Workin Hard for the Money

Yup, I've got my sweet little 4 year old working hard to earn his quarters. Haha! Not really. It all started back before Christmas when he quickly found out that toys would not be purchased every time we stepped foot in a store. Don't get me wrong, if the kiddo was super good walking through the store, staying by me and not touching everything in sight...we always went to the dollar spot (in Target) or found a cheap toy/item to reward him for his good behavior. I'm all about a well behaved child in the store, especially one who is almost at the point where he looks kinda funny riding in the big portion of the cart (and I have zero room for my purchases). Haha! Christmas time was a time for buying for others, not for ourselves.

Christmas came and went but the "I want this toy! can we buy this? Gimme, gimme"came back in a flash. Ugghhh. I created a monster, I have to admit! I always bought him things in the store, all the way back to when he was a baby. I haven't done this AS bad with addyson so now she could almost care less if she leaves the store with something. I like to spoil my kids, what can I say?

Ever since January 1 R has been workin hard to earn his money. He gets paid (a quarter or 2) for doing 2 things:
1. Getting dressed
2. Picking up his toys
I know this sounds crazy. But when you are trying to get yourself and 2 small ones ready you WILL do anything to make things go quickly and smoothly. Seems that him earning a quarter makes him want to dress himself so by golly that kid gets a quarter! ;)

With all of that being said, today was the day those hard earned quarters (all $4 worth) were going to be spent. We made our way to the mall, ate lunch and practically ran to the Disney store. He could not wait! Luckily for us the Disney store was having a sale and an extra 25% off the clearance price. R immediately wanted a Wolverine figurine to add to his collection. Well, the price of this figurine was $22. I had to tell him he only had $4 an would need $18 more dollars. Made me sad to do it. I told him he could wait and save more $ to come back for it. Nope, that wasn't happening. That precious boy was determined to walk out with a toy. I almost lost my mind and told him id get him the wolverine because the look on his face was breaking my heart that he didn't have enough $. We walked to the front of the store to make sure we didn't miss any other options. We came across a huge box of smaller figurines from the Marvel action figures. I only knew of the Hulk that was in the collection. He fell in love with the box. It was on sale for $9.99 then 25% off of that. Well, since he doesn't understand $, adding and subtracting I just paid the $4 extra dollars at the checkout. He bought it all by himself with "his" wallet and everything. (The wallet came from A's dress up box) sweet boy!! Call me sappy or what have you but I almost got teary eyed as he was checking out. I love him! He is growing up too fast for this mama!!

Feeling Compelled to write...

However, I am not 100% sure what I am supposed to write about. I thought at the beginning of this month my New Years resolution would be to write on my blog at least once a day or every other day for that matter. Nope, not making promises to myself I know I will indeed not follow through with. Doesn't make any sense.

I recently just finished a bible study with some dear friends. We read "What Happens When Women Say Yes to God" by Lisa TerKeurst. It was an eye opener to myself in many ways. It first opened my eyes to my relationship with God, my parenting skills, to my husband & kids and also to the ways I serve in my church. Through this study and the power of prayer I have been able to deepen my relationship with God. And because of that I have been able to see areas in my life that needed some adjusting. Life isn't about what I want. It's about what God wants, where He wants me and when. I have chosen to say yes to radical obedience and daily looking to Him for the guidance I need as well as looking at my daily tasks in a completely new light.

In a few weeks we will start a new book by Lisa called "Unglued". I.can't.wait!

On a whole other note my kids are fabulous! Arguing and fighting over this and that but that's expected, right? I know it's almost like payback for what JT & I put my parents through as children. I've learned to deal with it (for the most part) in a kind, loving manor talking with them gently as we resolve the issues that arise. R will be 5 in May and I am simply not ready. I'm also not ready to send him to kindergarten. I have my reasons...some of which are good and some that are sort of selfish. For example...any mom who is not ready for their child to be away for 7 hours a day, 5 days a week. Aggghhhhhhh😥

If you are reading this blog and feel compelled to pray for my family here are a few things we could use prayer about:
- r's school next year, where he will be
- our house: to rent or not to rent...that is the question. When ours was for sale it seemed as of every house on the block went up for sale. Well now lots more are for rent, lease, purchase. We are back in the competition 😕 a never ending battle
- if we rent our house, where do we move to? God please direct my family where we are to go so we can better serve you.
- to have another baby...back in dec we went to a high risk dr bc I was told by my obgyn it might not be a good idea to have another. (I have a past of preeclampsia and high blood pressure after delivery) high risk dr have us the ok to have another. I just want what's best for my family. I'm simply terrified something will happen to me and my sweet, hard working hubby will be left with 3 kids to raise on his own. That's not fair.

** Thank you for reading and praying for me & my family!!

My big, big girl!!!

Gosh, 11 days from Miss. A's 2nd birthday and she Is growing up too fast!! This morning after breakfast I went to change her diaper and decided I'd put her on her potty before her bath. She sat and sat and wanted up a few times. I was adamant about her staying until her bath was ready...I look over and she has a confused look on her face as she was pping in the potty!!!!!! I had to cover my mouth to refrain from screaming so she would continue. Once she was through I screamed and clapped and danced and screamed and cheered for about 5 minutes. I'm pretty sure I scared her to death. On one hand I hope we can continue this but on the other I'm sad for my baby girl in diapers to be growing so fast! I know this is not it but her days of being trained are approaching rather abruptly. Here's to the days of potty training that lie ahead...

My sweet girl & her treat.

C25K week 1,day 1

Ouch. That's all I can say about day 1, as I can only imagine what I'll feel like tomorrow. (started Couch to 5k) Not really sure why I started today when R will be out of town for the next 2 days. Oh well, I'm sure little r will enjoy running briefly with me while I push miss. A in the stroller. We'll see.

I've never been a runner. I've tried and have always been too winded to continue. I'm a sissy. I'll admit to it. But now, I feel so out of shape it's ridiculous. I am determined to do this! Not to lose weight but just to get in shape and do it. I've participated in many sports teams and 5ks but have never been able to say I've run the entire thing. I.want.to.do.that. Here's another little number on my "bucket list", are you ready? I want to participate in a half marathon. No, I didn't say I'd be able to run it in its entirety but I sure as heck would try. My mother who is a runner has done several and I've been there to cheer her on and to see what an amazing accomplishment it is and I.want.to.do.it! Not this year, maybe next.

Goin to keep this journal going so someone out there can help keep me accountable, that's if I even have any readers. Lol!! I've been so random with my blogging people have probably forgotten about it.
Here's to learning how to run a 5k without walking and to Kristen who is going to do it with me (my accountability partner). Wish us luck!
By the way if you have an iPhone I strongly advise you to use the c25k app...that lady (mine's name is now Lucy) tells me in the middle of my songs when to walk/run. I love it!!!

Advocare products...

Since beginning my Advocare journey not only have I gained energy, lost unwanted "baby weight/flab", but I have met some pretty fabulous people along the way!
I'd love to share my Advocare story with you! I am posting some pictures and prices of these items at a 10% discount & no shipping charges (as long as you are in the Memphis area)! I love these products so much so if you are on a budget or "frugal" with your money as I am I want to take this time to offer these products with you at a discounted price.
Here are the prices...first is retail, then the second price is with the discount.
* SPARK canister ($51.95). $46.76
* SPARK box ($22.95). $20.66
* Meal Replacement Shakes ($39.95) $35.96
* Slam drinks ($35.95). $32.36
* Omegaplex ($21.95). $19.76
* Thermoplus ($31.95). $28.76
* Catalyst ($31.50). $28.35

You can email me at Lala1513@yahoo.com or message me on Facebook! If you do not live here and would like me to mail you products I will require payment before it is mailed. What you see in the pictures listed is what I have on hand. You can also check out my website to get info on all products!
https://www.advocare.com/120226247/default.aspx

Eve of Reese's 4th birthday

I had to blog about the eve of Reese's birthday before it was forgotten.
I cooked dinner, we all sat down and ate together (which is rare these days), grabbed my purse after we all ate and headed to Hobby Lobby and Target alone. Did I just say alone? Yes! It was great and I was in and out of stores in record timing for these days!
I went into HL for items for 2 projects and for a bald eagle (yes, I said bald eagle...see pic above). Got my items, once again in record timing and went to check out. While checking out I told the lady as she keyed in the price for the eagle that it was for my little boy for his birthday which is tomorrow. As I began to tell her that it was ALL he wanted for his birthday (forget the bike we got him) I began to tear up. (rewind, we had been in there the week prior and he found the eagle & wanted it & I told him no, that we couldn't keep buying toys everytime we were in a store...which is what was happening almost everytime we go in a store. Don't hate on me for keeping them occupied with items that are a dollar or less) so as I began to tear up I had to blink, pay & get out fast. I got to my car & as I drove to Target I broke down. The.ugliest.cry I've had in a very long time. I called Rhett and I'm pretty sure he thought someone had just died or I had a wreck. I sat in the Target parking lot sobbing like a baby because my little boy, well he is growing up. His sweet, little innocent self asked for a tiny bald eagle for his birthday. Not a bike. Not a big expensive toy. A bald eagle. Reminds me how we don't need big, new cars, houses, tv's, carpet, etc. all we need is love and our precious little family and most importantly we need Jesus. Jesus has blessed our lives more than we deserve!
I sucked it up, went into the store and got half of the items I went in for (the other half were forgotten about) and then I left to go get some cupcakes for R to take to school for his friends. I love my little boy like no other. He is my sunshine, my heart, my first born. He will always and forever hold a special place in my heart. I love you little buddy!!

A New Home

I want to write this post because it is something that has been on my heart today and for the past few weeks, so I hope it comes out how I want it to. It's long so beware...I hope you hang in there because the Lord has spoken to me and I feel I must share what is on my heart.

Imagine trying to sell your home. Imagine it has been on and off the market for oh say, 3+ years. You have had many realtors telling you that you should fix this, lower the price, paint that, put in new carpet, lower the price, plant flowers, lower the price, remove trees (not really, but Rhett sure took that matter into his own hands--and did a great job I might say!)...you get where I'm going with this. We lowered the price. Put in hardwood a month before Miss. A was born. Lowered the price. Painted 2 bedrooms. AND lowered the price. Planted numerous flowers, all of which happened to kill over because my thumb is not green. Let's just say it's frustrating and feels hopeless to have showing after showing only for people to say we loved the home, it's just not for us; the backyard is too small (what part of zero lot home they didn't understand before looking is beyond me); rooms are too small; shows wonderfully...the list goes on and on. Rhett and I have come to accept the fact that we need new carpet and the den & entryway need a paint job. That is on our to do list this coming week. I know I sound like "Debbie Downer" because quite frankly I feel like "Debbie Downer" when it comes to selling this home. I love it. I'm appreciative that I even have a roof over my head. BUT we have outgrown it by leaps and bounds. My children need a yard they can RUN around in, can THROW or HIT a ball in. It makes me sad that I cannot give them these opportunities within the comfort of our own home. Oh and did I mention that when one kid wakes in the morning or from a nap within 10 minutes the other is awake?

I digress.

Let me rewind to the beginning of the school year. The kids and I began going to CBS and my study for the past 9 months has been on Revelation. At the beginning I thought, wow I am not sure if I will make it thru this but deep down inside I REALLY wanted to do it and knew I would benefit greatly from it & so would my relationship with God.  I had never opened that book of the bible to be quite honest. I was scared of it and from the verses I had read none of it made sense to me. Well, with the help of my wonderful core leader, leaders & CBS I have learned about pretty much every verse in that book. Some of the stuff is still a little foggy in my head but the last two chapters just hit home. Home, this is what this post is about. Driving to my last day of CBS this morning all that I learned over the past 7 months finally hit home to me and God was speaking to my heart on the way there & while I was there. My "home" I live in now is a gift, I am borrowing it. It means absolutely nothing to me when compared to my heavenly home I will one day go to.  I have been so self-centered focused on how to sell and get out of this earthly home I have not been quiet enough to listen to where and what God wants me or my family to do or where He wants us to go. My main concern has been how and when can I get out of this earthly home, not "Lord, where do you want me to go, where do you want my family & I to be?" What if there is a community that needs us? Needs us to minister to them, to show you to them. For this will become my prayer for the selling of our home.

Anywho, what I've learned from this study and what I absolutely LOVE, LOVE, LOVE...

Revelation 21: The New Heaven & the New Earth:
~We are going to live in the VERY presence of the Lord. vs. 3-- "Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man, He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God."  No more singing and worshiping him from earth. We get to be with him face to face, singing, praising, talking and BEING in the very presence of the Lord. I don't know about you, but that fires me up!! Wonder if I'll be as introverted when I get to heaven, as I am here on earth??

~ New heaven & the new earth will be our HOME! The New Jerusalem in which we will live will be perfect, Jesus will be there living with us! No more night time, always day because the glory of the Lord is what will fill the heaven with light. 22:5-- "And night will be NO MORE. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever."
Light, all the time, which brings me to my next point.

~ No more pain. 21:4-- "He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away." No more darkness means no scary things. All of the scary, painful, hurt, negative things will be gone. I don't know about you but I look forward to no more tears and no more pain. To live in a perfect place with a heavenly body that will no longer hurt or be imperfect (because trust me it is) just astounds me and gives me such a peace! My longing is for my children to know, accept and understand that God loves them and that he offers them a place they can go to when they leave this earth...a place that's not scary, with no bad people or things, no more scrapes, bruises or hurt. A home with Him, their family and nothing but love and peace.

I finish this blog with part of a verse that I adore because my hope and faith is in Him. 21:6--"It is done!" Wow. Take that to the bank, Satan! :)

"Till He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I stand"