Last week we sat down and looked at our budget. It's been LONG overdue for us to take a few moments and look at where we are at financially. I really hate it! There is something about living in ignorance and spending freely that really appeals to me! However, the end result of that is no good and we know that it is not the way the Lord would want us to live. We believe that every area of our lives needs to come under the lordship of Christ, including our finances. After all, He is the one who gives us everything we have and so we should live within the means He has provided, whether it is a lot or a little. So, debt just can not be an option, I think Scripture affirms that.
My confession is that I haven't even really tried very hard to live within our means the last few months. The result? We've had to "borrow" from our school money, those funds we have set aside for tuition and books for Casey and for the boys for homeschool. Now, that in itself doesn't seem like a bad thing, except that if we continue at the rate we were going, well, that wouldn't be pretty!
So, the July Challenge will be for us to not spend more than what we have. Sounds simple enough, right? Well, I doubt it. I like to shop, but I know I need the discipline to not shop even more. Part of Sundays message from our pastor was about making choices. We have the choice to walk in obedience or not too. So, we are choosing to walk within the means He has given us and trust Him to make up for anything that we might find we are lacking. So, why am a blogging about this? Well, for accountability mostly, but more than that we want to be able to give glory to God for how HE provides for us in every way.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Saturday, June 19, 2010
I survived VBS!
Looking at our apartment right now it is pretty obvious that mom (me) has had a busy week. There is stuff EVERYWHERE!!! So, today we will clean...probably all day! Oh well, the week was totally worth it. I'd rather be teaching a bunch of 1st graders about God's love than home cleaning anyway!
This year I thought I'd be brave (a.k.a. trust God) and volunteer to help wherever I was needed. I did say that I'd prefer the younger ages, and might have mentioned that I loved teaching missions, but other than that I was open. I honestly did not expect Heather (our awesome childrens minister) to say that she still needed a 1st grade teacher! I'd already had a talk with the Lord...Him telling me that I would do whatever I was asked to do...so I knew that I'd say yes, but with some fear and trembling on my part.
After a restless Sunday night I woke up early to go over my lesson again and get myself and then the boys ready to go. We left a few minutes after 8 am and arrived at the church around 8:30 am. And, "SURPRISE," there were already a handful of kids in the classroom! Here I'd thought I was early and would have a few minutes to get everything together. :>) It was a little crazy at first, but by 9 am (our start time) we were right on schedule with 16 first graders. By 9:45 we were on our way to rotations (Music, Crafts, Recreation, Missions) and by 11:35 we were in the home stretch at the W0rship Rally. At 12:30 pm I was heading home. I don't remember anything else from Monday! I think that was true by the time I got home everyday after VBS. I wasn't so much physically exhausted as I was mentally. Phew!
On Tuesday (and the days following) I was ready for my early birds with activities like a word search or coloring thing. Tuesday we had 19 kids and all of them were there for the whole rest of the week. Wednesday evening we had family night. The kids brought their parents by to meet the teachers (and get a ticket for a sno-cone) and then went outside to enjoy the bounce houses and dunk tank. I had some really good conversations and feel like I connected with a few of the families and I'm hoping will come back to visit on Sunday. "J's" family attends a catholic church near their home. His dad brought up that they were from the Philippines and I mentioned that I had spent a summer there (way back). He is from the same area I was in and we talked about that for awhile. It was "J's" first experience at a non-catholic church and they seemed very excited about everything that was going on at VBS. Another family attends one of the much larger churches in the area. They had three boys in VBS, 1st, 2nd and 6th grade. Their 1st grader "S" was great to have in class, but their 2nd grader "T" became Ethan's new bff during the week. On Tuesday Ethan introduced me to "T" and then I noticed that they were always together during the rotations (1st and 2nd combined for the rotations). So, on family night "T" came bouncing through the door to my classroom and said, "Mom, mom, this is Ethan's mom." Apparently "T" had been talking about Ethan as much as Ethan had been talking to me about him.
By Friday the kids were tired, and some a little emotional, but we still had a great day. I was telling the kids how much I'd enjoyed VBS and that we were at our last day when one little boy stood up and walked up to me and hugged me and told me how much he was going to miss me. It was SO sweet. Another girl wrote on her picture frame that we made in class "I love VBS and I love Miss Cathy." It was such a blessing to be their teacher. Sign me up for next year! Oh, and I would like to add that I had some wonderful helpers too! Thank you Jacqueline, Jayne, Katie and Lisa!
So, while we were at VBS all week, Casey finished a paper, had class, a mid-term and then worked. He was able to go to VBS with us on Wednesday and enjoyed a few minutes in the dunk tank at family night. He even forgave me for forgetting his "dunk tank" clothes and went in with jeans and polo on and then had to stay in them for the night! It was only 100 degrees out, so I think that helped too!
Alright...time to clean!
This year I thought I'd be brave (a.k.a. trust God) and volunteer to help wherever I was needed. I did say that I'd prefer the younger ages, and might have mentioned that I loved teaching missions, but other than that I was open. I honestly did not expect Heather (our awesome childrens minister) to say that she still needed a 1st grade teacher! I'd already had a talk with the Lord...Him telling me that I would do whatever I was asked to do...so I knew that I'd say yes, but with some fear and trembling on my part.
After a restless Sunday night I woke up early to go over my lesson again and get myself and then the boys ready to go. We left a few minutes after 8 am and arrived at the church around 8:30 am. And, "SURPRISE," there were already a handful of kids in the classroom! Here I'd thought I was early and would have a few minutes to get everything together. :>) It was a little crazy at first, but by 9 am (our start time) we were right on schedule with 16 first graders. By 9:45 we were on our way to rotations (Music, Crafts, Recreation, Missions) and by 11:35 we were in the home stretch at the W0rship Rally. At 12:30 pm I was heading home. I don't remember anything else from Monday! I think that was true by the time I got home everyday after VBS. I wasn't so much physically exhausted as I was mentally. Phew!
On Tuesday (and the days following) I was ready for my early birds with activities like a word search or coloring thing. Tuesday we had 19 kids and all of them were there for the whole rest of the week. Wednesday evening we had family night. The kids brought their parents by to meet the teachers (and get a ticket for a sno-cone) and then went outside to enjoy the bounce houses and dunk tank. I had some really good conversations and feel like I connected with a few of the families and I'm hoping will come back to visit on Sunday. "J's" family attends a catholic church near their home. His dad brought up that they were from the Philippines and I mentioned that I had spent a summer there (way back). He is from the same area I was in and we talked about that for awhile. It was "J's" first experience at a non-catholic church and they seemed very excited about everything that was going on at VBS. Another family attends one of the much larger churches in the area. They had three boys in VBS, 1st, 2nd and 6th grade. Their 1st grader "S" was great to have in class, but their 2nd grader "T" became Ethan's new bff during the week. On Tuesday Ethan introduced me to "T" and then I noticed that they were always together during the rotations (1st and 2nd combined for the rotations). So, on family night "T" came bouncing through the door to my classroom and said, "Mom, mom, this is Ethan's mom." Apparently "T" had been talking about Ethan as much as Ethan had been talking to me about him.
By Friday the kids were tired, and some a little emotional, but we still had a great day. I was telling the kids how much I'd enjoyed VBS and that we were at our last day when one little boy stood up and walked up to me and hugged me and told me how much he was going to miss me. It was SO sweet. Another girl wrote on her picture frame that we made in class "I love VBS and I love Miss Cathy." It was such a blessing to be their teacher. Sign me up for next year! Oh, and I would like to add that I had some wonderful helpers too! Thank you Jacqueline, Jayne, Katie and Lisa!
So, while we were at VBS all week, Casey finished a paper, had class, a mid-term and then worked. He was able to go to VBS with us on Wednesday and enjoyed a few minutes in the dunk tank at family night. He even forgave me for forgetting his "dunk tank" clothes and went in with jeans and polo on and then had to stay in them for the night! It was only 100 degrees out, so I think that helped too!
Alright...time to clean!
Saturday, June 5, 2010
Lists
Some people love lists. Others, like myself, can do without them. I'll make a list for the grocery store or errands if I have numerous places to go. But for day to day living, I really don't like lists. Not sure why exactly except maybe it's I don't want to be told what to do, even by myself. Or maybe I want to avoid "failing" if I don't accomplish all I've set out to do. Well, for as much as I dislike lists, my sweet Ethan LOVES lists. He likes to know what's coming and the "safety" of a list.
The last two weeks, since we've been mostly done with school, Ethan and Josiah have made a list of the things they want to do that day. It really is the cutest thing. They spend the time together adding what things they want to do and Ethan writes them down. After breakfast they bring the list to me or their dad for approval. We had to start approving the list after video games, movies and all seemed to be added a lot. Now, video games are always listed at the end of the list and are a given "maybe." I took a picture of a couple of their lists and will try to add those later. (We've switched our computer around and don't have all the software installed yet.) Most of the time they do their list together, but occasionally one wants to do one thing and the other something else. For instance, Ethan wanted to make airplanes while Josiah would play the leapster. And, I think it's so funny that they give themselves a nap!
So, here's today's list (as written by Ethan):
Drawing 20 min.
Push ups
Jumping Jacks
Burpies
Crafts
Paper airplanes/Leapster 30 min.
Read 30 min.
Dominoes
Nap 30 min.
Mousetrap
Gilligan's Island 10 episodes
Snack
Video Games
Here's a list from a couple days ago:
Sword fighting
Read on the porch
Action Figures
Dominoes
Rest 30 min.
Drawing 20 min.
Play with stuffed animals 11 min.
Read Bible 20 min.
Snack
Legos 20 min.
Zoob 30 min.
Gilligan's Island
video games
The last two weeks, since we've been mostly done with school, Ethan and Josiah have made a list of the things they want to do that day. It really is the cutest thing. They spend the time together adding what things they want to do and Ethan writes them down. After breakfast they bring the list to me or their dad for approval. We had to start approving the list after video games, movies and all seemed to be added a lot. Now, video games are always listed at the end of the list and are a given "maybe." I took a picture of a couple of their lists and will try to add those later. (We've switched our computer around and don't have all the software installed yet.) Most of the time they do their list together, but occasionally one wants to do one thing and the other something else. For instance, Ethan wanted to make airplanes while Josiah would play the leapster. And, I think it's so funny that they give themselves a nap!
So, here's today's list (as written by Ethan):
Drawing 20 min.
Push ups
Jumping Jacks
Burpies
Crafts
Paper airplanes/Leapster 30 min.
Read 30 min.
Dominoes
Nap 30 min.
Mousetrap
Gilligan's Island 10 episodes
Snack
Video Games
Here's a list from a couple days ago:
Sword fighting
Read on the porch
Action Figures
Dominoes
Rest 30 min.
Drawing 20 min.
Play with stuffed animals 11 min.
Read Bible 20 min.
Snack
Legos 20 min.
Zoob 30 min.
Gilligan's Island
video games
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Memorial weekend and other stuff
Well, here we are in June already!!! We've had a really nice last couple of weeks. I can't remember everything, but we enjoyed the time Casey had off from school. This Memorial weekend we played basketball, went swimming, and just had a fun time together. On Memorial Day we had a cook-out with a bunch of neighbor friends with a Luau theme. It was a lot of fun...but really HOT! The temperatures have been in the 90's all weekend and with the humidity it always feels about 5 degrees hotter than the actual temperature.
Memorial Day always reminds me of my Great-grandma Anne. I spent a lot of time with her growing up and I remember one thing we did every year was go and put flowers on Great-grandpa's grave on Memorial Day. I realized I didn't know much about his family so I thought I'd see what I could find online, if anything. Boy, was I surprised! After a little searching I found a book written in the early 1900's that was a geneology of the Tennant family. Well, I found my grandpa's mom's family there and it went all the way back to 1763! After a little more searching I found a link that had more information on another family and that connected me all the way back to Maximillian Jewett who came to and founded Rowley, MA with his brother in 1639. So, that was a pretty neat find for me.
Casey started his summer class this morning, Systematic Theology. He will have class Tue/Thur mornings from 8-12 through July 2nd. At the end of July he will be going to Hawaii with the chamber chorale and singing and attending the World Baptist Alliance that is being held there. Wish I could go too...another time I guess.
I spent a little time the other day looking at all the city aquatic centers around this area that are a whole lot cheaper than Six flags Hurricane Harbor! I think we will try to visit one each week. Should be lots of fun.
Memorial Day always reminds me of my Great-grandma Anne. I spent a lot of time with her growing up and I remember one thing we did every year was go and put flowers on Great-grandpa's grave on Memorial Day. I realized I didn't know much about his family so I thought I'd see what I could find online, if anything. Boy, was I surprised! After a little searching I found a book written in the early 1900's that was a geneology of the Tennant family. Well, I found my grandpa's mom's family there and it went all the way back to 1763! After a little more searching I found a link that had more information on another family and that connected me all the way back to Maximillian Jewett who came to and founded Rowley, MA with his brother in 1639. So, that was a pretty neat find for me.
Casey started his summer class this morning, Systematic Theology. He will have class Tue/Thur mornings from 8-12 through July 2nd. At the end of July he will be going to Hawaii with the chamber chorale and singing and attending the World Baptist Alliance that is being held there. Wish I could go too...another time I guess.
I spent a little time the other day looking at all the city aquatic centers around this area that are a whole lot cheaper than Six flags Hurricane Harbor! I think we will try to visit one each week. Should be lots of fun.
Thursday, May 20, 2010
He's not a rock star...
Yesterday I was watching a few neighbor kids for their mom while she was packing and finishing up cleaning for their move. Their oldest is a girl who is about 61/2 years old. She was really fascinated with Casey's guitars so I told her she could touch them gently and listen to the strings. She asked why we had so many guitars, a question I have often asked as well. I told her that they all belonged to Casey and that he played. She asked again why they were different and just some more general questions. Next she asked what we did with all those guitars (there were three sitting in stands and another guitar shell without the strings). Josiah had an answer for her which was so funny I wish I had a video recording of it. Here's how it played out:
A: What do you do with all those guitars?
Josiah: Well, my dad plays them. He's not a rock star, but he plays them all.
A: A rock star?
Josiah: No, he's not a rock star kind of player. But, he is a cheer leader.
Me: Daddy's not a rock star?
Josiah: Well, not really a rock star, just the cheer leader kind.
Me: (trying not to laugh to hard) Josiah, what's daddy do?
Josiah: (very seriously) He's a cheer leader.
Me: (laughing hard) Josiah, do you mean a worship leader?
Josiah: Oh yeah, a worship leader. But that's not really a rock star right?
A: What do you do with all those guitars?
Josiah: Well, my dad plays them. He's not a rock star, but he plays them all.
A: A rock star?
Josiah: No, he's not a rock star kind of player. But, he is a cheer leader.
Me: Daddy's not a rock star?
Josiah: Well, not really a rock star, just the cheer leader kind.
Me: (trying not to laugh to hard) Josiah, what's daddy do?
Josiah: (very seriously) He's a cheer leader.
Me: (laughing hard) Josiah, do you mean a worship leader?
Josiah: Oh yeah, a worship leader. But that's not really a rock star right?
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
This is Good...
On Sunday our pastor started a new series based on the book of Ecclesiastes. He challenged us to find three "This is Good" (TIG) moments each day. Far too often we "live" for the weekend or something for the future, rather than looking at the good that God gives us each and every day. It has been a great reminder to stop and thank God through out the day for all of the good things.
Today at breakfast I had several TIG moments when I looked around the breakfast table. First, Ethan has his nose in a book, while he was eating. I love that he loves to read...TIG! Second, all four of us were at the table for breakfast this morning. It doesn't happen to often, so it was another TIG moment. The third, I fixed what my boys requested for breakfast (and what they request every day)...oatmeal! I cooked up the oats on the stove and then added their requested "fixins." Ethan had his with a little raw honey and dates. Josiah chose raw honey and prunes. As we sat there I thought, well at least they start of the day on the right track! My kids love dates and prunes and oatmeal! TIG!
And, Casey is taking his last final today...TIG!
Today at breakfast I had several TIG moments when I looked around the breakfast table. First, Ethan has his nose in a book, while he was eating. I love that he loves to read...TIG! Second, all four of us were at the table for breakfast this morning. It doesn't happen to often, so it was another TIG moment. The third, I fixed what my boys requested for breakfast (and what they request every day)...oatmeal! I cooked up the oats on the stove and then added their requested "fixins." Ethan had his with a little raw honey and dates. Josiah chose raw honey and prunes. As we sat there I thought, well at least they start of the day on the right track! My kids love dates and prunes and oatmeal! TIG!
And, Casey is taking his last final today...TIG!
Saturday, April 24, 2010
When things don't go as planned...
I guess that it is part of life that things will not always go according to our own plans. For instance, right now I am supposed to be at a Beth Moore simulcast event with some ladies from our church. The boys are supposed to be having a fun day with dad, but dad is in bed and Ethan is having an albuterol treatment. So, what in the world is going on?
It started Thursday. Ethan has been fighting a little cold and started wheezing pretty bad in the afternoon. Thankfully, we were able to get him into the campus physician before they closed and got a prescription for what he needed (albuterol). Our plan was to go to the concert at the seminary that Casey was singing in, but the boys and I stayed home instead.
On Friday, Josiah was a little bit stuffy sounding, but Ethan was doing lots better. I was starting to feel the cold coming on too with a sore throat and runny nose too. But, I had Saturday to look forward to...Beth Moore simulcast...but more exciting, a day away from being mom. So, I thought lots of rest (ie. give the housekeeper the day off) and fluids would do the trick and I wouldn't have to miss a thing. Casey had a concert in north Dallas area following the long day of classes and work. So, I got the kids to bed early and headed that way myself around 9:30 pm, still looking forward to my Saturday. Casey called at 10:30ish to let me know that they were just leaving and would be home in about an hour. That's when it all went CRAZY! I got off the phone with Casey and was heading back to bed when I heard this loud barking sound coming from the boys room. Josiah was having trouble breathing and was just struggling for every breath following the awful cough. He was panicking...I was panicking...his lips were turning purple. It was scary! I brought him down stairs and tried to get him to relax, but it continued. I called my neighbor (she's a nurse) and asked if I should give him albuterol. They were on their way home, but she said yes. The treatment helped a lot...mostly to calm him down I think. He relaxed and was feeling better. Casey got home around 11:45 and we took Josiah to the ER, Ethan went next door with our neighbors.
So, we reach the ER around midnight...we leave the ER at 5:30 am. Yes, 5 1/2 hours at the ER. We spent 2 1/2 hours in the waiting area and the other 3 hours in the hospital room. Josiah was so much better that it seemed like a waste of time, but it had scared me so much that it was good to have him checked. Turns out he had a case of croupe. They gave him some steriods and sent us on our way. Oh, did I mention the copay was $150? Yikes!
So, we got home, got Ethan and Josiah to bed and by 6 am I was finally in bed for the night. I woke up in time that I could have made it to the event today (started at 9), but I feel pretty miserable now. The cold that I was fighting might be winning the battle.
The good news? Josiah woke up feeling great, so did Ethan; we have great friends and neighbors here at Seminary; I get more rest today; the housekeeper (in case your wondering, that's me) gets another sick day today; because Ethan had some wheezing on Thursday, Josiah had some medicine that helped him when we needed it on Friday; the sun is shining; I know my God sees me and knows me and He will provide what I need.
It started Thursday. Ethan has been fighting a little cold and started wheezing pretty bad in the afternoon. Thankfully, we were able to get him into the campus physician before they closed and got a prescription for what he needed (albuterol). Our plan was to go to the concert at the seminary that Casey was singing in, but the boys and I stayed home instead.
On Friday, Josiah was a little bit stuffy sounding, but Ethan was doing lots better. I was starting to feel the cold coming on too with a sore throat and runny nose too. But, I had Saturday to look forward to...Beth Moore simulcast...but more exciting, a day away from being mom. So, I thought lots of rest (ie. give the housekeeper the day off) and fluids would do the trick and I wouldn't have to miss a thing. Casey had a concert in north Dallas area following the long day of classes and work. So, I got the kids to bed early and headed that way myself around 9:30 pm, still looking forward to my Saturday. Casey called at 10:30ish to let me know that they were just leaving and would be home in about an hour. That's when it all went CRAZY! I got off the phone with Casey and was heading back to bed when I heard this loud barking sound coming from the boys room. Josiah was having trouble breathing and was just struggling for every breath following the awful cough. He was panicking...I was panicking...his lips were turning purple. It was scary! I brought him down stairs and tried to get him to relax, but it continued. I called my neighbor (she's a nurse) and asked if I should give him albuterol. They were on their way home, but she said yes. The treatment helped a lot...mostly to calm him down I think. He relaxed and was feeling better. Casey got home around 11:45 and we took Josiah to the ER, Ethan went next door with our neighbors.
So, we reach the ER around midnight...we leave the ER at 5:30 am. Yes, 5 1/2 hours at the ER. We spent 2 1/2 hours in the waiting area and the other 3 hours in the hospital room. Josiah was so much better that it seemed like a waste of time, but it had scared me so much that it was good to have him checked. Turns out he had a case of croupe. They gave him some steriods and sent us on our way. Oh, did I mention the copay was $150? Yikes!
So, we got home, got Ethan and Josiah to bed and by 6 am I was finally in bed for the night. I woke up in time that I could have made it to the event today (started at 9), but I feel pretty miserable now. The cold that I was fighting might be winning the battle.
The good news? Josiah woke up feeling great, so did Ethan; we have great friends and neighbors here at Seminary; I get more rest today; the housekeeper (in case your wondering, that's me) gets another sick day today; because Ethan had some wheezing on Thursday, Josiah had some medicine that helped him when we needed it on Friday; the sun is shining; I know my God sees me and knows me and He will provide what I need.
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