Ordinary

Today was a fairly ordinary day. I'm still excited for Sis and her good news, but on the home-front...

I'm a little aggravated with Skippy (my english setter). He had a potty issue last week. I understand that. But two days in a row now he's pooed in his bed. UGH. He'll go months without any issues... ok, not quite as long as Maggi, who is really, really good (*unless she's got a poo issue, then it's bad). Anyway, this too shall pass... but it just made me a bit crabby tonight. This is why I didn't do much over the weekend, I didn't want to leave Skippy home to have an accident in his bed. And now, after his issues are over (read: no diarrhea), he's still crapping in his bed.

Otherwise, everything else is extremely ordinary and boring today. Lil M is great. She's still got a bit of a cold, but overall fine. Work was good. Scott's on a ski trip with his brother and Sis is having a good week....so let's see what tomorrow brings. lol

Peace.

Good news!

Good news... Sis went to court (yes, again) yesterday for the divorce pre-trial. The judge said that if the EX didn't show proof that he had health insurance for Chase that SIS would get CUSTODY!!! Now, this means that they will still share parenting, but she'll be the custodial parent! And, she gets to move him to the school in her district!!! WOOOOOOT!!!!!!!! (can you tell I'm excited??!!) This has been 2 years in the making.

PRAISE GOD.

Peace.

budget and such

Time to get organized. I have decided this year to actually try to live by my budget. What a concept. I mean, I wrote it ALL down. I generally have a good idea of what I'm paying and what is needed for the month, but last year got me out of whack, so I'm back to writing it all down and following it. My number one goal this year is to work on paying off the credit cards. So, here's what I've been doing over the past week:

2009 budget - complete
grocery list / budget - complete
february weekly menu - planned
taxes - done

The money stuff is kind of scary right now, but I'm determined to fix it. I can't think about a 2nd adoption until I do. So... one step at a time. Meanwhile, I will pray about what the future holds.

I've never done a monthly menu before, but I was trying to get an idea of what my actual grocery bill is, and so I went for it. Let's see if I actually use it! lol

Peace.

Smoothies

I got a hand-held blender type thing to make smoothies with for Christmas. Man, does that thing rock! LOVE IT. I've been making really blueberry-chocolate smoothies this week. Yum! I make it with 1% milk, ice, chocolate syrup and blueberries.

Now, I need to find some more recipes to try. I got blueberries for a dollar a pint at the grocery and so I got quite a few. Love blueberries. So does Lil M. Though, I haven't given her much of the smoothies, she has tried it and liked it too.

Peace.

Bloggin Church

Ok, so last night I read a passage in my little book that I try to read daily... "Joy & Strength". It is a wonderful devotional. I don't read it every single day, I admit, but it is my favorite. So, I thought I'd share a bit. I was going to do this on my other blog, but felt like it might be more appropriate here today, because of the article I posted yesterday.

Exodus 3:7 : And the Lord said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people which are in in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary says:
3:7-10 God notices the afflictions of Israel. Their sorrows; even the secret sorrows of God's people are known to him. Their cry; God hears the cries of his afflicted people. The oppression they endured; the highest and greatest of their oppressors are not above him. God promises speedy deliverance by methods out of the common ways of providence. Those whom God, by his grace, delivers out of a spiritual Egypt, he will bring to a heavenly Canaan.

Psalm 106:44 Nevertheless He looked upon their distress When He heard their cry;

And back to my little book:
Thou knowest, Lord, the weariness and sorrow of the sad heart that comes to Thee for rest;
Cares of today, and burdens for tomorrow,
Blessings implored, and sins to be confessed;
I come before Thee at Thy gracious word,
And lay them at Thy feet, --Thou knowest, Lord. (Jane Borthwick)

These words really hit me last night. God does know me. He knows me! He knows every single one of us. This isn't just talking about Egypt. It is for me too. It is for you. It is in the here and now. God does know my sorrows, my fears, my weariness. He does know my joys and happiness and blessings. I can sit at His feet and let that comfort wash over me, HE KNOWS. And, what's more, loves me anyway. God has seen my my deepest sorrows, yearnings and those things I cannot put into words. HE KNOWS.

This comforts me because I know that God is taking care of me, even when I don't know what or how to ask...or even how to talk about whatever "it" is. This is faith. And even if we falter, God doesn't. Because, again, GOD KNOWS.

This should be a comfort to others, too, who are going through rough times or big changes in their lives. I promise God will help you get through this. Look at my life over the past 2 years... there have been a lot of ups and downs. Lot of downs... and, yet, GOD KNOWS.

And it is good.

Peace.

PS. I added some music to the site. Let me know if it is really annoying... I love the songs, some are Christian, some aren't... You can always pause it, I guess, but if it is overkill I'll get rid of it (here anyway) lol.