Random Thoughts on Personal Finances

Wow!  Has it really been one full week since my last post?  My apologies, ladies.  I have no excuses except to say that I took an unintentional "spring break" from blogging.  You see, my mother-in-law is a kindergarten teacher and this week was/is her spring break.  What does that have to do with me?  Well, being that we're a one car family and that one car happens to carry my hard-working hubby to his job every day, my mother-in-law is very aware that I am home all day, every day.  She kindly offered to help me run some errands, as well as get me out of the house, every. single. day. this week.  Today, I gave her a break so I could catch up on my neglected chores: laundry and dishes and dust, oh my!

Also, I've had a lot on my mind lately.  Mostly financial struggles.  Nothing too dire, but nothing too comfortable either.  Living on one income isn't easy but we continue to do it because we believe in the bigger picture.

What I'm Reading

Have you ever had a week {or two or three}, where God was teaching you so many things that you literally felt mentally and emotionally exhausted from it all.  That's how I've felt recently.  Of course, I'm not complaining.  I'm so grateful that God reveals Himself and His will to us.  We don't have to guess what He wants.  All we have to do is get in His word!

In addition to diving into the Bible for guidance, God has also blessed certain people with the gift of writing who have, in turn, used that gift to teach young women like me practical ways to live out our faith.  Of course, if all I had was God's word, it would be sufficient.  But I consider it a blessing that we have access to other books that can help us strengthen our walk with the Lord.

Here is a list of books I'm reading now...

Squeaky Clean Game Plan

Can you imagine watching a football game where neither side prepared?  No pregame strategy sessions.  No huddles.  No rules.  Just a bunch of men in uniform chasing each other.  Or how about an army that goes into battle without organizing a plan of attack?  Of course, it is humorous to think that either scenario would actually happen because we know how much time and effort goes into making sure each member of the team knows exactly what to do and how to do it.  So, why then, do we take on such grand tasks as cleaning and organizing our entire home, inside and out, without taking the time to plan?

A Different Kind of Spring Cleaning

Today is the first day of spring.  The weather is warming up.  Flowers are blooming and snow is fading.  All around us, there are signs of renewed life.  Many individuals take this opportunity to spread the renewal-love inside their homes, bringing it back to life after the dark days of winter.

Every year, about this time, women are stocking their cleaning arsenal and formulating a game plan for how she might attack the cobwebs and dust bunnies that have taken up residence in the cracks and crevices of her home.  This is evident because the blog world is beginning to buzz about this annual ritual known as spring cleaning; that time of year when you deep clean every square foot of your abode.  Everyone wants to know the best and quickest way to get it done as soon as possible so they can enjoy a glass of lemonade while laying in their hammock and reading a magazine or favorite novel {at least, that's how I would spend my free time}.

Apart from Him I Can Do Nothing

I sat there in the chair as the warm water cascaded upon my head, making its way down to my toes.  My midsection was still suffering from the pains of an emergency c-section and my hormones were raging.  Hubby gently washed my post-baby figure and did his best to encourage me that "this too shall pass".  Despite his best efforts, the tears flowed freely, becoming one with the water from above.

You see, I like to be in control and do things for myself.  The fact that someone else had to bathe me was utterly humiliating.  Didn't matter that it was my husband who was serving me by stepping into the role of caregiver.  No, I didn't like being so dependent on another person.

If you're like me, this desire for control extends far beyond the desire to clean our own body.  

Encouragement for Weary Moms

When I was pregnant with our son, people would say things to me like "they grow up so fast" and "enjoy the younger years".  What they failed to tell me was how difficult it is to raise a child or that you have to actually invest a significant amount of time and effort.  They didn't explain what it would require of me to nurture them, train them, discipline them, and disciple them.  This parenting gig is much harder than I ever anticipated.

Don't get me wrong, it's also just as wonderful as those individuals made it out to be.  It really is.  But, ask any mother and she will tell you that to raising a child to know and love Jesus is a full-time job.

With that in mind, I simply wanted to take a moment to send some encouragement your way.

Beautiful on the Inside

I'm a girl.  But, I'm not JUST a girl, I'm a girly girl!  That's right... I love skirts, the color pink, high heels and putting together outfits that make me feel pretty and feminine.  I blame it on the fact that I grew up with one other sibling - a sister - and now live I with two boys... my hubby and my little man.  So, whenever I have the chance, I like to fully embrace the estrogen that I add to this household.  

The problem is, when I seek out style inspiration, I find that society definitely has its opinion of what it means to be a beautiful woman.  I don't know about you, but to fit the world's mold, I'd have to

Home Management Binder {Printables List}

You've run out of the ingredient you need for that recipe... again.  You can't remember when your son's next dentist appointment should be and your husband wants to know how much you pay for your electric bill every month.  You seem to have misplaced your notes for this week's Bible study class and you forgot to return that stack of books to the library.

I know how overwhelming it can be to run a household.

Why I Blog

The teacher stands in front of the class every Monday morning and hands everyone a piece of paper with our weekly spelling words.  "Remember, class, you need to write a story that uses all of these words and turn it into me by Friday," she sweetly reminds the sea of 9-year-old bodies that glare back at her with disinterest.  A chorus of sighs erupt all around me as I tightly grasp my copy of the assignment and give in to the smile I had been trying to suppress. 

You see, while others saw that list of words as a burden, I saw it as my golden ticket.  For what, you may ask?  Well, I saw it as permission to let my imagination run wild.  After all, these words didn't always make much sense with each other, especially in a story.  But the challenge thrilled me as I had to really stretch my brain to come up with a story in which these words would make sense together.

And that, my friends, is when I first fell in love... with writing.

My Testimony

The blinking cursor taunts me as I stare at the screen, contemplating what my opening words should be.  After all, what exactly does one say in the very first post on a blog where I so desperately want to share my heart with you?  Where do I even begin?

Then, it hit me...

"Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have." 

- taken from 1 Peter 3:15 {NIV}

I realize, technically, no one is actually asking me to give an account.  But that blinking cursor is driving me crazy, so I must write something.  Why not start with my story?  The reason for my hope.