Dave Ramsey Envelope System

As I sit here right now, looking at the budget and the paycheck deposited in the bank, I am thankful for Dave Ramsey's Envelope System.

It makes paying cash for everything so simple and I am joyous when all the envelopes are full.

We are trying to become debt free using the DR Total Money Makeover. It has been a humbling and at times fun journey, but sometimes it just feels hard.

We are learning the art of watching our money and where it goes. We did horrible the month of April. I was not very budget conscious in lots that I did. But I am excited that tomorrow is May and a new month to try again is here. I am so glad that I have a Heavenly father to remind me where money should go and that I can come to with questions regarding me money. The Bible has so many verses in it about money.

1 Timothy 6:10
For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

Proverbs 22:7
The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.

These are just a few verses about money. The verses that I love are the ones were God tells us it's alright to screw up, everyone does but with His grace all things are possible!

Matthew 19:26
Jesus looked at them intently and said, "For humans this is impossible, but for God all things are possible."

So if you are trying to get out of debt- look into Dave Ramsey's program and grab your Bible. Those will be the best paying off debt tools you can find!

For more Things I love Thursday head over to Diaper Diaries.

Where Have I Been?!?

Where Have I Been? That is a great question! I have been here and there and EVERYWHERE!

I have been trying to start a new diet and that ended up going bad. I started the Maker's Diet and the doctors who recommended it failed to look at all my other health issues and it ended up getting ugly. It has now ended up with a hurt foot from getting dizzy in the bath tub. This was the first of many hurts and feel bads so needless to say the diet has gone capote!

In comes my newest passion, Sunday my aunt called me and told me that a lady in our church was really into natural products and nutrition. Her name is Donna. I have been going to church all my life and have never really talked to Donna. My aunt told me to call her and chat with her about my ongoing health problems. I gave her a call and we hit it off!

So Tuesday she came over and told me about some products she sells and I was hooked! So now I am so into Shaklee products! So I am going to begin the Shaklee Cinch Inch program. It cost some many but after just trying a few of the products, I felt like a whole new person. So I am now a "member" and people can buy things through me! Isn't that exciting? So if you are interested in any natural products let me know. I will hook you up! So there is one place I have been.

Also, I have been out at the farm planting my garden. I have already put a ton of work into it and I am hoping that I will reap the benefits! A couple from church backed out of using their plot, so my grandparents doubled mine! I am so psyched!

So stay tuned for more updates! Have a blessed Thursday!

Menu Plan April 27- May 3

First week on the Maker's Diet... Woohooo! Here is the conversation I'm having with myself:

Self ... You are really starting to worry me. You are actually excited about starting this diet! I cannot believe you... You don't even like any of those things very much.

You see I feel kind of like a kid. I have rules. I will find discipline and self-control. I will persevere- not only because I know with God's help I can but also because everyone is telling me I'm crazy and cannot do it... What does that make me want to do? Make them all look silly and wrong!

So here is my menu plan for dinners only. As I get the hang of this diet, I will add other meals and snacks.

Monday: Chicken Salad, greens, carrots, and strawberries
Tuesday: Garlic Pepper Steak and broccoli
Wednesday: Split Chicken Breasts grilled and green beans
Thursday: Egg Omelets and Turkey Bacon
Friday: Chicken-in-a-skillet
Saturday: Grilled Fish, Green beans, and Carrots
Sunday: Beef Stew

Happy Menu Planning! For more menu plans head on over to Organized Junkie.

I'm Back....

I'm back from a lovely weekend at Women of Faith. There were so many great speakers and messages that hit right where the the Lord wanted. It was incredible. Though, I am sure that I drove my mother and aunt nuts because I couldn't stand being away from my boys. Look up the words home-body in the dictionary and there is a big ol' picture of me right next to the definition.

I had an incredible time and I just love Mandisa! Anyway I am exhausted and headed to bed. There will be more pictures later once I get them from my mom's camera but here is a quick couple to show you the amount of Daughters that attended this event.

This is the line as we waited to get in... Early!!

Sorry-- Someone (of course not perfect little me) took a bad, blurry picture. More women!

All the women behind me!

Women waiting to get in an hour after it had started! Amen!!!

To find a Women of Faith Conference in your area click here!

Hope y'all have a blessed date with our Savior tomorrow as we head to His home and worship and praise His Almighty, All Powerful name!

A Grand New Day

This afternoon I am leaving for a Women of Faith conference. I am so excited but so nervous! I really cannot wait to get there and worship and praise with other beautiful women, but on the other hand I haven't been away from my boys.

My aunt and I are leaving early and heading out to eat and then a quick trip to Dave and Busters. She is such a good friend and always knows just what I need. We are then headed to shop and straight to Nationwide area.

I am really excited about hearing Steven Curtis Chapman speak. He and his family are definitely quite an inspiration.

So be in prayer for the conference and be prepared for some photos when I get back! :)

It's About That Time of Year!

It is about that time of year again!!

What time of year you ask?!? I am so glad you asked because I just cannot wait to tell you!

It's Garage Sale time! I love garage sales, having them and going to them.

The tricks to having a great garage sale:

1. Incredible pricing- For me having a garage sale is not only about making money but about getting things out of my house. I would like to make a little money but I REALLY don't want to take those things back in my house. So for kids clothes I always price them 25 cents/piece or 5 for $1. It is a huge hit and there are actually people who look for my sale year after year.
2. Great Signs- My husband always makes great signs. Balloons help too.
3. Having your big and interesting items outside for all to see. You want the those items to catch people's eyes as they are driving by.
4. Smiles... People like to buy from kind people who smile and make them feel welcome.

Tricks to not spending too much money going to garage sales:

1. Give your kids a set amount of money for the whole garage sale day. My oldest son get 50 cents to buy something that he and I agree on. After that money is he's done buying.
2. Go with a list. If you just shop for things that may have a place in your home then you will be over run with clutter and spend money you did not need to spend.
3. Take a van and go with a couple other families. Save gas money!

Garage sales can be a great source to find things in which your family needs at a great price. They key is that you shop smart and stick to your budget.

For more frugal tips head on over to Life As Mom.

He Just Wants Me to Be Proud

So today I figured something out for the hundredth time. My 4yo son, Dylan, just wants to make me happy and proud.

I have been having some health issues that leave me overwhelmed, tired, and might I say... a tad bit edgy. I really have not meant to but I have been snapping at the kids (and I guess I should admit, my wonderful husband) a lot more than I should be. I have really felt terrible about it.

So today as we are rushing around trying to get to the car for school (I am so glad to be homeschooling next year!), he drops his cereal all over the floor (I know, he should be having a more healthy beginning to the day than over processed, sugary cereal which has who knows what all in it..).

I feel my anger beginning to come up. I know it is so pathetic that I would get upset over that but these silly raging hormones are taking over. Instead of snapping at him, I just told him that it was okay and asked that he be more careful next time. With that, I walked into the other room to get book bags and all the things that pack mules, I mean moms, have to put in the car to go anywhere.

When I came back into the foyer, Dylan was yelling at me to come and look. He had picked up all the cereal and was just so excited to show me.

He looked up at me with those beautiful brown eyes and said, " I did it all myself, Mama. You didn't have to ask. I just wanted to make you happy."

Now friends, if I would have snapped at him like I had felt like at first, I would have missed out on that beautiful moment where my sweet little boy (who is getting way too big too quick) just wanted to make me smile. He did more than that, he made my heart swell with happiness.

Don't miss out on all of those beautiful moments with your children because you are too high-strung, stressed, or busy to keep your anger and frustration at bay.