1.

We have officially survived the first week of school!  It’s been a busy, but very productive, week.   The hardest part for me is still trying to come to grips with the fact that I have one in high school!

2.

Last Friday, Brian took the day off and, after school registration and the girls’ half days of school, we took off for the Tennessee Aquarium for a fun family day.   It was so nice.   After the Aquarium, we too the kids out to eat at one of our favorite places that’s only a few blocks from there,  Sticky Fingers.  They have some of the best BBQ ribs around! 

3.

I did a HUGE baking day last Saturday and, believe it or not, I’ve got to do more this weekend!  I swear, my kids must have hollow legs!  LOL  They’re eating me out of house and home!  But, that’s a good thing.  I’m feeding them things that I know they’ll eat AND I’m saving money instead of paying $28.75/week to feed all 3 of them school  lunches every day. 

4.

After all the trouble I had back earlier trying to hatch eggs in my incubator, I now have a hen that has decided to go broody on me.  After trying to deter her, I finally gave in and had Brian give her 4 eggs.  So, we’ll see if we have any babies in another 9 days or so.  I’m going to let nature takes its course and just let her care for them – no separating them or anything since the weather is warmer.  I think she’s going to be a great momma hen.  She’s not trying to bite or anything when we check her daily for any extra eggs.  She gets upset, but just lets us do our thing.   I’ll keep you posted!

5.

The fair starts next week and I’m trying to decide if I’m going to enter my butterfly afghan or round ripple afghan.  I’ll let you know next week which one I decide on, but if you’ve got a favorite, leave me a comment and let me know.  I’m having a terrible time deciding!

6.

I don’t know about you, but my dishcloths are starting to look very ragged.  I’m going to have to break out my yarn this weekend and try to whip up a few new ones.   I’m very thankful that I already have good cotton yarn on hand and the know-how to make them myself.

7.

I just want to say that I have the best husband in the world.  He’s caring, considerate, loving, and a wonderful father.  Thanks to the Bible study our small group just completed, “40 Days Of Love”, we have both been trying to put more focus back on our family instead of on “things” in our lives, including our jobs.  But, he’s started helping out more around the house again without my having to ask, even when I know he’s tired from a long day at work, and he’s spending lots more time with the kids.  I know they’re enjoying it, but it’s been very nice for me, as well.  We now look more forward to evening when we sit down around the table and play a quick game together.  It’s something I’ve been trying to get them all to do for a while, but his long hours have always interfered.  Thank you, Lord, for the wake up call for us all!  I pray that this special time together will continue. 

Don’t forget to check out Conversion Diary for more Quick Takes.

1.

This week has been full of ups and downs. I started out the week on a good note. I got my toes stepped on in church, but that’s a good thing. It doesn’t hurt to be reminded of what an awesome privilege it is to be saved by the grace of God. Then, Sunday night at our small group meeting, I got them stepped on again. OK, folks, they’re starting to get a little sore here. But, it was a lesson in love and priorities, and I needed that. Sometimes we tend to let our priorities take over our lives. When we keep our priorities in order (JOY – Jesus first, Others second, Yourself last), things go much better and we find it much easier to show the love of Christ to others.

2.

Then Monday evening rolls around and I feel like I have something in my eye. So, I take my contacts out, flush the eye, and go to bed. The discomfort keeps me up most of the night, so I call the eye doctor first thing in the morning. They get me right in. Come to find out, I have a bad eye infection in both eyes that is contagious! Not it wasn’t pink eye. So, I was given a prescription for an antibiotic/steroid eye drop to use every 2 hours until the discomfort goes away and then 4 times a day. I go back on Monday to see if it’s all cleared up yet. We spent money that we really hadn’t planned on spending, but God knew it was coming and had prepared a way for it all. At least it’s being treated and I feel much better than I did!

3.

We have gotten quite a bit of rain this week, and for that I am truly grateful. We really have needed it, so I’m not going to complain. It does put a damper (pun intended) on drying my clothes, but it’s working out okay. I’ve gotten to turn the AC back off and turn the whole house fan back on which is nice. I love these cooler days.

4.

Even though I started off the work week by being behind on my work because of the eye infection, I have managed to get it all caught back up and am please to say that I will have my 3rd weekend off in a row! I haven’t had this in years! I’m really enjoying it and praying that it continues this way for quite a while. And since this is end of pay period for me, it’s especially nice that I’m not going to be playing “beat the clock” to get all the work done in time.

5.

I’ve managed to be under budget again this month with groceries! I’m so happy that I’ve been able to accomplish this 2 months in a row. Since school is starting back up in less than 2 weeks, next month’s bill might be slightly higher, but I’m going to do my best to keep it at or below $300 again. Since they take their lunches all the time, I just need to get restocked on a few items that I usually keep on hand for them which is where the extra expense might cause a slight increase. We’ll see how it goes.

6.

We have also ate all meals from home this week except for 2 – one was due to unexpected company and my not feeling very well, and the other was due to being stuck in down with 3 kids at lunch time and having to wait an hour to pick up my prescription. Since it takes 15 minutes to get home and then another 15 minutes to drive back to pick it up and another 15 minutes to drive BACK home – yeah, lunch was easier.

7.

The hardest part this week is facing up to the fact that my oldest daughter, Melia, really is going to be a freshman in high school this school year. Wow. Where has the time gone? It does not seem possible that she will be 14 in a few weeks AND a freshman. Before I know it, she’s going to be moving out and starting a life of her own. I’m very proud of the young lady that she is becoming, but can’t she just slow down a bit? Hmmmmm. I don’t think I like where this is going. I’m not ready for this. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I guess I’d better get off this computer now and see if I can’t find those bricks that I misplaced almost 14 years ago. 😉

Don’t forget to check out Conversion Diary for more quick takes!

I’m definitely being random this week, so be forewarned. 

1. 

It has been a busy couple of weeks here, and it’s only going to get busier!  School will be starting back in a couple of weeks, which is really hard to believe.  Where has our summer gone?   This year, I’ll have one in elementary school, one in middle school, and one in high school.  I don’t know that I’m ready for this but, ready or not, it’s here,  My babies are growing up much to quickly for my liking.   But, I’m very proud of the people they are becoming.  I know that they have to grow up and leave the nest one day, but I’m praying that I don’t take for granted this special time with them. 

2.

On the subject of school, my children do not eat lunch at school but take their lunch every day.   This saves us quite a bit of money since they don’t care for the food served, and I know what they’re taking is much more healthy.  Right now, I’m on the hunt for some nice lunch boxes that will hold everything in reusable containers and be easily cleaned.  I don’t like using baggies if I can help it.  So, if you know of any great places to buy lunch boxes that aren’t too outrageous, let me know. 

3.

Last week was full of “road blocks”.  Our dryer quit working and the water pump went out on the truck which left me without a vehicle for a day and we had to spend money that we weren’t planning on spending. 

I know God has a lesson(s) in this for me.  I know I tend to take the daily niceties for granted a lot, and He reminded me of all of the privileges (aka blessings) that we have.  I have a washer that cleans my clothes (I don’t have to scrub them myself), I have a stove/oven to cook on, I have a dishwasher to wash my dishes (believe me, I’m very thankful for this after not having one for 8 years).  I have a roof over my head, I have electricity which allows me to have lights, my computer, and run my appliances, and I have plenty of food to eat where there are many that don’t know where there next meal will come from. 

As for the truck, I was reminded about how easy it is for us (Americans in general) to just jump in our vehicles and go wherever we need to go whenever we want.  Even though our family has cut way down on our trips out and try to combine as many as possible, we (Americans in general) still take for granted that when we get in our vehicles, they are going to start right up and take us where we want to go.  How much of an inconvenience is it for us to be without any mode of transportation at all?  For me, that day, it was not too bad.  We did have to deal with figuring out a way to pick up our children from their great-grandmother’s, but that was simple enough to work out.  Thank God we had Brian’s work truck and he had to work up that way anyway.  God worked out those details the day before and we had no idea that any of this would be happening.  See, God really is in control.   

This just makes me think a little more about all the “quick trips” that are made every day to the store, to drop off/pick up  something, etc.  We should be more thankful. 

4.

Work wise this week, I’ve managed to stay on top of things, and I’ve found a little time to do some crocheting, which I love to do, and I made myself a new clothespin bag since mine was starting to come apart.  I love it when I have some “down time” (which is not very often).   It’s a chance to refresh myself by relaxing and enjoying my surroundings instead of stressing over them.   I know other mom’s out there who would agree that a little “me time” is very important to our sanity. 

5.

This week, we’ve managed to stay on track and eat ALL meals from home – no eating out what so ever!  Not even lunches!  And I’m still well below my $300 budget for the month of July!  I will be going shopping this weekend but will be very careful not to go over budget!  If I’m careful, it will be 2 months in a row of staying at or below $300 for groceries!  I’m hoping to continue this trend.

6.

I came across a passage of scripture this week that really spoke to my heart.  We have several friends and family members that are hurting in one way or another, and this passage reminded me that prayer is more important than ever.  The passage is Psalm 20:

“May the Lord answer you when you are in distress; may the name of the God of Jacob protect you.  May He send you help from the sanctuary and grant you support from Zion.  May He remember all your sacrifices and accept your brunt offerings. 

“May He give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed.  We will shout for joy when you are victorious and will lift up your banners in the name of our God.  May the Lord grant all your requests. 

Now I know that the Lord saves His anointed; He answers Him from His holy heaven with the saving power of His right hand.  Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.  They are brought to their knees and fall, but we rise up and stand firm.

O Lord, save the king!  Answer us when we call!”

7.

I don’t know how everyone’s weather has been, but here it’s been like spring time!  It’s been so nice to have the air off and then windows open enjoying the cool breezes! I’ve had the whole house fan on some, but most days it’s not on at all.  It’s very unusual for us here in East Tennessee, but I’ll take it for as long as it lasts!  It’s wonderful, and definitely a gift from God!

For more quick takes, check out Conversion Diaries.