I'm not sure who our society thinks they're keeping up with these days. Surely, some are still trying to keep up with the Jones'. They want to have the nicest this, the best that, the most of those....greener grass, taller flowers, etc. You get the gist.
But then there's a whole other "keeping up with" that I have become more aware of. The drive to be BUSY! Whatever happened to down time? To family time? To not having every second of your life filled up? The contest to be the BUSIEST is definitely one that I do not want to win. I've tried to work on becoming a little less busy over the last couple of years. Somewhat hard when you have kids- but resigning from my job was a big leap of faith. But one that we knew was the best for our family. But busyness tries to follow me anyways and I have to start saying NO to some things.
Church or secular world, it's kind of looked upon as WOW/COOL if you have more than one job, are involved in multiple groups/activities, have something going on almost every night of the week, and oh ya.... you have a family somewhere in there, too. "Oh, do you know 'so and so'? They work 2 jobs, play this sport this night, go to that group this night, and have such a hectic life! They're amazing!". Since when do we want to praise that kind of lifestyle? Why is that something that we'd want to emulate?
Seriously, though, can one not have a fruitful life without being SO SO busy? What's the point?
Most of you know that I am a stay at home mom. I don't have a paid job. I don't bring in any money. Zero cents. So of course if I don't work I must just be sitting around all day watching soap operas and eating bon bons, right? And of course since I don't work I must have a LOT of free time to spend volunteering for this or that. Right? Um, no. (But that's another blog post...)
Life will always be busy, but there are definitely things we can do to gear our business in the right direction. If I worked full time...yes, we'd have more money. But I don't think Mateo will tell me when he's older..."Mom, I wish that you would've worked full time when I was a baby so I could have had those clothes I spit up on come from Baby Gap."
Then there are the working moms that get a little peaved at some of the things a SAHM might do....for example making baby food. "Oh that's nice, but I would never have time to do that because I work full time. I wish I had the time to do THAT". That's probably an accurate statement. I doubt they WOULD have time to. I'm sorry? But the only way I get to stay home is by doing those kind of things (which I do actually enjoy) that will save us oodles of money.
Living on half of your income does became a full time job. One that I have come to enjoy. I would not rather be doing anything else on any given day than taking care of and spending time with our sweet Mateo and taking care of his daddy...the guy I love.
I love taking care of my family. That is my ministry. When peoples remarks make me start to feel bad about having a strong heart for my family and home- I have to quickly snap out of it. Aaron tells me that he loves my heart for our family.
My favorite verse for being content with less and having simplicity is this one from Ecclesiastes 4:6........
6 Better one handful with tranquility
than two handfuls with toil
and chasing after the wind.
The more you work the more money you make but the more you work the more money you spend. Work more to spend more. Spend less to work less.
Sunday, September 4, 2011
Saturday, August 20, 2011
Bucket List, revised....Stuff to do before I turn 30!
Thirty things I'd like to do before I turn 30............. [I need a couple more things!!!] Yes, I live a VERY exciting life (not) as you can see by my wish list haha.
1. Read the entire bible (68% of the way there :)
2. Do another Beth Moore bible study
3. Cook with rhubarb.
4. Go snow shoeing.
5. Learn to make corned beef and cabbage for St. Patrick's Day
6. Get Mateo a sibling (happening SOON!)
7. Visit my grandparents.
8. Take a dance class with Aaron
9. Make banana bread (CHECK!)
10. Write a bilingual children's book for Mateo.
11. Find a way to speak Spanish more.
12. Grow pumpkins (I think I see one in the garden!)
13. See a play or musical.
14. Ride a tandem bike.
15. Learn to play a song on the piano (with proper finger placement).
16. Watch the Star Wars trilogy for Aaron (Number IV watched! Two more to go).
17. Try Creme Brule (sp)!
18. Ride in a Limo.
19. Read 5 books just because (I've read one so far).
20. Go to a "crop" with Mandy to do scrapbooking stuff!
21. Buy and stock a stand up freezer with meals and snacks for 2+ weeks (Thanks Misty) (And Thanks Aaron for filming a wedding to help pay for said freezer...we just got one!)
22. Make fruit leather with my mom.
23. Go sand boarding at the dunes.
24. Go to Sun River with my fam.
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.
1. Read the entire bible (68% of the way there :)
2. Do another Beth Moore bible study
3. Cook with rhubarb.
4. Go snow shoeing.
5. Learn to make corned beef and cabbage for St. Patrick's Day
6. Get Mateo a sibling (happening SOON!)
7. Visit my grandparents.
8. Take a dance class with Aaron
9. Make banana bread (CHECK!)
10. Write a bilingual children's book for Mateo.
11. Find a way to speak Spanish more.
12. Grow pumpkins (I think I see one in the garden!)
13. See a play or musical.
14. Ride a tandem bike.
15. Learn to play a song on the piano (with proper finger placement).
16. Watch the Star Wars trilogy for Aaron (Number IV watched! Two more to go).
17. Try Creme Brule (sp)!
18. Ride in a Limo.
19. Read 5 books just because (I've read one so far).
20. Go to a "crop" with Mandy to do scrapbooking stuff!
21. Buy and stock a stand up freezer with meals and snacks for 2+ weeks (Thanks Misty) (And Thanks Aaron for filming a wedding to help pay for said freezer...we just got one!)
22. Make fruit leather with my mom.
23. Go sand boarding at the dunes.
24. Go to Sun River with my fam.
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.
Friday, August 12, 2011
Overactive Nesting Syndrome
Would you believe that all of Mateo's old clothes and all of the clothes that I've picked up second hand have been washed, sorted, and organized in the baby's room for a month now? I hung up newborn-6 month clothing and have up through 9 months in a box on a shelf in the closet. In baby's IKEA dresser, all of our "accessories" (i.e. blankets, bibs, socks, etc.) are sorted and ready. See a couple more pictures below...
Maybe I didn't get enough nesting time with the first pregnancy due to working and Mateo's early arrival. Or maybe I'm just weird and organized. Either way, I love having things organized and have given myself this goal of having everything ready in the baby's room by the end of August.
The changing table, though still in Mateo's room, has been stocked with newborn stuff for a couple of months. Diapers, wipes, burp clothes, play mats, etc.
We got an awesome package in the mail earlier this week. I was spoiled by a new diaper bag and some cute onesies. When Aaron got home from work I showed him the new diaper bag. I couldn't show him the onesies, though, for they were already opened, washed, and in the dryer. By the end of that day I already had the onesies hung up in the nb section of baby's closet and had already stocked the diaper bag with hospital outfits, receiving blankets, diapers, wipes, nursing pads, deodorized bags, etc.
Aaron just smiles and makes a little bit of fun of me. I am just calling it overactive nesting syndrome. I know being organized will help make the first weeks and months with a new baby easier, but I know I'm a bit goofy.
Most days I am barely able to keep up with laundry, dishes, and Mateo...but on some occasions I feel ambitious and try to do a mini project to get things ready. Mateo helped me sort and organized lots of stuff. Partially that looked like him playing in a pile of hangers and bringing me one when i needed it....but he also is pretty good about sorting things... "Can you bring me all of the socks...?" for example and I'd have this big pile of socks to pair up. He seems very excited to have a baby brother and calls the baby's room "Baby Brodder's Room". Still no name.... need to work on that! Hopefully we have 11 more weeks to decide on that!
I also know that there's no possible way to be ready or prepared for the entering of a new life into the world! There's just no way. I just thank God every day of this pregnancy- as uncomfortable as I am- and ask Him to protect this baby in my womb.
Best things about this pregnancy: Water aerobics, feeling (and watching) this baby swim and jump around inside of me, learning to rely on God more and being thankful for each additional day of pregnancy that I'm granted., explaining to Mateo that there is a baby in my tummy, thinking about how much fun Mateo will have with his brother someday, thinking about what a good dad Aaron is going to be and imagining things that he'll do with the boys.
Hardest things about this pregnancy: Rib (and now back) pain that makes it gruesome to sit much or do many things, having way too many appointments and way too many ultrasounds, taking a toddler to appointments, restrictions that have been put on me by my doctors, having to drive 30 minutes to my appointments at an unorganized clinic, and worrying about another early arrival.
I have a pretty amazing husband I want to add. He is gone long 12 ish hour days during the week....but when he gets home he still has energy to love us, wrestle with Mateo after dinner, and even give Mateo his baths. We love 5:30 when Dad gets home!!
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Spice Savvy
So I haven't written in quite a while. I can blame it on our computer breaking, and then our internet, and then trying two lap tops before one worked (to the hubby's standard). Or that I just don't sit down at the computer very much b/c a) I have a toddler or b) sitting hurts my pregnant ribcage. Either way, I'm back and will definitely try to write more frequently.
My latest frugal venture in the home has been about revamping our spice rack for cheap. When Aaron and I were married four years ago we received a very nice spice rack from my sister as a gift. Love it. But then you learn (Thanks, Mom!) that spices should really be replaced about every year to be freshest. Oh, and then there are those 5 or 6 spices that you've never heard of and that you realize....four years later.... have never been opened. Out they go. Wouldn't it be lovely to have a spice rack full of herbs and spices that you actually used?
So, using the cute little glass bottles that came with the original spice rack and a few other plastic spice bottles I picked up at the bulk section of my local WinCo, I have been working on filling my spice rack with spices, herbs, and seasonings that I actually use. When necessary, I used a white sticker label to identify spices. See the final product below:
So everything from sea salt to paprika to ginger...I have it! I bought the last few spices at WinCo in the bulk section this week (I LOVE the bulk section btw) and decided to leave a couple of the bottles empty. I could have filled them up with some random spices that I've never used...but leaving them empty will allow room for "growth" as I move beyond the college kitchen. I am 27 now. I can use spices.
Looking at my receipt, I spent anywhere from 10 cents to 66 cents for a small amount of the spice I wanted. You would definitely not be able to buy a bottle of the spice for cheaper and I'd venture to say that you (or at least I) could not use a whole bottle of most spices before they'd lose their freshness. Buying spices in the bulk means you can buy what you want, in the amount that you want, and replace or add as needed. I love it. Especially when I want to try out a new recipe that calls for some random spice. You can buy just a tiny amount and see if you even like it before buying more.
Beyond saving money and pepping up our meals, the other reason I've been so interested in spices lately is based on the fact that we are avoiding many food additives like high fructose corn syrup, MSG, etc. By seasoning things ourselves we can be more aware of what we're putting into our food. The bulk section does list ingredients to their spices if you are curious.
Lastly, the most fun part of revamping our spice rack was the fact that I got to grow and dry a few of the herbs that are a part of the mix! See below for a picture of the parsley, basil, and rosemary. It's just a small amount, but it was neat to try out and it will go a long way.
I will try to make a summer tradition of checking on all my spices and growing as many as possible. Basil and Parsley were just small plants I had. The rosemary is a bush in our yard. Next year I'd like to grow even more herbs and maybe even try growing one I can't pronounce. :)
My latest frugal venture in the home has been about revamping our spice rack for cheap. When Aaron and I were married four years ago we received a very nice spice rack from my sister as a gift. Love it. But then you learn (Thanks, Mom!) that spices should really be replaced about every year to be freshest. Oh, and then there are those 5 or 6 spices that you've never heard of and that you realize....four years later.... have never been opened. Out they go. Wouldn't it be lovely to have a spice rack full of herbs and spices that you actually used?
So, using the cute little glass bottles that came with the original spice rack and a few other plastic spice bottles I picked up at the bulk section of my local WinCo, I have been working on filling my spice rack with spices, herbs, and seasonings that I actually use. When necessary, I used a white sticker label to identify spices. See the final product below:
So everything from sea salt to paprika to ginger...I have it! I bought the last few spices at WinCo in the bulk section this week (I LOVE the bulk section btw) and decided to leave a couple of the bottles empty. I could have filled them up with some random spices that I've never used...but leaving them empty will allow room for "growth" as I move beyond the college kitchen. I am 27 now. I can use spices.
Looking at my receipt, I spent anywhere from 10 cents to 66 cents for a small amount of the spice I wanted. You would definitely not be able to buy a bottle of the spice for cheaper and I'd venture to say that you (or at least I) could not use a whole bottle of most spices before they'd lose their freshness. Buying spices in the bulk means you can buy what you want, in the amount that you want, and replace or add as needed. I love it. Especially when I want to try out a new recipe that calls for some random spice. You can buy just a tiny amount and see if you even like it before buying more.
Beyond saving money and pepping up our meals, the other reason I've been so interested in spices lately is based on the fact that we are avoiding many food additives like high fructose corn syrup, MSG, etc. By seasoning things ourselves we can be more aware of what we're putting into our food. The bulk section does list ingredients to their spices if you are curious.
Lastly, the most fun part of revamping our spice rack was the fact that I got to grow and dry a few of the herbs that are a part of the mix! See below for a picture of the parsley, basil, and rosemary. It's just a small amount, but it was neat to try out and it will go a long way.
I will try to make a summer tradition of checking on all my spices and growing as many as possible. Basil and Parsley were just small plants I had. The rosemary is a bush in our yard. Next year I'd like to grow even more herbs and maybe even try growing one I can't pronounce. :)
Friday, May 6, 2011
I love Rite Aid
I was excited about paying 77 cents for two fancy razors(with 2 extra cartridges each) AND a gallon of whole milk at Rite Aid today. Aaron has almost a year stock of nice razors and cartridges now, but I can't pass up free! I can't get Mateo to smile normal on command yet, so here is what you get when you tell him to smile, lol!
Here's how the deal worked:
Gillette Fusion ProGlide razor: 9.99 each sale price (-5UP reward for each bought- limit 2)
Buy 2 razors= 19.98
Milk = 2.79
Total: 22.77
-$3/$15+ purchase coupon (Coupon for taking the survey on my coupon)
-$5/1 razor coupon (Coupon we got in the mail)
-$4/1 razor coupon (Coupon from the newspaper)
New Total: 10:77
-$10 Up Reward Coupon from a previous transaction
GRAND Total: $0.77 out of pocket PLUS received two $5 UP Rewards for buying the razors (a store promotion) that I can use on my next trip there. UP Rewards are like a coupon for store credit. They are very easy to use. If I use them strategically I don't have to spend too much OOP (Out of pocket).
All in all, a good trip. This is one happy couponer. :)
Here's how the deal worked:
Gillette Fusion ProGlide razor: 9.99 each sale price (-5UP reward for each bought- limit 2)
Buy 2 razors= 19.98
Milk = 2.79
Total: 22.77
-$3/$15+ purchase coupon (Coupon for taking the survey on my coupon)
-$5/1 razor coupon (Coupon we got in the mail)
-$4/1 razor coupon (Coupon from the newspaper)
New Total: 10:77
-$10 Up Reward Coupon from a previous transaction
GRAND Total: $0.77 out of pocket PLUS received two $5 UP Rewards for buying the razors (a store promotion) that I can use on my next trip there. UP Rewards are like a coupon for store credit. They are very easy to use. If I use them strategically I don't have to spend too much OOP (Out of pocket).
All in all, a good trip. This is one happy couponer. :)
Thursday, May 5, 2011
A new shelf in my stockpile and my sweet Mateo
Here is the newest shelf in my stockpile from couponing:
Today I am 15 weeks pregnant and, though I've been WAY too tired to do as much deal and coupon shopping as I would have liked to, I have quite a few packs of diapers in my stockpile. We do plan on using cloth diapers again- and I have a good supply for once the baby is about 10+ pounds - but I really don't have the desire to use cloth when we have a brand new baby. AND, since diapers can be ridiculously expensive, I'm hoping that between my own stock and from my baby shower that we will have enough for three or four months. That would be awesome. I have close to 500 diapers right now. Sounds like a lot, but tiny babies go through a LOT of diapers lol.
With anticipation of the new addition, I am also trying to REALLY treasure each day I have with Mateo...fully knowing that very soon he will have to share me with another baby, a smaller one, and I will no longer be able to give him as much attention. We are doing a parent/tot swim class right now which is fun and yesterday we went to play group, got to play out in the yard for a long time, went for a walk, and just did our normal daily stuff like fold laundry. I'm trying to love every second.
If only we could all be as sweet as a toddler. Last night at bedtime he requested that I read his bible, wanted to pray for his daddy, his grandpa and grandma, his friend Natalie, and the baby- which he says is going "night night" in my tummy. He waves to strangers- even the ones who are particularly strange- and blows kisses to the lifeguards at the pool. Hearing "I love Dada" and "I love u Mama" is like music to my ears, la la la! He kisses boo boos, hugs his little friends who are sad, and becomes attached to dad at the hip (or ankle haha) whenever he is home.
I do love my sweet boy. It's hard to imagine loving another baby as much as we love Mateo but I know it's possible. It's also hard to fathom that God loves my babies even more than I do. Seems like too much love to understand. And it is.
Mateo, being a ham and giving me his fake smile.
Today I am 15 weeks pregnant and, though I've been WAY too tired to do as much deal and coupon shopping as I would have liked to, I have quite a few packs of diapers in my stockpile. We do plan on using cloth diapers again- and I have a good supply for once the baby is about 10+ pounds - but I really don't have the desire to use cloth when we have a brand new baby. AND, since diapers can be ridiculously expensive, I'm hoping that between my own stock and from my baby shower that we will have enough for three or four months. That would be awesome. I have close to 500 diapers right now. Sounds like a lot, but tiny babies go through a LOT of diapers lol.
With anticipation of the new addition, I am also trying to REALLY treasure each day I have with Mateo...fully knowing that very soon he will have to share me with another baby, a smaller one, and I will no longer be able to give him as much attention. We are doing a parent/tot swim class right now which is fun and yesterday we went to play group, got to play out in the yard for a long time, went for a walk, and just did our normal daily stuff like fold laundry. I'm trying to love every second.
If only we could all be as sweet as a toddler. Last night at bedtime he requested that I read his bible, wanted to pray for his daddy, his grandpa and grandma, his friend Natalie, and the baby- which he says is going "night night" in my tummy. He waves to strangers- even the ones who are particularly strange- and blows kisses to the lifeguards at the pool. Hearing "I love Dada" and "I love u Mama" is like music to my ears, la la la! He kisses boo boos, hugs his little friends who are sad, and becomes attached to dad at the hip (or ankle haha) whenever he is home.
I do love my sweet boy. It's hard to imagine loving another baby as much as we love Mateo but I know it's possible. It's also hard to fathom that God loves my babies even more than I do. Seems like too much love to understand. And it is.
Mateo, being a ham and giving me his fake smile.
Monday, April 4, 2011
Peace and Quiet and the garden
Today I think I'm learning what it would be like to have twins. Twin 1 1/2 year olds to be exact. I'm babysitting a friend's daughter on Mondays for a little while and it makes for a long day. But they love playing together. When they can share haha.
Can I just say that I love peace and quiet?
And thankfully, both tots fell asleep at the same time. Bliss. ahhhh!
Yes, I love peace and quiet, routines, procedures, order, cleanliness, etc. And yet I still like mothering a toddler. Thankfully for me, Mateo is pretty meticulous with how he likes to keep his things in order. Aaron says I rubbed off on him but I think it's just his disposition (which could be genetic I suppose ;) Everything has to have a spot with Mateo. He usually (key word usually) likes to help clean up and always is reminding me if something is out of place. I wouldn't dare leave clothes all over my bedroom floor anymore less I want to hear about it from my toddler. Oh well, he keep me in check. And don't try to put his hats away in the wrong spot. That just won't do.
I was learning/remembering/contemplating the fact at a small group the other week that it's OK to like quiet. To be quiet. To be a little, shall we say, introverted? I don't feel peaceful in big groups. I like small groups and I like time to myself. I like quiet. In college Human Development class they called that Intrapersonal I think. Whatever it is, I've always felt a little weird and like it was not normal to be like that. But, though I always believe in letting God change and mold me, I think he created me with the kind of disposition that I have. Must've been for some purpose.
The reason we hear more about extroverts is because they talk more.
On a side note, I'm absolutely thrilled that it's starting to be spring-like now. Spring is, by far, my favorite season. I love the mild weather, the getting to be outside, mowing the lawn, smelling fresh cut grass, and GARDENING. I finally have stuff planted and I love it. I'd spend all day outside in the yard if I had no other responsibilities. We're working on a half fence right now and when that's complete Mateo will be able to play more freely outside and I won't be chasing him so much. Looking forward to picnics and sprinklers and snacks from the garden. I'm looking forward to needing a little sunscreen.
And did you know that I have an obsession with weeds? I hate weeds. So much so that one would think I actually like and enjoy weeding. My hubby certainly thinks I do. But it's not so much that I like weeding but that I just dislike the weeds. We have a hill on the side of the house that I'm trying to utilize for stuff like planting squash and pumpkins but its' covered in weeds. I take it as a personal challenge. Can't put the spray stuff to kill them b/c then I couldn't plant food. So if I wasn't taking care of a toddler or two today I'd be outside.... weeding.
Can I just say that I love peace and quiet?
And thankfully, both tots fell asleep at the same time. Bliss. ahhhh!
Yes, I love peace and quiet, routines, procedures, order, cleanliness, etc. And yet I still like mothering a toddler. Thankfully for me, Mateo is pretty meticulous with how he likes to keep his things in order. Aaron says I rubbed off on him but I think it's just his disposition (which could be genetic I suppose ;) Everything has to have a spot with Mateo. He usually (key word usually) likes to help clean up and always is reminding me if something is out of place. I wouldn't dare leave clothes all over my bedroom floor anymore less I want to hear about it from my toddler. Oh well, he keep me in check. And don't try to put his hats away in the wrong spot. That just won't do.
I was learning/remembering/contemplating the fact at a small group the other week that it's OK to like quiet. To be quiet. To be a little, shall we say, introverted? I don't feel peaceful in big groups. I like small groups and I like time to myself. I like quiet. In college Human Development class they called that Intrapersonal I think. Whatever it is, I've always felt a little weird and like it was not normal to be like that. But, though I always believe in letting God change and mold me, I think he created me with the kind of disposition that I have. Must've been for some purpose.
The reason we hear more about extroverts is because they talk more.
On a side note, I'm absolutely thrilled that it's starting to be spring-like now. Spring is, by far, my favorite season. I love the mild weather, the getting to be outside, mowing the lawn, smelling fresh cut grass, and GARDENING. I finally have stuff planted and I love it. I'd spend all day outside in the yard if I had no other responsibilities. We're working on a half fence right now and when that's complete Mateo will be able to play more freely outside and I won't be chasing him so much. Looking forward to picnics and sprinklers and snacks from the garden. I'm looking forward to needing a little sunscreen.
And did you know that I have an obsession with weeds? I hate weeds. So much so that one would think I actually like and enjoy weeding. My hubby certainly thinks I do. But it's not so much that I like weeding but that I just dislike the weeds. We have a hill on the side of the house that I'm trying to utilize for stuff like planting squash and pumpkins but its' covered in weeds. I take it as a personal challenge. Can't put the spray stuff to kill them b/c then I couldn't plant food. So if I wasn't taking care of a toddler or two today I'd be outside.... weeding.
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