Taking over the finances...

Recently, after more overdrafts in one month than I've ever had in the 9 years of being with my bank, I decided to take over our finances.  I've been banking with our institution since I was a college girl.  My husband and I just recently, in the last year or two, combined our accounts to one bank account.  We decided to go with mine because of my history with them.

As a new homemaker, I was finding it hard to balance cleaning, cooking, bill paying, kids, husband, and high expectations.  It was just too much and so I told my husband to take over our finances.  He always seemed more than capable since he was always asking me if such and such bill was paid and telling me what was coming up that needed to be paid, etc.  Well, God bless my husband, he's a great provider, husband, and father - but financier he is not!  He just started paying bills without checking to see what other bills were automatically going to be taken out that month.  Needless to say, we over-drafted.  More than once. Not by small amounts.

And after much prayer, I really felt the Lord was leading me to take over the finances.  He really spoke to my heart and impressed on me that all the years I worked in an office setting, dealing with department budgets, managing my time, dealing with difficult bosses and difficult clients, all that was preparing me to manage my home - including my finances.

OK, Father. I get it. Thank you.

So I began reading Dave Ramsey's Total Money Makeover and implemented that in our finances just this week.  Hubby is all for it - and was actually the one to tell me to read the book.  Some areas are really strange for us - like paying our gas and food shopping with cash! That's crazy! I never pay cash - other than yard sales!  There was a time when I was working that I would never have cash on me.  Never. Everything I paid on my debit card.  But strange as it is, we get the point and we are committed.

Anyone else read Dave Ramsey's book or take the Financial Peace University class?  My church actually offers the class, but I'm in the middle of taking another class so I'll just have to wait until next time.

In Christ,

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Love is... what?!?!

So lately I've been experiencing some major... "issues" in my marriage.  Lots of arguing and crying (on my part).  I'm really tempted to say "it's NOT me! If you only knew..." but it really doesn't matter does it?  As a Christian wife/mom/woman, it shouldn't matter how my husband treats me or how he reacts to situations.  My joy is supposed to be there regardless (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). My love is supposed to evident in all I do (1 John 3:18). And in any circumstance, I'm supposed to be content (Phillipians 4:11-13).

But let me tell you, some people are easier to love and be content around than others!  But that ALSO doesn't matter!!  The Bible doesn't say to love those who are easy to love! It says to love your enemies AND PRAY for those who persecute you (Matthew 5:44).  Not that I'm saying my husband is my enemy - God gave me my husband, he is certainly NOT my enemy.  But at times, especially lately, we are at odds with each other and I do feel a bit persecuted.

Sometimes during these times of great conflict, I'll lock myself in my room and dream of these movies where the man loves the woman so much he would do anything for her. Or at the very least bring her flowers after work!  That's real love isn't it?  Well, maybe.  But my Bible suggests love is a little more than just rose petals (though they are nice).


Love is patient or long-suffering.

Love is kind.

Love is not easily angered.

So far it doesn't seem like I love my God-given husband at all!  And the list keeps going:

Love does not envy.

Love isn't proud.

Love keeps no records of past wrongs.

Dig. Dig. Dig!  I've failed at every point. 

So what's a sinful, failing, angry wife to do?

Sometimes when I get so frustrated I will text my best sister/girlfriend and get all my anger out on her and tell her everything I feel.  Down to the ugliest little detail.  And her response to me is always this:

"Get down on your knees and pray! Pray for your husband."

Pray for the man I just revealed to you did all this to me?!

"Pray!!"

So yes, I get down on my knees and I pour out my heart to the Lord and I pray for my heart and I pray for my husband and by the end of it, a feeling of peace comes over me. And sweet conviction to turn to the Lord as soon as I get these feelings. As soon as I start to feel persecuted, turn to the Lord in prayer and remember what love really is.  The Lord has reminded me of the many times He has been long-suffering with me.  Now I need to bless someone else with that same kind of love, regardless of the situation.

So now I commit myself to memorizing the Love Chapter.  1 Corinthians 13. I'm horrible at memorization, but I can do all things in Christ!

Please pray for me as I start my endeavor today!

In Christ,

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Great First Day of School!

Today was the official first day of school.  The kids were excited and they all had a good day.  I'm glad things are starting out well.  I was able to get a lot done at home today while Sammy slept, so that was good too.

Praising God.

In Christ,

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First Day of School & Already Worries!

My children's school always posts which teacher has which students before the school year starts.  This year Marissa was put in the same class as the little girl who was found guilty, and subsequently suspended from school for a day, of bullying her.  I'm not quite sure why they were put in the same class, but it already has Marissa worried.

I called the principal and told him my concerns.  He didn't seem so concerned himself and actually seemed rather annoyed that I was calling him and asking him to move Marissa to another class.  He said he didn't think it could be done because the school system already has her in there (which I don't buy for a second. I'm a stay at home mom now, but not too long ago my career was in systems analysis. I know you can move a child from one class to another, it's totally possible), but that he would see what he can do.

I'm calling him today to see what he has done.  If he moves her GREAT! If not, part of me wants to fight back and let him know this is unacceptable.  But another part of me wants to show that God is greater than any situation and let my daughter take this as a way to show grace and mercy and love to this girl.  But then I think about the girl and she's just SUCH a trouble maker and so is her family!  But my God is greater.  And that's exactly the back and forth I go through in my head!

So I'm praying that God will show me the way and that I would have peace that comes with knowing God is in control of this situation and Marissa is right where He wants her to be.

In Christ,

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First week of VBS over...

My church just finished it's last day of VBS (Vacation Bible School) and I have to say we had a blast! The kids had fun in their classes and I had fun just hanging out in church.  I volunteered to check in the workers in the morning, which also meant I had to make sure all classes were covered and help find replacements for those that weren't.  It was fun working with our Youth Pastor, Pastor Brian, since I haven't had a chance to work with him (or even really speak to him) before this week.  He's an awesome person.

It was a great week and I can't wait to volunteer again next year!

Next week we also have VBS at another church a town over.  I love this VBS because they actually have classes for the moms! This year's topic is the Proverbs 31 wife and how that looks like for us today. I am SO excited about this topic!!  I just pray Sam will behave enough for me to pay attention and not always be out in the hall way!  :-D

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Working out, but not losing weight...

So I've been working out for 9 days and after my initial 10lb weight loss, which I lost mostly before I started working out by changing my diet to eat clean, no processed, no sugar foods, I haven't lost a pound. Wow, long sentence. I know I'm doing the right things:

• eating clean foods every 2-3 hours;
  
• Working out using different machines (so my body doesn't get used to just one) and alternating days of lifting weights with other routines my trainer gave me (I sooo don't know fitness lingo).
• Finding ways throughout the day to burn extra calories (running around after my son and squatting down to his level, kicki my feet a bunch of times at the pool, etc.)
• And my main thing was stop eating junk food! No M&Ms, soda, Wendy's.... Just water and clean food.

So what's the problem? I feel great and my clothes fit better, but the scale refuses to go under 200lbs! My prayer is that I'm losing inches but gaining muscle and that's why I'm not losing the pounds. But at the same time I don't want to be this huge person with muscles. Sigh.

Well, I meet with my trainer tomorrow and hopefully she will give me some insight and words of encouragement!

 

Would love to know if anyone else went through this or is currently going through it! I seriously would love to get together with other women going through the same journey as I am.

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Welcome back, me!

Hello all!

I know it's been awhile but life just got in the way. So here's the quickie update version of my life:

• I'm no longer homeschooling. Marissa actually decided that she wanted to go back to school & we supported her decision.
• The kids are out for the summer! Just part of what keeps me so busy...
• I chopped off my hair! I love my new look! It's so easy to manage and I can actually blow it out myself now! Major, major big deal for me.
• I've finally decided to star t eating healthy and working out! So I will be blogging about that part of my life.
• And finally, I've decided that this blog will truly just be a place for me to write my whole journey. I'm not trying to give advice or do giveaways... I'm just living my life and sharing my journey. I do welcome feedback and comments though! But I'm changing the focus of the blog to be more about my life than about trying to write and share some knowledge or expertise that I try don't have. I'm just an imperfect mom trying to live in the fullness of Gods grace. I struggle with my identity as a mom, wife, daughter, friend, and Christian and this blog is just a place for me to get it out in words. I pray you will join me in my journey!

 

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