Paying bills was faith promoting this morning!

Yeah, it's been a while, but I've been busy.

I had to share this though.  Maybe because it's taken me so many times to try and learn this lesson, but I'm hoping that today will be the last time I need to learn it. 

When I sit down to pay bills, I get a little nervous.  Sometimes, A LOT nervous.  This morning was one of those "A LOT" days.  It seems like the more we cut back, the more we struggle.  Roughly the same amount of money comes in, but it always seems that we don't have enough to cover all the expenses.  Something always seems to come up.

Last payday I had the choice of paying tithing, and a couple of bills, or paying all bills and no tithing.  To some this is an easy answer and to others (me) it was a struggle.  I decided to pay the tithing and hope that there would be enough on the next paycheck to pay everything that would be late.

We had several things come up during the past two weeks that had to be paid for.  I knew there would be damage to the bank account so I braced myself.

Thankfully, this week, Jon was able to work for our Bishop, who I know was inspired, and make a couple extra hundred dollars. 

After paying everything, I have enough for gas and groceries.  This next two weeks will be tight, but we have been taken care of.  I know it's because I paid tithing last time, and I know it's because I've been paying tithing.  The Lord will provide for us if we do the little that is required of us.  He doesn't want a lot, but sometimes it's all we have.  And I know that if I give all that is required, my family and I will be blessed!

School has started...time to get busy

Kyra is in the 4th grade and loves it.  Megan is in the 3rd grade and loves it.  Jacob started Kindergarten and loves it, but I think he loves riding the bus most of all. 

Kyra has nightly homework out of "a huge math book" and so far she seems to be doing just fine.  Megan is repeating a lot of stuff that she learned last year, but that's what the first week is for anyway.  I think Jacob is just thrilled to be doing anything really.  He has come home with several alphabet papers and practice sheets for writing.

Ethan is lonely.  He's adjusting to being on his own, but still wants to know when Jacob is coming home.  So far he has been awake before the other three and so he gets to "hang out" with them some before the bus comes. 

I am still adjusting.  Jon is off from work until next Tuesday and so I can't really get into a groove until then.  My time was quickly filled with an additional church calling.  I'll now have a total of 3 jobs.  Yay me!  I'm kind of excited though.  I like all three of them, so it shouldn't be too difficult to handle. 

Here's to an excitingly busy school year!

'twa the night before school started...

I'm giddy.  Like a kid on Christmas Eve that can't sleep.  I'm so excited for the kids to go back to school!  I must admit though, that tonight was the first night I started to worry about Jacob.  It's not what is going to happen once he is in his classroom that bothers me, it's what will happen on the way there and the way back home. 

My big guy is a sensitive big guy.  He's not afraid to voice an idea or opinion.  This has me worried.  The school bus can be a scary place.  I'm really hoping the girls will take him under their wing and help him get to where he needs to be and stick up for him if he gets himself into a tight situation. 

For some reason, I didn't get emotional when Megan left on the bus for the first time...I knew that Kyra was there to help her.  But honestly, I'm an emotional wreck with Jacob. 

I know I'll probably over-analyze this, but he's my buddy.  He's been there with me for a very long 5 years and I want him to have a good experience.  I don't want him to get his feelings hurt or for him to feel lost.  I want school to live up to his expectations.  I want him to want to go back.

So here I am.  It's the eve of at least another 13 years in the public school system, and with a deep breath I anticipate all of the joys and heartaches that come with it!

Motivation

I find it funny, or maybe the correct word is sad, that I can find the time and motivation to help everyone else and their house but I have no time or energy for me and my house.  So I guess the word is sad...it's so sad that I laugh because I don't want to cry about it.

So, I have decided.....

When the kids start school, I start taking time for me.  It will be easier because Ethan will be home with me while the other 3 are gone.  With just one child at home for a couple of hours I should be able to get a handle on "me time". 

I am setting a goal that I can get 30 minutes.  In this 30 minutes, I will do whatever I want...hopefully some kind of exercise.  It's a baby step.  And maybe someday soon exercise will have it's own time and I'll have my 30 minutes to do something else that I want. I mean, I'll have almost 4 hours with one child...I don't even remember what it's like to have 1 kid!

I may be a tad rusty, but I'm sure I'll find my groove!  So, without sounding conceited, HERE'S TO ME!!!!