My Birthday Present

My dearest surprised me today.  It's a 1981 Schwinn World Tourist.  And it's mine!  Thank you to my wonderful husband!

Poor Richard's Almanac

Gentle Reader,

I've been doing a little searching and thought you might enjoy some of these proverbs from Poor Richard's Almanac, written by Benjamin Franklin.  Amazes me how many I have heard growing up and did not know that he was the author.  The following are some that spoke to my heart. 

None preaches better than the ant, and she says nothing.

He that speaks much, is much mistaken.

God heals, and the Doctor takes the Fees.

If you desire many things, many things will seem but a few.

Do good to thy Friend to keep him, to thy enemy to gain him.


Well done is better than well said.

I never saw an oft-transplanted tree,
Nor yet an oft-removed family,
That throve so well as those that settled be.

If you wou’d not be forgotten
As soon as you are dead and rotten,
Either write things worth reading,
or do things worth the writing.

Keep your eyes wide open before marriage, half shut afterwards.





If you should enjoy reading more, click here. 

How to Survive on One Income

The amusing answer would be to make sure that one income is really BIG!  However, for most of us surviving on one income, the real world doesn't work like that.

When we jumped off the two income bandwagon, we had no clue how to manage money, even with one of us being a CPA.  Looking back, we would have been so much better off if we started living as if we had one income from the start before kids.

We made some errors along the way, too. We thought we could get the bigger house, nicer van, weekly trips to stuff mart, a yearly trip away too.  All that led up to was being in deep debt.  Four years later, all that debt is paid for.  It was the hard way that has taught us a thing or two!

I am happy to be debt free, but at the same time it is no picnic.  Without sounding like too much of a complainer, I am always feeling as if I need something that I can't have.  I feel poor.  I know this is not a true fact.  I am certainly blessed.  We have two vehicles in working order. We are healthy.  We have food in the pantry.  We still take trips, but ones we can save for.  I must combat those lies with truth at all times.

My wise husband always says it is not how much money you make, but how much you spend.  (Maybe he got that from Dave Ramsey?)  Keeping our spending in line is a full time effort.  I make lists of things I think we need and try to prioritize them.  I pray over these lists.  Sometimes it takes a long time to mark an item off.  Recently we were able to buy tires, a battery and brake pads for the van.  The next biggest item on my list is dental care for the whole family.  My prescription sunglasses broke on our anniversary trip.  I need clothes!  The kids need clothes and will need shoes soon.  And Christmas is coming.  I dread Christmas.

So, how does one survive on one humble income?  It takes prayer, sacrifice and a hatred of debt!  It takes courage, too.  Lots of courage!

16 Years Ago

Tomorrow marks the 16th anniversary of the start of our family.  Looking back, I'd certainly do a few things different right from the start, but since we cannot go back, I will accept the grace I have received and go forward.  We are so blessed to be together, united and determined to grow a family for the LORD.  This is a battle, raising a family.  I am so thankful that we do not do this on our own strength.  It would be impossible! 

Lovely, Just Lovely

Do you keep photos stored on your computer, photos that speak to you and are kept for no other reason? I do. 

There is something stirred deep within when I see the above picture.  I wish to be part of their world.  Do I want to be the reader or the painter?  My first thought is,"I am not good enough to be the painter."  Ah, I, but want to be the painter.

I love this picture, too.  I want to be that mother.  I want my children to enjoy time outdoors with me. They appear to be in no hurry and seem to be enjoying a quiet moment together in a beautiful spot.  No one seems to be arguing or wanting to rush off to the next thing. 

Here I am again, the mom.  This time my well-behaved, happy children and I are enjoying a tea party outdoors.  See the boat in the background?  It's the one we use to get to this private picnic spot.  Perhaps, I need to jump on this idea.  My real children are growing up so quickly.  They won't want to have a tea party outdoors for long.

Thanks for stopping by and reading this silly little post!  Perhaps it will inspire you to slow down, look at a picture and dream?

Birthday Wishes

Today is my daddy's birthday!  Even though he lives far away in sunny California, we talk almost everyday, so it doesn't seem so far away.

I wish you a very happy day, my dear father!
Love,
Jenn

Thoughts on Homemaking vs. Housekeeping

"If I live in a house of spotless beauty with everything in its place, but I have not love, I am a housekeeper - not a homemaker."  
from 1 Corinthians 13 for Mothers
adapted by Jim Fowler

Just reading the above quotes sets up a tension in my soul.  What I wouldn't give somedays for a spotless house!!  It all boils down to love, doesn't it?  God looks at the intentions of our hearts.  I struggle to have love be my main motivation for wanting a tidy house.  I have 3 kids.  They are home all day, every day.  They make messes.  I've dealt with this for 12 plus years.  I desire to have a home that doesn't embarrass me if someone dropped by.  No one ever does, but, what if they did?  They would see life happening all around, piles of it.  And that's really OK.  Because if I tried to have a spotless home with everything in its place, I would go crazy, probably scream a lot and basically make my family miserable.  Not to say that order is not a good goal.  It is a very worthy one.  But, there is a balance to achieve.  The balance is internal in my case.  I must love my family enough to allow them freedoms in their own home and I must love them enough to give them an orderly place in which to grow and learn.  Oh LORD, give me wisdom and strength to do this well!