I'm UP

I'm up before the Sun this morning. I woke up to my child saying "DADDY YOUR PHONE!" She came in my room handed me the phone and was talking really loud! I jumped up thinking she was sleep walking. I am still not sure if she was or not. I told her to go lay back down. And when I got up to check on her, she was asleep. It was within seconds of her leaving my room. So who knows. I enjoyed hearing the light rain this morning and as soon as the Sun started to come up the rain stopped. I'm glad- for all those school aged children! They won't have to wait for the bus in the rain! Yuck I remember those days! Did you have to ride the bus? I remember feeling like I had arrived in style the day our neighbor started driving! She would take me and my brother to school with her- I felt so cool! I still had to ride the bus in the afternoons because I was still in Middle School and we didn't get out at the same time as high school, but that morning ride was so much better then the big yellow cheese wagon! LOL. My little girl is so excited about going to school next year, simply because of the BUS! I am not sure I will be able to let her RIDE the bus- Chris laughs as me and says that I will allow her to ride if I can ride with or, or I will just follow the bus in my car every day to the school, then watch her walk in. I guess all moms go through this- I'm already planning for it and it's a year away! I'm just not ready for my baby to be in school!!!!

My Family

I'm pretty sure that if my Aunt & Uncle could find a great deal on an Outer Banks foreclosures they would move there in a heartbeat! I know that they love going there and they go often! I'm sure that my mom would love to have a home down there that she could rent out! They've talked about moving down there for two years now. Ever since we took our first family vacation there. Being that my mother has worked for the post office for 30 years, she can retire early, or she could just get a job at their local post office! Not sure what my step dad would do, but I'm sure he would find something to keep busy! My mother has always talked of opening a restaurant that only sells breakfast, something local- not a chain store. She loves cooking and she's great at it too! She could run a bed in breakfast for sure! Who knows what the future holds for them, but I know that if they could pick anywhere to live in NC it would be at the Outer Banks!

My favorite

One of my favorite parts of the local 4th of July parade is when the stainless steel drums are being played! I know that stainless steel drums have other purposes, but I think its so cool to hear them being played like an instrument! I've always enjoyed those soothing sounds. Ever since I was a young teenager and visited the country of Jamaica, I had a love for the steel drum! I have always had a love for music and really enjoy it when people are able to use trash cans and other materials to create awesome sounds! I have just one rhythm in my step and it's just a simple boom chick sound! I can't do anything else, so I admire those that can! I know their brains have to work differently then mine! My left hand follows my right hand, not matter what we are doing! When I played the piano back in the day- my left hand never could keep a separate beat or rhythm. No matter how hard I practiced I could never get it. I took lessons for so many years and have ZERO talent for it now. I am sad that I can't just play my heart out. As an adult, I'm a much better student. I wonder if I would be better now? Maybe I should google piano lessons for my area!!!

Online

I love all the online tools you can access! I am so glad I was born during an age of the Internet! I know that the Internet can make life easier if you let it! One of my favorite tools is a spending calculator, it helps you take a look at what you should be spending each month according to your monthly income. Its a real eye opener! I am not a risk taker when it comes to our money. My husband is more of a risk taker than myself. He has friends that have brokers and they trade stocks and bonds often. They move money around like I move dust around in my house! I'm sure in time we will do some more investments, but for now we are just trying to get things back to "normal" since we moved. It's good to know where to find a Forex risk calculator online. A place for you to really see what could happen to your money if you chose to take the risk. As I stated before he is a risk taker, he could see himself jumping from a well working plane, and I on the other hand would have second thoughts about jumping from one that was crashing! I would debate my landing and figure out which would be safer, he'd just jump! Although now that we are married- he's most likely going to pull or push me right along with him!

The Ministry

Being in full time ministry, it's always good to know who your local wholesale distributors are. We are known for buying in bulk or surplus for our church. A few weeks back Chris had to buy cleaning supplies for the church (of course we are reimbursed) but he went to our local wholesale shopping club to buy what we needed. I'm sure that if we look into the list of disturbers for our area we will find a better deal, but he had to get what was available to him right away! Research is key when you are trying to save money. You just never know who might have a better deal! It takes time to do the research, but with the Internet you no longer have "footwork" to cover, simply fingers dancing across a keyboard! What a time saver if you enjoy the computer! Do you buy anything in bulk for your family?

Trunk or Treat

Last year was my first time to go to a "trunk or treat" outreach. We enjoyed taking our kids. Although because of the weather, they had it inside the church in the gym. But it was cool to see what everyone came up with. Each person decorated their area in a theme and the kids just walked around and loaded up on candy. It was a safe way for my kids to take part in the candy collecting frenzy. Our church will be hosting a trunk or treat this year! Before I moved I gave all my kids costumes away. They were all made of fleece and are really HOT. I knew that moving to the SOUTH Mississippi we would not need something so warm. So we gave them away. SO far I think this year my older son will be a train and my little girl will be a mermaid and so that leaves my 1 year old. I have no idea what I'll do with him! He might not even dress up. Depends on how he feels in the moment! It's not like he will even remember it! I always had fun dressing up each year. I think all kids enjoy dress up. We have a "dress up" box in our kids room- they have all kinds of fun things in the box. I have just collected things here and there for "make believe" and "pretend" It's so good for a child's imagination to be encouraged! I love watching my daughter dress up in all her dresses! She loves her "Barbie" dress the most right now. She will put it on over her pjs and run around in it until time for bed. We bought my son the train costume simply for play, so that he would stop putting on his sisters tu-tus and heels! So far it's worked! I will be sure to post a picture during October of the two dressed up...

Ouch!

When you make a life change and move away, things change. One of the things that changed for the better when we moved to NC was our car insurance! I was glad to have the break in cost without losing coverage. We were able to have full coverage on our van, which is something I've never had on car! I was happy with our choice of insurance and never had to visit any kind of carinsurancelist blog to look for something new. Well now that we've relocated AGAIN, it's not the same story. Our insurance went up $60 a month when we moved here! So I had to back down the coverage and get liability only until I can find something better. I know that with driving older cars you don't pay as much for insurance, but I feel that no matter what we drive here it will be higher. Simply because we live so close to the Gulf and there is the potential threat of Hurricanes and flooding here! Our insurance was highest I think when we lived near Dallas, it went down a lot when we moved to Seguin. I've had the same company for 10 years, I'd hate to switch, but if I can find something cheaper with better coverage, then bye bye little green gecko!

Jobs

I've heard it said by several that during this time you can't find a job. I am not looking for a job, but I know that already I've seen ads for tech jobs and many others online! I was out shopping yesterday and overheard the workers ask a guy if he needed work! I suppose we live in a time where finding the PERFECT job maybe hard, or finding the job that pays what you are looking for, but overall I'm not sure that finding a job in general is the problem. Maybe its just all the "good" jobs are taken! Either way, I'm so thankful for my husbands job and that we have not been out of work or job hunting since 2007. God is good. I know that when we first left Texas it took a few weeks for Chris to find work, but he was willing to do anything- and before long, the doors flew open. I am so proud of him for working at the box plant for a year. He was so out of his comfort zone, but God used that to teach him so much about people in the real world!

You just never know...

I really thought that when I moved here I'd make friends fast! I honestly thought that by having three kids it would help me to get into the "circle" of women and have something to talk about. SO far its not the case. I'm a loner at heart, I don't mean to be, just works out better that way! So when I branch out to hopefully meet new people, I always get nervous. Hard to believe I'm in direct sales! LOL. I see women at our church, and I want to get to know them, but I've got so much on my plate with three little ones and then being the "youth pastors wife" that it's hard to get to everyone and keep up with my own, much less be a part of something with the women! I need to get online and find some kind of mothers day out type group. I am enjoying the library, but so far no one else is there with their kids when I am there- I thought I might meet some people there! I will stay on the quest and pray that the Lord will put people in my path that will help me feel more "at ease" with being in my new environment! As for now, I must join the sleeping crew of my home and shut all the madness down of the Internet! It's a great escape, but reality will come in a few hours- when a child is in need. Thank you Lord for people that NEED me! Even if they are all under the age of 4. LOL :-) They are my biggest ministry right now.

Pop Corn

How often do you pop pop corn in your house? It seems like we pop it almost every day! Smell that? That’s the sound of more pop corn, gotta go!

Being a Girl...

Sometimes being a girl can cause you to cry when you least expect it. Today I was at an office filing out paperwork and when I sat down at the workers desk, I attempted to lay my folder on her desk. Knowing that she would be needing the items in my folder. She quickly said "Excuse me, you need to remove all your items from my desk." I looked at her shocked that she said that, and then she said "I come in contact with all kinds of diseases, and" then she mumbled to herself. I thought to myself if you are a germ a phob, I get that- but just use Clorox wipes when I leave! Or ask me to sanitize my folder before laying in on your desk. Or better yet- get a job where you don't work with people! Her people skills were terrible today. She then hands me a pen and ask me to sign a paper and I was afraid to touch the pen or even put my hand on the desk to hold the paper. She noticed it and said " you barely push down when you write" I said "I didn't want to break your pen" I really was thinking... I didn't want to get germs on it! Ha! I think if I have to ever return to that office I will take her a gift basket with Clorox wipes in it so she can feel better about the germs in the air. It's not even cold season yet! Sheehs! I'm so glad I didn't have my three kids with me, Lord knows she would have been freaking out then!

Anyway- as soon as she left the room to make copies, I started to tear up! I had no control over it. I kept wiping my eyes and thinking to myself how silly it was that this made me cry! Before I had kids, I hardly EVER EVER EVER NEVER cried. It was RARE! Now I can cry at anything (obviously) apparently when I had my children they pulled the CRY plug inside of me, and now I cry like a baby!

Imagine

Imagine relaxation…

Imagine stillness…

Imagine Beauty…

Imagine the captivating sounds…

Imagine walking through history…

Imagine creating memories…

Imagine the OUTER BANKS.

There is something very rewarding about taking a vacation with people you love. You create memories that will last a lifetime. You will come home with stories that begin with “remember when,” and end with “we should do that again".” There are thousands of families each week that pack up and take the journey to their Outer Banks rental homes. Companies such as "Carolina Designs Realty” can help make your Outer Banks Vacation one to remember. Imagine breathing in a sunset every night as it lays quietly yet quickly into the sound. Imagine having two master suites in a home, so there is no seniority over the “best rooms!” Imagine a private pool for the daytime and a hot tub at night! Imagine the kids spending time in the game room while you relax on the deck. Imagine being close enough to drive through the pages of history and see historical sites that remind you why you work as hard as you do, and call America your home. Imagine climbing a lighthouse and taking photos from a birds eye view! Or taking a plane ride over the entire island. Imagine wild horses running on the beach, kite surfing in the sound.

Imagine stepping out of the normal every day life and stepping into a piece of paradise!

Imagine the Outer Banks. Its more affordable than you think!

Testing

When I was in school, my weakness as a student was in testing. Now that we are in the age of the Internet, I'm sure I would be better at testing! The last test I took was the ACT and it was in 2004. I don't know how long the scores last, but even if I did have to take it again, I'd study online! I admire people that are able to stay in school for years and just keep going after those dreams! The Law School Admission Test would require many practice testing online. You can search for lsat prep courses and within seconds have all you need right where you are! Students today don't realize how amazing the resources are. My kids will never know of the time before the Internet! Just like I don't know what life was like before TV! Of course there is no comparison to TV and Internet! If I had to chose, I'd pick the Internet over TV any day! TV is okay, but the Internet is like having a library of knowledge at your fingertips!

Back to School

So truth be told, I think about going back to school often. There are so many degrees that I'd love to obtain! I was thinking about it today and I'd probably end up being a professional student! One of my friends is back in school studying to be a nurse. Another friend of mine is at a medical assistant school. I have several people that I know that are starting back this week. I know that I don't have the discipline to do it now, and I really want to invest into my kids that are home with me. Maybe once they are in school full time then I can pursue a degree. Now the only thing would be narrowing it down to the RIGHT degree! If you could go back to school, what degree would you pursue and why?

I was actually enrolled at a University in Waxahachie, Texas back in 2004, but the life circumstances stopped me from going. If I could go back in time, I would have not let LIFE stop me back then.... so I have to really ask myself What is stopping ME now? What stops you?

Jacksons BBQ

 

My great grandmothers bbq joint- it was about 2 miles from my house where I grew up and never knew it was this place! I use to go into this store as a kid- but it was not a bbq place it was a gas station called Murphy’s. It’s on Hay 152. It’s now used for other things but the building is still there! So cool to know this piece of family history! Not sure who the fella is in this photo… My moma will have to let us know! She is the one that learned of it and scanned in the photos for me!

Every time I look through magazine with beautiful homes, I always seem drawn to the homes with rustic furniture outdoors! I think it has something to do with living in Texas for so long! I use to help clean a few houses every so often and they were Lake houses. They had beautiful rustic furniture inside and out. Texas is pretty rugged. I loved living there. I'm so glad that two of my children were born there! It will be fun for them when they get older to say that they were born in Texas! Right now we don't have much furniture in the house- my two little Texas Tornado's are good at getting things ruined! So we have to keep things simple for now! Of course we really like the clean simple look, just never have achieved it!

Sales!

I know that I'm drawn to sales, no matter where they are! If It has a clearance label then I have to look at it! I'm learning how bad that is now. Now that we live in a 3 bedroom house- and we are trying to keep five people happy in it, I need to declutter and not look at the SALES so much. I know that each week the sale papers come out, I've seen some good deals on shoes and clothes- like rocawear, and many others. I suppose its is because of all the BACK TO SCHOOL Shoppers out there. I suppose there is a need for that, but I can't see why kids need new things just because they are starting school! I know I will fall into it! We usually got new shoes and clothes for school. Thankfully most schools are in uniforms now, so that makes shopping easier as far as choices, but sometimes its hard to find the right colors or styles that you need, unless you shop online! I remember when they talked about uniforms when I was in school and I thought that was CRAZY! I would have never wanted to wear one, but now as an adult, I'm thinking what a GREAT idea! I'm glad they do require them now! I even heard about a high school that is requiring uniforms this year! I think that is wonderful!

More of the house…

 

I’m excited about our headboard. We got in from a Gulfport Craigslist. We had not even seen picture of it, but it was in our price range (only $30) so we went to check it out. When I looked at it I knew it was a great deal! It was solid wood and so pretty!

We’ve had the same headboard since 2000, its the one my mom bought for me when I moved to Mississippi! Chloe now has it in her room! Things are shaping up.

I got this for Chris to take to work. He can keep hot or cold liquids in it! I love them! It came from Bed Bath and Beyond. They have all kinds. They are insulated, which is my new favorite kind of cup!

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Gifts

I feel that personalized gifts are the best kind of gifts! I know that I enjoy giving them as I do getting them! I also enjoy making gifts for people. I always feel that you put your heart into it when its personalized. I am sure that you have think about it a little sooner then just running to the local mall or store to pick up a gift, but with proper planning you can really get great gifts and cheaper prices then if you wait until the last minute! I'm just a gift person. I love giving them! If I were made of money- I'd give it away! Just because its so fun to bless people! This past Christmas I bought my mom and her husband a personalized pop corn bowl set. It was really cool. I was excited about how nice it turned out! I don't know that she uses it often, but she enjoyed getting it! They eat popcorn about every night- no joke. They really do! Next year I know to just buy them some kernels and oil! One of the personalized items that I got as a teenager I still have- that is my backpack, I just can't seem to let it go! It's old, but still in working order and it has my name on it! That same year I got duffel bags with my name too- I still have those come to think of it! Not sure where the little one is, but I know its here somewhere- probably tucked into the bigger one!

Registry

I think the only time I ever had to use a barcode scanner was when we got married and had a baby! I used one at the store to scan the items that I wanted people to buy me! I remember being so excited that I could just make a list and people all over could read it and buy me the gifts! I learned fast that you don't always get the gifts from your list. You get all kinds of crazy gifts. In the long run, my favorite gifts were the gift cards. I remember having tons of them, and we used them for just about everything! Most of my kitchen gadgets that I got when we first got married and broken, missing pieces or donated to the greater good. I have a tiny kitchen now and I have to keep just my favorites in there!!! I've enjoyed the new gadgets I've bought over the past few years. I still love new kitchen things- but have to slow it down now that we are a single family income.

Schedules

I’m working on creating schedules for our family. I am not good at finishing things- but I’m trying to do better! So I've made a few list! One list is for our meals. I want to create an on going list of our meals that we eat. Even if they are “away” so that we can see what we are putting into our bodies. Plus it will give me ideas for what works best on what days! Like on Thursday’s that needs to be my slow cooker day. Whatever I can come up with for the slow cooker that will be the day we do it, because Chris goes to work in the mornings and then comes home at lunch and I go in until 4:30 or 5, so when I come home, supper will be on the table ready to go. Monday nights we want to save for our “grilling out” night- Chris loves to grill, so I need to plan food for that. I’m also trying to create a schedule for my cleaning! I want to spread it out where I do some deep cleaning everyday. I know that Wednesday’s are my KITCHEN day- because I don’t have to cook supper that night. We have an Agape Meal at church, so I usually bring something easy to that or prepare a casserole the night before, etc.  So far that is the only area i’ve been consistent with in deep cleaning. I will clean out the fridge and freezer and clean the microwave, stove, etc. I actually enjoy cleaning it because it’s small and it is NOT the bathroom! That is Chris’ domain! I leave that for him! HA!  Well I’d better get back to my list!!! I actually got online to look up something I heard on a radio program today with Dr. James Dobson, but got distracted and ended up blogging! Go figure- I’m almost always distracted. I think I need to start drinking coffee every day- that might help!

Our Home

I'm sad that we don't own our on home anymore- but lets be honest, the bank owned more of the house then we ever did! Not like we paid it off or anything! But now that we are renting it makes me want to own, aka share with the bank, My own home! So that I can make all the adjustments that i want to! One thing I would like is a new Hansgrohe faucet for my kitchen sink! I need a a sprayer type faucet in the kitchen! I'd also like a fenced in back yard too- for the kids- I'd feel safer with them playing outside if there was a fence. And I'd like a big window in the back! And a pool. LOL the list goes on. What is the one thing you'd like to change today about your house? Just one thing. I'm sure there is more- but just comment with one thing!