I Feel I Need to Confess....

I said I wasn't going to log into Facebook.  And I did.  But, it was ONLY because I have been researching my family tree and I found some relatives that I had been searching for on FB - simply by doing a google search of their names.  Anyway, I logged on only to e-mail and friend request them.  I didn't look at anything else.  Didn't read any statuses.  Nothing.  I promise!!  :)

House Update - Long Overdue!

I have failed to update my blog recently of our house progress.  I have been taking a bit of a break lately and I have actually been really busy.  Just seems that there is always something to do!  Anyway...as for the house...they have done a lot of work.  There is still several things that need to be done before we can move in - plumbing, carpet, electric and some finishing touches.  We are getting very anxious and can't wait to move -  Especially after we go out and visit the house.  I am ready to start living in this house....I love it so much!!  And I don't just love the house but I love the quiet, the bird sounds, the trees blowing, the silence, the stars we will be able to see at night, the frogs we will hear, the pond, our huge back patio and view of the pond, my new kitchen cabinets, the porch rail, the huge windows and my fireplace.  I am so thankful that the Lord is blessing us with this house.  It truly makes the wait (we've been waiting a long time to move into a new house) worth it!!  Anyway...enough of all that...here are the pictures.  I chose the paint colors.  I chose them from paint swatches at Lowes without actually seeing the colors on the wall.  I was SO scared that I wouldn't like the finished products but I love them!  I am so glad that my BFF went with me to look at the painted cabinets when she did b/c she convinced me that they were beautiful the way they were and they didn't need glazing.  I really DID want them to be that way but was so afraid of  all white cabinets.  But they aren't really white, more of a creamy buttermilk kinda color.  I had the bathroom cabinets painted the same color and glazed with a darker brown stain.  In the pictures the mantle is painted.  That wasn't supposed to happen.  It is supposed to be stained the same color as the beams and the moulding.  They are going to have to build a new mantle and stain it the right color.  But I DO love that stone we chose.  I can't wait to see the sconces above the fireplace once they are installed.  Anyway...here are some pictures of our little house.  We are so happy and blessed and thankful to God for allowing us to build this house.  We can't wait to move!!!!!

It's Ash Wednesday...

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders us and the sin that so easily entangles us, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”


Hebrews 12:1-2

I have been feeling “entangled” and “hindered” lately…

I mentioned in my previous post how I have been feeling convicted about my time in the world of “social media” and all that it involves (Facebook and Blogging). I had also mentioned that I was considering giving it up for Lent. I didn’t realize when I wrote that but Lent starts today! It is Ash Wednesday. After reading my bible study this morning on Fruits of the Spirit I was convicted even more. So, here I am to say goodbye to the blogging and Facebooking world for a while. I am going to occasionally post on my own blog and I will also read the blogs of personal friends and family. I am just going to take a break from reading everyone else’s blogs. You can read why in my previous post. Although, I might need to read the occasional post from the SugarPie Farmhouse blog because they are so motivating and uplifting!! (Plus, she doesn’t post 2 and 3 times a day like some of the other blogs I follow!! ) She posts about once every two weeks. But…I’m digressing….

Anyway…I’m excited about unplugging for a while. I hope to start using my time more wisely and not feeling guilty for wasting it. My goals are to start the process of potty training Philip, work on my consignment sale stuff, PACK, get some craft projects completed, PACK and then clean up the house as I pack so it won’t be as much of a process after we move.

With my unplugging, I am going to miss a LOT of what goes on in everyone’s lives. Especially since this is such a convenient way to stay connected. So, PLEASE send me an e-mail or a text or something to let me know how you are!! I really do feel like my biggest struggle will be “feeling left out”. But I KNOW (because I did this last year) that at the end of my “unplugging” I won’t regret it. I will miss you all, though!! So…keep in touch!! Comment on my blog. Or send an e-mail. 

Personal Ramblings...

Pardon me today while I use my blog to ramble my thoughts.  The reason for doing so is that I just want to "get them out there" in hopes of comments back from those of you who read it.  Comments that say how you can relate, you can't relate, you agree, you disagree and/or why.  Just dialogue via my blog.  If you don't  feel like replying via the comments you can e-mail me. 

I have been struggling lately.  Feeling convicted.  Feeling guilty.  Feeling inadequate.  Feeling lazy.  It's crazy to think that this little computer here can contribute to all of those negative feelings in me but the more I think about what I'm feeling and where it is coming from the more I see it IS coming (partly) from the computer.  The rest is on me and what I DO with those thoughts and feelings. 

One thing is....I use this computer to ESCAPE!  Yes.  I said escape.  Mentally.  I will sit here and mentally "check out" to my surroundings.  My husband.  My kids.  My house.  Why?  Not sure.  Selfish.  Lazy.  Curious. Probably a combination.  I'm not sitting here doing "bad" things on my computer.  Not gambling or chatting with people I shouldn't.  Just using it too much.  And I don't  like how I'm  feeling as a result. 
I thought the problem was Facebook.  I recently went through and deleted many people and unliked MANY products/stores/companies.  This has dramatically reduced the amount of time I'm on there b/c I'm not having to filter through TONS of status updates to get to the ones I really want to see.  So, if I cut down on my FB then what's the problem?  Well...I will sit here and start surfing through blogs.  You can see a LONG list of my favorite ones on the right side of my blog.  I follow blogs of women who are talented, crafty, spiritual, organized, creative, etc.  My problem is that I will sit there and then internalize all of these feelings of inadequacy b/c I compare myself to those women.  I think..."I wish I could be that creative"...."I wish my house looked that cute"...."I wish I was that disciplined with my time"....."I wish I could homeschool my children like that"....and many others.    I then start to wonder WHY I am as frazzled and as disorganized and as messy as I am.  Why can't I be Superwoman?  I feel like I should be able"Superwoman"  after I sit here and read everyone elses blogs. (But deep down I know this is ridiculous!)  After feeling so inadequate then I get in a "funk".  I start listening to those lies that Satan can whisper into our ears when we have taken our focus off of God (which I have by spending my "free" time online rather than with my family or in His word).  So...I get in a cycle of negative feelings.  So.  I'm thinking of just taking a break from it all.  I'm not catholic but I am trying to think about the upcoming Easter season and Lent and thinking about what I can give up.  I feel daily that the Lord is trying to tell me to give all of this up.  All of this "social computer stuff" and regain my focus on Him.  On my children.  On my husband.  On my home.  But you know what...I really do feel scared and nervous about this.  I feel like..."how can I do that?"  I will feel so left out. How will I  know what's going on with everyone?  I will feel friendless.  (because we HAVE all become so dependent on technology to keep us connected.)  but then I say to myself..."You'll FEEL so much better knowing you used your precious time so much more wisely".  Now, I do use the computer for my budget and my grocery list and to look up recipes online.  I am not talking about that stuff.  i do have to check my e-mail.  But I don't have to be CONSUMED by my computer.  Anyway...didn't really intend to type ALL of this....but it might help someone else out there.  I am pretty sure that this is the direction I'm heading.  At least temporarily. Hopefully I will figure out a better balance of it all. Don't worry...I'll let you know when I take my break. So, in the meantime...what do ya'll think about all this social technology??  Would love to hear your thoughts!

How Absolutely Adorable...and FREE!!

I think I may have just have found one of my new favorite blogs!! So adorable!!

An Answer to My Hoarding?!?!?

I have a bit of a hoarding problem.  Ever since I had to start buying formula for my sweet baby girl I've had these "reusable" tubs. And I've been "collecting" a LOT of them!  The thing is, I only use ONE tub.  Rather than cleaning a new one EVERY time I open a can of formula (b/c the formula isn't actually inside the tub, but it's inside a sealed foil type package) I pour the new formula into the same tub.  So, then I'm left with these perfectly good plastic tubs.  I have been saving them.  Lots of them.  I brought myself to throw all but two away this weekend because I didn't think I'd ever sit down and find a cute use for them. (before I had to pack them all up for our upcoming move)  So, then today when I was supposed to be cleaning I had the idea for my tubs!!  I just modge podged them with some cute scrapbook paper and tied on a ribbon.  And there you have it...a CUTE use for my tubs.  I have pens and highligthers in one and in the other I am going to put it in my bathroom.  I bought (on clearance) several boxes of fingernail polish remover pads. So, instead of having a bunch of boxes of nailpolish remover pads I just put all the pads into my cute little tub.  Anyway...just thought I'd share.  I'm going to make banks out of our nut canisters for my kids to learn to start saving their money.  My BFF Stefanie did this for her kids and now I want to copy. 

BEFORE:

AFTER:

My Target Haul...

I'm proud of my Target trip this week!! I haven't been through my coupon binder in a while and I hadn't printed any coupons from the Target.com website lately (printer problems and no time).  So, I made a little extra time this week to grab some high value coupons for my trip to Target.  I had to go and buy diapers and formula, anyway.  So, here are my exciting deals. I'm not going to post links to coupons or anything b/c that would take up too much time.  If you see a deal and you're curious, please leave a comment and I'll tell you all about it!  And, I'm going off memory here b/c I don't have my receipt in front of me ;)

* Gillette Deodorants - These are HIGH dollar.  Usually $7.94 each.  I got them BOTH for $5.94
* Johnsons Baby Powder -FREE
* Gain Fabric Softener - Usually $4.34. I got them for $1.34 each
* Kid Boost 4 pack - FREE I had a BOGO coupon
* Tide Stain Release - FREE (Had a 'get free' with purchase)
* Revlon nail file and tweezers - $2.00 for both (on clearance for 75% off and I had a coupon)
* Excedrin with free box of Excedrin PM - .49 cents each
* Miracle Whip - $1.00 each
* Pediasure - $2.50
* Breathe Right Nasal Strips - FREE
* Sally Hansen Nail Strengthener - $1.24