Catching Up (pt.1)

There have been much happening yet little time to post. This will be the first of two posts dedicated to catching up!

My hair was cut a few weeks ago and I l.o.v.e it. I love the way it goes curly and I love the way it goes straight. Here are photos of the way it looks as I walk out the door at day's start, and when I walk back through the door at day's end. Oh, and it's EASY to fix. That's one of the best things, right? Cute and easy....the best!

Going out.




Coming home.




I was given a week-end reprieve, not last week-end but the one before.

My dear friend, Ginger, organized some of her friends and the place we were going and the meals and shopped..... THANKS GINGER!!!I knew two of the other four ladies going but the common thread: we all needed a break, we are all wives, we mother 4 kids. So between the 5 ladies......you got it, 20 kids (there were only two nursing babies there though). She explained the local as a cabin and the picture that came to mind was the little beach cabin my family used to use when I was young. Small, nice but not glam. No biggie!!! We can have a awesome time hangin' in a small, nice cabin. But as Anna and I pulled into the drive.....whamo! we were shocked to find a mansion. It wasn't a super big deal but it was a nice perk!

We had a great time of encouragement, problem solving and prayer. Ahhhhh. We also hiked to a water fall. Beautiful fall scenery.

I will also tell, in a later post, how Ginger saved my life the last day. Really, truly.

I was super tired when I got home (I stayed up past midnight both nights.....I usually get to bed by 9) but this was greeting me as I stepped through the door.




inside

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It's nice to get away, but it's also nice to come back home.
Thanks, Babe, for this get-a-way treat!

May God Have Mercy On Us

I've been convicted. May God have mercy on a nation that will allow harm to innocent lives. May God help us.
Lord I'm sorry for not being more involved, but being a pew warmer. Forgive me and this nation I pray.

Need to know what I'm referring to? Visit Randy Alcorn's blog.

Choose life, not death.

To me, $20 a day seems like alot.

So, I went grocery shopping today. When I get to the check out I always hope and cross my fingers that I stayed under budget. Sometimes I do.....some times I don't. Today was a, Katy-didn't-quite-make-it, kind of trip. I went over budget by $11 and change. UGGGG! I HATE going over budget. Even if it's by a tiny bit.
While we were consuming our gourmet dinner (pot pies...can't beat $.58!) Ben averaged our daily food cost.
Now, to be well understood, I'm going to attempt to explain.

I go to Winco and Spicer Brothers Produce twice a month and I go to Costco once a month (I hardly ever use coupons.....like.....once a year hardly). We averaged out our dates and impromptu dinners to Wendy's and our total grocery bill for the month is.......$600($20 per day....for all three meals). (That includes all our house hold stuff....soaps, sponges.....etc.) Most times I do keep it to about $550, but there are those times when we are out of EVERYTHING!
To encourage myself (I think that $600 is alot to spend) I went to the USDA site and gathered some info. (You can too....here.) For the size and ages of our family we could be spending more.

We could be spending: $810.70 (what they considered thrifty) or $1,058 (low-budget) or $1,314.40 (moderate) and lastly $1,582.70 (liberal). That made me feel better. I didn't feel better that others spent more, just that we were doing well. And all without coupons =D (That's me smiling.)

I'll leave you with a little humor. Es was finishing up a job and chatting with both Ben and I when she jokingly exclaimed "You should know that! You've lived longer than I have!" Mmmmm. If only it were true!

Take a Step Back....

and sigh.

Watch those you love. Laugh. Listen. Drive without the radio/c-d/satellite/t.v. on. Dance in the rain. Kiss your Honey. Read that story. Play that game. Stay in instead of run around like a chicken with your head cut off. (They really do run around without their heads!)Eat chocolate (which, by the way, I've not eaten for *ahem* 13 days....boo-hoo!) . Cry. Be there for someone. Wear that swim suite even if you think you look horrible. (More than likely your the only one who thinks that.) Sing. Swear (when appropriate and while holding the kids' ears! =). Make someones day. Smile. Hug. LIVE.

These past few days have been a blur. So busy. I LOVE down time. But even when busy......think positive. Think honor and grace.

I've changed my morning routine. I've been trying to listen for God when I'm having devotions in the a.m. How often do we ask of Him or even thank him. Still, at best, even thanking and asking is a one sided conversation. LISTEN. It will change you. It did me in just two days.

Take time out and really live. How often are we running and not really thinking or loving those around us? Too much, at least as far as I can see in my own life.

Stop. Think. LIVE.

That's my Girl!

She was the last one to present. And she did AWESOME!

She held the mic and everything (some kids were too shy to).

We are so proud of you Sis. You worked hard on this project.

No matter what grade your teacher gives you......you got

100% and an A+ from us! We love you.

_

Her poster on Sacagaweah.

Honest

We have had a busy week.....er.....month......um.......past five years!!! But this past week was a whirlwind.

1) Es has a HUGE project and presentation due THIS Thursday she's been busy with (correction.....we've been busy with). 2) All the boys had homework (that I forgot about *grrrrrr*) that they finished either at school or quickly at home this a.m. 3) We had a get together with Mom Lewis, Jenesa, Hannah and H.'s friend Joe (FUN!) 4) All the regular stuff that goes with 4 kids and our life!

One great memory of mine this week (I did have another to share but I've since forgotten):
I was eating lunch with the kids on Friday (I think) and Joey (6) choked on his juice. I said "Hold you hands up Buddy." (For those who don't know, patting the choking persons back is no longer thought to help. Instead the very intelligent people suggest lifting the hands up....why? I'm not really sure why). He does and while hacking and wheezing he says "I know *cough-cough* why I should *wheeze-sputter* hold up my hands. So God can reach them."

There won't be moment's like this forever.......savor each one.