Show us your Life-Money Saving Tips

I don't normally link up with Kelly's Korner and her Show us your Life Fridays. But today I thought I would share some of our (mine and hubby's) money saving tips!

1. We budget for savings just as if it were a bill. Each week we put X amount into our savings account and consider it "gone". It really helps build a savings.

2. If you have small children, buy season passes to places you visit often (i.e. Zoo, Children's Museum, etc.) We have found that this really saves us a lot of money through out the year because we go to those places so often.

3. I know this is a simple one but...EAT AT HOME! :) We were really guilty about eating out, especially with the kids, because it is just "easier". But the costs add up..and fast! I also implement this rule for work, I take my lunch everyday. Sandwiches, soup, frozen pizzas, burritos, etc. I have figured this to save me about $20-25 a week!

4. Pay bills when they come in. Waiting may cause you to forget and in turn incur late charges.

5. Rent a movie instead of going out to a movie. You can rent all of the new releases at the $1 rentals and save a ton of money by watching it at home and just making popcorn there :)

Those are my top 5 money saving tips!! Head on over to Kelly's Korner for more useful tips!!

Dr Appointment & Glucose Test

I had my glucose tolerance test done this morning at my doctor's office...no results yet until tomorrow. I will update when I know the results but I am pretty sure they will be fine as I have no family history of diabetes and/or gestational diabetes.

He talked to me again about vaginal birth vs. c-section. He is basically giving me the choice. If I choose vaginal birth, he will induce me between 36-38 weeks depending on how big Isabella is at that point. If I choose to go into labor naturally, I could end up having an emergency c-section because he thinks my body will not be able to handle a full term baby birth. I am not completely sure what all that means but he doesn't want any organs/bones messed up while I give birth. I want a vaginal birth so I will let him induce me when he thinks the time is right. He has been a doctor for a long time and he is also the Chief of Staff at the hospital I am delivering at. I have full confidence in him.

My blood pressure has been consistently low since being pregnant. Today it was 99/62. He is concerned this may cause problems so he gave me some restrictions to follow: eat a snack every 2 hours and once during the night, do not remain on my feet either standing or walking for longer than 30 minutes without resting. My blood pressure is not high enough to circulate the blood back to my heart and other organs and this can cause not enough blood to get to Isabella, which of course would not be good.

So a lot of news this morning...not all that I wanted to hear but nothing too major. Her heartbeat was great, 152! She is such a squirmer..the nurse has to follow her around my belly to get a good reading. ha ha!

I can't wait to meet my baby girl!!

On a different note: Saturday is my birthday (I will be 24) and it is also my first baby shower thrown by my family in AR. :) I can not wait. Some of my friends from high school (who I have not seen in years, but keep up with through Facebook) will be there and I am definitely excited!

I will post the results of my glucose test tomorrow...along with some updated belly pics :)

God being in control...

of our finances?!?

I was really hesitant when I read the outline for our Sunday sermon. God controlling our finances? I get antsy when the preacher talks about tithing and giving more to God. It always makes me feel bad (because of course I am not giving/tithing like we should). So needless to say I was not thrilled upon reading the outline. But as our preacher spoke and pointed out scripture, the one that weighed heaviest on my heart was Malachi 3:7-10

7 Ever since the time of your forefathers you have turned away from my decrees and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you," says the LORD Almighty.
"But you ask, 'How are we to return?'
8 "Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me.
"But you ask, 'How do we rob you?'
"In tithes and offerings. 9 You are under a curse—the whole nation of you—because you are robbing me. 10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.


I thought the entire time the preacher spoke. I prayed on my knees during prayer. I knew God was working in my heart to give more. I told him "what do I have to give?"

My husband and I (as much as I do not like to admit) live paycheck to paycheck. We are in no place to be "giving away" money. BUT our preacher made a great point. He said: We are just stewards of the money..it is all God's money. That makes so much sense. As he states in Malachi 3, God wants us to give to others and Him and we will be blessed beyond our imagination.

I am writing this today because after getting home from church my husband I talked and decided that God was weighing on BOTH of our hearts that morning. And we made an agreement/vow to tithe 10%. Which is truly not much but it is what we feel led to tithe right now. We sat down and took a look at our budget and just budgeted in our tithing just as if it were another bill, but oh is it so much more. It makes me feel so good about what God is doing in our lives.

My husband and I have both fallen off the beaten path before, but I can honestly say that since being with Noah (we started dating in Aug. 2008) that my life has turned around drastically. I am back on path with the Lord (not exactly where I need to be, but I am working on my faith in HIM daily) and we have HIM in our marriage. I could not ask for more.

I am so happy to be able to finally accomplish this small step in serving HIM with my entire life! Not just in the portions that I choose. That is not fully living a life for HIM, and that is my ultimate goal...to live my life where God is not just a portion of it but where he is in control of ALL of it! How amazing would that be!

Where I come from..

In light of my birthday next weekend (May 1st) I thought I would formally show you where I came from:

 

From this man:

My dad works for OSHA and is the greatest dad a girl could ask for.  I am a daddy’s girl (sorry mom).  He is retired from 25+ years in the National Guard as a CW4.  I love this man more than words can say.  He has been my rock through so much of my life and without him I would not be the woman I am today.  He taught me to love Christ and to show that love in all that I do.  I have tried to live by his teachings (I have fallen off that path a few times) my whole life.  Thanks Dad, for giving me life!

And this woman:

My mom is my best friend.  I do not go a day without talking to her (usually 4-5 times).  We have had our “battles” but what mother/daughter don’t! :) She works hard for a furniture company based in AR.  People say I look just like her (but I don’t see it), my husband says I have her mannerisms.  She has been through a lot in life but is now an amazing Christian woman.  I am so proud to call her my mommy! Thanks Mom, for giving me life!

 

My step-mom didn’t technically give me life but she was a large part of my life growing up.  My dad and step mom have been married since I was pretty young (I want to say 5-ish?)

Dana-My step mom:

(I don’t have a picture of just Dana..so this one of my wedding with my Dad, Dana, me and Noah will have to do)

And while I am at it…I will introduce you to my brothers and sister:

Jay, is the oldest of all of us.  He is my only “true” biological sibling.  He is married to my sister in law Kristen and they have my first (and only so far) niece, Jayci Leigh.  Jay is a hard worker and a great Christian man. I am proud to call him my brother!

Jay and his wife, Kristen (Sorry Kristen I stole this picture from your Facebook)

Jayci (I stole this one too..sorry)

Ashley, is my “step” sister but we do not really classify each other as that.  She is my only sister. She is married to Dustin, her high school sweetheart.  They don’t have any kids yet, except their 2 puppies.  Ashley is also a great Christian and I love having her as my sister.

I would be next in line in chronological order :)

Christian is my *almost* 14 year old baby brother.  He is not so much a baby anymore and that makes me sad.  He has turned into such a wonderful young man and I LOVE spending time with him.  I wish I could do it more, but living so far away it isn’t very possible.  My kids love him to death! And he is (I have to admit) the cutest 14 year old I know!

Dad and Christian on top of Pinnacle Mountain in AR.  I love that place!

Here are all of us at my wedding last October:

I could not ask for better parents or siblings!! I am truly blessed!

Thanks to all of you for making my life whole :)

Comparison!!

Pre-Baby



12-13 weeks



19-20 weeks



22 weeks



24-25 weeks (taken today)



I would say a lot has changed over these past 6 months! But I would not change it for the world!!

Our Kids, Our Yard & A Birthday

All the outdoor pictures of us were taken in our backyard..well my in-laws back yard (but we live there too).  It is truly an amazing place…I love it!

On Sunday we celebrated my husband’s 28th Birthday…Happy Birthday Baby!!

Finally…Egg Hunting Pictures

Bella’s First Easter Egg :) I made that egg for her and Noah thought it would be cute to take a picture of it while it was being hidden for the kids to find!! We can’t wait until next Easter when lil Miss Bella will be able to join in the fun with her big brother and big sister!

I know these are late but I am posting them anyways…don’t you just love the kids’ colorful “spring” outfits! I do :)

They had such a good time hunting eggs…we hid them 3 times for them and Elijah ‘won” every time! ha ha.

Pro-Life...Get Involved

If you are pro-life and want to get involved...go HERE and read my husband's short post about how you can do it and the link to get started!

We are both very pro-life and want to save the unborn babies that Jesus loves so much! Please help!

The unborn NEED your help and YOUR voice!!

Doctor's Appointment

I saw my doctor again today for my routine ob visit. All was well (mostly)...Bella's heartrate was normal 148, my blood pressure was great, I have gained 13 lbs and everything looks good.

He changed me to every 3 week appointments instead of 4 because he thinks my hips are not spreading like they should be and he is afraid I may be too little to give natural birth. He wants to keep a close eye on it because if they do not spread he will want to do a c-section by 36 weeks. I really really don't want this to happen but I am trusting in HIM and I know that what HE decides will be fine. My doctor said to not worry that they still have plenty of time to spread and I could still have a vaginal birth. So that is what I am doing...leaving it to HIM.

At my next appointment I have to do my glucose diabetes test. I am not looking forward to it but it is kind of exciting that I am already to that point in my pregnancy! I can't believe that in 17 short weeks (or sooner) I will be meeting my precious daughter!!

The nurse had a hard time finding Isabella's heartbeat at first because she was moving around so much! ha ha. She is already an active little girl!

I can't wait to meet this precious (active) angel inside of me :)

Wordless Wednesday-Life's Simple Pleasures

Our Easter

We had a pretty “normal” Easter this year.  We went to early morning church service, the kids sat in “big church” with us.  Kirsten really enjoyed the singing and praying.  She would stand up, sing and clap her hands during the songs and bow her little head and fold her heads when we prayed…it was heartwarming.

After a great church service, we headed home and took some family pictures of us all dressed up.

Our Sweet Lil Family. 

I have lots of pictures of the kids hunting eggs and eating their candy but I don’t have them all uploaded yet so I will do another post tonight (or when I get to upload the pictures) of those. 

Our Easter was great and I could not imagine life without knowing that HE IS RISEN!!

Hope yours was great!!

22 weeks...

There really is nothing special at 22 weeks pregnant..except that you are still going strong and baby is doing great :) I really just wanted to share a belly pic with you (and for my journal of this pregnancy) I really see a difference between now and 2 weeks ago...it is really crazy how fast I/Bella grow(s). I am enjoying my pregnancy so much!




I hope you all have had a great Good Friday and have a Wonderful Easter!

It is truly amazing that HE died for ME (and YOU!) What an amazing gift!!

Oh how I love…

Spring Flowers…

Blue Skies…

Fresh cut grass…

and

Feet in cold water!

Ahhhh Spring is here and I am loving it!!!

What do you love about Spring?

(all images courtesy of Google Images)