Catching up. . .

I know I have been MIA lately, but here is what I have been doing. :)

And also spending the last few weeks with Grandmommy and Grandaddy before they go back to South Africa.

And planning a surprise birthday party for Daddy (although he had a sneaky suspicion - think he expects too much???) Sorry there weren't any good pictures from the party.

And enjoying a picnic in the park.

And getting to meet Jake's new buddy, Aiden.


Not to mention teething, a growth spurt, house hunting, and completely redoing our grocery budget. (look for a future post on how much food I bought using coupons and shopping sales.)

Calling for Help

"I lift my eyes unto the hills. Where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth."

Today I listened and read through a message by John Piper on Prayer. His sermon was titled: Practical Help for Praying for Help. I urge you to follow the link and read or listen to this sermon. It was a tremendous challenge and encouragement to me to have victory in my desire to please God and live controlled by the Spirit.

http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/Sermons/ByDate/1988/620_Practical_Help

The school of hard knocks. . . and learning to save

So my husband and I have been redoing our budget recently. I set out to cut way back on our weekly grocery budget and a friend posted on her blog the joys and nitty gritty of CVS shopping. (See handprintsonthewall.wordpress.com) So I spent about 3 hours studying out how I was going to go and make major savings at CVS this past Saturday. I printed off CVS coupons, cut manufacturers coupons, and then plotted out my game plan. (I am not the greatest on my feet mathematician, so I had to work everything out ahead of time) Anyways, I got there on Saturday afternoon, filled my cart up with just over $50 worth of products and had it worked out that I would only need to spend about $8 and I would earn $8 in CVS ECB's (extra care bucks). When I got to the counter, I was informed that a new policy had been instituted and that they could only accept 5 of my CVS coupons. I had everything so carefully mapped out that I didn't know which coupons to tell the lady to use, so I asked her if she could void my items and let me refigure out what I wanted to purchase. So I figured everything out again and then returned to the counter (about 30 minutes later - told you I wasn't quick on my feet). This time, I had figured a total of just over $30. When the lady rang up my items it came to $55. I wondered if some of my buy 2 for $3 deals were not factored in so I asked the cashier. She assured me they were. So I went ahead and paid. I was still hoping to pay only $8 and and earn $8 in ECB's. My receipt only printed $3 in ECB's and I ended up having to pay $18. I was so confused. I loaded up my purchases and went back to the shelves and rechecked all my prices. The two packs of diapers I had picked up had been on the wrong place on the shelf and had totalled $16 instead of $8. AAGHH!
To make a long story short I still saved, just not as much as I had hoped for. I got 120 diapers, 3 packs of wipes, 3 jars of mayonaisse and a pack of tea for $18. My husband was impressed.
WARNING TO EVERYONE THOUGH: the school of hard knocks is still accepting applications and maintains an open enrollment year round policy. :)

Just for fun. . .

I thought I would share some recent pics of Jake with you. He is growing and learning so much every day. I am already dreading college. . . I'm beginning to realize how quickly the years will go by. . . I must constantly ask God to help me remember he has been loaned to me; he is not mine.

Jake checking out the letter J - I guess he liked it. . . he looks pretty happy.

Jake in his tunnel. . . he loves watching it come down on top of him; he just grins and grins.

Your Name

The chorus of this song is an incredibly accurate portral of our God. May it encourage you like it has me.

YOUR NAME
As morning dawns and evening fades
You inspire songs of praise
That rise from earth to touch Your heart
And glorify Your name

Your name
Is a strong and mighty tower
Your name
Is a shelter like no other
Your name
Let the nations sing it louder
‘Cause nothing has the power to save
But Your name

Jesus in Your name we pray
Come and fill our hearts today
Lord give us strength to live for You
And glorify Your name

Words and music by Paul Baloche and Glenn Packiam© 2006 Integrity's Hosanna! Music/ASCAP and Vertical Worship Songs/ASCAP

Friday favorites

1. Hugging my best friend and lingering in the embrace, drinking in the reality that I am loved.

2. Peeking into Jake's crib in the morning to find him awake and playing and then watching his face light up as he sees me.

3. Baking on a rainy day so that the house has warm, delicious, welcoming aromas.

4. Laughing loudly, purely, unashamedly at something good and clean and truly funny.

5. Quiet times to think, read, pray. . . and drink some good coffee.

6. Playing a good song as loud as I want to and singing along with all of my heart.

7. Talking about things that really matter with people that really care.