Day 29- I am thankful I chose to take a leap of faith in June, and Change the Game for my family. It was the absolute worst year financially for our family. Normally Bob is slow during winter months with work, and it always picks up in March/April. Well this year...it was June, and there was still not much work...that's 6 months of no work. Can you say we were all but freaking out. You can't run a family with 13 hrs a week of work. You start drowning...and it just continues to set you farther and farther into debt. I hate debt...period. What were we to do?
I looked into going to Nail Tech school. I figured I could sacrifice 3-6 months of my life with my kids to go to school and it would be something that I could do out of my home, while still being with my kids most of the day. {Plus, I really love having my nails done, and I have always wanted to know how to do "what they do!"} I had my school all picked out. Their website had all the costs listed. Bob had ok'd my crazy idea. My mom offered to watch the kids while I went to school. I had prayed long and hard about this decision. I specifically prayed that if it was not the Lord will that He would slam the door on this idea. {I need a slam, not a light closure to really know it's HIM} Well...I sent an email requesting information on enrollment...and a few days later a sweet girl called me back. To my utter shock...there was no Nail Tech classes being offered! What?!?! Their website had everything on there, including the times classes were offered! She said they put all of that up for when the GET a teacher. Really?! I was sad and disappointed that God had slammed the door. He answered my prayer, but not in the way that I had wanted. What now?!
Waiting another month, trying to figure out a way to work, yet stay home with my kids, homeschool, and be mom. Bob and I prayed continually about what to do. Work was still a joke. Debt was still piling up. I was still without a hope for a job. One day I asked a gal I know what it was she was doing {I knew she worked from home, homeschooled, and had a big family. And let me tell you, that took so much courage (or desperation) on my end} That day changed our life forever. I leaped in faith. Blind faith. I worked hard, and worked around my kids nap time, and in the evenings, from home, with no day care expenses. I very quickly matched Bob's income. And Bob and I are now focused on changing the game for our family. Since then I have helped many moms reach their goals, and continuing to help more. All while helping pay off debt from those terrible 6 months, and medical bills we acquired over the last 3 months. Every good gift comes from above and we pause daily to thank God for
bringing my friend Janice into our life to not only give us hope...but to completely change the game for our family.
That is something to be forever thankful for...
Showing posts with label financing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label financing. Show all posts
Thursday, November 29, 2012
Sunday, February 12, 2012
A Helping Hand Gardening
SproutRobot is exactly what I was looking for! I am so excited to have this "Helping Hand" as I call it. I have always been a hands on learner. Someone needs to show me what to do, and I will get it. Like, hold my hand, and walk me through it, type showing. But once I see it and do it, I usually can do it. This year I will be trying this SproutRobot.com. I am super excited!! It emails you notifications to start your seeds, and when to plant them for your zip code. It gives you picture directions that are easy to follow. And the best part is it's FREE!
Here is a link to the page: "How To Plant Cabbage"
I will be trying this for our planting season this year. I so badly want to grow a garden, but haven't had the opportunity to be shown hands on. I think it is so important to help with our grocery budget, and for getting the children to actually eat veggies. The one year we had a small 8x8 raised garden bed that my hubby put together for me for Mothers Day...complete with wonderful organic compost! The children ate the most veggies I have ever seen them eat! It's always better when grown by your own tender care. But, that's as close I got to being a gardener (and my square foot garden was a flop last summer). It was fun for the summer, but I really didn't know what I was doing! This year I'd like it to be different! I want to involve the children and keep my mind focused on the project and not get bored, or flake out on it, as I seem to have a problem with. "I'm a sprinter, not a marathon runner!" It's just my nature, and I'd like to change that...I do awesomely well for a small period of time, then something throws a wrench in it, and I never get back to it.
*Pictures to come throughout our journey! Pray for steadfastness! I need it :)
Heather
Here is a link to the page: "How To Plant Cabbage"
I will be trying this for our planting season this year. I so badly want to grow a garden, but haven't had the opportunity to be shown hands on. I think it is so important to help with our grocery budget, and for getting the children to actually eat veggies. The one year we had a small 8x8 raised garden bed that my hubby put together for me for Mothers Day...complete with wonderful organic compost! The children ate the most veggies I have ever seen them eat! It's always better when grown by your own tender care. But, that's as close I got to being a gardener (and my square foot garden was a flop last summer). It was fun for the summer, but I really didn't know what I was doing! This year I'd like it to be different! I want to involve the children and keep my mind focused on the project and not get bored, or flake out on it, as I seem to have a problem with. "I'm a sprinter, not a marathon runner!" It's just my nature, and I'd like to change that...I do awesomely well for a small period of time, then something throws a wrench in it, and I never get back to it.
*Pictures to come throughout our journey! Pray for steadfastness! I need it :)
Heather
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Excellent Beginnings!
Last night I entered my last order to finish my Excellent Beginnings qualifications!!!
lia sophia has a wonderful program for new Advisors called Excellent Beginnings. This program allows new Advisors to earn jewelry premiums to spend on new pieces from the collection to add to their party samples. It begins from the date that you submit your starter party orders and goes for 15 weeks. There are 3 stages that you can qualify for in 5 week increments. In 15 weeks or less new Advisors can be filling up their displays...with $600 in free jewelry! Yes, you heard "less," meaning as soon as the new Advisor meets those sales goals, the certificates come flowing in! Now say you miss a goal, you still can continue onto the next goal in the next time frame. You can earn as little or as much as YOU want. Not to mention you get paid this whole time as well! 30% commission of all sales! Yay!!
Week 1-5 When a new Advisor achieves $1,500 in total personal recognition sales* with a minimum of three qualified shows, they will be awarded a $200 jewelry certificate.
Week 1-10 When a new Advisor reaches another $1,500 in sales bringing total personal recognition sales to date to $3,000, they will be given another $200 jewelry certificate.
Week 1-15 When a new Advisor fulfills an additional $1,500 ($4,500 in total personal recognition sales to date) in the third set of 5 weeks (15 weeks into a lia sophia business), they will be awarded one more $200 jewelry certificate.
Right around my last few dollars to qualify (I reached the $4,000 mark at 5 weeks in), I had 2 wonderful parties that sent me sailing right over my $4,500 goal to $5,617! I achieved approximately $1,250 in profit with $600 jewelry totaling $1850 in 12 weeks.
I took a big break at Christmas and most of January to get back into the swing of things at home. So in the exact amount of weeks (taking out my vacation) it would have only been 7 weeks, doing about one party a week, and some were even catalog parties where I never left my house. Not bad!! :)
* Three qualified show are only required in the first five weeks of the Excellent Beginnings Program. A qualified show is a show that totaled $250 in personal recognition sales.
*Personal recognitions sales are the total sales of a show not including tax and shipping
I'm so thankful that the Lord has provided this opportunity for me! I'm only gone for a few hours once a week in the evening and my profit it pitching in around here where it's needed. I get to meet so many new ladies that are potential friends, that I never would have met not doing this. It's hard when you're a homeschooling mom in a new city. You aren't going to school and meeting other moms, so if you aren't purposeful in meeting friends, it's not going to happen easily. Thankfully though, I was introduced to some wonderful ladies just after moving here...and it has been a great source of friendship! lia sophia helps broaden the circle of friends that much more...what a blessing!
Click here if you are interested in more information about my business.
Blessings!
lia sophia has a wonderful program for new Advisors called Excellent Beginnings. This program allows new Advisors to earn jewelry premiums to spend on new pieces from the collection to add to their party samples. It begins from the date that you submit your starter party orders and goes for 15 weeks. There are 3 stages that you can qualify for in 5 week increments. In 15 weeks or less new Advisors can be filling up their displays...with $600 in free jewelry! Yes, you heard "less," meaning as soon as the new Advisor meets those sales goals, the certificates come flowing in! Now say you miss a goal, you still can continue onto the next goal in the next time frame. You can earn as little or as much as YOU want. Not to mention you get paid this whole time as well! 30% commission of all sales! Yay!!
Week 1-5 When a new Advisor achieves $1,500 in total personal recognition sales* with a minimum of three qualified shows, they will be awarded a $200 jewelry certificate.
Week 1-10 When a new Advisor reaches another $1,500 in sales bringing total personal recognition sales to date to $3,000, they will be given another $200 jewelry certificate.
Week 1-15 When a new Advisor fulfills an additional $1,500 ($4,500 in total personal recognition sales to date) in the third set of 5 weeks (15 weeks into a lia sophia business), they will be awarded one more $200 jewelry certificate.
I took a big break at Christmas and most of January to get back into the swing of things at home. So in the exact amount of weeks (taking out my vacation) it would have only been 7 weeks, doing about one party a week, and some were even catalog parties where I never left my house. Not bad!! :)
* Three qualified show are only required in the first five weeks of the Excellent Beginnings Program. A qualified show is a show that totaled $250 in personal recognition sales.
*Personal recognitions sales are the total sales of a show not including tax and shipping
I'm so thankful that the Lord has provided this opportunity for me! I'm only gone for a few hours once a week in the evening and my profit it pitching in around here where it's needed. I get to meet so many new ladies that are potential friends, that I never would have met not doing this. It's hard when you're a homeschooling mom in a new city. You aren't going to school and meeting other moms, so if you aren't purposeful in meeting friends, it's not going to happen easily. Thankfully though, I was introduced to some wonderful ladies just after moving here...and it has been a great source of friendship! lia sophia helps broaden the circle of friends that much more...what a blessing!
Click here if you are interested in more information about my business.
Blessings!
Saturday, January 15, 2011
MONEY…WHAT’S IN YOUR WALLET?
As a child my parents did a fantabulous job of teaching me the value of a dollar. I was the kid who, if Mom or Dad were buying, I’d be all for it! Once the tables were turned and they introduced us kids to the envelope system, and I was fully in charge of all of my money…I was a total Scrooge! That money was not leaving my envelope unless it was something spectacular! It was really important to me as a 10 year old to have as much left over at the end of the month as possible.
Our Envelopes consisted of:
-Tithing- 10%
-Savings- 20%
-Gifts
-Clothing
-Spending
*These envelopes were based on a monthly allowance. We bought all our own clothing, gifts for birthday parties, put away savings, and our tithe. I can’t remember the exact amounts, but we were “paid” and then we divided up all earnings into these envelopes and they were to last us, until next “payday.” It was a pivotal point in my life, for sure. Life changing I would say.
Bob and I have now decided to start this with our children. Not to the scale I did as a child, but with an allowance that pays into their tithe, savings, and spending. It was such a wonderful learning experience for me that we’d be robbing our children of a skill that is so important to life, if we didn’t do it with them. Yes, it’s that important!
Our Envelopes consist of:
-Tithing- 10%
-Savings- 20%
-Spending
*Every week the children get paid a weekly allowance that is their age. Alexis=$10, Ty=$7, Gabriel=$5, Addison=$3, Shelby=Not Old Enough to Care! Lol
-Here it is in a nut shell: They must complete their “Chore Packs” before 9:30am every morning with a “Happy Heart” in order to receive a “smiley face.” If they choose to disobey these orders, they receive a “frowney face.”
Our method of charting is not done perfectly…just simply, it is a piece of paper with days of the week and notes that hang on the fridge (shown below).
Every “frowney face” =’s an amount for each child. Alexis=$0.75, Ty=$0.50, Gabriel=$0.25, Addison=$0.10. Everyday they have the chance to redeem themselves if they have received a “frowney face.” Which means that if they earn a “frowney face” and a “smiley face” in one day, they cancel each other out. (They still get their real life consequence for their actions + the “frowney face.”) This is a way for us to teach the children that even though you mess up and sin, there is a way to get back from it, after they have done the “time for the crime.”
Our payday is every Friday when Dad gets home from work. We sit down and go over each child’s actions for the week and what they learned from it and reward their good behavior and encourage those that didn’t do so well to try harder next week. They receive their allowance based on what they get every week, then they pay/hand back $ for any “frowney faces” they received that weren’t canceled out with good behavior.
God calls us to be good stewards of our money. That is one area in which we can teach our children well. We might not be so great in other areas, but this one we CAN do, and WILL do for our children. We pray that our children’s future spouses parents are teaching their children these same principals. Life and marriage are hard enough without money issues! So why not give your children a head start?!
What are some things you and your family are doing to grow the desire for good stewardship in your children?
Blessings~Heather
Our Envelopes consisted of:
-Tithing- 10%
-Savings- 20%
-Gifts
-Clothing
-Spending
*These envelopes were based on a monthly allowance. We bought all our own clothing, gifts for birthday parties, put away savings, and our tithe. I can’t remember the exact amounts, but we were “paid” and then we divided up all earnings into these envelopes and they were to last us, until next “payday.” It was a pivotal point in my life, for sure. Life changing I would say.
Bob and I have now decided to start this with our children. Not to the scale I did as a child, but with an allowance that pays into their tithe, savings, and spending. It was such a wonderful learning experience for me that we’d be robbing our children of a skill that is so important to life, if we didn’t do it with them. Yes, it’s that important!
Our Envelopes consist of:
-Tithing- 10%
-Savings- 20%
-Spending
*Every week the children get paid a weekly allowance that is their age. Alexis=$10, Ty=$7, Gabriel=$5, Addison=$3, Shelby=Not Old Enough to Care! Lol
-Here it is in a nut shell: They must complete their “Chore Packs” before 9:30am every morning with a “Happy Heart” in order to receive a “smiley face.” If they choose to disobey these orders, they receive a “frowney face.”
Our method of charting is not done perfectly…just simply, it is a piece of paper with days of the week and notes that hang on the fridge (shown below).
Every “frowney face” =’s an amount for each child. Alexis=$0.75, Ty=$0.50, Gabriel=$0.25, Addison=$0.10. Everyday they have the chance to redeem themselves if they have received a “frowney face.” Which means that if they earn a “frowney face” and a “smiley face” in one day, they cancel each other out. (They still get their real life consequence for their actions + the “frowney face.”) This is a way for us to teach the children that even though you mess up and sin, there is a way to get back from it, after they have done the “time for the crime.”
Our payday is every Friday when Dad gets home from work. We sit down and go over each child’s actions for the week and what they learned from it and reward their good behavior and encourage those that didn’t do so well to try harder next week. They receive their allowance based on what they get every week, then they pay/hand back $ for any “frowney faces” they received that weren’t canceled out with good behavior.
God calls us to be good stewards of our money. That is one area in which we can teach our children well. We might not be so great in other areas, but this one we CAN do, and WILL do for our children. We pray that our children’s future spouses parents are teaching their children these same principals. Life and marriage are hard enough without money issues! So why not give your children a head start?!
What are some things you and your family are doing to grow the desire for good stewardship in your children?
Blessings~Heather
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Eating Out
Many people have asked us how we are able to still eat out and do fun activities with a family our size. Bob and I don't see our family as being REALLY big as some would say, but needless to say, that's what we hear more often than not.
So I'm going to share one of our tricks to still be able to enjoy restaurant food without depleting the bank account!
For this there are two options:
1)The we want to eat out, but we shouldn't spend $60 on one meal kind of night.
2)The we really don't have much extra for eating out, but you just have that "ohh, that sounds so good right now!" kind of night.
*The key for us is Applebee's Car Side to Go! Every Wednesday, all day, kids eat for $0.99. At first we assumed that it was one kids $0.99 meal for every adult meal purchased, but this is incorrect. For every adult meal you may purchase 4 kids meals at $0.99. When you use Car Side to Go, you don't pay tip and there isn't a need to buy 2 sodas at $2.95 a piece. So right there you saved $13.90! Especially since you pay tip on the regular price of the meals, not the sale price.
1) type of night:
-Bob and I will purchase the 2 for $20 Special. Bob gets Chicken Tenders Platter. I get the Fiesta Lime Chicken. Our appetizer usually is Onion Rings w/ bleu cheese dressing (they are the most filling, you get the biggest quantity and they are just plain GOOD!).
-For the kids we buy 5 Chicken Tenders Baskets with Fries and Chocolate Milk (which comes with the meal.)
-This whole meal totals: $27.02
-If you were to purchase this meal at regular price:$53.22 w/out tip or drinks.
-Saving $26.20 before tip and drinks!!!
2) type of night:
-I order Chicken Fajita Rollup.
-For the kids I order 4 Chicken Tenders Baskets. Bob makes a plate with one of the kids chicken strips each and a few fries from each. Shelby eats a PB&J sandwich because she's 1yr and doesn't care what she eats at this point.
-We all end up with what we like and what we normally get for only $14.02!!!
-Bob usually tips on this (because he feels guilty using there promotional...I say use it!)
-That's cheaper than going to a fast food restaurant!
*The beauty of having Applebee's 2 min. from your home is your food is back and on your table in less than 15 minutes from the time you call it in and pick it up. Again, faster than a fast food restaurant, no waiting in drive-thru lines, and you can eat in your P.J.'s if you want to!
Try it out next time you're crunched for $$ and wanting your yummy food fix...I guarantee you won't be sorry!
So I'm going to share one of our tricks to still be able to enjoy restaurant food without depleting the bank account!
For this there are two options:
1)The we want to eat out, but we shouldn't spend $60 on one meal kind of night.
2)The we really don't have much extra for eating out, but you just have that "ohh, that sounds so good right now!" kind of night.
*The key for us is Applebee's Car Side to Go! Every Wednesday, all day, kids eat for $0.99. At first we assumed that it was one kids $0.99 meal for every adult meal purchased, but this is incorrect. For every adult meal you may purchase 4 kids meals at $0.99. When you use Car Side to Go, you don't pay tip and there isn't a need to buy 2 sodas at $2.95 a piece. So right there you saved $13.90! Especially since you pay tip on the regular price of the meals, not the sale price.
1) type of night:
-Bob and I will purchase the 2 for $20 Special. Bob gets Chicken Tenders Platter. I get the Fiesta Lime Chicken. Our appetizer usually is Onion Rings w/ bleu cheese dressing (they are the most filling, you get the biggest quantity and they are just plain GOOD!).
-For the kids we buy 5 Chicken Tenders Baskets with Fries and Chocolate Milk (which comes with the meal.)
-This whole meal totals: $27.02
-If you were to purchase this meal at regular price:$53.22 w/out tip or drinks.
-Saving $26.20 before tip and drinks!!!
2) type of night:
-I order Chicken Fajita Rollup.
-For the kids I order 4 Chicken Tenders Baskets. Bob makes a plate with one of the kids chicken strips each and a few fries from each. Shelby eats a PB&J sandwich because she's 1yr and doesn't care what she eats at this point.
-We all end up with what we like and what we normally get for only $14.02!!!
-Bob usually tips on this (because he feels guilty using there promotional...I say use it!)
-That's cheaper than going to a fast food restaurant!
*The beauty of having Applebee's 2 min. from your home is your food is back and on your table in less than 15 minutes from the time you call it in and pick it up. Again, faster than a fast food restaurant, no waiting in drive-thru lines, and you can eat in your P.J.'s if you want to!Try it out next time you're crunched for $$ and wanting your yummy food fix...I guarantee you won't be sorry!
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
lia sophia Here I Come!
All of you who are my friends on FB already know that we have decided to include lia sophia as a part of our family income. For those of you who didn't hear, here's the scoop! http://www.liasophia.com/sites/heathermessner is my new website.
Bob's job hasn't been super great with the hrs since the 1st 2 weeks of us moving here. By God's grace we are still managing to make ends meet and keep on, keeping on! With prayer and going through the pros and cons of me possibly working out of the home, we decided that lia sophia would be the perfect fit for our family! For us it's much wiser for me to be gone 3hrs a week, compared to Bob getting a second job in the evenings and never seeing him. With this business, I can pick my own hrs, do as many or as little parties as fits our families needs. Also, I can stop at any time that Bob or I feel it being too much. We have a lot on our plate with our 5 children, homeschooling, and just life in general, so we have a very easy out with this business. If it doesn't work than it was a good experience. If it does, than our family will be blessed. Simple as that!
It's a great company with very good pay for the amount of work you do away from home. But, can you really call it work when you are enjoying the company of other moms or ladies wanting to have a fun ladies night in??? I can't! lol It should be a fun time, indeed!
What female really doesn't want to spend an hour or two trying on pretty things that make you feel "beautiful"? You get to laugh, re-energize, & use the last of your 20,000 words for the day. I love the fact that these moms can bring their children to the parties. I don't know how many times parties are off limits to little ones, due to a consultant/advisor that isn't appreciative of little ones. Well, I get to say "let them come!" little girls love to try it on (and little boys, like ours, love to pick out jewelry for their future wife. So cute!). One of the best parts is, it's ALL lifetime warrantied. So, if something breaks while a wee one is playing or it just gets worn out from all the admirers, guess what lia sophia will replace it! Fantastic!!! Perfect for my life :)
I really do desire that doing this business will allow me to get to know many great women with whom a friendship could possibly arise. How neat is that? My prayer would be that they can see HIS light through me. Isn't that what God desires? I am hopeful for these opportunities if it is HIS desire for me, to build lasting friendships and to help out where & when I can for our family, while still keeping my "stay at home mom" badge. That is first and foremost one of the most important things. I'm just excited that I have a "fun" option for a job.
We shall see what HE has in store for us. I don't know enough people to really have a good base for this business, so Lord let's see what you've got in store!!!! Because this isn't going to happen without YOU opening those doors. Thank you, Lord for this chance!
Blessings~Heather
Bob's job hasn't been super great with the hrs since the 1st 2 weeks of us moving here. By God's grace we are still managing to make ends meet and keep on, keeping on! With prayer and going through the pros and cons of me possibly working out of the home, we decided that lia sophia would be the perfect fit for our family! For us it's much wiser for me to be gone 3hrs a week, compared to Bob getting a second job in the evenings and never seeing him. With this business, I can pick my own hrs, do as many or as little parties as fits our families needs. Also, I can stop at any time that Bob or I feel it being too much. We have a lot on our plate with our 5 children, homeschooling, and just life in general, so we have a very easy out with this business. If it doesn't work than it was a good experience. If it does, than our family will be blessed. Simple as that!
It's a great company with very good pay for the amount of work you do away from home. But, can you really call it work when you are enjoying the company of other moms or ladies wanting to have a fun ladies night in??? I can't! lol It should be a fun time, indeed!
What female really doesn't want to spend an hour or two trying on pretty things that make you feel "beautiful"? You get to laugh, re-energize, & use the last of your 20,000 words for the day. I love the fact that these moms can bring their children to the parties. I don't know how many times parties are off limits to little ones, due to a consultant/advisor that isn't appreciative of little ones. Well, I get to say "let them come!" little girls love to try it on (and little boys, like ours, love to pick out jewelry for their future wife. So cute!). One of the best parts is, it's ALL lifetime warrantied. So, if something breaks while a wee one is playing or it just gets worn out from all the admirers, guess what lia sophia will replace it! Fantastic!!! Perfect for my life :)I really do desire that doing this business will allow me to get to know many great women with whom a friendship could possibly arise. How neat is that? My prayer would be that they can see HIS light through me. Isn't that what God desires? I am hopeful for these opportunities if it is HIS desire for me, to build lasting friendships and to help out where & when I can for our family, while still keeping my "stay at home mom" badge. That is first and foremost one of the most important things. I'm just excited that I have a "fun" option for a job.
We shall see what HE has in store for us. I don't know enough people to really have a good base for this business, so Lord let's see what you've got in store!!!! Because this isn't going to happen without YOU opening those doors. Thank you, Lord for this chance!
Blessings~Heather
Monday, August 16, 2010
Are you going Bananas...I'm going Bananas!
Shelby is enjoying the bounty of Banana Bread! What a sweetie :)
So, the story goes...Alexis and I were at Freddy's and were about to pick up some bananas that are usually $0.49-$0.69 cents a lb. When my eye caught some "ORGANIC" ones with red tape all around them. "Hum" I said. What's with all the red tape?!?! So, I went up and squeezed one thinking "they've got to be going really bad"...wrong! They were perfectly firm on the inside, but ugly and rotten looking on the exterior. Then the best part...I looked up and there it was $0.29 cents a lb!!! Hello, "I think I hit the mother load" I say to Alexis. She looks oddly at me, then I explain how these are 1/2 the price of "normal" bananas, but 1/3 the price of "ORGANIC!" She shrugs and says "ok." lol (Yes, I'm crazy, yes, I love a bargain, yes, my children eat tooonnns of bananas) Seriously, there was an entire pile of bananas lookin' all ugly and being perfect inside, and calling my name! Ha *There were 3 more bunches that I had already cut up to freeze that aren't pictured*
What does one do with so many bananas?!? I cut up the worst looking ones to freeze, since I figured they'd go bad first. Placed them on cookie sheets.
Cleared out two shelves in the freezer for all these beauties, froze them, then placed them in a Ziploc baggie for smoothies!
This is the scrumptious banana bread that we made.
It's supposed to be a healthy recipe, but I was out of all the healthy stuff, so I improvised to make this:
Banana Tea Party Bread
*1 3/4 cup Flour (whole wheat)
*2 tsp Baking Powder
*1/2 tsp Salt
*1/2 tsp Cinnamon
*1/3 cup Brown Sugar
-On a separate plate, I mashed and combined:
*2 Bananas
*4 Tbsp Olive Oil (canola oil)
*4 Tbsp Sour Cream (plain yogurt)
*2 tsp Vanilla Extract
-Then add and combine the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients bowl.
-Pour batter into loaf pan 9x5. Sprinkle with Brown Sugar over the top, for a crunchy sugary topping!
*Bake at 350 degrees for 45-55 minutes (or until knife comes out clean)
*() these are the ingredients that I didn't have. ;)
YUM!
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
The Blessing of A Free Homeschool Table!
If you read my Facebook posts you'll remember me talking about a wonderful woman that blessed our family in a way that she most likely didn't realize.
We stopped at her garage sale and she immediately started talking with the children and giving them things, i.e. things that would be throw away when we get home, type things! They were thrilled. She was getting ready to end her sale and I asked her about a table that she had for sale for $30. She asked "Oh, are you interested?" I replied "Yes, but my husband isn't! I think it would be great for our schoolroom and he isn't so sure." She then says "take it! And, do you want the chairs to that go with it too?" Needless to say, I was amazed that she would just give it to us and excepted her graciousness with awe. Then to top things off, she told me about being a librarian and how she loved her job at the school district, and how she would love it if Alexis came by once a week and check out books from her "library" collection at her home. Then proceeded to head into her home and bring back an arm full of age appropriate books for our children! Seriously!?!? Brand new I might add.
We went home, all of us, with smiles on our faces. What a wonderful, happy woman. Here are the results from our freebie!
Ty modeling the "before" chairs...
Before...
Primer...
Paint that I scored at Lowe's for $2.50 each! They were the exact colors I was wanting and I saved $21 total on the paint buying the "mistint" paint.
Supplies...totaling with paint $17.38 Can a table get much cheaper than that?!
Bob painting the top.
Table legs painted and drying.
The finished product. I think it turned out pretty well considering what it looked like before hand.
It's the perfect height for the kids to do their school work (their feet touch, or almost touch the ground depending on which child!)
How about one of these fabrics for the cushions on the chairs? I think they might go nicely with the table and give the room a pop of color it needs so much. But, that will have to wait for another payday! lol
God is so good. He is the provider that we want to be, but can't. He knows what we need and what we don't. Can you imagine the life we'd have if we would just let go of the control that we feel we need to have, and allow God to be God? So many times I put Him in a box. His power is unmeasurable. He is sovereign so why don't we willingly follow? Who knows what He'll have in store? For us it was a blessing of a table we so needed, but didn't know how much until we had it...
Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
*She waved goodbye when we left and said "Welcome to Tri-Cities!"
We stopped at her garage sale and she immediately started talking with the children and giving them things, i.e. things that would be throw away when we get home, type things! They were thrilled. She was getting ready to end her sale and I asked her about a table that she had for sale for $30. She asked "Oh, are you interested?" I replied "Yes, but my husband isn't! I think it would be great for our schoolroom and he isn't so sure." She then says "take it! And, do you want the chairs to that go with it too?" Needless to say, I was amazed that she would just give it to us and excepted her graciousness with awe. Then to top things off, she told me about being a librarian and how she loved her job at the school district, and how she would love it if Alexis came by once a week and check out books from her "library" collection at her home. Then proceeded to head into her home and bring back an arm full of age appropriate books for our children! Seriously!?!? Brand new I might add.
We went home, all of us, with smiles on our faces. What a wonderful, happy woman. Here are the results from our freebie!
Ty modeling the "before" chairs...
Before...
Primer...
Paint that I scored at Lowe's for $2.50 each! They were the exact colors I was wanting and I saved $21 total on the paint buying the "mistint" paint.
Supplies...totaling with paint $17.38 Can a table get much cheaper than that?!
Bob painting the top.
Table legs painted and drying.
The finished product. I think it turned out pretty well considering what it looked like before hand.
It's the perfect height for the kids to do their school work (their feet touch, or almost touch the ground depending on which child!)
How about one of these fabrics for the cushions on the chairs? I think they might go nicely with the table and give the room a pop of color it needs so much. But, that will have to wait for another payday! lol
God is so good. He is the provider that we want to be, but can't. He knows what we need and what we don't. Can you imagine the life we'd have if we would just let go of the control that we feel we need to have, and allow God to be God? So many times I put Him in a box. His power is unmeasurable. He is sovereign so why don't we willingly follow? Who knows what He'll have in store? For us it was a blessing of a table we so needed, but didn't know how much until we had it...
Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
*She waved goodbye when we left and said "Welcome to Tri-Cities!"
Monday, July 26, 2010
Father & Son Retreat
I received an email from Vision Forum about their Father & Son Retreat in Winter Park, Colorado and am so excited for this opportunity for Bob & Ty!
www.visionforumministries.org/events/fsr/
Bob & I have been praying about whether or not he should go and we both feel that he should. The only set back is the cost. It's not much cheaper to drive than fly to Colorado, so we can't save the money driving like we thought. So, would you please pray for us to know that this is really God's desire for us, and that He would provide the means to get there? It's something that we feel is very pivotal in Ty's life and Bob's role as a father. What a great opportunity to hear, see, and be involved in something that is purposefully there to make you a better father and give you the tools needed for bringing up children who love and fear the Lord! What an opportunity for Ty to be with other godly young men who are there for the sole purpose of learning about their roles as children of God, and how to live a life pleasing to our Lord! So, please pray that this would work if the Lord is willing. :)
*Maybe you should make a day for a walk or hike with your son. (thanks, Jamie for all the great tips!)
Father's now a days don't realize the role they have as Daddy, is so crucial in the outcome of their children's lives. We are a pleasure centered generation. That pretty much gives dads the pass for no responsibility. As long as they pay the bills and provide a roof, their job is done...or so they think. Can you imagine the greatness that could come from a family who has a dad who purposefully involved in their children's lives? It would be astounding! Instead of the "what's in it for me" mentality, why not try "what can I do for you" as Christ calls us to?!
www.visionforumministries.org/events/fsr/
Bob & I have been praying about whether or not he should go and we both feel that he should. The only set back is the cost. It's not much cheaper to drive than fly to Colorado, so we can't save the money driving like we thought. So, would you please pray for us to know that this is really God's desire for us, and that He would provide the means to get there? It's something that we feel is very pivotal in Ty's life and Bob's role as a father. What a great opportunity to hear, see, and be involved in something that is purposefully there to make you a better father and give you the tools needed for bringing up children who love and fear the Lord! What an opportunity for Ty to be with other godly young men who are there for the sole purpose of learning about their roles as children of God, and how to live a life pleasing to our Lord! So, please pray that this would work if the Lord is willing. :)
*Maybe you should make a day for a walk or hike with your son. (thanks, Jamie for all the great tips!)
Father's now a days don't realize the role they have as Daddy, is so crucial in the outcome of their children's lives. We are a pleasure centered generation. That pretty much gives dads the pass for no responsibility. As long as they pay the bills and provide a roof, their job is done...or so they think. Can you imagine the greatness that could come from a family who has a dad who purposefully involved in their children's lives? It would be astounding! Instead of the "what's in it for me" mentality, why not try "what can I do for you" as Christ calls us to?!
Monday, March 1, 2010
Money Saving Month!
Today is the first day of March. Bob and I have decided to challenge ourselves to see how much money we can save for the next 31 days. I know that we live pretty frugally right now as it is, but there are also things that we blow money on, i.e. sodas, candy, "I don't feel like cooking, so let's buy something pre-made at the store", food that goes to waste in the fridge, pizza pockets from Amboy Market...you get where I'm going with this right!?
Our plan:
*We each carry with us/in the car a composition book for writing down what we bought, how much, and what we saved. Plus we will save the receipts of our purchases.
*When we "feel" like eating out on a spur of the moment, we will choose to wait and eat at home instead.
*For example: if Bob is driving by the AMPM he will choose not to buy a pizza pocket and Mt. Dew for $4.00, and instead buy a package of crackers and a water for $1.50. He will then write down what he purchased and how much he paid for it, then what he normally would have bought and how much he would have normally spent.
*For example: if Heather is at home and really doesn't feel like cooking and would rather get chicken & jojos from Amboy Market, she will say "NO", and then make something from home. She will write down what she would have paid to buy from A.M. and what it cost her to make dinner at home. Then how much she saved from not making the lazy choice!
*We will cash in every week our "Savings" column and put it into an envelope to then get a grand total for the entire month of "Good Choices" and see how our jaws drop when finding out how much we truly saved!
*Yes, we are going to write how much we saved to eat at home instead of eating in a restaurant. That means we technically spend the money on paper, but don't get the food. Normally we spend around $17.00 at a fast food place, if we don't all order from the dollar menu. That's $68.00 for once a week for one month, or 4xs eating there. WOW! If we just saved that every month, that's $816 a year. It adds up fast doesn't it?
*To be better stewards of our money. God has given us much more than we "need", and we'd like to use it to the best of our ability.
So, to keep me/us accountable I am choosing to document our struggles and successes through out the next month. I know it's silly, but I'm always up for a challenge...especially if it saves me money!
-The bonus in all of this besides what I have listed above? Well, we are curious to how much weight we'd loose by making healthier choices. Bob right now is 238 lbs, Heather is 157 lbs. Bob would like to get to 200 lbs, and Heather at least to 144 lbs (my pre-pregnancy weight). Don't freak out! I know we won't loose this in one months time, but this is our goal weight, however long it takes.
I guarantee you will laugh at our stumbling blocks...can you say "sugar addicts?!"
Our plan:
*We each carry with us/in the car a composition book for writing down what we bought, how much, and what we saved. Plus we will save the receipts of our purchases.
*When we "feel" like eating out on a spur of the moment, we will choose to wait and eat at home instead.
*For example: if Bob is driving by the AMPM he will choose not to buy a pizza pocket and Mt. Dew for $4.00, and instead buy a package of crackers and a water for $1.50. He will then write down what he purchased and how much he paid for it, then what he normally would have bought and how much he would have normally spent.
*For example: if Heather is at home and really doesn't feel like cooking and would rather get chicken & jojos from Amboy Market, she will say "NO", and then make something from home. She will write down what she would have paid to buy from A.M. and what it cost her to make dinner at home. Then how much she saved from not making the lazy choice!
*We will cash in every week our "Savings" column and put it into an envelope to then get a grand total for the entire month of "Good Choices" and see how our jaws drop when finding out how much we truly saved!
*Yes, we are going to write how much we saved to eat at home instead of eating in a restaurant. That means we technically spend the money on paper, but don't get the food. Normally we spend around $17.00 at a fast food place, if we don't all order from the dollar menu. That's $68.00 for once a week for one month, or 4xs eating there. WOW! If we just saved that every month, that's $816 a year. It adds up fast doesn't it?
*To be better stewards of our money. God has given us much more than we "need", and we'd like to use it to the best of our ability.
So, to keep me/us accountable I am choosing to document our struggles and successes through out the next month. I know it's silly, but I'm always up for a challenge...especially if it saves me money!
-The bonus in all of this besides what I have listed above? Well, we are curious to how much weight we'd loose by making healthier choices. Bob right now is 238 lbs, Heather is 157 lbs. Bob would like to get to 200 lbs, and Heather at least to 144 lbs (my pre-pregnancy weight). Don't freak out! I know we won't loose this in one months time, but this is our goal weight, however long it takes.
I guarantee you will laugh at our stumbling blocks...can you say "sugar addicts?!"
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Job
Good Morning All!
We are asking everyone to be praying for Bob's job. Either that there will be enough work to keep him working, or that the Lord would provide a new stable job. We are doing fine as of now, but it seem to be declining at an extremely rapid pace. Pray for peace about this situation, and provision!
We are asking everyone to be praying for Bob's job. Either that there will be enough work to keep him working, or that the Lord would provide a new stable job. We are doing fine as of now, but it seem to be declining at an extremely rapid pace. Pray for peace about this situation, and provision!
Saturday, January 24, 2009
World Vision
This is Fredrick our World Vision Child! He lives in Uganda with his Uncle, and has no other family. Our kids have taken to doing chores to provide the $35 a month it costs to support him. Let me tell you, it is well worth it:) It so nice to see them thinking of someone besides themselves! We have written to him, and are eagerly awaiting his response.If you have thought about sponsoring a child, I ask that you pray about it. These children have so little, and we all have so much. It's humbling to think of others in poverty, especially when our own kids throw part of their dinner away, just because they didn't like it! Our kids actually choose to not eat the rest of the night, just not to eat something that "doesn't fit their taste". There are so many who would be delighted to eat what we find disgusting or distasteful. In Haiti, they make mud pies (really mud pies, that bake on their roofs) just to satisfy their hunger pains!
Just think, if every family would skip 2 dinners out a month at a fast food restaurant, that would pay for a child to live with food, and medical, and shelter for an entire month! Or, maybe skip the Starbucks twice a week. It's a win for everyone:) You lose weight, from not drinking all the calories, and the child you support gains those calories in healthy food he/she will receive!
Fredrick's sponsorship is $35, now that is because he is a HOPE child. As a HopeChild sponsor, you are connected with one special child who will know your name, write to you and feel your tender love and prayers. Your child sponsorship monthly pledge of $35 of a HopeChild in African countries and other countries around the world can help turn the tide of the HIV and AIDS pandemic! You can provide things such as:
- Clean Water
- Nutritious Food
- Health Care, including AIDS Prevention
- Care for Sick or Dying Parents
- Educational Opportunities
- Spiritual Nurture
- HIV and AIDS counseling
There are other ways to help: sponsor a family, a child, or just to donate an animal for a village.
Visit here: World Vision
Pray about it, and think of others in this season of LOVE, Valentine's Day :)
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