Family Day Celebrating Trent's Graduation!

As most of you know, we are on an extremely tight budget. But, your son graduating doesn't come around very often. So, we packed up for a day trip. We went to Gatlinburg, Tennessee. We ate breakfast at home before the road trip and took some snacks with us to eat on the road.
Once down there, we walked around and saw the sights (cheap and fun). Trent has been wanting a Henna Tattoo, so he got one of those. Here's a quick tip...eat early, after lunch but before dinner. You can get the "early bird" special. So, we ate around 3 and saved tons. Then they boys are big on racing go-carts. So, off to Nascar Park. Now, that could have been expensive, but we all agreed just 2 tracks a piece. Now, you may roll your eyes at that, but in the hot sun and standing in line for just those 2 tracks, my family was more than ready to go home. Something fun, but on the cheap! We had a great time! We laughed and just enjoyed being together and best of all....made memories!

Trent Graduates!!!

It's hard to believe that my Baby Boy has graduated high school! It seems like I just brought him home from the hospital! He has grown into a wonderful young man. When he graduated, he did so with Vocational Honors and Excellence in Technology Education. I am excited to see what the future holds for him.

But, on a completely selfish note...I don't want to let him go! I don't want him to be independent. I always want him here with me. I know I need to let go and let him be the man that God has called him to be. But, it's so hard to watch him grow up and start living his own life. I'm just praying that God will give me what I need to pull away and not be one of those smothering moms. I want to encourage him and support him, but not smother him.

So, while this is a celebration....it's also, so difficult for me to process that my precious little boy has become a bright, handsome and Godly young man.
Yes, I am truly blessed! I am part of his life...my part may be diminishing a little, but he will always be by precious Baby Boy!

2011 Goals

2011 Goals...where to begin....there is so much I want to accomplish, I can get totally overwhelmed by it.
1. Continue to get my debit paid off. This year was the first Christmas that we absolutely did not purchase one thing on a credit card. It felt great!! Yes, Christmas was a lot smaller in the gift area, but you know what it was GREAT!! We had a wonderful and blessed Christmas without the "stuff"!! So, it has really empowered me to even be more intense about living simpler and with more of a purpose than just collecting stuff!
2. Become healthier in our eating and lifestyle. I continue to get the processed junk out of this house! Christmas was a bit of a slip up with all the sweet goodies. But, now it's back on track. I am constantly on the search for healthy frugal recipes and I am enjoying the journey. Also, I am becoming more aware of the chemicals that I am using cleaning and using on our bodies. I have made several improvements and will continue to work on this.
3. Learn to cook venison. I am still a beginner. I have been blessed with some deer meat and I am experimenting with it and look forward to cooking more with it.
4. Making more cleaning products. I have started making my own laundry detergent that is so cheap and healthy!! I will post the recipe later. Next I'm making my own dishwasher detergent and natural cleaning products. My great friend Elise gave me a book for Christmas with lots and lots of recipes I'm excited to try! Not only is this going to be healthier for our family, but also save us money.
5. Start back on my stockpiling of food. My goal is to get at least 3 months or more of food stockpiled. For those wondering why...well, we never know what the future holds. I want to make sure that I have the means to take care of my family. Prices are going up but not paychecks, jobs are uncertain, economy is scary and honestly I am not sure how much tribulation the church will see before the rapture. My spirit has been telling me for a while to get prepared. I have been distracted or unable due to money, but I truly want to get back on track with this. I have storage issues, but that's not going to stop me!

Well, that is my narrowed down list. There are a couple of things that I did not list, but I consider them a given...
I want to strive to put the Lord first in my life, read the Word more, Worship more, Serve more, submit more, surrender more....I want MORE of the Lord!!
I want to be a better wife and Mom.
I want to slow down and enjoy life instead of going wide open and feeling like I have to constantly be doing something...I want to spend more time just being. To savor each moment instead of looking for the "next" moment to happen.
Okay, I could possibly go on forever with this list, so I will stop now.
So, there you have it...my condensed version of my 2011 goals!!

What was I thinking?!?!

Let me start this post as...if there was any doubt that I loved my family and would do anything for them...this should end all speculation. My family has wanted a dog for quite a while now...I kept saying "no". Well, I finally said "yes". And instead of one...we got two! TWO!! Now I must admit while I was in a full blown panic attack walking out of the shelter...everyone kept reassuring me that two are easier than one.
Night one: three potty accidents! Two on the hard wood floors and one on the carpet! Ugh! But, when they went in the crate together for the night, not a whine or whimper! Yes!
Morning one: She (Ella) peed on him (Nikko)! After walking both of them outside at 5:30 a.m. Both got baths!! Then two potty accidents both on hard wood floors!
Day one: The leash is still tricky, but they are starting to get the hang of it. They were walked 3 times already and it's barely noon. One potty accident on the hard wood floor. Honestly, Ella is the potty bandit! Nikko has done really well. Now they are both asleep in their crate!
Now, I must admit...two are easier than one. They play together and keep each other out of trouble...except when Ella pulled the phone cord off the table! Nikko made sure I was aware it was all her! Lol!
I just keep reminding myself of Trent and Autumn's faces as I clean up each potty accident. Now, I need to keep all my OCD impulses down to a manageable level. How many times do you think a "normal" person would mop the floor?

Autumn's first day in Kindergarten!!

Okay, I am typing through my tears! My Baby is in Kindergarten today! I have prayed and cried...cried and prayed! My kids are going up so fast! Trent is a Junior! Autumn in Kindergarten! Where is the time going?!
But, this starts a new chapter in both of our lives. Autumn is making new friends, learning new things and going to different places. She is excited and nervous at the same time. She will be great though, of this I have no doubts. When I dropped her off, she was fine. Ready to conquer...me on the other hand....I walked out in tears trying to make it to the car before I totally let loose. I cried all the way home...praying through the tears for my babies to be safe and make wise decisions. Then I reminded myself that God loves them so much more than I. He knows the number of hairs on their head, He knows their heart and He is their Father who let me be blessed with them here on earth. I put my trust in Him!

Vacation

Well, our vacation was a success! We stayed in our local area and had a blast!! Everyone agreed that while we loved the beach, this vacation was just as fun! We went hiking on the Blue Ridge Parkway, played in rivers, and enjoyed all the fun that the mountains has to offer. The only expensive thing that we did was go to Dollywood in Tennessee. We went after 3 p.m. to get our tickets. We didn't have to stand in any lines to ride the rides and the best part was because we got there after 3, the next day we got in for free!!! So, we got a day and a half out of a one day ticket! Believe me when I say...that's plenty! We were all exhausted!!!
I was not looking forward to this vacation, I was upset we weren't able to go to the beach. But, I can honestly say this was one of the best vacations that our family has had in a long time. We enjoyed each other and we enjoyed nature. God is Good!!!

Dreaming of the beach....

Usually our family goes once a year to the beach for vacation. This year...it may not be happening. In fact, as I sit here and type this, I do not see any financial way that we can afford it this year.
I am really struggling with this because the kids really look forward to it...heck, I look forward to it! When we go... we do it frugally, I cook and we do free activities. But, looking at the price of accommodations...Geesh! It's not looking good. Then you add in that we are trying to get out of debt and any of our extra money needs to be going to chip away at that. Well, even if we could find a place should we go?
Again, it makes me so disgusted with myself for allowing us to get into the debt we have. I feel guilty for not being able to give my children special memories. Did I mention the kids talk about going to the beach all year?! Ugh!
I'm looking, hoping and praying to find some awesome and cheap activities for the family to do around here. I'm still bummed about not going to the beach! But, I won't allow myself to wallow in self pity. So, I am in search of cool things to do around here. Now to convince the family and myself that it will be just as fun as the beach....

Mother's Day Gift

My family thought long and hard on what would be the perfect Mother's Day gift to give me. After hours and hours of deliberating; they came up with the perfect gift!

Yea right! Now for the REAL story! I saw this baby on sale...I got it and told them it could be my Mother's Day gift. Lol!



Isn't it beautiful?!

The other curling iron was quickly dumped in the trash. Thank goodness!

Confused!

I would say thank goodness it's Friday, but I have to work from open to closing tomorrow at the Bridal Shop. Ugh! Not looking forward to it. I have asked off for every Sunday, but that was denied. I do get this Sunday off though, I guess to pacify me. I asked to have my hours reduced so that I could spend time with my family...that was also denied stating the reason that they are short handed right now. So, I am praying on what to do. We still need the money...we still have debt that needs to be paid off. The sacrifice is my family time. I'm not sure what to do. Dave Ramsey says that it's only a "season" kind of thing. I'm just so concerned that I will miss my kids growing up years because of work, not to mention Jeff and I not having any quality time together. Let me just explain a little my hours....Jeff works during the day, he gets off at 4 p.m. (right now winter hours, may change to 5 soon!). Jeff doesn't get home until 4:20 or so...I have to be at work by 5. He comes in, I tell him about dinner or what Trent and Autumn has to do that evening and then I leave. We have maybe a 5 minute conversation. I don't get home until 10 p.m or later (depends on when we get to start closing). Autumn and Trent are in bed and Jeff is fighting to stay awake. I eat dinner (real healthy to eat before going to bed! Huh?!) and we chat for maybe 15 minutes and then head to bed because Jeff and I get up early for work and school. Then I work every weekend...Saturday I have to be there by 9:15 a.m. and I don't get home until 8 p.m. Then on Sunday I am there anywhere from 11:00 to 1:00 p.m. until 7:30. I may have one night off during the week. My family is getting frustrated with me being gone so much in the evening and weekends...I'm getting frustrated. I know that retail jobs involve week nights and weekends...I just wasn't aware that I would have to work them all the time.It is going on 4 months since I have had a weekend off! Am I just being whiny? How long should I do this? Until my credit cards are paid off? That would be a year or more. I don't know what to do! Jeff is saying quit...God will provide. What if He provided this and I just throw the opportunity away? I'm so confused! Family is really really important to me! Not to mention, not being able to attend church!! I always promised myself that I would never neglect attending church and getting the spiritual nourishment that I so desperately need and here I am doing it! I always said family before work and here I am putting work before family! I beg you out there!!! Don't ever get into the bondage of debt!! This is just a little of the strife it brings into your life!! Nothing is worth neglecting your family and faith! No new car, no new clothes, or the latest and greatest little gadget you just have to have is worth the bondage it brings with it!

A Snow Day!

Autumn, Trent and Jeff enjoyed some sledding!




While I was with Autumn sledding...I dropped my camera in the snow! I couldn't find it! Panic was sitting in! Then Jeff just walks right up to and it and asks if I was looking for it. Ugh! It still works as you can see! It's a tough little camera...it has survived a lot!

Ready to start a NEW YEAR!!

2008 was a HARD year! I am ready to start this new year out with wisdom and strength that came from all those hard knocks that happened in 2008!
First on my list, pay off all my credit cards!! Those of you that has read my blog before, know that I struggle with materialism! I always felt like I needed to keep up with my friends (never mind that they are in a ton of credit card debt!). We did stupid things like eating out and placing it on a credit card, buying furniture when ours was in great condition, going on numerous "weekend vacations" and placing all of that expense on credit cards and we went shopping every weekend....because "they" were going shopping! Now I'm not placing the blame on my friends....I am responsible for this debt! I am responsible for letting it happen! I am responsible for feeling like I needed to keep up with them (I suffer from a poor self-esteem and tons of insecurities!). These are issues that I have to work on personally to try to battle those demons. I have turned a page! I "woke up" in 2008. I woke up to not being able to pay my bills, I woke up to seeing myself as a materialistic person who has spent thousands of dollars and not having ANYTHING to show for it! Ugh! If only I could have a "redo"!
So, I have placed us on a tight budget...no eating out! no shopping! NOTHING NEW!! I am on Dave Ramsey's "Total Money Makeover" and I am determined to dig my family out of this mess! 2008 started this frugal journey and in 2009 it will continue. I will study and learn everything I can about living a frugal and smart lifestyle.
Second, I feel like I am in a spiritual slump. So, I am going to spend time in prayer...MORE time in prayer, trying to figure out what's going on!
Third, I am going to start reading more books! I have fallen away from reading a bit these past couple of years and I would like to get back to reading a book a month at least!
Fourth, I want to learn to sew, to can and to just be a lot more crafty.
Fifth, I want to start having more family time. I want to go on hikes, picnics, play games and just enjoy being with my family more!
Gosh, there are so many things I want to change...I feel overwhelmed. But, I will take it one step at a time.
I hope to make 2009 a great year!

A trip to Hollywild!

This weekend we went to Hollywild in South Carolina. It is a zoo type place that takes in animals that have starred in television shows or commercials and since retired. But, that's not the reason we went. They decorate the whole park and you drive through at night to see the lights and decorations. This isn't a good shot of the lights...but you get an idea.

At one point you get a bag of deer feed and drive into a field and the deer run up to your car and eat out of your hand!! Really cool! We opened up the van doors and the kids who were in the back with Grandma and Grandpa had a blast feeding them!




Then you drive to Santa's village where you can buy baby bottles and feed the goats. You also can purchase crackers to feed cows, long horned steers, buffalo, horses, ponies and camels!

The buffalo and I had an encounter, I'm just glad I had on gloves when he took the cracker from me with that long tongue! The camel and I had a special bond! He slimed me with his saliva! Ugh! It was almost a kiss...almost! Jeff caught the picture above BEFORE the sliming took place. Needless to say...I was kinda grossed out and stayed away from all other animals except the goats and ponies!
They had a huge bonfire where you could roast marshmallows and hotdogs. It was a cute trip to take with the family. Autumn and Trent are still talking about feeding the animals. I enjoyed the time with my Mom and Dad. This time last year, Daddy was still sick with the chemo and radiation...this year we are savoring every moment! I am so thankful that he is still cancer free and we are able to enjoy family outings and make lots more memories!

Our Christmas tree is FINALLY up!!

We finally got our Christmas tree up! Yes, it did have some accidents that resulted in the death of several Christmas ornaments. They paid the ultimate price in letting a 4 year old place them (or try) on the tree. The first time I heard the glass shatter on the hard wood floor....I cringed...I then did the "Let's all be careful" lecture. As soon as the lecture was complete an ornament slipped from my fingers crashing on to the floor...Jeff smiled and raised his eyebrows...Trent did his "Way to go Mom!" in the typical teenage voice that does no wrong and Autumn....Autumn repeated the "Let's all be careful" lecture. But, even with the deaths of some beloved ornaments the tree is up and ready to be enjoyed.

Saturday we all bundled up and went to the Christmas parade. Trent was a great big brother and sat down on the sidewalk with his sister pointing out things in the parade and chasing after candy...finally Autumn got brave and would grab up some candy thrown to her. By the time the parade was over, we were all frozen! But, this was the big "Group date" night, so we headed out to the theatre. The kids saw "Twilight". It got mixed reviews...those that read the book, thought the movie was awful, those that didn't...really liked it. I wasn't too thrilled with a choice of the vampire movie, but I did allow it. It is really sad that there are so few movies for kids to see these days!

We had a busy weekend...but, I did get to squeeze in a Christmas movie on television. Christmas movies have really changed since I was a kid. I remember the focus being on Christ and love. I love the "It's a Wonderful Life" with Jimmy Stewart and "Merry Christmas Charlie Brown!". I haven't seen them this year though. But, it seems that the movies now leave Christ out....the love part is there, but somehow diluted. A sign of the times I'm afraid! I am searching for ways to bring the true focus of Christmas into my home for us and the kids in new and different ways. A challenge for me to say the least!

I am gearing up for my goody baking for gifts. I am making the list...checking it twice! Yes, a pitiful attempt of humor...work with me people! I will post some recipes later this week hopefully. Now, it's back to cleaning house before picking up the kids at school. I hope everyone has a wonderful evening! God Bless!

Catch up!

I have been MIA for a couple of weeks....there is nothing wrong, I have just been busy and when I haven't been busy....I have been too lazy to blog! Lol!
Our family has had a whirlwind of activity for the last couple of weeks. We got to go to Bristol Speedway to see the wonderful display of Christmas lights. Afterwards, we went to the Christmas city in the in field and smelled some homemade candles and looked at crafts. We warmed ourselves around the fire and ate popcorn. The kids had a blast and we all enjoyed spending time with Grandma and Grandpa!
Later that week, we traveled down to South Carolina to spend a day with Jeff's brother and family. We had a wonderful meal and a great time chatting.
This Thanksgiving, Jeff had a week off for vacation. So, after taking Trent to school, we would go window shopping trying to get ideas and prices for Christmas.
We still have not put up our Christmas tree...I hope to do that tonight. Trent has a "group date" this Saturday to see a movie. Now, for those who are unsure what this is...as I was! This is where a group of friends, some are girls and some are boys, go and do something together. The catch is they are grouped as couples. Hmmmm, we used to call this a "double date". Lol! This is Trent's first "group date". We are taking him and picking him up to and from the theatres. I have met his girlfriend and her Mother and we have chatted for a while now. However, I have not met the other couples going. But, we will be supplying the transportation to and from and they are not allowed to see any questionable movies. So, I do feel comfortable about the situation. It is hard to believe that the "group dates" have begun! Yes, I know, he is 16 years old...but he is still my baby!

I hope to once again start blogging regularly. I am back on a schedule...well, for now until Christmas that is...once Christmas is here...all bets are off!

My Baby is 16 today!!

God has blessed me with my wonderful adorable son! He is 16!! Ugh! Just yesterday I was bringing him home! I don't feel that old! How is it the kids get older while we stay the same age?!

I am truly blessed with Trent! Even now in the teenager years, he is a good boy. Yes, there is the eye rolling and the occasional sassy mouth....and the dirty bedroom....but he is a awesome child! My baby is growing up! Driving...Girls...school work that I no longer understand! Lol!

I am honored and blessed to be able to call myself his Mom!

Happy Birthday Trent!! I love you so much! And I am so proud of you!!!

Celebration time!!! Matt's home!!

Saturday was the big day we got to see Matt; our nephew that just recently joined the Army. He had been gone for a while to complete his basic training and this was his first leave! It is still up in the air whether he will be home during the holidays, so his Mom and Dad (Jeff's brother) wanted to have a huge family get together. There was a ton of food! Lots of family and friends! And we were all so proud and brought to tears to see Matt!





I took so many pictures of him....I got "the look!"





Autumn wanted to look her very best for Matt!


I am so very proud of my nephew! Thanks Matt for serving our country!

Finding good deals is exhausting!

Not even a bag of miniature marshmallows could help!! Lol!

A rare family shot!

A very kind elderly man, whom we didn't even know, had noticed I wasn't in a lot of shots...so he graciously offered to take a picture of ALL of us. As quickly as this man came and took the pictures he left. What an angel he was! I didn't even get to properly thank him. God sends us unexpected blessings! It was awesome that in todays world that someone takes the time to help a complete stranger get a rare family photo. What an angel in disguise!

Family Fun!

This Saturday we went to the Biltmore House. We were not allowed to take pictures inside the house, but I can share some we took on the outside!

Enjoying the Yummy Funnel Cake