Trying to See the Good in All of This

I really did intend to post on Friday, but life got in the way. Husband was out of town all weekend and I decided the least I could do to make his life better was clean the house so he has a place of refuge.

So after this Wednesday, Husband will be home until he finds a job. We are obviously worried about what is going to happen, but at the same time, I don't feel the panic I felt when we first found out about this. God has been with us every day of our marriage, and He has a plan for us. Of course we would not choose this path, but we will go forward with trust.

I have all these different thoughts swirling in my head, and I know that no amount of revising is going to make this post any more coherent, so you're just going to get my thoughts as they come. Sorry.

We've been trying to manage our money better this year. We have been living on cash for most things, with moderate success. We have still used our debit card, but not nearly as much. I like to tell people we were going broke twenty dollars at a time in the past. Using cash has made us more aware of how we spend our money and has led us to make small changes. Now is the time to make big changes. Husband and I were already talking about how we still weren't really going without and we were not making as much progress on our debt reduction as we could. Well, our debt reduction will probably be even slower, but we will definitely be going without now. I have been resistant to this, for selfish, lazy reasons. I kept saying I wanted to change, but wasn't following through. Again, this is not the way I would have gone about making a change, but it is obviously going to be what motivates me.

My brother reminded me that we are called to live simply. So much of what we think we need or want is just stuff. As we take a look at our budget and eliminate the extras, our life will be simple indeed. Regardless of what kind of job Husband finds and when he finds it, we know that we won't be making the same income. As the person who buys groceries, gifts, clothing, and things like that, my job will be to make the money stretch as far as possible. I've known I was too caught up in things, at times. This is my chance to really get serious about my role in this family.

I don't want my children to feel stress and worry over this situation. But, at the same time we do have to be honest with them. Right now they don't know that Husband will not have a job, but we will be telling them, once he is home during the day. My three big kids have birthdays in the next two weeks. While we never give extravegant gifts, we do like to give them things they have been asking for over the year. This year, they will be getting very simple gifts. And this is a chance for them to learn about enjoying simple and small pleasures.

Truly, God's love for us is evident every day, and that has not changed. We have been overwhelmed with messages of hope and prayers from friends and family. We look with confidence to this time next year, when we will say that this has truly been a blessing for our family. And in the meantime, we rely on God's grace to see us through.

More cheerful things to come, I promise. However, I will probably not be around much, as I plan to make the most of Husband's time at home.

Blog Thievery

Elaine did something fun on her blog, so I'm totally stealing it and putting it on my blog. At least I'm admitting my crime, right?

Here are her random questions. Feel free to answer in the comments. I'll put my answers at the bottom.

1. Do you eat breakfast every day?
2. How many times in a row do you wear jeans before washing them (if they don't get too dirty of course!)
3. What's your favorite holiday and why?
4. Do you hide certain foods that YOU like from you kids so that they don't get any?
5. Which celebrity would you most like to meet?
6. Do you shower at night or in the morning?
7. Do you clip coupons?
8. What's your favorite beverage these days?
9. Have you ever had to break into your own house?
10. Do you untie your shoes before you take them off?

1. Not every day (I know, I know). I do sometimes have toast and hot tea.
2. 3-4 probably. I rarely wear them for a whole day, so they don't get dirty very fast.
3. Thanksgiving and Easter. Thanksgiving for the food, Easter for the reason. Such a hopeful holiday, but not overdone like Christmas.
4. Yes, of course.
5. Geof, from Ace of Cakes, although I don't know if he is a celebrity.
6. Morning, I have high maintenance hair, considering how short I keep it.
7. Yes, but very few. We just don't buy a lot of the items that have coupons.
8. Coke Zero.
9. Not this house, but my house growing up, yes.
10. Yes, definitely.

Thanks for the prayers and good wishes. Things are not so bad, and we know Husband will find something. We're blessed to live in an area with a relatively strong job market. And we have so many amazing friends praying for us and looking out for any job possibilities. I'll be posting soon about more of my thoughts on this situation.

Not the Inspiration I Wanted

Husband got word today that he is being laid off as part of company wide downsizing. He works in the mortgage industry, so this has been a concern off and on for the last year, but we thought we had survived the worst of it. Needless to say we are reeling right now. Please pray for our family.

Already, though, we can see our blessings amidst all of this. If this had happened a year ago, we would have been in truly dire circumstances. Thanks to our decision to go through the FPU course, we are in a better place to handle this kind of change. We have money saved and are optimistic that Husband will have a job before it runs out. We have a full pantry and freezer, a roof over our heads, and healthy kids. Husband's friends are already rallying around him and working their contacts to get job leads. God will see us through this, and we'll come out stronger and closer to Him.

Prayers are appreciated, and I may be absent more than present for a little while.

A Few Small Things

My blogging well continues to run dry. I keep hoping/thinking inspiration will strike, but so far it has not happened. Today I have a few little pieces of news for you to peruse.

Husband is blogging his new weight loss goal. We won the contest, but he did not lose as much weight as he would have liked. He has a new goal and he is brave enough to put his weight out into the world wide web for anyone to see. So if you want, go over there and give him some encouragement.

I got a haircut over the weekend. I thought I wanted to make a change and do something different. So I found a picture of a cut I liked and my stylist did her job. It ended up shorter than I realized, and I don't love it, but I don't hate it. I like it more each day, and in about a month it will probably be perfect. I don't get too worked up over my hair, since it grows fairly quickly. Elaine posted a picture of our IRL meeting on her blog, so you can see what my new look is like here.

I'm trying to get back into my regular exercise habits. I've been attending the classes regularly, and they seem harder than usual lately. I think it might be because I haven't done as much cardio in between. Since I'm running in the marathon relay in three months, I have to get back into a good cardio routine. Today I ran three miles without stopping, one mile at an incline. I have to find time to run outdoors too, though, since the treadmill is not like running outside. So I have resigned myself to being at the gym at least four days a week again. I might give audio books a try, as a break from my music. Anything to stave off boredom.

That's all, folks. If anyone has any brilliant blogging ideas for me, feel free to share.

A Box of Fun

I got my box of fun and generosity last week from the Favorite Things Swap. Jenn was way too generous. In addition to the stuff in the picture, there was a bag of Lindor Truffles (yummy!), some Pecan Praline Poppycock (addictive stuff) and three notepads that were quickly commandeered by my children. They have loved walking around with those notepads playing restaurant, school, doctor, etc. I love the purple pens for me (my favorite color of course). And I am especially happy about the oven mitts and kitchen towels, because I needed more. Also not in the pictured is a Taste of Home Simple and Delicious magazine with some recipes that will be on the menu next week. Truly, I love everything and it was so fun to get a package and have no idea what was in it. Thanks a lot Jenn! Y'all can see other swaps by visiting Wendi.

Absolute and Complete Denial

My baby boy is three years old! I am aware that I have another baby. But she's a girl and it is different. And I might one day have another baby boy, but today, Monster is my baby boy. And I am so not ready for him to be so big. He is getting taller and losing any trace of baby fat (not that he ever had much, but still). He speaks in complete sentences. He puts on his own shoes and socks (which I actually don't mind at all). But, he still wears diapers, for now. When we pick him up or when he runs to us upset, he still instinctively reaches for my bracelet. He still takes naps, and there are days when it is the hardest thing to resist crawling into his bed with him. His brown eyes can pretty much make me melt, which might explain why he is the least disciplined of our children. He loves cars and Cars, and all things sports. and his baby sister. He is love wrapped up in the cutest little boy package ever. I want to freeze him at this age, but I suppose I must continue to let him grow up. But not yet.

False Start

We were wrong. Monster is not ready to potty train at all. He likes to sit on the toilet, but fails to recognize urges to go. So we will wait and try again in a few weeks. I hate this stage, but I know it will pass. We have three kids who are successfully managing to use the toilet, so I know eventually Monster will too.

I still haven't composed a post about him turning three and how I am in complete denial. I was distracted by a little football game. And also by these books. But don't go to that site if you are reading the last book (Breaking Dawn) because I noticed a few spoilers on the front page. Shannon already posted about the grip these books can have on a person, so go read her post and you'll know why I'm scarce around the internet right now.

Also, this is my 500th post. I was going to do something cool to mark the occassion, but I'm not cool.

I'm Not Really Here

Monster turned three yesterday. I'll have a post with pictures and sentimental words about my baby boy not being a baby later. Since he had a birthday and has been sitting on the potty before bed, we decided that today is the day to really start potty training. So until Husband is home to monitor the potty situation, I will be spending my time taking a child to the bathroom constantly. The birthday post will replace this one when it is written. Y'all have a good day and think successful thoughts for Monster and his mommy.

The Dizzying Arary of Emotions of a Soccer Mom

We have begun our first soccer season , here in the AMAWG house. We're a little late getting started apparently, as the girls on the team my girls play on have played together for at least four seasons. Buddy's team is younger, just a couple of seasons under their belts. His inexperience is not nearly as evident.

I had no idea that soccer would be so emotional for me. And I'm not an emotional person usually. As I said, my girls are on a team that has been playing together for a while. IndieGirl is playing up, so she is a full year younger than these girls. Of course, she doesn't really know that or care about it. But I do. And my Princess, well, she just does not have an aggressive bone in her body apparently. Both girls were eager to take a break from dance and give sports a try.

Soccer was the logical first sport, since this is fall. We signed them up and talked up the idea of being on a team and all that jazz. We got cleats and shinguards and socks. We kicked the ball around in the backyard. Then the coach called. My girls were new to the game, so she wanted to have them out for a special practice--just the coach and the two girls. I was very pleased with this, because the coach wanted to make sure they were comfortable. All went well at that first practice. We had to wait two weeks for the next practice because of rain. That first team practice was interesting, to say the least. My girls did their best and followed directions. Sometimes they were a little slow to pick something up, or to respond to the coach. I could tell it was going to be a struggle for me to not lose my patience with them. I had to remind myself that I was not the coach and the girls needed me to just be Mom. Further practices continued to show the difference between a first season player and an experienced player.

Where is all the emotion in this? Well, we had our first game too. Both girls took a turn in goal, which was moderately successful. They stopped most of the balls that came their way. Unfortunately, we started the game with Princess almost scoring an own-goal. Oops! So we're watching them play the game. We are full of pride because they are out there, at least. There are no tears. They are on the field with good attitudes. However, they are behind the action a lot of the time. They don't go to the ball. I want them to get in the game. We paid for this! But wait, I just want them to have fun. I don't want them to be discouraged or have their feelings hurt. Princess is a sensitive girl. Her coach can be rather stern, but not mean. Still, I can see Princess getting upset. I don't want that to happen. Also, IndieGirl seems to be picking the game up more quickly, and the coach has noticed. I definitely don't want comparisons, although that is probably inevitable when they are on the same team. I want this experience to be fun. But I don't want her to be miserable. We made a commitment to the team and we will keep it.

It could be a long ten weeks.

Wordless Wednesday: A Happy Reign

For more Wordless Wednesday, visit 5 Minutes for Mom.

Not a Blessed Thing

That is what we are doing today. For the first time since school started, I don't have to run any errands today. I should go to the gym and get on the treadmill, but whatever. I'm just going to stay home and sit in my lazy clothes and read and sleep. Well, I do have to feed and nurture my children, but that will be low-key all the way. When Buddy asks what we are going to do today, I will happily tell him we are going to do nothing and that is okay. Sometimes we need to give ourselves permission to be lazy. To relax and unwind, so that we can approach the next day with a renewed mind and spirit.

It is a cloudy, potentially rainy day today too. Maybe I'll open some windows and let the outside in. I can imagine how relaxing the sound of the rain will be when it is nap time. Or not nap time, but rest time. Or not rest time, but quiet time. Do you see a theme to this day?

I might try to catch up on blog reading, but I might not. I have a good book to read and no obligations until school pickup and I intend to do as little as I wish. Y'all have a good day too.

Small Victories and New Goals

Hi there. Please excuse my lack of posting lately. I just have not had much to say. I still don't have much, but I couldn't stand the thought of not having any new posts four days in a row.

We tailgated this weekend. The Mean Green did not win the game. But, they won the second half. If we had only played the last 30 minutes we would have won. Our quarterback also did not throw any interceptions. That is two games in a row with no picks. As my title suggests, we are looking for the positive where we can.

Another small victory for me was surviving Boot Camp class today without puking. Our teacher was on a roll with the squats. We did over two hundred! When I came home I couldn't decide if I wanted to eat, sleep, or puke. I managed to choke down a granola bar and have definite plans for sleeping at some point today.

As for the new goal, I know myself. If I don't have something to motivate me I will slack off with the exercise. The classes are great for overall fitness, but I need something to keep me moving when it comes to cardio training. So I signed up for a marathon. Well, one leg of a marathon relay to be exact. I'm running the White Rock Relay in Dallas in December. I said I would do a six mile leg. I feel like I can do it. I had backed off on the pace/distance focus of my cardio workouts toward the end of the contest, so I have to get back on track. I can't believe I said I would run six miles. That is one hour of running without stopping. I must be crazy.

Oh yeah, Husband posted twice! In a row! On his blog!

More With the Clothes

Now that you have muddled through my first rambling post on shopping, I'm here to bring you more fun. I bet you were up all night wondering what else I bought and what I would have to say about it. And since I don't want to let you down, this post will also contain long sentences that might not make sense and more links than is really reasonable in one post. Aren't you glad you stopped by?

I'll start with my remaining clothing item purchase and some questions. I bought this brown skirt at Target. I tried it on, and put it in my purchase pile. But, by the time I left the dressing room I put it in the leave at the store pile. So I walk out of the fitting room area and through the clothes one more time, just to make sure I didn't miss anything. When I realized they only had one skirt in the size I needed, I decided to go back and get it. So now I have it. And I have a cute butterfly shirt to wear with it (remember the shirt from yesterday?). But I am not sure what shoes to wear with it. I have tall brown boots, and I am sure those would work, but I've never been super comfortable in the skirt and boot look. Or at least, not before. So what would you suggest, my fashionable friends? Send me your best ideas.

One item I did not purchase, but that is on my list, is a jacket. I definitely want a denim jacket, and Old Navy has some that are cute, I think. But I'm not sure what shape jacket I should buy. The Old Navy one is just your typical jean jacket. Since I wouldn't ever button it, it would probably be fine. I also want to buy some kind of khaki jacket. I have a chocolate brown blazer, and a black one, both corduroy. I need one that is lighter and also fits better. I tried this one on at JCPenney but did not buy it yet. What do you think? Should I get it? I know I would wear it with jeans and tops.

And finally, the jewelry issue. Just as I tend to stick to solid tops, I always wear silver jewelry. I just like it. So I have about a dozen pairs of earrings in silver. I have silver circles that are shiny and silver circles that are matte. I have silver balls with sparkles. I have silver crosses. I have a lot of silver. So I want to jazz things up a bit. Also, I would like to start wearing necklaces and bracelets more often. I like feeling like a girl. But Stacy and Clinton have taught me that accessories should not be too matchy-matchy. So I'm at a loss. I don't know how to match pieces with color and texture to other pieces. I bought a couple of things at Target yesterday and I can't find them online and I don't have the camera handy to show you. So this whole paragraph is a let down. Still, does anyone have any tips in this area. Are accessories your thing? Can you lead me down the path to accessory nirvana? If so, I will be happy to reciprocate with shoe advice, because I do love me some shoes and I love to talk about them.

Thanks for muddling through my fashion issues. I promise to take a break of at least a day before burdening you with my ineptitude again.

Not the Fashion Maven You Think I Am

Okay, so maybe I'm assuming quite a bit with that title. I don't really think most of you think of me as a fashion maven, but I like to pretend anyway. I've done some of my birthday shopping this week and it gave rise to a couple of things I thought worth mentioning on the blog. Or maybe I am just that tapped out when it comes to blog ideas. You decide.

One of my main purchase goals was at least one good pair of jeans. Many of my friends (real-life and virtual) have raved about Seven for all Mankind jeans. I trust that y'all know what you are talking about, but I just can't spend that much money on one pair of jeans. Buying them new would have eaten up my entire spending allowance. We do have a Plato's Closet that just opened, and I am planning to go there and see what they have on hand. I can stomach fifty bucks for a pair of jeans if they are as awesome as promised. However, that is not a store to visit with energetic boys and a baby in a stroller. There is just not room for all of us. So I have to visit them on my own later.

In the mean time, I checked out jeans at other stores. I tried on the Flirt style jean at Old Navy, but didn't love it enough to buy it. I headed to JCPenney next. Now, that used to be an "old-lady" store in my mind, but times have changed. Or I've grown up. Or perhaps both. Anyway, I have had success there many times. This visit was no different. I found a pair of jeans that I love. And I got them in a size smaller than the last time I bought jeans. Yea for exercise. They are by Common Genes and I really like them. They are a little long, even in my wedges, but not so long that I have to see a tailor. But, I will be on the hunt for a pair of jeans that can be worn with flats. Which is why I love the short option offered by many brands. Because I am short, and don't mind buying jeans that say so. But I might have to get some tailored, which I have never done before. Has anyone else? Any tips?

Now I must confess to a habit. I have a tendency to buy solid color shirts almost exclusively. Also, if I find a shirt in a style I like, I will buy it in several colors. So that means I am walking around wearing almost the same thing every day. Which is silly. I have more personality than that. But I just don't venture out of my comfort zone. My practicality takes over. So I resisted the temptation and bought just two shirts at JCPenney, although one was black and one was white. They are two different styles. Well, two different necklines anyway. And I will try hard not to go back and buy more in other colors. Today I bought more shirts at Target. They look a lot the same, but are at least in colors, not just white and black.

And then I bought more shirts. I don't know why I buy so many shirts. I guess because they obviously are useful to have. So I bought this one and this one at Old Navy. The butterfly print is my idea of trying something new and branching out. And it looks great with my new jeans. People tell me that the aqua color is really flattering on me, so I'm taking them at their word. I am really trying to restrain myself and not go back and buy the same shirt in several more colors/prints. Like the white one and the pink one.

I also bought a new handbag. I have debated buying it in my mind for a while now. I love my custom bag from Pink Lemonade Boutique, but I needed something bigger. Butterfly will soon be sporting a sippy cup and snacks. Monster will be potty training and I'll need a change of clothes for him. Plus, our lives have exploded into busy-ness and I must carry my planner with me now. So I needed a new bag. I really liked having one that was unique. But, I have been eyeing one at Target for weeks too. And it is a bit outside my norm. I got this one. Buying a blue bag is way outside of my normal pattern. I usually stick to brown and black. But I was feeling wild. Can you tell I live a fascinating and exciting life?

Since this is the longest blog post ever, I will leave my remaining purchases and questions for tomorrow. It will be a riveting saga involving jewelry and a skirt.

Sweet Victory

All the gym talk and diet discipline was successful! Husband and I won the weight loss contest. We are super happy. We get a free night in a nice hotel and free babysitting, provided by the other competitors. Since I'm still nursing we won't be redeeming our prize until February at the earliest. Now the challenge will be to maintain our good habits. I do feel lazy since I have not been to the gym since Friday. But not quite lazy enough to go today, probably. Still, Husband and I agree that we feel too good to let things slide, so we'll be back to a normal routine this week. And I must say, even with giving myself the freedom to indulge in whatever I wanted over the weekend, I still didn't overdo it. It appears as though I really have learned to change the way I eat. Yea!

We had a crazy busy weekend and now I just want to stay home and do nothing. We might stay in our lazy clothes most of the day. I'm hoping rain arrives by afternoon and cancels soccer practice, but that is not likely. We'll manage somehow.