Dead End! and the sand was soft

It's been awhile since my last post as most of you might have noticed.  Well here I am, back again at a fork in the road  right where I was before I took that last turn down a road less traveled by the people I know.

Maybe I'm trying to make something out of nothing that God has intended for me. 

My journey started out like this...

The sun rose, shining light on the beginning of this road.  The colors of the trees down the path were the beautiful color of green in the spring.  I couldn't resist, I needed to take a turn and travel down this path. The gravel seemed packed, as if most all of the bumps had been smoothed out, providing sleek travel.  Everything seemed so wonderful from my view, and then I began to creep closer to those green trees.  They were still so refreshing but the sun began to dim and trees formed a shadow.  The road started to slowly darken, but I still thought that no matter how dark it would be inside of the woods if it was half as refreshing as the outside then things would be fine.  Well, it was dark.  Really dark.  The road was starting to become more narrow the further I traveled but I stayed on it.  It was becoming more and more difficult to travel but I was bound to ignore the difficulties.  And then, the sand stared to soften quickly and I was getting stuck.  Still trying to push my way along I ran into another sign.  This one was about as clear as I wish they were all of the time.  DEAD END!!!

All of the work that I had contributed to was gone just like that.  As if the man above was telling me that he was going to make this one clear to me this time! 

Email, locked out of!  Blogger, completely disappeared and no longer exists!  Facebook, password no longer matches!  I was completely locked out of it all and I felt like the only way to try to get it back was to go through hell and back again.

No thanks God, I can read this sign!


~So here it is... to many more unscheduled but inspiring blog posts "here". On "my" blog!

Here's your sign!

Sometime this is exactly how I feel. Here's my sign. Don't go too fast but don't go to slow. And, good luck!

 Gee thanks. Is that all the clearer it gets?

Well, if I go that way it might take me here, but if I go this way it might take me there. And then I might think that I've got it figured out until the road splits. Isn't it amazing, with all the paths that we can travel in life, only one person knows which way is the right way. 

So, do I make the most of the path that I take, or do I turn around when it gets bumpy? Or should I run when it gets dark, or just keep traveling and know that he's with me? Our, do I just sit at the crossroads and go nowhere? How do I know what to do? How do I know where to go?

As some of you may already know, I've been feeling a little lost lately. But now I've been tossed an opportunity and I'm really struggling. I can't tell you completely what is going on but what I can say is that ever since I was introduced to blogging, I have been in love with it. No, that doesn't mean that I've blogged every day since, or that I know everything about it- by no means. But it does mean that it is something that I really enjoy doing.  My struggle has always been that I have felt as though the things that I have to write about are of no interest to anybody but me and my besties, and maybe that's true, but I've wanted to have something interesting.  I've wanted to blog about things that will keep people coming back because they like what I do and what I blog about. And now I'm trying to figure out if what I've wanted is right in front of me, and even more, if I'm following the right arrow on my sign.

Sometime in life I wish things were just plain and simple. Black and white. Yes and no. Something sort of like this...

Yeah, just like this!  I wish someone would just point me to this and say "here's your sign!"

If music moves your soul...

...then you must here this...

Field Trip to remember

Yesterday! 
Where should I begin?
Well two days prior it was sunny, warm, and in the 70's.  Yesterday it was cold, wet and rainy, and even snow was in the forecast.  The second graders had planned their field trip to an outdoor baseball game.  I did but I didn't want to go.  The invitation was open to all of the parents and I knew from past experiences that if I didn't go, she would be one of the only few without her mom or dad there.  So I sucked it up and requested the day off of work to join her.  After watching a weeks worth of weather forecasts to see if their prediction would change, it didn't!  Rain, rain, rain, and a little bit of snow!  I had never prayed for snow in May before until now.  The teachers had notified us that regardless of the weather, we would be going, and that they didn't call off games until after the scheduled start time.  They suggested that we dressed warm with hats, jackets, and mittens. Rain gear and blankets were also a good idea to bring.
So we boarded to school bus at 8:30 for the 1 hour+ bus ride.  We arrived down at the game and unloaded the buses to enter into the game and find our seats. It was still raining!  No umbrella or rain jacket was going to keep us dry.  The bleachers had standing water puddles on them, and did I forget to mention that this was all completely outdoors? Yeah, for real!  So they started off by postponing the game for a while, and finally after sitting in the pouring rain for an hour, they decided to call it off.  So we loaded up the buses for a long bus ride back home again.  What a day!
So all of this seems so miserable, and it truly was in the moment.  It took hours to unthaw. I mean, I was so irritated that I posted on facebook.  I never post on facebook, EVER!!! But I did this day.  It was only after numerous comments to my post that I received one that read...

"ok ladies, appreciate these field trips! now that we have teens we are planning field trips to New York! can you say 2 GRAND! HELP!!!!! ( I really enjoyed the free ones!)"

Wow!  That really made me realize how much this field trip was going to be one to remember.  Not because it was cold, wet and rainy, but because it was free, close to home, and I was invited to go along.

Sometimes we need those more experienced mothers to tell us how it really is!  Thanks Missy.

Etsy

Well, if you noticed or you haven't, take a look down at the bottom of my side bar.  Yup, that's my Etsy store.  I know, only two items in there right now, but "my" perfection takes time.  I've lots of downloading anf uploading to do, and by Monday it should look like a REAL STORE!!!  I've been working very hard on a few things and I can't wait to share them with you. 
Make sure to stop by again soon and check in at http://www.etsy.com/shop/jenniferlj
Go ahead and leave some advice here in the comment section.  Anything that you like or that I can improve on.

Oh how proud...

After 4+ months of what seemed to be endless, school and studying, he's almost there.  My DH has been schooling for his EMT certificate, while I've felt like I've been single parenting it while he's been away.  Last night he took one of the many tests that he has left in order to become certified and...... he passed!  One down and two more to go.  We have been so grateful for this education that has been given to him at no cost, through the Fire Department.  We are truly blessed with the Department that we have and they are so amazing.
Cheers! ... to my hubby's accomplishments.

Silence...

Sunday night again, and I'm up all by myself.  The house was silent tonight by 8:30.  It has been so peaceful, but yet I wish that I had someone to cuddle up on the couch with.  Any one of them would do right now. But no, the time is ticking away faster and faster and I know that if I don't hit the hay soon I'll be sorry come morning.  I find it so irritating how a six hour shift at work can feel like 6 days but yet two hours of silence feels like 20 minutes.  Point being... I got nothing done while everyone was out of my hair.  Oh well, I'm sure it will all be waiting for me come morning.
Looking forward to a week full of good blogging~

Searching for my purpose

Okay, so here I am weeks later from my last post.  I'm finding myself searching for "me" everyday.  I've discovered that sometimes that hardest person to find can be yourself.  I feel lost.  I'm struggling to find my purpose.  Yes, I know that part of it is to be a wonderful mother and wife and all of that good jazz, but what else am I supposed to be doing???  Right now is when I wish I had that crystal ball.  I know that my future is not for me to know.  I understand that he knows the plans he has for me.  I get it!  But for now, what direction am I supposed to be putting my focus in???

"HELP!!!!"

"I FEEL LOST!!!"

I've been considering going back to school, my cosmetology license is getting me nowhere and I hate doing hair.  Or maybe helping out at the boutique in town, since I love that kind of stuff.  Maybe, I should just push on with my blog, I do love writing in it (but I'm always worried about what my readers think).  I don't know, but what I DO KNOW is that we need more income.  How can I contribute?  I don't want to be a waitress the rest of my life, but it sure does work out well for right now.  But, I also don't want to wait too much longer before deciding to go back to school.  Every week I feel like maybe, just maybe, I've figured it out.  And then, WOW, maybe not.

Please, will somebody tell me that they've been "here".  Will you share your story or tell me how you found some peace maybe?

United with an old flame

So, I guess you could say that I'm obsessed again.  I love it when this time of year comes around!  I feel as though I have been married to our local community center again lately.  As the warm weather seasons are quickly approaching us again, I figured it was time to try to get back into shape.  Old shape would have meant new wardrobe and and bad financial choices.  I'm not sure why I do this to myself, eat like a pig 8 months out of the year to sweat like a pig for the other 4. 
So anyways, I've set some goals, that I'll maybe share with you another time, and have been working my little heart out. For he past five weeks my routine has consisted of 5-6 cardio and strength training workouts and 2-3 lap swimming sessions each week.  I love how I feel after all of this and I hope that I can keep it up.  Since I hate diets, this is what I'm doing to prepare for shorts and swimsuits. 
Share with me what it is that your doing to prepare yourself for summer, or maybe your naturally blessed and don't have to do anything.  
HAPPY SPRING!

feeling like a bad mom

It's a terrible feeling, sending your children to bed after an evening of arguments.  My DD and I really seemed to hit it off tonight and it sure wasn't on the right foot if you know what I mean.  Now I'm spending time by myself wondering what I have done wrong as a parent.  Where did I mess up?  Although I'm sure that this won't be the last time I ask myself these questions, and I'm sure that I'm doing a fine job of parenting, it just kills me when we have these horrible days. 

But, my last words to her with a smile tonight were....

I'm your mom and I'll always be your mom,

Your my daughter and you'll always be my daughter,

And I love you and I will always love you!

And nothing can ever change that!

Now, I'm off to bed, but first I'm going to pray over my sleeping children that I have been blessed with and love ver so much.

Spring!

Oh how wonderful. 
Spring is in the air and the snow is melted. 
The grass is still brown but green in some spots. 
The bikes are out of storage and the band aids are stocked.
Boats are being uncovered and cleaned.
Signed up for summer ball.
Streaming through thoughts of flowers and vegetables.
Explaining why it's still light at bedtime.
Windows are open and the fresh smell of spring is all through the house.
Boots are ready to be packed and spring jackets are out.
Birds are chirping and the sun is shining.
Please Spring, stay in the air.
Oh how wonderful this just might be.

Restaurant etiquette

Apparently my job might be getting to me this week, so this is what I had to write...

Part I : For Adults


Upon entering a restaurant, if you have to walk by a Please Wait To Be Seated sign to seat yourself....... then don't expect prompt service any time soon. Waiting to be seated just may have been quicker after all.

When you have been seated at a particular table, don't get up and move to a different one on your own..... ask someone kindly if it would be a problem to switch tables to better accommodate you. There usually is a rotation of tables between servers. (And bring your menus with you if you move!)

When your server has asked if your ready to order or if you would like a few more minutes, don't tell them that your ready and then take you time to decide between your top 4 choices. We have plenty of other things that we can be getting done while you are finalizing your decision.

Listen closely and communicate with your server. There's probably nothing that drives me more nuts than when I make a trip to a table and ask "is there anything else that I can get you right know other than a refill on your soda?" and the customer rudely replies, "yeah, some more pop!" (Isn't that what I just said?)

I understand that it's all great and dandy to go out to eat and have someone wait on us hand and foot, but it is very hard to be an excellent and efficient server when you are repeatedly making trips back and forth to the same table because they decided they would tell you everything they needed before the end of the evening, one item at a time. As if you can't multi-task?!

Don't continue to shake your empty glass of ice, irritating everyone around you, while trying to get your servers attention. Chances are they probably already noticed that you needed another beverage and are trying to get you one as quickly as possible. Or, simply make eye contact to draw attention to your empty glass.

Tell your server immediately if there is a problem with your meal. Don't wait until almost everything is gone and then decide to complain about it. Chances are that you will not get any compensation since you waited until everything was gone. Apparently it was still okay to eat so NO you won't get your money back or something FREE!

As a server who depends on her tips as her main source of income, here comes a huge pet peeve..... If you cannot afford to tip correctly then you should not be eating out!

This list here is to just name a few things that might just make your next trip out to dinner a little bit more enjoyable for you and your server.

Five Question Friday

Okay, so I'm excited to tell you that today is my very first time participating in the Five Question Friday.  I've been following it a while now, but I thought that today would be a great day to start since these are some of the questions that I have been getting asked lately. 

So, here's to those of you who want to know my answers...

 (And when your done, hop over to Mama M's to see what she had to say)

1. How much time do you spend on the computer a day?

Well, I feel as though I should be extremely embarrassed to admit this answer, however I'm not, well maybe a little bit.  Anyways, does probably too much count for an answer?  I guess it depends who your talking to.  Regardless of how much time, does it even matter as long as everything is done by the time the fam gets home?  Alright, I'll just tell you that it's A LOT!!!  If mama ain't got her screen time then nobody's happy ;)

And I still ask myself how I can't keep up with my blog posts as much as I would like.  (I'll let you know that answer when I figure it out.)


2. Will you pay for your children's college or raise them to pay for their own way?
It's funny that this question came up since I was just talking about this lately.  My DH and I have partially decided that the two children we have may be all that we have, since we would like to help provide for them as much as possible.  We definitely plan to teach them responsibilities and good money management as they become teens so that they can manage their money wisely and help contribute to paying their way through school. However we understand the importance of extended education and plan to help them out with such expenses, but only to get them up and going. 
I guess we'll see, only times will tell!


3. Have you ever been in a car accident?
I feel like answering this question could possibly set me up for a curse, but then again I guess that I could count this one time. 
Shortly after my high school best friend and I had our license, we were following each other back home from a day of shopping in the town.  We were both waiting at a stop sign for an opening so that we could pull out onto the highway.  As a break in traffic came I saw her begin to pull out slowly, so I began to follow her slowly.  As I looked to check again that there was enough room for me to pull out behind her, I began to accelerate until I was stopped by her bumper.  She apparently decided that she was going to wait at the sign a little longer, who knows.  To add the humor of these two blondes, they decide to get out and check the damage (there wasn't any, absolutely no trace of anything that had happened which saved our butts) and then just sat with our cars practically in the middle of the road to chat about it for awhile. 
But then again, if that's only the worst?!?!

4. What is your favorite book?
I really don't like to admit it, but hmmm... I don't think I have a favorite book.  You see, I've always wanted to be one who loved to read novels, but I just can't do it.  I'm not sure if it's because it seems to take me so long, or if I just truly can't get into it.  On the other hand I do enjoy reading magazines occasionally and I also like Christian books that have to deal with self improvement.  Okay.... and I love to read some of my favorite blogs!
5. Do you make your bed everyday?
Do I make my bed everyday????..........  Well, I'm starting to finally get the hang of it.  I would probably say that I make it about 5/7 days a week.  I can't seem to keep our room very clean, so when I make my bed it helps me to feel better about the other part of the mess that consumes the remainder of the room.
Hey, whatever works!!!


To post your very own Five Question Friday visit here to find out how.
~HAPPY FRIDAY~

I'm still here...

I know that I haven't posted in a while and I'm sorry to all of you who keep coming back to check in.  I hope that this one time won't discourage you from following my posts.  Anyhow, I've been so consumed with something that I want to share with you all.  Hoping that maybe someone can relate, or at least it will help me to understand something that I have been struggling with, more clearly.  It is all slowly coming together so keep your eyes open for the post. 

On another note, I am not a fan of all of this rain we're getting right now.  It leaves me with a cold and damp feeling and I'm constantly chilled to the bone.  I guess, on the bright side of things (even though bright hasn't been in sight for days now) the rain is quickly melting the snow.  Which will mean less snow to melt after our next snow storm (there's always one in April).

Enjoy your Thursday~

Oh my buns...(but not that you care)

So I signed in for my second week of boot camp this morning.  I never thought that I would make it through the first day.  I was sure to be a boot camp drop-out.  But NO, I was there checking back in today for week number two.  And I think that I forgot to mention somewhere in there that I sat on the toilet last week from Sunday morning until, well umm, I think that my DH finally came in to help me off Monday morning.  We definitely worked the buns on Saturday.  Yep, it was Monday because he needed my help getting the kids ready and off to school.  I did call the doc and he reassured me that it wasn't a medical problem.  So I decided to diagonse myself with, I think I called it "totally out of shape", yup that's what it was, just plain totally out of shape!

So this got me thinking,  I wonder if God is this sore when he's constantly working on getting me spiritually in shape?  Because I know that I'm not nearly in shape there either.

~Looking forward to next week~

You're right! It ISN'T my job.

This will not be a usual thing on my blog (to repost links to great posts) but I felt that this was very appropriate.

This story really hit my heart.  It helped me to sit back and re-anaylize my parenting job.  I have been so consumed with wanting my daughter to be happy so often that I guess I've looked passed the depths that I've gone for her happiness. 

I now have a better understanding that it isn't my job to make my children happy, but what can I teach my children that will allow them to be happy.

 I highly recommend reading this well written post by It's Almost Naptime.

http://itsalmostnaptime.blogspot.com/2010/02/i-dont-want-my-children-to-be-happy.html

Letting go of the Promised Land

Today I woke up finding my heart in a world of pain.  My DH and I had finished our evening with not the greatest of conversations.  I had made such an awful decision to ask such a question as so right before bed.  Here he was, sure of what was going to happen after the lights went out; and then BOOM!!! the storm sets in and we went to bed upset.

I decided to start out the question with my most infamous line... "I don't want you to get mad at me, but I just want...".  A question that is asked probably every day more times than any husband cares to hear.  He listened very annoyed by quietly to my request with my soft and sweet voice and when I was through he made my tears run (not that it's very hard to do or anything).  He shot me down.

I catch myself more times than I would like too, in a wanting phase, if you would?  I think they call this discontentment?  A place I fall far too often.  I am so aware of this sinful action that I feel, but yet it is so hard to break.  It's like I go through phases.  I will do such a good job at really trying to be content for a period of time and then it's like I feel that the world owes it all to me or something for being so content for a whole couple of weeks.  One of those... I've been good so now can I have blank? 

Fortunately God does not work this way.  Although sometimes I just want him to grant my wish like some genie in a bottle, but then again what kind of life would I have then?  God rewards those who wait and call on him.  HIS timing is PERFECT!  But sometimes waiting can feel like eternity.  And I begin to wonder if He will ever meet me where I am.  Will I ever get to experience that desire?  It's the unknown.

Thankfully I have come to know my God.  I understand that all things work together for good to them that love the Lord. (Romans 8:28)  I trust that someday my discontentment will be overcome by the contentment that only the Lord can provide for me.  I know that there will be a day where I will no longer ask for the I wants, but I will be thankful for the I haves.  I will understand that it is useless for me to get upset about everything that I can't have or afford, because God will provide the necessities.
I want to change the way I live.  I want am going to be a testimony of my new life verse...

~Philippians 4:11-13
I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.  I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty.  I have learned the secret to being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.  I can do everything through Christ who gives me strength.

Amen

Until then, this Israelite needs to let go of the idea of the Promised Land, and take His presence in my life for
what it's worth.

He'll help me through

On the list of the top ten things that brake a moms heart, you will find my #7 reading... my child crying when I drop him/her off at school/daycare.

My heart has been breaking from this lately.  My Little Man has been torturing me lately with his separation problems.  My mind is boggled with confusion.  I am constantly asking myself why this is happening.  As a mother you are naturally trained to think of every possible reason that he may be doing this.

We prepare our children for what's to come and happen.  We have strong beliefs in our house that it develops maturity in our children to be open and honest.  We feel that just as we like to know what is going to take place in the near future, so do our children.  This allows for them to prepare themselves emotionally and physically for what is to come. 

So we've prepared Little Man religiously for each day that follows today.  He understands when he goes to school and he understands when he goes to daycare.  He gets it!  He even knows how long he will be at each place (there's nothing that gets past him now that he's learning to tell time).  And yet everyday we have a gigantic meltdown.  He uses every excuse under the sun as to why he doesn't want to leave the house. 

My husband and I have continued to be firm and together on the same page with this situation.  We try very hard to not allow our children to win these battles.  We have remained strong and consistent with what is expected from our children.  And yet through all of this, we still offer positive affirmation.  We give him praise for a job well done. 

Even when I feel that I can't take this anymore and I just want to give in, I know that God has put these wonderful women in my life.  These amazing angels that help me to push forth everyday knowing that they love my son so much and they watch over him at school and daycare as one of their very own.  We know that he's in good hands and that makes it all the easier.

But, please Lord hear my cry.  I need this to stop.  I know it's not nearly as bad as how it makes me feel but it's breaking my heart.

No Work

Today brought the second week of the hubby being laid off. Fortunately we are able to receive other sources of income for the time being. We have been so blessed with work through this winter since most all of the business that his employer takes on is commercial construction. Unfortunately there just isn't enough work to go around for all of the employees and now it's his turn to sit home (for a short period hopefully).


Although this has been a little disappointing, it has really allowed us to spend some great quality time together (and even some alone time when both of the kids are at school). I feel totally blessed for the time that we have had together lately. Now that my hormones are under control (hopefully) we are able to enjoy each others company so much more.

Looking forward with bitter sweetness to him punching the time clock again tomorrow.

Continued...

I want to start out by apologizing for misleading you if I have. I want to emphasize to you how wonderful my husband really is and how amazing our relationship is. My point from my post yesterday is that that is a very true conversation that I had/have often. But you see, years ago God made this answer very clear to me about how to feel in circumstances like these.

Alright, let me start here ladies...

If you are a wife, then you have been created to fill a need, and in that capacity you are a "good thing", a helper suited to the needs of a man.

Now, some of you may already know where I'm going with this, but it only took one book for me to get the big picture.  When God spoke to me I immediately understood that it was my job as a wife to be obedient to my husband. It prepared me for the fact that there were going to be many times throughout our marriage that we were going to disagree or see things differently, but in the end it was going to be I who needed to give. And not so much was it to give in, but just to be obedient. God's Word tells us that we need to submit to our husbands. Ladies, our husband's authority is delegated by God, and we need to submit to our men "as unto the Lord". We need to understand that when we do this we are indeed recognizing God's authority and submitting to Him.

When all of this came together in my little "want to be stubborn head" I immediately realized that God knew my heart and my actions. It was my job to answer to my husband and He would take it from there.

This is when I began a point in my life where I started to implement everything that I had learned into our marriage. There were many days of my biting of my lip to agree with or obey my husband. But then I realized that I didn't have to always agree with how he felt about something, but it was my job to obey his wishes.

This was a turning of a page in our relationship. It was so amazing to see how God began to work in our home. There were fewer arguments and so much more fun and happiness. It was almost as if we began to gain even more respect for each other. I knew that from here on out it was my responsibility to live a life pleasing to my husband.

As I continue to work very hard at this day in and day out, it does not guarantee that every day is going to be a walk in the park. But what it does guarantee is that I am pleasing my husband. So, if all that he is asking me to do is to get myself ready a little earlier in the day and maybe a few other things, is that really all that bad? Is he really asking the impossible of me? I don't think so! If that is all that I have to do to start our days off great, than I would think that I have it pretty darn good.

So I am going to continue living my days in submission towards my husband. I plan to glorify God while doing so and hopefully my daughter will see a good example of a wife who honors her Lord by honoring her husband.

I have been Created To Be His Help Meet!

With Love My Friends-

A personal conversation (and you’re just a fly on the wall):

Dear Lord,

I was sure that by now I would have known everything about my soul mate. I mean, c’mon now. We did marry each other. It’s been over eight years together and you’re telling me that there’s more? Okay, so I know that he wants his dinner ready every night when he gets home from work. And I know that I need to be on top of the laundry. And yes Lord, I know that it bothers him to all ends of the earth when the kitchen counter is full of clutter. I haven’t forgotten either about the desk, I know, he wants those papers filed still. And don’t worry I would never think of not getting up in the morning with him at 4 am to send him to work with a fresh packed lunch. That just wouldn’t happen. I guess I started a bad habit on my part with the whole lunch thing.

But Lord, what about me? What’s he gonna do for me this week? I’ve spent the last eight years doing, doing, doing for him and it seems like I’m still not doing enough.

And, did you hear him the other day? He said that he would like it if we changed our ways in the morning a little bit. I mean, he did ask nice and all but he wants us to not sit around in our pj’s on a Saturday morning anymore. He would like for the kids and I to start making getting ready for the day, the first thing that we do in the morning. And I don’t think that he’s talking sweatpants either. I think that he means that he wants us to make ourselves presentable first thing in the morning. In fact, I know that’s what he means. But c’mon, Saturday? This IS my day to sit around, drink some coffee and tidy the house. Do I really need to change these things.

Please Lord, help me to understand this. Help me to change my ways with a loving heart.

Amen!


To be continued…..

He Is....

He's so awesome!

(He and Little Man)

He is an amazing man.  He's a hard worker and a doer.  He loves unconditionally and has a huge heart.  He is forgiving, loving and kind.  He's committed to his family.  He is a man created for the outdoors.  He's brilliant.  Although shy, he loves reaching out to others.  He's a firefighter, a construction worker and a provider.  He protects.  He's a son, brother, uncle, grandson, and father.

And for as amazing as he is, he's not perfect!  And that's what I love most about him.

Just as the Lord sees beyond our imperfections, we too see past each others.

"HE" is my husband!

What he wants to be...

We all have had our dreams as a small child about what we want to be when we get big.  My husband and I have tried very hard to make it known to our children that they can be anything almost anything/body that they want to be.  We have felt that it is important that they know that and we will be there to root them on in whatever it is they decide to persue. 

Our Little Man just told me last night that he was changing what he was going to be when he got olger.  I continued to ask him what was on his mind and then he answered... I'm just going to be a guy on American Idol who sings My Big Green Tractor.  I looked at him and said, Little Man you can be anything you want to be but can Mom be your back-up singer?

Apparently there was something more interesting about singing than there was about being a firefighter,  swat guy, or construction worker. 

What will he want to be next?

(For now the Firefighter is in the blood.)

Wordless Wednesday

Should I feel guilty about this stack of clothes that came out of the kid's room the other day when I was cleaning.  Yes!  They're all to small and they are on their way to consignment.  And if you answered "yes" to my guilt question then good, I'll understand that what I'm feeling is normal.

And The Day Came...

Ahhh!  It's here.  The day after Monday.  The day that I didn't want to come until I was ready.  You know, with my post... but it still came.  The day that I feared, another one of those days that I wake up and look Fear right it's face and I say..."You're back again!?!?"

You see, we all have them.  You know.... those sinful enemies.  The ones that we fight with and fight with to please go away.  And here I am putting up a little bit of a bigger battle today.  I'm not going to let you get me this time.  I'm here, I've logged in, I'm writing all about you, and pretty soon I'm going to hit the publish button. And that's how you'll know that I'm in it to win it!

With the enabling power of the Holy Spirit I am ready to put to death the sin in my life.  The fear that I have.  The fear that has allowed me to believe that my words are nothing to others, that the things that I have to say are of most non-importance to those around me, and sometimes, yes even sometimes the feeling of being a complete nobody.  But today I have seeked the power of the Holy Spirit, and I am confident that I Will be of some importance to at least one individual.  I hope that through the things that I have to share here, you will find interest and so much more and that you would want to visit here often. 

 I am ready to be bold!  I am up for the battle here on this blog.  The battle to not fear what my readers might have to say about me and what I choose to write about.  This blog will not be for everyone and that's okay, but I sure look forward to sharing stories and comments with the rest of you.

So... to fear,
             you're going down!

ka-ching

For the second week in a row I have found myself interested in a section of the Sunday paper that I didn't even know existed.  You see, I wasn't aware of the part of the paper because the only reason I used to purchase a paper on the weekends was to see what great deals were in the local ads.  I had a total spending addiction on my mind and it involved a lot of shopping.  And now, I'm a proud coupon junky!

Well this week again I was reading up on the ka-ching section.  Chris Farrell tells us exactly how it is.  He sees it as borrowing more and saving less is not going to be a way of life again.  It just can't be!  Employers can no longer afford an increase in wages for employees and in addition to that we need to take in account for the increase in health care costs.  Most of us cannot afford to take a risk of not carrying health insurance on ourselves due to the spendy rise in medical treatments, but it also hurts when little is left to our paycheck after taking out for health care and 401k's. 

The picture that I'm painting is that we no longer are or will be able to spend like we used to.  Society has changed and we need to jump on the band wagon before we get left behind and end up learning the hard way again.  We need to become more frugal with our lifestyle and money.  If that means buying two Sunday papers so that I can double up on  my savings with coupons, then that's what needs to be done.  We need to be more aware of our resources out there to help us learn effective ways of spending more wisely.  And most importantly, we need to start saving again.

Some of the resources that I recommend are listed below.  Note that there are numerous more out there in books, websites and blogs.

Dave Ramsey

Suze Orman

Star Tribune - ka-ching

Happy Savings