Food Co-Op

I know no one was interested last time. This is my last effort. I think it is a great idea so I'm going to say it again.
The food Co-op that my friend in Arizona does has been featured on their local news so I have the link for you. Check it out and if anyone thinks that this is a good idea let me know.
Food Co-op
Once a month getting together with a a bunch of gals, cooking and talking for a couple of hours sounds great to me! And, we come away with ready to go meals for the month! How is this not a brilliant idea?!!!!!

I have to quote this one too....

I went to read on through posts about obedience to God and this one hit home hard, I had to mention it.
"The christian should never complain of want of ability and power. If we sin, it is because we choose to sin, not because we lack the ability to say no to temptation...Too often we say we are 'defeated' by this or that sin. No, we are not defeated; we are simply disobedient! It might be well if we stopped using the terms 'victory' and 'defeat' to describe our progress in holiness. Rather we should use the terms 'obedience' and 'disobedience'. When I say I am defeated by some sin, I am unconsciously slipping out from under my responsibility. I am saying something outside of me has defeated me. But when I say I am disobedient, that places the responsibility for my sin squarely on me."
Jerry Bridges
The Pursuit of Holiness, p. 84

Jesus says in John 14:15 "If you love me, you will keep my commandments."
At our core, we hate Jesus. By grace, through faith our sovereign Heavenly Father has pulled us, each one, intentionally and at precisely the right time, out of darkness and brought us into the light. He is the one who has chosen to give us the unfathomable ability to keep his commandments. Our obedience is without a doubt a gift of God.

Making the point that we make excuses for our defeated spirits, or rather our disobedience, is so loudly heard by these ears. I cannot count the times I have said, either to myself or to others, that I feel so defeated. Ha! What a poor excuse! Who do I think I am fooling? Certainly not God. How patient He is to stay by my foolish side all the while I make a mess of the beauty and blessings He pours into my life. What an amazing God. And all the more, what a perfect and undeserving gift obedience is. When I/ we are blessed with this gift what do I/we do? Imediately fall at the feet of our Lord and praise him with thanks or move briskly through life because things are flowing a bit easier?

Dulling Your Appetite

Dulling Your Appetite

The above link is from a blog I read early this morning, by Jerry White. It was an excellent reminder of how simply and easily we are deceived into thinking the devil masquerades as red faced , horned, evil looking creature. Oh no, not so. Slyly he creeps in through the fondest of relationships and sweet situations. He uses the good in our lives by way of our sinful desires to further separate us from God. Oh how we desperately need Jesus! We have no hope in salvation except through Him! In the quotation from John Piper, mentioned in this link, he says "The greatest adversary of love to God is not His enemies but His gifts." So true, we all take the glorious blessings God bestows upon us and praise them above God or boast on our own accord for the gift we have received. What a tragedy it is to take so much away from the majesty of our Lord and turn it into to sinful idolatry or pride.
What a way to start the morning! I'll be on the lookout for what I may have a dulling effect on my appetite today!

Spring bliss!

Just enjoying an afternoon playing together. Our very sweet neighbor Kelly, brought these by for the kids. She often treats my kids to a popsicle on a warm day. It's nice to be surrounded by a caring group of neighbors. It really makes for some great memories. I hope my kids remember how special it is to grow up surrounded by children playing outside all the time and neighbors who watch out for them. It seems to be rare these days.

Super Savings Saturday

So last week I didn't post about my savings. It just passed me and then I kept putting it off and somehow since then I cannot find the photos I took of everything, in my computer. I am missing all of last weeks photos and one of this weeks. My computer is turning on me! Anyway I can still spell out the savings for you.
LAST WEEK- oop was $75.28, still under budget. My cost before coupons and sales would have been$ 110.90. Not my normal savings but I stocked up at fresh and easy and ralphs and didn't go to walgreens or cvs where I usually get them to pay me to take the products out of the stores! I was able to stock up on meat and milk and bread though which always takes a chunk out of the budget. All in all being under budget and stocking my fridge and shelves with things I will use = a good week.

THIS WEEK- (see photo above)oop was $91.41( i made two extra trips to target this week as their web coupons expired today, stacked with manufacturer's coupons I snagged some really great deals and stocked up on some things like salad dressing, bbq sauce, cheese, baby soap and lots of snack type items. Since I was stocking up on things we will use and were out of, I was ok with going over.) My total cost before coupons, sales and register rewards was $264.74. That is a total savings of 65%. Works for me. Let's see what happens next week.

So will you have more children?

This is a question I get all the time. In addition to a plethora of opinions and suggestions about when, why and how to have or not have more children.
This morning I read a post on a blog that so eloquently answered this question. Her answer is quite different than what most people hear or would expect. It made me smile and thank the Lord that there are others out there who view this life, this season, our purpose, our responsibility in the same light... Click here to read the post..

Having fun with friends

Playtime at the Fludes was tons of fun! They have the perfect pool for little ones! It was fun to get together and play in there adorable house. Every time we go there I always feel so comfortable. They have a very inviting home. I think it is also their cool, calm demeanors that sort of balance out the wildness in my children! Thanks Julia, Ben and Micah! We had a great time and we will definitely be getting together again soon!





We also had a playdate with the Roberts earlier in the week. We always have a great time when they are over. Usually Jess and I get together on the days when our husband s are working either long or odd hours. We spend the whole day playing with our kids, talking coupons, cleaning my house( not my strength and totally hers!) or doing anything else we like. We end up having dinner together too then heading home just in time for the kids to fall into a deep sleep from a full day!
There is something to be said about a friend who knows where to find your silverware without asking or which cabinet your towles go in. She is a blessing to me. Thanks for the fun times!