3.21.10- our 8 year anniversary

"This day you will marry your friend, the one you laugh with, live for, dream with, love......."

Seavie and I made it a point when we got married, that we would try and get away every year on our wedding anniversary to have time together as a couple, time to reconnect and have time away from the kiddos. Our 1 yr anniversary we spent at a cute B&B in Liberty, and then the 2nd year at a historic hotel in Lawrence. Then from our 3rd-6th anniversaries we took the Dinner Theatre approach as a nice date night, since we were unable to get away. Last year for our 7 yr anniversary we spent an amazing weekend in Weston at the best B&B ever. We had a 3 day, kid-free weekend. Enjoyed amazing food, and wine tasting, found a new love of Irish/Rock music, and most of all had a great time as a couple. It was really hard for me to go back to reality after that point, because it was just too perfect, our time together the way it used to be.

Just last weekend we celebrated our 8 year wedding anniversary. I was so excited to get away again. This time we had a kid free weekend, but took a day trip back to Weston again. I have to admit that the crazy snow that we got that day almost ruined our plans, but it ended up making it even more memorable. We practically had the whole town to ourselves, with many of the shops closed. The downtown was quiet and quaint, and just the way I remember it growing up as a child. It was so serence and peaceful, that it was too perfect to not steal a kiss walking in the snow. We enjoyed the always amazing, Beef and Guiness, at the Irish pub restaurant, yum! wine tasting, shopping, and even visited the local museum which I hadn't been to in about 20 yrs.

After that we headed back home to get ready for our evening out at the Power and Light District. We found it okay, but got more than confused when trying to find a close parking garage, so that was quite the experience. Once again, the snow made for a perfect evening. It was less crowded and the snow covered everything, making it so picture perfect and romantic.

We had made dinner reservations at The Bristol at Power and Light, and it was amazing :) Seavie actually designed all most all of the casework (woodworking) there, including the bar area, greeter desk, paneling, soffits etc. I had made a reservation there, one because it's yummy and we hadn't been since my 21st b'day, and two, because I knew it would mean a lot for him to be able to see something he designed in person. He was more than thrilled! They gave us a complimentary dessert since it was our anniversary,and we got the carrot cake, and I just have to say that "it is to die for." It was so amazing!

We had about an hour or so of extra time till we had to go hear our favorite Irish Rock band play, so we headed over to the Live at Power and Light area, which is like an open air atrium space between all the bars there. Luckily for us the K-state basketball game was on the jumbo screen tv, and so we got to cheer them on to their victory!!!Just relaxing on the Heated Patio area watching the snow fall. We also got lots of fun people watching time in, which is always a great pastime, especially when it involves young intoxicated people. It made me wonder what people thought of me in my crazy college days :)

So we headed to Raglan Road to hear Flannigan's Right Hook perform. We got seated next to the funniest kids, well not kids, but we thought for sure they were all 21, but they ended up celebrating this girls 25th b'day. It was quite amusing to say the least! The band was great, and we got to hear all of our favorites from last year. I guess we're groupies now of sorts :) We stayed there until about midnight, way past our bedtime at the ripe old age of almost 30 and 29.

It was so nice to wake up the next morning to silence, and no arguing and yelling of the kiddos fighing over toys or tv, or wanting to eat. Just getting to sleep in, in silence was perfect. I made my hubby his favorite, biscuits and gravy, and he was thrilled. We just hung out at home for the day, and watched Nascar (which I'm actually a huge fan of) and enjoyed the peace and quiet in our time together.

That evening it was back to reality with kids in tow, bedtime routines and regular meals. It was so nice to get away and have that time together. To remember life pre-kids and to cherish those moments together that we don't get so often. To have fun and splurge a little and not have to worry about bills and the mortgage etc. To have the time to reconnect as a couple and celebrate 8 wonderful years of marriage! Here's to the best year of our marriage yet :)

Home Sweet Home

It was 3 years ago today, that we decided to step out in faith and leave the church home that I had grown up in since 3rd grade. It was a decision that had been 6 months in the making.

It was through a long series of events, that we felt it was time to make a move away from the place that we had so dearly loved.

I left behind 17 yrs of memories to make a fresh start and to go where God was calling us. It was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do in my life. To say goodbye to friends and the place you called home. To break away from my husbands family and finally be on our own.

It is the best thing that has happened to us in the almost 8 yrs we've been married. We met there in HS youth group and started dating when we were 16 going on 17, and 17 going on 18.

We came to the point in our adult life that we needed to be independent and on our own and have a fresh start to things. That's when we found CRCC :)

I'll never forget the first time I went up there during the week to find out more info about the church. I met Brian and Dave, but had absolutely no idea that they were pastor/ and music pastor. Just talking to them getting to know them, and then Brian says, "I'll see you next week at church." And I'm thinking that he's just someone who goes to church there. I was shocked

(in a good way) when I saw he was the pastor, and also glad I didn't say anything stupid a few days before. At first when they mentioned that church was in the gym, I was taken back by it. Thinking, well that's an interesting place for church-coming from just leaving a super traditional Evangelical Covenant church. Up to that point, I had never been to such an impactful worship service at a church- besides CHIC '97 and Christian Challenge in college. Music moves my soul in ways that nothing else can, and to me that was a huge thing. I loved that everyone was so friendly- (people at our old church were starting to be a little snotty). I love that the word of God is preached with such a passion. Most of all I love the church's vision for Missions. I've always loved doing Missions work, and it was very important to go to a church that was rooted in Missions and especially community outreach. I loved the small church feel, coming from a church that had 1200 people or so. Most of all I loved that God was calling us here and made us feel at home here.

God has been working on my heart in so many ways during the last 3 years. The biggest one, was being re-baptised. I was baptised by sprinkling at 9 yrs old, and had accepted Jesus into my heart when I was 3 yrs old. That was one of the things I fought against the most, was the thought of being baptised again. I had never felt the inclination to do that at my old church in the slightest bit. I even talked to Brian about it, but just kept fighting it. Finally I felt the Holy Spirit convicting me that it was something that I needed to do. My life went through some crazy times from the time I was 9-25. I had struggled with drinking heavily in college, and going a bit wild, and then with my suprise "grace" . Alot had happened since I first accepted Christ. I was baptised on Dec.23,2007, and I have never felt such overwhelming peace as I have that day. I remember coming home and laying down and it felt like I was physically surrounded in peace and contentment and just crying because this must be what it will be like in heaven some day. Peace and no sorrows.

The Holy Spirit was at work on my heart, and for the first year or so that we went there, it seemed like I would cry or be touched by how moving the service was. My heart ached for God.

It was also the first time I truly saw my husband really happy to go to church. His personality fits so well with that of our leadership team, and even hearing him sing, was music to my ears!

God has blessed me with some amazing friends, and I am so very glad that I know them, that my life wouldn't be complete without them :) God has even opened my eyes up to what life is like with bigger families-our old church had maybe 2 kids each, where here is 3-5, and to more people who homeschool. My perspectives have been changed for the better. Part of me wishes we hadn't made the choice to not have any more kids right after Braden was born, and before we could see how awesome big families are, and the fun dynamics between siblings. I am thankful for all of our friends we've met through our 2 different small groups-sharing in joys and struggles together. Before we came to crcc, we had honestly never met so many people that we could relate to at church. Everyone was so down to earth, and real. It was extremely hard for us to relate to most people our age at our old church, they had different outlooks on life (and there was a big problem with them being too clicquey(sp?). I was glad to see that people at our church leadership lived modestly just like everyone else.

God has worked on my heart the last 3 years, moving me to be more outgoing and to speak up for those things that I feel passionate about. I was thrilled that our church supported the Walk for Life the last 2 yrs, because my old church didn't and that really hurt! My passion is for helping young women who are experiencing an unplanned pregnancy. I am so glad that I have so many friends at church who are supportive of this as well :)

I am so thankful for my friends from crcc that I've had the opportunity to share my life with. Thank you for being real, and honest and steadfast!

Mark 8:36

"What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?"

As a Christ Follower, what do you think is so important
(that society deems socially acceptable)

that you are willing to sacrifice your values

and ultimately your soul for?
Right now I am shaken at the thought of it....

The following is an exchange of words between myself and an acquaintance (I would not call her a friend) from my old church-someone who I was in Sunday School class with for several years, went to her baby shower, brought her meals after she had her 2 sons. She was superficially nice, but never sincere, and once told me that only poor people shop at Target.

She is early-mid 30's, married, has 2 young sons, was a corporate career woman, and her husband is a Dr.- I believe in Perinatology or Maternal and Fetal Medicine.

This all began, when I saw that we had mutual friends from church, and clicked on her link to see what was going on in her life. I saw that she was a fan of G.Tiller and of Marriage Equality (for LGBT marriages), so I sent her a note to see what she meant by that.

She replied, stating "We are against anyone being murdered for their beliefs."

This was puzzling to me, so I sent her a reply....

"As a Christian, yes, murder is wrong. He was not a martyr by any means and think of all the thousands and thousands of babies that lost their lives. As a Christian we should fight for the lives of the unborn and for their voice! We should fight for marriage only between a man and a woman! Because that's the way God created us. We shouldn't sacrifice our beliefs to become politically correct, or to what society deems acceptable. It just really suprised me that was something you supported, as someone who we used to go to church with, and as someone who is a mother of 2 small children."

How she replied, shocked me to my core.....

"Megan,I'm not going to get into a discussion about these issues w/ you because we fundamentally disagree. Neil, in his practice, routinely has to counsel women about termination--fetuses w/out brains, spinal cords, etc. That's part of his job description. Some crazy wacko might take it upon themselves to shoot my husband. Please do not contact me again."

--- ---------------------- - -----------------------------------------------------

I am shocked beyond words, and deeply saddened at the same time. Granted this is from someone I wouldn't necessarily call a friend, but non the less someone that I was in Sunday School with for a few years, worshipped with, prayed with, celebrated with at the birth of her sons. Someone who I thought had the same beliefs I did.

(Let me just say a disclaimer here that I am not judging or condemning anyone who has ever had an abortion, or considered one. On this subject, I have never been one to judge-because I know it's up to God to work on the individuals heart in his time- and for the healing process to take place)

I have personally known 2 brave women who went through such heartache to continue their pregnancies. The first was a woman at my old church. The first time she got pregnant, her body developed breast cancer, and she was at risk. She decided that she was having the baby, and would cope with the effects of dealing with breast cancer. So several years later, she got pregnant again, and the same thing happened. Her daughter Paige was born, and by the time she was not even 2 yrs old, her mom had lost her fight with breast cancer, and went home to be with the Lord.

The second woman, was actually my husband's cousin's wife. She had already had 2 healthy children without complications, and when she found out she was expecting baby #3, they found that the baby didn’t have a brain and had other deformities. They chose to carry the baby as far as God would have them. It did die and she carried it for another month then delivered it-never even getting to see him, because her husband thought it would crush her. They chose not to have a doctor take it.They were very strong Southern Baptist, and abortion was out of the question for them. I think that she was extremely brave to do what she did-knowing that her baby wouldn't live very long, but still chosing to give it life. She went on to have another pregnancy, with a very healthy baby boy, who is now 3 yrs old.

So when she told me what her husband did for a living, it just shocked me. Is it worth the prestige and achievement in that field of medicine, to sacrifice your beliefs and counsel women for that, when you have small children of your own? Do they not believe that life is sacred, and God created them? At what point do you throw your values out the window?

Another upsetting thing is that she has at least 30 friends I know of from our old church that know of her support for these groups, and I'm pretty sure that non of them have decided to take a stand with her on this subject. Isn't it our jobs as Christians to hold each other accountable on the ways of the Lord, and the teachings of the Bible? Especially on the very fundamental things of life itself and marriage. Have they become so politically correct, or afraid to go against what society thinks is popular, that they fail to take a stand for what they believe in?

I have never felt the battle of spiritual warfare more than I have with these 2 subjects. Even within the Christian community. It has been eye opening to say the least.

Bathroom Remodel Reveal....

The view from the kitchen-our new backdoor with built in blinds. I was sad to part with the old wooden door that looked the same, but for security reasons, we got a metal door instead. To the L, you'll see the beadboard access panel on the shower wall. And the flooring just got laid 2 days ago-no more looking at ugly subfloor!!!

The view from the bathroom doorway, looking out to the hallway.

The view from the hallway looking into the bathroom


Upclose view of my pretty new floor- which I highly recommend if anyone's on the market for new flooring. It's Allure (in Hickory) by Home Depot. It's resilient flooring, very durable with a 25 yr warranty- and water resistent. Plus it looks and feels more like real wood flooring than pergo does.

A pic of my new love... my rainfall shower head! Our old-new shower head broke upon trying to install it here, and luckily it was still under warranty, so thank goodness for my FREE new shower head from HD!!!

In the bathroom, I wanted to go for a more sophisticated look, with nicer 3 light wall sconce over the sink. We totally reconfigured the bathroom layout-allowing access to both bathrooms off of one central hallway. Moving the tub to the back wall allowed us to have a window!Yay! which had been walled over by the previous owner. We went with pedestal sinks because they make it more spacious.

My dream tub.... Before the project started, I debated between wanting a claw foot tub or a rounded tub. Both were out of our price range, but we found this Kohler tub at HD on clearance for around $50, and were thrilled to death! The best part is that it's actually white. Our old tub was an eggshell/yellow color-Bleh!!!!

We found this 18"x18" tile at a local tile wholesaler, and did the whole tub, all the way to the ceiling, which is about 9', and it was only $85!!! I had originally wanted slate, but it requires too much maintenance, so we went with this instead-which has the look of slate.

So we got the designer look, for a very small fraction of the price. I designed the tile layout, and my hubby was my tile installer, and did a great job for his first time ever tiling!!! I'm in love!

We also got a curved shower rod, which I also highly recommend. It adds so much more space to the standard tub.

This is the back wall of the shower. My hubby built a special wall shelf for storage of shampoo bottles, etc, and it has worked out great. We're still looking for the perfect and neutral shower curtain (I took the liner down for the pictures)

We finished up this project right after Thanksgiving, and we started it over Memorial Day. If you want to know the true meaning of patience, try going 6 months taking a bath, with no shower. It can get very stressful! I'll try and post the before pics sometime. For those of you who saw what it looked like before, hopefully you can visualize what it used to look like. To sum it up, it was dark, yellow(ceiling,walls, tub,sink) and crowded. It was one ugly bathroom!!!!

All of our hardwork and patience paid off, and I am so grateful and thankful to have a husband who is such a handy man!

Laundry Room Remodel

Presenting our newly remodeled Laundry Room & Half Bath.......... We finished this project in February of 2009, after 8 long months of having to do laundry elsewhere. I will eventually get around to posting before pics-they were not pretty at all. We did all the work ourselves!!! With a little help on plumbing from our brother in law, and a little manual labor from my father in law.

My hubby bought the stained glass piece for my b'day last year, and it made the perfect addition to the 1/2 bath/laundry room. I wanted outdoor lights as the wall sconces, to keep in the character of being the original back porch. I think it gives it a little industrial feel.


I convinced him to tear out the ceilings, which were 7' tall, and now are about 9' tall at the highest point. This was part of the original back porch to the house, and it had beadboard ceilings, which we put back in, to keep with the character of the space. I have an antique washboard displayed, and still need to display my antique laundry wringer on top of the cabinet. I think they serve as a great contrast to old and new innovations in the world of laundry.


Before, this large space was just the laundry room-with a regular washer and dryer. We decided that with just one bathroom in the house, it would be nice to add another one, since it's kind of hard for 4 people to share 1 bathroom. So we parted with our old appliances, and bought LG stackable W/D last November at an awesome HD sale. They are amazing!


This is a view looking out to the hallway. Our 5 paneled doors are still waiting to be installed (they were our free find-Heart Pine,and they are gorgeous) My hubby custom made all the door and window trim in all 3 remodel areas. Complete with plinth blocks, and tall base trim for a historic look. It matches the original profile to the upstairs woodwork.
I am also in love with this color- Toffee Crunch, by Behr paint. I used to flat our refuse that I would have anything this color-Taupe, Beige, etc in my house, because it's a standard color in the community, but it has really grown on me! I'm thinking of painting our bedroom and the kitchen this color when we remodel.

God provides in the most amazing ways for Christmas.....

Just in the last few days, I have been blessed with the sale of 3 big things, enough to provide $ for our family to use for Christmas presents for my family of 4, as well as our parents, grandmas, sisters and brothers in law, and their kids-16 people total. Before this point, I was seriously contemplating how we were going to provide presents to all these people, and be able to have money for groceries and gas for our cars. I admit, I was thinking about the good old c.c., but I wasn't tempted enough to give in to that idea. First let me explain, that by me sharing this story, I'm not trying to brag about anything, just wanting to show that God can provide through the most amazing ways, and in his perfect timing.

Last Thursday 12/3, while at aapc, I had told them that I had a 4.5' pre-lit tree to donate to the op office. Little did I know that my hubby had promised the same tree to his parents for their office. So we had the same tree promised to 2 different people. Then we had gotten all the Christmas decorations down from the attic, and had been contemplating what to do about our tree. We really wanted to get a new CL one, but couldn't even afford that with Christmas coming up. So right after we put the kids to bed, I hopped online to CL, and under the free section was a 9' pre-lit christmas tree for FREE! We have 9' ceilings which made it even better, because our old tree was a very slim 7' tree. I found this posting just a few minutes after it had been posted, and immediately drove to pick it up. So we now have this tree that takes up a good chunk of our living room, but after finding it, were able to donate the sm.pre-lit tree to aapc, and then give our old tree to my in laws for their office. So 3 groups of people were blessed through one very generous family who gave away one tree!(see the pic at the top of the post)

This past friday, 12/4, I donated about 12 bags of stuff-clothes, toys, stuffed animals, random stuff around the house just taking up space. and dropped it off at my fav charity turnstyles. When I told people this, they asked me why I didn't just have a garage sale with it, which I could have. But my heart has been aching to donate to those in need, and at the time, not being financially able to give as much as I wish I could, those items I donated go on to be sold, and then 100% of those profits get to people in the community that are in need. There is just something about giving that is so freeing to your soul....in my eyes, the following is God's perfect timing of providing for my family,after I in turn had provided for other people (some of you may disagree, but at least in my life, God seems to work like this)

Sat. 12/5, A giant little tykes play cube about 5'x5'. we got this for free from a neighbor down the street who was just throwing it away, several years ago, before my daughter had a swingset. For the last 8 months, my s-in law was borrowing it for her little boys, until they got a swingset (and the swingset had been my sis's, and she gave it to my hubby's cousin, now they're moving, and so my s in law ends up with a free wooden swingset-so they were blessed as well) thus giving us back the play cube that they were borrowing. which in turn we were able to sell it on CL for X-mas money.

Sat.12/5, and Tues.12/7- Over the summer, early spring, our neighbors down the street were selling this beautiful antique bedroom set. It was a solid walnut double sleigh bed, and the matching vanity with tri-fold mirror. Although we really didn't need it at the time, I bought it as an investment(since I also love great bargains on antiques). We were planning on using the vanity, and then giving our daughter the bed, but it's just one more project, and so we decided to sell it. So I sold the bed alone for what I purchased the set for, making a nice profit on the sale! And the thing is that each piece could have sold for several hundred a piece, but I just wanted to get them out of our room.

So by getting a free item, that we used well for several years, and the other set, for a small purchase price, we made a nice little profit on 3 items. More than enough to buy Christmas presents for everyone, and have some extra $ to donate to charities.

(In Sept. we did a similar thing, selling 2 leather recliners that we had gotten for free, and the free leather couch my parents had given us. In selling all 3 things, we were able to purchase a practically brand new micro suede couch on CL)

Let me clarify that at the time we had the free items, we were in need of them, and it hasn't been until several years later until we sold them. So I'm not in favor of people getting free stuff online only to resell it, because there are people out there that couldn't afford to have that item otherwise. Also, we have been blessed with many free items-mainly childrens clothes and toys etc, even a computer, so in return we have given away the same exact things for free, to someone who needed them at the time-the old computer was donated. So I think there is an equal balance there of paying it forward to someone in need, as well as using some of those things, to help out financially in your budget. Trust me if you ever want to hear a crazy story of how long it took me to learn this lesson of letting go of items for free, you'll be in for a big suprise :)

This last week has been pretty crazy talking with my family about focusing on the real meaning of Christmas, and not on all the material possessions. Some of them were not very happy with me. And my lovely and sometimes sarcastic m in law, joked about it, although I'm sure there was a lot of truth to it. Apparently the issue of contentment didn't go over very well, when they didn't have the same change of heart that I have had. So now that I have the $ to use for Christmas, just trying to find the right thing for each person, and pray that they won't be critical about it. We'll see how that goes :)

The Thrifty Christmas Shopper

In the last 7 years of Christmas', our household has had some crazy spending trends, really because we never had a set Christmas budget.

*We did pretty good our first Christmas together in 2002. The only thing I remember now, that was stupid on our part was buying then 2 1/2 month old Grace, 3 new dvds, from Osco of all places, not realizing they are the most expensive there, and to waste $60+ on something for her she wouldn't be watching until 5 years later.

*Christmas 2003 was not a good year for us. Money was so tight and at times non-existent, that we put all Christmas items on on good old Sears cc that year. That was actually quite a challenge, b/c it's pretty darn hard to find cute and inexpensive things there!

*Christmas 2004, I can't recall too much. I was working at that point, and so we had a lot of extra money at the time, but don't remember doing anything extravagent.

*Christmas 2005-this was our crazy, WAY over budget year for gifts for our family members!!! Between 15 people, we blew almost $600 on credit cards! I know it was very sad.

*Christmas 2006-yet another very bad year for our household income wise. This was the year of the credit card. For medical bills, car transmission repair, you name it, and it broke and we had to fix it. So what did I do to be a thrifty shopper, but sign up for a cc that gave you a free $100 gift card-which I proceeded to use for most of our christmas shopping for our whole family. I think everyone got a picture of the kids that year :)

*Christmas 2007- The last year for stocking stuffers!!! By this point we might have still been using our cc's to help fund gifts. I can't really remember, but it was almost $300

*Christmas 2008- The most amazing and debt free Christmas we've ever had!!! And it helped that we had just completed Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace the month before :) and thanks to my dear friend Jeanna for opening up my eyes about gift ideas for kids!

*For 13 people, we only spent $90.00 + 2 extra family gifts for a total of $120 :) My husband's gift was under $25, and my gift was under $30, so the 2 of us total was $55. For a grand total of only $175! This year we also cut out stocking stuffers for ourselves, but still got a few little things for the kids (mainly used books and some candy) We had ended up spending as much on stocking stuffers, as we would have on a nice gift to each other, and it was just a waste to us. How in the world did I pull this off, well here's my story......

*my daughter- I shopped at wal-mart right after halloween, when all their costumes were 75% off or more, and got her 2 hannah montana outfits, a microphone and h.m. makeup set all for only $4.50. At my favorite thrift store, turnstyles, I found her Sleeping Beauty on vhs for $1, when it was re-released in the stores last year new for $20! I also got her Beauty and the Beast Christmas vhs for $1. Then for her stocking stuffers- 3 books, total of 70 cents, and a leotard-50 cents. All for a total of $7.70

*my son- these were all awesome thrift store finds-a lego brand lego table $3, a tonka truck $1, a double car "Cars"racing ramp $3. For his stocking stuffers-elmo slippers $1, and 4 books at 10 cents a piece. All for a total of $8.40

*my oldest nephew- 2 books-35 cents, new old navy slippers $1, pj's $1, sweater 50 cents. All for $2.85

*my youngest nephew- 2 gap shirts-50 cents a piece, bible book -10 cents, 2 song books- 50 cents. And I got him a brand new kohl's dalmation puppy for $5, for a total of $6.60

*my grandma- she loves birds, and so when we found these things at a church garage sale, we were thrilled. bird salt and pepper shakers, 2 cardinal china cups, and a cardinal- for a total of $8

Everything else we bought family was brand new, but on sale....

*MIL-christian cd- $8
*FIL- Oceans 13 dvd-$6
*Sister in law- christian cd-$8
*Brother in law-exten.cord-$12
*Mom-christian cd-$5
*Dad- christian dvd-$5
*Sister-card holder-$5
*Brother in law-drill bitts-$8

All for a grand total of around $90. We had also had our family portrait taken at portrait innovations, and everyone received an unframed pic of us, and the grandparents also received a photo of the kids. And I bought a Christmas Nativity set for my nephews as well.
We had originally budgeted $250 for Christmas, but the grand total came in under $175.

As you can tell, I loved the Christian book store last year for the day after Thanksgiving sale. You can't beat cds and dvds for $5-$8 a piece. I've always been one to appreciate a thoughtful gift, instead of an expensive gift. And so I like to give more heartfelt gifts!!! After going through Financial Peace, we weren't about to put ourselves in more debt just to buy our family Christmas presents.

This year has been all about simplifying, as I said in earlier posts, I have been selling a ton of stuff, and donating a fairly equal amount to charity. Spending less on Christmas with more heartfelt gifts, opens up your heart to give to those who are truly in need this season. Whether it be a friend in need, a missionary, a local food pantry, city union mission, samaritan's purse, etc. It leaves you with more money left to give to where it really counts. I've just started reading about the Advent Conspiracy Organization, and I love the concept- of keeping the focus on Christ, and keeping it simple.

I know that some of you might not be comfortable shopping at thrift stores-like my 2 favs- turnstyles and salvation army (i've also found a lot of good stuff at through my child's eyes). I'll be the first to admit that when I was younger, I thought only poor, homeless people shopped there, and refused to ever visit. Seriously. So if some of you are thinking about where to do your holiday shopping, would you rather give money to giant corporations-who might not even recognize or celebrate "Merry Christmas", or would you rather buy things from someone on CL who needs the extra $, or from a thrift store, where anywhere from 85-100% of the proceeds go direcly to help families that are in need and hurting during this season. Then you get the dual benefit on finding awesome deals, and helping someone in need at the same time.

And for those of you who are wondering about the presents I bought for the kiddos last year, they were all almost new, or like new, that some gracious individual had donated. So it's not like I was giving the kids junk by any means. And I did run the idea by my sister in law first, and she knows our situation, and was okay with it. Most of it, you would never even know where you I got it, if I wasn't sharing it with you. If any of my friends reading this are blessed to have dual family incomes, or a hubby that makes a generous salary, then that's awesome. We've been pretty much living on a very modest income since we got married almost 8 years ago, and it has been rough at times, but I'm so thankful that I can look back at how our mindset has completely shifted in the last few years, especially when times have been tough, and seen God provide, and allow for me to find creative ways to give to my families and friends.

A funny story to end all this with is, when I was about 14 or 15 that Christmas I bought everyone a brand new gift from the mall, and back then I was only shopping for my mom, dad and sister, grandma, and 2 aunts that were in town visiting. I spent over $350 of my hard earned work $ at the mall- I think most of it was on Crabtree and Evelyn gift baskets! So the next Christmas, my sweet frugal grandmother was in town, and took us with her to Wal-Mart to do our shopping. I had never really been in one very much, but loved the idea of not spending over $350 on Christmas. I picked out, what I thought were heartfelt, and sentimental gifts for my family. I got my mom, White Charlie perfume, and my dad, Old Spice. My mom loved hers, my dad, well he tried to be happy, but later said he didn't like it, and it made him smell like an old man. So I tried :) I just wanted to share that funny, and very real story with you!

Another beautiful poem-to my friends who have the kindest words and thoughts

Gratitude by Lucy Maud Montgomery

"I thank thee, friend, for the beautiful thought

That in words well chosen thou gavest to me,

Deep in the life of my soul it has wrought

With its own rare essence to ever imbue me,

To gleam like a star over devious ways,

To bloom like a flower on the drearest days­

Better such gift from thee to me

Than gold of the hills or pearls of the sea.

For the luster of jewels and gold may depart,

And they have in them no life of the giver,

But this gracious gift from thy heart to my heart

Shall witness to me of thy love forever;

Yea, it shall always abide with me

As a part of my immortality;

For a beautiful thought is a thing divine,

So I thank thee, oh, friend, for this gift of thine."

For Little Things, by Lucy Maud Montgomery

This is the ending of a poem by the author of Anne of Green Gables. I love the simplicity and sweetness of it, as well as how very true it is!

Dear God, our life is beautiful
In every splendid gift it brings,
But most I thank Thee humbly for
The joy of little things.

The dress story

"I don’t like telling my story to people but if that is what you need to see if I can get the dress so be it. My husband lost his job July 4th. I am the only income with a family of 6. Myself, husband, 3 boys and a girl. The boys for the most part have clothes I always have to buy new for my daughter. I am looking for a dress for her. I work 2 jobs and go to school. My husband is my daycare provider right now because no jobs he has looked at will pay enough for us to get a daycare. We have tried to get help with daycare but are told since an adult it there we are not eligiable for assistance for daycare help. We are a very proud family and if I have never told you this story you would probably have not know this about us if you met us out somewhere. I try to make sure my kids are always clean, fed and look presentable. My husband has been trying but I told him not to bother right now due to I may have to change my jobs to a different shift due to school and then he could start up then. That is my story in a nut shell."

So we had arranged a time, that I would meet her after she got off work, and I got there early, and waited about 15 minutes, and still didn't see her. So I got frustrated and left. All too many times I've had people not show up for CL things. So in my human nature, I sent her an e-mail and said, "I'm really sorry that you weren't there to get it, because it was a waste of my time(45 minutes round trip), to go out of my way, to try and do something nice for someone, only to have them not show up. I sincerely wanted to help you out. " and then I re-posted the ad, because I was so upset.

Later that night I received a response from her,"I am sorry for your time being wasted. I am sorry you feel that way. if you are willing to allow me to come to you and get it that would be great and I would be willing to do that so you don't have to travel. If you are just mad completely and don't want to bother I understand. I was there I just got out a little late. I didn't see anyone and went on home. Again I am sorry for your incontinences that was no my intention."

I admit, I was upset and thought about giving it to someone else, but God changed my heart, and I felt that she was being sincere, and so she came to my house later in the week to pick up the dress. Before she got there, I went through Grace's closet to see what else I could find that her 5 yr old little girl could have. I had already given away all her clothes and shoes in that size, but I managed to find, a cute skirt, hannah montana dress that was new, and had been given to grace, a gap bathrobe, and a cute pink spring dress. I wish that I could have found more to give her that would fit. The mom was very thankful when she picked it up, and I think a little suprised at all the extra. She later e-mailed me and said, "Thanks again. All was VERY appreciated. She was so excited to get those things. Thank you." She also said, "she was so excited that she modeled the dress and asked her brother to dance with her." How sweet is that :) So God prevailed, even through my anger outburst, and this little girl was blessed with some almost new things that brought her so much joy.