This is a challenge that I really need to participate in but at the same time, I know that this is one of our low months so therefore it will be even more difficult. After debating back and forth, I have decided that I am going to accept the challenge but only with one saving goal in mind.
Does anyone want to join me over at http://www.halfdozendaily.typepad.com/
Financial goals: March has been a drain on us financially. We have had to complete minor repair work on both the vehicles, additional medical expenses for Zach and yesterday our lawn mower decided to smoke us out. We did purchase a new lawnmower on a special finance deal which means that if we pay off the purchase within 12 months, we will not be charged interested. I am adding this as a goal to keep us accountable.
Blogging: Goal: 15 per month This is my 13th post of the month . Still have not met this goal for the year but will continue to keep working toward it.
Devotions: Goal is 5 a week Goal Met! I am really enjoying my morning time.
Weight: Goal to exercise 3x a week and to be down to 150 by December by losing around 4 # a month. Exercising has not been as consistent as it was during February but I have managed to loss 2 more pounds this month. I have officially lost 10 pounds this years so I am making progress! I have not met the pound goal but I am consistently losing weight and that is the most important thing!
Yesterday Lily’s school held a 2nd grade wax museum. The kids have been working on this project for over a month. All the second graders were in the gym in costume. Each parent was given 5 chips to use and you could always go back for more. If you wanted to hear about the person you placed the chip in the bowl and then a short speech happen. Lily chose Mia Hamn, who is a gold medal soccer player. Brooke, my niece, who is 9 months older choose Queen Elizabeth. I learned that Queen Elizabeth was a horse lover!
Would you guess she has never played soccer?
Today has been one of those day, where we have been constantly on the run! I had a long list of things to accomplish and I can proudly say that I finished them all. Zach had his pre-op appointment this morning. It was really a joke, he does weigh 30 pounds and is officially 3 feet tall. The remark that sums up the entire visit was when the CNA asked “Do you think you can get him to pee in a cup?” My response “Seriously?” So without the aforement test Zach was cleared for the surgery. We celebrated by visiting Burger King…..
Next I was able to head to the Beauty Salon and get my hair colored. No picture of that of course. So to end the day, Haley and I headed to the DMV. Haley discovered last week that her permit would expire on Saturday, her birthday. If she chose to wait till after that to attempt to get her license then she would be required to retake the written test. Today, she only had to pass the driving test.
Yes I passed!
The part I don’t understand in North Carolina is that she is now allowed to drive “unsupervised” between the hours of 5am and 9pm, in addition she is required to complete an additional 12 hours of supervised driving of which 6 must be at night. In 6 months, if she has not had any tickets and these requirements are met she will become eligible for a full fledge license.
Gensis 22:14 “Abraham named the place Yahweh-Yireh (which means “the Lord will provide”). To this day, people still use that name as a proverb: “On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided.”
I can say that I know how it feels when God provides for our every need. One of the hardships associated with Zach’s scheduled surgery for the end of the month was the financial aspect of it. I used all of our Medi Flex for the year to cover the dentist portion of the bill. I was told up front that we would in addition receive an anesthesiologist bill in addition to the bill from the medical center for the facility use. On Wednesday, I was greeted by the anethesiology bill and it was one that took my breath away. My medical insurance would cover half after meeting a separate $600 co-pay, all total $881 is the expected amount to be paid prior to March 21st in order for the surgery to occur on time.
Today I sat down to pay our regular bills and then started looking at just how and where this money would be coming from. I did have to pull most of it from our Emergency Fund but it was not the end of the Emergency Fund, it still has 1/4 of our first amount or $250 left. I have paid this bill and feel really at peace with the whole process now.
I am so excited because God has again provided abundantly!
As I was digging in our chest freezer last week, I found a 5 lb bag of chicken legs. I have learned in the past year that Matt does not like barbecue chicken legs so I was on a mission to use these legs so that we all could enjoy. I found a simple recipe for the crock pot so I thaw the legs, seasoned with Paula Deen seasoning. They cooked for about 8 hours on Sunday while we were at the cheerleading competition. For dinner, I made homemade bread, green beans and corn and the chicken legs. Everyone ate at least one legs but I still had about 10 left. I decided to make a chicken and broccoli casserole after de boning these. In addition I was able to cook a pot of chicken broth to be frozen for later use. I made the casserole ahead on Sunday and it was our dinner on Monday, as well as my lunch on Tuesday! So out of my $5 bag of chicken I was able to serve 2 meals as well as the broth.
This week the line “I will praise you in the storm.” has come to my mind several times. Things have gotten a little crazy over here with my work and the kids activities but I honestly don’t think our family is in the middle of a storm. But still the need to be thankful is a good things so today, I am going to be thankful!
Care to join me?
I have been reading over at http://www.halfdozendaily.typepad.com for several months now, but this is the first time I have participated in so hope you enjoy!
I love the new rug we found for $30!
Financial goals: February has been an up and down month for us, especially in this area. We have had extra income but also extra expenses with Zach. But progress is progress and overall this goal was met!
Blogging: Goal: 15 per month This is my 12th post of the month and more importantly my 501 post overall. This month has been difficult with me being so sick for a week but I am going to keep trying!
Devotions: Goal is 5 a week GOALLLLL! I have finally found a time, in the mornings, that I am consistently able to read and complete a devotional! Still on the right track!
Weight: Goal to exercise 3x a week and to be down to 150 by December by losing around 4 # a month. I have been able to consistently exercises 3x a week this month with at least 2 of those at the YMCA! I am very proud of myself. I did not met the weight goal but hope to catch up with this in March!
Friday afternoon while I was still in my class, Matt took the girls to Vision Works to pick up their new glasses. Both of the new glasses are plastic and thicker frames. We plan to use these at the pool this summer. Kendall’s are purple and Lily’s are a deep redish purple. I had a really hard time in class on Friday and did not feel good so I went to bed around 8ish Friday night. By early Saturday morning, I was totally sick and knew I need to get something for this. I was unable to drink or swallow so off to Salisbury to the Urgent Care both Matt and I went. Matt was starting not to feel well either and I did not feel comfortable at all driving. Haley was awesome, staying with the kids, fixing lunch and even doing some housework. Matt decided to go ahead and be seen since it would take the same amount of time. Both of us ended up with Strep, so we stopped by the pharmacy on the way home and headed to bed. I will say the antibiotic started to work and I could even eat Chinese on Saturday evening. Saturday most of the day was spent…
sleeping
We had already made the decision that church would not be an option for any of us today. By Sunday, I am getting back to normal. We were able to wash our sheets, catch on some housework and even get the menu for the week ahead. I made this soup
in the crock pot by adding things from the freezer. I was also able to use the new Kitchen Aid mixer and all 3 attachments today.So hopefully both Matt and I are on the mend and no one else gets sick this week!