Thrifty Tuesday?

Being a stay at home mom, I sometimes find it difficult to feel content with staying at home, EVERY DAY. We do get out on Thursday mornings, and head over to our local BSF Group (If you haven't checked this out...please do! I have learned SO much while actually STUDYING the Bible, instead of just skimming it, and the fellowship with other women is something that my soul needs. More on this in another post.). We do have a zoo pass, and once I'm feeling completely like myself again, we will definitely make it there more...but, that's pretty much it! That leaves 4 days of the week that I have to find something for the kids and me to do. I don't know about you, but I get pretty restless after a day or two!

Usually we end up going to Target to grab one or two things for a new recipe or craft that I've found...and of course we end up buying 5 more things that we don't need, or even have room for! I end up feeling guilty, and frustrated every time I leave the store. 

This brings us to right now. Today, the first Tuesday in November. I made a mental goal to spend as little money as I possibly can this month. BUT - here it is in the open. I'm telling you all, because I want to/need to be held accountable. I'm excited, but nervous! I've done this before, and failed miserably every other time I've tried it. I'm feeling motivated, but cautious. I don't want to fail - again. 

Which again...brings me to TODAY! Each Tuesday this month, I'm going to share any tips that I find on how to save/not spend money. I'll also share what we did during the previous week! So, for the first week in November, here's what's been happening:

*We voted. Totally free outing!

*We haven't eaten out at all yet, and instead I've made up my mind to stick to our menu this week!

*I'm making homemade pizza for supper this week, and sticking one right into the freezer for another night!

*We did our grocery shopping at ALDI

*I'm working on printing coupons for diapers/dish soap. Do you know HOW MUCH you can save when you you coupons? It's kind of crazy.

*Checking out other bloggers who are into the same things as me (saving money, eating real food)

That's my list so far. Check out the links below to see some of my favorite money saving blogs!

http://www.duggarfamilyblog.com/

http://www.thehumbledhomemaker.com

http://www.myhumblekitchen.com

http://www.moneysavingmom.com

Birthday Parties

My kids were born 5 days apart. Ok, Two years, and five days. 

Birthday girl!

I wanted to make sure that their birthday parties were special, but because we don't live super close to our families, we had to have them on the same day. It surprisingly worked really well! 

Maddie had a Pink Lemonade party, and Charlie had a Firetruck party! We kept it pretty simple, with simple decorations, and food. The whole time, I kept thinking, "I'm hosting TWO birthday parties today, but I feel less stressed than ever!"

First Birthday Cake

It was so much fun to watch Maddie at her party. I'm not sure that she really knew what to do! 

Charlie in his fireman gear!

Charlie's party was very relaxed, I think we were all worn out after eating, and presents at Maddie's party! We opened presents, and then...

At the Fire Station

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...went to the Fire Station! A few weeks before his birthday, I found out that the fire stations do free tours for birthday parties, so I called right away and scheduled a time for us to come! Charlie LOVED it! We learned about what they do, and how the station runs on a volunteer basis. Charlie got to sit in all of the fire trucks, and got to meet the fire fighters! 

It was a VERY long day, but it was so, so good!

Around the House

Summer flew by, and the mix of staying up late and not having a set schedule has come to and end. It was a great summer, filled with ice cream, bare little legs, zoo trips, grilling, flip flops, parades, fair food, and extra baths!

 Sweet baby

On the scrambler with my dad, and nephew

Charlie riding the motorcycles with his cousin

This year, Charlie was able to participate in the parades!

We had a WONDERFUL summer, but boy am I loving this beautiful fall that we're having!

Update

Guys, it's been way too long. The end of the summer, was a mess of finding out HUGE news (Yep, we'll get there!) sickness, and trying to enjoy the last few weeks before fall came.

In the summertime, I love enjoying an iced coffee from Starbucks, but instead of them making me feel good, and cool...I ended up feeling sick. EVERY TIME. It seemed so unfair, but I didn't really think anything of it. A couple weeks after giving up on coffee, we figured out the answer. I'm pregnant! We're so excited to welcome a new little one in early April, right around Eastertime. It's crazy thinking that Maddie will be a big sister, and I'm definitely unsure of how it will work...living in a two bedroom apartment, but I know that God has big plans for this little one. Now that I'm FINALLY feeling better, I'm hoping to get back into a regular blogging routine! I have a lot of new ideas and recipes to share, and of course some funny kidisms too :)

Proverbs Bible Study (Week 4)

Here are my notes from this past week! I learned a lot, again! I feel like there are a lot of the same themes popping up throughout all of the chapters so far...one in particular for me was to think before I speak. Any that are coming up over and over again for you?

Proverbs 14 

14:1 I viewed this as building up her family. With words and actions, she can easily build up or tear down her family.

14:6 I need to learn to listen to The Lord more often when I'm needing discernment.

14:7 Keep away from those who lie/tempt you

14:11 Those who believe will live eternally, but those who do not, will be destroyed.

14:12 Do not follow the way of man, but instead, follow the way of God.

14:15 I need to remember to think about what I hear, before taking someone else's word.

14:17 I'm usually very quick-tempered. It's something that I'm always working on and praying about.

14:21 Blessed is he who is kind to the needy!! We need to live and love like Jesus did. We need to love everyone...not just those who we think "deserve" it.

14:26 Those who fear The Lord will have a firm foundation. Their kids will always know that they are safe.

14:28 A large population is a king's glory!! This is NOT how our world currently views high population rates. I thought that this was interesting!

14:29 I'm also constantly praying for patience...

14:30 LOVED this verse. I think it might become my new motto, and I'm going to have to find numerous places in my home to put it. I'm constantly reminding myself that I need to be content with where I am, and with what I have.

Image from pinterest.com

Proverbs 15

15:1 We are currently working on parenting differently,  and using gentle words when disciplining the kids.

15:8 He doesn't want sacrifices from those who are wicked.

15:12 A wicked man wants to do things his own way.

15:15  A cheerful heart has a continual feast! Loved this one too, and I think I'm going to display this one too!

15:28 Think what you say before saying it.

15:30 Humility comes before honor.

Proverbs 16

16:1 If you listen, The Lord will give you the correct answer

16:2 It's not necessarily what you do that might be wrong, but the motive behind it.

16:3 Give all of your  plans to God.

16:4 Everything happens for the good of The Lord.

16:9 God's plans are far greater than our own!

16:18 Pride goes before destruction

16:20 Always trust in The Lord. This is definitely easier said than done!

16:24 This will be a new way of life for me. I will try to remember to always use pleasant words.

I hope that you learned something this week! Please share questions/comments in the comment section below!

Proverbs Bible Study (Week 3)

Sorry this is a couple of days late! We were gone all weekend, and I didn't have a chance to get my study done until today! I have SO many underlined parts in my Bible now...things that I want to be able to look back at and to remember. I hope you are learning as much as I am! Here's my notes:

Proverbs 9

9:2 She prepared her meat, mixed her wine and set her table.

She was preparing for her guests, and was taking care of their needs. I think her desire is to provide and care for others, and to lead them to God.

9:7 I have personally noticed this many times while arguing or debating. Many people end up getting very defensive, and name-calling, and hurting others.

9:8-9 If you rebuke, or correct, a man, he will love you. I truly struggle with correction...I usually view it as a failure on my part, instead of help.

9:10 Learn to fear the Lord, study His word, and know Him.

Proverbs 10

10:1 I have seen this, in the relationship with my parents, and myself as I was growing up. Some decisions that I made, caused them pain.

10:2 Righteousness=Jesus. He delivered us from death.

10:4 Instead of being lazy, and putting off undesirable jobs, just do them and get them done with. 

10:5 Be wise, and store up your goods. Keep them until you need them.

10:7 Memories of the righteous will be a blessing. 

10:12 Love covers all wrongs. 

10:14 Wise men store up knowledge. Continue reading the Bible, and studying His word, so that you can store up knowledge.

10:17 Whoever ignores correction leads others astray (Proverbs 6:17!!)

10:19 He who holds his tongue is wise. 

This is actually something that I do often, and have been viewing it as a bad thing!

10:21 The lips of the righteous nourish many

How many of us are trying to nourish our families through the food we eat? We should be more focused on nourishing their souls with the Word of God.

10:24 Things that I dread or fear will overtake me.

10:29 HE WILL SAVE US OR DENY US. Probably THE most important lesson to understand.

Image from bible-quote.deviantart.com

Proverbs 11

11:1 Don't tip the scales to make you look better.

11:2 With humility comes wisdom

11:4 What a HUGE statement. Wealth is fun for now, but it's better to be faithful and to follow God's teachings.

11:5 I thought that the first part of the verse was referring to Jesus' life and death.

11:7-8 The wicked man was rich on this earth, but it truly gave him nothing.

11:10 Our culture loves seeing stories of people who "do good , and prosper", and also stories of those who do bad and are punished.

11:12 Be understanding, instead of judging

11:14 I see this in my own home. It takes a lot of insight and ideas from others, when it comes to raising children.

11:16-17 Be kind.

11:23 There are so many examples of the future of the righteous vs. the future of the wicked

11:24-25 This isn't only talking about money, but life. The more you give, the more blessed you will be.

11:26 Less is more.

11:28 Do not trust in yourself, but in Jesus.

Proverbs 12

12:1 Be open to guidance from others.

12:4 This was SO convicting for me! A lot of days, I need to find a better attitude.

12:9 Be humble.

12:11 Be responsible

12:15 See verse 1

12:18-19 Be careful, and think about what you say to others.

12:22 Always be truthful

12:25 Build others up

Proverbs 13

13:7 Be humble

13:11 If you continue to do things correctly and faithfully, little by little your blessings will grow.

13:1, 13, 14, 18 All of these verses were about seeking instruction. I'm beginning to think that this is very important! :)

**Please add thoughts or questions to the comments! **

Convictions

Do you ever have any of those moments that feel like you have been sucker-punched? That make you think "How could I even THINK that?" I had one the other day.

Since moving, I have felt like my apartment is cluttered. All of our stuff has been piled into places just to get it out of the main areas. Last week, I had finally had enough. I decided that it was time to tackle the mess, and get it in order! I made a list and got to it. The kids were pretty good, but it seemed that they were getting in my way...I couldn't organize one thing without them destroying something else. I was frustrated.

Over the weekend though, it hit me. I was not seeing them as blessings as the Bible says we should. I was viewing them as burdens. My head spun. My heart ached. All I wanted to do was cry, and hug my babies. 

Instead of talking over them, and looking in their direction, I took a step back and watched them. Watched their faces light up as they played together, watched Maddie pull herself up and walk around the couch all by herself. Watched Charlie meticulously build a tower out of his blocks. My heart was bursting, yet filled with regret. I love these kids. They had no idea how I was feeling, but came to me when I asked for a hug. 

This week, I'm focusing on them. Giving them what they need, and the attention and love that they need. I still have things to get done around here, but that comes second!

Love them.

I'm thankful for those moments that make me stand back and see the mistakes that I'm making. I know there will be many more!