Money Talk

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How do you stay on a budget?  My friend blogged about this and I thought I would too (good idea, Abby!).  

Anyway, 

here are mine...
$ I don't go shopping. When money is tight, I simply avoid all malls, restaurants, grocery stores, Wal-mart etc. I don't go for anything. This means cloth washrags instead of paper towels, etc. but we survive!

$ (similar to one)I just don't buy food for a week. We eat what is in the cupboard, freezer and fridge. We've never starved!  Yes, you can go a full week or even longer without spending money!!

$ I really like e-mealz.com it saves me tons of time and probably some money too, b/c I'm not going in and out of the store everyday. Plus, we actually like the recipes. I chose the Wal-Mart low fat plan. The food costs around 75 a week and that is for a 4-5 person family. We usually have leftovers, so food budget is 100 a week for five.  For produce Aldi's for sure! 

$ At one point during med skl we were down to 30 a week for groceries. I split powdered milk with whole milk and used powdered eggs. It worked, but I admit, wasn't fun!   

$ Oats and rice instead of boxed cereal.  Turkey in place of beef.

$ I try to make homemade gifts thoughtful, but not pricey. Gifts can really cost us. 

$ Always pay tithes and fast offerings!

$ I also admit to listening to Dave Ramsey.  Tune in for a debt free Friday.  I find it inspirational to hear people scream, "I'm debt free!" and it reminds me of our long term goals.  I agree with the majority of what he says, and like I said, it is a friendly reminder.

$ Buy used or free, Craigs list, Freecycle, 

okay, that is it for now.

Your turn!

Hi, my name is lion.

For those of you who haven't met me my name is Lion.  I am more loved than anyone can imagine because I belong to Orlando.  Lando takes me everywhere.  Here we are at the arch in St. Louis.

Lando also thinks I am beautiful.  He took mom's camera and took this next shot himself.  I've been with Lando since birth, so we are close.  Hey, I'm a great comfort item.  Although, I once was left at a gym for two weeks, like a good cat, I found my way miraculously home!  

I've been with Lando through his ups and downs.  I always went to preschool with him, until he got comfortable there.  I sometimes ride in his backpack for old times sake.   And when Ivan was in the hospital, I was essential to his comfort.  Lando is a sensitive boy who worried about his brother.  He still gets upset about Ivan's scar and Ivan being gone.  I'm still the one he holds.  Gee, I'm good! 

I've ended up in many family photos.  My tail has been chewed nearly off.  And I actually lost my nose on the last road trip.  Luckily Lando's dad knows how to operate, and he put it back on!!  Too bad no one took pictures of that one!  Oh, and Lando was crying when he saw dad put a needle in me--he didn't want me to hurt.  But, he WAS glad that I would get my nose back.

Lando can, like all children, get angry.  This is when I really shine.  No one helps him calm down quicker than me!  It is my specialty.  I know Lando loves me very much.  He has tried to feed me ice cream and cereal.  At one time I even had a place at the table.  He also has taught me to say my own prayers.  He dances with me, turns me in flips, and today I was part of a parachute project.  He cuddles with me every night, and I have my own voice and can answer questions!!  

So what could I want more than Orlando?  Not a thing.  You see, I love him too!

He continues to teach me. . .

Today I took Ivan in for his Neuro check up.  He had an MRI Monday.  I'm so happy to report no signs of cancer at this time and things look good.  Of course, I am always nervous -no matter that statistics for his type of cancer are on our side.  I've also thought a lot about my little Ivan this week.  He teaches me so much.  

Ivan was born with a love of sports.  He played more basketball in our living room by age 2 then most people do in their lives!  So, when his coordination slowed down I knew something was wrong.  Eventually--we got the diagnosis.  A golf ball tumor.  For a few days we didn't know what kind.  We didn't know if he'd be with us or if for how long.  With Josh in medical school, friends tapped into records and did some "searching".  They tried to tell me it should be okay.  I don't think I heard them clearly.  It was too hard to believe anything when something so unbelievable was happening.

Surgery was rough.  And they had to go back in later.  It wasn't surgery itself that caused us so much grief though---it was the effects of surgery.  My little guy couldn't sit up, walk, run, or shoot hoop!

He really worked hard while on the rehab unit for two weeks and progress was made.  Still, I took him home unable to walk without lots of support.  He continued full time therapy for several months.

Ivan wore a helmet to help keep the bumps and bruises to a minimum. (He also sported my sandals occasionally!)

Here is Ivan at age four.  I love this shot because you can clearly see the scrapes and bumps that continue to be part of his life.  In fact, today our doctor said to continue to expect that.   But, what did you see first?  It was the smile wasn't it?  Yes, Ivan continues to teach me.  He has the gift of resiliency.  He will go and go and go.  He will try and try and try.  He will fall.  He will hurt, and he will try again.  Now, of course he's not perfect and I'm not trying to give him sainthood or anything.  He also tries my patience and tries and tries to get out of bedtime!  But, my little Ivan is an example to me.  He helps me go when I don't want to.  He also often says, "it's okay mom-sometimes it doesn't work out"  and then "maybe next time".  I think that is pretty good thinking for such a young kid.  I am thankful to have my Ivan in my life.

St. Patrick's Day Fun

We really enjoyed St. Patty's day this year!  We made a cool fruit rainbow for our family home evening treat yesterday--complete with the pot 'o gold!
We had red and green apples, oranges, bananas, blueberries, and grapes!  The gold was vanilla pudding for a simple but yummy fruit dip!


The boys got to lay out the fruit and they were just so excited.  Holidays are so fun with kids!  Their milk was green this morning.  Yep, the leprechauns came and turned the milk green...

The boys then wondered if the leprechauns were still in the house and if they were nice.  Ammon loved the green milk (just food color, no flavor)  Lando wouldn't touch it!!  Ivan (as usual) played the middle child and wasn't sure... he drank some with Ammon and refused some with Lando! 

Ammon

My Dearest Ammon, 

 

I may not have made it through my church meeting today, but is there a better reason in the whole wide world?  I don't think so.  You have always been so beautiful, cute and chubby!  I just love you to pieces and I can't believe how BIG you are getting...

Flying High in Gymnastics!

PURE DELIGHT!
Jumping down from some "hello knees".

Holding on during a flip!

Gymnastics has been fun!  The boys love getting some energy out and working hard.  I love that it isn't that expensive at the rec-center and the energy out part too!  Still, this time around there was much done on the beams.  Poor Ivan.  He just can't do the beam with the damage he has due to the tumor and surgery.   He had to have a "helper" this time around and so we are thinking of trying martial arts of some kind.  That way no falling is involved.  (Or at least you can only fall from as high as you jump.) Any suggestions on what type and where to go?  

Ahh, the finished product!

Ivan loves his new monkey quilt!

Orlando and his lion and his NEW "super cool" quilt.  Lando was so sweet he gave me a hug and kiss and said, "Mom, thanks for making me a cool blanket.  I looove my new blanket!"

Now, to get fabric and make Ammon's.  I'm thinking dinosaurs. . .