I got to meet one of my frugal mommy heroes! I found Crystal’s blog, Money Saving Mom, a couple of years ago at a time when I really needed encouragement. It was from the Lord! I learned so much about saving money on groceries, giving, freezer cooking, home management, etc.! Anyway, when I told Chris that Crystal was going to be in Tyler doing a reader meet-up, he said, “Are you going???” in that of-course-you’re-going tone of voice. So I went, and Sarah went with me!

There were about 15-20 ladies there, mostly young moms, and we just shared about ourselves and our frugal journey and had a little q and a time. I left with some tidbits of encouragement that are still blessing me as I think on them and work them into my home.

It was great time! I loved every minute. It was such fun to meet new people (some of whom looked familiar from seeing them at the CCC Sale). There were also some other bloggers there from A Slob Comes Clean (I’m enjoying this new find!), TexasThriftyPenny, and Pary Moppins.

You can visit Money Saving Mom to see a picture of the whole group of frugal gals!

It started with needing a book for our school lesson. I could not find the book in the library, so I went to find in on PBS (paperback swap). A few days later I received a package in the mail with 12-ish children’s books in it (including the one I requested) and a note that said, “Enjoy some free books!” How amazing it that? Well, it get’s better…

In the package was another book that I needed for the next school lesson! God knew! He is so INCREDIBLY thoughtful!

I sent a thank you note to the dear lady that sent the boatload of books, and she messaged me back saying she had more to send! Yes, MORE! So then another pack of 10-15 books came. I sent another thank you note with drawings from the children and a picture of them reading. And what do you think came in the mail today? Yes, another huge pile of kid’s books and a sweet note from this dear teacher in New York, who just wants to bless us. She said she knows the books are going to an incredible place, our house!

Here is a picture of Savannah with 40 books from Ms. F. This isn’t even all of them, because, of course the children have spread them around enjoying them thoroughly!

The generosity of this dear stranger from New York has been a hug from the Lord. And I know, the Lord loves Ms. F in New York. He said so…

“Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.“ 2 Corinthians 9:7

America’s Billion Dollar Baby Scam – Interesting infogram on the pull on parents to buy “the best” baby things.
Why Does Some Music Make You Cry? – Do you know why?
How Companies Learn Your Secrets – This articles was fascinating concerning marketing strategies, but also concerning forming and breaking habits. Long, but good!

So, after a sweet pep talk and encouraging prayers from my dear Hubby, I set out. And it was an amazing trip! The children were so good! They held on to the cart. I fit all the groceries and Zoe (in her car-seat) in the cart. We got everything we needed (at Walmart nonetheless, which seems to always be out of something!),

And as the thunder threatened to crack open a deluge outside, I prayed that the Lord would hold the rain until I could get my little ones and the groceries in the car. Faithful One, He did!

On top of giving us a good trip, God added a little humor to our day. I’m getting cheese in the dairy section and look down to see Buddy with *something* in his mouth. Turns out its a tube of raw pork chorizo. So I take it from him, thankful that he didn’t puncture the package! Of course, my conscience convicted me to buy it after my son chewed on it. Thankfully it was only $1.88 (ish). I figure I’ll get on allrecipes.com and find something to make with it, since I’ve never, ever used it in my life.

So, I’m putting groceries away when I get home, and check out the ingredients on this stuff, and this is what I read…

BLECH!!!! This is definitely the most disgusting thing I have ever bought at the grocery store…I mean seriously and really. And it’s in my refrigerator, next to the food. The real food…really.

I’m so glad I read the ingredients before putting it in the soup. Another wonderful reason to praise the Lord!

Happy Half-Birthday, Zoe! God has blessed you with a peaceful, content spirit. You bring so much joy to our hearts!

“Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.” Psalm 16:11

“Thou shalt no more be termed Forsaken; neither shall thy land any more be termed Desolate: but thou shalt be called Hephzibah, and thy land Beulah: for the LORD delighteth in thee, and thy land shall be married.  For as a young man marrieth a virgin, so shall thy sons marry thee: and as the bridegroom rejoiceth over the bride, so shall thy God rejoice over thee.” Isaiah 62:4-5

“One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple.” Psalm 27:4

“Who is this that cometh up from the wilderness, leaning upon her beloved?” Song of Solomon 8:5a

“Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.” Psalm 91:14

“Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee. My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.” Psalm 73:25-26

Back to the sun…we learned that Ss is for sun, and the sun reminds us that “Jesus is the Light of the World.”

Savannah made a letter “S” out of S-s-s Skittles.

Caleb colored the sun and other pictures in his schoolbook.

We put grapes in the window to see how the sun turns grapes into raisins. (Still patiently waiting on the results.)

We used a blindfold outside to see how dark it would be without the sun.

We made a sundial. We used a pencil stuck into a lump of play dough.

And since the kids just couldn’t handle only using the play dough for the sundial, we made the sun with play dough.

We also painted the sun. I got out the finger-paint for first time after saving it for months in the closet. I’ve been chicken. It’s true. I just don’t get along well with messes. Thankfully though, Grandma Overby, was there to help! So, with a one to one, kid to adult ratio, it was okay! It was fun! I’m really loosening up. Go me!

Hmmm…which child do you think takes after me?

There you have it! Ss is for sun. Next: Mm is for moon. Do you think Sam’s Club has a block of cheese big enough to make a moon?

So after much round and round and praying and researching and reading and praying and talking, Chris and I settled on using My Father’s World Kindergarten for her curriculum. I never realized how much FUN school could be! Wow! Below are some pictures to give you a glimpse of things we learned together. Caleb joins in the fun with us. (I am learning how to keep him busy – my biggest challenge!)

We started out studying Creation, taking one day to study each day of Creation.

We made a Creation timeline and a Creation Book. Learned the song, “He’s Still Working on Me”, and are still working on memorizing Psalm 8. (Remember that one, dear Children’s Institute alumni?)

Oreo cookies were the perfect thing to help us remember that God separated the light from the dark! Caleb now asks if he can have “light and dark” cookies.

We ate dirt on the third day, because that was the day that God made the dry land. Oh, and the dirt was just Oreos and chocolate pudding. See the dirt on our mouths?

Caleb sorted colored goldfish on the fifth day when God created the fish and the birds.

The first unit, the Creation unit, was mostly learning about Creation by reading the Bible, doing crafts, and eating fun snacks. This got us into the routine of having school every morning so that Savannah could be ready to hunker down and start her phonics and math!

My sweet Savannah posed for a picture with my Kitchenaid. In the background, Buddy is asking if he can eat the butter he just swiped from the bowl. (How many times do I have to tell them not to put their fingers in that bowl? I mean that is seriously dangerous, right?)

Here is Buddy eating the butter after I told him not to put his fingers in the bowl. Yum! Ummmm…maybe not…why do kids like to eat plain butter?

Poor little butter-eater, now he is punished and has to sit on the rug for a little while.

In the meantime, Savannah licks the bowl like Pooh Bear with a “hunny” pot.

Now after the ETERNALLY LONG thirty-minute wait for the dough to chill in the fridge, we have the dough rolled out and ready for making people! Aw! The little butter-eater is so cute! He and Pooh (I mean Savannah) did such a good job cutting out the cookies!

Hmmm…I wonder where the missing appendages of these cookies went?

These guys safely made it to the cookie sheet! Isn’t it cool how the chandelier reflects in the pan? Adds a touch of elegance (or maybe I’ve just inhaled too much flour).

All baked and ready to decorate! I did put the icing in a decorator bag for the kids to use, but it quickly became obvious that it would not work. So, I just gave them a bowl of icing and let them have at it. It was much more fun that way! (Oh, and I made my own powdered sugar to make the icing! Just whirl granulated sugar in the blender. Isn’t that great?!)

“Mom, can I eat this?” That’s one of Buddy’s favorite questions. I’m so glad he asks!

Ta da!!!! I love that “I’m so proud!” look on Sweet Pea’s face.

Now it’s time to eat them up before they run away!

CUTENESS!

Zoe Ruthann (12 weeks) and her cousin Lillyann Elizabeth (9 weeks)

We’re all safe, by the way! Blessings on your day!