Meet The Kids: Part 3a

Straight out of the shower and getting ready for softball practice...I know...doesn't make sense. But she didn't want to 'sweat grease.' There is a little girlie-ness in there after all. Shhh, don't tell her.

She told me she had to wear the white shirt with the white pants, because she wanted to wear those particular socks, and that was the only way they would match. Go figure. She doesn't usually care if she matches or not either. She told me softball practice is important enough that she tries to match for it.

Here's what is left of her toenail painting I did for Senior Banquet. She was a little concerned about the bruise showing on the one big toenail, but then Chatty reminded her that she's usually proud of her bruises.

This is my girl who has broken both thumbs playing softball. I think I forgot to tell you that. We skipped a year in between though. The first time was in Illinois during the final tournament of the season, so she was all done. The second time she was so tough that she practiced for the two weeks she had the cast on...her glove fit over it.

Meet The Kids: Part 3

Today started with a fancy shirt.

Not fancy in my book, but fancy in Sparky's book.

So I decided it was high time for you to meet her a little more up close and personal. You know, since it's been a little over six months since I did Meet The Kids: Part 2.

My, how time flies!

Now Sparky was not wearing said fancy shirt. Her sister was. I'm not even sure any more what started the conversation about the shirt being fancy, I just know that I made a snide comment about her probably thinking it was fancy. She started listing all the reasons why:

• It has a V-neck (amazing, but I never knew that V-necks made something fancy!).
• It's bunched up under here (meaning gathered under the bosom).
• You might not see it in the picture, but there is a little bit of stitching that goes mid-way down the V kind of under the armpit. Not really a dart, but some stitching almost like a baseball sleeve...makes it fancy.
• There's a tie at the bottom.
• The sleeves have a cuff.
• The fabric is fancy (no way, here, because it's 100 percent cotton that gets thrown in the washer and dryer).
• It's pink. Bright pink. The deep V might have had something to do with it too, but hello, that's why we wear undershirts.

Do you see why I had a little bit of trouble shopping with her for a fancy dress for Senior Banquet? Feel sorry for me yet?

Okay, down to business.

Meet Sparky, my child with the most nicknames. I don't even remember where they all came from, but a few:

• Pebbles — had the Pebbles' (from the Flintstones) ponytail going on up on her head and pulled it off quite well.
• Sleestak — Remember the show Land of the Lost? Saturday morning cartoons if you're anywhere around our age. They were the reptilian things and the sound they made was kind of specific. Sparky made that sound when she was little.
• Shag — she picked at carpet fibers.
• Beaver — she chewed on wooden blocks.
• Mountain Girl — she could climb up us, and as she got older, she could shimmy the door frames and walls in the halls. She also climbed out of her crib when she was a teeny, tiny thing and probably wasn't even tall enough to clear the top rail. She got mad because we took her pacifier away and the adrenaline was enough to get her up and over. She had a toddler bed that night.
• Spark Plug — a version of Sparky, for the way she plays ball (a picture from about a year ago, because I don't have any recent ones).

This girl, who loves to hook her own worms, will also hook her brother's worms, and kisses everyone's fish before releasing them, decided today when we were all out running an errand that she would never need to buy her own car. She could just drive our second one (that we don't have now). Then she told her dad that way she could take the money she would have used to buy a car and buy a boat. There was some fist pumping going on in the seat next to me. If I hadn't been driving I would have just closed my eyes and wished it all away.

What would you like for people to know about you?

I'm more athletic than my brother.

Which brother would that be?

Typically both of them, but Buddy. (They just got back from the Awana skating party, and people were commenting about him, so she's having some issues right now.)

What else would you like for people to know about you?

I love softball, fishing, camping, my newfound birding, and gum. Oh, and my favorite color is green.

What type of music or artists do you like to listen to?

Uh, Christian music. Not to make Chatty all mad or anything, but I don't listen to the Jonas Brothers all that much anymore.

What do you like to watch on tv?

Sports, especially baseball and hockey.

Anything not related to sports?

Not really. I only watch Disney Channel when I'm bored. Oh, I like Deadliest Catch, American Idol, and Meerkat Manor.

Do you know what it means when someone talks about bucks and points?

(Serious laughing.) Uh, yeah.

Do you like to shop?

No. Unless it's at Dick's (sporting goods). Or Play It Again Sports. I like that place too.

Do you like being the only child with really blue eyes?

Definitely, yes.

What do you think about having a twin sister?

I'm glad that I have twin, because everyone's always saying they wish they had a twin, and if I wasn't a twin, then I would always wonder what it was like to have a twin, and now I don't have to wonder, because I know.

What do you think about having two younger brothers?

I think it's cool having two younger brothers. One's the sporty one and one's the cuddly one.

Do you think Buddy is stronger than you?

I'm the one that can do push-ups and he can't! And when I make an arm muscle you can actually see mine. (I think I hear some fightin' words.)

Do you think Buddy is taller than you yet?

No, I was wearing flat shoes.

How do you feel about being so short, and knowing that everyone will be taller than you, at least until I start my old-age shrinking?

(Giggles.) As in normal life or in sports-wise?

Whichever you want to answer.

Normal life, it's you and me together. Sports-wise it's pretty cool, cuz you're like this little bitty person and it makes you stand out more.

Are you glad you are taller than Grandma? (4'10", although she always said she was 5' when I was growing up. Ha!)

Yes, that was my life goal.

Do you think Caboose is funny?

Extremely.

Do you want to learn to drive?

Uh, yes and no. My last experience in the vehicle was kind of freaky. But everyone else I know is learning how to drive, so I kind of want to learn.

What kind of car do you want?

Punchbuggy. I would except for the whole safety issue. It looks like half a ball, and I could paint it like a softball.

What do you want to be when you grow up?

Missionary.

What do you like most about Michigan?

It snows.

What do you like least about Michigan?

Their softball season lasts a month.

Why do you like gum so much?

It tastes good, it lasts longer than candy, you get to blow bubbles with it, and it takes care of bad breath.

When I was snapping these pictures, she took the gum out of her mouth.

But I got one with the gum wad anyway! In front of, surprise, a softball shirt.


You might also be interested in these posts:

Buddy — Meet The Kids: Part 1
Chatty — Meet The Kids: Part 2

Did I Mention I'm An Arachnophobe?

Well, I am.

Do you remember last summer's little adventure with the black widow? If you're new you can find the posts on the sidebar under 'itsy, bitsy spider.'

Our new eye doctor here in Michigan — she's one of our sub neighbors. She doesn't kill spiders. I found that out when I was in the office to pick up my glasses and order the girls' contacts.

I spotted the spider. I thought I did my civic duty. Presumably the girls who worked there were trying to figure out who was going to kill it, and nobody wanted to use their own shoe.

Then they flicked it halfway across the little waiting area toward the door with a postcard with a bad aim towards me. Thank God it only made it halfway.

I moved.

My sub neighbor, the doctor, happened to walk out from the back, picks it up with a napkin and carries it outside to the grassy area. She seemed a little creeped out by how big it was, but it didn't stop her.

So last Friday morning when one of our smoke detectors on the third floor started going off, we changed the battery.

Through the course of the day, multiple false alarms, multiple resets, we find out that the battery is only the back-up power source. It's electrically powered. And of course every smoke detector from the basement to the third floor goes off every time that one does.

The online user's manual said that if you continue to get false alarms you should move it.

Excuse me, but the builder put this in about a year ago, and I'm thinking that moving a smoke detector attached electrically to who knows how many others is not really an option.

It gave us no other option.

So about 1 a.m. on Saturday morning when it went off again, I'd really had it. Hubby had already blown on it at my request, in case it was dusty. Because really, who's going to dust a smoke detector.

This time he takes a washcloth and wipes off the sensor. He finds nothing, except a spider walking around on the ceiling a couple feet away.

We kill spiders in our house.

And the alarm never went off again.

Menu Plan Monday — May 18th

Last week I didn't ever make the Farmer's Breakfast I had on the menu, but since I have everything I need to make it, I'll have it early this week. I ended up making chili on Saturday (the day I had no plan) since Chatty had been asking for it for a long time. It's her favorite meal, and even though it wasn't really chili weather, it made my decision easy.

Monday — Leftover Chili and macaroni & cheese as an extra side for the pickies. The kids will actually get to eat at their end-of-year Awana skating party, but it's just one piece of pizza, and my kids aren't always big pizza eaters anyway, so I figure I'll feed them first.

Tuesday — Farmer's Breakfast.

Wednesday — Baked Potatoes.

Thursday — Country-Style Pork Loin.

Friday — Spaghetti (or maybe another pasta dish if I find a new one I like).

Saturday — I'm blank again. Maybe one of the kids will be begging for something and make it easy this week too.

Sunday — Eat out since we ate in all week!

For more great menu ideas, visit The Organizing Junkie.

Blog Tour: Learning to Live Financially Free

Paperback: 176 pages
Publisher: Kregel Publications
Release Date: March 2009
ISBN-10: 0825441889
ISBN-13: 978-0825441882
Retail: $12.99

About the Book:

(North Carolina) - The fear and reality of tough economic times, foreclosures, bailouts, bankruptcies and falling stocks strike fear in the hearts of many Americans today. With investors, newscasters and bankers giving advice, who can you trust? Marybeth and Curt Whalen share their financial successes and failures in their new book, Learning to Live Financially Free: Hard-Earned Wisdom for Saving Your Marriage & Your Money. If a family parenting six children can get out of debt and live financially free, anyone can. The Whalens readily admit they made their share of mistakes the first ten years of marriage. Becoming more disciplined and intentional in spending and saving helped them learn valuable lessons for better financial stewardship--lessons you'll want to learn too.

Learning to Live Financially Free not only focuses on building a stronger financial understanding in the home, but also encourages couples to communicate, thus building better, stronger marriages. The Whalens clearly comprehend the need for careful money management and commitment in marriage. Money-strapped families will find peace of mind as they begin the process of becoming financially responsible and debt-free.

Marybeth and Curt Whalen know what it's

like to juggle marriage, kids and money.

Their new book will encourage readers to

manage their money and marriage more

effectively.

About the Authors:

Marybeth Whalen is a speaker and contributing writer for Proverbs 31 Ministries. The author of For the Write Reason, Marybeth has also written for Parent Life, Money Matters newsletter, The Old Schoolhouse, Hearts at Home magazine, and Homeschooling Today. She contributes regularly to the daily online devotions of Proverbs 31 Ministries.

Curt Whalen is a trained financial counselor through Crown Financial Concepts. He has years of experience helping couples establish budgets, solve financial problems, and learn to communicate more effectively. He has written articles for TEACH Magazine and Money Matters Newsletter and has contributed to books by authors Lysa TerKeurst and Melanie Chitwood.

Are You A Financially Focused Couple?

Instructions: Give yourself 1 point for every "yes" answer, 0 points for every "no."
1.Do you have regular budget meetings?
2.Do you communicate about daily expenses?
3.Do you discuss large purchases before they're made?
4.Does each spouse have an equal vote about money decisions?
5.Have you planned for your future through life insurance and a will?
6.Do you agree about tithing and giving?
7.Can you both list out your debts, including the amounts and monthly payment for each account?
8.Do you have a plan that was written together for paying off debt and saving money?
9.Do you encourage each other to save money?
10.Have you discussed the spending habits and attitudes about money that you carried into the marriage?

Tally up your score and use the guide to the right to see what category you fall into.
0-2 points: Don't get discouraged. There's nowhere to go from here except up!
3-5 points: You are taking steps towards being a financially focused couple.. Keep working together and you will get there.
6-8 points: You are almost 100% financially focused. Keep up the good work and get intentional about those trouble spots.
9-10 points: You are a financially focused couple and could show us all a thing or two! Consider sharing your wisdom with other couples who are struggling in today's uncertain times.

Top Ten Tips For Saving Money In Tough Times

1. Make a budget (and stick to it). A budget overwhelms many people but it is really nothing more than devising a plan for every dollar you bring in. Having a budget helps you spend smarter and think more. It also helps to improve your buying power. The best way to make a budget is to start by sitting down with your spouse and deciding how much you spend on regular categories like groceries, gas, medical, etc. each month. Talk through these things and get them down on paper. Then spend accordingly. An article that goes into step by step detail about making a budget can be found at:

http://www.christianpf.com/how-to-make-a-budget/

2. Stop using credit cards. Studies show that people who use credit cards buy more and think less about their purchases. By learning to spend cash and limiting your purchases, you make your money work for you rather than against you. Credit card companies are getting craftier as the economy struggles. 25% of all credit card users in this country will have their rates raised this year, or their monthly payment raised. When you are in debt, you are at the mercy of the company you owe. Don’t let yourself get bogged down by credit card debt.

3. Cook at home. It sounds so basic and yet how many of us resort to eating out because we just can’t deal with dinner? By taking a few moments once a week to devise a menu plan, shopping for the needed ingredients for that menu plan, and cooking the meals in your home, you can save lots of money and have more time to gather as a family and enjoy a slow evening at home. Eating at home not only saves money, it saves valuable family time.

4. Buy clothes at thrift or consignment stores. This is especially true with children’s clothes. When you are in a department store, always shop the clearance racks and avoid the other racks so you aren’t tempted. It’s also an income generator if you consign your own clothing. You can then take the money you earn on consignment and buy clothes for a new season without being out of pocket any money!

5. If you must eat out, only go to places you have coupons for. Keep a small photo album and arrange restaurant coupons so they are easy to find as you are heading out the door. It’s also a great idea to look for “kids eat free” nights and frequent those. Other ways to save on eating out include ordering water (big savings on this), share meals, order a kids’ portion if the restaurant allows it, and go out for lunch instead of dinner. For people who work, it’s always a good idea to pack your lunch regularly instead of running out to eat. A jar of peanut butter and a loaf of bread will go a long way.

6. Learn to play the coupon game. Many people devote themselves to clipping and organizing coupons—and reap great savings from doing so. There are many frugal websites and blogs that detail exactly how to save a lot of money with coupons. A great one to start with is http://www.couponmom.com/. And here is a great tutorial video you can watch: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DcAUZvGS6L8.

7. If you have children, limit the number of activities they do to one per child, per year. If you are struggling to pay for even one activity, consider asking for the activity as a gift from grandparents, aunts and uncles, friends, etc. Instead of another toy that will end up broken or lost, your child can receive a gift that truly keeps on giving as well as one that invests in their future.

8. Think about the things you regularly spend money on like gas or utilities and research ways to save money on those things. For instance, http://www.gasbuddy.com/ tells you where to buy the cheapest gas according to your area code. Bundling services with your cable provider can save money each month. Calling your energy company to find out when their off-peak hours are and doing your laundry or dishes during those times can save on your monthly bill as well.

9. Don’t shop as a recreational activity. If you can’t see it, you won’t feel a need to have it. Use time you used to spend shopping to go for a walk, visit a park, exercise, read a book, or spend time researching money-saving sites on the internet! If you have a friend you used to enjoy shopping with, sit down and list out other alternatives for your time together.

10. Look for ways to generate additional income. Whether it be an additional part-time job or a way to make money from home using a skill or talent you possess, get creative, get motivated, and get excited about the potential you have to generate income that you didn’t have before. Every little bit helps, so put on your thinking cap and don’t be shy about stepping out and trying something!

I haven't read this book yet either, but I'm looking forward to it. I'll let you know how this one is too when I'm done, but don't look for it in the next week or two. I have too many other books ahead of it!

Blog Tour: Mothers of the Bibles Speak to Mothers of Today

I haven't had a chance to read this book yet, but I did enjoy her other book, How Can I Run a Tight Ship When I'm Surrounded by Loose Cannons? As soon as I read this I will be putting up a review and I'll have a giveaway, but in the meantime, here are the details in case you can't wait.

(Homeland, CA) - If you've ever wished for a real live interview from an experienced mother found in God's Word, you'll be thrilled with the message of Kathi Macias' new book, Mothers of the Bible Speak to Mothers of Today. Thankfully the trials, heartaches and transitions mothers face are not new to this generation. Traveling back in time with Eve, Hannah, Sarah, Mary and others, readers will recognize the common struggles that still plague our world today.

This hardback gift book gently calls women to study the lives of biblical moms who were challenged with their own set of circumstances. From fear to insecurities, heartbreak to disappointments -- Kathi's words capture the heart of every woman with hope and encouragement to become the mother God wants them to be. After studying these fifteen biblical mothers, readers will have a solid example of biblical parenting. At the end of each chapter, mothers will find a special place for prayer and application.

Award-winning author Kathi Macias has written almost 30 books, including Beyond Me, How Can I Run a Tight Ship When I'm Surrounded by Loose Cannons?, the best-selling devotional A Moment a Day, and the popular "Matthews" mystery novels. She has written commentary for Thomas Nelson's Spirit-Filled Life Bible (Student Edition) and was part of the devotional writing team for Zondervan's New Women's Devotional Bible. She has ghostwritten for several prominent individuals including Josh McDowell. Kathi has won many awards, including the Angel Award from Excellence in Media, fiction awards from the San Diego Christian Writers Guild, and the grand prize in an international writing contest. A mother and grandmother, Kathi and her husband, Al, call California home.

Mothers of the Bible
Speak to the Author

As a wife, mother, grandmother--and yes, even a great-grandmother to two-year-old Isaiah--you'd think I'd have this "mom" thing wired by now, wouldn't you? Surprise! We never get too old to learn, and what I learned in my study of Mothers of the Bible has enriched nearly every area and relationship of my life. God loves mothers. We were His idea, after all! And His purpose for our lives as mothers unfolds in beauty and meaning as we listen to the words of the mothers of the Bible....

~author Kathi Macias

Book Excerpt:

I can think of no more awesome an experience than the birth of my first child. At the young and naïve age of eighteen, it was the most joyous, as well as the most terrifying thing that had ever happened to me. It was as if I were experiencing love for the very first time as I gazed at that precious little life that had been entrusted to me by God. And I thought, What in the world do I do now? How do I care for him? How do I make sure I'm doing everything right? What if--God forbid--I do something wrong?

Now, two more sons, nine grandchildren, and nearly four decades later, I smile at the memory, knowing those babies weren't quite as fragile as I'd once imagined. But I can't help but wonder how much more challenging and overwhelming motherhood must have been for Eve, who was not only the first woman but also the first mother. What can women today learn about mothering from studying the life of this exiled Garden dweller who had no role model to imitate, no how-to-be-a-good-mom books to read? Quite a bit, I believe. Let's take a look.

Eve, whose name means "life giver," was the only woman ever to become a mother without first having had a mother of her own. In fact, not only did Eve not have a mother, she also had no sisters, aunts, grandmothers, or girlfriends to turn to for advice. In short, she had no role models and no one with whom to compare notes.

She had Adam, of course, who, like her, had been made in the image of God. She had the greatest assortment of pets anyone could ever imagine. And, of course, she had her relationship with God. But as we know from the creation account in Genesis, all of Eve's relationships changed because of sin.

How alone she must have felt once those relationships were no longer perfect. And how frightened and overwhelmed she must have been when her two oldest sons, Cain and Abel, were born, thrusting her into an entirely new realm of responsibility. I am quite sure that more than once throughout the ensuing years she heard God's words echoing in her mind: "I will greatly increase your pains in childbearing; with pain you will give birth to children" (Genesis 3:16). By the time Eve's children were grown and she had experienced the horror of her oldest son murdering his younger brother, she must have realized that the truth of God's words tying together pain and motherhood didn't stop at childbirth. The same is true for mothers today, as we will see as we look at Eve's life...as well as the lives of other mothers of the Bible, who will speak to us from centuries past.

Don't Let Me Confuse You

It really is spring here in Michigan, although many of our high temps are only in the 60's and occasionally in the low 70's. See, some of our trees even have leaves, although some are still only buds.


That said, sitting out at the kids' baseball games and softball practices gets a little chilly, especially when the wind is blowing, which it does a lot here. I'm still wearing long sleeves. Have been all except for I think one day this year.

So it seemed appropriate to share a picture of my little treasure I got in the mail today from my mom. I asked her if she could crochet some scarflets for me after Bobbi's mom made one for her and her daughter.

She got the idea and directions here and here. Since my mom was using a nubby yarn, she only used two strands, and the biggest hook she could find was an N.

The brown one I have on is my favorite, and then she also made these two, all of which were with Homespun yarn.

She made two others with Vanna (as in White) yarn, but they were itchy on my neck, so when my mom comes to visit I'll give her those back.

Now I get to try my hand at them. My mom lives in a small town with Wal-Mart, so her yarn selection isn't as good. Of course I have lots of choices around here, so I want to see if I can find some fuschia and orange to combine together!

If it goes well, you'll see the results.

If it doesn't, you'll probably see more gray hairs in pictures.