Family and Friends

There really is something special about people with whom you share a history. We spent a busy weekend with dear friends of many years, and it was very special. We were all here. All the kids who aren't really kids anymore, all the new littles and even the new significant others, one husband and one soon to be wife. And Joe. You can't forget Joe, because Joe has been a part of our gatherings since the beginning. What a joy to have friends who are really family. People who know you and honestly love you. People who can get in the fridge and help themselves and who you can ask to go out to the garage fridge for the chicken or salad and they just do it. Family. Family is the dearest word and sweetest feeling. God is good!

I love these little sweeties

Yesterday, I kept the little sweeties for a few hours. I was very nervous about having Natalie, as she is pretty attached to her Mama. Nolan and Myles are good friends and play happily together. But the girlie had me worried. No need. She was wonderful. It certainly helped to have Nolan here for a bit of familiarity, but she seemed pretty content to be held by her Auntie Michele. Towards the end of their stay, I rocked her to sleep. I have to admit to a tad bit of wishing she was mine. She sure was a sweetheart sleeping on me in her little purple outfit. I had forgotten how nice a sleeping baby can feel. And, maybe, just maybe, a little girl feels even better. There is just nothing like it. Auntie Michele loves Natalie Ruth and Nolan Matthew! God is so good!

In which I share a lot of randomness

Well, I see my blog is finally working right again. Zac and I tried to figure it out when it was screwy, but we couldn't, so I gave up trying. Apparently Google fixed the problem. Glad to see it.

I am absolutely loving this early spring. The lawn and flower gardens are all raked. The apple trees are pruned. The grubex has been spread on the lawn. Oh, how I hope it works! And...I have planted lettuce, radishes, chives and onions in my garden. Oh, sweet happiness! Playing in that warm dirt brought such immense joy. Michael has promised me three more garden boxes. That will be eight total. I get goose bumps just thinking about it. I started my own tomatos and peppers this year. We shall see how that works out. Oh, and I have four blueberry bushes to plant! I am so happy!

We had a lovely Easter brunch here this year. Just the family. It was so fun to see Myles and Nolan playing together all day. Nolan is a real person now, not just a baby, so they had great fun outside together. I think Myles enjoys being older than someone. He is very kind to Nolan.

School is plugging along. It has been a good year. Myles is finally reading pretty well, so everything is easier. Even math requires reading, so he is able to work much more independently now. Don't get me wrong, I still sit there and help him quite a bit, but if I need to go do something, he can work along at things. Being able to read directions makes a big difference.

Marcus keeps right at his work. He is very independent and quick to learn new concepts. He has actually gone off to visit Gabe for a week here and there and just taken his school work with him and stayed on top of his lessons. He is great friends with Gabe now, so this has been a lot of fun for him.

Well, enough randomness for now. I am glad to be back with a working blog. Perhaps I shall even post now and then. God is good!

Like Merchant Ships

According to my excel spread sheet, so far this year I have spent $1,157.14 on groceries. I have saved exactly $807.12 using coupons. That averages out to only spending $128.57 a week. That's not too bad for a family of six Monday through Thursday and eight plus Friday through Sunday. I am off to Price Chopper tomorrow to save and stockpile. I suppose that is the modern day definition of Proverbs 31:14. It is also a frugal homemakers definition of fun!

Let it snow...and turn cold please

I suppose most people are enjoying this warm weather. Around here, we are sad about it. Our rink is a melty, slushy mess. My absolutely wonderful father has been grooming about three miles of lovely trails through the woods for me this winter. I have enjoyed walking, skiing and snowshoeing on them more than I can say. Seriously, who can say that they have groomed trails to play on in the winter. Sadly, they are slushy now. Although I could still walk them, snowshoeing is not an option right now. Also, I have a little boy who loves to go with me on his cross country skis. So, while everyone else enjoys the spring like temperatures, we are very sad at our house.

Myles and Mama enjoying winter together


















2018 Olympian?

Pantry Challenge Results

I did pretty good with my Pantry Challenge. I wanted to spend only $200.00 this month for groceries. I think I could have done it, but the sales at Price Chopper were too good last week for me to responsibly pass up. It was the toilet paper. The cheap toilet paper sucked me in. Believe me, we use a lot of it around here. I just couldn't pass it up! Or the free yogurt or the free windex or the 8 free packages of napkins or the .50 boxes of granola bars or the turkey breasts for.99/lb...you get the idea.

Here is how I did this month....I spent a total of $312.83. I saved $358.38, which comes out to be a 41.82% savings. Not bad, considering most of my shopping this month was done at Aldi, where I didn't use any coupons. Most of my shopping was for produce and dairy. Except my Price Chopper trip, where I spent $145.04 and saved $208.87. Bottom line, I put $487.17 from our normal grocery budget away in a safe place. Hawaii, anyone?

In which I say thank you and jump for joy

I am not sure there are words to describe the joy in my heart right now. I feel like dancing, but find myself doing a lot of crying instead. Oh, the greatness of our God; who in a moment can set a captive free, call home a lost sheep, and restore what has been stolen. He is truly able and faithful and good.

You will remember my plea for prayer awhile back? I gave few details at the time, but still God heard your prayers, dear readers. And the prayers of a few trusted friends and family. My son, who had gone his own way, has come home to Jesus. Really, truly come home!

I have a renewed appreciation for the power of intercession, that's for sure. We really do not wrestle with flesh and blood and the here and now and what we see. We are fighting a battle,every,single day that is in the heavenlies, in a realm unseen. We forget. We sometimes mistakenly focus on what is right before us, when the battle rages in the unseen realm. If I have learned anything from this season of battle, it is that the only way to win a war is to pray, pray, pray and keep on praying to the One who holds the world in His hands and allow him to fight for me. He is strong and loving and faithful.

I would continue to covet your prayers for my son. He has chosen well, but I know the enemy wants him badly. Please, pray for a hedge of protection to be around him. And for a continued sense of God's pleasure for him. He needs to continue to feel the love of God toward him. Oh, the great, great love of God! It surely binds us to the Savior!