't work the first time.
Yesterday when I looked, they had stuff under $10 so it would be getting something for free. Which is my favorite!
Let me know if the link doesn't work, it should bring up a box where register by putting your email and password and the spot to enter the code.
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Is Santa Claus Real?
I have been dreading those words this year. Santa has never been a big deal in our house. When our son was still a baby, my husband and I decided we wouldn't "do" Santa but we never set up a game plan on how to approach the issue. Mostly, we just downplayed him and tried to avoid the subject.
But it is really hard to avoid Santa. We did let them see the old classic Christmas movies because they are fun and were childhood favorites of ours. But we never had them take pictures with Santa, write letters to Santa, leave out cookies for Santa or have them open presents specifically from Santa. We do stockings but I have never used special wrapping paper to hide that the gifts were actually from us.
Last year, there were a few questions but nothing significant.
That all changed this year. My oldest really started believing in Santa, apparently he figured out that stockings are supposed to be from Santa. I am sure he heard other kids talking about Santa. He wrote a letter to Santa and asked how we would get it to him.
Sunday, the kids watched the Veggie Tales about St. Nick. We bought it last year but I think they only watched it once and nothing really sank in. This year, my husband delicately talked about how there was a St. Nick who died and that people model Santa after him. My son didn't get it, but my 5 year old did. So at dinner last night, she said something about Santa not being real and that St. Nick died a long time ago. I wasn't really paying attention to their conversation to be honest until my son calls out "Mom, is Santa real?". Standing in the kitchen, I froze momentarily. I didn't have a game plan. Hubby and I talked about how we might pull son aside and explain it to him, but I wasn't prepared to answer this off the cuff in front of the girls. So I took a deep breath and went in to the dinner table and looked at those beautiful, innocent faces and I couldn't lie. I couldn't hedge. I knew I had to tell them the truth. (And I do believe it was God forcing the issue on me)
I looked at the 3 of them, and said "no, Santa is not real". My son tried to argue, he said "what about the stockings". I told him, grownups filled stockings. I wasn't sure how he would react. I reiterated about St. Nick. My 5 year old said "I know, Daddy told us". Clearly she wasn't disappointed. But I know my son had that moment, that loss when you realize something isn't magical like you had dreamed it was. And my heart did ache a little. As a child, I loved believing in Santa. I don't condemn anyone who has their kids believe in Santa. I am still sort of conflicted about it.
Except in 2 ways. One: I hate lying. I am quite relieved they know the truth. I don't have to try to come up with a truth in something that isn't true. Two, and this is something I just realized today as I was thinking about blogging this story: I know that my kids won't look at me one day and say "Is God real?". Not in the sense that I taught them something to believe in that they can't see only to learn it was all made up. They might question God's existence someday. I think most Christians do. But I know that when I tell them that God is real, they will have a background of me telling them the truth. Their having a relationship with God is my biggest priority as a parent. Hopefully now, we have established trust and I pray that it sticks with them.
But it is really hard to avoid Santa. We did let them see the old classic Christmas movies because they are fun and were childhood favorites of ours. But we never had them take pictures with Santa, write letters to Santa, leave out cookies for Santa or have them open presents specifically from Santa. We do stockings but I have never used special wrapping paper to hide that the gifts were actually from us.
Last year, there were a few questions but nothing significant.
That all changed this year. My oldest really started believing in Santa, apparently he figured out that stockings are supposed to be from Santa. I am sure he heard other kids talking about Santa. He wrote a letter to Santa and asked how we would get it to him.
Sunday, the kids watched the Veggie Tales about St. Nick. We bought it last year but I think they only watched it once and nothing really sank in. This year, my husband delicately talked about how there was a St. Nick who died and that people model Santa after him. My son didn't get it, but my 5 year old did. So at dinner last night, she said something about Santa not being real and that St. Nick died a long time ago. I wasn't really paying attention to their conversation to be honest until my son calls out "Mom, is Santa real?". Standing in the kitchen, I froze momentarily. I didn't have a game plan. Hubby and I talked about how we might pull son aside and explain it to him, but I wasn't prepared to answer this off the cuff in front of the girls. So I took a deep breath and went in to the dinner table and looked at those beautiful, innocent faces and I couldn't lie. I couldn't hedge. I knew I had to tell them the truth. (And I do believe it was God forcing the issue on me)
I looked at the 3 of them, and said "no, Santa is not real". My son tried to argue, he said "what about the stockings". I told him, grownups filled stockings. I wasn't sure how he would react. I reiterated about St. Nick. My 5 year old said "I know, Daddy told us". Clearly she wasn't disappointed. But I know my son had that moment, that loss when you realize something isn't magical like you had dreamed it was. And my heart did ache a little. As a child, I loved believing in Santa. I don't condemn anyone who has their kids believe in Santa. I am still sort of conflicted about it.
Except in 2 ways. One: I hate lying. I am quite relieved they know the truth. I don't have to try to come up with a truth in something that isn't true. Two, and this is something I just realized today as I was thinking about blogging this story: I know that my kids won't look at me one day and say "Is God real?". Not in the sense that I taught them something to believe in that they can't see only to learn it was all made up. They might question God's existence someday. I think most Christians do. But I know that when I tell them that God is real, they will have a background of me telling them the truth. Their having a relationship with God is my biggest priority as a parent. Hopefully now, we have established trust and I pray that it sticks with them.
Feeling Overwhelmed
Every year I swear I won't let it come to this. The franticness that happens right before Christmas when I realize there is not enough time in the day to accomplish what I want to get done before that day. Add to it 6-8 weeks of random illness and not only do I not feel ready for Christmas, but I feel unprepared to handle all the day to day stuff that I am really behind on.
I keep reminding my kids why we celebrate Christmas. That it is a celebration of the birth of Jesus. And that is the most important thing. But I love all the traditions of Christmas. I love making candy and cookies and pumpkin bread. I love shopping and finding the perfect presents for people. I love building gingerbread houses with my kids every year. I love sending out cards with personal messages on them. I love driving and looking and the lights, going to Zoolights. I love all of it.
Ever since having kids though, I come to a point when I realize I just cannot do it all. Something has to be let go of. I haven't quite figured out what that is going to be. And in the end, my kids will have a great time even if we don't get to do everything on my list. And I will get over it and tell myself, next year I will do things differently. And I might. I won't promise anything but I might.
So this week, as we are frantically trying to fit everything in, my prayer is that we will be able to stop and take time to remember why we go through all this craziness. And to be able to enjoy as much of it as we can.
Let me know if there is anything specific I can pray for you this week.
I keep reminding my kids why we celebrate Christmas. That it is a celebration of the birth of Jesus. And that is the most important thing. But I love all the traditions of Christmas. I love making candy and cookies and pumpkin bread. I love shopping and finding the perfect presents for people. I love building gingerbread houses with my kids every year. I love sending out cards with personal messages on them. I love driving and looking and the lights, going to Zoolights. I love all of it.
Ever since having kids though, I come to a point when I realize I just cannot do it all. Something has to be let go of. I haven't quite figured out what that is going to be. And in the end, my kids will have a great time even if we don't get to do everything on my list. And I will get over it and tell myself, next year I will do things differently. And I might. I won't promise anything but I might.
So this week, as we are frantically trying to fit everything in, my prayer is that we will be able to stop and take time to remember why we go through all this craziness. And to be able to enjoy as much of it as we can.
Let me know if there is anything specific I can pray for you this week.
Monday, December 6, 2010
When God speaks
One thing I have noticed with having more communication with God on my end, is that He communicates more with me...or actually I hear His voice better. I am sure most of us can say that we get those stirrings of our heart, we think about someone, or wonder if we should call/take a meal/buy a coffee, etc. It is easy to think that it just happened. I just happened to think of you today, I just happened across an old picture or a smell or cooked something that you made...kind of thing. But do things like that really just happen? Do you ever wonder if there is a bigger picture here? Absolutely! I firmly believe those moments are God speaking to us.
Last week, a friend of mine came to mind. A close friend who I don't get to see nearly often enough. She was on my heart. I had no idea why. There was nothing to trigger it this time. I just knew I needed to pray for her. I didn't know what for. She doesn't live close, I am not a phone talker, we don't always get to chat about the everyday things that are going on in our lives so I had no idea what was going on in her life. But I prayed. And I emailed her just to let her know she was on my heart. She emailed me back and told me she had been going through something, she had been feeling alone and what a blessing it was to know that God was listening. Yes, God listens. I love that! It is easy to think sometimes that we are praying to a ceiling. We don't always get to see an immediate response to prayer or even a long term resolution to prayer. But God hears us. He uses us not only to pray for others but as an answer, as an encourager for others. Even if the answer is just to say: "I hear you, you are not alone".
So if you get those nudgings, those whisperings, if someone crosses your mind today, say a prayer for them. You never know how much they might be needing it. And if you have any prayer requests, please let me know. I love praying for my friends.
Last week, a friend of mine came to mind. A close friend who I don't get to see nearly often enough. She was on my heart. I had no idea why. There was nothing to trigger it this time. I just knew I needed to pray for her. I didn't know what for. She doesn't live close, I am not a phone talker, we don't always get to chat about the everyday things that are going on in our lives so I had no idea what was going on in her life. But I prayed. And I emailed her just to let her know she was on my heart. She emailed me back and told me she had been going through something, she had been feeling alone and what a blessing it was to know that God was listening. Yes, God listens. I love that! It is easy to think sometimes that we are praying to a ceiling. We don't always get to see an immediate response to prayer or even a long term resolution to prayer. But God hears us. He uses us not only to pray for others but as an answer, as an encourager for others. Even if the answer is just to say: "I hear you, you are not alone".
So if you get those nudgings, those whisperings, if someone crosses your mind today, say a prayer for them. You never know how much they might be needing it. And if you have any prayer requests, please let me know. I love praying for my friends.
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Why I love Rite Aid
I went in to Rite Aid to buy one thing. It was a really good deal and it is basically free b/c of a coupon and UP reward (I am not saying what it is b/c I am giving it to my hubby for Christmas) but then I remembered the kids' school was asking for donations of clorox wipes to help keep germs down so I went and looked and they were having a really good deal. Well, by the time I added cleaning supplies to my list I figured I needed to reach $25 to use my $5 off coupon (which are no longer available). My total came to $25.99 (near perfect I think). After coupons and previous UP rewards, I spent $10.19 out of pocket and got back $9 in UP rewards. Pretty awesome I would say.
Here is what I got: The thing for hubby
4 canisters of clorox wipes (2/$4)
2 bottles of Lysol (B1G1 free)
2 packages candy cane kisses - my kids love these!
I used $5/$25 coupon
$1/2 packages hersheys candy
$4/1 thing for hubby
$.75/1 (2) clorox wipes
$.40/1 (2) clorox wipes
$.50 video values coupon for the clorox wipes
Plus $3 off in UP rewards.
Pretty good amount of cleaning supplies, I needed some plus I can donate the others to the school and I spent hardly anything.
Now, sometimes they are out of stock on things. That is the biggest bummer. I really didn't expect to find the thing for my husband so I was happy to see it.
It was a really easy transaction and the cashiers here in town are great. They never fuss over my coupons.
Now to go clean some of these germs from my house!
Here is what I got: The thing for hubby
4 canisters of clorox wipes (2/$4)
2 bottles of Lysol (B1G1 free)
2 packages candy cane kisses - my kids love these!
I used $5/$25 coupon
$1/2 packages hersheys candy
$4/1 thing for hubby
$.75/1 (2) clorox wipes
$.40/1 (2) clorox wipes
$.50 video values coupon for the clorox wipes
Plus $3 off in UP rewards.
Pretty good amount of cleaning supplies, I needed some plus I can donate the others to the school and I spent hardly anything.
Now, sometimes they are out of stock on things. That is the biggest bummer. I really didn't expect to find the thing for my husband so I was happy to see it.
It was a really easy transaction and the cashiers here in town are great. They never fuss over my coupons.
Now to go clean some of these germs from my house!
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Health
Apparently this is something I have taken for granted. Being a physical therapist, I don't take being injury free for granted. But my health...I have always been fairly healthy. A few colds here and there, bronchitis every couple of years but nothing major. Until recently. I feel my health has been fragile for weeks and it is wearing me down. Not to mention the ear infections, colds and random hives I have been watching my kids go through. My poor husband has been a saint dealing with me and my house that gets buried under stuff more and more each day b/c I just haven't had the energy to keep up with it.
But I am not here to whine. I know others are having health issues. (Update on my boss' wife: she made it home for Thanksgiving with an IV line in, I think she is doing better so that is good news.)
I know some of you are also sick as well as your kids and the weather is crummy and Christmas is coming with all it's craziness...so I think this week, my prayer focus is going to be health. Health for all of us. Hopefully those of us that are sick will get over it and be healthy for Christmas and those that aren't sick will stay that way. When I finally start feeling better, I am going to be much more appreciative of being healthy, that's for sure.
If you have any specific prayer requests, for health or otherwise, please let me know.
But I am not here to whine. I know others are having health issues. (Update on my boss' wife: she made it home for Thanksgiving with an IV line in, I think she is doing better so that is good news.)
I know some of you are also sick as well as your kids and the weather is crummy and Christmas is coming with all it's craziness...so I think this week, my prayer focus is going to be health. Health for all of us. Hopefully those of us that are sick will get over it and be healthy for Christmas and those that aren't sick will stay that way. When I finally start feeling better, I am going to be much more appreciative of being healthy, that's for sure.
If you have any specific prayer requests, for health or otherwise, please let me know.
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Safeway delivery
I have never had groceries delivered to me before but this was such a great deal I couldn't pass it up. They were having a special code to get $20 off of a $50 order and free delivery. Plus they were having a great buy one get one free sale and that comes off after you hitthe $50. Way better deal than what I can get in the store. Plus, Tillamook cheese was on sale for $3.99. Since my hubby is a cheese snob so this is a great price and it lasts a long time.
Here's what I got:
6 2pound bricks of cheddar cheese
2 packages Jimmy Dean sausage (BOGO free)
2 packages Hebrew National beef hot dogs (BOGO free)
2 packages Thomas' English muffins (BOGO free)
Total before savings comes off $52.68. After $18.41!! Seriously, that is a great deal and I didn't have to worry about coupons. Plus, since it's free delivery, I could pick a 1 hour delivery window and they deliver in the evening so I will get it tomorrow night.
The only thing that could have made this deal better is getting the .25c/pound turkey (when you spend $50). Apparently they were out of the turkeys but I didn't need it for Thanksgiving anyway so it's fine.
I know, I get so excited about this stuff don't I? I just love saving money.
Here's what I got:
6 2pound bricks of cheddar cheese
2 packages Jimmy Dean sausage (BOGO free)
2 packages Hebrew National beef hot dogs (BOGO free)
2 packages Thomas' English muffins (BOGO free)
Total before savings comes off $52.68. After $18.41!! Seriously, that is a great deal and I didn't have to worry about coupons. Plus, since it's free delivery, I could pick a 1 hour delivery window and they deliver in the evening so I will get it tomorrow night.
The only thing that could have made this deal better is getting the .25c/pound turkey (when you spend $50). Apparently they were out of the turkeys but I didn't need it for Thanksgiving anyway so it's fine.
I know, I get so excited about this stuff don't I? I just love saving money.
Monday, November 22, 2010
Prayer Requests and Update
This has been a crazy week. Recovering from shingles, getting a cold, getting geared up for this holiday season, it seems like it has flown by. Thank you to everyone who prayed for me, I really appreciate it. I know my shingles could have been a lot worse and I am grateful they weren't.
An update on my boss' wife: she is still in the hospital. They are still trying to figure out where her infection is coming from but overall she is doing better. She will probably be there until wednesday. They could use continued prayer. I am sure her 4 kids are missing her like crazy.
If you have any prayer requests, please let me know. I hope everyone has a safe and good Thanksgiving.
An update on my boss' wife: she is still in the hospital. They are still trying to figure out where her infection is coming from but overall she is doing better. She will probably be there until wednesday. They could use continued prayer. I am sure her 4 kids are missing her like crazy.
If you have any prayer requests, please let me know. I hope everyone has a safe and good Thanksgiving.
Friday, November 19, 2010
Something I'm pondering
Today one of my patients was talking about her children and how when they were little she tried really hard to be happy around them. As part of raising them, she felt this would give them the best environment and apparently they turned out pretty good.
It got me thinking though, about how I am around my kids. Do I show them joy (which I think is more important than happiness) or do I show them stress? Unfortunately, lately I think it has been more stress. I feel I used to stop what I was doing and play with them, dance with them, sing with them...take time to be with them. While I still am with them, I am often cleaning or cooking or working on the computer or clipping coupons or or or... The list goes on and on. How often do I actually sit on the floor with them and play or color or goof off? I honestly don't know the answer.
I grew up with a single mom who was devastated by the loss of my dad leaving. It has shaped me. I am the one who takes care of people. Rarely do I let someone comfort and care for me. I think it is a gift to be a listener, a gift God gave me that has helped me in my work and life but sometimes you do need to lean on others. So the question is, how much do you let your children see that. Do you lean on them sometimes or should you always be strong and stoic?
I don't necessarily feel I should shield my children from all of my emotions. If I am upset about something, do I hide it? Sometimes I do and sometimes I don't. Do they see me cry? Yes. Do they see me laugh? I hope so. But how much should I show them? I don't want to hide my emotions so much that they think they have to grow up and not lean on people but I don't want them to grow up thinking they have to take care of me and my emotional issues or hide from me things that upset them b/c they think it might upset me (which I have done a lot with my mom).
Where is the balance? I really don't know. But I feel I can use some improvement in this area.
It got me thinking though, about how I am around my kids. Do I show them joy (which I think is more important than happiness) or do I show them stress? Unfortunately, lately I think it has been more stress. I feel I used to stop what I was doing and play with them, dance with them, sing with them...take time to be with them. While I still am with them, I am often cleaning or cooking or working on the computer or clipping coupons or or or... The list goes on and on. How often do I actually sit on the floor with them and play or color or goof off? I honestly don't know the answer.
I grew up with a single mom who was devastated by the loss of my dad leaving. It has shaped me. I am the one who takes care of people. Rarely do I let someone comfort and care for me. I think it is a gift to be a listener, a gift God gave me that has helped me in my work and life but sometimes you do need to lean on others. So the question is, how much do you let your children see that. Do you lean on them sometimes or should you always be strong and stoic?
I don't necessarily feel I should shield my children from all of my emotions. If I am upset about something, do I hide it? Sometimes I do and sometimes I don't. Do they see me cry? Yes. Do they see me laugh? I hope so. But how much should I show them? I don't want to hide my emotions so much that they think they have to grow up and not lean on people but I don't want them to grow up thinking they have to take care of me and my emotional issues or hide from me things that upset them b/c they think it might upset me (which I have done a lot with my mom).
Where is the balance? I really don't know. But I feel I can use some improvement in this area.
Monday, November 15, 2010
Whenever I whine
about my life I am reminded of how truly blessed my life is and how incredibly lucky I am. I kind of had a lousy weekend...well, that's not entirely true. I had a feeling lousy weekend. Parts of it were nice, parts not so nice. Basically I felt crummy and just didn't know how long it was going to last.
Last night my fever broke and I started feeling better which was a huge relief.
But here's the thing, I get to work this morning and my boss' wife has been in the hospital all weekend. She went in friday with an infection in her leg, it turned into her needing her gallbladder out and then by this afternoon she was having surgery on her leg b/c she was turning septic. She is my age and has 4 children. They don't really know what is causing the infection.
My bout with shingles was never life threatening no matter how miserable I was.
I am asking for prayer for my boss' wife, her name is Kim.
And if you have a prayer request for this week, please put it in the comments or prayer requests page.
And a big thank you to all my friends who prayed for me. It was greatly appreciated and I know it helped. My pain wasn't nearly as bad as it could have been nor did the rash spread as far as it could have and for that I am truly grateful.
Last night my fever broke and I started feeling better which was a huge relief.
But here's the thing, I get to work this morning and my boss' wife has been in the hospital all weekend. She went in friday with an infection in her leg, it turned into her needing her gallbladder out and then by this afternoon she was having surgery on her leg b/c she was turning septic. She is my age and has 4 children. They don't really know what is causing the infection.
My bout with shingles was never life threatening no matter how miserable I was.
I am asking for prayer for my boss' wife, her name is Kim.
And if you have a prayer request for this week, please put it in the comments or prayer requests page.
And a big thank you to all my friends who prayed for me. It was greatly appreciated and I know it helped. My pain wasn't nearly as bad as it could have been nor did the rash spread as far as it could have and for that I am truly grateful.
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Thanks for listening...
to me whine yesterday. Boy I was feeling sorry for myself. But my pity party is over. There are so many people worse off than me and I am very grateful for my overall health.
Thank you to everyone who has prayed for me and this shingles thing. I am optimistic today that I have passed the worst of it. My head is still hurting but not like yesterday and I think the medication has helped a ton already.
Having my husband home today for Veteran's Day was a big help. We got to have family time and he was so great taking over the kids and cleaning up the kitchen and generally just helping me out without making me feel guilty for it.
Plus the kids are in bed early and I get to have a relaxing evening ahead of me.
Life is good.
Thank you to everyone who has prayed for me and this shingles thing. I am optimistic today that I have passed the worst of it. My head is still hurting but not like yesterday and I think the medication has helped a ton already.
Having my husband home today for Veteran's Day was a big help. We got to have family time and he was so great taking over the kids and cleaning up the kitchen and generally just helping me out without making me feel guilty for it.
Plus the kids are in bed early and I get to have a relaxing evening ahead of me.
Life is good.
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
A funny feeling
It started on one side of my head. When I brushed my hair, it felt like I had a sunburn. By nighttime, I had a small rash developing on my forehead and I knew. I just knew I had shingles. I had to work today so couldn't go to the doctor but as the day progressed and I started having pain on the side of my head and a headache and weird burning/tingling/sensitivity I knew I had to go tonight. The doctor may have been skeptical when I said I thought I had shingles but it took him about a second of looking at the rash to agree.
Maybe the fact that I am younger than most people will mean I will get over it quickly but I am sort of dreading the next few days as I am feeling it will get worse. I think it would be better had I not seen and worked with people over the years who have had shingles. They always say how painful it is, how long it can last and how it can come back at any time.
Plus, I have the added benefit of it being on my head. On my head! How crazy is that. The MA said she has only seen it 2x before on the head. Oh and if it goes into my eye, I can become blind. But the doctor seemed to think that was only a remote possibility.
Thanks for indulging me in my moping session.
I think I will take some Advil and go to bed.
(all prayers are appreciated)
Maybe the fact that I am younger than most people will mean I will get over it quickly but I am sort of dreading the next few days as I am feeling it will get worse. I think it would be better had I not seen and worked with people over the years who have had shingles. They always say how painful it is, how long it can last and how it can come back at any time.
Plus, I have the added benefit of it being on my head. On my head! How crazy is that. The MA said she has only seen it 2x before on the head. Oh and if it goes into my eye, I can become blind. But the doctor seemed to think that was only a remote possibility.
Thanks for indulging me in my moping session.
I think I will take some Advil and go to bed.
(all prayers are appreciated)
Monday, November 8, 2010
Sunday School
I have been helping out in Sunday School once a month for the past couple of months. Yesterday, the lady I normally help with was sick so our pastor's wife filled in for her. She sort of had to throw things together (I am just the helper, just show up and try to corral kids which is not always easy!). Yesterday she hadn't had time to prepare a Bible verse for the kids to learn. My princess has been learning verses at school, they do it by the alphabet. I asked her if there was a verse she knew that we could memorize as a class (she remembers them better than I). We came up with B, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved" was fitting for the lesson and easy for the kids to memorize. I think she was so proud of herself for being able to contribute and to actually say it in front of the class. She is my shy one so whenever I see her reaching out past her comfortable boundaries, it makes me feel happy.
Just thought I would share. It is fun to watch my kids grow up and see the people they are becoming in this world. Oh and listening to her sing the worship songs as she cuddled next to me brought tears to my eyes. I love the fact that they are singing praise songs and putting the Bible into their hearts!
And please, feel free to add your prayer requests to the comments section. I really do love praying for my friends!
Just thought I would share. It is fun to watch my kids grow up and see the people they are becoming in this world. Oh and listening to her sing the worship songs as she cuddled next to me brought tears to my eyes. I love the fact that they are singing praise songs and putting the Bible into their hearts!
And please, feel free to add your prayer requests to the comments section. I really do love praying for my friends!
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Just a Reminder
If you have anything you would like prayer for, please enter it into the comments section of the prayer request page. I do check it and I would love to pray for my friends. I do already actually but sometimes there is a need for specific prayers.
This has not been a good day for me but I was reminded yesterday of how incredibly blessed I am. Incredibly blessed to live in this country, to have a home, plenty of food, 3 beautiful healthy children. Sometimes all you need is some perspective. I see patients come to me in pain. Sometimes it is physical pain but sometimes it is emotional pain. I have a patient who I started seeing a couple of months ago for a fractured shoulder/joint replacement, and at the time whose husband was just diagnosed with a tumor in his leg. I have watched this very stoic woman go from being optimistic, encouraged, supportive to being distraught and burdened by her husbands' pain. He had radiation for 5 weeks every day then had to stop to get it out of his system before surgery next week. She says she can see the tumor grow almost daily and her husband is really in agony while being on the strongest dose of morphine he can have. Last week, her PCP told her he would probably have his leg amputated. What a burden for this woman who couldn't even comb her own hair a few weeks ago.
Why am I saying all this? I just need to be reminded sometimes that my life is good. And that there are people out there whose life is not so good. And even if my life is not as good or perfect as I would like, I know God is by my side every step of the way.
Thankfully this woman is a believer. If you have a moment, please pray for her and her husband and the doctors who will be doing the surgery.
This has not been a good day for me but I was reminded yesterday of how incredibly blessed I am. Incredibly blessed to live in this country, to have a home, plenty of food, 3 beautiful healthy children. Sometimes all you need is some perspective. I see patients come to me in pain. Sometimes it is physical pain but sometimes it is emotional pain. I have a patient who I started seeing a couple of months ago for a fractured shoulder/joint replacement, and at the time whose husband was just diagnosed with a tumor in his leg. I have watched this very stoic woman go from being optimistic, encouraged, supportive to being distraught and burdened by her husbands' pain. He had radiation for 5 weeks every day then had to stop to get it out of his system before surgery next week. She says she can see the tumor grow almost daily and her husband is really in agony while being on the strongest dose of morphine he can have. Last week, her PCP told her he would probably have his leg amputated. What a burden for this woman who couldn't even comb her own hair a few weeks ago.
Why am I saying all this? I just need to be reminded sometimes that my life is good. And that there are people out there whose life is not so good. And even if my life is not as good or perfect as I would like, I know God is by my side every step of the way.
Thankfully this woman is a believer. If you have a moment, please pray for her and her husband and the doctors who will be doing the surgery.
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Honor..
thy father and mother. That is the 4th commandment and something we talked about at our sunday night church get together. The pastor also talked about the 3rd Commandment: keeping the Sabbath and it was interesting because he had a lot to say about that one but the 4th was short. It seems pretty simple right? Especially if you are a kid (I still think of our assistant pastor as a kid, I guess I am at that age) who had amazing parents who were worth honoring and obeying. Not that it is always easy as a young child to honor and obey but you learn when you have good role models.
But what happens when you don't? When you don't really look at one or both of your parents as honorable? Our wise mishmashmaggie had some good things to say about this. I won't be able to say it as eloquently as she did but basically she told how her mom became a Christian because Lainie was able to honor her parents in the way God wants us to. That's pretty amazing. Coming from a family where I struggle to honor especially my father because of the choices he has made in his life, this was a good lesson for me. But he is my father and I am really the only believer he is around. I don't know if he has felt my dishonor of him but it is there, in my heart and clearly something I need to work on. And if it is in my heart, then it might be coming out more than I realize. Definitely something to pray about.
But what happens when you don't? When you don't really look at one or both of your parents as honorable? Our wise mishmashmaggie had some good things to say about this. I won't be able to say it as eloquently as she did but basically she told how her mom became a Christian because Lainie was able to honor her parents in the way God wants us to. That's pretty amazing. Coming from a family where I struggle to honor especially my father because of the choices he has made in his life, this was a good lesson for me. But he is my father and I am really the only believer he is around. I don't know if he has felt my dishonor of him but it is there, in my heart and clearly something I need to work on. And if it is in my heart, then it might be coming out more than I realize. Definitely something to pray about.
Monday, October 25, 2010
Sweet Surrender
I was going to write this post last week...but last week was not a great week and actually, I am so glad I waited until after this past weekend.
2 weekends ago, I was burnt out. I had been taking care of my mom who had knee surgery, dealing with a bad case of vertigo, not getting enough sleep and just had too much on my place. So when Sunday came, I was done. You know that feeling. Where you just want to curl up and have "me" time.
I should know better. There is a difference between selfishly wanting "me" time and doing things that calm the spirit and give me the true rest that I need.
Our church has started a study on the Ten Commandments. It was going to be Sunday night and I did not want to go. But I prayed that if we were to go, my husband would want to go. (We are good at balancing out each other that way). But I completely sabotaged it by telling him I really didn't want to go but would go if he wanted. What exactly was he supposed to say to that? Especially with the tone I used. So we didn't go. And I was miserable. Even though he was incredibly supportive and told me we could have a relaxing evening at home. My evening was no where near relaxing. I could have gone and had a potluck dinner, dove more deeply into the Word, and spent time with a great bunch of people. Instead, I rushed to cook dinner, get the kids in baths and bed and then whatever other projects I felt I had to do. And this mood carried over into monday. Not a good day. Because I knew. I knew I had disobeyed God and it is not a good feeling.
So come Tuesday,when we had Women's Prayer group and I sort of didn't want to go (wanted some down time), I went and was completely blessed and felt blessed for the rest of my day. Saturday came a Women's All Day Retreat. I waivered back and forth, go all day, go part of the day, go all day, go part of the day. But in my heart I knew, I should go all day. So I did. And it was amazing. And I didn't feel harried or overwhelmed at the end of the day even though I had been gone all day. And my kids did amazing at soccer and my husband took good care of them.
Sunday comes and church and we are getting out of church late b/c hubby is helping break things down. Which is great but it gets us home late and then he had to help a friend take care of a chicken who was hurt. So we got home late and the evening thing was coming in just a few short hours. And I didn't totally want to go, because, well, I was tired and wanted down time. But we went. And we ate amazing food and the kids played awesome with other kids and actually I feel made new friends. And I learned some good lessons about the Ten Commandments. And I felt rested. Yes, my weekend was crazy and I got absolutely nothing done around my house and I didn't get as much sleep as I would have liked but...I obeyed God, I was nourished by Him, nourished by our church body and I felt really good. I am super tired today but I still feel like I am carrying around that peace that only comes from Him.
Obeying God is hard sometimes but He knows so much more than us. When we surrender to His will for our lives, it is so much easier. Life isn't always better, but it is easier to deal with the bad stuff when you feel the peace of God. You know you can get through it with Him at your side.
2 weekends ago, I was burnt out. I had been taking care of my mom who had knee surgery, dealing with a bad case of vertigo, not getting enough sleep and just had too much on my place. So when Sunday came, I was done. You know that feeling. Where you just want to curl up and have "me" time.
I should know better. There is a difference between selfishly wanting "me" time and doing things that calm the spirit and give me the true rest that I need.
Our church has started a study on the Ten Commandments. It was going to be Sunday night and I did not want to go. But I prayed that if we were to go, my husband would want to go. (We are good at balancing out each other that way). But I completely sabotaged it by telling him I really didn't want to go but would go if he wanted. What exactly was he supposed to say to that? Especially with the tone I used. So we didn't go. And I was miserable. Even though he was incredibly supportive and told me we could have a relaxing evening at home. My evening was no where near relaxing. I could have gone and had a potluck dinner, dove more deeply into the Word, and spent time with a great bunch of people. Instead, I rushed to cook dinner, get the kids in baths and bed and then whatever other projects I felt I had to do. And this mood carried over into monday. Not a good day. Because I knew. I knew I had disobeyed God and it is not a good feeling.
So come Tuesday,when we had Women's Prayer group and I sort of didn't want to go (wanted some down time), I went and was completely blessed and felt blessed for the rest of my day. Saturday came a Women's All Day Retreat. I waivered back and forth, go all day, go part of the day, go all day, go part of the day. But in my heart I knew, I should go all day. So I did. And it was amazing. And I didn't feel harried or overwhelmed at the end of the day even though I had been gone all day. And my kids did amazing at soccer and my husband took good care of them.
Sunday comes and church and we are getting out of church late b/c hubby is helping break things down. Which is great but it gets us home late and then he had to help a friend take care of a chicken who was hurt. So we got home late and the evening thing was coming in just a few short hours. And I didn't totally want to go, because, well, I was tired and wanted down time. But we went. And we ate amazing food and the kids played awesome with other kids and actually I feel made new friends. And I learned some good lessons about the Ten Commandments. And I felt rested. Yes, my weekend was crazy and I got absolutely nothing done around my house and I didn't get as much sleep as I would have liked but...I obeyed God, I was nourished by Him, nourished by our church body and I felt really good. I am super tired today but I still feel like I am carrying around that peace that only comes from Him.
Obeying God is hard sometimes but He knows so much more than us. When we surrender to His will for our lives, it is so much easier. Life isn't always better, but it is easier to deal with the bad stuff when you feel the peace of God. You know you can get through it with Him at your side.
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
New page
Forgive me as I am trying to figure out how best to work this blog. I feel the prayer requests are sort of getting lost in the grand scheme of things. I cannot figure out how to make a section on the main page where requests could just be added so I created it's own page off to the right that says "prayer request page". It might be an extra step in a way but maybe easier for you guys to find.
I am open to suggestions if anyone has any better ideas or if there are things you like/don't like about my blog.
I am open to suggestions if anyone has any better ideas or if there are things you like/don't like about my blog.
Monday, October 18, 2010
Free Stuff
I love getting free stuff. I have sort of been signing up for all sorts of samples that I see listed on blogs and then forget what I have signed up for until a mysterious box arrives in my mail and it is like Christmas. I know it is silly but I love it. Plus there are lots of deals out there where you create an account and get a credit. Then you wait for a good deal and basically get something for free or by paying for shipping.
So I just found one of these, I don't even know the site but if you go here to Rue La La you will get a $20 credit for creating an account. Apparently it takes up to 2 days to get your credit so I haven't ordered anything but they have a lot of different boutiques and anything from clothes to spas to baked gift baskets. Some things were outrageous but some things were decently priced especially if you take the $20 off.
Sounds fun right? I will check back in a couple of days and make sure I get my credit and maybe I can score a Christmas present from it.
Man I love free stuff!
So I just found one of these, I don't even know the site but if you go here to Rue La La you will get a $20 credit for creating an account. Apparently it takes up to 2 days to get your credit so I haven't ordered anything but they have a lot of different boutiques and anything from clothes to spas to baked gift baskets. Some things were outrageous but some things were decently priced especially if you take the $20 off.
Sounds fun right? I will check back in a couple of days and make sure I get my credit and maybe I can score a Christmas present from it.
Man I love free stuff!
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Prayer Requests 10/12
"always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God." Col. 4:12b
How amazing would it be to live a life complete in the will of God? Or standing perfect? I know it is an impossible task but I love the thought of it. Life would be so different I think if we were able to be in God's will all the time. It might not be easier but it would be more comforting if that makes sense. I know we are to withstand trials and tribulations but it is better going through them knowing and feeling God is on our side walking through it with us.
So as I am trying to pray fervently for my dear friends, what specific things can I pray for you this week?
Monday, October 11, 2010
Pray for...
Girlfriends. I was trying to decide what special thing I wanted to pray extra for this week and I was thinking about the blog and you guys who have sent me such encouraging notes about this. Friends don't come easy to me. I am not super social or outgoing. It takes a lot for me to open up to someone, I have to feel some trust there. I am definitely not one of those people who know no strangers and sees friends everywhere they go.
But I do have amazing friends. Some are friends I have known since I was a little girl, some are from high school, college, graduate school, work, friends from my neighborhood, friends from church. (Okay, now that I have written all of that out, maybe I do have a lot of friends- but that isn't really my point here)
My point is that I am so grateful for all of my friends. Each one is special and each one helps me in different ways. I love my husband. He actually is my best friend. If I had no one else but him, I would be okay with that. But men are different from women (fortunately!) and we see things differently. He leads with his head, me with my heart and hormones. Sometimes I need that levelheadedness that he gives me. Sometimes I just really need someone to sympathize with me even if I am being completely irrational and offer me chocolate. That's what girlfriends do. They put up with you trying on a million dresses to wear to a wedding, they offer you shoes or jewelry or a purse to borrow for the occasion, they buy you a treat when you are down or offer to watch your kids when you are overwhelmed, they cry with you when you are sad and rejoice at the happy times. Friends just get how you think and sometimes that's all you need. Not someone to fix it, just to understand.
So this week, dear friends, I am thanking God for each of you and saying an extra prayer for you. Thank you for being a part of my life.
And remember to pray for the girls in your life.
But I do have amazing friends. Some are friends I have known since I was a little girl, some are from high school, college, graduate school, work, friends from my neighborhood, friends from church. (Okay, now that I have written all of that out, maybe I do have a lot of friends- but that isn't really my point here)
My point is that I am so grateful for all of my friends. Each one is special and each one helps me in different ways. I love my husband. He actually is my best friend. If I had no one else but him, I would be okay with that. But men are different from women (fortunately!) and we see things differently. He leads with his head, me with my heart and hormones. Sometimes I need that levelheadedness that he gives me. Sometimes I just really need someone to sympathize with me even if I am being completely irrational and offer me chocolate. That's what girlfriends do. They put up with you trying on a million dresses to wear to a wedding, they offer you shoes or jewelry or a purse to borrow for the occasion, they buy you a treat when you are down or offer to watch your kids when you are overwhelmed, they cry with you when you are sad and rejoice at the happy times. Friends just get how you think and sometimes that's all you need. Not someone to fix it, just to understand.
So this week, dear friends, I am thanking God for each of you and saying an extra prayer for you. Thank you for being a part of my life.
And remember to pray for the girls in your life.
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Blessings
Sometimes it is easy to focus on the bad stuff that is going on and not remember all the positives in our lives.
Last week was a rough week for me, I was grumpy, things didn't go smoothly, I had cranky kids, etc...However, in that, was some things that were good.
1) Watching my son play soccer. This is his 3rd year playing and it has been somewhat difficult watching the past 2 years. He had fun but he wasn't focused, didn't try super hard most of the time, goofed off during games...you name it. But this year something has clicked for him and it is so fun watching him. He has scored a goal in almost every game and that builds his confidence which makes him try harder. I love it.
2) My daughters soccer team has to be the sweetest group of 5 year old girls b/c even though my daughter doesn't always act likable and refuses to play in the games, they are kind to her and try to include her, and made her team captain. So sweet.
3) My husband is working on a dog house for our pup. I am so grateful that he has a gift of building things. He struggles with it b/c it isn't perfect but to me it looks great and I am pretty sure the dog won't care. What a blessing it is not to have to go out and buy premade stuff and a much more expensive rate. He is awesome!
Last week was a rough week for me, I was grumpy, things didn't go smoothly, I had cranky kids, etc...However, in that, was some things that were good.
1) Watching my son play soccer. This is his 3rd year playing and it has been somewhat difficult watching the past 2 years. He had fun but he wasn't focused, didn't try super hard most of the time, goofed off during games...you name it. But this year something has clicked for him and it is so fun watching him. He has scored a goal in almost every game and that builds his confidence which makes him try harder. I love it.
2) My daughters soccer team has to be the sweetest group of 5 year old girls b/c even though my daughter doesn't always act likable and refuses to play in the games, they are kind to her and try to include her, and made her team captain. So sweet.
3) My husband is working on a dog house for our pup. I am so grateful that he has a gift of building things. He struggles with it b/c it isn't perfect but to me it looks great and I am pretty sure the dog won't care. What a blessing it is not to have to go out and buy premade stuff and a much more expensive rate. He is awesome!
Prayer Requests 10/5
Thank you guys for giving me your prayer requests. It was an honor to pray for you all last week. I am asking for prayer for my 5 year old princess. She is really struggling right now emotionally. Not sure if she is growing, not getting enough sleep, concerned over something or what but she is having a hard time so would appreciate prayer for her.
Please let me know what I can pray for you this week.
Please let me know what I can pray for you this week.
Monday, October 4, 2010
Marriage and a special prayer request
Sanctus Real - “Lead Me”
I look around and see my wonderful life
Almost perfect from the outside
In picture frames I see my beautiful wife
Always smiling
But on the inside, I can hear her saying...
“Lead me with strong hands
Stand up when I can't
Don't leave me hungry for love
Chasing dreams, what about us?
Show me you're willing to fight
That I'm still the love of your life
I know we call this our home
But I still feel alone”
I see their faces, look in their innocent eyes
They're just children from the outside
I'm working hard, I tell myself they'll be fine
They're in independent
But on the inside, I can hear them saying...
“Lead me with strong hands
Stand up when I can't
Don't leave me hungry for love
Chasing dreams, but what about us?
Show me you're willing to fight
That I'm still the love of your life
I know we call this our home
But I still feel alone”
So Father, give me the strength
To be everything I'm called to be
Oh, Father, show me the way
To lead them
Won't You lead me?
To lead them with strong hands
To stand up when they can't
Don't want to leave them hungry for love,
Chasing things that I could give up
I'll show them I'm willing to fight
And give them the best of my life
So we can call this our home
Lead me, 'cause I can't do this alone
Father, lead me, 'cause I can't do this alone
I love this song. The first time I heard it, it reached out to me and voiced my heart's cry. If you haven't had a chance to hear the story behind the song, you should look it up. It is amazing. Made more amazing by the fact that right now, the lead singer and his wife are dealing with a newborn son who has already had a heart surgery and has almost died. What an amazing thing God has done in their lives to bring them closer together before they had to deal with having an ill child.
Now, I am not saying my husband isn't a good leader...he is. But coming from a divorced family, sometimes it is hard to know what I need in a husband and what God wants for me in a healthy relationship. Also, while I am for advancement in our abilities as women to have a fair chance in doing what we want (what is God's will for us), I think we have lost something in knowing the roles God created for us.
Men aren't there to dominate us but they are there to protect us, to take care of us, to be our spiritual leaders for us and for our children. They are there to be good role models for the boys we are raising and good examples for what our girls should look for when it is time for them to find a husband.
Marriage is hard but if you find that person who completes you, then it is worth the fight.
So a special prayer request today for my friend who's marriage is in crisis. Pray for her and her husband that they will both seek God, that they will be able to get past hurts and preconceived ideas of what the other person should be, that God would bring healing to them and their marriage. And for the rest of us married folks, that we would cherish our mates, pray for them daily, and strive to put Christ in the center.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
My Thoughts...
Ephesians 6: 10-13 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
It is truly amazing to me how quickly it happens. You would think I would know by now after being a Christian for 30 years. You would think it wouldn't surprise me. You would think I would be prepared. What am I talking about? Spiritual attacks.
On Monday night when I wrote my post about obedience, when I invited my friends to become prayer partners with me, I should have known. But I didn't. I woke up Tuesday and I felt like a weight had been taken off my shoulders. That weight of knowing that I wasn't being obedient. I felt great! I got up at 6 and went for a jog/walk. I ran errands with my daughter, had a playdate after school with another daughters friend, cooked dinner, went to soccer, hubby actually made it to soccer practice and was home for dinner. Sounds like an awesome day right? It was, it truly was.
Until bedtime. I don't know what it is about bedtime/bathtime that so completely stresses me out. It is like I get to a point in my day where I just need it to be over. I need to have time to regroup before bed. So the kids were not getting ready for bed, then I got in a fight with my hubby that didn't get resolved and carried over into today along with some other stressful things and it was such a complete opposite feeling of what I felt yesterday.
And then I remembered: Satan hates it when we obey God! He doesn't want to see us praying for each other, he doesn't want us to have that sort of power, that complete and utter trust in God, the feeling of grace and peace. He abhors that! He will do anything to make it harder, to give discouragement, to give us trials.
But don't be discouraged. There is power in knowing that. We can put on our armour of God. We can shore ourselves up. We can keep praying. It will be hard. I know that. I have seen it. I have felt the words he whispers in my ears to make me question what I am doing. To put doubts in my head. To actually question friendships. He makes it hard for us to be Christians. But God is stronger, more powerful, more full of mercy and love. And those feelings can carry us through. If we stick with it, it will make us stronger for the times that we are attacked. Because even though I didn't feel like it today, I kept praying. I prayed on my way to work. I prayed while at work. I prayed on my break. I kept praying. And now, even though I don't feel like I did tuesday, I don't feel like I did this morning. God's comfort is so good. I am so happy to have the hope I have in Jesus. I am so happy when my kids talk to me about what Jesus can do (even if there is a Star Wars reference- more on that later), I am so happy that when I am feeling lousy and misunderstood that I have a God who understands it all and is always there with me.
Being attacked by Satan is a gift. When we are attacked, we can know we are doing right by God. And with the whole armour of God, we can stand, we can fight, and we will win. And don't forget about the prize. Because as my 3 year old puts it "I don't want to be where Satan is, he puts fire on you."
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Prayer Requests 9/28
Feel free to put any prayer requests you have in the comments section. Feel free to put as many as you want and big requests or things that you might feel are small things. Sometimes it's the small things that we really need prayer for.
Monday, September 27, 2010
My Prayer Blog
Welcome to my prayer blog. As I shared here and here and here, I have been on a prayer journey for probably almost 2 years. This is a desire God has placed on my heart over the last few months. And I have learned a lot just in the short time I have been trying to pray more regularly. What I have found is having a prayer partner is key, praying without ceasing can change your life, obeying God puts my heart at ease. So with those three things in mind, I am launching a new part of my blog. I will figure it out as I go along. But here is the basic premise: I want to be your prayer partner. I want to dive into the Word to discover the richness of prayer. I want to make my walk with God closer than ever by having a running conversation with Him. I want to learn how to pray first, then try to sort things out instead of trying to sort things out and using prayer as a last resort.
My week will run Tuesday through Monday. Tuesday is first day of the week that I really get focus on this blog so come back here on Tuesdays to find out what is going on for the week.
But I am going to start simple (because trying to make it complicated is giving me an excuse to delay): I will have different categories that you can leave a comment on. Feel free to come back to my Tuesday posts during the week to add more requests. I will check regularly. If that is all you want to do, that is great. Know that I am praying for you throughout the week. If you feel the calling to pray for people who have left requests, then please do. We can all use extra prayer. If you want to add notes of encouragement, that is even better. If you feel this is helpful and that you know someone who could benefit from being prayed over, pass the link on to them.
Each week I will have a post for:
Prayer Requests
Praises - can be prayers answered or just a general praise for something that happened that blessed you that week
My thoughts - this will be me working my way through scripture or other things, giving what I feel I have learned about prayer. Don't take this as gold, it is just my opinion on what God is working on my heart
Special Prayer Topic - I am not sure I will do this every week but I will try to have a topic to focus some prayer on throughout the week that I will also be focusing my prayer on.
God can do amazing things when we pray. Not only to the people we are praying for, but our own lives will be transformed.
I really hope you will take this journey with me. I am excited to see where God is leading me with this.
My week will run Tuesday through Monday. Tuesday is first day of the week that I really get focus on this blog so come back here on Tuesdays to find out what is going on for the week.
But I am going to start simple (because trying to make it complicated is giving me an excuse to delay): I will have different categories that you can leave a comment on. Feel free to come back to my Tuesday posts during the week to add more requests. I will check regularly. If that is all you want to do, that is great. Know that I am praying for you throughout the week. If you feel the calling to pray for people who have left requests, then please do. We can all use extra prayer. If you want to add notes of encouragement, that is even better. If you feel this is helpful and that you know someone who could benefit from being prayed over, pass the link on to them.
Each week I will have a post for:
Prayer Requests
Praises - can be prayers answered or just a general praise for something that happened that blessed you that week
My thoughts - this will be me working my way through scripture or other things, giving what I feel I have learned about prayer. Don't take this as gold, it is just my opinion on what God is working on my heart
Special Prayer Topic - I am not sure I will do this every week but I will try to have a topic to focus some prayer on throughout the week that I will also be focusing my prayer on.
God can do amazing things when we pray. Not only to the people we are praying for, but our own lives will be transformed.
I really hope you will take this journey with me. I am excited to see where God is leading me with this.
Disobedience
Do you ever have those moments where you know you have been disobedient to God. He puts something on your heart and whether you have good intentions to obey or outright decide to ignore those whispers, it is disobedience. Something I have been trying to instill in my own children since they were born and something that is a constant struggle as a parent.
As a child of God, I fall under this category more times than I would like to admit.
But, when I put something out there in cyberspace for the world to see (okay only a few people really) and then don't follow through, I have to be openly accountable as to why.
So I have had lots of excuses all summer for why I haven't changed my blog: too much going on this summer, too much work and not enough time to fine tune it, haven't totally visualized my concept...all valid reasons but still excuses. But the real reason? I think being vulnerable to the public. Putting myself out there. It is super duper hard for me. This is something I have been praying in earnest for my Princess. She wavered all summer on whether to play soccer for the first time this fall. She decided on the last day to do it. I was fine either way but she knew that if she decided to do it, she would have to follow through and it has been a very emotional 4 weeks for her. You see, my daughter is a mini-me. I was so painfully shy when I was little, I wouldn't try anything. When I look back at my life and think about the things I didn't do because I was too scared, it makes me sad. I don't want that life for her. I want her to find courage in God, to feel His strength pouring through her. But just as I was writing this introduction, I realized I am still falling into those habits. God has done some amazing things in my life when I have taken the plunge relying only on Him.
So, do I really need to make this harder than it should be? No. Can I fine tune it as I go along? Can I change the format once I figure out what I want? Yes.
So for those of you who actually read this and know I was up to something, it is coming. And for those who are knew, I hope you are able to get something out of this.
I know I will rest easier once I obey His urgings.
As a child of God, I fall under this category more times than I would like to admit.
But, when I put something out there in cyberspace for the world to see (okay only a few people really) and then don't follow through, I have to be openly accountable as to why.
So I have had lots of excuses all summer for why I haven't changed my blog: too much going on this summer, too much work and not enough time to fine tune it, haven't totally visualized my concept...all valid reasons but still excuses. But the real reason? I think being vulnerable to the public. Putting myself out there. It is super duper hard for me. This is something I have been praying in earnest for my Princess. She wavered all summer on whether to play soccer for the first time this fall. She decided on the last day to do it. I was fine either way but she knew that if she decided to do it, she would have to follow through and it has been a very emotional 4 weeks for her. You see, my daughter is a mini-me. I was so painfully shy when I was little, I wouldn't try anything. When I look back at my life and think about the things I didn't do because I was too scared, it makes me sad. I don't want that life for her. I want her to find courage in God, to feel His strength pouring through her. But just as I was writing this introduction, I realized I am still falling into those habits. God has done some amazing things in my life when I have taken the plunge relying only on Him.
So, do I really need to make this harder than it should be? No. Can I fine tune it as I go along? Can I change the format once I figure out what I want? Yes.
So for those of you who actually read this and know I was up to something, it is coming. And for those who are knew, I hope you are able to get something out of this.
I know I will rest easier once I obey His urgings.
Thursday, September 9, 2010
It's been a while...
I could have made money on the toothpaste if my Safeway doubled internet coupons b/c I have (3) $1/1 coupons that could be doubled. I may still go to another one and see if I can do it again. Even though I honestly have more toothpaste now than I know what to do with, I could always give it away to shelters or for our Operation Christmas Child boxes that we do every year.
Now that the kids are back in school, I am hoping to be back here more often!
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
This and That
Well, obviously I didn't make my goal of my new blog by the end of July. I have lots of reasons. Most of them just being summer stuff getting in the way. But I haven't forgotten and I will get there. Hopefully soon.
Right now, I am exhausted. Trying to coupon with 3 kids in tow literally makes me want to pull my hair out. It is torture. It never fails that someone gets hurt, someone has to go potty, all of them get yelled at, and someone whines b/c I am not buying them something they think they are entitled to.
But, I managed to accomplish a lot before buying myself a frappucino (with gift card money) to make up for my misery.
Deals include:
Albertson's: 2 bottles of prego, package of tortilla, fritos and bean dip for $2.19. That was my best.
Target: 20 pens free, box of crayons free, travel band aids/2 travel first aid kits free, Charmin flushable wipes free, GreenWorks laundry soap for $6 (.10c/load), plus a bunch of school supplies on sale.
I love getting free stuff! I have been signing up for free stuff online that they ship to you. It is like Christmas when I get random boxes in the mail and never know what it is them. The last one I got was a free dog toy for Zoe. Fun stuff!
Anyway, in case I haven't sold my case for couponing, let me spell out some of why I am doing this. My original grocery budget was $600/month. This was after careful consideration of how much we were spending each month and includes toiletries, groceries, dog food, stamps, etc... When I started getting into couponing I decided to go to $400/month. But I am still taking out the $600 b/c that is what we budgeted for. I have been putting that money aside for special things. With that money we have bought a kennel for the puppy, numerous puppy supplies, paid for all our extra summer activities like swimming, movies, eating out extra, etc..., used if for spending money on our family reunion, paid for our dog sitter while on our family reunion. Plus there is more than I am forgetting.
Here is my challenge for next year: pay for Disneyland. Yes, hubby has decided the kids are old enough to go and he wants Bud to go before he loses that childlike wonder (he's 7).
But as you can see, I am not enjoying couponing this summer. Too hard with kids in tow, so starting in September, I am going to work extra hard to drop my budget even more. I haven't figured out exactly how much money we might need and hopefully I will get a work bonus at Christmas to help fund this but this is my goal. Pay for it in cash! I probably have 9 months to do this. I am getting excited just thinking about it! I love Disneyland and haven't been there in years and have never been there for more than 1 day trying to cram everything in. Looking forward to the thought of spending a couple of days there and not going crazy with it!
Right now, I am exhausted. Trying to coupon with 3 kids in tow literally makes me want to pull my hair out. It is torture. It never fails that someone gets hurt, someone has to go potty, all of them get yelled at, and someone whines b/c I am not buying them something they think they are entitled to.
But, I managed to accomplish a lot before buying myself a frappucino (with gift card money) to make up for my misery.
Deals include:
Albertson's: 2 bottles of prego, package of tortilla, fritos and bean dip for $2.19. That was my best.
Target: 20 pens free, box of crayons free, travel band aids/2 travel first aid kits free, Charmin flushable wipes free, GreenWorks laundry soap for $6 (.10c/load), plus a bunch of school supplies on sale.
I love getting free stuff! I have been signing up for free stuff online that they ship to you. It is like Christmas when I get random boxes in the mail and never know what it is them. The last one I got was a free dog toy for Zoe. Fun stuff!
Anyway, in case I haven't sold my case for couponing, let me spell out some of why I am doing this. My original grocery budget was $600/month. This was after careful consideration of how much we were spending each month and includes toiletries, groceries, dog food, stamps, etc... When I started getting into couponing I decided to go to $400/month. But I am still taking out the $600 b/c that is what we budgeted for. I have been putting that money aside for special things. With that money we have bought a kennel for the puppy, numerous puppy supplies, paid for all our extra summer activities like swimming, movies, eating out extra, etc..., used if for spending money on our family reunion, paid for our dog sitter while on our family reunion. Plus there is more than I am forgetting.
Here is my challenge for next year: pay for Disneyland. Yes, hubby has decided the kids are old enough to go and he wants Bud to go before he loses that childlike wonder (he's 7).
But as you can see, I am not enjoying couponing this summer. Too hard with kids in tow, so starting in September, I am going to work extra hard to drop my budget even more. I haven't figured out exactly how much money we might need and hopefully I will get a work bonus at Christmas to help fund this but this is my goal. Pay for it in cash! I probably have 9 months to do this. I am getting excited just thinking about it! I love Disneyland and haven't been there in years and have never been there for more than 1 day trying to cram everything in. Looking forward to the thought of spending a couple of days there and not going crazy with it!
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Sunday thoughts
I love our church. I know I have said it a hundred times here probably but after going to huge churches or even not going at all, it is refreshing to me every Sunday the time I spend there. It usually just flies by. Now I have 2 of my kids in Sunday school, so with only one to entertain during the sermon, I actually get to hear more and hopefully soak up more.
Today a couple of things struck me. Our pastor talked about the dry periods in our life. The periods where we don't hear from God regularly or feel very close to God. We probably have all been in those periods of life, but I guess what struck me is that it is normal. I always feel when I am in that season, that something is wrong with me. That I am not doing all that I should be doing to remain on fire for Jesus. It just made me feel better knowing that we all go through it.
The next thing was about contentment. Now I don't think these 2 things were the pastors' main points but they are the snippets I gleaned. The verse was Hebrews 13:5 "Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you'."
I guess I have been having the "wants" lately. You know...I want a new mattress (mine is 15 years old), I want a screen door, I want a newer/faster computer. It is really easy sometimes to get caught up in it. You see people buying the newest/latest things and your flesh wants to as well. At least this is one of my struggles and something I am convicted of often. This verse is a good reminder for me. But not only for the contentedness part but that He will never leave me nor forsake me. That is a pretty powerful statement and one that is good to remember in the seasons we are dry and in the seasons we feel close to God.
Today a couple of things struck me. Our pastor talked about the dry periods in our life. The periods where we don't hear from God regularly or feel very close to God. We probably have all been in those periods of life, but I guess what struck me is that it is normal. I always feel when I am in that season, that something is wrong with me. That I am not doing all that I should be doing to remain on fire for Jesus. It just made me feel better knowing that we all go through it.
The next thing was about contentment. Now I don't think these 2 things were the pastors' main points but they are the snippets I gleaned. The verse was Hebrews 13:5 "Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you'."
I guess I have been having the "wants" lately. You know...I want a new mattress (mine is 15 years old), I want a screen door, I want a newer/faster computer. It is really easy sometimes to get caught up in it. You see people buying the newest/latest things and your flesh wants to as well. At least this is one of my struggles and something I am convicted of often. This verse is a good reminder for me. But not only for the contentedness part but that He will never leave me nor forsake me. That is a pretty powerful statement and one that is good to remember in the seasons we are dry and in the seasons we feel close to God.
Monday, June 14, 2010
Praying Without Ceasing III
A couple of months ago, I felt burdened. Burdened by things I was going through, burdened by things friends were going through, even burdened by things patient's were going through. Obviously, the only thing I could do was pray. But you know how it is. Let's be honest, sometimes, prayer just doesn't seem like enough. We want to do something. Sometimes we can. Sometimes, we can go and hug someone, take them a meal, buy them a coffee, but if they are far away those sorts of things just aren't possible and it can be frustrating.
I am learning, however, that prayer is the first and best thing we can do for someone. First, having a solid prayer life can make us more in tune with God. I mean, if we never talk to our friends, how can we connect with them. Facebook is a prime example of this. We learn what is going on in their lives, their struggles, their funny anecdotes, their successes. We feel closer to them for that. We need to have that same relationship with God. If we are communicating with Him regularly, I really believe we will be able to hear Him more. Sometimes, that voice, that urging, that gut feeling, is God communicating with us. But it is easy to ignore, easy to think following through on it is not that important. There have been times in my life where I have felt that urging to do something and I ignored it. I almost always regret it. But it is usually something I cannot go back and change. I had my opportunity and lost it. Then there have been times where I have felt an urging that was seemingly small or insignificant and I followed through and not only did I bless someone in the process but I was blessed as well.
So back to when I was feeling overwhelmed, burdened by the cares of the world and overwhelmed with it all, I had a thought. An urging. It is about this blog. It is something that will take more of my time but it is an extension of this journey that I have been going on with my prayer life. So obviously, the first thing I have been doing is praying about it. And I continue to feel the urging and confirmation from other sources that it is what I am supposed to do. I am being vague I know but I don't really have all the details worked out. But stay tuned. I am hoping to make the changes by the end of July if not sooner. And now that I have written it out there for the world to see (or the few people that read this) I am even more committed to it.
I am hoping you will continue to share this journey with me.
I am learning, however, that prayer is the first and best thing we can do for someone. First, having a solid prayer life can make us more in tune with God. I mean, if we never talk to our friends, how can we connect with them. Facebook is a prime example of this. We learn what is going on in their lives, their struggles, their funny anecdotes, their successes. We feel closer to them for that. We need to have that same relationship with God. If we are communicating with Him regularly, I really believe we will be able to hear Him more. Sometimes, that voice, that urging, that gut feeling, is God communicating with us. But it is easy to ignore, easy to think following through on it is not that important. There have been times in my life where I have felt that urging to do something and I ignored it. I almost always regret it. But it is usually something I cannot go back and change. I had my opportunity and lost it. Then there have been times where I have felt an urging that was seemingly small or insignificant and I followed through and not only did I bless someone in the process but I was blessed as well.
So back to when I was feeling overwhelmed, burdened by the cares of the world and overwhelmed with it all, I had a thought. An urging. It is about this blog. It is something that will take more of my time but it is an extension of this journey that I have been going on with my prayer life. So obviously, the first thing I have been doing is praying about it. And I continue to feel the urging and confirmation from other sources that it is what I am supposed to do. I am being vague I know but I don't really have all the details worked out. But stay tuned. I am hoping to make the changes by the end of July if not sooner. And now that I have written it out there for the world to see (or the few people that read this) I am even more committed to it.
I am hoping you will continue to share this journey with me.
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Pray without ceasing part II
Okay, so back to praying without ceasing. A year or so ago, I felt compelled to ask a friend to be my prayer partner. That was one of the best decisions I have ever made. Honestly, I can say that. It has transformed my prayer life. Oh, it is far from perfect as can be seen from my previous post but it is so much better than it has been my entire Christian life. To have someone who relies on you for prayer, who opens up their deepest needs, hurts, fears and is entrusting you to take them seriously. To not just say an obligatory prayer and move on, but to think of them, to pray for them, to be their support is precious. But at the same time, knowing they are doing the same for you. Is truly an amazing feeling. Knowing someone "has your back" so to speak. Knowing that when I am having a lousy week, that there is another person who is thinking about my needs and giving them up to God is so reassuring. And something I am so grateful for.
I have learned many lessons from this:
-God listens - I really feel there have been many answered prayers between the 2 of us
-Satan listens - this is the harder one to deal with. I know that when we are praying diligently for each other, when we are seeing amazing things happen, he attacks us. He attacks each of us where it hurts the most, our insecurities, our weaknesses, our hormones....you name it. He knows how to get to us even with our friendship. He plants seeds of doubt that we truly care for each other. I mean how best for him to take our power of prayer away but by breaking apart our bond? Man he is good at that.
-Our strength comes from God - one thing I continue to learn is to lean not on my own understanding but on Him. Usually when I am struggling with something, I am trying to control it myself. When I give it to Him, to let Him be my strength, it goes so much better.
- Prayer makes us less selfish. If we dive deeper into a prayerful life, praying for others, not just whining to God about what our life is lacking, it puts things into perspective.
-We, as moms, need to stick together. It is hard to be a mom. Having the prayer support of someone else, going through the same struggles of not only a mom, but wife, friend, employee, maid, chauffer, tutor, cook, personal shopper...boy we wear many hats. Knowing someone else is praying for you that is dealing with all the same things, is really helpful. (Okay, I am using that as an example, I am not trying to offend my friends who aren't wives or mothers. Really, any woman you have a history with, who understands you, is someone who you need to stick by. I truly value all my friends and their prayers are always welcome and I find it an honor to pray for them as well).
-Along with having a prayer partner, praying for my own family is key. And that is where I will stop, because that is something that requires more digging....
I have learned many lessons from this:
-God listens - I really feel there have been many answered prayers between the 2 of us
-Satan listens - this is the harder one to deal with. I know that when we are praying diligently for each other, when we are seeing amazing things happen, he attacks us. He attacks each of us where it hurts the most, our insecurities, our weaknesses, our hormones....you name it. He knows how to get to us even with our friendship. He plants seeds of doubt that we truly care for each other. I mean how best for him to take our power of prayer away but by breaking apart our bond? Man he is good at that.
-Our strength comes from God - one thing I continue to learn is to lean not on my own understanding but on Him. Usually when I am struggling with something, I am trying to control it myself. When I give it to Him, to let Him be my strength, it goes so much better.
- Prayer makes us less selfish. If we dive deeper into a prayerful life, praying for others, not just whining to God about what our life is lacking, it puts things into perspective.
-We, as moms, need to stick together. It is hard to be a mom. Having the prayer support of someone else, going through the same struggles of not only a mom, but wife, friend, employee, maid, chauffer, tutor, cook, personal shopper...boy we wear many hats. Knowing someone else is praying for you that is dealing with all the same things, is really helpful. (Okay, I am using that as an example, I am not trying to offend my friends who aren't wives or mothers. Really, any woman you have a history with, who understands you, is someone who you need to stick by. I truly value all my friends and their prayers are always welcome and I find it an honor to pray for them as well).
-Along with having a prayer partner, praying for my own family is key. And that is where I will stop, because that is something that requires more digging....
Feeling full
It has been a while. My life has been crazy busy the past couple of months and I think it will still be crazy but in different ways.
Right now, I feel really full. Not physically, just mentally full. There is so much going on in my head, thoughts stirring of things I want to accomplish, greatful for some things to be done, ready for the summer (and the rain to go away!), parenting issues, spiritual issues....I feel like I could possibly burst from it all.
And in all of this, I have an idea simmering. Taking on something new, I haven't quite figured it out yet but I feel God's calling, His challenge for me to go ahead with it. It is something I am heavily praying about and just trying to let Him take me to the place I need to be.
Souds cryptic? I know. But I am not quite ready to share yet. But I am getting there.
Stay tuned...
Right now, I feel really full. Not physically, just mentally full. There is so much going on in my head, thoughts stirring of things I want to accomplish, greatful for some things to be done, ready for the summer (and the rain to go away!), parenting issues, spiritual issues....I feel like I could possibly burst from it all.
And in all of this, I have an idea simmering. Taking on something new, I haven't quite figured it out yet but I feel God's calling, His challenge for me to go ahead with it. It is something I am heavily praying about and just trying to let Him take me to the place I need to be.
Souds cryptic? I know. But I am not quite ready to share yet. But I am getting there.
Stay tuned...
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
You know you are PMS'ing when...
you go to put chapstick on and realize you just opened your deodorant.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Aha moment
You know that moment where you finally come to a realization and wonder what took you so long to see it? I had that today.
I had big plans for today. I was going to study. After dropping my kids off at school, I was going to put a movie in for Sweet Pea and study for 2 hours. That was my plan. Well, that was plan B. Plan A didn't work out.
If you know me, you know I like to procrastinate. So sitting down to study is really hard which is why I had a plan. Then I decided to deviate from it. Plan C: I was just going to run to Safeway, do some couponing stuff and come home and study. I really should have stuck with Plan B. I thought I did pretty well at Safeway. I was stocking up on tp (.23c per roll which is better than Costco), 3 boxes of tampax for just over $3,(... and man I just realized I forgot to give my yogurt coupons, such a bummer!), plus they were still doing a frozen food thing spend $25 get $10 cat and I had a $10 cat to spend. I planned it all perfectly.
I came home thinking I did pretty well until I noticed theFoodDay on my driveway. It never comes on tuesday morning. If I had known it was coming tuesday morning I would have come home. What was in there? A $10 off if you spend$50 coupon. I could have saved $10!! That really eats away at me. Especially when I am trying so hard to save money on the one thing I can save money on, my groceries.
It really has bothered me all day. Until about an hour ago and I realized something. Had I followed through on my plan. Had I been obedient to God. Because He got me into this class, He wants me to pass, and I really need to study. I cannot stress that enough. Had I listened to Him and came home to study for 2 hours, I would have had that coupon arrive and been able to use it before picking Princess up from school.
What I realized in my Aha moment is that I really honestly and truly need to give everything to God. Everything. Did you catch that? Because I obviously need reminding constantly. Even the things I feel I can have control of like couponing. That is what I am talking about. It is easy for me to give my studying to Him b/c I sort of already feel out of control with it. But couponing is something I have been trying to do by myself. I have been trying to be good stewards of the money God has given us but haven't been relying on Him with how to really do that.
So I am going to try really hard to stop obsessing about couponing and give it to Him. It seems like such a trivial thing to waste His time on but I know that is what He is there for.
I had big plans for today. I was going to study. After dropping my kids off at school, I was going to put a movie in for Sweet Pea and study for 2 hours. That was my plan. Well, that was plan B. Plan A didn't work out.
If you know me, you know I like to procrastinate. So sitting down to study is really hard which is why I had a plan. Then I decided to deviate from it. Plan C: I was just going to run to Safeway, do some couponing stuff and come home and study. I really should have stuck with Plan B. I thought I did pretty well at Safeway. I was stocking up on tp (.23c per roll which is better than Costco), 3 boxes of tampax for just over $3,(... and man I just realized I forgot to give my yogurt coupons, such a bummer!), plus they were still doing a frozen food thing spend $25 get $10 cat and I had a $10 cat to spend. I planned it all perfectly.
I came home thinking I did pretty well until I noticed theFoodDay on my driveway. It never comes on tuesday morning. If I had known it was coming tuesday morning I would have come home. What was in there? A $10 off if you spend$50 coupon. I could have saved $10!! That really eats away at me. Especially when I am trying so hard to save money on the one thing I can save money on, my groceries.
It really has bothered me all day. Until about an hour ago and I realized something. Had I followed through on my plan. Had I been obedient to God. Because He got me into this class, He wants me to pass, and I really need to study. I cannot stress that enough. Had I listened to Him and came home to study for 2 hours, I would have had that coupon arrive and been able to use it before picking Princess up from school.
What I realized in my Aha moment is that I really honestly and truly need to give everything to God. Everything. Did you catch that? Because I obviously need reminding constantly. Even the things I feel I can have control of like couponing. That is what I am talking about. It is easy for me to give my studying to Him b/c I sort of already feel out of control with it. But couponing is something I have been trying to do by myself. I have been trying to be good stewards of the money God has given us but haven't been relying on Him with how to really do that.
So I am going to try really hard to stop obsessing about couponing and give it to Him. It seems like such a trivial thing to waste His time on but I know that is what He is there for.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Dinner
Dinner is such a struggle sometimes isn't it. Today and actually this week has been one of those on the go don't really have a chance to think about dinner until dinnertime kind of weeks. Add on top of that, the kids have such a limited amount of things they like to eat that it makes it hard to cook one meal because I get sick of the things they want. So for this season, I sort of am short order cook. There are days where I make them try something new and if they don't like it, they can have something else, but then there are days where I just stick with the old standby's (macncheese, chicken nuggets) b/c I just don't have the energy to try.
Today, they got mac n cheese. But for hubby and I, fortunately, had some frozen parts to a meal and am now cooking a nice taco casserole. I am so grateful to remember freezing extra things for nights like this, I wish I did it more. In one freezer I had beans and tomato sauce and in another some already cooked hamburger. Add some seasonings, sour cream and cheese and we are good to go.
Here is the recipe that has been given to me and I love:
On a side note, I often use more sour cream and cheese but that is because I can't get enough of htem. It is super easy to make extra and freeze it.
Today, they got mac n cheese. But for hubby and I, fortunately, had some frozen parts to a meal and am now cooking a nice taco casserole. I am so grateful to remember freezing extra things for nights like this, I wish I did it more. In one freezer I had beans and tomato sauce and in another some already cooked hamburger. Add some seasonings, sour cream and cheese and we are good to go.
Here is the recipe that has been given to me and I love:
Taco Casserole:
1 pound ground beef
1/2 can (15 oz) kidney beans, 1/2 can (15 oz) black beans - rinsed (you can use more or less depending on what you like)
1 8 oz can tomato sauce
taco seasoning
1 t garlic powder
2-4 T chili powder
1 C sour cream
1/2 C green onions and tops chopped
1 C cheese
tomatoes
Cook ground beef and taco seasoning
Stir in beans, tom. sauce, chili powder, and garlic powder
heat until it boils - can add some water
Put mixture in 11x7 pan, spread with sour cream
sprinkle with onions, tomatoes, and cheese
Cook uncovered 20-30 minutes in 350 degrees oven
Eat with tortilla chips, salsa and guacamole.
On a side note, I often use more sour cream and cheese but that is because I can't get enough of htem. It is super easy to make extra and freeze it.
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Pray without ceasing...
1 Thessalonians 5:17 says to "pray without ceasing". Do any of us do that? Honestly? Hold your hand up if you do...anyone? Okay, I do know some people who live this verse. My mom's best friend is an amazing woman of prayer. She has prayed for my dad for almost 30 years. Yes, 30 years she has probably been more consistent with that prayer than I have. Shameful. She prayed for her own husband to become a Christian for many many years. She was faithful. He is now an amazing Christian, father, leader in their church. It truly has been a miracle to see this man go from nonbeliever to believer. And that is because of prayer.
I am going to be honest here. Praying bores me. It did anyway. Oh not the we have a friend in need... someone injured in an accident...Haiti had an earthquake kind of praying. That praying, I have always been able to do. Why? Because it was short lived. I would say my prayer and then move on. Those emergency type prayers are not necessarily the pray without ceasing kind of prayer. Usually, there is an answer that is relatively quick. I don't get bored with it. But to pray for someone for 30 years? And see no answer? No fruit of your labor? Is really really hard. I am ashamed to admit defeat in this area. That not only have I stopped basically praying for my own father's salvation, but that I have given up on it.
Okay, so this is not where this post was supposed to go. But here it is. When you write from the heart, it leads you. And this is obviously a part of my journey that I have not come to terms with.
If we can embrace and live this verse each day, I think it will transform our lives.
I am going to be honest here. Praying bores me. It did anyway. Oh not the we have a friend in need... someone injured in an accident...Haiti had an earthquake kind of praying. That praying, I have always been able to do. Why? Because it was short lived. I would say my prayer and then move on. Those emergency type prayers are not necessarily the pray without ceasing kind of prayer. Usually, there is an answer that is relatively quick. I don't get bored with it. But to pray for someone for 30 years? And see no answer? No fruit of your labor? Is really really hard. I am ashamed to admit defeat in this area. That not only have I stopped basically praying for my own father's salvation, but that I have given up on it.
Okay, so this is not where this post was supposed to go. But here it is. When you write from the heart, it leads you. And this is obviously a part of my journey that I have not come to terms with.
If we can embrace and live this verse each day, I think it will transform our lives.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Prayer Journey
My prayer journey began when I was 8 years old. The night a man named Richard came into my life and told me about Jesus Christ. My mom had become a Christian several months before this night but I refused to go to church with her. Refused to have anything to do with Jesus. Would not listen. But this night...funny, I don't remember the specifics, but I know I was broken. My father had walked out, my world was upside down. I became the only kid in my class with divorced parents. My father was my rock. He was who I leaned on when I was sad, the man I would go to to carry me when I was tired or hurt. And then he left. And there was a huge hole.
Finally, on that night I was willing to listen and to pray. To accept Jesus as my Savior. My Father. Someone who would never leave or forsake me.
That was my first prayer. And I believe back then, I prayed a lot. I prayed my dad would come home, I prayed my dad would become a believer. It didn't happen.
I am not sure if that has affected my prayer life. Somehow, it seems like it would have. But I still believed and continue to believe in the power of prayer. And yet, I have not been consistent with it. But I am working on it and am going to blog about my prayer journey. That's the beginning...stay tuned.
Finally, on that night I was willing to listen and to pray. To accept Jesus as my Savior. My Father. Someone who would never leave or forsake me.
That was my first prayer. And I believe back then, I prayed a lot. I prayed my dad would come home, I prayed my dad would become a believer. It didn't happen.
I am not sure if that has affected my prayer life. Somehow, it seems like it would have. But I still believed and continue to believe in the power of prayer. And yet, I have not been consistent with it. But I am working on it and am going to blog about my prayer journey. That's the beginning...stay tuned.
Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy Kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever.
Matthew 6:9-13
hallowed be thy name.
Thy Kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever.
Matthew 6:9-13
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Groceries again...
Since I am going to bore you with more grocery shopping stuff, I took a picture:
I got all of this for...$42.07 which I feel is pretty good. It could have been a little better and I will tell you why.
The paper towels, TP and bounce ball were $22.47. If they had had the correct kind of both it would have been a better transaction and I would not have had to buy the bounce ball. As it was, the tp was on sale for $13.99 + $3 off as an ecoupon and $1 off manufacturers coupon. The bounce ball had a $1off ecoupon and was already on sale for $4.99. But I did get a $10 catalina which rolled to my next transaction. (yes, I actually did 2 transactions in one but asked the cashier first and she was super nice!!) (If they had had the correct sizes of tp and paper towels, I would have only spent $11.98 and gotten the $10 cat so that is a bummer but what are you going to do? It was still a good deal)
Here, I spent $19.60. This is really where you can see the savings I think. Disregard the tp and make it 4 milks. I had a coupon for the cereal buy cereal +milk get $2 off cereal. The cereal was on sale for $2 so go it free, plus got a $3 catalina to spend next time b/c I bought 4 boxes of the cereal. (I didn't add that cat in my above total). The eggs were B1G1 free from a coupon off a facebook promotion. The Prego was only$1.25 each. The yogurt and lunchmeat are my splurges b/c I like good quality lunchmeat and good yogurt. Oh and the toothepaste was $1.49 with store and manufactureres coupons. I did use my above $10 catalina and still have my $3 cat to use this weekend for a newspaper and probably needed produce.
It is only the 2nd of March and I am going to have a hard time keeping with my budget this month. I will definitely be using my supply on hand for meals. I am freezing 2 of the milks so won't need to buy any more of that this month. We went to Costco which is why I will struggle b/c we spent $100 of our $400 there. So that leaves me with $75 each week. That gives me $33 for the rest of this week. That is actually doable I think unless there is some great promotion that I can't resist.
Normally we buy cheap tp at Costco, but I think it is rubbing my poor little girls bottom raw. It is about .33c per roll, but the Charmin ended up being .42c/roll so not too bad. (okay it is bugging me a little that my tp and paper towel scenario didn't go as planned but I just need to remember that overall, it was a good trip)
Last month I did stay within my $400 budget and I did calculate how much I spent on junk food, it was $55. Probably higher than it should be. I did include in that V8 fusion juice which we will use in smoothies so that is not a horrible kind of junk:-)
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Are you PMS'ing?
Yes, that is the question my husband asked me when he got home from work tonight. Was I crying? Was I in bed with the covers pulled over me? Was I yelling at the kids? Was the house too much of a disaster? Was I standing at the freezer with an open container of ice cream digging in?
No. To all of those things. Typical things women might do (and I have done, okay maybe not the ice cream at the freezer as that would waste electricity) when we are going through this hormonal craziness. So, I am sure you are wondering what I did that made him ask that question...
I dropped a knife. Yes, that is all it took for him to figure it out. Okay,that is all he witnessed. I also did mention something about spilling chicken guts all over the kitchen. I was pounding chicken and the bag broke and it's contents flew. Fun time. You see, when I am PMS'ing, along with all the crazy emotions, candy and ice cream cravings, and complaints of not fitting into my clothes come things I never hear women talk about.
1. I drop things. A lot. Food, groceries, kids, you name it. It is like my fingers just stop working.
2. I burn things. Or overcook. Or add the wrong measurements to a recipe I have made a hundred times. Basically I ruin food. I should just know this, and order pizza. Sometimes this is actually my first hint that it is that time of the month. Not that I don't ruin things on other occasions, but I am a decent cook and I don't make the mistakes I do when it is this time of the month.
3. I get nothing accomplished. It's not for lack of trying. It just seems that when I try to do something, it doesn't work. Today I went to Target, needing a couple of basic things, soap for my kids, PJ's for my son, printer ink (to print all those coupons!) and what did I walk out of the store with? Nothing. Sometimes I forget what I am looking for but I actually made a list. I just spun my wheels there. Not just that, but all the plans I had for today, just vanished. Nothing accomplished really other than things that were absolutely essential like taking my daughter to her well check. But nothing extra that I was planning on doing.
I actually was in a pretty good mood for most of today. Even with all of that going on. I didn't cry or yell more than normal to my kids. I probably did eat a little extra chocolate. My house while not clean is at least picked up. 2/3 of the kids got baths. But, now that I look back on my day and my lack of accomplishments, I am feeling the emtional part kick in.
And I am really looking forward to some ice cream tonight:-)
No. To all of those things. Typical things women might do (and I have done, okay maybe not the ice cream at the freezer as that would waste electricity) when we are going through this hormonal craziness. So, I am sure you are wondering what I did that made him ask that question...
I dropped a knife. Yes, that is all it took for him to figure it out. Okay,that is all he witnessed. I also did mention something about spilling chicken guts all over the kitchen. I was pounding chicken and the bag broke and it's contents flew. Fun time. You see, when I am PMS'ing, along with all the crazy emotions, candy and ice cream cravings, and complaints of not fitting into my clothes come things I never hear women talk about.
1. I drop things. A lot. Food, groceries, kids, you name it. It is like my fingers just stop working.
2. I burn things. Or overcook. Or add the wrong measurements to a recipe I have made a hundred times. Basically I ruin food. I should just know this, and order pizza. Sometimes this is actually my first hint that it is that time of the month. Not that I don't ruin things on other occasions, but I am a decent cook and I don't make the mistakes I do when it is this time of the month.
3. I get nothing accomplished. It's not for lack of trying. It just seems that when I try to do something, it doesn't work. Today I went to Target, needing a couple of basic things, soap for my kids, PJ's for my son, printer ink (to print all those coupons!) and what did I walk out of the store with? Nothing. Sometimes I forget what I am looking for but I actually made a list. I just spun my wheels there. Not just that, but all the plans I had for today, just vanished. Nothing accomplished really other than things that were absolutely essential like taking my daughter to her well check. But nothing extra that I was planning on doing.
I actually was in a pretty good mood for most of today. Even with all of that going on. I didn't cry or yell more than normal to my kids. I probably did eat a little extra chocolate. My house while not clean is at least picked up. 2/3 of the kids got baths. But, now that I look back on my day and my lack of accomplishments, I am feeling the emtional part kick in.
And I am really looking forward to some ice cream tonight:-)
Monday, February 22, 2010
Spending time with kids
Sunday morning I decided it was time to go outside and go for a walk/jog. I have been doing videos inside and just wasn't in the mood to have my butt kicked like that (Jillian is one tough trainer!). As I was getting ready my son asks if he can come with me. He will be 7 in April. I asked him if he was sure, that there would be no resting and I would be gone for 30 minutes. He still said he wanted to go. Who am I to discourage fostering a love of exercise in my kids? I mean he is super skinny now but that won't always be the case and it is so good for you!
We went 30 minutes and he did really well until the 20 minute mark, then he started to get tired. But he didn't complain he just walked slower as I jogged ahead and then waited for him to catch up. The whole time we are talking about the streets we live on, me trying to give him a sense of direction in our neighborhood, reviewing our address and phone number in case he ever gets lost and needs to tell a police officer, talking about how much he loves sundays because he gets to praise God and he loves praising God, telling me about a kid in school who is mean to him.
Okay, so I don't know if you got the significance of that last sentence but I didn't figure it out until today. I had an amazing 30 minutes with my child talking about life with no distractions, no other kids crying for attention, no tv or music or toys or fighting...just 30 minutes of amazing time with my child.
How did I miss the significance of it yesterday? Having 3 kids, it is hard to get that 1 on 1 time with each of them. I do my youngest b/c she is at home with me a few hours while the other 2 are in school. I did with him before the girls came along. But I really don't take the time like this. Oh, I will take one of them to the grocery store with me, or running other errands but my mind is always on the task at hand. When he grabbed my hand towards the end whether it was because he was tired or whether his little heart figured it out faster than mine that we just had a great time together, I didn't stop and cherish like I should have. But I am today. And I plan to do more of this with each of my kids. I want to start something now, so that when they are teenagers, I have this bond with them, hopefull where they can talk to me about anything and pray with me and ask me questions. It's those moments that get me through all the tough times of being a mom.
We went 30 minutes and he did really well until the 20 minute mark, then he started to get tired. But he didn't complain he just walked slower as I jogged ahead and then waited for him to catch up. The whole time we are talking about the streets we live on, me trying to give him a sense of direction in our neighborhood, reviewing our address and phone number in case he ever gets lost and needs to tell a police officer, talking about how much he loves sundays because he gets to praise God and he loves praising God, telling me about a kid in school who is mean to him.
Okay, so I don't know if you got the significance of that last sentence but I didn't figure it out until today. I had an amazing 30 minutes with my child talking about life with no distractions, no other kids crying for attention, no tv or music or toys or fighting...just 30 minutes of amazing time with my child.
How did I miss the significance of it yesterday? Having 3 kids, it is hard to get that 1 on 1 time with each of them. I do my youngest b/c she is at home with me a few hours while the other 2 are in school. I did with him before the girls came along. But I really don't take the time like this. Oh, I will take one of them to the grocery store with me, or running other errands but my mind is always on the task at hand. When he grabbed my hand towards the end whether it was because he was tired or whether his little heart figured it out faster than mine that we just had a great time together, I didn't stop and cherish like I should have. But I am today. And I plan to do more of this with each of my kids. I want to start something now, so that when they are teenagers, I have this bond with them, hopefull where they can talk to me about anything and pray with me and ask me questions. It's those moments that get me through all the tough times of being a mom.
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Finding balance
I have been doing pretty good with getting my grocery budget under control. $100 a week. Of course, February is a short month so that makes it a little easier. When I was at the store last week, I even splurged on expensive honey crisp apples (2.99/pound yikes) but I knew I was saving a lot of money otherwise and I absolutely love this apple and know none of it will go to waste. But then I get to reading couponing blogs and see how women are getting groceries for free and have a $200/month budget for groceries and I start feeling like I am doing something wrong. I mean, before I was spending $600/month on groceries and so I was thinking I was doing pretty good, saving $200 a month.
Then I read this blog. She said a lot of what I was feeling. When I see these blogs, a lot of what people are getting are snacks, boxed pasta's and potatoes, processed foods. Now I am not saying my family doesn't eat it's share fair of processed foods. We definitely do. But my goal this year is to get away from processed foods. I really want to start making more things from scratch including bread. I haven't started that process yet as I am in this year long class that is sort of taking my thought energy but once it is over in April, I really want to start cooking more and better foods. The other thing is, I don't want to exclude fresh fruits and vegetables from my diet. My saving that money is going to allow us to join a CSA this year and pay cash for it. We did it last summer but I didn't have the money saved up and it was a big chunk of change for us. But it was so worth it. Maybe someday we will have a garden but I just don't have the energy for that yet so this really is the next best thing. The other thing we really want to do is buy 1/2 cow. It is so much better than the stuff you buy in the store.
So I am trying to let my guilt and yes, I will admit, my competive nature go on this one. Be happy with my grocery budget and know I don't have the time or energy to go to multiple stores every day just to get all these "great" deals.
But hey, I will still be excited when I get a good deal. Today I got 2 boxes of granola bars for $1.40. I am happy with that!
Then I read this blog. She said a lot of what I was feeling. When I see these blogs, a lot of what people are getting are snacks, boxed pasta's and potatoes, processed foods. Now I am not saying my family doesn't eat it's share fair of processed foods. We definitely do. But my goal this year is to get away from processed foods. I really want to start making more things from scratch including bread. I haven't started that process yet as I am in this year long class that is sort of taking my thought energy but once it is over in April, I really want to start cooking more and better foods. The other thing is, I don't want to exclude fresh fruits and vegetables from my diet. My saving that money is going to allow us to join a CSA this year and pay cash for it. We did it last summer but I didn't have the money saved up and it was a big chunk of change for us. But it was so worth it. Maybe someday we will have a garden but I just don't have the energy for that yet so this really is the next best thing. The other thing we really want to do is buy 1/2 cow. It is so much better than the stuff you buy in the store.
So I am trying to let my guilt and yes, I will admit, my competive nature go on this one. Be happy with my grocery budget and know I don't have the time or energy to go to multiple stores every day just to get all these "great" deals.
But hey, I will still be excited when I get a good deal. Today I got 2 boxes of granola bars for $1.40. I am happy with that!
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Amazing Grace
Amazing Grace
John Newton (1725-1807)
Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.
T'was Grace that taught my heart to fear.
And Grace, my fears relieved.
How precious did that Grace appear
The hour I first believed.
Through many dangers, toils and snares
I have already come;
'Tis Grace that brought me safe thus far
and Grace will lead me home.
The Lord has promised good to me.
His word my hope secures.
He will my shield and portion be,
As long as life endures.
Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease,
I shall possess within the veil,
A life of joy and peace.
When we've been here ten thousand years
Bright shining as the sun.
We've no less days to sing God's praise
Than when we've first begun.
Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.
How many times have we sung this song? I have sung it a lot, it is one of my favorites. But as with most old hymns, I usually know the 1st or 2nd verse and the last verse. The ones in the middle don't get sung as much I guess.
The other day in the car, I was listening to the reworked version but cannot for the life of me remember who it was. Anyway, the 4th verse stood out to me. Honestly, it was like I had never heard it before.
"The Lord has promised good to me". Really? I mean, I know that I guess. I have heard it, read it but have not been comforted by it in a long time.
"His word my hope secures". Without hope, I cannot get through this life. Because this earth is so full of hopelessness and despair. But through His word, there is hope. What an amazing thing that is.
"He will my shield and portion be" - Boy do I feel often that I just want to curl up in His arms and have Him protect me and fill me.
"As long as life endures" - Wow. His love, his peace, His presence are neverending in our lives. Yes, I walk away from Him, I forget to talk to Him, to read His letters to me, to meditate on Him. But does He do that to us? No. He is there always, always ready to fill our cup, to be what we need. Forever. As long as we are on this hard difficult earth. He will be there.
I think this is my new favorite verse.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
TV
I have such a love/hate relationship with that box. I let my kids watch way too much tv. Especially when they are cranky or I am cranky. But getting ready for school has become a challenge because of it. My oldest when he was younger would get up at 5 am every morning. And my middle girl went through a spell where she insisted on getting up at 4:30 and there was nothing I could do to convince her otherwise. So what did I do? I put the tv on for them because I cannot really function that early in the morning. But now, they are sleeping until 6 or 6:30 (believe me that is a huge blessing for me). So I was still letting them watch tv but making them turn it off at 7:30. That's when the whining began and the yelling and the threatening. Until I had an epiphany. Don't let them watch tv until they are absolutely ready for school. Why did it take me so long to come to this conclusion?? I have no idea but the last 2 mornings have been bliss. I tell you it is such a relief to not have that box on first thing in the morning. The best part is that they have been okay with it. My daughter asked me this morning if she could watch cartoons and I when I told her not until she is ready, she did not even complain. Now the kids are ready for school, there has been no yelling, no whining and I am a happy camper.
I hope it lasts...
I hope it lasts...
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Couponing again...and more
I just have to share I finally got paid to buy a product. Safeway was having by 4 save money deal so if you bought 4 of various products, they were only $1 each. I had coupons for some of it. So I bought 2 boxes of fruit roll ups (normally don't buy but son absolutely loves them and I had $1 off coupons). I also had loaded coupons on my safeway card but didn't know how that would pan out. With the 2 boxes of roll ups I got 2 boxes of Life cereal but didn't have any coupons for that. But buying the four together only cost $4 except with my $1 off coupon and my three ecoupons for .50 each, I got paid .50 for the 2 boxes of fruit roll ups. (or you could say I only spent $1.50 for 4 boxes of items but I like saying I got paid for something).
Here's one of the problems with couponing. And I have said this before. A lot of the stuff is for junk. I mean I saw people writing how you could buy 8-12 boxes of fruit snacks and have it be a money maker blah blah blah but really? That's a lot. I really thought 2 boxes was sufficient. We don't go through that stuff that quickly. I mean seriously, we still have candy leftover from Halloween.
Plus, I am on the verge of trying to eat healthier around here. On the verge b/c I am not sure how much time and energy I will have until my class is over in April. Really I should be studying. Plus I am trying to keep my house cleaner with the planner. Do I really have time to make a complete makeover in our eating?
But it was pointed out to me recently by a friend who is not subtle about anything, that we keep a lot of junk food in our house. We keep more than her but I didn't think it was a lot. Here's my plan though for the month of february. I am going to keep my receipts for groceries and at the end of the month, add up all the money we spend on junk food. This includes chips, candy, cookies, ice cream. Maybe I will throw in a processed food category as well (since one of my goals is to get away from processed foods). At the end of the month, I will decide how much of our budget should go to this stuff. Because, honetly, I am not going to deprive myself of some stuff. I just won't do it. But I can limit it. Here's the other thing, my kids don't really eat a lot of the junk that we have. Hubby and I do. I rarely give my kids chips but I eat them for lunches at work. They rarely get ice cream but I looove ice cream. You get the point. I probably need to find some healthy alternatives for myself.
Wow, this post became much more than I meant it to be. I will keep you posted.
Here's one of the problems with couponing. And I have said this before. A lot of the stuff is for junk. I mean I saw people writing how you could buy 8-12 boxes of fruit snacks and have it be a money maker blah blah blah but really? That's a lot. I really thought 2 boxes was sufficient. We don't go through that stuff that quickly. I mean seriously, we still have candy leftover from Halloween.
Plus, I am on the verge of trying to eat healthier around here. On the verge b/c I am not sure how much time and energy I will have until my class is over in April. Really I should be studying. Plus I am trying to keep my house cleaner with the planner. Do I really have time to make a complete makeover in our eating?
But it was pointed out to me recently by a friend who is not subtle about anything, that we keep a lot of junk food in our house. We keep more than her but I didn't think it was a lot. Here's my plan though for the month of february. I am going to keep my receipts for groceries and at the end of the month, add up all the money we spend on junk food. This includes chips, candy, cookies, ice cream. Maybe I will throw in a processed food category as well (since one of my goals is to get away from processed foods). At the end of the month, I will decide how much of our budget should go to this stuff. Because, honetly, I am not going to deprive myself of some stuff. I just won't do it. But I can limit it. Here's the other thing, my kids don't really eat a lot of the junk that we have. Hubby and I do. I rarely give my kids chips but I eat them for lunches at work. They rarely get ice cream but I looove ice cream. You get the point. I probably need to find some healthy alternatives for myself.
Wow, this post became much more than I meant it to be. I will keep you posted.
What have I gotten myself into???
I was doing a Swagbucks search through their special offers to get a swagbuck (love that I have earned something like $50 in Amazon gift cards just for searching online) and I came across an offer that said something lik earn $5-75 for filling out surveys. Wow, that seems too good to be true, right? But for some reason I signed up anyway. And it took me several hours to wade through the mess that came with that decision. Like I have several hours to spare in my life right now. But I decided to stick with if for a little while (much to my husbands' dismay) and see where it leads. I already have earned $7 for doing some initial stuff. I will see what type of surveys I get and if I can do them without putting out any additional money of my own and get back to you.
There were some of course where you filled out the survey for a $500 gift card which was very tempting but at the end, you had to join something like 13 special offers anywhere from trying Netflix for 2 weeks to applying for a Visa. Needless to say I didn't complete that.
So, anyway, I will get back to you. And if anyone is interested, I get $5 per referral ;-)
There were some of course where you filled out the survey for a $500 gift card which was very tempting but at the end, you had to join something like 13 special offers anywhere from trying Netflix for 2 weeks to applying for a Visa. Needless to say I didn't complete that.
So, anyway, I will get back to you. And if anyone is interested, I get $5 per referral ;-)
Thursday, January 21, 2010
This and That
Man the past couple of weeks have been crazy. I don't even know with what but I do know the next few months are going to be the same. Here's some catch up stuff:
I am still loving my Planner. It has been so helpful even with cramming 5 days worth of tasks into my 2 days off, it is doable. Love it. And by the way, I didn't end up getting it bound. Just didn't feel like paying the money to do that. What I did instead was 2 hole punch it and buy rings for something like $2. This way I can use the rings over again next year.
I am still working on my grocery budget. I read somewhere (can't remember if I already posted this, sorry if I did) that your grocery budget should be $100 per adult and $50 per child. That puts us at $350 which I am pretty sure I cannot do. I don't have the time for that kind of crazy couponing. But I thought I might be able to do $400. My current budet is $600. I am not sure I am going to make that goal this month but am hoping to be around $450. What I decided was, while I am trying to stock up on things that are on sale, it is harder to be as frugal. I bought 16 pounds of chicken breasts for $1.69/pound. Pretty good deal but that still adds up. So just stuff like that. Plus I went to Winco last night planning on just buying fruit and bread but boy did they have some good prices on stuff and I ended up spending under $40 for 4 bags of groceries which seemed like a lot to me. I just cannot pass up on those green tags when I know I would be paying double or triple somewhere else. I did have to pay full price for salad dressing but knew I would be in trouble at home if I didn't buy it but it killed me to pay $3.40 for a little bottle. Yes, that is way too much which makes me just want to stock up when I see it on sale next time.
Sorry if this blog has turned into a grocery blog. How boring right? But I have been getting so excited about finding good deals. Oh and speaking of good deals, this weekend hubby and I had some alone time so I made him go shopping:-) I wanted one of those jewelry cases that hang on your wall. Well not only were they on sale but when we pulled it out to look at it, there was a piece broken (insignificantly to me and hubby could fix it) so when we took it to the register we pointed it out and they gave us an extra 10% off. I never would have done that in the past. I don't know why just shyness. But not any more. I am on the hunt for good deals.
That's it for now, maybe I will write something spiritual later to counteract all this shopping stuff!
I am still loving my Planner. It has been so helpful even with cramming 5 days worth of tasks into my 2 days off, it is doable. Love it. And by the way, I didn't end up getting it bound. Just didn't feel like paying the money to do that. What I did instead was 2 hole punch it and buy rings for something like $2. This way I can use the rings over again next year.
I am still working on my grocery budget. I read somewhere (can't remember if I already posted this, sorry if I did) that your grocery budget should be $100 per adult and $50 per child. That puts us at $350 which I am pretty sure I cannot do. I don't have the time for that kind of crazy couponing. But I thought I might be able to do $400. My current budet is $600. I am not sure I am going to make that goal this month but am hoping to be around $450. What I decided was, while I am trying to stock up on things that are on sale, it is harder to be as frugal. I bought 16 pounds of chicken breasts for $1.69/pound. Pretty good deal but that still adds up. So just stuff like that. Plus I went to Winco last night planning on just buying fruit and bread but boy did they have some good prices on stuff and I ended up spending under $40 for 4 bags of groceries which seemed like a lot to me. I just cannot pass up on those green tags when I know I would be paying double or triple somewhere else. I did have to pay full price for salad dressing but knew I would be in trouble at home if I didn't buy it but it killed me to pay $3.40 for a little bottle. Yes, that is way too much which makes me just want to stock up when I see it on sale next time.
Sorry if this blog has turned into a grocery blog. How boring right? But I have been getting so excited about finding good deals. Oh and speaking of good deals, this weekend hubby and I had some alone time so I made him go shopping:-) I wanted one of those jewelry cases that hang on your wall. Well not only were they on sale but when we pulled it out to look at it, there was a piece broken (insignificantly to me and hubby could fix it) so when we took it to the register we pointed it out and they gave us an extra 10% off. I never would have done that in the past. I don't know why just shyness. But not any more. I am on the hunt for good deals.
That's it for now, maybe I will write something spiritual later to counteract all this shopping stuff!
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