Posted
on
September 4, 2010
God cares about the little things
Our 12-month no-shopping challenge probably seems silly to a lot of people but today it became so clear to me that it is not silly to God. As I mentioned a few weeks ago, I’ve lost about 13 lbs since we started the challenge in April and that has presented some difficulties. I took in a bunch of shorts and pants but there are just some that are not that easy to re-invent. The only belts I have are extremely bulky belts – not the greatest things to be... Posted
on
Sep 3rd, 2010
So on to baby step #2 and the real reason that most people are looking for help.
DEBT.
We think it’s normal. It’s part of life. Everyone has a car payment. Everyone has student loans. Everyone has a Visa bill.
Well, we were tired of being normal.
Dave Ramsey has a saying “Normal is broke. Be weird!”
I can’t remember EXACTLY where we were on...
Dumping Debt...
Posted
on
Sep 1st, 2010
I have a friend who has entered a photo contest sponsored by Sigma and is hoping to win some great camera gear from them. Josh is passionate about using his skills as a photographer and videographer to help non-profit ministries like World Orphans and so I would love to see him win this contest. So much so that I’m offering a cool giveaway if you will help me...
Ethiopia Necklace Giveaway...
Posted
on
Aug 31st, 2010
I didn’t really intended to take a blog-cation during my mom-cation but it kind of turned out that way didn’t it.
I even skipped a Financial Freedom Friday. Sorry – I was having too much fun.
Poor Mark was not having quite so much fun. All four kids ended up at sleepovers on Friday night (that part was okay).
I got this text message from my husband at...
His turn…...
Posted
on
Aug 24th, 2010
There are three classifications of vacations in our house – family vacation, couple vacation and the ever-important “momcation”.
Yes, I totally made up the word but I predict it will take off like gangbusters.
See family vacations are fun – bonding times going to the beach, Disneyland, camping, whatever they may be. (My husband is laughing right...
The Ever-Essential Momcation...
Posted
on
Aug 21st, 2010
Growing up my brothers and I had standard jobs. Daily I had to set the table, Brad cleared, Phil did dishes. On Saturdays I was responsible for cleaning both bathrooms and mopping the kitchen. In there as well was the general keep your room cleaned (I was the worst) and make your bed (rarely did).
Mark, well, he grew up taking out the trash…sometimes. (My MIL will...
Our chore system – “the anti-system”...
Posted
on
Aug 20th, 2010
Hm, so where did we leave off? Ah yes, we’ve made a budget, we’re using the envelope system and now it’s time to attack those baby steps of Dave’s. For a refresher, they are:
$500-1000 in an emergency fund
pay off debt except house
3-6 months expense in emergency fund
invest15%; college funding;
pay off mortgage
build wealth
The sad truth is...
The ever-important emergency fund...
Posted
on
Aug 19th, 2010
Noah loves games and, like his dad, tends toward games that involve strategy – chess, checkers, Stratego, etc. He is the only kid who hangs in til the end in monopoly (usually because he’s winning).
This week he discovered the Risk game we had and begged Mark to play with him. They started yesterday and today after we got home he gave up snack time to get...
Risky Moves...
Posted
on
Aug 18th, 2010
So it’s been 4.5 months of the 12 month “no new clothing” challenge and I figured you guys were due for a little update.
Interestingly in the last month I’ve read a couple of news articles about similar challenges.
The “6 items or less challenge” had about 100 people going 30 days wearing the same basic 6 clothing items (not including...
Clothing Challenge Update...
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About Me
Living life to its fullest as a Christ-follower, wife, mom of 4 kids (2 bio, 2 adopted from Ethiopia) and Director of Communications for World Orphans. My passions are orphan advocacy, writing, design, photography and travel.