Generous husband

Yet again my husband does something amazing and generous again! He wants to use his gift card from my parents that he got for his birthday....he wants to put it towards cloth diapers so we can get closer to our goal before the baby comes. He could have bought a lot with this gift card and he wants to do this for our family....how blessed am I!

So this means i had to crunch the #'s so that we can get the most for our money........So i also decided to crunch the #'s if we were not doing cloth and see how long we can stretch this money and it made me realize how much we will be saving!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! If we had $100 and bought 146 disposable diapers they would only last us 6 weeks (if there were no bad diapers:))

...................so it made me really appreciate what we have already for cloth diapers and what we are going to purchase.....to top off and have all the diapers we need to only wash every 3 days.....we will spend a little over $100!

Now I need to decide how to get the most for our money!

FREE Jesse tree book

Do you want a free Jesse tree advent devotional book ...for the whole family? go here !!!!

I'm really excited to start family traditions.....i know i have time before our child will know and understand it....but I'm excited and a little over whelmed! DO you have an traditions you are starting with your children or want to start doing with them as they get a little older? i would like to start coming up with some ideas :)

Thankful november

nov. 23-30

I'm thankful for

23.) Our new Theology of the body friends

24.) all of our connections with friends and clients that have blessed us so much with so many things (for free)

25.) insulation in the up stairs of our house that keeps our house warm!

26.) Jon thinking our lives should be a musical (i mean really how fun would our lives be if it were like this)

27.) many people are excited for Jon and I and our baby on the way (he is going to be so spoiled!

28.) friends who challenge you to be closer to God!

29.) every time you think something isn't going to turn out and God shows you if you just TRUST it will work out just fine :)

30.) Last but not least.....My amazing husband who has been such an amazing man especially while i've been pregnant.....he makes dinner, he takes my tennis shoes off for me, he gets my breakfast ready for me, packs my lunches, when i'm running late he washes my makeup brushes for me, he puts up with my random crying and emotional break downs, he prays for our family everyday. he is thee most selfless man i have ever met (how was i so lucky to get him!?!?!?!)

money...a kick in the pants

there is a lot of things i wish i would have done differently with money in my past......but i can't change that now....so im really glad that we took the Dave Ramsey class (but i wish i was stronger and would stick with it better!) When i have talked to other people about our struggles they all informed me it takes A LOT of practice and A LOT of failures to fix it!

I have herd of more and more friends who are, or have struggled with the economy it has made me realize how important it is to not to live above your income! I'm not saying that we are completely successful with this but i will say I'm really glad that Jon and I bought the house we did..(and not some huge house that is way above our income) ....I love it and all its little quirks......I love that we plan on expanding our house when our family needs it and finances let us! I know that its not very large and we probably have to replace something large in every room....but it's our house and it keeps us protected and we will be able to share with our family that we all have to work together to get the house how our whole family wants it :) since we are going to live here for the rest of our lives :) that's along time to fix our house exactly how we want it!

Another thing that makes me feel safe and secure is that even if something happens with my job or that our baby needs me more then we planned or jon's work slows down (which we are very blessed so far that we still have jobs!) but Jon has always said that if we need money to survive he has a list of jobs he would do (even if it makes him feel less of a man doing them) but honestly i feel like it makes him MORE of a man to want to provide for his family no matter what!!! I'm so bless to have him in my life!!!!! He works so hard for our family and I'm so proud of him!!!!

please keep us in your prayers so that we can focus on the Dave Ramsey time line!!

Thankful november

November 15-22

thankful for

15.) my brother Danny, even though people always thought one of us was adopted....we really are to much alike! He is so strong but yet soft like a teddy bear. He enjoys life to the fullest and doesn't let anyone put him down. He try's to make the best out of everything even when the rest of us want to give up! The term "real men cry" is Danny he will take on your pain and happiness with you! (i know you don't read this danny.....but i love ya!)

16.) my mom, we are to much alike its scary! She is straight forward (to the point). She is so creative (i wish growing up she would have had more time to do all those crafts she wanted to do) when she did take the time they were so BEAUTIFUL and meaningful. she is a tuff woman who can get through any obstacle you give her. She loves to give gifts even when they couldn't afford it she always found away to give! With out her (besides i wouldn't be born) but i wouldn't have made it through school, i wouldn't have gone to PCI or i wouldn't have started work at Mary Allies Salon in DSM.....i know you guys might think that is kinda extreme but it's so true if she wouldn't have taken my hand an walked me every step of the way i would have given up!!!!

17.) my dad, well they have always said i was a daddy's girl....you can all be the judge of that! :) He is hard working, he always wants to do the best at everything he does. Loves kids! He gives of him self (sometimes way to much!). Even though when you look at him you think he might yell at you ......when he opens his mouth you realize he is just a large soft teddy bear! He loves to sing! and loves to pick on people (thats his way of showing love)....so if he ever grabs your ear, or nose and just plain messes up your hair.......that's his way of giving you a hug! He can cook a whole meal with left overs.......stuff you would never ever think of! He loves to cook and share his creations with everyone!

18.) Mark (jon's dad), self-giving, he is quite but loves to tell storys! He is always willing to help with anything you ask him to do (sometimes i wish he would just tell his son NO :)) He is such a good cook and baker. (poor jon got stuck with me and not some amazing cook like what he grew up with). He loves his 3 boys so much and would do anything for them.

19.) Diana (jon's mom), they always say that the son will marry someone like his mom (jon did). She is such a hard worker! She loves to talk to anyone (that's where Jon gets it from). If any of her boys are struggling with something she will do everything in her power to fix it or help with it. She loves to entertain! The first time you meet her she makes you feel at home and wants to know everything about you.

20.) Jamie (sister in-law), she can turn anything into a joke. she has away with people, as soon as she opens her mouth you love her! She is going to make the best mom ever! She is quite and likes her alone time but when needed to she can quite a room very quickly and throw and amazing party. She loves the cutest stuff (she can always find stuff for their house or clothing)...you name it, it's CUTE! She is so strong but has thee softest heart ever!

21.) Matt & Jenny (jon's brother, sister in-law), they are self-giving, hard workers, always knows how to have fun! As soon as you walk into their home you know that you are always welcome there! If you every needed anything from them,.......they would drop everything and drive all the way here to help! Jenny is the quite one but be around her awhile and watch out she will open her mouth and make you laugh. Matt is the kind one who defiantly has the big brother mentality.

22.) Mikey (jon's little brother), he is the entertainer, he also can talk to anyone if he doesn't know them....since he knows everyone every where :) If you every need a helping hand he will be there (if he's not busy helping someone else!). Even though he can get mad quickly once he cools down he is your best friend! He is also such a hard worker who won't complain!

jons birthday

I don't know if you remember last Christmas when i discussed how hard it is for me to not give gifts.......but some how it all worked out and no credit cards were used!!! (which when i was single that is how i payed for gifts....but thank you Dave Ramsey for opening Jon and i's eyes to no credit cards!!!!)

So i have a dilemma yet again! When i give gifts i feel i'm sharing how much i love that person! I don't know why i'm that way.....but let me tell you that it is very hard for me not to buy gifts for my God Children!!!! But now Jon's birthday is coming up fast. We just rented my condo and we haven't gotten our full amount for the mortgage......and i'm trying to payoff all my medical bills (that were from before i was pregnant) so that all we have to worry about is the labor! So to say the least i don't have much extra money (and i feel weird saying hey amazing husband of mine can you give me some of your hard earned money so i can buy you birthday gifts!!) sounds ridicules to me!!! I really makes me upset because he spoils me so much and i can't even give him a simple game or c.d. or dvd or candy he likes.........i have some special stuff planned for him but not gifts (as you know i like to plan ahead.....and it hurts me every time i have time to go shopping and i can't cuz i don't have extra cash!)

I know that it will all work out (since i get paid before his birthday and i'm pretty book for Thanksgiving....and my clients are so generous when they tip) but its hard cuz i want his gifts NOW!!!......thats why its so tempting to use my credit card....but I'm not......and i will wait to see what happens even though it is killing me to wait! I feel like i can't share my love with him with out gifts (even though i know this sounds silly when i type it!)....if you have any suggestions please let me know!

mission trip

Im not sure if some of you new why i went on a mission trip to Peru for a month in 2008?....this movie is the reason why "The human experience" if you go to that web site you can buy it now!!!! Im excited to see it again.... but also afraid im going to be really emotional about it because some of the kid that i took care of there are on the dvd.....some have died and some are getting older and some are getting all the medical care they need, but as some kids get all their care they are put back in foster care or back with their family's (where some family's didn't want them any more)....when i think back to all the heartfelt children there it makes my heart want to adopt them all!!!

Im really excited for Jon to watch it with me because i feel like i will be able to share more about my experience there!

Thankful november

As many of my friends on facebook and blogger friends have been saying what they are thankful for for 30 days.......i also have decided to do the same but week by week.....since mondays are my day off:) but im behind....so sorry for excess!

Nov.1 -14 (yes this is only nov. 8th but im thinking ahead:) )

I AM THANKFUL FOR

Nov. 1.) confession (a God who forgives)

2.) roof over my head and food on the table

3.) a husband who wants to provide for our family no matter what! (he sold 2 of his guns to put the money in savings for our baby boy!) I'm crying just a little bit typing this cuz i know how important and manly he feels having his guns!

4.) our house even though i want to fix and change so much of it....it is livable and i love it 100%

5.) opportunity to share my faith with my clients, friends, and family

6.) soon to be grandparents that are so excited for our little baby boy to come!

7.) insulation in our house to keep us warm this winter

8.) my husband who works so hard on our house to make it how we...I like it :) (he skips watching football or playing video games to get stuff done before the baby is here!!!)

9.) talking with friends on the phone (even if it's been forever we always can pick right up where we left off)

10.) the baby boy growing in my belly

11.) halloween candy :)

12.) clients that show me how much i mean to them...not just another person doing their hair but that we actually have a relationship!

13.) generous baby gifts!

14.) sedona (even though she annoys me so much...she can be a very good, calm dog) and our 3 kittens (even though i haven't spent much time with them since i've been pregnant)

how one man fell in love with cloth diapers

if you are all about saving money you should read about How one man fell in love with cloth diapers and was able to get his flat screen t.v. :) read

nursing

I was really encouraged by my chiropractor that, even though I'm going back to work i want to still breast feed and give our baby boy breast milk when I'm working.......I was really sad that a lot of people shared with me that my milk supply will go down and have to supplement or switch to formula (if that's what is going to be best for our baby then we will do that) but i don't want to do that. She gave me some good tips

* waiting to pump until right before i go back to work (im going back at 6 weeks) so 3 weeks she suggested.

* mothers milk tea (i can't remember the exact name :)) 4-5 cups a day, drink when i start to pump

* have the baby skin to skin as much as possible (she said that they did test with mothers who pumped with the baby touching them and some with out baby in the room and all the mothers that had the baby's next to them produced more milk and fat with the baby next to them)

* make sure i eat healthy and a lot :) she said that i should be even more hungry then when i was pregnant :)

* lots of water

* when the baby sleeps i need to sleep (when your stressed your milk goes down)

* when i'm working she said that when the baby is eating (a bottle) i need to pump around the same time and just as frequent as baby eats....it's the whole supply and demand

Im praying that i have Patience to keep with it. I was talking to Ruth Ann and she was saying that she wishes that someone would have told her how hard it was going to be and how much work it was going to be......i think that until you really go through with it we will never no.....so please pray for us and that i can keep with it even though it's going to be tougher then i can imagine!

Christ Our Life Conference

I went to a conference a couple of weeks ago........all i can say is....it was AMAZING and i needed it!!!!

There was this speaker names Mathew Kelly and he was Awesome! He tells ya how it is....and doesn't care if he offends you (in a good way).......like when "70% of Catholics don't go to mass sundays, isn't it time someone does something about it! check out this page to see his mission! check out this page to see what he has to offer! I bought 4 of his books "Discovering Catholicism", "Seven Levels of Intimacy", "building better Familys" ,and a childrens book "why am i here".........I've read a little bit of each book and they are good so far! link to his books

He really encourages us to read...... "Books change our lives." - Matthew Kelly

In order for the Church to thrive in a new way in the 21st Century we believe it is critical that Catholics become hungry for best practices and continuous learners. Reading is a crucial component of our spiritual development and for this reason each year we intend to post a list of suggested reading beyond the two Parish Book Program selections. check this link out

There is so much more i want to tell you that he talked about but i feel like im going to ruin it for you and mess it up :) so you should just check out some of his stuff!!!!

Long story short if you feel like you need JOY in your life, or that you need a kick in the pants to keep moving forward with your relationship with God, or that you have a hard time sharing with people about your faith, or you just need a new direction in life......this is the man to help you :)