Aug. 6, 2008 - Okay, don't do this

Today I went to get gas in the car for my husband at 4:30 a.m.  I went so early because he leaves for work really early.  Well, today I happen to have a whole lot on my mind.  So, I figure I can put $12 of gas in the car to get my husband through until payday on Friday, then I'll have to get gas again.  Well, I'm standing there and pumping the gas and my mind wanders.  I awaken out of a daze and discover that I put in almost $26 worth of gas!  Uh-oh.  I come home and because money stuff totally stresses my husband out, I don't say anything about it.  Then I get on the computer and transfer over the money I have in another account to the one account.  Unfortunately it still isn't enough, so I will be running over to the bank today and depositing all the collected change from my purse to cover it, lol.

So, my advice to anyone getting up early in the a.m. to pump gas with limited funds?  Don't take your mind or eye off that pump!  If you do, then you too may get to do some humbling things, like deposit $2 in change to cover the difference.

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Aug. 3, 2008 - Today is an overtime day :)

When you are a mother, you have certain days of the year that are mandatory overtime.  Such as when the children are sick or you have to go to the ER with one of them.  Other mandatory overtime days are holidays and birthdays.  Oh, and anytime your family goes on a vacation, that is overtime too.

We all know that mothers work 24/7, but on these certain days all mothers have to step it up a notch.  We have to accomplish all of our regular things, but also have a whole extra list of things to add on.  These are our overtime days.  And we generally get paid well for our overtime days.  We get to see smiles and joy abound from all of our extra labors.

Now, I think that is well worth falling into bed twice as tired as normal.  My second daughter has a birthday today and I am determined that even without tons of money and a huge fancy party she will have happy memories.  I am going to embrace this overtime day....exhaustion and all....for the joyful memories she can cherish forever.

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Jul. 23, 2008 - Just cruising around and having fun...

Looking at cloth diaper sites, lol!  I was having so much fun looking at all the cute diapers.  You know the ones I'm talking about.  The adorable dipes that you won't buy because baby will grow out of it so quickly, lol.

Well, I just saw the CUTEST diaper ever for a tiny baby girl.  Here is a pic so you can ooh and ahh over it with me:

 

Now don't you agree that is the MOST cheerful diaper you have ever seen.  Makes you completely forget what you are using it for, lol!

Now, I won't be buying this little diaper gem, because as I said baby will grow out of it quickly.  And to spend money on something purely for it's cuteness is just not an option right now.  But it sure is fun to look

 

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Jul. 16, 2008 - Enter to win a Bum Genius Starter Kit!

I saw this here:

er-contest.html">Win a Bum Genius 3.0 Starter Kit from Nature's Child - Wholesome Goods for Mothers and Babies  and I thought that I would share it with you.

I'm not sure about the site, I only went to the contest page.  So please don't think I'm endorsing all that is on this website.

A contest is always fun though :)

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Jul. 8, 2008 - We had the 20 week ultrasound!

And it's a GIRL!  So all this time when I have felt that it's a boy, I must have been wrong.  I'm still a little bewildered though.  The doctor says she is 90% sure.  And as I'm learning with this doctor, she doesn't give 100% so 90% is as close as I'm going to get, lol.

So, now to buy cute girlie clothes for her.  I did buy some pink infant gowns yesterday at Target, and two 6 month baby rompers at the thrift store. 

Which brings me to my current dissappoint in our thrift stores in my area.  The times I have gone, which isn't all that often because it's a drive to get there, but when I have gone, there isn't a whole lot of great stuff.  Lots of worn out or broken things.  Some okay things, priced similarly to what I could buy it new on sale, and occassional good things for a good price.  I mean, worn out baby rompers and gowns for $3-$4 each?  What is up with that?  I can buy a package of two brand new ones for $8-$9, so why would I spend only slightly less to get worn out ones?  My daughter and I looked through every girl infant item they had to try to find good things.  But most just wasn't worth it, as you can tell by the fact that we only bought two.

It used to be that every time I went to a thrift store I found all kinds of great stuff.  Especially for infants/toddlers.  I mean there used to be good quality used baby gear, now you find only broken down stuff that is dangerous to use.  And clothes......all of my other children were dressed with thrift store clothing from infancy to the point where the clothes are just too worn.  You know the ages that happens, I'm sure.  But for this little one, I think most of her clothes will be new only because the quality isn't there any more at the thrift stores.  At least not on the days I can get there.

Well, I better get some chores done before my crew wakes up.  Have a wonderful day :)

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Jul. 6, 2008 - I ordered some diapers!

I have been researching and researching cloth diapers.  I've had lots of fun looking at all the fancy diapers, and then coming back to reality when looking at my budget.  Which is not much.  I was able to do some creative financing, and I finally made a decision and ordered what will be the bulk of my diaper stash for the first 4-6 months.  Then I will need to upsize.

I ended up ordering:

• The newborn package in unbleached with upgraded covers.  Not fancy colored covers, just the BSWW in white
• A dozen unbleached infant indian prefolds, to give me 3 dozen.
• 2 Bummis Super White covers, to try to see which I like best.  That gives me 7 covers in size small.

A Momys friend blessed me with two nb prorap diaper covers so now I will have 9 covers to work with.  That will be my main diaper stash for this baby for the first months.  I will be trying to order 3-6 BumGenius One-Size diapers for night time diapering and for trips into town for the doctor etc.  For wipes I am buying the 4-pk of baby washcloths at Walmart that cost .97 each.  My goal is to have 4 dozen which should be enough to completely diaper this baby for the years needed.  I also would like a wet bag for the diaper bag, and a nice washable changing pad.  I'm rolling around ideas about making my own changing pad, but haven't settled on whether or not I will.

There are some extra things that I would love to have, but they are along the lines of a wish list.  Not the type of thing I am going to stress about getting.  Here would be my wish list:

• Cotton Babies One-Size Inserts  I would like to have a dozen of these.  But at $2.99 each, that would be $30.  Not a high priority with Christmas coming just around the corner.
• Diaper Sprayer   This would be so nice for cleaning those messy diapers.  But once again at $40 this is not a high priority.
• Wipes warmer with replacement pillows  This is totally a luxury.  One I've never used before with my other 6 children, but one I've secretly always wanted to try, lol.

That is pretty much my cloth-diapering wish list.  Now if I was really dreaming big, I would order 36 BumGenius One-Size diapers to go from 8-35 pounds.  But ummmm, $600 is just out of my price range currently  But if I were to dream big, that is how I would do it.

Now, having ordered from Little-Lions and not heard a singe thing from them, even though I sent an e-mail, I'm a little concerned.  But when I get my order, I will let you all know what I think of the quality of the diapers and the quality of the service there.  The prices were excellent, I really shopped around comparing prices in shopping carts for what I wanted and they were the cheapest.  There is one other place to get cloth dipes cheaper.  But after looking at them, and seeing they were 2-3-2 I felt I would have to double them up and I didn't feel the durability was that good.  So I opted to spend a little more on what I bought.  And having used Dappi cloth diapers in the past, I knew they would wear faster.  But if your budget is stricter than mine this is a cheaper place to buy dipes.  The Dappi nylon pants are excellent!  The covers are awful.

So, I spent $114.70 so far on my diapers.  I will spend another $10 on wipes and another $50-$100 on BumGenius, but those will last for the remainder of my cloth diapering.  So I will have spent about $175-$225 on cloth diapers before baby is born.  Assuming I can come up with the money for the BumGenius diapers, lol.  I will need to spend more next year, but even if I end up spending $500 total for cloth diapering this baby, that is still far less than using disposable diapers for the duration of baby's diapering days.  So, I feel pretty good.  And cloth diapering is so rewarding to me.  I love not having to worry about how many diapers I have or if I need to run to the store.  It's freedom.

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Jun. 27, 2008 - Doesn't it feel good

Doesn't it feel good to get the bills paid?  Over the past few months as I've been so sick, I limped along as far as the bills were concerned.  I didn't have the energy to think and because I wasn't cooking, I couldn't afford to pay everything because the grocery budget was way out of control.  It was miserable. 

But today, I paid the bills before the children woke up and sorted through a couple months worth of mail.  I got to toss a lot which eased my stress of the unknown, lol.  Then I went through everything and paid everything up to date.  Well everything except my natural gas bill, I don't have a bill for that.  I'm hoping that's a good thing as I paid two months worth last month, lol.  So next month I have only one more payment to the hospital for my ER visit and that is all paid. 

It is such a wonderful feeling to know that nothing is going to be shut off.  And doing what's right and being faithful in paying things as they are due feels so good.  Even if afterwards you wonder how you can survive on what's left in the bank  I will have to come up with 61 dollars for my doctor visit on the 7th of July to cover my payment and ultrasound copay.  But with my change jar and some checks I earned for taking surveys I think I can cover that, and buy groceries, lol.

And knowing that my Father in heaven is taking care of my family, I know I don't have to worry.  We will be abundantly provided for.

So, I'm feeling pretty good that my bills are paid and I'm finally caught up.  Whew, it was a long time coming, and I don't want to get behind again......ever.

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Jun. 25, 2008 - Diapers, diapers, diapers

With my new little one coming, I have been considering diapers.  I haven't had to do diapers in a couple years now except for pull-ups at night.  And soon, I will be sewing some cloth bed-wetter pants, so I won't have to do those. 

But in preparation I'm considering cloth or disposable for this baby.  For my others I used cloth, but I don't have any cloth diapers left.  So, that means either squeezing out money from my already stressed grocery budget for disposable diapers.  Or buying cloth diapers again.  And  buying cloth dipes again opens up a whole new world of decisions.

There are some really cool cloth diapers out now days.  Of course most of the super cool dipes are out of my price range, lol.  I would love a stash of BumGenius dipes....but, well.....if you have looked at the price you can understand why that probably won't happen.  So, I think I have settled on trying to squeeze out money for 3-6 BumGenius dipes, and then buying just pre-folds or flats and covers for the rest.  I'm leaning towards prefolds right now because there are some really great diaper packages out there that make ordering really simple for me.  As long as I can come up with the money, lol.

So, that means that I need to save dollars as well as cents.  I have been saving up my coins in a jar for a baby swing, and I'm up to $65 now.  I think that's pretty good.  I'm going to have to save a bit more than that though for the diapers.  I'm now considering if I really want/need a baby swing.  Maybe the money I have saved should go towards diapers.  I mean how long do you really use a swing anyway?  Only a few months.  I'm pretty sure I can find a used bouncy seat at a thrift store between now and baby's coming, and I think a bouncy seat with many siblings to amuse baby will work just as well as a swing.

Planning for baby on a shoestring is a bit challenging, but I honestly think more rewarding than just buying anything and everything you want for baby and not using half of it.  I would much rather really evaluate each purchase to ensure that it is something I will really use.

Well, I'm still groggy, so I'm going to catch a few winks before my sweeties awaken.

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Jun. 2, 2008 - Today will be fun

Today my oldest and my youngest need to go to the pediatrician to have check-ups.  And I need to get my bloodwork done.  We also need to make a Costco stop.  It will be fun, just the 3 of us.  We will also make some stops at a couple thrift stores and a stop at my sisters house.

Going shopping at a thrift store is always an adventure, lol.  I would like to find an Ergo baby carrier at a thrift store, but I know that is a loooooong shot.  My youngest wants a new teddy bear and who knows what my oldest wants, lol.

I hope that you have a wonderful day today doing whatever the Lord has you doing.

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May. 27, 2008 - Life

Life is certainly busy.  Here we have just gotten back from a trip to Six Flag's Discovery Kingdom, which was fun, and exhausting for this out of shape pregnant lady, lol.  The children all had lots of fun and so did I. 

After we got back, we had a 20 yard dumpster delivered to clean out the garage and back yard.  And the inside of the house.  Hubby and kids quickly cleaned the outside and garage and now I am slowly sorting things inside to get rid of.  It is really wonderful to just declutter and get rid of junk.  Our wooden swingset that was 12 years old had cracked and collapsed, so we had to junk that and many other things. 

Now, I want to get a small area fenced separate from the rest of the yard for doggie to do his business.  Instead of finding gifts scattered everywhere, ewwww.  My boys and I can do that on our own.

I just love having older boys.  Things that I can't do, my boys can and it's wonderful, they are a big help.

Well, it's 6 a.m. here and the laundry is going and the dishwasher is busily scrubbing away.  The family is all still asleep and since for once I feel rested, I will enjoy my quiet time now.

I hope each of you get to have some peaceful quiet time too.

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May. 18, 2008 - I finished...

My first baby blanket for this baby.  It's very cute.  Small, just the right size for a newborn.  And I also made some cute baby caps today.  So baby's head will be nice and cozy.  I'm really enjoying the preparation for this precious blessing.

Tomorrow I get to go to the doctor and make sure that baby is fine.  I am looking forward to that.  I have been a bit anxious about this baby, so the reassurance will be good.  I try to just trust the Lord, but at times it is hard to not worry that I won't get to hold this sweet baby in my arms and nurse him or her.

Well, I need to be off to spend some time with my husband.  Since I am so sleepy lately, the poor man is getting lonely.

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Feb. 10, 2008 - Yipee! The Laundry is on the line

Yesterday I found an outdoor clothesline locally.  I was so excited, and it was only $52.  Not sure how sturdy it is in the long run, but it works great right now.  It's a colapsible one, that spins, so I can stand pretty much in one spot.  We also found a retractable single line, which we installed to hold blankets and sheets when needed.  I felt like a kid at Christmas yesterday when we had finished installing both lines, lol.  After we got them installed, I started a load of laundry and guess what?  The washer wasn't working.  I had to laugh because I really wanted the clotheslines so that I wouldn't have to go to the laundromat because I don't like to talk to folks while folding unmentionables.  And here my washer broke so I'd have to.  God has a sense of humor eh?  But He also has much grace.  He brought back to my memory a time when the repair man came out for this same error code, and I remembered what he did.   So, I did what the repairman did, and my washer is happily washing a load of laundry now.  God is good.  The washer does have a tiny leak in the door, but that isn't urgent yet.  I'd like to save a bit of money specifically for a new washer before buying one. 

Because I ran out of laundry detergent last week, and couldn't afford to buy more we are once again behind on the wash.  But I only have about 5 loads this time, so I should be able to get caught up today.  Well as caught up as you can get with Mount Never-rest.

As far as crafting goes, I have been making face scrubbies for my family that work wonderfully.  I'm going to make each member of our family a different color so it's easy to keep track of whose is whose.  And I bought some inexpensive yarn, and some super cheap double pointed knitting needles and when I watch my Mom's house in a couple weeks, I plan to try to learn to make socks.

Well, that is a slightly boring update of what's up in my world these past few days.

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Jan. 28, 2008 - Update on dryer situation

The Lord was faithful, and He gave me creative ways to make drying space for the laundry.  I took and old decorative accordian room screen that we had, and removed the panels.  I stood it up, and now I have a place to hang clothes.  I also found an old wooden doorway baby gate, that we no longer use.  I placed it over two tv tables and I have more indoor clothes drying space.

At night, nothing dries.  But during the day things get almost dry.  So I figure that if I get my wash done early and hang it early, than the next day it will be dry and I can hang my next loads.

Dh and I talked.  We have decided that we will replace the dryer along with the washer that has another leak, sometime this year.  But probably not until July-ish.  They are both old for a bigger than average family, and the washer we have repaired a many times.

So, it's working out without a dryer right now.  And I will save a bit of electricity which is good right now, as dh has been missing about 10 hours at work a week lately.

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Jan. 27, 2008 - A call for prayer

Yesterday my dryer broke.  It's cold, I have about 10 loads of laundry to wash including dh's work clothes that he needs tomorrow.  I hung some outside yesterday afternoon, and now it's raining on them, lol.  The clothes I hung inside yesterday afternoon still aren't dry.  We have less than $100 to get us through 2 weeks until dh is paid again, in which case we will be broke again because we have to pay the mortgage and dh has been missing work because there isn't enough work.  So, I'm saying I can't buy any indoor clothes dryers to put over the heating vents.  I can't afford to go to the laundromat to dry because it's $2 a load there.  We can't fix it right now.  I don't have any movable objects like chairs that I can use to put over the heating vents.  I have a bunch of hangers that scrounged around the house, enough for one load of laundry, and a shower curtain rod and doorways.  After 12-16 hours my laundry is still wet.

My computer screensaver is a scrolling marquee that says, "Trust Jesus ALWAYS".  I am trying to remember that.  If you all could pray that I could once again have that peace that I had yesterday, I would really appreciate it, lol.

This is a wonderful test for me.  And a great oppurtunity to see the Lord work miracles, lol.

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Jan. 26, 2008 - Bundled in Prayer

Christina over at Bundled in Prayer gave me a reason to blog today, lol.  She makes beautiful afghans and shawls.  I don't have one, but from the pictures, they are quite lovely.  She is currently having a contest that ends on January 31st.  You can nominate someone that you feel is deserving to win one of her beautiful creations.

I think it's a wonderful thing she is doing.  So, pop on over, check out her blog and join the contest.  Or buy one her items as a gift, or just for yourself

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Jan. 19, 2008 - Fiddling again

Today I have been fiddling with my blog again.  I made some small changes.  I moved the Christmas countdown banner to the bottom.  And I changed the color of my music player and I changed it so it doesn't auto-start.  Now you can choose to listen to music or not.  I know that sometimes clicking onto a webpage and hearing music is irritating.  Maybe the children are alseep and you don't want to wake them.  Maybe you don't like the music etc.  So now you have a choice of listening or not.   I hope that makes visiting my blog more pleasant.

If anyone has any suggestions for music for me to add to my player I will be happy to listen to the song and see if it is available to add.  Providing of course that I like the suggestion, lol.  And please, only Christian music.

Well, I have played on the computer long enough for today.  I had better go and play house for a while

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Jan. 18, 2008 - Life is full

Last night I went to a nice hotel with my sister.  She wanted to get away for a night, but she needed a "babysitter" because she has such health issues.  It was really nice.  It was so nice to have quiet, but a little weird too, lol.

I ordered and recieved the books One Skein Wonders and Designer One Skein Wonders.  I have spent a couple weeks looking through them, and I just started a project from them last night.  It is a very pretty scarf.  I am making it for my grandmother, as it is her birthday next week.  It is working up really quickly and coming out very nicely.  I am trying my hand at converting the pattern to a knifty knitter loom also.  My daughter wanted one in pink, so I thought I would see how the pattern translates to a loom.  I will post pictures when I finish them.

Lots of things have been going on in my heart lately.  The Lord is really working in me.  It's really good, although at times painful.  The more I learn the more I realize how much more growth I need in my life.

Life is busy and exhausting, messy and full of work, happy and sad, and wonderful.  Life is full.  Right this minute, I am feeling very blessed and thankful for all that I have been given.

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Jan. 10, 2008 - Yay!

I just got the new issue of Teach magazine!  Yay!  I am so excited to read it.  It looks wonderful!  Now, all I need is the get the children to bed early so I can have a nice quiet bath my it, lol.

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Dec. 16, 2007 - The prayers of saints....

Yesterday morning, I broke the pinky toe of my right foot.  Miserable, painful, not life threatening.  Except that I still had to paint my living room and I still have to clean my house for a party on Saturday, including polishing my wood floors with a high gloss floor finish, and getting the front yard in order.  So, I did what any other believer would do, I called in some prayer warriors.  I am so thankful for the prayers of the saints.  Thank you Momys weight-loss group!  I was able to get my living room completely painted and primed, do some laundry, and prepare meals these past two days.  Considering the pain, I am rejoicing and thanking the Lord for strengthening me in my weakness.  I did have a bit of help from my 13 year old son, but decided to go it alone today after his tennis shoe ended up in the paint container yesterday.  Now, the rest of the week I have at least 20-25 loads of laundry to do, the floors to polish and the main living areas to be deep cleaned.  But having accomplished so much yesterday and today, even with a "handicap" I am trusting that the Lord will help me through the rest of the chores. 

Now, I'm sure you are wondering if/why my children aren't helping.  Well, I struggle with being a control nut, but my children have been helping.  Keeping things picked up, cleaning under furniture, loading/unloading the dishwasher, taking out the trash.....you know the basics.  My girls put away the laundry that I folded tonight so I wouldn't have to walk back and forth doing it.  They have been helping a whole lot.  But there is still lots to do, and I am pretty slow in asking/directing help.  I need to grow there.

Being exhausted from hobbling around today, I need to go and get some sleep.  Night everyone

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Dec. 10, 2007 - Let's pray

This past week some horrible things have happened.  A shooting in a mall by a young man obviously in serious pain himself, living a decieved life.  And yesterday two shootings in CO at a megachurch and at a YWAM training center.  My heart just aches for those affected by this.  Please just pray with me for the families of those killed and injured, and for those who witnessed these acts.  Also, pray for the families of the men that were left behind to deal with the aftermath of this.  And please pray for our country.

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