So it has been over a week since I have posted anything… I have been crazy busy so I am going to use this post to catch up! I will also tease ya with a promise of a awesome trip to Food Lion post that will appear later today as well as Wordless Wednesday will be Kendall’s birthday pictures and of course a Monday Menu post to come as well.

So I worked 22 hours last week in addition to Kendall’s birthday and cookout party being on Thursday. If things continue as we hope/plan then I will continue working but cut the hours to a max of 20 with 16 being the plan. I don’t mind going to work but the kids are all off schedule and we have had a couple of rough night with Kendall waking up and not wanting to sleep all night. All three of the little ones are much more clingy than usual but they all run to hug me as soon as I walk in the door from anywhere.

Kendall’s birthday was fun. We decided to have a cookout with my family and friends. We had around 20 people in the house but the kids were awesome. We ate around 5pm, the kids were all playing and before we realized it after opening present and cake and ice cream it was 8pm. I am so glad we did this for her birthday! Pictures will be posted on Wednesday!

Yesterday, Sunday was the Fourth of July. We had an awesome church service, lunch at the Chinese place . We met friends at the pool then went over to their house to eat left-overs from Kendall’s party and shot off some fireworks. I wish I would have gotten some pictures. Kendall LOVED the poppers and even asked for several Sparklers. She is definitely not afraid of anything. It was awesome to see her throw the popper and then dance! Today both Matt and I were suppose to have the day off but he already had an ESR so I am working on the laundry, my blog and then we are planning to go to the pool after nap!

The square foot garden is producing but it is not enough for us so we are going to multiple it time 3 next year. I did make an awesome cucumber relish with fresh cucumbers. I am going to make some diced tomatoes today because I have been given quite a few.

Last month was a budget blower. I spent 913 on groceries! Matt and I are talking and trying to rework this budget yet again. I have been able to start a small stockpile but last month we needed food so food we bought! I am averaging 638 a month for the past year for groceries which is where I want to be on a regular basis so maybe that is the number I should focus on! I was doing awesome on blogging until the past 2 weeks so that is an average month as well. I am going to focus on doing better and hopefully by making myself post about my failures the successes will come!

When I started to blog one of the things that I did not think I would ever have trouble doing was blogging honestly and out there. But over the past several months, I have struggled with this issue several times. One of my struggles has been regarding Amanda and my new grandson that is due to arrive in the very near future, I am staying with my decision not to discuss her on the blog at this time, really it is for her protection and mine as well. But the other area that has been a struggle is our financial situation. I am always excited to blog about the “deals” I find and do so without a thought in the world. I have also blogged about the emergencies that have arouse in the past month as well as a general idea of how I am doing with my goals. But I have been somewhat careful not to include numbers in some areas. But today, if you care to read I am going to be really open and honest and thankful to GOD!

3 years and 3 months ago, we decided to “build an addition” to the house. Our original goal was to do so debt free but then it was to do so with as little debt as possible. Currently besides our regular mortgage we have a total of $13000 in a personnel loan and credit card debt toward the addition. At the beginning of the year even, as we were quickly approaching the end of the project we decided NO MORE DEBT. We were going to finish it with what we could scrape out of our budget and then refinance hopefully with a lower interest rate to buy some of our wants to make it what we dreamed. We were so close and I had actually figured we could finish the bare minimums required for the inspection and certificate of occupancy by June. That was before Matt’s income took a nose dive and we ended up with a $1400 transmission repair. All that was needed was the hot water heater.

This past Sunday during out time of praise and prayer request for Sunday school, God worked a miracle. I shared briefly about all the things that seem to be going wrong at our house the past couple of weeks; transmission, Amanda’s car, my tickets, State Income tax return still being messed up and missing. After sharing, we were asked if some could gather around and pray for our family, OF COURSE. But God was not finished, following this several people asked some questions and then God provided us with enough cash money to buy the water heater and the other supplies we didn’t know we needed to finish up the task. Yesterday, I was able to get my van legal again with the inspection and tag. Today, we got the final inspection and certificate of occupancy for the addition! I will start the process to refinance this week which should allow us to start attack our debt and be the majority of the way out of debt by the end of the year!!!

The only thing left to say is GOD IS AMAZING!!!!!!!

For the past several years (since prior to Lily’s birth) it seems that every weekend during the school year is filled with activities and places/events we need to attend. In addition to that for the past 3 years we have been working on the addition with any and all of our spare time especially on the weekend. But this weekend feels different and I am working if this is what a “normal” weekend is suppose to be.

On Saturday we had Angel Food distribution which meant that Matt was at the church at 6am and I arrived about 7:45am. We have had to move the distribution times forward and it seems like we almost had an extra day as a result. Matt ended up on call this weekend and had to make a trip out after the distribution but that was ok. I was able to come home and make a quick trip to CVS while the little kids napped. Saturday evening after Matt got a short nap we decided to work in the addition. He was able to put up modeling and baseboards to finish out the bathroom closet. So I started moving items and organizing some things as well as cleaning out more junk that needed new home. We ended up at supper time and I spent a couple of hours watching TV.

Today, Sunday, we had church this am. My mom fixed lunch this week so we ate lunch with my whole family today which is a nice treat about once a month! Matt and I decided to invite some friends over for dinner before the variety show at church tonight. We had a Mexican feat that will provide leftovers on Tuesday evening for dinner. I stopped at Aldi and CVS to do my weekend shopping. Matt stayed home and did the last minute cleaning :). Dinner and the variety show were fun! Now tonight I am blogging and working on coupons which I enjoy. The best thing is that I am tired but not exhausted as I usually feel on Sunday night and I “think” I had a weekend! So is this a normal weekend?

Growing up this was one of my favorite songs. I woke up this morning with the tune and words in my head. So after waiting all day to decide what to blog about, I figured this might be a good day to be thankful for what I have and not focus on what I don’t..Will you join me and leave a comment with your “blessing” today?

1. A wonderful husband who is willing to help with laundry, dishes and house cleaning as long as I ask.
2. 5 wonderful children who every day I can see making stride and enjoying life. (OK only the three little happen every day but I still love my teens!)
3. A borrowed van that allows me to work and do simple errors but more importantly give me the ability to not be stuck at home!
4. A job that allows me to work a couple of hours a week.
5. Money to cover the bills for the month and “promised” money to be able to cover the unexpected expense of a new transmission.
6. A garden with growing plants and flowers that is exciting to watch grow!

Count your blessing with me today!