On my mind

Random train of thought when I should be sleeping. I hope you can stand the craziness.

What's with the weather this year? Only 8 quarts of pickles instead of 75. Tomatoes are coming off so slow. There was enough going on that less canning was welcome, though. God knows.

The beef is at the butcher. Soups and steaks and roasts. I love soup in the winter. Pumpkin soup in Haiti. Mmm, wish I could make it like they do.

Now I'm hungry.

Breakfast. What I am going to make for breakfast? I am tired of coming up with breakfast foods. Time to meal plan those too I suppose.

I cannot wait for the twins to get their birthday presents this year. Fits them perfectly and they will be thrilled.

Oldest didn't think her and I had anything in common. Thought I hated shopping and shoes. How did she misinterpret not being able to afford it with not liking to do it? Love how her dad set her straight pointing out how alike we are and how she has been relating to me since. She is going to love her birthday this year.

Second oldest is dealing with some heartbreak. So grateful he has his dad to lament with and relate to.

Youngest three still think I walk on water.

Love how capable my hub is and how the family room looks now. My inner Mallory can rest.

For now.

I love brown and white with shades of blue. Living room maybe?

No rest for the decorated weary.

Whatever happened to the chocolate Special K?

Now I'm hungry again.

Book Review: Your Money God's Way

I thoroughly enjoyed reading the book "Your Money God's Way" written by Amie Streater. I was skeptical to read another book about money. We are Dave Ramsey fans and have learned a lot the past year about the way we handle or mishandle money. We are enjoying the discipline of the envelope method and have been eliminating debt which feels so good. We have a plan that is working and I wasn't sure I would take much more away from another book on the same topic. However, when I saw that the book is endorsed by Dave Ramsey my interest was piqued.

Amie doesn't mince words and says it like it is. Her advice is biblical and quite frankly is a kick in the pants where needed. I was impressed with her straight forward approach and the book answered some questions I wasn't even aware that I had. She takes what she calls counterfeit convictions and replaces them with timeless truths explaining mistakes that Christians make every day concerning money.

She explores topics such as spending habits, loaning to family members and friends, viewing God as an ATM, Scarlett Syndrome and so much more. I enjoyed this read and highly recommend this book whether you are doing well at managing money, need a refresher or just plain want/need good biblical advice regarding money.

Booksneeze sent this book to me for my review. The opinions are my own and I was not compensated in any way other than the book that I received to read.

Proof

This picture is for me. I need to have it documented. Yes, that is one lone towel in the bottom of the basket. Though I get close, laundry never really is done around here.

Why I iron my husband's clothes

Confession time. My husband loves ironed clothing for work. I hate to iron. Ok, maybe hate is a bit too strong of a word. I don't enjoy it, however. My feelings aside, though, it is a necessary evil in our house since the hubster needs to dress in business attire for work. However, he has never asked me to iron for him. In fact, he has actually said that if he wants something ironed he can "do it his own dang self." The laundry is on my list of responsibilities but the extra step of ironing has not been an expectation that Steve has of me. I appreciate that he recognizes and gives room for my aversions.

It is hard for me, though, to hang up wrinkly dress shirts and pants in the closet knowing he will have to iron when he is tired before bed or would have to get up extra early to do it. My solution? Buy wrinkle resistant business clothing and circle the laundry room like a vulture over fresh meat waiting for the dryer to buzz. I have been known to hurdle toys and other laundry to get to the dryer so I can yank those babies right out and get them on a hanger before they wrinkle. Did I mention that I don't enjoy ironing?

If I am being honest I do have to admit that you really can tell the difference between an ironed shirt and one just out of the dryer. Recently it became important to me to go a step farther, go the extra mile, if you will. Steve works very hard, gets up early with no complaint, deals with my night owl tendencies and more importantly values the call on my life to be stay at home wife and mom. I realize these days that being able to stay home with my kids is a luxury, that it's not always possible for those who would like to do the same. While we have made zillions of sacrifices and it is hard, hard, hard, I still wouldn't trade it for any other job.

Each week, I get his wrinkled shirts and pants out of the dryer and I iron them. I pray for him and his co-workers and I thank God that I have a husband that values the call on my life as much and sometimes more than I do. And you know what? When a less than desirable chore is done as an act of love and gratefulness, it takes on meaning and purpose and can actually be enjoyable. And if I do it while watching my Seattle Seahawks mow down their opponent on a Sunday afternoon, well that's just gravy.

It's time

Time to finish up the canning.

Time to crack open the books.



Time to slow down on outside activities.



Time to open our minds.



Time to learn.



Time to buckle down.



Time to build character.



Time to make memories.