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!!