One of "those" Days

Ever have one of "those" days?

I think you probably know what I'm talking about. And, if not, you either can't remember anything or your life is perfect. Anyways, I'm wondering if anyone out there can relate.

This is what I mean...

7:55a.m. "Ruff! Ruff! Ruff! RUFF!!! RUFF!!! RUFF!!!!!!!!!!"

(It was Autumn...barking in her crib. And, apparently it was my alarm clock this morning, too.)

I just love it when I don't get up with sufficient time to get ready for the day (not). I was up way past my "bed time" last night with my 5 year old who kept bugging his baby brother and would not go to sleep! I think we finally crashed around midnight.

I roll out of bed, still only half awake, and stumble over a few toys and piles of clothing into her room, her room that apparently wreaks of urine. What in the world happened in here?! I grab her out of her crib and notice she is soaked. Head to toe soaked. Yes, soaked in pee.
(Either the babysitter last night didn't change her diaper before putting her to sleep, or her SIZE 5 diapers don't hold enough anymore?! How could that be?! Or, maybe she pulled it halfway off.)

Into the tub she goes.

Beckett is screaming in his crib, but I can't get him just yet, I need to get Autumn's hair and everything else washed, as well as start some breakfast for the kids...and I knew Jeff had given Beckett a bottle around 6:30a.m. so he had to be ok, at least for a little bit!

I run into the kitchen and notice Jeff made extra oatmeal for the kids and left it in the pan...how sweet of him! I throw some frozen raspberries in 3 containers, dump oatmeal on top, put the lids on, throw in a bag with spoons, and sippy cups, then go on to portion out formula for Beckett and put it all by the front door).

I run into my room to throw some clothes on (a mere sweatshirt and jeans) and manage to run a brush through my hair 3 times. I keep a pony tail holder on my wrist, and I know I can put my hair up while I'm driving to school. Perfect!

While I'm jumping around putting on my last sock, Suddenly Autumn starts yelling from the bathroom "I poopy momma!!! Poopy in tub! Mommy poopy in tub!!!" She starts screaming and crying. I rush into the bathroom to find that she has pooped in the tub. The tub that is also filled with toys!

Ughhhh...the job of a mom isn't always pretty. In fact, it's hardly pretty. There's hardly anything glamorous about it. But, the rewards (I think) are pretty priceless. And, as a lot of seasoned moms keep telling me, "It get's easier."

(While all of this is going down, Beckett, the 10 month old baby, is now screaming uncontrollably).
Sometimes, ok, a lot of times, there is more than one situation that needs your attention. Who knew that these precious darlings, that you've basically already given your life up for, would also ALL need you all at once?!?!

Scooping out the poop.
Draining the tub.
Rinsing off the toys (for now).

Finally, I get Autumn all clean, dry, dressed, hair brushed. Now for that screaming baby...

I look at the clock. It's now 8:35. We need to leave in 5 minutes for preschool. 5 minutes. Did I mention 5 MINUTES? To be out the door and on the road. And there's 2 more children to get ready.

Oh yeah...suddenly it hits me! Friday mornings (and Monday mornings) I have chiropractor appointments RIGHT after dropping Ethan off at preschool!
(because I broke my tailbone giving birth to Beckett and have been having 2 treatments a week ever since).

That means I need more than just the bare minimum...good thing I have the food packed. I throw a couple diapers in my purse and decide to at least bring my screaming baby a bottle. WHERE ARE ALL THE BOTTLES?!?!?! Somehow we have managed to only have 2 bottles left. And I can't find one. And the other one is in Beckett's crib. And I absolutely refuse to buy anymore bottles because we are DONE having kids and we only need them for 2 more months.

We will survive. We will survive.

Open the door to Beckett & Ethan's room, and see Ethan, my 5 year old, throwing toys in Beckett's crib, and on top of him. Poor baby. No wonder he is crying. I firmly tell Ethan to put on some jeans and pick out a shirt. He so nicely asks "Should I put on socks too?" Oh, thank you for getting the picture! Except he doesn't do it. Any of it. I have to remind him 6 more times.

I open up Beckett's pj's, open up the diaper, oh good, he went #2! (maybe he won't go when we are out and about). I begin to wipe him up and notice...it's not just in the diaper...the poo squirted all the way up to his neck. Ughhh...I check my clothes. Yep. On there too. Oh, and in the crib. I silently cry, Lord, help me!!!

I do not have time to bathe him. I wipe him up best I can, it had to be a 7 wipe wonder. There goes trying to use minimal wipes on diaper changes. Oh well. I throw on the first thing I see in his closet, and go on to put socks and shoes on him. Ever try to put socks and shoes on a wiggly baby? Ohhhhh my goodness. That takes talent!!!

Ok, screaming baby still needs bottle. Mommy needs new clothes. Rip off the sweatshirt, run in the kitchen, wash the only bottle I can find, and make it for him. I start shaking up the bottle as I run back into his room, and the milk starts squirting EVERYWHERE...leaving a trail of milk rain drops from the kitchen to his room. Then I remember, oh yes, this bottle leaks if I don't screw it on JUST RIGHT. The ONLY bottle like this that does this. Ughhhhhhh...

Baby gets bottle. All is calm for a moment and then... "Ethan!!! Put a shirt on PLEEEEEAAAAASEEEEE!!!!"

We race to the front door, throw on shoes and coats, I grab everything humanly possible, it's surprising I wasn't carrying something on my head, and slam the door shut.

I might have looked a little like this...(pic my friend posted on twitter recently)




















Quick, get everyone is car seats, and rush away.

The car ride.
Ahhhh...the car ride.
You mommas and papas know what I'm talking about! I pass Ethan his raspberry oatmeal and he eats on the way to school while we listen to Hillsong's "Bones." [sigh]

I pull into preschool...then I look at the clock. 9:26. Really? We are 26 minutes late. I hop out, open Ethan's door. Oh, good, the oatmeal has spilled everywhere.
Have you ever tried to wipe up spilled oatmeal? It's sticky and does not wipe up easily! After about 5 minutes and another 3 wipes, I ask him, "Do you want to skip preschool?" He gleefully says "Yes!"

Onto the chiropractor we go...

Did I mention preschool is in New Brighton, and the Chiro is in Maple Grove...it's about a 14 mile, 20 minute drive. At least we will be on time for the 9:45 appointment.

Ok, dragging 3 kids into a chiropractor appointment (where you are laying on a table) isn't exactly the most enjoyable, or easy! We get through the appointment with the help of the movie collection I keep on my iphone. Thank God for technology!

Leave the chiro, realize today at 3:00 is my last practice for my cheerleaders and we are having a team party (I coach a team of 6th graders at MCA) for which I need to bring some yummy yums.

Load up the kids, we all head to Target, and of course there is not one "big" cart in sight. You know those carts that look like a train and hold a million, (or 3) kids?

Ok, fine, forget it, throw Beckett in a single cart and make Ethan and Autumn follow me through the store...yeah...that is so fun! (not).

Deep breaths. Deep breath. The kids did great a Target! phew!

Now, a quick stop at the bank and then home for lunch.
We managed to have a fun lunch and talk about shapes.























Then, as I was getting Beckett ready and put down for his nap, Ethan and Autumn managed to attack eachother. Physically. Here are Autumn's battle wounds. Ughhhhh...






















I just got Autumn down for a nap now and felt like venting. I needed to vent. So I decided to do a blog post. Something I almost never take time for anymore. So here it is.
So many times I feel incapable. Like everything is all crashing down at once and like "I just can't do this."And, in the most broken, stressed out moments, that's when I find my strength in the words from God like this:

Matthew 5:3 "You're blessed when you're at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more God and His rule."

2 Corinthians 12:9 "Each time He said, 'my grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.' So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me."

Psalm 128:2 "You will enjoy the fruit of your labor. How joyful and prosperous you will be!"

Isaiah 41:10 "Don't panic. I'm with you. There's no need to fear for I'm your God. I'll give you strength. I'll help you. I'll hold you steady, keep a firm grip on you."

Psalm 28:7 "The Lord is my strength and shield. I trust him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy."

Anyone else out there ever have a day like this?

And now, I am about to leave for cheerleading practice. I get to coach some of the sweetest 6th Graders at MCA. I love devoting time to these precious girls and am excited for a fun last practice!


















Thank God, it's Friday!

Our Little Drummer Boy

Lately Ethan has really enjoyed "playing" Jeff's drums, especially to the song "The Little Drummer Boy" by Family Force Five

See video below:

4 Year Old Playing Drums

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Ethan's Debut

Last night Ethan had his first school program. Talk about adorable!

A few photos and videos of him in action posted below.
(He is wearing the white shirt, black tie and tan pants.)







The kids stood in a big circle to sing their songs and do their finger plays.

Here are a couple videos, but I will have to get the best one from Jeff!

The little ham after his debut:




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I'm (literally) Putting My Feet Up

It's been a long day, long week, long month, long year. There have been many contributors to the chaos in our life right now and this pregnancy has only magnified it all...

Today I was having some major "gravity" issues. Everything seemed to just be pulling the baby/belly/etc downward. Gravity was not on my side. It was so uncomfortable at times that I couldn't stand or walk, making it difficult to get much done. Then let's add on top of that, the fact that my feet are completely swollen. So I just decided to literally put my feet up. In hopes that the swelling or pain goes down. This had by far been the most exhausting pregnancy. I am definitely at my limit. Though I can't wait for the next 14 weeks to be over, I'm not exactly "ready" for another baby either. Hopefully things will turn around!

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Ethan's Favorite Song

Ethan loves the song "A Holly Jolly Christmas" by Burl Ives

Caught him singing it today on top of a box...he is looking in a mirror at himself while he sings...hahahaha

Holly Jolly Christmas by Ethan


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Reflections & Thankfulness

Since I actually have a spare minute to reflect, I'm going to.

I recently purchased an application for my iPhone called "Live Happy." The main purpose of the application is to help you become a happier person. One of the ways it suggested that I boost my happiness is to write and reflect on things I am thankful for. As I was showering, I began to think of just how thankful I am to have married the most amazing man of my dreams, Jeff. Even after 5 1/2 years of marriage, we are just as in love as the day we tied the knot, and every day we seem to fall even more into love and appreciation for each other. Don't get me wrong, there have been bumps along the way, but in the end I am thankful for those bumps because they have only brought us closer together.

I knew going into marriage at age 19 that the odds were against us. The divorce rate is extremely high, and even higher yet in young marriages. I especially knew it after hearing it and also reading things like this: "the divorce rate for couples under twenty is incredibly high ... rates are lowest for men and women who marry for the first time at age 28 or later." Now this post is not supposed to be about marriage and divorce, because each situation is unique. The point of this post is to reflect on my thankfulness for Jeff.

It was 4:55a.m. when the alarm clock starting going off this morning. Jeff jumps out of bed, gets dressed, walks out of our room and closes the door. Shortly after, I hear the clanging of dishes in the kitchen. I knew what this meant. Jeff was doing the dishes and cleaning the kitchen before going to work! I dozed off to sleep, and about an hour and a half later, I heard Autumn wake up in the other room. I waited a couple minutes before rolling out of bed, and then I hear Jeff go into the kids' room to get Autumn and take care of her. I doze off another half an hour or more and when my alarm starts going off at 7:30, I get up because it's time to get Ethan ready for preschool. He was already awake! Jeff was cleaning the kitchen, taking care of both kids, AND making me breakfast while I slept in! Oh, how thankful I was to see the kitchen coming together as it had been an embarrassing disaster for 3 days straight!

Life is busy these days, Jeff's been trying to meet deadlines for the work on our new house plus working his regular hours, when he comes home all hours of the night, he is exhausted! Plus he has been filling in drumming at church, meaning his "free time" is getting filled with practicing and writing the beats to the songs. Not only that, but his car completely broke down this week and we spent an entire evening jumping and towing it and the next evening searching for a new work vehicle. We found one at 9p.m. Tuesday night at drove it home at 10p.m.! Totally an answer to prayer!!
And, I guess I'm a little exhausted myself...trying to play catch up from an extremely busy wedding season over the summer, taking care of the kids, working outside the home once in a while, running Ethan to preschool, getting in "packing mode" since we are moving in 3 weeks, and the nausea and exhaustion from being pregnant, amongst household chores! I know this is just a "season" and it will change soon. I call it "survival mode."

All this to say, it's good to take a moment to reflect on what's going on in life and to remember all the things we are thankful for. The wonderful thing is that this morning was not at all out of Jeff's character. It wasn't my birthday, anniversary, Valentine's Day, or any other holiday for that matter, it was just another day. And he does wonderful things like this often. To that I am very grateful.

Autumn Crawls!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Testing Out This Blogging Application For My iPhone 4

We had tons of fun at French Lake Park today with Shaynah, Rowan, and Brinley!!!


Ethan was telling us last night...(video test below)

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Location:Angeline Ave N,Crystal,United States

Easy Zucchini Bake

Easy Zucchini Bake (Recipe created by Me)

Ingredients:
1-2 large garden zucchinis
1 jar pasta sauce (I used a jar of puttanesca from target, has olives
and capers in it)
Cheese for on top (I used mostly mozzarella with some freshly grated Parmesan)
Oregano for sprinkling on top the cheese

Oven 375 and then broil top if needed

If you'd rather do more, you can always layer the zucchini into a lasagna, use meat sauce, and ricotta cheese between the layers! That is delicious as well and extremely low-carb/gluten-free!

Slice zucchini into "steaks"

Boil zucchini for a few minutes until "crisp-tender"

Put a little pasta sauce down in your baking pan and layer the zucchini slices

Spread remaining pasta sauce over zucchini slices

Sprinkle cheese on top (I did mozzarella first, and then some freshly grated parmesan)

Sprinkle Oregano on top of cheese

Bake 375 until cheese is golden

What I did: (10-15 minutes, and then broil 3-5 minutes on high for a real golden color like below)

Enjoy!!!

Our Newest Family Photos

In February we did a family photo session with JM Photography. I'm really impressed with our photos and thought I'd post a few of my favorites!










































This baby headband, necklace, and tutu were all made by me especially for Autumn!
I started making baby headbands shortly after Autumn was born in September. I've had a lot of people tell me that I should sell them. I may start selling them through my website www.prestigiouspetals.com (I will update about it when the time comes!)
























Isn't she a love?


Family Shot



















My little man...


















His dark chocolate eyes just make my heart melt.



We had a few enlargements made...I asked Jeff to stand by them so you could see the proportions















These are the pictures that were englarged:

Making New Friends

Since we moved to a new church almost 2 years ago now, we've also been making new friends. This past year we finally started to actively seek friends. Our newest friends are Josh and Amber who have 2 daughters, Azalya and Zinnia. It's been really fun getting to know them.

Jeff doesn't have much work this week, so yesterday he decided to help Josh put up siding on their house. While the guys did that, Amber and I went to the park with the kiddos and took a few pics...








Azalya and Ethan















Ethan & I Swinging













































Amber & Zinnia in a Tunnel

Almond Biscotti on a Rainy Day

Had fun in the kitchen today making almond biscotti...here's a photo of the finished product!

(also testing how to do blog posts from my phone)

Nicole Yaeger

Sent Via Sprint Android

My new blog for my business!

Hey Everyone!

My business, Prestigious Petals Floral & Design is FINALLY updating with social networking! Check out my new blog, I've been wanting to start one for a long time, but just hadn't gotten around to it until now! I'm also on Facebook and Twitter! With wedding season approaching, I figured I better get updated with my social networking!

Follow my new blog!

Become my fan on facebook!

Follow me on Twitter!

Cheers!
Nicole

I'm Shocked at this!!! Cadence isn't a name, but it woulda been our son's!!!

So, Jeff and I have been talking about baby names for a long time. After having Ethan, we were trying to think of another name for a boy if we had one. We were listening to an Anberlin song that sang about having "Cadence" which is a musical term meaning that everything is all working together, in harmony, in cadence. I said to Jeff, "That would be a cool name, because it's not a name! I really like that as a name! That'd be a cool name...Cadence." He agreed. We both like it because we thought it was so unique and liked the meaning, especially with Jeff being a musician and it being a musical term. That was about a year and a half ago and we've STILL talked of that name since then saying we'd most likely name our boy that if we had another...well...

Today, I got an email saying "Top 100 Baby Names" and so I clicked on it. Boy was I SHOCKED to see that the name "Cadence" made the 71st name on the girl's chart. It's not a name! How did people pick this?!?!?!?!?! I'm kind of frustrated about it actually!!!!!! Here's the real shocker: Then I went on to read an article talking about the names and JUST READ THE LAST LINE OF THIS PARAGRAPH!!!!!! I seriously cannot believe this!!!! The other reason we like "Cadence" is because it's not a name, it's a musical term, and Jeff is a musician and adding some "Cadence" to our family would just be so great...anyways, I'm a little discouraged about this name now...We had it picked FIRST. before seeing these stupid charts.

Read Article Below:

A good name is like Cinderella's shoe: It fits perfectly. This year, parents rose to the challenge – finding inspiration in everything from the Wild West to the Bible to proper English gents. Everything old is new again. The top 10 list of boy names didn't change at all in 2008 – Aiden has topped the charts four years running – but more often than not, there's a twist. Classics are refreshed with new spellings; last names are used as firsts. And when any old name just won't do, parents looked to sounds and places, even music theory – Cadence, anyone? – for ideas. Clearly, inspiration lies everywhere.


Just a little shocked at that info and had to share it...well, the name search continues...

I am trying to enjoy winter...Skiing and Snowboarding

Last night Jeff and Sarah somehow talked me into going to the slopes with them...

I went snowboarding for the first time about a year and a half ago. It was HORRIBLE. I hated it. I fell like every five feet. It took me the ENTIRE time we were there just to get down the "bunny" hill once!!!! (Sarah said it's a pretty long bunny hill...we rode a chair lift up to the top of it).
Pic from March 2007...I atleast got a good picture out of it hahaha...



















Anyways, last night they convinced me to try again, but try skiing instead...
And I LOVED it!!!!!!!!! It was so much fun! I didn't fall at all on the bunny hills...(which were pretty big and we also took a chair lift to). Jeff and Sarah even brought me down some regular ones but I kinda freaked out and took my skiis off at this mandatory jump. All in all it was a lot of fun though and towards the end I was finally getting a better hang of it. I can't wait to go again!

The three of us at the end of the night...














I don't own snow pants or a "REAL" winter coat, so I'm wearing one of Jeff's coats and wind pants hahaha!
















Sarah and I stopped mid-hill for a picture...
















It was really a fun night. I'm so glad they talked me into going. So glad I gave this skiing/snowboarding thing another chance! Well, I won't be giving snowboarding another chance...but the skiing thing, that was fun!!!

cruising the curvy mountainous coast again

one of jeff's treats to me was a convertible...it has been really fun having it...
if I could figure out a way to upload video on here from my phone that'd be cool...
ok jeff is getting annoyed at me for being on my phone. going to the beach now!

Maui, Hawaii Here we come!!!

Photos of Maui, Hawaii...
















Jeff and I leave for the gorgeous island of Maui, Hawaii in exactly 34 hours!!!

That is, this Saturday the 8th in the morning! We return on Sunday afternoon, November 16th! We'll be gone for about 9 days and we are very excited! It's going to be like a 2nd honeymoon because we are going all by ourselves and without Ethan. I can't wait for some amazing quality time together and with the Lord.

This is where we'll be staying...
This is the only pic I could find online of it...it's a condo stay so it'll be more like a house or apartment than a hotel room so we can do some of our own gourmet cooking (a hobbie of ours) and things like that which will be nice. :)
It's called Maui Beach Vacation Club. I'm just excited for some beautiful weather! It was kinda cold today and very rainy. Tomorrow it's supposed to snow...yes! Perfect timing!













We're going to have a complimentary luau dinner that came with our booking...and that will be held here: (follow link...I couldn't save the pic)
Lei Greeting and Luau

Ethan was sick last week and then I was sick tuesday night and yesterday and then Jeff wasn't feeling well yesterday either. Needless to say, I'm glad we got that out of the way and are feeling a lot better now. We have a lot to do in the next 34 hours...we both work tomorrow and haven't even begun to pack!

Sarah is going to be house-sitting for us (staying here) and also watching Ethan 5 1/2 of the days we'll be gone while Suzanne and Don are going to be watching Ethan the first 3 days we're gone. I think he'll do just fine. Maybe we'll get Sarah to do some skype with us! (Thanks, Jake for the info on that...)

Well, I probably won't be going online again from here on (unless it's from the airport) so pray for a safe flight!!! (I'm a little bit nervous about flying over the ocean for such a long period of time!) Jeff's already been to Hawaii 3 times so he'll hold my hand on the plane I guess!

And, today, was a good day at the flower shoppe. 5 of my arrangements are on display in the coolers right now (a pivotal moment for me!) and 2 of my arrangements went out for delivery today (another pivotal moment!) The owner said that one of my bouquets was very beautiful (which made me smile) and also said that I'm in charge of the rosedale arrangements (they're more discountish flowers) she said I do the best ones for that and that I should act as the boss over that project kinda when she's not there...which was also cool, but anyways. I am beginning to like working there. I am learning more than I thought I would. I'm getting a lot of practice. Not always what I want to learn, but seeing different ways of doing things (not always my preferred way or the way I'll do it in the future but it's cool to see different ways).

I also am going to be a substitute teacher at Maranatha which I am extremely excited about as well and will also be coaching the 5th & 6th grade cheerleaders this year. I was told I was getting a raise this year...and today I found out what that was...a whole 15 bucks! hahaha I just laughed. $15 is better than nothing. It's not for the money anyway. It's my way of giving back and serving others.

How was that for a life update all in one post, Jake??? Hahaha

Life Update

Last week was rough. Ethan was sick, then I got sick, then Jeff got sick. And all on different days...and it lingered about 2 days each. So we all didn't get much good quality time together. Anyways, I'm glad we're all feeling better now!

Last week was also one of those weeks where Jeff and I were just both kind of struggling with where to go from here. What to do in life, what jobs to have, wanting to be in God's will, but not knowing how to get there...
Ever have one of those days where you just don't know what you should be doing in life and you start looking at your circumstances and the job you have and just feel like there's gotta be more to life than this? That was like our week last week. The devil was just really putting depressing thoughts in our heads and it was really a tough battle. Thursday when Jeff stayed home from work because he wasn't feeling good, we just had a long worship session and just had to THANK God for all He HAS DONE and WILL DO. It seemed like all hope in things was failing, but when we turned our eyes on God, the burden was lifted. Even in the natural it just seems like things aren't going good, but when we completely give it to God and stop giving thought to it, that's when we feel free. That's what I've been doing this whole month it seems (just keep on giving any thoughts to God), but last week I started taking those thoughts back into my own hands. Just wondering what God has for me. I just want to be in His perfect will and it's so hard to know what that is sometimes. I feel like I just need to take steps of faith and just ask Him to close doors where they need to be closed and open them where they should be open. That's the other thing, I haven't been working much (only at the flower shoppe which cancels out Ethan's daycare) and so I've gotten worried about money so much that I have been tempted to go back to Eagle Street. I know I am not supposed to go back there and it was like I kept getting this image in my mind or sentence in my mind (probably Holy Spirit led) that kept saying "It's like a dog going back to its own vomit"
Enough said. I'm not going back as tempting as it is sometimes. It was such good money. Man!

All this to say, sometimes the devil tries to sidetrack us with thoughts and situations happening in the natural, but we have to keep our eyes focused on God and how HE cares for us and how He takes care of the birds and He'll take care of us too. Somehow we always seem to make it. And it's because of God's provision. I just have to keep focus on that. Our God is supernatural and He will always provide.


Here's a little story...some may say it's a coincidence, some may say it's favor!

Jeff wanted to go get some beans for coffee from Starbuck's...so we went there to get it and if you pay with a Starbuck's registered gift card, you get a free drink. So, we decided to load a card and then pay for it and get our free drink.
I guess you could say it wasn't really planned and the money would come out of our grocery fund...we decided we'd put $20 on the Starbuck's card. Don't know why $20 since beans cost $10-$12. I pulled $20 out to put on the card. After giving the cashier the money, I looked on the floor and said, "Jeff, I think you dropped this" and he said "I didn't drop that, I didn't even have a $20 bill in my wallet" The $20 bill was folded so I knew it wasn't in my wallet either (I keep my cash straight). After talking a little bit about it, we realized it was a random $20 and that paid for the $20 re-load on the starbuck's card. After finding it, it was like God was saying to me that He'll always make a way to provide. Even for the little enjoyable things in life. Some would say it was a coincidence that we found $20 on the floor and decided to put $20 on the Starbuck's card all at the same time, but some of us (me) would say that is just one way our supernatural God works and one way that we get favor in small situations like that. (Thanks, God for the coffee money...haha)

I hope whoever reads this finds some encouragement in it, and if no one reads it, that's ok too because I really just enjoy journaling about life. Let GOD be your source of provision today!!!!

6 Random Things...(Well, kind of random, not super random)

Evan tagged me a little while back and I just read it! So I'm gonna do it!

-Write 6 random things about yourself.
-Tag 6 people at the end of your post
-If you were tagged, DO IT and pass on the tag.

6 Random things about myself...

1. I'm weird and crazy and spontaneous. Especially when it gets late at night...I start saying things like, "I crack myself up like an egg ahahahahahaha!" and then laugh uncontrollably...or laugh about the bird pooping on my head story even though no one else gets it. I just love being weird and crazy and meeting weird and crazy spontaneous people!

2. I can eat a whole jar of green olives in one sitting.

3.In high school, I went to the dentist after not going for a while and found out I had 14 cavities! 7 on each side!

4. I like unique things...anything that is different from the average thing...and I LOVE giving unique or hand made gifts.

5. I save wrapping paper. That's right. Well, maybe not the actual paper, but the ribbons, bows, and bags...I save them...and then I reuse them. That's right re-use. Because I'd rather spend more money on a gift than part of the money on the wrapping paper!

6. Not sure if this is something random or not, but I can't think of anything else...
I LOVE and THRIVE on deep conversation! I love being transparent and I love it when people are transparent with me! I love just being real.

7. Nate's made me think of this...I was the only one in my family (of my siblings) that was not born in Minnesota...I was born in Colorado! My brothers always teased me and said that the altitude affected me (in a negative way). Aren't they nice?


I don't know what else...If I think of something better, I'll edit this!

What's Five Bucks to Ya?

It's a pint of organic strawberries to me...

Tonight Jeff and I were at the store picking up a few things for the week and organic strawberries were on sale 2/$7 so we grabbed one. That's right. One. Not two. At the lovely Cub Foods they always have these signs that say 2/$5, 3/$4 etc etc... but, it's all just marketing. You really don't have to buy 2,3, or 10 to get the deal. You can grab one 2/$5 item and it'll be $2.50. Good to know, right? (although last week we fell for the 10 for $10 avocadoes deal...)

Anyways, I always read over my receipt when we're leaving and tonight I noticed they charged us $4.99 for the strawberries instead of $3.50. Only a $1.50, right? (In a normal world maybe...) but, we were still in the store grabbing a free redbox dvd (free because we get free codes to rent free movies and it's great) so I went to the customer service counter and asked them about it...
The guy apologized and said, "Here's Five Bucks (not $4.99) for a refund" He refunded the strawberries completely!!! He said, "It's part of our right price scan guarantee...if it scans wrong, we'll refund your money on the first one and charge you the right price on the 2nd one."

Awesome, huh? It seems that many times probably 1 out of every 3 shopping trips we find some sort of mistake on the receipt...which brings me to my next point...be aware! Don't just sit back and expect everyone to do everything for you...be proactive and save five bucks once in a while!

And, another thing, if you're not on a budget five bucks doesn't really seem like any sort of a big deal, but when you actually watch where your money is going, five bucks can be a dealbreaker. That's all.

And, today Pastor Peter Haas' sermon was awesome. He talked about just being smart with your finances and even gave a plug for Dave Ramsey. He showed a little video that they made that you should watch when they post it this Tuesday. I think it'd be great for anyone who has purchased and financed a new car.

That's all.

P.S.
Jeff and I have for the first time in our lives been on a "budget" or "spending plan" for more than 3 weeks at a time! In fact, this Tuesday, October 7th will be our 3 MONTH MARK!!! And, this is the first month that it has actually caught up to us where there is actually extra money in the bank at the end of the month!! Big Shock!!! It's great. We're slowly but surely going to become debt free!!!!!!!!!!