Sick Days

It's that time of year again. Cold and flu season. With five little ones in the home, it usually hits us pretty hard. Especially now that I have three in school. They bring home all sorts of wonderful bugs!

This past week it happened to be a cold bug. It started with a sore throat. Then it moved into the sinuses and finally, settled into my chest. Every single one of us has it, but this is the worst cold I have had in a long time. I am glad that I am finally on the up side of it. It has really sapped any and all energy out of me.

Some time in the middle of my misery, a friend asked "how do you take care of your family when you feel that crummy?" Well, I stick to the basics. Food, sleep, and clothing. If everyone is fed, I consider that a victory. If they have clean clothes to wear, we're doing good. Then I put everyone in bed, including myself, and start all over the next day. Anything that is not an absolute necessity, can wait.

I also recruit help. Fortunately, I have a very helpful husband. The kids can all pitch in in one way or another too. This weekend I was extra lucky to have my mom and sister around to help out. (Hopefully they don't get what we had!) I've learned not to feel guilty about asking for help when I am sick. It's good to give yourself permission to rest and recover. The important thing is to focus on getting healthy again.

Then, when I am feeling better, I take preventative measures. I keep a stock of disinfecting wipes, hand lotion, and spray around the house and in the car. I sanitize as much as possible, encourage hand washing, and make sure everyone is taking their vitamins along with drinking a lot of water. I'm teaching my kids to cough into their sleeves, and be alert about how easily germs spread. We'll get through this cold and flu season just like we have before...one bug at a time. But it's good to know that we're doing all that we can to stay healthy.

Yet I will be Thankful...

I am keeping with the theme of 10 Things Tuesday this week, and making my own "Yet I" list. Sometimes circumstances can really get me down, but it really helps to find the positive in every situation.

1. Our used car that we bought for cash not too long ago has decided to stop working YET I am thankful that we have gracious friends that let us use their vehicle this week until we figure out what we need to do to fix it.
2. All of my kids have runny noses YET I am thankful for Kleenex and that their colds aren't something worse.
3. We are down to our last $2 in our bank account until my husband gets paid YET I am thankful that he has a new job that is providing for us.
4. I sometimes feel overwhelmed by the amount of time and energy it takes to keep this household running, YET I am thankful for the roof over our heads and all of the family members that live under it.
5. I am really going to miss the women at LCN (our old church) YET I am thankful for the friendships that have been made there and thankful for the opportunity to cultivate new friendships at our current church.
6. I wish that I had more time to read, keep up this blog, and other things I love to do, YET I am thankful when I do get the opportunity to enjoy my favorite things.
7. I would like to get together with friends on a more regular basis YET I cherish and am thankful for the times I do get to gather with friends over a cup of coffee or lunch.
8. I miss my extended family YET I am thankful that they are willing to drive over the mountains to come and visit me and I get to see them this weekend.
9. It seems like I will never be done with my diaper changing days, YET I am thankful that I have made it through potty training four times and will start training my last child within a year.
10. It is getting crispy cold outside, YET I am thankful for evenings spent by a warm fireplace with a hot cup of cocoa or cider, and family story time. : )

What a joy to remember that there is always something to be thankful for!

Penny Pinching Ideas

Hi, and welcome to coffee! Or tea, or whatever happens to be your beverage of choice. Mine happens to be water right now. I've come to really enjoy Company Girl Coffee. I don't get to post all that often, so Fridays are one of the days that I allow myself a little extra time to reflect and blog. Sorry for those of you who aren't ABBA fans, I couldn't resist! Just scroll down and pause if you want. : )

What I want to share today, has come up more than once this week. Usually, when something comes up more than once, I know that there is a lesson involved. This particular lesson has to do with penny pinching. Growing up, my mom really taught me well. She taught me the importance of saving your money, and spending wisely. She is the one that showed me how to make a budget, balance my checkbook, and plan for the future. I love her for that, and I hope to pass on the "good stewardship" lesson to my children.

Here are a few things we do around our household to be good stewards...

• Make out a budget and stick to it. There are all sorts of books you can read and classes you can take to do this. Our family just made my own list of bills and money spending categories on my computer. It cost us nothing and we have it to refer to often.


• Balance your checkbook. Not just balance it, but reconcile it against your statement for anything you may have missed. It's never good to find out too late that you don't have enough money in your bank account to pay for bills. Not to mention the overdraft fees that the bank charges on top of being overdrawn.


• Plan a menu and shopping list, and stick to it. I realize that schedules can change at the last minute, but I try really hard to stick to my menu plan.


• Use coupons! I keep mine categorized so that when I go to do my shopping, I can check to see if I have any coupons that coordinate with my grocery list. I DON'T, however, buy something, just because I have a coupon for it.


• Watch for great sales on regular used items and then stock up on them. Here's where I like to use those coupons that may not be on my grocery list. For example, if cream of chicken soup is on sale (which is a staple in our house) and I have a coupon for additional savings, I will stock up my pantry so that I can then "shop" from my pantry at a later date when there might not be such a great deal out there.


• Don't eat out on a regular basis. We hardly ever eat out as a family, but save it for special occasions.


• Drink coffee at home. You'd be amazed how much "coffee dates", or "coffee with the girls" can add up. I like to invite my girlfriends over to my house and put on a pot here instead. Not only is it more cost effective, but it's more personable too.


• Plan out date nights and save up the money for them. We don't have baby sitting in our budget yet, so we like to take advantage of relatives being here, or swap babysitting with a friend. Then we do something low cost like ice cream, or dinner where we might have a gift certificate. It doesn't have to be fancy to enjoy each other's company.


• Plan family recreation that doesn't cost a dime. Go to the park. Take walks together. Play board games. (Assuming you have as many lying around as we do.) This time of year, we have fun just stepping out into the back yard and watching stars. Keep it simple, and it doesn't have to cost you anything.


• Make a list of things you need and plan to pay CASH for them. If you don't have the money now, then you don't really need it that badly. Prioritize. Pray about the things you think you really need.

I could go on and on, but I've run out of time. If you want to read more about money saving tips, I suggest you visit here. XBOX Wife has a great list of her own. : ) Thanks for visiting! I look forward to sharing coffee with all of you this weekend!

Luke 16:10-11 "Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches?"

10 Things Tuesday

Boy am I glad for 10 things Tuesday. It really comes at the perfect time, after Mondays! I have a really hard time staying motivated on Mondays. I'm sure I'm not alone. It used to be that before I got married, my sister was my main encourager. When I would have a bad day, she would refer to a favorite book of mine, "Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day." Even now, I feel better just talking to her when I'm discouraged about something. So in keeping with Mrs. Brownstone's theme today, I will be listing 10 ways I am thankful for my sister. Even though you live across the mountains from me sister, I am so thankful that you are always in my heart.

1. You love me unconditionally. Nothing I say or do could keep you from loving me, even if you don't agree with it.
2. You take time to gab with me on the phone, even if we don't have anything to talk about!
3. You make time in your busy schedule to travel over the mountains to come and see me so that I don't have to spend 6 hours in a van with 5 small children!
4. You are a great teacher, and you love those kids you teach. I know they know it, and you are impacting their lives in an incredible way.
5. You help me out by saving your daughter's clothes and passing them on to your nieces.
6. Speaking of nieces, you love each of your nieces and nephews deeply and individually, even though there are a lot of them! They know that they are loved by you and look forward to your visits.
7. You came up with the saying "Always remember the magic of a smile and a happy thought." Whenever I think of you, I smile.
8. You know the importance of sometimes just vegging out, watching mindless television!
9. You make an AWESOME brunch!
10. You are everything I could ever ask for in a sister. Not only am I glad that we are sisters, I am grateful to call you friend.

I love you sis! Can't wait to see you in two weeks!

To Do, or To Love?

The other day I visited one of my favorite blogs to read, Simply My Thoughts. She had a post on September 29th that really hit home with me. As a mom of 5 children, ages 7 and under, I sometimes struggle to keep up with the whirlwind of little voices and bodies all around me. It can be very overwhelming to try and keep up with who has P.E. on what day, who is supposed to read 15 minutes a day vs. 20, and what folder/papers I've already signed to be returned to school. And of course, there's the two youngest kids who aren't in school yet, but need my attention just the same. I often feel like I need an interpreter, just to keep up when they all speak at once!

Like my friend over at Simply My Thoughts, (You can go there to read a really good interview about living life on purpose.) I sometimes find myself living moment to moment. As moms, that may be the ONLY thing we can do at times. It's easy to get caught up in the "to dos" of the day, and forget to live the "to love" part of our lives. I'm working on ways to make routine a little easier around here (more on that later) but I just wanted to take a minute and stop to reflect on what really matters in this life. To Love. Everything else will eventually fall into place.

One last thing. If you were reading this and tuning out the song, please take time to go back and listen to the words. It's Steven Curtis Chapman's "One Heartbeat at a Time." He wrote it for his wife, but when I listen to it, it speaks to my own heart as a mom.

I am Thankful...

It's 10 Things Tuesday again! The weeks just seem to be flying by at this point. I sure do have a lot to be thankful for. I don't know if I can narrow it to ten this week, but I'll give it my best shot.

1. I am so thankful that I finally got some restful sleep last night! Sleepy mom doesn't go over very well around here. : )
2. I am thankful that 45 women signed up do be in the Beth Moore Study that I am leading for Women's Ministry this fall. I can hardly believe it! God is going to do big things through this study! What an awesome privilege to be His servant!
3. I am thankful that my husband had 23 leaders show up to his Sr. High Youth team meeting! WOW! I love it when God goes above and beyond our expectations. I can't wait to see what He is going to do through Sr. High Ministry this year.
4. I am thankful that God is showing me how He answers prayer in powerful ways.
5. I am thankful for this last bit of nice weather we are having before the rain and eventually, snow comes.
6. I am thankful for my man, who was willing to spend his free time out in the garage sorting and cleaning this weekend.
7. I am thankful for the safe delivery of my friend Melodi's baby boy, George. Congratulations Mel! What a blessing!
8. I am thankful for the many ways that God blesses this family. He's always taken care of us. May I never doubt or take advantage of His faithfulness to provide what we need.
9. I am thankful for the encouragers God has put in my life.
10. I am thankful for the wonderful privilege of being a mom.

Talking Matters

Well, it's been a long week, and I'm glad it's Friday. I thought before I turn in for the night I would take a little time to have a cup of coffee with some Company Girls. I have decaf on hand for all of you out there who prefer it this late in the day!

This week my favorite small thing was "Talk to Me, Babe!" The idea was to sit down and talk to your man about what they'd like to talk about. This task wasn't too hard for me this week because there is a lot going on in our lives right now to talk about. A new job for one. My dh just got hired on as the new Worship Pastor at a local Church where we live. We also talked a lot about his current job...realty. He's closing two deals right now, while transitioning into his new job. His week was packed with meetings and phone calls. Somehow in the midst of it all though, we connected and I asked him not one question, but several. About his day, his meetings this week, and how he's handling this transition.

He shared his fears with me as well as some of his dreams, plans, and goals for the future. He talked about the difficulties of working two jobs at once, and opened up about the excitement of beginning a new chapter in our lives. What an incredibly intimate time we had together, all because I showed interest in what matters to him. It made me realize how important it is to genuinely show interest in what my loving dh has to say.

From Fantasy Football (which I now have a better understanding of) to job transitions, when my dh talks, I'm going to try harder to open my ears and heart and listen. After all, I am his wife, his helper, and his best friend.

Genesis 2:18 The LORD God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him."