I am beginning to love The Dollar Tree store. You really can get great stuff there for $1 sometimes. Here are the few things I purchased today and the total saved...
Electric toothbrushes for the kids - Wal Mart price $4+, Dollar Tree $1
Throw-away type of baking pans - Wal Mart price $3 each, Dollar Tree 2/$1
Kids sunglasses (to be lost in 1 week) - Wal Mart price $3.50, Dollar Tree $1
Flip flops for Abby - Wal Mart price $5, Dollar Tree $1
My total savings = $15.50!!!
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
God Isn't Finished With Me Yet
The Lord is still at work here. The past week has been awesome. I finished my resume and applied to two positions that I am actually qualified for. I also attended a mom's night out with my homeschool group friends. I really enjoyed my time with these ladies and I left feeling that I would truly miss them next year. As excited as I have been to jump back into work full-time, it got me thinking. One thing I have realized during this job search, is that many of the jobs I'm looking at are telecommuting ones. That is fabulous. I telecommute now and I'm good at it. I stay motivated, keep on task, and finish my work on time. AMTC's clients are very happy with my work. I know that I could handle something larger in the same vein. Perhaps I could take on more work while continuing to homeschool? With homeschool academies and other options all around me, it is definitely a possibility.
Also, Baxter is having his yearly review this week. It was going to take place at the end of May, so I'm taking this as a sign of divine providence that they are having it now. We know he is going on salary and we know he is getting a raise. What we don't know is how much of one. How wonderful would it be if he comes home with a salary large enough to maintain our standard of living while taking on this mortgage? I know God will provide. I know He will set me in the direction He wants me to go. Nothing is set in stone yet. I know that I would love to continue to homeschool if I can. I have an entire curriculum picked out if I get to use it. I also have other options open to me, including public school. I have a trusting heart. It's an exciting time to be at the precipice of something.
My prayer today is for strength for my husband, that he may know the words to use and the actions to take and that he may glorify God in all his success. My prayer is for my children to continue to take the highest priority in my personal life because raising children is the most important job in the world. I also pray that God will sustain us through all the changes that may come and that we will not turn away from the path He has set for us.
Also, Baxter is having his yearly review this week. It was going to take place at the end of May, so I'm taking this as a sign of divine providence that they are having it now. We know he is going on salary and we know he is getting a raise. What we don't know is how much of one. How wonderful would it be if he comes home with a salary large enough to maintain our standard of living while taking on this mortgage? I know God will provide. I know He will set me in the direction He wants me to go. Nothing is set in stone yet. I know that I would love to continue to homeschool if I can. I have an entire curriculum picked out if I get to use it. I also have other options open to me, including public school. I have a trusting heart. It's an exciting time to be at the precipice of something.
My prayer today is for strength for my husband, that he may know the words to use and the actions to take and that he may glorify God in all his success. My prayer is for my children to continue to take the highest priority in my personal life because raising children is the most important job in the world. I also pray that God will sustain us through all the changes that may come and that we will not turn away from the path He has set for us.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
La Femme
I am taking a wonderful Sunday School class right now. It's been a long time since I was in Sunday School and I am really enjoying it. When I was a child, my dad used to drop me off at the covered door on the side of the church each Sunday for Sunday School and it was often the highlight of my week. Suddenly, I feel that way again for the first time. The class is about biblical womanhood. What an interesting subject. The lady that invited me to the class kept apologizing after the first week, saying how I was probably expecting a more interactive experience and instead got lectured at. What she doesn't know is that I enjoy lectures so I loved it. It focused on church doctrine and I couldn't have been more pleased. What better way to get to know a church quickly than to learn their full doctrine on your second week visiting! Like I told Katherine, I could have spent weeks visiting, wondering if something was going to come up that would make me want to stand up and run out of there. Now I have a good picture of what they're all about and I have no argument with their outlook -- so far, so good.
The second week was so interesting. It focused on the impact of the feminist movement on the evangelical woman - and on the church. It's such a huge topic that she really only had time to explain the timeline of the feminist movement and highlight its' impact. Still, I found myself gaining a lot of insight into my role in the family and where I can find the answers I'm seeking right now. I would love to find one of the books Sharon is using to teach this class. I plan on delving into this subject at length.
My thoughts are turning here this morning as I prepare to apply for a job. Yesterday I composed my resume and searched for copywriting jobs. I found two great ones that I'm qualified for. I was a little taken aback by that. Now, it seems that it's really going to happen. I'm really going to go back to work. I'm finding myself excited at this prospect. I was made with a purpose. I was made to spread the gospel where I can, when I can. I was made to be a help-mate for my husband and a teacher and nurturer to my children. That doesn't mean that I must stay home and continue on this path at the demise of my family. As much as I would love for us to be able to get by on Baxter's income alone, the reality is that it is impossible. We have been tracking our spending for several months now and I am really aware of what comes in, what goes out, and what our future financial needs are. Secondly, the house that we can buy is a real opportunity that I can't ignore. If this house had one more bedroom we could make it work a bit longer. However, having a son and daughter has its' challenges. One of them is a need for separate bedrooms as they get older. With Abby now 7 and Ford 5, that need is more and more palpable each day. So, why pass up an opportunity just because I thought we fit one social paradigm? I must be ready for the changes when they come.
So, what is Eve's role? What does helper really mean? This question makes me think of those times when my kids are really trying my patience and getting "in my way," only to explain to me that they're "helping" me. Help is only helpful when you're doing what is needed. Baxter doesn't need me to stay home right now. He needs me to help him financially. Back 150 years ago, before the Industrial Revolution, women and men helped equally in their homes and on their farms for subsistence. Only with Industrialization did men leave their homes and work outside for money, leaving women and children home to perform necessary chores and later leading women to feel less valued in their role of homemaker. I have never felt that way. In fact, I think if I were paid for what I do now, I'd make well over six-figures. I see going back to work as a necessary component of where Baxter and I would like to be financially. That said, I don't resent this change. I see it as part of God's greater plan.
I know that this will bring with it a new set of challenges. I pray that God helps me to prioritize my life in a way that would please Him. I pray for the safety and well being of my children and that I heavily consider all schooling options before I make a final decision. I pray for God to give me vision and clarity in this process. I pray that I may find the job that He has out there for me, one that will allow me to continue to head up my household and enjoy the aspects of domestic life that I love.
The second week was so interesting. It focused on the impact of the feminist movement on the evangelical woman - and on the church. It's such a huge topic that she really only had time to explain the timeline of the feminist movement and highlight its' impact. Still, I found myself gaining a lot of insight into my role in the family and where I can find the answers I'm seeking right now. I would love to find one of the books Sharon is using to teach this class. I plan on delving into this subject at length.
My thoughts are turning here this morning as I prepare to apply for a job. Yesterday I composed my resume and searched for copywriting jobs. I found two great ones that I'm qualified for. I was a little taken aback by that. Now, it seems that it's really going to happen. I'm really going to go back to work. I'm finding myself excited at this prospect. I was made with a purpose. I was made to spread the gospel where I can, when I can. I was made to be a help-mate for my husband and a teacher and nurturer to my children. That doesn't mean that I must stay home and continue on this path at the demise of my family. As much as I would love for us to be able to get by on Baxter's income alone, the reality is that it is impossible. We have been tracking our spending for several months now and I am really aware of what comes in, what goes out, and what our future financial needs are. Secondly, the house that we can buy is a real opportunity that I can't ignore. If this house had one more bedroom we could make it work a bit longer. However, having a son and daughter has its' challenges. One of them is a need for separate bedrooms as they get older. With Abby now 7 and Ford 5, that need is more and more palpable each day. So, why pass up an opportunity just because I thought we fit one social paradigm? I must be ready for the changes when they come.
So, what is Eve's role? What does helper really mean? This question makes me think of those times when my kids are really trying my patience and getting "in my way," only to explain to me that they're "helping" me. Help is only helpful when you're doing what is needed. Baxter doesn't need me to stay home right now. He needs me to help him financially. Back 150 years ago, before the Industrial Revolution, women and men helped equally in their homes and on their farms for subsistence. Only with Industrialization did men leave their homes and work outside for money, leaving women and children home to perform necessary chores and later leading women to feel less valued in their role of homemaker. I have never felt that way. In fact, I think if I were paid for what I do now, I'd make well over six-figures. I see going back to work as a necessary component of where Baxter and I would like to be financially. That said, I don't resent this change. I see it as part of God's greater plan.
I know that this will bring with it a new set of challenges. I pray that God helps me to prioritize my life in a way that would please Him. I pray for the safety and well being of my children and that I heavily consider all schooling options before I make a final decision. I pray for God to give me vision and clarity in this process. I pray that I may find the job that He has out there for me, one that will allow me to continue to head up my household and enjoy the aspects of domestic life that I love.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Batting Practice
Just when my "batting average" was getting pretty good, life throws me a curve ball. Since we moved into Grandma's house a year ago, we have been through many struggles. First, we were basically out of money. Second, Baxter needed to find a job. Third, the house needed a lot of work just to make it livable. We scraped through the tough financial trials. Baxter got a job and he has been very successfully working his way up in the company ever since. We also made the house cute and comfortable for our little family. We have decided that we like living in a cottage setting. For one thing, the neighborhood is unbelievable. We love love love our neighbors and the feel of the area we're in. We have even made it through sharing a bathroom. A week ago, I was deeply engrossed in selecting curricula for my kids. I had actually nailed down my choices pretty solidly. Then, just like that, everything changed.
We have the opportunity to purchase a much larger home in my mom's neighborhood for well below market value. It's very affordable and it's a house I'm familiar with - because it's my brother's old house. In fact, before that it was Jill Collins' house, an old childhood friend of mine and I used to play a lot of basketball in that driveway.
Here's the thing, we are really growing out of this house. My kids are 5 and 7. They share a tiny room. My closets are overflowing. I don't have an attic, basement, or any real storage. Half of our furniture and all of our Christmas decorations are in my mother's basement. Bottom line: as much as I would like to have a simple life here in a house that was built for a family this size 100 years ago, times have been a changing. A family today just needs more space than this. We were anticipating this in the future. We have said, maybe in a few years, we'll be ready to add-on or rebuild. One year flew by with lightening speed and the others are sure to be as quick.
We have prayed daily for God to lead us in His path. We have asked Him to help us, to bring a solution that would be the best thing for my kids and for our future. Like a wise woman told me, you have to be ready for God to answer your prayers. I immediately said yes. I didn't start packing up, but I immediately said we were interested if we could make it work. It's a great opportunity for us but the reality is that it will also come with other, maybe bigger, life changes.
So, a week to the day after I was laying out our school year for 2010-2011, I am now reading about everything necessary to enroll my kids in school next year, and looking for a job. As far as school goes, my kids are well prepared and as long as they don't face anyone like Ms. Trunchbull, they'll do splendidly. My main motivation for homeschooling has always been that I could give them something better than they would receive in our public school option. I have also tried to give them a good foundation of reading and math. Because of that, I think school will be an easy enough transition. God can call you in to something and God can call you out.
Work scares me a bit, though. The job market is flooded with applicants and I haven't worked full-time since Abby was born. What if I can't find a job? Or, what if I can't find a job I like? I have three years under my belt as a paid writer of advertising copy. That's not too shabby. I'm also only 33 - young enough still to land a "youthful" job. Maybe the timing is just perfect. Isaiah 55 has been on my heart...
Isaiah 55:3
The Lord said, "Incline your ear, and come to Me. Hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you - The sure mercies of David."
vs. 6: Seek the Lord while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near.
vs. 8-12 "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways," says the Lord. "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts. For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, and do not return there, but water the earth, and make it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it. For you shall go out with joy, and be led out with peace; the mountains and the hills shall break forth into singing before you, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.
We have the opportunity to purchase a much larger home in my mom's neighborhood for well below market value. It's very affordable and it's a house I'm familiar with - because it's my brother's old house. In fact, before that it was Jill Collins' house, an old childhood friend of mine and I used to play a lot of basketball in that driveway.
Here's the thing, we are really growing out of this house. My kids are 5 and 7. They share a tiny room. My closets are overflowing. I don't have an attic, basement, or any real storage. Half of our furniture and all of our Christmas decorations are in my mother's basement. Bottom line: as much as I would like to have a simple life here in a house that was built for a family this size 100 years ago, times have been a changing. A family today just needs more space than this. We were anticipating this in the future. We have said, maybe in a few years, we'll be ready to add-on or rebuild. One year flew by with lightening speed and the others are sure to be as quick.
We have prayed daily for God to lead us in His path. We have asked Him to help us, to bring a solution that would be the best thing for my kids and for our future. Like a wise woman told me, you have to be ready for God to answer your prayers. I immediately said yes. I didn't start packing up, but I immediately said we were interested if we could make it work. It's a great opportunity for us but the reality is that it will also come with other, maybe bigger, life changes.
So, a week to the day after I was laying out our school year for 2010-2011, I am now reading about everything necessary to enroll my kids in school next year, and looking for a job. As far as school goes, my kids are well prepared and as long as they don't face anyone like Ms. Trunchbull, they'll do splendidly. My main motivation for homeschooling has always been that I could give them something better than they would receive in our public school option. I have also tried to give them a good foundation of reading and math. Because of that, I think school will be an easy enough transition. God can call you in to something and God can call you out.
Work scares me a bit, though. The job market is flooded with applicants and I haven't worked full-time since Abby was born. What if I can't find a job? Or, what if I can't find a job I like? I have three years under my belt as a paid writer of advertising copy. That's not too shabby. I'm also only 33 - young enough still to land a "youthful" job. Maybe the timing is just perfect. Isaiah 55 has been on my heart...
Isaiah 55:3
The Lord said, "Incline your ear, and come to Me. Hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you - The sure mercies of David."
vs. 6: Seek the Lord while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near.
vs. 8-12 "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways," says the Lord. "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts. For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, and do not return there, but water the earth, and make it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it. For you shall go out with joy, and be led out with peace; the mountains and the hills shall break forth into singing before you, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Bedazzled
This week, Abby got her ears pierced. It was a totally spur of the moment decision that I never saw coming. In fact, we had always said we would wait until she was truly old enough to do all the aftercare herself before she could have it done. However, several friends her age have had it done and the begging had begun. It occured to me the other day that if she got her ears pierced now, they would have time to heal before the wedding that's coming up and she and her cousin could wear the same earrings. Then, I found out that she would be given a pair of earrings as part of her gift for being in the wedding. So, suddenly I found myself saying, "Hey! Wanna go get your ears pierced?" She was ultra-excited. The fact that it came out of left-field was a big surprise to her. She got to pick her earrings, they are cute gold hearts with a pink rhinestone in the middle...very Abby! I need to make better pictures of her, but these are the ones I have - she's just too cute!
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