Hanging on...

Whew!  What a week.  There was simply no time to sit down and blog this week so I hope to catch up this week.

My life has been consisting of home school, 48 hour work weeks, softball games and practices and working on the church building.  In between, laundry, dishes...repeat cycle.  :)

Some days, there are just not enough hours.  I would appreciate your prayers that this week - the final inspections will pass on our renovations on our future church building, that we can finish our final tasks to make it move-in ready and that we can make our final move and be settled in.  Since my husband is still working full-time in his secular job, many responsibilities tend to fall on me.  So these things being finalized will be a great burden off of many of us. :)

Have a great evening!

Library Time

We love the library!  My bookworm is Autumn.  This is just her stack of books.  LOL!

Keep your kiddos loving books and the library!

Summer won't take her nap or go to bed without a stack of books. :)  Love that!

Discovery Museum Field Trip

On my birthday, we took a trip to the Discovery Museum in downtown Reno.  Very, very fun!  Great place for kids...and to be honest, I saw the parents playing as much as the kids. :)

I will not post all the pictures but a few from each section.  These are clouds that you can climb.  Very fun!

This is a water playing area - what kid doesn't like to get wet!

Sit in the jet...

My favorite section...the history of Nevada section.

Kids love to create in this room!

Even an arts and craft section.  Great place and I highly recommend it. :)

Baby Reagan Mae Allen

On March 10, Baby Reagan Mae was born.  She is the daughter of our friends, Jake and Megan Allen.  We are so happy for them!  Here is Megan and Reagan with my girls. :)

We love you, Baby Reagan!

Couponing for Week of March 10, 2013

Just as I was out of my last pull-ups for night time, I got a great deal at CVS!  By the way, have I mentioned that Summer is potty trained?  Yay!  We just keep pull-ups on hand for night time until she can go through the night without wetting.

I combined coupons - both MFR and CVS coupons - along with an EB deal on Pampers - I got three packs for $2.66 each!

While I was at CVS, I found these Family size bottles of Suave shampoo and conditioner on sale for $.99 each!  They work great for the girls' hair and the family size are great for only $.99!  Nice stock up and no coupons were needed!

New Breakfast Sandwich Idea

Here is a fun idea that I saw on Facebook a few days ago and I tried it this morning. :)

The only difference is I put them on round 100% whole wheat sandwich thins and made an egg sandwich out of it. 

Protein, veggie and healthy carbs make for a great breakfast!

*You could change this up and make it with red and yellow peppers as well. 

Birthday Times...

Today was my birthday and we had a fun day. :)  The girls and I took a field trip/birthday outing to the Discovery Museum downtown Reno.  The girls had been one time before but this was my first time.  It was very neat and well worth the money.  It is all hands on for children so the kids are welcome to touch it all.  I will post some pictures tomorrow.

We enjoyed Papa Muphey's pizza - Chicken Bacon Artichoke and a Cinnamon Wheel.  Yum!  We also watched the new movie out - Wreck It Ralph - as a family.

Last night, my hubby took me out for sushi and I finally upgraded to an IPhone 4S.  Praise Jehovah! 

Time...

Do you ever think..."I just don't have enough time to do "that"...

Many times we say, "I don't have enough money to do that".  When in fact, it is simply a matter of being organized and consistent.  You know how much cash flow you have, you delegate it to what needs paid, and you don't go out of the budget.  Suddenly, you will see how much money you do have - you just never took the time to organize your budget and follow it.  

I realized that when we were able to pay off nearly $6,000 in four months.  That all could have been blown away on frivolity if I was not organized and consistent with the program.

Yesterday, I was chatting with my sister.  We both have been so busy that this was our first good talk in literally a month.  She mentioned she would love to have the time to just cook again...not just throw together the simplest and cheapest meal.  I can totally sympathize with that feeling.  Between working 48 hours a week at nights, home schooling and church...I just didn't seem to have time to put into something I just "wanted" to do.  Like baking or gardening. (*Happy sigh*.)

But after our talk, I decided...why am I waiting?  I threw the ingredients in my new breadmaker (given to me by a friend) and in minutes...I had a loaf of bread being mixed and baked.  

Don't fool yourself.  You can make time.  Whatever you can't seem to get to...organize, prioritize and work it into your plan. :)  

And you will probably amaze yourself too.

"My Responsibility"

I read this poem while grading a Penmanship Test for my oldest daughter and really enjoyed the thoughts in it.

My Responsibility

I am glad to think
I am not bound to make the world go right,
But only to discover and to do,
With cheerful heart, the work that God appoints.

I will trust in Him,
That He can hold His own; and I will take
His will, above the work He sendeth me,
To be my chiefest good.  The glory is not in the task,
But in doing it for Him.

-Jean Ingelow

Our Debt Reduction Progress Report!

A new week.  I sure need it!  I hope to make it productive yet enjoyable.  The best kind for sure!

This week had a great start already.  Yesterday, I took a few minutes and paid off our second credit card debt!  The end of October, when I began working for Senior Helpers, we decided to begin the Dave Ramsey debt reduction plan.  I love Dave Ramsey and his teaching...because it is Bible based.  You cannot go wrong by following Biblical financial decisions for sure! 

 In four months and fourteen days, we have paid off $5,960.62 in credit card debt!  

You may think that we make a lot of money to do this.  No, we simply follow the plan. :)  We have $1,000 in savings for emergencies.  We always tithe and give special offerings.  We live within our means and strictly off what my husband makes.  And all found money goes to the debt plan.  

And we are able to have our yearly home improvement project - painting the exterior of our home.  And our three children's entire school year for next year has been paid for. 

There really is no better feeling than making good decisions.  It simply takes discipline.  Praise the Lord!

You Are Loved

Sundays...a great day to reflect, rejuvenate and be renewed. 

Today, we had a rather low day.  A few folks were out of town visiting family, etc.  Many were sick.  Another is having a baby.  And some just didn't make it to the services for personal reasons.

I sat at the piano and realized how very important each person that was not there is to our church family.  Each one is a certain part of the church body...a finger, a toe, a knee, an elbow.  No matter how big or small of a job you have, you are missed. 

I am thankful for each person of Sierra View Baptist Church.  You are needed and you are loved.  Have a great week!

We are back...

Purposely, I have not taken time to blog the past week and half.  First, it has been the busiest time I believe in the entire past year.  I simply didn't have time.  Second, my brain was too fried to even think about what to blog.  LOL!

I hope to share with you some pictures of the past week...our 3rd Annual Teen Rally, our big day on Sunday, our renovations on our new church building.  Give me a little time to get them and post them for you all. :)

I have also been working many hours to compound the busyness.  So, you are not forgotten!  I will be back.