Posts Tagged ‘Weekend’

I have been rolling this around in my mind for some time and after receiving such positive feedback from last weekend’s post, I have decided to change “The Weekend Penny Wrap~Up” to this post, a place where I can share anything that has been on my mind during the week. My goal is to champion parenthood and encourage, but I know that I am not gifted with tact. So, in advance, I want to apologize for any offense I might cause today, next week or at anytime in the future.

Today, my mind, heart and prayers are resting with a family whom I have never met.

The Byrd family of Gulf Shores is struggling with what seems to be the inevitable but approaching passing of their 5 year old son from the world to God’s arms. I pray for a miracle. I know that my God can do all that we ask or beyond what we can even dream. I also know that sometimes His plans are far beyond what I can understand.

But, as I read over Melissa’s blogs, I realized that no matter how trying my day might seem, no matter how many toys I feel crunch beneath my feet, no matter how many times I have to pop a hand, no matter what… Someone is having a day far worse than I am.

Even more than that, those toys and hands and trying moments are a blessing in the form of little growing healthy bodies.

Please, please join me in praying for the Byrd family this weekend.  They need it more than we probably know.

I pray that the LORD will listen when you are in trouble,
and that the God of Jacob will keep you safe.
May the LORD send help from his temple and come to your rescue from Mount Zion.
May he remember your gifts and be pleased with what you bring.
May God do what you want most and let all go well for you.
Then you will win victories, and we will celebrate,
while raising our banners in the name of our God.
May the LORD answer all of your prayers!
I am certain, LORD, that you will help [Jensen].
You will answer my prayers from your holy place
in heaven, and you will save [him] with your mighty arm.
Some people trust the power of chariots or horses,
but we trust you, LORD God.
Others will stumble and fall, but we will be strong and stand firm.
Give [Jensen] victory, LORD, and answer our prayers.

Father God, may I be more appreciative of your gifts and more sensitive in my grumbling to the fact that these days are great and my struggles are so small in comparison to so many who are suffering in ways I cannot understand or fathom. We lift up Jensen and his family to you and pray for healing… and if for some reason your plan is beyond what we ask and hope, we pray for peace and comfort. May you be glorified in the days that come for the Byrd family and may many come to know you through this situation.

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Today, I will be one among the many out shopping during this tax~free holiday.  For school supplies? No.  We are done with that like most families are.  I need maternity clothes!  And as we begin to prepare for our fourth child, I cannot help but think of the type of mother I am and wonder if I could do better. 

I think it is only natural for mothers to assume they are terrible at child-rearing.  I often feel guilt for anything and everything. Do I spend enough time with my children?  Am I balancing life well? Will they need therapy later in life?

Then, the other day, a God-given thought popped into my brain.

I am trustworthy with the well-being of my children.  Attempting creative methods, I bring in added income to our budget and try to be a good steward with the money which God entrusts to us.  I am not addicted to drugs nor am I an alcoholic. 

I try to raise my children to know and love God.  I attempt to teach them moral behavior by example and through deliberate instruction.  I show them how to love every person regardless of race, religion or financial status.

I feed my children three meals and two snacks per day, including fresh fruits and vegetables.  I give them a warm bed to sleep in and they are sheltered in our (albeit cluttered but safe) home.  They have clean clothes to wear and books to read.  Their shoes fit and are without holes.  Although they do not get the newest digital what-nots, they have plenty of toys with which to play.

I dress modestly and teach them to do the same.  Although I may not wear makeup each time I leave the house, I make sure that I am not an embarrassment to my family.

My children laugh daily and are hugged often.  They know I love them, not just because of what I do but because I tell them several times a day, especially after discipline. Yes, I discipline my children, but appropriately and with reason.

I make mistakes.  I admit to the children that I make mistakes.  I apologize genuinely.  But, if I can honestly say all of this, I must be a pretty good mother.  I need to give myself more credit.

What about you?  Have you focused on the negative?  Do you fret over what you could have done like I often do?  I encourage you to sit down and make a list of the positive things about yourself and your mothering techniques.  Keep them in your Bible or somewhere that you can review them when you are feeling guilty or down.  I think you will find that you are a pretty good mother too.
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Okay… who stole my graphic for the Weekend Penny Wrap~Up?  It has been sucked up into the blogosphere or something.  Oh well…

I am so glad for the weekend although Monday we start homeschool for the year. It is so nice being to set your own calendar!

Just to let you know something that has been rolling through my brain… I have always believed in QUALITY posting instead of quantity posting.  I want you to learn how to save and then share that information with others and I am passionate about helping families on the brink of financial disaster to find hope.  My prayer is that you find this all useful because if you don’t, I should stop.

In the future, you may notice that the number of posts for each day might decrease slightly.  Fall is an extremely busy season for our family.  Once marching season begins, we do not see Bill again until December after the church Christmas production.  In order to keep balance, something has to give and the only optional activity I have is this beautiful blog.  I am a child of God first, wife second and then a mother. The blogging comes way on down the line and I have to remind myself of that frequently.

Regardless, the quality will always remain the same.

Have a very happy weekend!
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This easy recipe comes from Taste of Home.  Enjoy!

Ingredients
2 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
2 cups heavy whipping cream, whipped
2 quarts strawberries, halved, divided
2 quarts blueberries, divided

Directions

1. In a large bowl, beat cream cheese, sugar and extracts until fluffy. Fold in whipped cream. Place a third of the mixture in a 4-qt. bowl. Reserve 20 strawberry halves and 1/2 cup blueberries for garnish.
2. Layer half of the remaining strawberries and blueberries over cream mixture. Top with another third of the cream mixture and the remaining berries. Spread the remaining cream mixture on top. Use the reserved strawberries and blueberries to make a “flag” on top. Yield: 18 servings.

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To find a Freds near you, click HERE.
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These are highlighted events for the southeastern region of the United States.  If you would like to advertise your family-friendly event here for FREE, please CONTACT US.*

Alabama

MARKET ON THE SQUARE (7/3)
Mobile, Alabama
Locally grown produce, seafood, beef, honeys, breads, pastas, cheeses, plants, handcrafted goods for kitchen and home; live music; and other activities. City of Mobile’s Neighborhood & Community Services. Sat, 7:30 – 11 AM. Cathedral Square (downtown Mobile, bounded by Dauphin, Jackson, Conti and Claiborne Sts) Through Jul 31 – with art and craft market on alternate Sats, beginning May 1.
Contact: 251-208-7443 (Chris Barraza)/ www.ncsmobile.org

SUNDAYS AT THE EXPLOREUM (7/4)
Mobile, Alabama
Half-price admission. 2 PM: Explore TEC workshops (for ages 12+) focusing on a different software program each month. Noon – 5 PM. Gulf Coast Exploreum (65 Government St) Through Jul 4. Adults (19 – 59)/ $5.50; youth and senior citizens (60+)/ $4.75; children (2 – 12)/ $4.50. Standard IMAX rates apply (children/ $6; youths (13 – 18) & seniors/ $6.75/ adults/ $8)
Contact: 251-208-6851/ www.exploreum.com

BALDWIN POPS BAND: A SALUTE TO THE GREATS (7/4)
Fairhope, Alabama
Conductor: Randy Davis. A mix of patriotic, jazz, show tunes and marches – with salutes to Geoge M. Cohan, Irving Berlin, the Gershwin brothers, Cole Porter, Stephen Sondheim and Ray Charles; children’s march with flags; accompaniment to the fireworks show over Mobile Bay. Bring chairs and picnic suppers. 7:30 PM. Henry George Park in Fairhope. Free.
Contact: 251-928-3754/ 251-987-5757/ www.baldwinpopsband.com

Texas

*We reserve the right to refuse any event that does not match the goals of this website.

Welcome Weekend! Please come into my home and give us some rest!  You know, I figure that if God needed rest on the 7th day, then we certainly do and BOY! What a week it has been. Fun but non-stop.

This morning I am blessed to be at First Baptist Satsuma in Alabama facilitating a Free Coupon Workshop. Pray that all might understand and be able to apply this information to their lives in a way that they can save BIG.

I am looking forward to getting back to a normal routine this week after two weeks of being off-schedule. Of course, Bill mandated that we should have a do-nothing week. I told him that was fine as long as he got his Honey-Do list covered first. Have I mentioned that list? The one with projects from three years ago that have yet to be finished. [Sigh] A girl can dream.

Regardless, he is a great hubby and daddy and I am happy to say that we celebrated our eighth anniversary this week. WOW! How time flies. Oh, and I use the word “celebrate” loosely since we were surrounded by 36 third graders all week. Such fun! But, truly a blessing to be able to minister alongside him. I love you, Bill!

Have a great weekend!
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These are highlighted events for the southeastern region of the United States.  If you would like to advertise your family-friendly event here for FREE, please CONTACT US.*

ORANGE BEACH, ALABAMA

WORKSHOP: BLINKY BUGS
For ages from 5 to 95, individuals as well as families, but children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. Learn a few basics about electricity while working with LED bulbs and a low voltage battery to create an electro-mechanical insect. Supplies furnished. Family DIY, opportunities to learn Do It Yourself skills through craft, art and science projects. 10 AM. Orange Beach Public Library (26267 Canal Rd) Registration required.
Contact: 251-981-2923/ www.orangebeachlibrary.org

MOBILE, ALABAMA

MARKET ON THE SQUARE – WITH ART & CRAFT MARKET
Locally grown produce, seafood, beef, honeys, breads, pastas, cheeses, plants, handcrafted goods for kitchen and home; arts and crafts; live music; games and other activities. City of Mobile’s Neighborhood & Community Services. Sat, May 1, 15, 29; Jun 12, 26; Jul 10, 24; 7:30 – 11 AM. Cathedral Square (downtown Mobile, bounded by Dauphin, Jackson, Conti and Claiborne Sts)
Contact: 251-208-7443 (Chris Barraza)/ www.ncsmobile.org

UPPER DAUPHIN 4TH SATURDAY
Music from JADA Entertainment; open house at galleries, including Blue Velvet Gallery, Cathedral Square Gallery and Robertson Gallery; participation of The Bull, Cafe 615, Command-M, The Garage, Liquid, Mardi Gras and More, O.K. Bicycle Shop, Taqueria and Wintzell’s Oyster House. Look for “FAB” (Food, Art, Beverage) flags. 4 – 8 PM. Dauphin St (downtown, between Broad and Hamilton Sts)
Contact: 251-694-0278/ lhall69@aol.com

Helen Keller Festival
Events throughout the city include arts and crafts vendors, art exhibits, athletic events, a parade, concerts, and performances of The Miracle Worker.
Contact: Click HERE.

Ahhh…. so nice to be home.  We decided at 2 PM yesterday to head home at 5 PM.  Yeah, not a lot of time to pack but we were just so ready.  And, from the looks on our cats’ faces, they were ready to see us too. (Don’t worry! We had someone to check on them while we were gone.) Thanks for being so understanding about the lack of posting.  I hope you had enough to keep you entertained (and saving!) with the few things I had going. 

Tomorrow, I get to spend time with some of the best father’s I know… my own Dad, my terrific hubby and my brother. Happy Father’s Day to them and everyone who takes that role very seriously.

This week, we jump into Vacation Bible School so it will be interesting to see how much I get done but I will bump the important stuff to the top of the priority list so that you have what you need. (If you are looking for a place for your children to attend VBS and live close to First Baptist Tillman’s Corner, bring them.  We always have the best VBS! (8:30 AM until 11:35 AM daily ~ Completed K though 6th grade.)

Have a great weekend and a happy Father’s Day.
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Wow!  It has been an incredibly busy and stressful week.  Now, I can throw my stuff in some suitcases and head off on vacation.  I am SO READY!

While I will have wireless access, you should not expect a ton of posting from me this week.  I will keep the basics covered for you and might even throw in something different here and there but I plan on relaxing as much as I can.  Advanced Penny Pinching will continue and I pray your are finding that information useful.

If you have any questions this week, do not hesitate to post them on our Facebook wall.  We are one happy Frugal Family and if I am not available right away, I know someone will be there to help.

May you have an amazing weekend and a blessed week.
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