We Have Two Choices

Hubby is out of work for two weeks. We can sit and complain about how this could be a burden to our family. He used the rest of his personal leave. We will not receive a full paycheck next pay period.  Many negatives exist in this situation. However, all I can do is praise God for this time off.

Old Bessie

One area that we are focusing on this year is becoming debt-free. We are giving up our newer car with a very large payment and paying cash for a “new to us” car. We ran some numbers and figured out how much we could afford. Our budget was $1,500 and the highest we could go was $1,600. The hunt began for a car.

Not Just One

Today is GratiTuesday. Yesterday was Multitude Monday. These two days are days that I write about my blessings. Yesterday I missed writing my blessings but that does not mean I was not praising Him throughout the day. Today I sit and I think, “what am I grateful for?” So many blessings are running through my head, which one do I want to write about. Then it occurs to me, I cannot write about just one.

Plans Change

I am thankful for the days where we have nothing to do outside our home. The days where we can lounge around in our comfy clothes, fuzzy socks, hair a mess, and no urgency to get things done.  The days where we stay in bed a little longer than normal. The days where we are thankful for days like these.

Overwhelmed With Gratitude

 

Before my husband and I married we discussed our expectations of marriage and how we would raise our children. We heard each other’s beliefs, wants, and needs in all different areas that go with marriage. One area that we felt very strongly in was I would stay home with our children. We both wanted our children to have a parent home with them. Neither my husband nor I had this growing up. Well, I did but not until my teenage years. Thankfully we were able to do this because the pay my husband received in the Army allowed us to do this.

An Icy Situation

Photo Credit

Dave Ramsey says when you are trying to get out of debt to increase your income. So that is what the husband and I did. I found a part-time job and hubby picked up a second job delivering pizzas. He enjoys working with the people, meeting the customers, and we cannot forget the tip money is nice. My husband is a people person. He loves to talk and meet new people. This job is perfect for him.

Loving Retirement

 

The summer of 2012 my husband broke the news to me. “Babe, I think it is time to retire and I will retire next year.” I never thought I would ever hear those words. I remember when we were newly married and the hubby had only six years under his belt. Now he will be retiring? Where did the years go and do you really have to retire? Leading up to his actual retirement fear was setting in. I was fearful for most of that year. The enemy was attacking me.

The Blessing of Heat

The weather here in Wisconsin is cold. I am talking to the bone cold. I know many other states and cities are facing worse conditions than what my city is dealing with. Last night I went into our garage to turn off our Christmas lights and the cold took my breath away. It was a like brick wall of coldness that I walked into. I instantly felt sadness.

Facetime

A year and a half ago we moved closer to my family. We are three and a half hours away from my siblings, my dad and stepmom. Last year we traveled home a lot, but we have not been home in the last four months. The last time my blessings saw their cousins, aunts, and uncles were in July. My dad and stepmom made a visit in October. The way things are going right now with my family we just cannot make it home.

Morning Time With Him

Every morning I look forward to two things: my Bible time and coffee. This is my favorite time of day. Yes, it may occur at 8:00a.m., 9:30a.m., or 10a.m. Regardless of the time, it is my favorite time. I am able to enjoy my cup of coffee while indulging in His word. To me the time stops and my Father talks with me. He shows me His Love through His words. Sometimes He shows me areas I need to fix or shows me areas that confirm I am doing exactly what He wants me too.

Unanswered Prayers

Last night while at work my boss and I were discussing moments where we wanted certain things and prayed about those things but those certain things just did not happen. We discussed how we felt when those certain things we wanted did not happen. Many of us have experienced this. We pray asking God for something, but He does give it to us or if He does it is much later than we asked for it, or He just does not give it to us. We call those unanswered prayers.

I Trust You

I cannot even begin to explain how last week was for my family. Our emotions were all over the place.  One thing I can say about last week was that my God was with us the entire time and He showed us just how mighty He is.

Thank You Lord

Do you have some days where you sit there and wonder what you can be grateful for? The enemy gets into your head and surrounds you with negativity. He whispers you are fat, you cannot keep your goals, you’re a failure, your children look at you crazy, your parenting is a joke, and you cannot maintain your home. Each whisper gets louder and louder and eventually you begin telling yourself the same things. We begin to play into the enemy’s schemes without even realizing it.

We Cannot Teach This

Earlier in the year I attended a women’s conference. At this conference we learned about our spiritual gifts. At this same conference I felt God telling me that He wanted me to teach a class. Of course I was like “haha, oh God you are so funny!” Me teach a class? Not going to happen. I am literally terrified to speak in front of groups especially in front of people I do not know. I get all nervous and unexpected tears begin to flow. It is embarrassing. I threw a temper tantrum with God. Whining, pouting, and we cannot forget the “no, I am not doing this” comment.

An Easy Weekend

Over the Labor Day weekend I did not do anything. Absolutely nothing. My daughter spent half the weekend camping with her friend and little man spent the weekend playing with a neighbor kid. Hubby worked most of the weekend. I on the other hand spent the weekend at home catching up on things around the house. We had no schedule and nowhere to be.

School Comes First

 

The last two years our family has faced many obstacles and many of those obstacles have played an affect in our homeschooling. Back in August 2012 we began school and two weeks later the hubby arrived home from Afghanistan with non-combative injures that required many doctor appointments. Along with doctor appointments he required a lot of attention. Then, fast forward to January 2012 where we move from Alaska to Wisconsin.  The 2012-2013 year has definitely been difficult. Sadly, our homeschooling has taken a back seat. We have completed our school years but it was not always the first on the list.

Family Time Flipping Tires

Many of you know that one of my goals for 2013 deals with fitness. For the past seven months I have tried to be consistent with my workouts and eating. I have had my moments where I fell away but I always get back on track. Lately, I have been trying to find ways to change up my workouts.

Nearly Perfect

When my little man was about one month old I found a spot on his eye. I brought him to the doctor who then referred us to a pediatric eye doctor. The eye doctor told hubby and I our little man was born with a congenital cataract. The first year of little man’s life was spent at the pediatrician (for other health issues) and the eye doctor.

Its the Little Things

We have some days where it is the little things that make our day great such as a smile from a stranger, an encouraging text or email, all the laundry is washed and put away, or having some quiet time. Okay the last one may be huge but either way we all moments that can make our day. For a while I was not been feeling that way. I have felt overwhelmed, lost in chaos, and feeling like I cannot get ahead of anything.

He Just Wanted Family

Yesterday we celebrated little man’s ninth birthday. We spent the day opening gifts, eating doughnuts, playing laser tag, rope climbing, playing arcade games, a trip to the mall, trip to the library, dinner out, and then ended the evening sitting outside enjoying the weather.