Organization...

This is something that is a bit of a pain to me.  I love organization, I try to stay organized, but most of the time I fail miserably at this subject.  

This year I would like to tackle this area of hardship for myself.  I am trying to stay clutter free, but things just have a way of piling up big time at my house.  I let things get away from me and in a few short days... My house looks like it threw up on itself.  

One thing I am going to be doing and have started to try to tackle is purging things.  I don't use half of what is in my house, maybe not even a third of it.  I am going to be getting ride of a lot of stuff.  

Another area to help myself out in is that paperwork... there is always so much paperwork.  I hate paperwork.  But it is part of life.  It is part of owning a business.  I just need to throw out the things that aren't needed.  So much junk comes through my doors.  Also, I have to mention this one thing... My kids love to color and draw.  James will sit down and draw 3 pictures and he will give them all to me. I have a pile of drawings.  I do go through them and chuck some.  But I need to do more chucking of these items.  I love seeing them, but I don't need every single drawing.  

I am going to tackle this area of my life.  I just have to stay focused and willing to get ride of things. 

I am going to post some photos or DIY projects that I do to help with these situations. :)     

Getting Ready...

For Ladies Conference...

I did not take this photo. ;)

Yes, it is that time of year again.  Things just go by too fast these days.  I am really excited I get to go this year.  

The last few days has been a mad dash to get things ready for me to be gone for 3 days.  Getting the house in order, laundry done, packing, preparing for my return... Yes I have to mentally prepare to be gone for a few days as well as what it will be like when I get home. 

A mom doesn't just leave for a few days.  If we did... I can't imagine what things would be like when we would return. LOL! 

I am hoping to have lots of things to share with you all when I get back.  We have a busy few weeks ahead as well with our annual Teen Rally just a week away. And then I will be heading out of town to photograph a wedding in North Carolina. 

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend.     

So, It's been a while!

 

Hi there.  It has been a few weeks and I have wanted to get on here and write something and share some photos but it has been a bit crazy.  Lots of stuff to get done.  I have also been in some sort of funk.  I don't know where it comes from.  But sometimes it just smacks you and then it is hard to get back into the swing of things.  

Well, we have finished half a year of school.  I am excited for this since I am a summer girl and it just means that the warm weather is soon to be here. :) 

Another thing that has brightened up the past few weeks... We are getting things together to hopefully buy a house in the near future.  We talked with a home loan person and we have a few things we need to get straightened out, but we are in better shape than we thought we would be and are hoping to be able to buy a home by the end of the year. 

I have been working on a few things as well in my personal life.  It seems like whenever you make a decision to do something better or for God, you are immediately just bombarded with difficulties.  I am right there.  Feeling a bit overwhelmed at times and just down right moody at other times.  But I am not going to give in.  I am just too stubborn for that.  I just don't see the point in giving in.  Cause that starts a chain reaction of giving up everytime something gets in the way.  I refuse to not get out of this funk I am in.  

If you are in some sort of funk... DO NOT give up, give in, let it overtake every area of your life.  There is a light at the end of the tunnel and that tunnel leads right to the one that can help us through these times in our life.  That person is Jesus.  Trust in Him.  Ask Him to help you and He will.  Things always look worse when you are in the midst of them. 
      

Hearing the Word of God.

I wanted to share something that God shared with me through His word today.  It was a bit amazing to me to realize what He is saying in these verses.  

Genesis 21:9-20

This is the story of Hagar in the wilderness with Ishmael.  She is about to give up in these pasages.  Who would blame her?  She has been kicked out of her home, is now a single parent, has nothing to provide for her son and doesn't even have water.  She has a lot of problems in her life at this moment.  She puts her child out of her site so she doesn't have to watch him die... Wow!  

She is crying and giving up at this moment. 

And then God sends her an angel.  He tells her that God is on her side.  He is there with her and will take care of her.  And then the Bible says this:

   And God opened her eyes...

So, there is one thing that came to mind.  She closed her eyes.  
This came to my mind first.  She closed her eyes to God.  She was more focused on her problems than in finding an answer to her problems.  She was closed to the fact that there was a well right in front of her because she wasn't trusting God.  

Oh, how we do this.  We get so wrapped up in the actual event of the problem than in the miracle that God is unfolding in our midst's.  God just kind of smacked me over the head with this one.  It reminds me of Peter walking on the water with Jesus and the second he gets his focus off of Jesus and onto the storm around them, he starts to sink.  

This is how I am.  I spend too much time thinking of the problem and not enough time on the One that can take care of that problem.  He is the answer! 
       

Finding the Balance and Trusting God with It!

So Wow!  This year is already off and running.  We have had a busy start to the new year and I am trying my hardest to find balance.  I want to do things to the best of my ability, not just fumble through them, which I do a lot.  I am trying to get some things in order that I feel have fallen apart or that I have been neglecting.  

Last year was a healing year.  God took His time with me and made last year a year of healing my heart and spirit.  He is amazing that way.  I could have stayed bitter and hurt forever, but He didn't allow that.  I am so glad.  

This year is a Renewing year for me.   Here is the defenition:

re·new

verb \ri-ˈnü, -ˈnyü\

Definition of RENEW

transitive verb

1

: to make like new : restore to freshness, vigor, or perfection <as we renew our strength in sleep>

2

: to make new spiritually : regenerate

3

a : to restore to existence : revive

b : to make extensive changes in : rebuild

4

: to do again : repeat

5

: to begin again : resume

6

: replace, replenish <renew water in a tank>

7

a : to grant or obtain an extension of or on <renew a license>

b : to grant or obtain an extension on the loan of <renew a library book> 

That is what I want to a T.  I want God to do a miricle in my life this year... Not one that you can see on the outside like healing or financial, but one that is spirtitual and internal.   

A few things I am trying to accomplish this year: 
 
I am trying to stick to a Bible reading schedule.  To be honest, I have missed a few days, but I catch up the next day.  I am using You Version through Bible.com.  I listen to it on my tablet and I love it.  It has really changed the way I "hear" the Bible. :) 

Another area is cleaning and de-cluttering my home.  This is huge.  I don't know about you, but I am just down right cranky when my home is a disaster.  I just can't stand it. I love to have things, but too many things is just overwhelming. So, I am working on getting rid of stuff and keeping a clean home.  

One more is to be more organized.  I am horrible at this.  I have lots of piles all over my home that are things to do, bills to pay, paper work to be filed, shredded and scrapbooked. LOL.  I want to get some of this stuff taken care of.  I want to keep up with it so I don't have to worry about it any more. 

Keeping up with home school... Ok, so, I am just a bit frustrated at myself for this one because I get so busy doing other things that I neglect one of the most important things in my day.  We as a family have chosen to home school our kids.  This is one of the hardest things I have ever done.  But I truly believe God wants me to do this and I wont give up on that.  We have hit our share of bumps in the road, but it is worth every one of them.  :) 

Finances!!! We have learned over the years that God takes care of us.  He always has and always will.  We learned this when Shaun was out of work for months and we didn't know what was going to happen.  But I am taking it to a new level.  God wants me to not worry about the little things.  He wants me to trust Him when I feel like I need to control every penny.  He wants me to give more to Him and I know I will struggle with this, but He will quietly remind me that He is in control and I do not need to be.  

I just wanted to share a few things I will be working on this year.  I think it is good to have goals/ new year resolutions.  I do not want these things to be in the moment decisions but life long changes in my every day life.  God wants us all to have a balanced life.  I know that whatever God tells me will bring more balance. 

Couponing week of January 6.

I got a lot of good deals this week.  With all the Christmas stuff going on sale for 75% off, there are a lot of things to stock up on for next year.  :)  

 This shopping trip was from last Saturday.  I did a second shopping trip to CVS for the week.  I got all this plus 3) 12 packs of soda for $14.20. I saved $51.41. 

 I got a lot of Christmas things on Clearance at CVS yesterday. :)  I love it because I get to save what I would have spent on this stuff and get other things next Christmas. Everything in this photo and the ones below were purchased for $8.90 before tax. I saved $56.66

 Here are a few photos of the things I purchased at Walmart from their Christmas sale. There are a few things I forgot to get photos of, 2 pairs of girls tights (one for Summer and one for Claire) and a pair of snow boots for James. I got all of these items for $18.19 before tax.  I saved $68.82. 

 This is from todays shopping at CVS as well.  Not pictured is a 12 pack of Dr. Pepper and a Good n Natural bar.  We took that to a friends house. :)  All this cost $27.81 and I saved $44.23. 

I had a great week of couponing and looking for some good deals. :) 

This past week...

I had such a busy week this past week.  It was go, go, go all week.  And although I love being busy, I love being able to just be at home as well.  I am trying to get things organized at home.  I have so much stuff, so, I am trying to get ride of some things that I have never used, or haven't used in over a year. I have a box ready to go to a friend that owns her own thrift store in town. :)  I also have a lot more to do before I get things the way I would like. 

Sunday we had church and then some teens over for lunch and then back to church.  I love Sundays for this reason.  What a great way to serve and be a blessing.  

Monday we did school and then went to a revival at another local church.  We got to hear some great preaching. :) 

Tuesday I got to go do some shopping and see what was on clearance.  It was also TLC night - ladies Bible study.  We are doing a book called "What's on your mind."  I love this time I get to spend with the ladies of our church and learn from the word of God.  It is a blessing to me. 

Wednesday we had YLC - teen Bible study.  We had the teens come over for dinner.  I made a super yummy Beef Stroganoff with salad and Pumpkin Bread for dessert.  It was so good. :) 

Thursday we had the Tastet girls over.  I think Shaun loves having a change of pace when the girls come over. I just love having them over since I am surrounded by boys all the time. 

Friday, Shaun surprised me with some white roses and wanted to take me out on a date.  It was snowing and made traffic horrible, but I just love being able to be with him. We went out to dinner and had a great time.  Then he took me over to the mall and told me that he wanted to buy me a 49er jersey.  :)  I have been wanting one for a while, but it is one of those things I just skip over. But he really wanted me to have one.  I was so happy.  We had a great time picking something out.  I love it!  It is girly and cute.  It even has a bit of bling on it.  It was so nice to just be spoiled for the night. 

Today is Saturday.  I had a great time shopping with my sister.  We love to coupon (my next post will be my deals I got). Then we went over to some friends house to watch the 49er/Packer game.  We had a great time.  I was a lonely 9er fan, but we got the victory.  I am excited to see next weeks game. I really home they go all the way! 

Tomorrow is Sunday and it starts all over again.  The weeks go by so quick and I am trying to enjoy everything.  I found that last year I just moved from one thing to the next without fully enjoying each event.  I am working on that this year.  We are busy, and stay busy, but that does not mean I need to be so busy I don't enjoy what God has given us. :)