Money Saving Monday

I thought it was going to be a slow week, but it ended up being pretty good. I got two candy bags, two tubes of deodorant, toothpaste and soap.....of course all for free. I also got back $5 for Walgreens and $6 toward CVS for my next freebies!!

Sometimes I feel like superwoman.....

The last two weeks, I have felt like a super woman. The sad part is that there are so many wives/mothers who do so much more than I do. Last week I ran two kids to their dentist appointments, one to the ENT appointment and myself to my own appointment. On top of this, I worked, got through 5 tests, 1 book report and one science project. Dinner is always on the table by 5:30. I keep track of all of this, plus schedule more appointments up until the next 2 months!!
This week has been CRAZY......I worked Monday, headed straight to volunteer teaching computer classes, and then worked at the school's aftercare until 6 pm. I was utterly exhausted. I was looking forward to catching up Tuesday only to have the phone ring at 6:30 am "can you sub today (all day) for the 2nd grade class"!! Wednesday was work plus grocery day. I was thankful for today when I could get some stuff done. Tomorrow it's back to work, head over to school to sub for Lauren (Jenna's class) for the afternoon, and then work aftercare until 6. While I don't have faith that something will open up for me next year, I still like to do anything I can to get my foot in the door!
Again, I know so many women who work, do more appointments every single week, clean, cook dinner etc.....but I also know why God made women....because men could not do all we could do!!

Chocolate

Giving Up Chocolate


I was walking down the street when I was accosted by a particularly dirty and shabby-looking homeless woman who asked me for a couple of dollars for dinner. I took out my wallet, got out ten dollars and asked, 'If I give you this money, will you buy chocolate with it instead of dinner?'

'No, I had to stop eating chocolate years ago', the homeless woman told me.

'Will you use it to go shopping instead of buying food?' I asked.

'No, I don't waste time shopping,' the homeless woman said. 'I need to spend all my time trying to stay alive.

'Will you spend this on a beauty salon instead of food?' I asked.

'Are you NUTS!' replied the homeless woman. I haven't had my hair done in 20 years!'

'Well, I said, 'I'm not going to give you the money. Instead, I'm going to take you out for dinner with my husband and me tonight.' The homeless Woman was shocked. 'Won't your husband be furious with you for doing that? I know I'm dirty, and I probably smell pretty disgusting.' I said, 'That's okay. It's important for him to see what a woman looks like after she has given up shopping, hair appointments, and chocolate.'

When you get women together......

You get lots of good food, and some much needed laughter. Lydia hosted a night for our small group ladies. We played this funny game trying to get to know one another and enjoying "lemon bars"!!! I learned that I was the one who could make toilet paper last the longest. I do feel like I got to know some of them better, but there are still about two or three of them that I still feel I know nothing about, and I would like to someday get to know more about them. Thanks, Lydia for a great night!

Money Saving Monday

I know it's still Sunday, but I wanted to get this posted. I had a GREAT week of freebies......first last Sunday I went to CVS and got 3 twelve packs of drinks, aussie shampoo and two vitamin waters.....all for free, plus ECB's back!! Next Harris Teeter had their super double coupons this week. I LOVE it when HT runs their super doubles (doubles any coupon that is 1.98 or less) or their triples. I got two containers of sour cream, dental floss, baby powder, pop tarts, gum and lip gloss for free! I also got A TON of deals for $1 or less! The great thing is that I saved $33 in coupons alone this week, and that's not counting the VIC card specials! Thank you HT! Can't wait until next time!!!

Proud, proud, proud

Sunday I think my friend Monica tried to jinx us. I'm not sure what she was talking about, but she was telling Joshua it was like having a project, book report, spelling test and math test all in week. Well, in the four day week, Joshua had a book report due, a science project due, and a spelling test, English test and science test all in the same day! (thanks Monica). The science test was basically a lot of the project (same material) and the English test was over writing a book report. Joshua got in the car today and said that he got an A on spelling a 100 on English and 100 on Science!! Whew!! I can't believe it. I was hoping for B's in everything!!! Jacob and Jenna also got 100's on their spelling tests!
I'll post pictures later of his project (I'm having problems downloading my pictures right now), but he did a model of an ear from the flap all the way into the inner ear. My thanks goes to Jack because I didn't even know how to start this, so he gets all the credit! He took cardboard to make the ear, cut a water bottle to make the ear canal. He also had an eardrum. He used pipe cleaners to show the cochlea and other parts. His teacher pulled him aside today and told him he had the best project! (ok Jack...don't get a big head now)

fun with friends.....

Monday the kids were off of school. I had to work, so after I got done, we picked up Wes and Wil and headed to Monkey Joes. We stayed a little over an hour and a half, but they were ready to go. After bouncing that long they were all tired and hot. I can't imagine parents staying there for hours at a time. We ran to Wendy's and got a frosty and then headed home. They all had fun and slept pretty good!!

When Life Gives you snow.......

You make snow cream, you build snowmen, you just enjoy the beauty. I think this was a beautiful snow because of the way it looked in the trees, because the roads were clear, plans were not changed, and it melted!! It truly was a beautiful snow!

Money Saving Monday

This week I got me some hair gel, paper towels and some more dove men care (not gray hair touchup, lol). I also got a 12 pack of diet coke, but I didn't get a picture of that. Not the greatest of weeks, but who can complain for free stuff, plus more money to spend the next time!!

My valentine story......

I love Jack! He's just great, and I have to say that because he puts up with me....which is a hard job to do. I remember being so lonely after college. All my friends were getting married and were starting the life that I always wanted. It took me almost 5 years later until I met him. Back in 2005-2006 I started going to Providence Baptist....which is a mega church. In February of 2006 I decided that I was going to try their singles group....not to meet a man, but to find other Chrisitan single girls to hang out with. I got up enough nerve, and really liked it. Late March Jack and his friend Lai came. I saw him and I really liked him. We had an event Friday night and Jack and I ended up talking the entire time. I went home and I prayed to God for just ONE date with him....that's all I wanted. I continued to pray and went to things with Lai and him and then Lai asked me out. I went out with him, but found nothing in common with him. Low and behold one night I went to Golden Corral with the two of them and Jack came up to me and asked if I would go out on a date with him. I remember saying "I would love to". We went out the end of April and have been together since. I never thought I was good enough, pretty enough or anything to deserve someone, but God saw differently and blessed my life with Jack.

Friday night we got out and went to Fridays (because I wanted the three course meal for $12.99). We had a nice time together. I also got some gifts at preschool, including this home made chocolate sauce which I am dying to taste!! Jack got me the WII active which I really wanted. Poor guy only got some pants for his gift!!!

Happy Valentines Day! And Happy Valentine's Day to the love of my life. I love you Jack!!

Untitled Hymn (Come to Jesus)

I FINALLY made it back to choir Sunday and got the sheet music for this song. I think I might have heard this in passing before, but this is the first time I heard the entire song. I thought it was absolutely beautiful. The words are so good. I must admit the last verse brought tears to my eyes during choir. Fly to Jesus......wow....what a thought. I hope you enjoy the words.

Weak and wounded sinner
Lost and left to die
O, raise your head, for love is passing by
Come to Jesus
Come to Jesus
Come to Jesus and live!

Now your burden's lifted
And carried far away
And precious blood has washed away the stain,
so Sing to Jesus
Sing to Jesus
Sing to Jesus and live!

And like a newborn baby
Don't be afraid to crawl
And remember when you walk
Sometimes we fall...
so Fall on Jesus
Fall on Jesus
Fall on Jesus and live!

Sometimes the way is lonely
And steep and filled with pain
So if your sky is dark and pours the rain,
then Cry to Jesus
Cry to Jesus
Cry to Jesus and live!

O, and when the love spills over
And music fills the night
And when you can't contain your joy inside,
then Dance for Jesus
Dance for Jesus
Dance for Jesus and live!

And with your final heartbeat
Kiss the world goodbye
Then go in peace, and laugh on Glory's side,
and Fly to Jesus
Fly to Jesus
Fly to Jesus and live!

Birthday Bash.....

One of the benefits of snow on your b-day weekend is that your birthday gets extended. Joshua had Wes and Travis over Saturday. We went to Adventure Landing and the boys played two games of laser tag and had a blast!! They each got 20 tokens to play video/arcade games. After that they still had one more "big" thing they could do. They were too short to do the go carts and they wanted to do something different, so they went out in the cold and played putt putt golf. By the time they were done, we were all FREEZING!! They all came over after that for hot dogs, cake, ice cream and a lot of play time. I am so thankful that Joshua has such wonderful Christian friends.....and both of these boys come from really great homes!!

Money Saving Monday.......

I had a pretty good week after a very slow previous week. (They were out of all the deals I was wanting) I managed to get all of this for free. I got two chap sticks, a bottle of Advil, Rice Krispies, crackers, eye drops, and some men's body wash. I love Walgreens and CVS!!!! I also love the thrill of hunting out the bargains!

God Provides......

I'm not against homeschooling, and I hope home schoolers are not against me, but right now I don't feel God has called me to home school. I know there will come a time that we will need to home school, and I believe God will put it on my heart at that time. I truly believe in my heart that Southside is the place where my kids belong. I don't doubt that for a moment. Since I believe that, I also know God would provide, even if that means that I take another job to pay for it. We are truly blessed that right now we have enough for two of the kids to go next year, and I know the money will come in for the third. Again, we are not rich, just very "thrifty" with our money. We could do a lot with this money....a Disney vacation, bigger house, new furniture.....all of which I really want, but I choose to do this. I am so grateful the money has come in and I will be rejoicing when we have enough for the third child comes in!!
We were at Minute Clinic last night with Joshua. He has another ear infection!! No other symptoms. So, we are going to have to go back to the ENT in a couple of weeks to make sure we have no other problems with his ears. (hopefully no more surgeries) This won't stop him from his party.....I just hope the snow doesn't. He was so bummed last weekend, so hopefully we can go on with it now.

The Invisible Woman......

I've had two friends send me this clip, and I URGE you to see it. It is so good. There are many times here that I feel like the invisible woman, but I have to watch this to remember that God sees! I'm not working for the kids or my husband, I'm working for God and it's ok if the kids don't see it....God does. I'm building my own "cathedrals". God sees every cupcake that is baked, every tear that is shed.....and at the end I want my children to come home and say "you're gonna love it there". Please take the time to watch this 5 minute clip. I think you will be just as encouraged as I have, every time someone sends it to me!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9YU0aNAHXP0