Sharing my excitement

I thought I would share this with you fellow savings addicts, as I'm
sure you'll share my excitement, unlike my husband who looked at me
with that, "you need to get out more often" look.

WalMart had the large cans of Similace Organic marked down from $29.95
to $5.00 a can. God's timing is perfect as I lost my milk in the 4th
month just like every baby so far. I remembered there were coupons at
the Dr.'s office so I zipped over there and picked up the coupons for
$5.00 off a can of the Organic along with some for $3.00 off any other
similac products. I headed back to WalMart. Picked up 7 large powder
cans for $5.00 each and then the small concentrate simalac was on sale
from $3.98 marked down to .50cents a can. They are all dated a year
away, and I was told they were close out items, coming out with new
labels. So off course I had a little trouble at the checkout as the
cashier was going to have to ring up each can with one coupon as
seperate purchases, so they sent to me to customer service to check
out. I got $277.52 originally marked down to $42.50 and with the
coupons WalMart paid ME $22.50 when I left. I was really excited. I
asked if they wanted to say my name over the speaker for great savings
like at price cutter or take my picture or anything.

Great is the Lord

As I was reading this morning in Psalms, I was reminded that just as David talked about his city, my "city" to me is my home and family. And that which makes our homes great is not the house we live in, but the blessedness of the Savior within the walls of our homes and hearts.

We have a great home...for me, it's what I had always wanted, old and has a lot of character. We have a little over 3400 square feet, on a large lot, a pool, a beautiful large front porch. And we are selling it to downsize. I'm sad in a way as I love this house and what a blessing it has been at times for entertaining, the kids all have their own rooms plus a playroom. I realize that our next home will more than likely not be 1/2 this size. However, financially we have to be good stewards and it is sucking the life out of us financially and taking away our ability to have any left to put into the live of others. The verse has came alive...the LOVE of money is the root of all evil and when I'm stressed over money and meeting the month end I'm a lot more focused on money than on what I can do to be a blessing to others. , but I was glad that God reminded me that it is not the house that make the family but the heart that makes the home.

I was also reminded that I am not safe because of the "abundance of my soldiers" or in stay home mommy terms, the abundance of money in our checking account. But that I am protected because He is my Almighty Savior. He is the one who gives us protection over our homes and families for those who call on His name. This Love of money is the root of all evil in our marriage too. I can easily find myself in an ugly place of judging my husband when we have our own business and I see him doing things differently than I would or more accurately, acting like the back seat driver...telling him what I think he should be doing. I can get very critical and cold and irritated without ever saying a word to him about it. Then I get a God smack and am reminded that the money doesn't come in just because of Allen but by the Blessing of God to care for us as His own family. I want to be able to bend in repentance before Him rather than be brought to retribution by Him. Thank you Lord that you are our provider and protector. Thank you that your greatness fills our weakness and that we can come to seek your will and wisdom.

Callin the Hogs

So Sunday night I went to bed before Allen and was really tired. I think I fell asleep just seconds after hitting the pillow. Next thing I know, Allen wakes me up and asks, "Are you OK? Were you...snoring?" I was too groggy to answer more than, "I don't know." I wiped the drool off my cheek, then I here him rush into the baby's room, then upstairs to check the kids. By this time, I had woke up enough to remember my dream. I was dreaming that some kids were tormenting our pig Sweetheart and I was hiding on the other side of the fence snorting fiercely at them to scare them off. And I guess I was snorting out loud. I couldn't help but to start laughing as I realized how scary it probably was for Allen to hear growling and snorting like a ferocious pig coming from somewhere in the house. Yet another reason why my hubby loves me so much...I can call those hogs.

Back to School Time

We are starting school in the morning. I have all new crayons, markers, glue, pencils, notebooks, boxes, erasers...everything, along with a treat of a special folder for each of the kids. Brian will be joining us for official school this year as we are doing a unit study curriculum for preK thru 2nd. I'm looking forward to tomorrow morning. We have been working on our chores and devotional time and protecting our night and morning routine to help make a smooth transition. We plan to only do school 4 days a week preferring to have Friday's off for errands and catch up on the house/mail etc. I checked out a movie from the library and we are getting ready to watch that with some popcorn and really make a big deal out of starting tomorrow. I pray that I'm not singing a different tune tomorrow and waving down the bus for pick up in the morning.

Shatterd Dreams

As Allen and I were driving to a family reunion last fall, I was still largely pregnant and highly emotional. I just needed some words of reassurance of his undying love for me. So I thought I would help him along and by asking him, "What do you love about me?" He smiled and quietly pondered for a moment then answered, "You are a really good cook." That warm fuzzy feeling that I was looking forward to inside turned empty. I just sat staring at him. WHAT?! I'm a good cook? Oh how romantic! But remember one of my previous posts in December with his RCD problem. I just smiled graciously and turned and stared out the window and let the pity party of tears stream down my face. I just watched as the flat lands passed beside us, wondering if he ever missed that incredibly tender and thoughtfully romantic man he used to be as much as I did.

Then on the radio came an old song that I hadn't heard in years and had never paid much attention to the words:

So much for your promises, They died the day you let me go.
Caught up in a web of lies, But it was just too late to know
I thought it was you, Who would stand by my side
And now you've given me, given me
Nothing but shattered dreams, shattered dreams
Feel like I could run away, run away,
From this empty heart, You said you'd die for me
Woke up to reality,And found the future not so bright
I dreamt the impossible,That maybe things could work out right
I thought it was you,Who would do me no wrong
And now you've given me, given me
Nothing but shattered dreams, shattered dreams
Feel like I could run away, run away
From this empty heart
You've given me, given me
Nothing but shattered dreams, shattered dreams
Feel like I could run away, run away
From this empty heart
From this empty heart
I thought it was youWho said they'd die for love
And now you've given me, given me
Nothing but shattered dreams, shattered dreams
Feel like I could run away, run away
From this empty heart
You've given me, given me
Nothing but shattered dreams, shattered dreams
Feel like I could run away, run away
From this empty heart, oh no no no
You said you'd die for me
Oh, oh, die for me
So much for your promises
So much for your promises

Not an all time favorite or greatest song ever writen, but I wondered if the writer was feeling what I was feeling as he wrote it. After a good 5 minute cryfest. I felt so much better. I knew in my heart that the only one who I could truely ever count on keeping their promises and that had already died for me was the only ONE that I need look to for the fulfillment of my empty heart. I turned to look at him and smile, as he had no idea I was even crying, he was still basking in pride over his answer to me. I watched as he spit into his bottle. Yes, he's a country boy, chewing tobacco and all. I love Allen, his RCD and all.

Impossible!

Has it really been this long since I last posted? I have missed it so. I will just give you all brief updates on our lives today.
Still Alive
selling house
Painted kitchen yellow
Painted Makensie's room lavender
Painted Gabby's room yellow
Painted Brian's room sky blue
Laying carpet tomorrow
Week 9 of book study "Shepherding a Child's heart"
My mom visited for 1 week.
Getting organized for home school to start...maybe next week.
Allen is moving his business to a better prime location and the rent is $700 less a month.
Allen will now be able to hire a secretary...and she won't be me!
Have had Wyatt in ER with an ear infection.
Gabby to the Dr with the same.
Still visiting churches and think we have made a decision.
Working with kids on Keepers of the Faith activities - love it!
My brother and his wife blessed me with a niece - Riley.
My sister was here for a visit.
Had a jewelry party and earned $100 in free jewelry.
hosting a baby shower here at my house this week.
Allen bought the kids a trampoline Saturday and it took 2 days to put it together.
Think that is about all the events I can recall.
Oh, we've added studying the proverb of the day to our mornings and last week we talked about how the fool talks a lot. Last night Brian, my chattiest of kids, told Allen, "I'm a fool sometimes because I love to talk!".

Thankful Thursday

This is a little late, but can it still count?

I actually feel really quilty that I'm so thankful for this.

My mom called me Thursday morning and said if I would meet her 1/2 way, which is about a 90 minute drive she would take all 3 of the oldest kids home with her until I come home next which will be this next week for the 4th of July. My 1st comment was, "Uhmm, I have a bible study tonight." Then after I had a chance to clearly see the opportunity as I was telling my kids for the umteenth time to quit fighting with each other, I realize what a gift she was offering plus it would be great Grandma time. So never had we packed so quickly, loaded the car and we were off.

I'm so thankful for a mom who loves her grandbabies so much and loves me so much and wants to help me. I'm thankful for some quiet time in the house with just the baby. I'm thankful I got to go to some yard sales. I'm thankful that I'll be able to work on some much needed projects.