Down another 1.5 lbs. for week four. Now that my soreness has subsided and our fasting is over, I’ll get back to Jillian next week. 🙂

Things are looking good for next week. I’m still praying that those girls will be in our arms by the weekend. I’ll know more on Thursday or Friday. Please keep praying!!

Josh and I have had an excellent, kid-free weekend. Worship Friday night with Lindell Cooley was awesome. He’ll actually be at church with us this morning because of the massive snow and ice in Nashville, so that is exciting. Josh and I had a great day together yesterday. We slept in until 10:30 (holy moly!!), had a very late breakfast and went to the mall. We almost NEVER spend money when we go to the mall. We just love to window shop and walk leisurely through all of our favorite stores.  Last night was Josh’s company’s annual party.  It was at a cute little place downtown called “Casa Blanca”.  It’s cute because it is in the lower section of the old White’s Building and now it’s called Casa Blanca (white house).  We had a fun time with his boss and coworkers.  What a blessing it is to work with people you like and love what you do and actually enjoy spending time with your coworkers outside of the office.  Indeed, we are blessed.

We pick the boys up this afternoon and have one more little sha-bang before our weekend ends.  We’re going to a couple’s house from church this evening after our Financial Peace class.  There will be other young(er) adults and married couples there and we’ll have finger foods and lots of laughs I’m sure.

Thank you Lord for weekends of intense worship, refreshing laughter, and sweet times with ones we love.  You are a good, good God!

~audrey

I have several friends who have gotten into hard core “couponing”. They head to the stores, armed with their wads of coupons and knowledge of where the best deals are, and they check out with 37 items and a grand total of $2.49 due out of pocket. I’m not there yet.

However.

I have begun.

Last week, I bought not one, but two, Sunday papers and saved the Smart Source and Red Plum inserts. I will be doing that weekly. Then, last night, I realized we were really needing snacks and breakfast items, so I went to SouthernSavers.com and found that Kroger had the best deals for what I was looking for. I pulled some of my coupons from the Sunday paper and printed some from the internet (Southern Savers tells you which coupons you need and gives you links to the online coupons that you can print). I made my list strictly based on what was on sale. This was my bounty:

$46 worth of groceries for $24.

Everything I purchased was ‘name brand’ and, divided up evenly, it came out to $1.71 per item. That’s excellent! Chex mix alone is over $3/bag. That big box of popcorn was originally $5! See? I’m getting more excited just telling you about it!

I had to call my friend Mary to make sure that I really had scored a deal. She confirmed that you should ALWAYS shoot for 50% or higher in savings, so my 50% savings was indeed a successful coupon-using shopping trip. Yay!! To be honest, I was quite intimidated. But come to find out, it was SO easy and now I just can’t wait to find more deals and go buy more cheap groceries. Southern Savers suggests stocking up on items that are at rock-bottom prices (like your favorite box of cereal for $.75).

It is definitely going to take a little work and effort to get some momentum going, but I feel like I’m off to a good and encouraging start. I really need to make a list of things that we use most often and also a running list of things that we need as I run out of them so I know what to be looking out for.

GO to SouthernSavers.com. They spell it out for you in the simplest terms. They even have some video tutorials on how to get started. BUT, wait until the kids go to bed or down for a nap, you’ll need a good hour to rummage through all the great info.

Potty Training Boot Camp: Day Four. Owen is doing great. Second morning in a row that he has woken up dry. He still won’t tell me when he has to go pee-pee, but he does hold it until I take him to the bathroom every 45 minutes or so. Progress, I suppose. A weekend at Nana’s should be interesting. I’m sure he’ll do well.

Tomorrow is Friday!!

~audrey

Last Sunday was our third Financial Peace University class. I’m really enjoying the classes and the books, but most of all, I’m SO thankful that we’re learning these very important financial principles while we still have time on our side. We still have over thirty years before ‘retirement age’. However, if we do exactly what Dave Ramsey says, we can put our middle class money to work in our favor and be millionaires a few times over by the time we’re 55….not to mention having lived most of our adult life completely debt free. That makes me very excited. Even more exciting: we have the privilege of teaching our children these principles NOW so they don’t make the same mistakes and bad choices that mommy and daddy have.

Dave Ramsey encourages the envelope system and it’s really quite simple for children. They have three envelopes: Give, Save, and Spend. Anytime they receive money, they put some of it in all three. We’ve decided to start them out at 10% in their giving envelope, 10% in savings, and the rest in their spending envelope. Joshua is almost seven and he already has a clear understanding that he is responsible for his first vehicle. That is what his “savings” envelope is for. However much he has saved by the time he is 16, Josh and I will match that and he can use it to purchase his first car. Ramsey said his third child really grasped the fact that Dad really did match what the children saved, so by the time his youngest turned 16, she had saved $8,000, and was able to buy a $16,000 car WITH CASH at the age of sixteen!! How awesome is that!?

Joshua emptied his wallet and counted it all up.

Grand Total: $5.49

He created his three envelopes.

And placed $.56 in “Give” and “Save” and the rest went in “Spend”.

I had to go to the grocery store, so Joshua asked if he could bring his spending money with him and buy himself a “Color-Shifter Hot Wheels” car.

I knew they cost about $3, so I said ok. Ramsey says it’s very important to let them purchase things by themselves, with their own money. It just doesn’t quite have the same effect when you allow them to give you their money and then you just throw their purchase onto the counter with yours and you pay for it all with your money. It affects them differently when they hand their hard-earned money to the cashier in exchange for what they chose to buy. Joshua LOVES games. I’m pretty sure I’ve mentioned that before. My kids are GAME FREAKS. After Christmas, we re-organized the game closet and tallied a total of 26 games. Well, Joshua found a ‘travel’ Battleship game at the store, for $5.97. I specifically told him, “You have tons of cars at home. Why don’t you wait until next week, after you’ve had a chance to “work” for Nana and Grandpa and earn a few more dollars, then you can come back and buy Battleship instead of a $3 car.” He decided against it and I had to accept that.

He’s completely satisfied with his $3 hot wheels car. They are pretty cool. 🙂

On another note:

OOOOUUUUUUCCCCHHHHH!!! I am SO stinkin’ sore this morning!! I was so incredibly out of shape the first time I did my Jillian Michael’s video. I took so many breaks, I don’t think I did enough to even get sore. BUT THIS TIME. OH. MY. GOODNESS. It hurt to get out of bed this morning. The muscles in my back and surrounding my ribs hurt, so it hurts to take a deep breath, laugh, or even cough. On top of all that, our church is fasting this month. Everyone has chosen different ways to fast. Our pastor said, a “true Biblical fast” is giving up food, so Josh and I have worked gradually into our fasting. The first two weeks we gave up breakfast, the third week Josh gave up breakfast AND lunch, but I stuck with just breakfast. However, we’re in the final week and we have a big worship event coming up on Friday with Lindell Cooley.

So we’ve both taken the FULL plunge this week. I haven’t had a bite of food since Monday. I think I’m getting over the worst of it and have been drinking lots of Naked Juice, so that has helped with the cramping and hunger pangs.

All that to say, yesterday was probably NOT the best day for a hard core workout. I will rest today and work out again tomorrow. My lunch meeting at noon today should be interesting. It is with ladies that I go to church with, but obviously they plan to eat lunch because we’re meeting at a new restaurant in town. I’m afraid if I eat even a salad, it will make me sick. I’ve had some intestinal issues **IF YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN** as a result of the fasting. Clearly I’m in a serious detox mode right now and I’d rather not make it worse, so I will bring my little bottle of Naked juice to lunch and hope they don’t make too much fun of me.

I’m SO excited about this weekend! The boys are heading to my parents’ house on Friday. We have Lindell Cooley Friday night, a day in the country on Saturday, Josh’s annual company party Saturday night, and dinner with friends on Sunday night. We haven’t had a weekend this exciting in a long time. 🙂

Eight more days until we find out about the girls. Please keep praying!

~audrey

I just got some brand new motivation for losing a TON of weight by July 24th! My best friend from high school is getting married and she has asked me to read scripture in her wedding. To raise the stakes even higher, the lead singer of Lady Antebellum, Charles Kelley, is a groomsman. How cool! Here is their newest CD, just released today.

If you’d like to take advantage of Amazon.com’s deal today, you can download the entire album for $3.99. Here is the link: Lady Antebellum for $3.99

I am honored to be a part of Anna’s wedding and I can’t wait to be there on her BIG DAY! Congrats Anna and I love you dearly!

Well, I need to go now so I can eat some lettuce and run 10 miles. LOL! 🙂

~audrey

I kept a friend’s little girl yesterday. She’s the sweetest little baby. It’s so funny to see babies react to all the boys in our house. Usually, they’re content for hours, just to watch and listen to them run and play and laugh. Most of the time, even the quietest babies start to babble and respond to the boys. Katie Mae was no exception. She laughed and smiled and followed them around on all fours. It was so sweet to watch.

We picked up Katie Mae’s big brother after school and I told the boys that Avery would have to do his homework before they could all go play outside. He only had one assignment and that was to read his library book, a picture book about extinct animals, and then write a short summary/report on it. Avery had the sweetest idea to have everyone pile onto the couch and he could read the book out loud to them and then do the written part of the assignment when he finished. The kids were so good as they all listened intently and asked an occasional question. The funny thing is, Avery was homeschooled for a little while and during that time, his momma had the opportunity to teach him ‘real’ science, not the evoluntionary “the Earth is millions of years old” stuff that public schools teach. So every few pages when the book would claim that a certain extinct animal was millions of years old and had evolved from some animal none of us could pronounce, Avery would put the book down for a second and explain to my boys how that page was incorrect. I was very impressed. Tara, you done good girl! I managed to snap a quick picture while Avery was still reading to the rest of the kids. It was so sweet.

I couldn’t help but think, “Yes! That’s the way I like it! This is how it should be!” If we teach our children to love learning and love reading and love sharing their new found knowledge, then they will take pride and joy in teaching what they know to their younger siblings and friends. That’s exactly what Avery did on the couch. Moments like this really encourage my young, new readers and for that I am very grateful.

Yes, Owen is pant-less. Remember? Potty Training Boot Camp?
Day two is going well. No accidents yet!

~audrey

Last Thursday, it rained and rained and rained, all day long. It was awesome. I took the boys to the library and when we got home, we all got back into our jammies and piled into my bed to read and do school work. Even when we finished Joshua’s school work, we stayed in bed and Joshua drew pictures and read his Science Encyclopedia while I read my new library book, “The Well-Educated Mind”.

It’s a great book on learning the classical model as an adult. Hopefully it will help me as I teach my boys classically at home. That reminds me, in efforts to be on top of things this year, I already sent in our registration and tuition for our local classical co-op for the fall. I’m very excited since we missed it last year. I think the added accountability and structure will be a good transition for Jesse as he goes from real school to homeschooling again. We’re all really looking forward it. Our relaxing, rainy day made me even more excited about having everyone home next year.

Joshua likes to doing copy work. This particular day, he learned about the moon.

It was a little treat having Jesse home for one more day while he made it to 24 hours with no fever and no meds.

Jesse was home from school on Friday and today with a virus. His fever got up to 104.7 on Saturday night. It was crazy. I let him fall asleep in my bed. I don’t know why, but I always remember my parents’ bed making me feel just a little bit better when I was sick.

Here we are, another Monday. Can you believe this is the last Monday in January!? This month has flown by. How are you doing on your goals for 2010? Don’t let it be one of those years where you sprint to the finish in December because you slacked off during the other 11 months. Make it a nice steady marathon. For us, this year will be full of new financial discipline, hopefully welcoming two little girls into our family, and just learning how to relax and enjoy our time at home. We stay way too busy and I’ve come to really appreciate my time at home with the boys during the day…even the rough days. 🙂

Today is Potty Training Boot Camp: Day One. Owen has done exceptionally well. I’ve had him in a pull-up all day because I’m not real fond of cleaning up urine (it’s even worse when you can’t find where he peed!!). He hasn’t had a single pee-pee accident today. The ONE time I let him go 30 minutes with no pull-up, I found poop at the bottom of his pant leg, which fortunately was the kind of pant leg that had elastic on the bottom, so the poop was contained. Other than that, I’d consider day one a success. I do NOT plan to buy another package of pull-ups. By Wednesday, I’m putting him in big boy underwear. I don’t play around with the potty training. All or nothing baby, and we’re going all the way this time…especially with the prospect of two more bottoms to diaper in the near future.

Happy Monday!

~audrey

Church was great this morning. Worship was intense and the Word was powerful. Our pastor taught out of Acts, when Jesus gives the disciples instructions, but then tells them: WAIT. NOT YET. There was a LOT more to the sermon than the one sentence I just wrote, but it really struck a chord with me. I know what the Lord has promised me. I know what I’m suppose to be doing in this season of my life. Unfortunately, I am forced to just WAIT a lot. I’m learning more and more with each waiting experience, to just trust Him. Many times, I see later, that if I had rushed results, I wouldn’t have had what I needed to handle the situation properly.

That is where I am right now. Daily, I’m praying for these two little girls. Protection, peace, healing, love, security. I’m fighting the urge to pray for MYSELF or MY family. I want to say, “KEEP MY DAUGHTERS SAFE, LORD!” But I know I have to wait. They may never make it to my house. But I’m committed to pray for them each and everyday for the next week. There’s incredible power in prayer and I’m believing for a miracle.

I’m reminded of the Casting Crowns song, “Praise You In This Storm”:
I’ll praise you in this storm
and I will lift my hands
you are who you are
no matter where I am
and every tear I’ve cried
you hold in your hand
you’ve never left my side
and though my heart is torn
I’ll praise you in this storm.

Now, I’m excited to go sit down with my two Sunday papers and get started with my hard-core couponing this week. 🙂 I look forward to sharing some great deals with you!

~audrey

Maybe it’s a psychological thing, but I do feel a change in my mood and my overall well-being since I’ve been taking vitamins and Juice Plus+ the last few days. On top of that, I’m down another pound this week. It certainly isn’t a big pretty number, but as I said in the first post: One pound a week will still add up to 52 lbs. in a year, so I’m aiming for a pound a week and anything more than that will be just awesome! I’ve been doing terrible on exercising consistently, so that is my goal for next week: EXERCISE!!

Now, for the really important stuff:

We got a call from our foster agency on Thursday afternoon. We’ve been presented with the opportunity to receive two little girls into our home and we’ve accepted. We would love for them to be a part of our family, but most of all, it’s important that they stay safe and are in a loving home. I don’t even know their names but I would love to have you pray as we wait. We’ll update next week when we hear something.

Happy Weekend Everyone!

~audrey

I had an appointment with my new endocrinologist on Monday to get the results of my lab work. My thyroid levels have continued to remain completely normal since my surgery last March, which is awesome, however, it was also very frustrating because of the way I’ve been feeling lately. He did, however, see that some of my vitamin levels, vitamin D in particular, are quite low. As a result, I’m now taking a children’s multi-vitamin and I’m also taking the kids’ Juice Plus+. Someone recommended the children’s multi-vitamin gummies because they taste great, you don’t have to swallow a pill, and they’re absorbed into your system faster. They taste just like regular gummie bears and there are only 15 calories for two. I take three to make sure I’m getting the recommended values for adults. I’m excited to see if these two changes/additions will help me start feeling better.

Oh CRAP, I hear the trash truck coming down the street and Josh forgot to take the trash to the curb last night! UGHH! Better run.

~audrey

I can’t believe this is my first post since last Friday!? What has gotten into you woman??
I have really been in a funk lately. I’m tired, irritable, and just down right blah. I’m trying to push through it, but it’s definitely been tough. I just feel run down. I can’t even completely explain it. No, I am definitely not pregnant. I know I should be going to bed earlier than I do most nights, but I’ve just been getting lost in the stack of books on my bed side table. I’ll start off excited that I’m in bed at 8:45pm. I’ll pick up a book, read for a while, move to another book for several chapters, put that one down to write down a recipe or add something to tomorrow’s to-do list, and suddenly is 11:30pm!! Oops.

My friend Kelli asked her friends/readers to share what they are reading and she did a post on several books that her family is reading at the moment. I love seeing what other people are reading and why. It’s a great way to find new books that you didn’t even know existed!

Right now there is a small stack of books on my bed side table. I recently borrowed The Pioneer Woman’s cookbook from a friend.

I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN!! You would think, “how exciting can a cookbook possibly be??” but let me tell you, you must have this cookbook! She tells stories, shares her family, has magnificent photography from their ranch sprinkled throughout the colorful pages, and the best part is, each and every recipe has step-by-step photographic instructions. In my opinion, there has never been a greater cookbook. I loved it so much after flipping through it once, that I’ve already gotten two other copies. The first copy was for my sweet cousin, Liza, who graciously opened her home to me while I was in Arkansas for my grandmother’s funeral. Her husband is a chef and I thought they’d enjoy the book. Secondly, when I got home from Arkansas, I realized that SOMEONE (I seriously don’t know who) got water all over the kitchen counter, the water seemed to have slowly made it’s way to a small stack of books and papers and never got cleaned up. The BORROWED cookbook was on the bottom of that soggy pile!?!! SOOooo, I had to go out and buy my friend a new copy. She’ll never know…unless she has started reading my blog and I don’t know it. Hmm. I was secretly VERY excited to have to go out and buy her a new copy so I could keep the damaged one. The only thing wrong with it is the beautiful book jacket is wrinkled now because it got wet. The book itself is just as good as new. If you want it, buy it at Walmart!! $19.99. I don’t know if they carry it at Sam’s Club, but I’m sure it would be even cheaper there if they do. I found a copy at Border’s because our Walmart didn’t have any, but I paid $28!! Yuck!

Wow, that was a large paragraph for a cookbook.

Anyways, I’m also reading Sarah Palin’s book, Going Rogue.

Being a multi-tasking, passionate, strong mother of three, I really fell in love with Sarah Palin on the campaign trail. I know many people had many emotions and feelings towards her, and I’m not going to get into politics, but her book is excellent. I’m barely half way through it and I haven’t really even gotten into the ‘political stuff’ yet. She’s an excellent writer and storyteller; not to mention an amazing woman with a fascinating family history. I’ll definitely be sharing this one when I’m finished.

I found a Children’s World Atlas book at Border’s last night for $5.99. It’s huge; probably 11″x14″ Joshua has new geography memory work every week and I’ve been looking for something other than a large map on the wall to help him identify and enjoy his geography work.

Several times a year, I go back to my little book that I received in the mail almost two years ago when I first began homeschooling. It is “Homeschooling with a Meek and Quiet Spirit“, by Terri Maxwell.

This little book packs a lot of punch and always, without fail, puts me back in my place and helps me get refocused on why I’m doing this hard thing that is homeschooling. If you homeschool and have never read this book, it’s a must buy. It’s only $7 on their website and it’s worth every penny. They have several excellent books and materials for homeschooling families. Check out their site.

I’m not reading any chapter books with the kids right now, but we’ll be starting one/some soon. Our lack of cable has gently forced us back into an evening routine of bath time, games, and stories before bed. Not that we didn’t do those things when we did have cable, but it’s different somehow, when you know there really is nothing else to do. I’m loving it. We may even go to the library today so we can find a few new books to read this month. I’ve always found it important to read chapter books to my children at an early age. In this generation of over-stimulated, over-entertained, lazy, self-centered children, I want mine to love and appreciate the arts. I want my children to grow up craving the next great book. And certainly I want them to love the word of God. We read Little House in the Big Woods last year, so we may pick up the next one in the series. I’d also like to find a book that tells stories of missionary families. We had Hero Tales with our Sonlight curriculum, but I sold that last year. Do you know of any or do you have any must reads that you recommend for children? Do share!

~audrey