I don't really want to use the word "cheap"....but I mean, honestly, if I am saving my family money, you can call it anything you want.
I am on a new found mission to cut costs, save money, find deals and "do it yourself" any time I can now. I have been stressing about cutting back here and there lately because the house we own in Savannah hadn't sold or been rented out and it was starting to become a financial burden to upkeep and, at the same time, maintain our lifestyle (which is NOT extravagant) in Columbus. So, couponing and deal hunting through www.savingmyfamilymoney.com, www.faithfulprovisions.com and now my latest find (thanks to an amazing fellow RGR wife, Cortney), www.funsavingmom.blogspot.com is out there too to help novice couponers/savers like myself. I was doing great and really proud of the money I had saved and essential items I was able to stock up on by doing a little extra work and research.
First of all, let me say that our house has finally been rented!! Praise the Lord!! I can honestly tell you that I believe it took so long to get someone in there because I never prayed for God to help us sell or rent our home, but that if it was going to happen, to let the right people move in. I believe that is what He has done for us. The couple moving in seems very nice, our age (so hopefully they are a little more respectful than a younger couple may be), in the military.
Even though some of the financial burden is lifted....saving my family money and being able to put away for "extras" or the "oh-no's" has become a lot of fun and a bit of a challenge- a challenge I am actually REALLY enjoying.
This year for Christmas our family can expect homemade gifts. I am researching the cost of doing some things at home (just to make sure it evens out to be less expensive), cutting back on everything I can think of. My newest undertaking is making a baseball headboard for Connor's new full-size bed. It took me a few hours of searching, but I finally found a do-it-yourself upholstered baseball that is used for a child's headboard...I am so excited to get that one started!! Another blog I have found (from another awesome RGR wife, Alison) is www.classycolumbusdesigns.blogspot.com. She has fantastic kids crafts and activities that are really inexpensive and really, really cute.
I understand we can't save on everything we buy....but the challenge of saving on as much as we possibly can has gotten to be, dare I say, a ton of fun!?!
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Friday, May 7, 2010
Abundant Life
So.....Connor is officially enrolled as a student for the Fall. He will go to First Presbyterian Church 3 days a week for 5 hours a day. The education he will receive here has Ben and I over the moon. He will learn how to act appropriately around other kids, his letters, numbers, colors and all sorts of fun other stuff. He has to go to library, gym, art and, our favorite, chapel, once a week and participates in a service project once a month.
So, what's the problem? Where does that leave me? I am a Stay-at-Home mom. My entire life and job revolve around the fact that I have a child at home who I provide and care for. When he is not here, what happens to me? I pondered the idea of getting a part-time job, but then my DH reminds me of doctor's appointments, travels, trying to get pregnant (or becoming pregnant again) etc. Who is going to hire someone for a part-time job when I am expecting a baby, taking off to take my child to the doctor and I am so unstable in my scheduling? He is right, part-time work for me (at this point) doesn't make a lot of sense.
I am torn. I want to be of value to someone and this thought has ridden my shoulders for a couple days....ever since the decision to send Connor to school. Do I have worth or will I always be the unthanked and unpaid baker, chef, personal assistance, party planner, personal shopper, laundress, chaeuffuer, executive assistant, financial consultant, maker of mud pies, human waste santitation worker....you get my point! I may always go unthanked...but I didn't choose this life for myself to get thanks for a job well done. I will do my job and do it well....my ultimate "thanks and praise" will come if I have successfully raised my children in a loving, caring and well-adjusted home and they can fondly look back on their childhood as a wonderful experience.
However, am I worth anything else? That is still the question lingering....until I read my daybook reading for the day. It was all about being a "homecarer." In a nutshell, she reminded me to do things joyfully and with love in my heart. My endless tasks of laundry and picking up the toys and shoes that sprinkle the floor and everything else that goes on here only solidifies my goal- to make our life here full of comfort. When my husband comes home, will there be clutter on everything bolted down? After we sit down in the family room to enjoy our time together before Connor goes to bed, is it so trashed with toys and junk that it isn't a peaceful experience? We are given a choice each day. We can react negativelyto the demands made on us or we can choose to live abundantly, to transform the negative into the meaningful. If I don't recognize the value of what I am doing inside the home, certainly no one else will. "And if being a homemaker isn't sacred, then forgive me, for I truly have no conception of the Divine." When I am nearly bowed under physically, emotionally, and psychologically by the mundane, it is these times when I need to remember the sacredness of the ordinary. Ordinary is a pretty amazing life! I get to provide for my family harmony and order. I get to provide a safe and serene place they get to call home. What a blessing for me!!
On this Mother's Day weekend....remember that you are providing for your family more than they will ever be able to thank you for! When you wonder if the endless pile of laundry and dishes and picking up and vaccuming and putting away will ever be finished....it won't! But that's okay and so is the life you chose to give your husband's and your children and thanks or no thanks, I pray the endless love from them bursts your heart to overflowing!
So, what's the problem? Where does that leave me? I am a Stay-at-Home mom. My entire life and job revolve around the fact that I have a child at home who I provide and care for. When he is not here, what happens to me? I pondered the idea of getting a part-time job, but then my DH reminds me of doctor's appointments, travels, trying to get pregnant (or becoming pregnant again) etc. Who is going to hire someone for a part-time job when I am expecting a baby, taking off to take my child to the doctor and I am so unstable in my scheduling? He is right, part-time work for me (at this point) doesn't make a lot of sense.
I am torn. I want to be of value to someone and this thought has ridden my shoulders for a couple days....ever since the decision to send Connor to school. Do I have worth or will I always be the unthanked and unpaid baker, chef, personal assistance, party planner, personal shopper, laundress, chaeuffuer, executive assistant, financial consultant, maker of mud pies, human waste santitation worker....you get my point! I may always go unthanked...but I didn't choose this life for myself to get thanks for a job well done. I will do my job and do it well....my ultimate "thanks and praise" will come if I have successfully raised my children in a loving, caring and well-adjusted home and they can fondly look back on their childhood as a wonderful experience.
However, am I worth anything else? That is still the question lingering....until I read my daybook reading for the day. It was all about being a "homecarer." In a nutshell, she reminded me to do things joyfully and with love in my heart. My endless tasks of laundry and picking up the toys and shoes that sprinkle the floor and everything else that goes on here only solidifies my goal- to make our life here full of comfort. When my husband comes home, will there be clutter on everything bolted down? After we sit down in the family room to enjoy our time together before Connor goes to bed, is it so trashed with toys and junk that it isn't a peaceful experience? We are given a choice each day. We can react negativelyto the demands made on us or we can choose to live abundantly, to transform the negative into the meaningful. If I don't recognize the value of what I am doing inside the home, certainly no one else will. "And if being a homemaker isn't sacred, then forgive me, for I truly have no conception of the Divine." When I am nearly bowed under physically, emotionally, and psychologically by the mundane, it is these times when I need to remember the sacredness of the ordinary. Ordinary is a pretty amazing life! I get to provide for my family harmony and order. I get to provide a safe and serene place they get to call home. What a blessing for me!!
On this Mother's Day weekend....remember that you are providing for your family more than they will ever be able to thank you for! When you wonder if the endless pile of laundry and dishes and picking up and vaccuming and putting away will ever be finished....it won't! But that's okay and so is the life you chose to give your husband's and your children and thanks or no thanks, I pray the endless love from them bursts your heart to overflowing!
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
All over the place
It's been a month since my last blog and I don't know where I have been. We have been busy. We have been enjoying being a family. But I haven't been where I need to be, at the same time. My life is so wonderful right now. The love I feel for my husband is above and beyond, the love and adoration I feel for my son is more enveloping than words can express....but I am lacking in my love for the Lord. I have found it so difficult to keep up on my Bible Study and I am definitely not getting the fellowship that I need. I feel like some of my biggest and greatest prayer requests that I can ever remember having aren't being answered and in my frail and weak human mind, I want the answers and direction now......not when it truly is the appropriate and perfect time and place.
I have put on some weight since we have moved and I am feeling very uncomfortable in my skin, both physically, but also mentally and emotionally as well. So, I posted a quote on Facebook and in true and typical God fashion, it has been in my face and everywhere I turn ALL DAY LONG! The quote was "If you want something in your life to change, you have to change something in your life."
Biggest Loser smacked me in the face, reminding me that to get healthy again it needs to be a priority before it is a situation that takes more than just monitoring my food and exercise. Health problems run in both Ben's and my families and we don't want to pass that heavy burden onto Connor when we can break the cycle. I read my Bible Study, Power of a Praying Parent" this morning and it smacked me in the face, reminding me that just because I have been saved doesn't mean I slack off. "I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it." John 14:12-14.
I need to be the change I want to see. Is something lacking in my life? Be the change!
I have put on some weight since we have moved and I am feeling very uncomfortable in my skin, both physically, but also mentally and emotionally as well. So, I posted a quote on Facebook and in true and typical God fashion, it has been in my face and everywhere I turn ALL DAY LONG! The quote was "If you want something in your life to change, you have to change something in your life."
Biggest Loser smacked me in the face, reminding me that to get healthy again it needs to be a priority before it is a situation that takes more than just monitoring my food and exercise. Health problems run in both Ben's and my families and we don't want to pass that heavy burden onto Connor when we can break the cycle. I read my Bible Study, Power of a Praying Parent" this morning and it smacked me in the face, reminding me that just because I have been saved doesn't mean I slack off. "I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it." John 14:12-14.
I need to be the change I want to see. Is something lacking in my life? Be the change!
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Hahaha....ah-ha!
I had my ah-ha moment this morning but, unfortunately, it has been a gradual progression and it is a good ah-ha in that I am so thankful I had it, but am really sad it took me so long.
I needed the Lord and I neglected Him because of 4000 excuses I had but it remained that I thought my way was better and that I had it all under control. Dear Child, the Lord tells me....if only you remembered Me.
So, let's start from the beginning. Packing day two weeks ago was sad. I watched everything boxed up and our entire life sitting in the garage and in our rooms in brown cardboard boxes. Loading day was worse...I was so sad but too busy to recognize it. Our entire home was loaded onto this HUGE truck in less than 3 hours and it was at that moment, when we loaded the rest of the stuff into our cars and packed up the kids that the overwhelming sensation set in that "this was it." I had a horrible sick feeling the entire drive to our new "home." I was leaving my friends and support system, I was leaving our home that is still unsold, I was going to a place I didn't know with people I didn't know. We got here and stayed in the house with no furniture for a few days, I got sick, we ate fast food for every meal, our stuff got here and we were overloaded with boxes and I didn't know where to start, got more sick, Connor has been acting out, and to top everything off now....my beloved Grandmother is, probably, dying of pancreatic cancer.
I have been trying to pray at night when I go to bed and it just didn't seem to be doing the trick...I was, virtually, doggie paddling and barely keeping my head afloat between sadness, lonliness and fear. I praised Him a few nights for making this amazing change in my husband who is becoming (again) the man I married, no longer angry and frustrated with his job and family, but again overwhelmingly loving, kind, caring and patient....he is the beautiful person I knew him to be when I fell in love with him. I praised Him for showing my sister the light of His word to "rediscover" her faith in Him. My heart burst with excitment to hear the words from her mouth that she is turning her gorgeous face to His hands and for His purpose. And yet, I was still sad.....
After news of my grandmother yesterday, I felt like someone had literally taken my heart from my chest and broke it in two. I felt like I was going to throw up. She is a rock and the most god-centered woman I know. She completely, whole-heartedly lives her life to please Him and praise Him. I reflect on her prayer journal occasionally that is dated 1944. She is the type of Christian, mother, woman I would want to more emulate in my life. As I prayed for peace for her and our family, I asked myself, "How would Gamas respond to this situation....how would she, is she handling it?" Hahahahaha....I literally, started laughing outloud and here is my ah-ha moment....of course it is. Once again, God smacked me upside the head and said, "Precious Child, I was here the entire time....you just needed to come to Me." Of course my Gamas would turn to the Lord and here I was for 2 weeks ignoring His constant calls.
I found the motivation to re-open my Beth Moore "Breaking Free" study and picked up where I left off. I am not there yet...but I feel more at peace. Through His grace, I found the time to do what I needed to do at the house, complete one day of the Bible Study and even have a little relaxation time before Connor woke up from his nap. Praise Him that he let me fit in all in. It is, most certainly, not my time management skills that let me accomplish it all today and still fill the fullness of the joy and love His provides. Each time my world is "falling apart" and the stress seems more than I can bear, I can bet it is because I have left my God somewhere. Or, in Beth Moore's words, I wasn't on the same journey God was on for me. I got lost, but rest assured, I am making my way back on track now. Praise Him for ah-ha moments!
I needed the Lord and I neglected Him because of 4000 excuses I had but it remained that I thought my way was better and that I had it all under control. Dear Child, the Lord tells me....if only you remembered Me.
So, let's start from the beginning. Packing day two weeks ago was sad. I watched everything boxed up and our entire life sitting in the garage and in our rooms in brown cardboard boxes. Loading day was worse...I was so sad but too busy to recognize it. Our entire home was loaded onto this HUGE truck in less than 3 hours and it was at that moment, when we loaded the rest of the stuff into our cars and packed up the kids that the overwhelming sensation set in that "this was it." I had a horrible sick feeling the entire drive to our new "home." I was leaving my friends and support system, I was leaving our home that is still unsold, I was going to a place I didn't know with people I didn't know. We got here and stayed in the house with no furniture for a few days, I got sick, we ate fast food for every meal, our stuff got here and we were overloaded with boxes and I didn't know where to start, got more sick, Connor has been acting out, and to top everything off now....my beloved Grandmother is, probably, dying of pancreatic cancer.
I have been trying to pray at night when I go to bed and it just didn't seem to be doing the trick...I was, virtually, doggie paddling and barely keeping my head afloat between sadness, lonliness and fear. I praised Him a few nights for making this amazing change in my husband who is becoming (again) the man I married, no longer angry and frustrated with his job and family, but again overwhelmingly loving, kind, caring and patient....he is the beautiful person I knew him to be when I fell in love with him. I praised Him for showing my sister the light of His word to "rediscover" her faith in Him. My heart burst with excitment to hear the words from her mouth that she is turning her gorgeous face to His hands and for His purpose. And yet, I was still sad.....
After news of my grandmother yesterday, I felt like someone had literally taken my heart from my chest and broke it in two. I felt like I was going to throw up. She is a rock and the most god-centered woman I know. She completely, whole-heartedly lives her life to please Him and praise Him. I reflect on her prayer journal occasionally that is dated 1944. She is the type of Christian, mother, woman I would want to more emulate in my life. As I prayed for peace for her and our family, I asked myself, "How would Gamas respond to this situation....how would she, is she handling it?" Hahahahaha....I literally, started laughing outloud and here is my ah-ha moment....of course it is. Once again, God smacked me upside the head and said, "Precious Child, I was here the entire time....you just needed to come to Me." Of course my Gamas would turn to the Lord and here I was for 2 weeks ignoring His constant calls.
I found the motivation to re-open my Beth Moore "Breaking Free" study and picked up where I left off. I am not there yet...but I feel more at peace. Through His grace, I found the time to do what I needed to do at the house, complete one day of the Bible Study and even have a little relaxation time before Connor woke up from his nap. Praise Him that he let me fit in all in. It is, most certainly, not my time management skills that let me accomplish it all today and still fill the fullness of the joy and love His provides. Each time my world is "falling apart" and the stress seems more than I can bear, I can bet it is because I have left my God somewhere. Or, in Beth Moore's words, I wasn't on the same journey God was on for me. I got lost, but rest assured, I am making my way back on track now. Praise Him for ah-ha moments!
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