sleep is NOT overrated

I have been struggling. I am not sleeping. I am lost in a world that reigns with no schedules, no organization, cranky kids and a meal plan down the drain.

I seem so put together most of the time on the outside, but I am having some breakdowns and my kids are struggling as well.

SO............

I am going to change this. But only one thing at a time. I am starting with bedtimes. 

I had a lovely lunch with my oldest child, which knows me very well, to discuss our issues and what we can do about them.  We are starting with a nice bed time routine. I had a strict bed time routine when the boys were little. I have lost that. Of course, back then, they were my focus. I am afraid to say that Molly is not. I have  too many focuses. I talked earlier about your starfish. I know what mine is now.

I have three of them.

Nothing else can matter right now. I have a very important job of being a mom and wife. Those two things can change a family. And if more women focused on only those two things, it could change a nation. I know that men being dads and husbands make a difference, but I am a woman and thats all I can work on.

So, back to my routine. I called it the B routine.

Bath, bottle/breast, book, bed. 

This is something I chanted in my head for years. Why have I let this go???  Poor kid just needs some routine to feel better. Atleast I hope so. 

T also stated that they could help with clean up while I started Molly on her routine and then I could develop a routine with them as well. That's all kids really want isn't it. Time with us?

Tonight it starts. I will let you know what happens.

Next - stopping a midnight feeding.......

alive.

well. I have been hit with some news that is a little alarming.  I am pretty sure I am in the onset of Lupus. I have had some testing done and now have an eye issue that is from this disease. I am trying not to throw a pity party. I had a mental shut down.

but then....

I realized that I need to make sure and live every single day. I mean, you can die from a car wreck and some diagnosis won't even matter then.

I am resting my heart and mind today. Preparing to put on my big girl panties and start this thing.

So, what does "really living" mean to me??

Talking to my kids. Not just doing the mommy uh huh, nod thing.

Be happy to see husband when he gets home. Give him a hug and let him know that I missed him that day.

Don't wish away the baby years. She cries and screams, it makes me lose my mind, but someday I will wish for these times again.

Be patient with my parents. They only do what they do because they love me.

Exercise and drink water. It may seem small, but taking care of ourselves in a huge investment in our future.

Take time to foster relationships with friends. They help us, make us laugh, love us and help us stay sane.

Dance. I love music and think I don't have time for it. I need to make it. My boys love dancing with their momma.

Dress up. Just because it's fun.

This diagnosis is not a death sentence. But I don't want to wait till I get one to start living.

from Palm Sunday to Easter

I speak at our local Wesley foundation quite often. I have always been so nervous! But, lately God has really blessed my heart with messages that can only be from Him.  

The last time I spoke, I amazed myself. I spoke on the importance of Palm Sunday and the Holy Week experience. We look at the crowds as the welcome in Jesus, and then how they cry for his Crucifixion. Isn't it intriguing how we can change so quickly?!

An author, I wish I could remember her name, talked about the fire we have for God on Sunday morning and how we deny his existence by the middle of the week. By not praying, by not rejoicing in God, we are denying His existence. We become the Friday crowd instead of the welcome committee of Palm Sunday. We fail at being Christians. Which is why I am so thankful for Good Friday and Easter Sunday.

I hope that I can learn from Palm Sunday and the Holy Week that I need to be aware of denying God throughout my week. To wave my Palm daily. To welcome God in every morning.  May we be resurrected with God this Easter!

Happy Easter from us!

to know His voice

So me and the Mr. met online. We chatted over the internet and telephone for months before we finally met.

I was thinking about talking with God and how just talking with R for many months wooed me. I can remember the waiting to see the message pop up on Eharmony. Wondering what his voice would sound like. Then, the first time we spoke, and the many times after that, I began to know it was him just by the sound of his voice. On our first face to face date, I got to see the face that went with the voice. What an experience!

To learn about someone, get to know them from writings, then talking and finally growing into a relationship.

This started me thinking about God. We always ask, "how do I know it's God???" 

Well, we get to know Him.

We start with His writing. We can debate till be are blue in the face if the Bible is complete, if it is correct transalation, and what not. I believe God is above all of that. Next, we can just start talking. I remember not knowing what to say to R and how the conversation became easier in time. Sometimes we just sat there in silence. This is how it will develop with God, too. God created relationships and this is all He wants with us as well.  The more you talk, the better you know His voice and if it is Him talking to you. And, just like silence is sometimes comforting with those we love, it is ok with God,too. Just enjoy your time with Him. And  even if someone sounds like my husband, I would know it wasn't him if they were telling me things completely out of character for him.

We will know.

The best part is seeing Him. We see Him when we finally can recognize Him. Then you will see him everywhere. You will know what to expect. Will we all go through this process at the same time? In the same manner?

 No.

It is our personal relationship with Him. and His with us. Take time. Get to know Him and you will know.

Decisions

We are still struggling with decisions in this house. I am a people pleaser and have created a child just like me. T is struggling with the decision to quit. While I am glad that he is thinking about it, it is mainly because he feels the need to please everyone. I talked to him about knowing what you want. My coffee cup teaches me this every morning... it is a Life is Good mug stating "Do you what you like, Like what you do." 

He was asking me, "How do I know what I want to do?" 

My words even spoke to my heart - if you want something, you know it. Don't hemhaw around and wonder if all you are doing are trying to figure out how to please everyone else.

Really????  How can I say this when I didn't even know this?! I have been struggling with the SAME issue. It is like God came down and spoke to both of us. Right when we needed it.

We know. Our hears are usually right. God lives there. I just choose not to listen to it most of the time. I try to please everyone else but God. Our Sunday School lesson talked about finding your starfish. We all have one. If you don't know who Rob Bell is or the NOOMA video series, find out. Listen. Be transformed.  I am tired of holding all the little pieces of shells, seeing the starfish God has for me, and not being able to grab a hold and reap the blessings.

http://nooma.com

Now is the time to know. To be aware of what your conscience is telling you. To wait for your starfish. Even if you are 11 (or 32 years) of age.

raising young men

We have entered the world of raising young men and have said good bye (atleast with the oldest) to little boy games. My oldest has started the preteen attitude and has lost the ability to show respect to anyone in his world.
 I became a mom mission.
 I was not going to have "those kids" anymore. I was brought a sharp does of reality while getting M's 3 month old pictures and T and t were the most whiney, misbehaving children EVER. The photographer actually asked me to come back without them.
 WOW.
We were the family you whisper about when they walk off, "that poor mom, what hapened to discipline in that home, how does she do THAT."   Well, no more. I next captured a glimpse into the way my son views me and my "discipline" technique.  T did the usual, " I am sorry for my behavior" in his well practiced monotone voice while staring out the window. When, in my exasperated voice, yelled, "really? REALLY? then WHY do we have to say sorry every.single.time. we go somewhere??!! If you were sorry, you would change your behavior!" He laughed.
HE LAUGHED.
 I think my head spun around. When did we get here? When did I lose the scare tactic with my children. When did I become a joke? I was heart broken. I was flabergasted. And I realized it was time for a change. I also realized what God must feel like having me as a child. I can look back and see many times that, unfortunetly, I laughed at God as He scolded me. Probably begging in His heart for me to just see it His way. I am sorry, God. I get it now.

So, He is grounded to his family. I must watch my words. I do not want to tear him to pieces (not any more atleast) and I want to lead by example. So, starts the hardest job ever of minute by minute reconstruction of a family.

With quitting Gymnastics, his household responsibilities have gone up. He is also allowed to play and play outside, but not able to go anywhere. I am not able to trust his behavior yet. And no kids inside. We are hoping to use priveleges as rewards as he improves his behavior. We do not believe in paying an allowance. A household has to work together and we do not get paid for this. We earn money by working outside of the home. We can learn to save our money through working in the home by making things ourselves and doing our own household maintenance.  If we lived on a farm or had a home based business, this would be different.  I could see sharing a pay scale if it was a money making venture.

Well, my reward came yesterday. We had a long day out with friends in my husband's hometown. I know it was not the most fun a kid could have, but my children did GREAT!.  I am so happy and so proud of them and their progress. I am going to reward them on Friday with some xbox time.

I know they will not be perfect. But I would like them to learn manners, respect for elders, and how to function in a family and run a home. I do not want to raise boys that are dependent on a woman. But that the girl they fall in love with will become a welcome partner in raising a family and running a household.  I want people to see the heart of my kids and enjoy their company.

Happy Monday to you, friend. May we have the energy to get through the week!

When Kids Quit

I became THAT mom last night. My oldest son quit gymnastics and my heart broke. I wanted so badly for him to do well and have a "thing" that he did. He could be so good! I love watching him and love watching him succeed. He allows fear and the success of others to get him down. I didn't want to talk to him at first. I cried. I put my own selfish desires ahead of his feelings.

Maybe this is what he needs.......

He was very torn about what to do. I made him make the decision on his own. He has struggled with it since the minute he made it. But, as I told him, this is part of becoming a young man. Decisions have to made about what you want. I also made him tell my husband and he will have to tell the grandparents. He had to tell his coach as well.  When he was asked why, he gave a rude "i JUST don't want to!". The biggest part of this for us, as parents, is his behavior and how he quit. So, along with this, if he cannot come up with a better reason to quit, he must pay back some of the money we invested. We just purchased ANOTHER uniform last week. We have paid well into the thousands this year for him to be able to do this. He begged to go back (yes, we have been through this before). I feel I should have pushed him to stay the first time. I would push harder this time, but he is rude and disrepectful of his coach and the other gymnasts when he will not do the skill (or even try) and says he just doesn't care.

I dream of everthing in my world nightly.  I keep thinking of him being the oldest child, the leader at gymnastics, and so many other things that may seem overwhelming for him.  I think we are going to do some bible studies on fear and leadership. We will look into some good books on leadership. He panics when it is time to step up. I do want him to struggle with this fear and miss out all that life can offer.

My heart is broken, I am dissapointed in him.

 I hope he learns something through all of this.

 I hope I learn something, too.

the government is only what we make of it

“Make Jesus, your Lord, proud of you by being good citizens. Respect the authorities, whatever their level; they are God's emissaries for keeping order. It is God's will that by doing good, you might cure the ignorance of fools... Exercise your freedom by serving God, not by breaking the rules. Treat everyone you meet with dignity. Love your spiritual family. Revere God. Respect the government.” 1 Peter 2:13-17 (The Message Translation)

I am at my wits end with Christians that are rude and hateful towards our President. It does not matter wether you agree with him there or not, wether you helped put him there or not. We are called as Christians to respect our governmental officials and to believe that God is in control of even our government.

We are to respect the Government.

We are to treat everyone with respect.

We are God's people.

I believe in using your right to vote to make changes. I believe in the right to petition. I believe in proper debate.

I also believe in uprising.

How?

By being so passionate and factual about your beliefs and desires that you create an uprising that ends with the turn over by vote. We live in a democracy.

We created the government we live in.

I think most people want to sit around and complain and blame someone else.I have not had anyone bring a factual or passionate cry out for government change. There is no one knocking at my door with facts or asking me to vote a certain way.

I will not listen after someone starts with rude name calling about a government official. I will listen to factual arguements against policy and/or politician.

I am so fed up with the election process and we still have a while to go. It is something that I hope I can speak up against someday.

Today is not the season for that.

I have to trust that a measly one vote counts.

I have to believe that my God is bigger than the Government. :)

Hi!

I kind of fell off the face of the earth. I am back. I had to kind of hide out in prayer for a bit. Living in the land of unemployment ate me up a bit. I am happy to say that my husband is working again!!!!!  I am doing MUCH better with this and have been putting my thoughts back together. I am ready to enter the blog world again. I have missed writing, but just getting out of bed and working was a bit much for me.

I have my favorite part of the year coming up - Holy Week. I hope to blog everyday next week. I actually have a lot of blog posts I am ready to put out there. There was a time in my life that I cherished being a controversial subject. I have become a meek, easily hurt, girl. I am need to grab a hold of the confidence of learning, my stronghold in my faith, and go for it. I hope to spark conversation, maybe help others feel accepted or help them question their beliefs. It is good for us to ask questions. It is possible to have discussions with out hateful words.  It is possible to read someone's opinion without agreeing. It is possible to bring around change with out tearing people apart.

One of the saddest realizations I have had as I grow, some people just have to be left behind. I have always tried to pull everyone I have ever been close to along with me where ever I am going. I am realizing that not everyone grows with you. Does this mean that we don't like them anymore? no.....Does it mean it is a permanent separation? no......It means that that season of life is over and it is time to move on.

So, that brings me back around full circle. It is time for this season of my life. I am no longer meek, easily hurt. I am a strong, still growing, still learning woman. I will embrace this time.

(ROAR!!  hehehe)

 I will blog about this time.

My life as a wife, mother of 3 with 2 dogs. :)

oh yea, my house is just as clean.......not.

When it comes to blogging, I have blogger jealousy. I mean, how do these women do it???  Their pictures show the perfect house, the perfect kids, not burned muffins and they ALWAYS have on make up. and, then, I read like a bloggers secret post. I mean a post about how to blog. Like, actually do it professionally. They have these nifty services where you can write a lot of posts and it will post them for you daily, weekly. etc. They also talked about the pictures they post and how posed they are. It was refreshing to know that they would portray a perfect bloggers world even when it wasn't.

So this leads me to my point. Faking it, till you make it. I have to come realize that I am not perfect, nor am I getting any younger. This newborn, sleep deprevation is kicking my tail. I just got done crying like a baby because I forgot a tshirt order form for one my kids. I mean, really? Get a grip, Lady!!  :)  I am an emotional bag of hormones that can't remember anything and am eating enough for a 300 pound man.

As I write this, I am laughing. It helps to laugh, to write, to expose your self to the big bad wolf of the public. Need a little humbling??? Go ahead and tell the world you are perfect, you have this ALL under control and you will be humbled. Believe me.

Now, back to me. :)

I am on a mission to take the house work back over because the baby daddy around here is taking his test for a NEW JOB!!!  I sure wish I could make money grow from trees because he is awesome at laundry and dishes. I will hate taking those back. ha! I will begin my prayers of "Lord, just get me through this" and end with my prayers of "Lord, thank you for each dish, each piece of food". I actually think not having to do the things I loathe have taken a toll on me. I find strength and courage in simple acts of homemaking. Making myself do things for others and having prayer time and me time. Just as this blog sets me straight, so does working in the home.

My kids have suffered a little with my crankiness and tiredness. But, they have also picked up their end of the stick to help me. Which I love about them.

I hear the behbeh crying yet again. I am off to milk :)

Happy days to you - SPRING IS ALMOST HERE!
       (me and the baby daddy, aaaahhhh!)

Homeschooling Giveaway!

Enter to win an @familytimefit Giveaway from @ericahomeschool on twitter!

Enter thru 2/17/12:

http://www.confessionsofahomeschooler.com/?p=6227

free giveaway!!!

Check this out!!  I will post as many of these as I can!!!

http://www.roomag.com/giveaway-10-copies-of-the-money-saving-mom%C2%AEs-budget/

good luck!

my favorite tip!!

Ok....here is the biggest tip I have used thus far....
                                             TAKE INVENTORY

I take inventory of our clothes, our fridge stuff, our cupboards, our freezer.  Stores do this for a reason - you don't want to buy what you already have!

Most of use the same stuff all the time. We know what we like and what we use. MAKE A LIST. write it all down. Then go through your house. ALL OF IT. write down how much you have of each item and make a separate list of all the stuff you don't use. Decide if you should keep it. Let go of it. There is a walmart close by and let them pay for the space to house items and not you!  I have a fridge that I can write on with a dry erase marker. I keep inventory there of what's inside so that I know what I have. I always shop our house first when making my shopping list. Then you don't have too much. or.......if you like to build up a supply, you will know what you are short on.

The two major things that hinder this process - kids and husbands. You know the grazing type.  They eat everything that you had bought to cook a meal with. Make a cupboard for these people. Let them know that is their cabinet and everything else is off limits.  This should have it's own shopping list and could vary with coupons and sales available.

I have the kids go through their clothes and take inventory of their own clothes. This way, we stay on top of needs and I can buy on sale a season ahead.

I hope that this tip will help you. This frugal living quest came at a good time....my husband lost his job yesterday. Happy Valentines to us! I only work part time. So, this will be interesting. If we didn't have debt - we could probably make this work. Stupid debt. If you have it - get out of it fast.  If you don't have it - don't get it. IT IS NOT WORTH IT.

Happy living to you!

no tips, just thoughts........

Today, as I realize that once again it is past Tuesday, I am in a somber mood.

Today, I cry.

Today, I have a lot of questions for God.

Today I found out that yet another friend is at the end of life because of drug use. He is on life support with his family by his side.  He has fought an addiction for many, many years and it has finally caught up with him. I am angry. I am sad. I want to know why God allows us to screw up so badly and even to the point that we can't even help ourselves.

I guess the point is that we could never have helped ourselves. We depend on Him without even knowing it. Without even being aware of this crutch.  He knows. He knows that I am throwing my fist at him in desperation and screaming in my heart "WHY!!!!!!"

Why do people get destroyed by addiction?
Why do little children get cancer?
Why do grandmas and grandpas die?
Why?
Why?
Why?


I am so extremely tired and have a horrible headache and feel like crying. So, I will. As a mother, a woman, and do-it-all kind of gal I tend to act like everything is perfect. Like I have it all together. Well, somedays we don't. It is not only the good days that we must thank God, but also on the days when we really don't want to.

Here comes Valentines.....

Today I want to brag about my amazing husband. :)

I am blessed in so many ways by him. He does little things every day that show his love for me. Things like, running my phone and charger out to my car as I drive off in the morning. He gets the wipes wet for me when changing baby M. He shuts down the house so that I can go to bed early. He gives me a kiss for no reason. He gets up to help with baby M even when he know there is not much he can do when I feed. As Valentine's grows closer, I hope that I can show my husband how much I appreciate him and all the little things he does for us.

I used to think that presents were the key to these holidays. Hallmark, Walmart and tv help warp our views sometimes. I have learned that I can make this holiday, and every other one, what I want them to be. And, I want this day to be a special day to say I love you. I want to do something special for my husand and my children just becuase I have them. Just because I love them. Just because I can.

It will involve awesome meals, no chores for them, and lots of treats and goodies. Not the store bought crazy goodies, but homemade yummy and handmade cards.

I pray that you will find the joy of your marriage renewed this Valentines day...

I pray that you will get to the heart of your children this Valentines day...

I pray that we sing praises to God for all this lovin'....

The one thing in the Bible that I hold on to more than anything else, God IS Love. Unconditional, pure, simple, true love. A love that one day we will all witness.  I have taken the focus off of what others will do for me, but what can I do for others. I will find the joy in giving and receive the best gifts of all.

Here's to hearts, kisses and lovin'!

atleast today starts with a T.....

So......I totally missed out on Tuesday!!! 

I have been so desperately tired that I forgot what day it was. Good thing I remembered today so that I don't go into the office on Saturday! HA!

I have a few tips for you and a little chat, too!

Some of my tips I learned this week....
                             If you fall off the wagon - get back on!
                             damp your hair, wrap it up in something (socks, hair ties, whatever) and when you are ready to walk out the door in the morning, hair is done! I learned this on accident when I forgot I starting doing my hair one morning and got sidetracked.
                             Clean your sink EVERY STINKIN NIGHT. If you have not found flylady yet, go now and come back to finish my silly ranting. www.flylady.net


And now..... on to my newest thoughts and plans. I am going to start homeschooling my oldest child. I am not pulling my middle child from grade school ( i LOVE that school) and m is not quite ready for any schooling. I have had this desire for many years and I feel like my child is slipping through my fingers into the world. So, God has shared with me his desires for my family. I am getting more and more excited. My son is also becoming a kinder kid already.  Will this be the heaven sent, angels singing answer to our problems - no! It will cause new ones. But, I am willing to do whatever I have to keep T close to us and close to God. He needs some extra TLC. I am excited about all the learning we will do and all the struggles we will face. He might go back in High School, but we will see about that when it gets here.

I have been blessed by visits from friends this week. It keeps me from napping, cleaning, crying and I LOVE IT. I have been blessed by a crazy mix of people that I depend on for laughing, talking, helping and sharing. I am so thankful and they all came at just the right time. I know that, for me, other women are essential to my existence. The women have come and gone, some have stayed, but the fun and laughter and support we give to each other has made us all better women.

I have become a blog stalker. I envy these pretty, well thought out blogs and wish mine was like theirs.... or do I?  My blog is mine. It is me in every sense of the word. I love it. I love me. I love my blog. :)

BUT....

I will start with trying to stay on target a little better, for you the reader. A peek into my head is usually jumbled and jumps from one thing to another. speaking of which......

I will be starting my Monthly Home Making Skill the last friday of the month: Haute Homemaking 101.  I think we will start with Ruffles. Can you do ruffles??? Want to learn how to do ruffles???  Come on over! Bring food or drink if you want, or don't (there will be plenty).   Need to bring the kids....good! I have some to keep busy.

Have a great Thursday.

here.we.go.

Well, today is the day I have come to realize that we are in the 99%.  We have come to a place where what we make does not cover our expenses for the month. These figures do not include one night out to eat. AT ALL. not birthday gifts, no girls night out, no fantasy football. These figures are the bare bones of existence for us and we cannot meet those obligations starting in one week. We knew this was coming. We have tried to prepare for it, but I don't think you can be prepared for the moment that you and your husband sit down and see it on paper -
                                                                 you are broke.

 I only share this openly hoping to help others find peace and security in something higher than the check book. I have no idea how this is all going to work, but God provides for us. We can and will get through this. I cried buckets of tears last night realizing that my husband will have to look for work that will take him away from us most of the week, every week. I hate that for me, but more so for him as he will miss a lot of miss M. I would go to work, but then you have daycare costs and diapers (they won't do cloth) and many other expenses that make it stupid to switch to full time work. Then, we looked at decreasing our pay to get on assistance. That doesn't make sense either because I could not take classes back on next semester. My classes help us to pay for all the other stuff like birthdays and trips and some not-so-needed items. I am glad that this moment is finally here. I can grab life by the horns and see how this frugal living will pay off.

                                     Am I scared - yes. very much so.
                                                  Am I sad - yes.
 I have a masters and my husband has a bachelors and we are still in this predicament. My kids have no understanding of what is at stake. We have budgeted their activities in because we want them to keep at em. Gymnastics, piano, and guitar. That adds up. But we will make some sacrifices other places to make that work.

I have always been scared to look at my bank account. I have ran from the reality of credit card balances. This is our year. I said this from day one of the year. It is going to be good. God will rise us up and away from the grips from debt. It just won't be easy. or pretty. And, it may take longer than I would like. But, this is the year.

I hope that none of you face these challenges. But, you may today or someday. I am reading a Psalm and a Proverb daily. These people did not always have it easy. But God prevailed and He still does today. Even in our pocketbooks.

Time for Tipsy Tuesday!!!

Hey Yall!

just got my hospital bill from having little miss m......  (upchuck here)

so, I needed something uplifting!!

So my tips for Tipsy Tuesday this week -

Theme nights for menu planning
        Mine are - Meatless Monday, Crockpot Thursday, and Fiesta Friday 
You can add things like chicken Tuesdays, Italiano Tuesdays, etc. Not only do they sound fun, it makes menu planning VERY easy!!

Use Shaklee to clean everything. It  is inexpensive, safe, potent, and proven. (ask me how to get it)

Give everyone in your house a color. My kids are blue, green, and  pink. Everything for that child is in that color. Towels, dirty clothes hamper, organizers, etc. They even have plates and cups in their colors. That way they (and I) always knows whos stuff is STILL out. :) The bathroom also has an instant decoration theme. the towels are so cute hung on pegs.

I am moving to digital storage of all my childrens hand made things. I will keep some to have out at said holiday, but I cannot keep ALL of it. But I do. and I need a way to cherish them.  I recieved a printer, scanner, fax for Christmas and plan on using it for this awesome project. Kind of like the neat desk, just a lot more work and less money.

I hope that this mini version of a tip tutorial has been fun! I have two sick boys and one cranky baby to handle now. I will have a blog post again tonight. Lots to share!! :)

Time to Prepare for Menu Planning Mondays!

So.......I have a new name for Tuesdays....Tipsy Tuesdays!! No, not THAT tipsy......

In honor of my first, I will start today even though it is Saturday. I hope that anyone coming to Menu Planning Mondays will read this first!

Start gathering your calendar. We can't plan menus if we don't even know what nights we will be home!
We will start with doing three weeks of menus. My goal is to be planning the next week's menu within a month. This way we are always a week ahead and we have back plans.

Be realistic about your family's needs. If they don't like new foods, start basic with everyday favs and we will add a new recipe every couple of weeks. You never know what may become a new family favorite.

Go to United's website and sign up for their weekly ad to come straight to your inbox. You will know what is on sale and what we can plan ahead for. The best way to save money is pair those coupons with store ads to stock up.

Get the Sunday paper!!!  We will use those coupons to help us plan a better budget friendly menu.

Bring your laptop or notebook or binder or what ever you are choosing to help you. If you don't know what works best, yet. bring paper and pencil. :) I will showcase another blog each week that helps with menu planning. Every one is different and we will all have our own way of doing this.

Be ready to fail. We all make mistakes, we all get tired and sometimes we even give up. This is NOT an all or nothing adventure.

See you Monday!!!

Today is the greatest.....

If only I would wake up and say that every single day!!  I have been working on a schedule for molly and I. NOT WORKING.

I do not like to admit defeat, but I feel it right now. Last night I just sat there and cried. ha! I feel better today, just tired.  She is slowly getting on a schedule. I can't believe she is only 3 weeks old today!!

I am hoping to get into the habit of posting on Tuesdays, just in case someone likes to follow me.

I am working on our frugal living habits as well. I have high hopes, don't I!? We are buying our first set of canning supplies today. I started doing Bountiful Baskets this week. I split a 20 pound order of tomatoes, so I thought why not try this out!!  I got out all my yarn and am trying to knit and crochet in my spare time, yes I have spare time! I think we all do, we just don't use it wisely.

I will be hosing a menu planning meeting every Monday at my house. I believe it is possible to eat on very little with a little planning and I hope to help others, too. We will make ahead meals once a month to put in the freezer as a  back up when our well laid plans fail. I want to embrace this time in my life and not let a minute slip by that I could have blessed my family.

I am also purchasing the materials to make our own laundry and dish soap. I think that the up front cost will seem hefty, and then it will pay off. I am trying a couple of recipes to see what I like best. I will be switching to home made tortillas and bread as well. I have a bread maker, why not use it?!  I pray every day for God to bless my heart so that everything is a blessing to me and my family instead of hated chores that I hold against others in my household.

I am doing better with three kids than I thought I would so far. The main problem I see is that someone gets left a little behind, no matter what I am doing. I am trying to make an effort to do something special for the boys each week. I will pick someone and do a little surprise or spend some extra time with them each week. I want to invest my time and energy into my kids and husband. I learned from my other two marriages, that the grass is always green when you water it.

Although this is a short post, it is very personal. I hope I grow as I share. And I hope that you will, too!

Dayspringgirl <><

She is Here!!

Well......little Miss M was born on December 30th! We went into the hospital on the 29th late (i had to catch my office work up) and was born at 1:20 the next morning.   I have been just so in love that I forgot about you! sorry - she is intoxicating. :)

As I write this, it is yet again time to feed again. and time to change another diaper. again.  I am so in love with cloth diapering. It is so sweet and I love pinning. I would read bloggers that would gush about pinning and I would roll my eyes. Guess what?! I am now that blogger!

 Isn't that precious!!


I am also starting our family on a mission to Financially Frugal Living.....Starting today. Friday the 13th. So I will mix both together. I mean, it is our family and our life. So...here is my list of what I have done so far:

Cloth diapers
Cloth napkins
Cloth wipes
Cloth towels (we no longer use paper towels)
Clothes line in the bathroom (hoping to install one outside this summer)
Reusing cans and plastic jars for organization
Switching from liquid soaps for bar soaps in the bathrooms
Built Compost pile


My goals:
Garden
Green house
Homemade laundry soap
Home made granola, snacks, ketchup, bbq sauce, etc.
to have more goals.

I have found a lot of blogs I want to share with you......I will post their buttons/ websites below:

http://bountifulbaskets.org/                                      http://www.fiberfarm.com/




http://littlefarminthebigcity.blogspot.com/2012/01/t-shirt-yarn.html



http://frugallysustainable.com/

http://gnowfglins.com/blog/


so, I am not the best at this blog thing- yet! I hope the websites and the info I share help you on your journey.

I will end with my final thoughts for the day:

I am blessed with all the laundry, I have an active family that dirties them.
I am blessed with all these dirty dishes, We have a growing family and money to feed our family everyday.
I am blessed with this messy house, I have children and a husband that comes home everyday to mess it up.
I am blessed to be this exhausted, my baby is at home and healthy.

I pray that you too, will bless your family as you wash their clothes, cook their food, get up in the middle of the night to care for them.