some faces that I love

Lightsaber wars with deoderant :)

My Grace is Sufficient for you

When I was growing up I have to say I didn't give much care to what people thought of me. I don't think it was confidence I think it was mainly a coping mechanism. Growing up my parents weren't around much so if I did let someone "in" I was going to use much caution. Whats changed since then?? I care what everyone thinks! I am not really sure as to why either. I mean of course if you hurt someone you want to seek forgiveness or be kind to others. But for me it is more than that.
I have been having a hard time these last few weeks. And as I am laying there sometimes with tears I hear the Lord saying to me "My grace is Sufficient for you" Do I believe this?? You bet! I have been forgiven, redeemed, given new life in Jesus Christ and the list could go on. And Praise God for that. I am not really sure what I am getting at here or what I am really trying to say. I have just been struggling with the fact that people aren't as forgiving and the world will not always see you as changed even if you are not even close to who you are before. But I know and see that Jesus has changed people more than anyone could have ever imagined. I have experienced the weight of sin and shame being removed. And I am so far from perfect, but I am thankful that I have the Lord and His word to show me my imperfections.

Psalm 130

Out of the depths I cry to you O Lord!

O Lord, hear my voice!

Let your ears be attentive

to the voice of my pleas for mercy!

If you O Lord, should mark iniquities,

O Lord, who could stand?

But with you there is forgiveness,

that you may be feared.

I wait for the Lord, my soul waits,

and in his word I hope;

my soul waits for the Lord

more than watchmen for the morning

more than watchmen for the morning

O Israel, hope in the Lord!

For with the Lord there is steadfast love,

and with him is plentiful redemption.

And he will redeem Israel

from all his iniquities.

MoOdS

today is one of those days i want to curl up in bed and have NO responsibility. I always feel guilty for feeling like this for a couple of reasons. I don't really have a bad life, i just don't like some of the circumstances in it. But that is life. And the other is Collin is off working and it is not like he can do that. I also have felt like something needs to change. I am not exactly sure what it should be, but know that something needs to be done. I could probably start with my attitude. I don't know if anyone else feels this way, but the weather really changes mine. Lately all I can think of is moving. I used to just want to go on a trip to Mexico and thought that would be enough ;) Yesterday I took the kids down to the beach and watched them play in the sand and throw rocks in the Ocean. I think I could do that everyday, but this is nearly impossible with our weather. So much had changed in our lives over the last few years that I could actually feel okay about doing so. I feel that we both trust and love the Lord that we would be able to find a church, the Internet makes it easy to feel connected with people and loved ones. Don't miss understand me that leaving would be tough for sure, but I used to think of it as impossible. I am not really sure what the Lord has in store, but I'm excited to continue with whatever plan He has for us.

Grocery Shopping

Money Spent: $65.19 I know that you are probably more interested in seeing my adorable children, but they have not been so exciting to me these days. Yes I love them, but boy oh boy....it is tough right now. So I am going to post about Grocery Shopping....I should of taken pictures of the kids as I go. You would really get a kick out of that. If I am going to really get into this couponing thing, then I am going to have to do it when my kids aren't with me. I think I spent more than I would've if they weren't there. I was just throwing stuff in that I had coupons for. Right now @ Safeway if you spend 30$ on participating products you get 10$ off your next order. (so if my kids weren't with me I would of separated this into 2 transactions and got 2 10$....argh) But I was able to hold the meat back and got it for free....they actually gave me change back! I am sure that I will get better as I go. Oh and I still have a 2$ off coupon leftover for my next Safeway purchase.
I was also able to go to the fruit stand and buy a box of produce for $17.87
2.24 lbs Asparagus
.56 lbs Red Peppers
2 Green Bell Peppers
Green Onion
Romaine
Baby Carrots
Cilantro
3 Limes
2 Red onions
6 lbs Bananas
4 lbs Honey Crisp Apples

I have to go to my other computer in order to see my grocery total. So I will let you know.... And to answer the question of what I am doing? I am just looking at the Frugal Living websites and seeing the best deals. If you stockpile you will not have to buy things at the highest price when you need them. There is the Grocery Game, but that cost money and because I have kids I am not sure how "active" I can be in this. I would feel like I was throwing money away. Couponing takes TIME

So exciting....

So this was like riding a ride at Disneyland!! I just saved 44$$ and only spent 12$. My goal is to only spend 400$ or less this month in groceries and lower it 50$ next month....we shall see. So far this month I have spent $121.29 I will keep you posted :)

Sold my Apron

So exciting, but nervous too! i Really hope she likes it :)

Sunny Weekend!!

What pure bliss it was.....Reese was wanting to go and do something fun, so I said that I would take them to the park. I had already decided that morning that I was not going to do any chores and just spend good time with the kids. The morning started off great with bike riding and previewing the garage sale up the street....the stuff was over priced for a GS if you ask me Some of the neighbors were going to the Zoo and Reese was asking why we "NEVER" get to go and do "FUN" things. I tried my best to explain that 1) it all cost $$ and 2) We have a baby and she requires naps. for about 6 years someone has been napping at our house between 10-4 Yes that is nice, but it does have it's disadvantages too.
Well the kids had such a fun time playing outside that we forgot to give Norah a nap. Because the kids wanted to go to the park I asked the roomie if she would listen in for Norah while I took the kids to the park.....it was a GO :) I haven't had that much fun with the kids in a long time!! Usually when I take the kids I am holding a baby so I am unable to "play" with them. I try my best, but it is a little bit difficult. This time I ran around, took the kids flying on the cable swing, and played troll under the bridge. We topped it off with a Bedtime Stories when we got home. I just love days like this.
Because 3 of the kids had no naps and Norah only had one I was also able to put them to bed really early. I was able to start my painting project. Fun times!! Hope you enjoy the pictures....and that you enjoyed this lovely sunny day!

This girl....She can win anyone's heart..she for sure got mine a LONG time ago. She's funny, witty and obviously cute. Looking forward to the day I can add her Love for Jesus to this list.

All I hear these days is her Love for Wer-is (Charis)....she is the only person this girl talks about. This is the picture she drew for her. She was all geared up to go and give it to her, but she wasn't home.

And yes....we have a code BROWN!! I have to say that she is the easiest kid to potty train. Probably because I had pretty much NOTHING to do with it. Reese has done it all! What a great big sister she is. We have had no accidents for 4 days now including at night. Only one more go.....

And let me tell you about that one....The honeymoon is over for sure! Norah is ALL over the place. In and out of everything.

Who can resist so baby thighs! And I am happy we only have one diaper booty here!!

Some of her other cute trick:

• points and says "see,see"
• pulls herself up
• gives kisses
• takes 2 naps
• dances to music
• eats chicken & fish
• sucks on her tongue
• adorable
  

Design on a Dime??

NOW

After??

I have never liked our front entry way light and have been wanting something different. I was sitting and wondering what I could do and this came to mind. Not sure how it will actually work with a light in there, but since I already have the stuff it is worth a try I guess. Although I love this bird cage, so it would be a shame to mess it up for nothing. What do you think??

I also saw this picture in a Martha Stewart magazine and I think that I am going to attempt to do it by hand....?? Just on those two walls in the corner. We already have the paint, so I figure I am not out anything.

I also added another item to my etsy page....check it out HERE

Last Weekend

Slumber Party
Dancing to Hannah Montana
Pancake Breakfast with Daisy
Play Place
Pizza Makin'
Presents
and CaKe
=
Good Times!

I think the kids really had a great time. I alway love a good party. Overall the slumber party went well, but don't think I will do it again until they are a little older ;) But thankfully Collin and I were able to slip away for our anniversary......The first thing we did was


NaP boy did that feel so GooD! Thanks to Nic & Melissa who love our kids so well. You guys are really the best!!

On the other side of things I am in a little bit of a bloggers rut. I have so many things I could write about, but don't really know how to write it. I think that it is always best for me to think that I am writing with no one watching! Otherwise I over think and it just come out stupied. So maybe I will write more later...who knows,