Garbage bags? Check. Empty boxes? Check. Ebay account up-to-date? Check. Freecycle link re-discovered. Check. A plan?
Not so much. LOL
Regardless, tomorrow is August 1st and it marks the beginning of the 100 Things Challenge. I had six of you show some interest in trying to see if you can find 100 things in your home over the next 31 days that you can either toss, recycle, give away, sell, or bless someone with!
I'm going to try to keep track somewhere in my right column of all we're purging around here. So, to keep it simple: On this post, make a comment if you are getting on board. Then, I'll post on Mondays for us to cheer each other on and see how far we get!
I don't know that we'll all make it to 100 but we WILL have the benefit of de-cluttering and perhaps increase the amount of peacefulness in our homes. Plus, hopefully, we'll take a break from any habits that cause us to conspicuously consume and indiscriminately bring more stuff into our homes we don't really need.
I'm ashamed to admit how hard a week this has been for me. Despite there being really nothing of note going wrong, I've been on the negative side of everything all week. Not feeling particularly good amplifies the problem. Snapping at the Vikings and crabby with DaHubby. Unmotivated for meals and housework. Excessively tired and grumbly about anyone who interrupts sleep or a quick cat nap. What makes it worse is that I *know* it's simply a state of mind that I could change if I chose to but it's been easier to whine.
Very different from the wonderful, glory-filled Sunday morning service we had last weekend. *sigh*
So, I'm deliberately and consciously participating in Thursday Thanks Tank this week. I need to list all that's going right so I can quit focusing on what's NOT going right.So, today I'm particularly thankful for...
air conditioning LOL Morning sickness and hot weather not a good combo for me.
that Lisa and Jamie (my two bloggy friends in CA) rode out their recent quake without incident
bed linens that have been dried on an outside line
care packages from my mom for the Vikings
my best friend of 30+ years who lives in northern Michigan, Lisa
the "cute-ness" of the Vikings recent obsession with watching bugs
recent discussions about TAKING A VACATION - not we just have to make a choice! LOL
a hubby who suggested spreading cayenne pepper in the path of invading ants
church friends who watched the Vikings while I went to the doctor yesterday
the stocking up of diapers I did with the "free Walgreens diaper deal" last week
(this one is a stretch) my morning sickness which tells me that despite my anxieties about something being wrong that I'm likely very much pregnant still
I'm keeping another blog to document what I'm assuming will be my last pregnancy. It's not intended for promotion and/or high volume traffic but it isn't meant to be exactly "secret" either. It's just not written with public consumption in mind - no witty anecdotes, little thought of format, mostly written in free-form "bullets" of thought, occasionally some info that might be "TMI", etc. Didn't want to inundate this blog with all my worries and anxious musings.
Anyway, here's an excerpt from my entry last night that describes my first OB appt yesterday:
Well, I had my OB history appt today. Very anti-climatic. An hour of "let's play 100 questions about your private life, your female reproductive system, and every genetic disease know to mankind". Then, seven...yes, SEVEN...vials of blood.
Our OB practice is down a doc so the practice's competition across town is covering them one night a week and one weekend a month 'til further notice. *eyes rolling* So, I could get a complete stranger delivering Böna! Nice.
And, they have a nurse practitioner in there in the meantime. Hope she's better than the midwife from when I was pregnant with Flicka.
Oh, and if we want the ultrasound next week (which used to be "standard") we have to pay out of pocket...$250! *sigh*
Good news? They have a 3D machine but don't charge it as such since they can't always get the pretty pictures everyone expects.
$250 doesn't sound too bad at this point just for peace of mind.
Next week is my first actual exam where I'll probably get any hinky results from the blood tests. And, I was just thinking I would probably trade them that ultrasound for that Doppler wand thingy so at least I can hear Böna's heartbeat to set my fears and anxieties to rest that all is well.
So, at what point does all my bloggy identification, personality, and online "aura" need to begin the change from "Mom2TwoVikings" to "Mom2ThreeVikings"? *eyes rolling*
BiblicalWomanhood.com and one of my favorite fugal sites - moneysavingmom.com - are both maintained by Crystal Paine. Crystal not only keeps both these blogs up but (among other things) also is an author of several e-books to help, educate, and encourage moms and wives who are trying to stretch a dollar, be a good steward of God's provision, and run a God-pleasin' home.
Crystal is running a special sale TODAY ONLY. You can get over $100 worth of her resources for $5.97!! The list below is what you will receive (all resources are by Crystal unless indicated otherwise):
Supermarket Savings 101: Learn How To Drastically Reduce Your Grocery Bill! ($17.97 value!)
Simple Tips for Successful Home Management - Volume 1 ($5.97 value!)
What to Do While Waiting for Prince Charming: Encouraging Young Women and Their Parents in the Incredible Potential and Possibilities for Unmarried Women ($3.97 value!)
What My Parents Did Right: Encouragement for Weary Parents from a Grateful Homeschool Graduate ($3.97 value!)
A Proper Tea ($6.97 value!) by Mrs. Kelli Wilt
Make Your Own -Simple Crafts and Decorating ($6.97 value!) by Mrs. Kelli Wilt
Simply Centsible Breakfasts ($4.97 value!)
How to Start Your Own Business ($15.97 value!)
Menu Planning Made Easy! ($5.97 value!) by Sheri Graham
Homegrown Business ($15.97 value!) by Jesse and Crystal Paine
In Good Season: Autumn ($6.97 value!) by Mrs. Kelli Wilt
The Bread by Hand eBook ($4.97 value!) by Kimberly Eddy
Momma's Guide to Growing Your Groceries ($7.97 value!) by Kimberly Eddy
Simply Centsible Suppers ($4.97 value!)
Thriving on One Income ($7.97 value!) by Kimberly Eddy
Please go to Crystal's summer sale link here to order. Just using Crystal's advice from moneysavingmom.com has saved us hundreds of dollars in the last year on groceries and necessities. While I don't own these resources, I highly recommend Crystal and her ministry! Please consider spending the $5.97. You won't be disappointed!
If you can't get there today (Wednesday), on Thursday it'll be $8.97, on Friday it'll be $11.97...after Friday midnight, the sale will be gone! Go! NOW! Really - I mean it! *wink*
One: Many thanks go out this morning to Julie at Homeschooling for the First Time. Apparently, I won her recent giveaway for a LifePac First Grade teachers' edition curriculum. While I think with the typical momma-bias that Flicka's gonna be a genius *wink*, we probably won't use it this year but I'll have it stashed away for next fall! LOL Thanks, Julie!!
Two: This Friday will begin the 100 Things Challenge. Can you de-clutter, purge, sell, or donate 100 things in 31 days? Can you simplify, possibly make your home more peaceful, and maybe bless someone too? Join us Friday for the kickoff!
Three: Two weeks from today is the kickoff of the Blogging for Blood Cancer event being organized via Goodies For Mom. Help spread the word to increase visibility and awareness for those fighting for a cure for leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease, and myeloma by grabbing a banner now from the Goodies For Mom site!
Coming up in two weeks is an event to raise awareness about the work of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS). LLS is a national voluntary health agency dedicated to curing leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma, and to improving the quality of life of patients and their families.
LLS supports the following major programs: research, patient services, public and professional education, advocacy and community services. And, while my sister-in-law Peggy (who is 73 days post-transplant as of today due to acute myelogenous leukemia) has not received services from the group as far as I know, its work is something I feel I should support in her honor.
Goodies For Mom is sponsoring a Blogging For Blood Cancer event the second week in August. If you feel this is something you'd like to support, donate to, or blog about, stop by their bloggy home and do some reading about your choices.
Kinda short and sweet - but wanted to update because I'll be renovating and/or removing our Dave Ramsey banner section in the right column soon. Just wanted folks to know that we aren't off the proverbial wagon but we will be on a DR-approved rabbit trail so to speak for the next 9 months. LOL
The good news? WE PAID OFF CAPITAL ONE THIS MONTH!! CCHHEETTAAHH!! LOL
The kinda-but-not-really bad news? We will be stopping our gazelle intensity debt snowball payments until further notice.
When we discovered we were pregnant again this month, one of our top 10 first thoughts were "what in the world will this do to paying off our debt?"
We thought we remembered hearing about what to do if you find yourself pregnant during your baby step 2 phase and we found our confirmation at DR's site:
"When you’re pregnant, then stop the debt snowball and pile up the cash...If you have a bunch of cash saved up and you have a baby and everything’s all right, you can put that money back on the debt snowball. It’s still debt snowball baby unless you needed it for the baby."
So, from August until next March when I'm due, our monthly debt snowball payment will be going into our savings. National City, the student loan, and the mini-van payments will just have to chug along at minimums until then.
While this is actually good news (the pregnancy and that we have the money freed up and it will be saved up to pay CASH for what we pray is a normal hospital delivery, etc.), we didn't want anyone to misread my changing of our debt payoff display.
We are on track, still gazelle intense...just pointed in a slightly different direction until spring!
Well, we don't do much impulse shopping anymore - thanks to Dave Ramsey! LOL You don't pay off over $16K in debt like we have without retraining yourself for NO MORE IMPULSE BUYS!
However... *big grin*Sometimes a deal is JUST TOO GOOD to pass up! LOL Plus, we were still able to pay cash!
Look at what we found at Goodwill today for $12.50!!!
The last Saturday of each month most Goodwill stores have everything in their store priced 50% off. This little number was marked $25 and was an answer to prayer!
The sewing machine I'm currently using is getting a little finicky - as most things do when they hit "antique" status! *wink* It's working but has occasional, unexplained stoppages that are a bit frustrating when it takes a mom several days to set aside an hour or two for productive sewing time.
This new guy on the block runs like a charm (DaHubby's already oiled it up) and only needed a new light bulb. The Goodwill staff were shocked - not only do they normally NOT accept sewing machines but what machinery they get very rarely come with manuals. And, this new guy not only had a manual and all the requisite attachments but a second set of button hole gear as well!
As a mom with little ones, I hear often "you need to take time for yourself...pamper yourself once in a while..." and on and on. And, while I don't necessarily disagree, I think it is an individual thing - as most things are.
I'm often stumped by moms who insist on keeping up with mani/pedi schedules, hair cut/color routines, gym memberships, or mom-only solo clothes shopping. Not that those things are "bad" but they are just not me.
With Flicka four years old and counting, I'm still struggling with what is something I like to do when I have time to myself. Lately, it's napping or reading! LOL Neither of which really bring much of a sense of pride like those girly things can that I listed above.
But, a thought struck me this morning as I was sitting on the porch watching the kids play. I was ripping out a hem I screwed up on a dress I'm making for Flicka and it hit me!
I may be "sloppy". I cut my own hair - some of which is starting to turn slightly gray at the temples. Most of my clothes fit poorly. I couldn't tell you the last time I bought myself clothes - I generally wear gifts from my mom or my MIL's cast-offs. Clothes just aren't my thing. I only wear make-up once a week...on Sundays for church. My feet are thick with callouses - a byproduct of very flat feet which hate shoes - and I'm a former nail biter who wears no nail polish.
But...
I can make some kick-butt no bake cookies. I make a mean pepperoni/cheese bread. DaHubby loves my crab pasta recipe. And, I've discovered/created a *really* good Chinese noodle recipe lately. I used to teach Shakespeare to middle schoolers...and they ENJOYED it! LOL I'm getting to be an awesome frugal problem solver. I have kept us on or under budget for groceries for over 10 months. Per Dave Ramsey, I now balance our checkbook within 72 hours of receiving our bank statement. After being told when I was in high school that I couldn't carry a tune, I am so honored to be singing on the platform each Sunday at church. I've been making some cool dishtowel purses. And, I take great pride in making those dresses and shorts for the kids.
Where some moms choose their pampering sessions to feel better about themselves, I think my "love language" so to speak to feel good about myself is being creative as well as being useful and needed by making things with love for my family.
I've always felt the misfit. I've never felt like I fit in with my peers very well. Just in the last few years, I feel like I'm finally hit my stride! LOL Not bad for turning 40 this year! *wink* But, those skills make me smile and I feel like I *shine* doing them.
I blogged about this in May for Tackle It Tuesday but I did it again yesterday while the Vikings were with my in-laws all day so I thought I'd share.
Long story short? I've been making some play clothes for the Vikings using "recycled" clothes. Using old adult t-shirts (along with a few of Flicka's old t-shirts), I've been making dresses for Flicka and shorts for Pojke.
Now, let me say this up front: I am a sewing machine NOVICE - or what's lower than a novice...a "wet behind the ears" seamstress? LOL And, I've been able to make these shorts in under 20 minutes and the dresses in under a half hour.
So, if you have a sewing machine and some "leftover" or outgrown clothes, you might want to check out this dress tutorial or this shorts/pants tutorial and whip up some new play clothes for your babies for FREE!
Thanks to MoneySavingMom, this was the pile of goodies I just came home with!
3 packs of diapers - normally $8.99 each - on sale for $5.99 each. With two coupons, I paid $5.19 out of pocket FOR ALL THREE and received $5 in register rewards!! I spent HALF my weekly diaper budget yet got an extra 30 diapers and $5 in return!! *big smile*
Crayola markers - a FREEbate!! On sale for $2, rebate for $2
School supplies: All you see above(minus the markers) for $3.91
So overall, I paid 11.04 out of pocket - $2 rebate - $5 register reward = $4.04!!!
Bwah-ha-ha-ha! I actually called DaHubby on the way home to brag! I feel like I "stole" the stuff from them! THANK YOU CRYSTAL!!! I'm heading back (they were out of Pojke's size) tomorrow for MORE DIAPERS!
Updated: Went back tonight and got three more bags of diapers...used the $5 register reward from earlier. Out of pocket? NINETEEN cents! *big smile* And, I got ANOTHER $5 register reward! WA-HOO!
I've only used $5.38 of my $10 weekly diaper budget and I have SIX packs of diapers and $4.62 left plus a $5 register reward!
A week from Friday. we will be starting the 100 Thing Challenge - Viking style. You can read about the details here but I thought I'd drop a reminder on y'all in case you wanted to get ready with storage boxes, bags, cleaning supplies, etc!
I said in my heart, "Come now, I will test you with mirth; therefore enjoy pleasure"; but surely, this also [was] vanity.
I said of laughter -- "Madness!"; and of mirth, "What does it accomplish?"
I searched in my heart [how] to gratify my flesh with wine, while guiding my heart with wisdom, and how to lay hold on folly, till I might see what [was] good for the sons of men to do under heaven all the days of their lives.
I made my works great, I built myself houses, and planted myself vineyards.
I made myself gardens and orchards, and I planted all [kinds] of fruit trees in them.
I made myself water pools from which to water the growing trees of the grove.
I acquired male and female servants, and had servants born in my house. Yes, I had greater possessions of herds and flocks than all who were in Jerusalem before me.
I also gathered for myself silver and gold and the special treasures of kings and of the provinces. I acquired male and female singers, the delights of the sons of men, [and] musical instruments of all kinds.
So I became great and excelled more than all who were before me in Jerusalem. Also my wisdom remained with me.
Whatever my eyes desired I did not keep from them. I did not withhold my heart from any pleasure, For my heart rejoiced in all my labor; And this was my reward from all my labor.
Then I looked on all the works that my hands had done And on the labor in which I had toiled; And indeed all [was] vanity and grasping for the wind. [There was] no profit under the sun.
One of the wisest men who ever lived...
Tried everything of the world...
partying gratifying flesh drinking working for acquisitions gaining wealth gardens homes vineyards orchards herds flocks pools servants
Whatever his eyes desired, he acquired.
Withheld no pleasure from his heart.
Then I looked on all the works that my hands had done And on the labor in which I had toiled; And indeed all [was] vanity and grasping for the wind. [There was] no profit under the sun.
You don't need wealth You don't need stuff You don't need status. They are VANITY! They are FOLLY!
Normally this would be something I'd spend fairly large amounts of my time avoiding. However, at this point in time, it's a good thing. The less time I can focus on how cruddy I'm feeling the better. So, in the interest of keeping the Vikings happy and occupied (while not making a huge mess at home that I'd have to clean up), we will be heading here and here today and tomorrow while DaHubby is working.
And, this lovely blessing of a pregnancy has me feeling so icky that I'm having trouble focusing long enough to put together an intelligent sounding post! LOL So, this is probably it for today unless something REALLY funny and/or notable happens while we're gone! *wink*
As one who is feeding the four of us on $60 a week, I'm always on the lookout for good deals. As it stands, I spend 1-2 hours going over the ads from 5 of our local supermarkets so I can make our $60 go as far as possible. The best way I've been doing this lately is with Meijer Mealbox.
If you have a Meijers near you, you could be going home with free or nearly free food several times a month!
For example, last week I spent about $33 of our allotted budget there and was rewarded with over $16 off in coupons and sales.
Examples of the deals last week:
Meijer had select dry pasta (Meijer brand spaghetti, thin spaghetti, and elbow macaroni) on sale 2/$1. Paired this deal with the $0.50/1 coupons on MealBox and got the pasta for FREE
Meijer organic mushrooms were part of the 10 for $10 - there is a MealBox coupon for $0.50/1, making them $0.50 after coupon.
Meijer ice cream was $2.50, there is a MealBox coupon for $1, making it $1.50 after coupon
Meijer select frozen veggies were part of the 10 for $10 - there is a MealBox coupon for $0.50/1, making them $0.50 after coupon
Meijer 16 oz. sour cream was $1.25 - there is $0.50/1 MealBox coupon, making it $0.75 after coupon
Meijer frozen potatoes was 5 for $10 - there is a $1/1 MealBox coupon, making them $1 per bag of potatoes after coupon
Meijer frozen fruit was 3 for $8 ($2.67 each) - there is a $1 MealBox coupon, making them $1.67 per bag of frozen fruit after coupon
The deals aren't always on Meijer brand stuff only but last week happened to work out that way. So, go to Meijer Mealbox and click on the "specials" tab on the right and print the coupons! They change about once a month but I've used them each week in conjunction with sales for several weeks.
Saving 33% on groceries? Now, THAT works for me! For more WFMW ideas, stop by Shannon's bloggy home.
I don't believe in coincidences much anymore. Been a believer long enough now to know better. I read this article in Time sometime in the last few weeks and have been mulling it over...and came up with an idea...in reverse. Let me explain.
The young man in the piece is talking about fighting consumer over-consumption by purging his personal belongings down to only 100 things. That's right...he wants to own only 100 things. Take a look around where you are sitting right now and consider how quickly 100 things can add up. LOL
Yet, while I support his idea of fighting the over-consumption machine that barrels through our media messages ("buy more, buy bigger, buy newer, buy on credit...you *deserve* it!"), the 100 Thing Challenge is a little strict and hopelessly optimistic for a 40-year-old mom with two kids under 5 and another on the way.
But, I do want to battle my worldly urges to find happiness or whatever else in buying stuff. And, to fight clutter in my home, get rid of what I don't need, and make a more peaceful home. So, when this post popped up today on my Bloglines account, it confirmed the idea that's been brewing in my head.
While I need another blog carnival like a hole in the head (LOL), Minimizing Mondays motivated me to divulge my own unique turn on the 100 Thing Challenge to all of you. Instead of paring down to 100 things total, how 'bout giving away, selling, and purging 100 things from my home!?
Would anyone like to join me?
How about the month of August? Can we each try to purge 100 things from our homes in 31 days? Do you think you could find about 3 things a day to sell, pitch, recycle, or bless someone with? Even if you don't think you could hit 100, would you like to try and see how close you can come? LOL (Added later: Notice in the comments that I have the encouragement of the 100 Things Challenge creator! How cool is THAT!?)
If you think you'd like to do this with me, start spreading the word. I've got so much Life coming up on the horizon - homeschooling starting back up in September, the holidays, Böna's arrival in March - so it's now or never! LOL
If I get enough folks interested, I'll make up a little button and host a Mr. Linky post August 1, August 31, and each Monday in August. It's up to you...are YOU ready?
Well, I admit...we're playing "hooky" from tonight's evening service. Everyone is exhausted and we've been running around all weekend.
Friday night was some family time. Saturday was spent with breakfast out, running errands, naps, then our local art fair, dinner, and I don't remember what afterward. LOL
Service this morning was great. Then, my dad and step-mom stopped by on their way from Chicago back tothe southeastern side of the state - they're celebrating my step-mom's big 5-0! *wink* Had a great lunch with them then had a quiet "naptime" with the boys snoozin', Flicka playing quietly in her room, and Momma watching her recent Swap-A-DVD arrival, One Night With The King. Not entirely Biblically accurate but a good watch regardless.
In the midst of all this, I got two emails from my mom...
First, she informed me yesterday that the piece I submitted recently was one of the featured articles choosen for publication. I don't have a link or a copy yet but I'll share when I do.
Then, she emailed again that the photos DaHubby's taken and I submitted for a spot on the Detroit Free Press's website were selected and are featured here. Hit the left arrow backwards from the #1 photo to see DaHubby's at #65 and #69.
So it was a good weekend all the way around (other than some nausea and queasies) and we're settling in to watching movies while DaHubby does his homework! LOL Big excitement, eh?
Well, I've had it on my wishlist for a while to get a pair of sharp haircuttin' scissors and a newer hair trimmer so I could do the kids' haircuts.
Flicka and I have "bi-level" hair - all long then shorter bangs...thus, easy to maintain myself.
DaHubby has...well, less hair than anyone else in the house (LOL), so he gets a buzz cut from me every couple weeks.
Pojke was the challenge. DaHubby's and my compromise with his first haircut was to get rid of the most of the baby curls and length that caused folks to think he was a girl but not *really* short so Momma could enjoy some curl still. So, he's had a "mushroom" style with the shorter underneath but longer on top.
Well, via a very nice lady who participates in our local Freecycle network, I became the proud owner of new pair of hair clippers this morning. And, I realized that my small scissors in my newly acquired sewing basket would be perfect for now for the kids.
So, first, I trimmed Flicka's bangs. Other than the squirming as she watched TV, she did great. I only took about a 1/2 inch off...fairly evenly. LOL
Then, I went in the bathroom and did my own bangs. Didn't realize that had gotten as long as they did 'til I brushed them out and they were down to my nose! LOL So, they are now at my eyebrows again.
Finally, Pojke showed some interest in all the events so, despite it nearly being naptime, I tackled it with gusto. Too bad Pojke changed his mind about halfway through but Momma persevered through tears and complaining and finished.
So I give you from this morning...the Pojke BEFORE shot: And, this afternoon...the Pojke AFTER shot: He wouldn't look at me...he's *really* mad at me right now! LOL
I'm pretty proud of my first attempt - and it was a first attempt on a moving, squirming, complaining, crying, arm-waving object! *wink*
So, if you figure an average of 7 haircuts a year for each of us...$20 a pop for the adults and $10 for the Vikings...I just learned how to save us over $400 a year! *big smile*
Fear has been getting the better of me lately. So has worrying. It's only been a little over 7 days since we found out that we are expecting again. Böna has a scheduled arrival date of March 8th - right after my birthday on the 6th and Flicka's on the 9th. Yet, the next 10 months are stretching out in front of me like a kid waiting for Christmas or a year-away Disney vacation.
So, with the lack of something better to do and with my trademark impatience, I've begun to worry. So, being deliberately thankful today is more important than ever.
I've worried about losing this pregnancy - like the one I lost before. In 2002, this is the week in the pregnancy that the baby stopped growing and we didn't find out until 3 weeks later...and I'm scheduled for my first OB appt in 3 weeks.
Mark 4:40 But He said to them, "Why are you so fearful? How [is it] that you have no faith?"
So, I am thankful that all my life is in His hands. I will seek Him and lean on my faith to enjoy this last pregnancy and not fritter it away worrying. And, let His will be done for whatever does happen He is with me. Thank you, Lord, for walking through this with me.
Then, I've wasted too much time being overly anxious about all the things that could go wrong and failing to remember how many things have gone right, including the simple miracle I'm pregnant at all. I figure Mary had few doubts that the Lord's birth would come to pass. *wink*
But, worries about something happening to me (I lost a college friend who laid down for a nap during her second trimester and never woke up) or something being wrong with the baby (I am 40 and all and my odds of there being a genetic problem increase each year) have spent too much time interfering with the simple joy of being pregnant again.
2 Timothy 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
So, I will say thank you Lord for Your spirit in me, its power, and Your love. Help to keep me focused on that and not the "things of this world" and to remember to use that sound and thankful mind to look forward boldly instead of backwards in fear. NOTHING is impossible with God.
Finally, where are we going to put Böna? How are we gonna pay for the hospital bills? The diapers? Ugh, more diapers! LOL An additional car seat? What will this change do to Flicka and Pojke? What will it mean that come March DaHubby and I will be outnumbered? LOL
Philippians 4:6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;
So, I say...thank you for all the provision You've provided for us. Help me to step out in faith, proclaim this miracle to all, have faith Your hand is in this process, and this pregnancy be to Your glory.
My mom forwarded me an email address from the newspaper in the town where I grew up. A staff person there was looking for recollections about a camp that the city ran when I was young that is celebrating its 60th anniversary. I just submitted this for possible publication for a special remembrance page of the city's web site.
One of the first perks my mother discovered as a new City of Dearborn employee in 1976 was the resident discount for Camp Dearborn Youth Camp. As a newly-divorced, single mom, it was a godsend. Little did she know how sending me that summer would change my life.
That first summer I met a young girl named Lisa B****. We were 8. We probably never would have met otherwise as she was in DHS territory while I was destined to be a Thunderbird as my parents had been.
Being from different sides of the proverbial tracks proved difficult as Lisa and I got older. The schoolyard battle reached its height when, after seven summers spent together, our friendship and playful rivalry was captured in our final camper photo taken by some now-unremembered counselor. We stood next to each other - me in an Edsel Ford athletic sweatshirt and Lisa in a DHS gymnastics sweatshirt - clowning for the camera. This photo still means more to me than I could ever explain.
It means even more knowing that not only did we spend 7 summers as campers together but proceeded to spend the next three summers as staff together at Youth Camp. And, then even more summers while we were in college wearing pink shirts, green shirts, and red shirts in lower camp! I ended up spending thirteen summers out there and only one was without Lisa. We made up for it by each of us spending our final year at Michigan State rooming together.
I know it’s no longer there but I remember that there was a H-shaped dock in the lake that Youth Camp used for swimming. On the center section that faced out into the deep area was a spot where Lisa and I made our mark: we etched 12 slashes into the wood to represent those initial years of our friendship.
And, I say initial years because as of 2006, Lisa B**** (now Lisa F****) and I have been friends for over 30 years. She is the big sister this only child ever had. She's walked through some of the toughest times of my life during my single years. And, despite now living many miles apart, each of us has been blessed since then to be at the other's wedding as well as the other's baby shower. Between the two of us, we've brought four babies into this world. And, I have another on the way. And, you can bet that each one of them will know about the legacy and the friendships that Camp Dearborn has brought into our lives. I cannot conceive of what my life would have been like if I had not gone to Youth Camp that one summer in 1976.
Not only did we have our first Sunday morning service on the new property this weekend, but we (as a church family) spent all weekend there camping... eating, fellowshipping, more eating... bouncing, and more eating? LOL And, that we went as a church to the fireworks at the coolest spot EVER - on the beach of Lake Michigan? And, lastly, did I mention we have the COOLEST pastors ANYWHERE? *wink* We had an AWESOME weekend!
My sister-in-law, Peggy, the best-est singer in the family, singing for the first time since her transplant at our church last Sunday! She accompanied by my BIL Marlon and Marlon's brother, Curtis!
With all they've been through since February, their faith just amazes me.
Let us not waste it, squander it, or take it for granted...let us use it well for our safety and ultimately God's glory!
Happy Independence Day!!
"I shall know but one country. The ends I aim at shall be my country's, my God's and Truth's. I was born an American; I live an American; I shall die an American." -- Daniel Webster
"Honor to the soldier, and Sailor everywhere, who bravely bears his country's cause. Honor also to the citizen who cares for his brother in the field, and serves, as he best can, the same cause." --President Abraham Lincoln
I've been so overwhelmed with "life" lately that I've let the whirlwind distract me from the weekly practice of deliberate thankfulness. But, that doesn't mean I haven't been aware of all God's wondrous provision and intervention all around me.
Mostly, I need to say...thank you Lord for my amazing life. And, for the incomprehensible quantity of simple pleasures that have been all around me the last 2 weeks. Family. Beautiful weather. My home. DaHubby. The Vikings. Church family. Friends. Health. Strength of body. Sleep (when I stop long enough to engage in some. LOL).
However, my previous whirlwind was brought to a sudden and complete halt Tuesday. And, a new one has begun:
For those of you unfamiliar with my history, this is really a miracle at God's hands. I spent many years fighting infertility. Flicka's conception occurred on the 25th cycle of attempts. The number 5 (a Biblical symbol for grace) and its multiples have been a reoccurring theme in DaHubby's and my marriage.
Pojke was another complete and utter shock. We found out about that pregnancy on our anniversary: 5-5-05. History of infertility, nursing Flicka still, and POOF! God worked a wonder. I was pregnant.
And, now, using the same methods as always during that same time of month to avoid getting pregnant...and POOF!
This little bean (I'm considering the bloggy pseudonym "Böna" - Swedish for bean) is again another example of God's wonderful, amazing, and abundant grace.
Your prayers are appreciated. It is still very early in this pregnancy and I DID turn FORTY this year, ya know! *wink*
DaHubby's summer semester class starts this week (did I mention he got the highest score in the class on his final last week? *big smile*).
It looks like he might also be going back up to 50 hours a week for a time.
Got a MOMS Club newsletter due this week.
We've slept in the tent the last two weekends and it was announced Sunday that our church family will be camping out on our new property all weekend this weekend! LOL
Got projects piling up, non-blogging computer work to do, general everyday maintenance chores, plus a couple other irons in the fire.
Have lots to share but no time to write it all down. LOL Just wanted everyone who ck's on us here regularly to know we're good, just busy!
to use my skills and God-given gifts to glorify God, help others, and support my family.
to create and then maintain an organized, clean, and happy home where it is always remembered that all our resources are God's and we are His stewards.
to be a good wife that blesses & glorifies my husband.
to be the best mom I can be with God's help and raise the Vikings to glorify God and fulfill His purpose for them.
to become a Christ-centered, faithful, discerning, wise, honest, loyal, service-focused independent individual.
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