What's up for this week..

So I have been scheduled to work more this week. Which is okay for the fall. It's the busiest season for us, so it's the best money. And once December hits we'll be sloowwwwww! So I am going to take what I can get right now. That said it does make it more of a challenge to keep up on all my house projects, bow making, blogging, and everything. So, my goal is to stay focused and make sure that I am prioritizing my time. And I have the most wonderful babysitter, Candace, who is so helpful in making sure my house is all picked up!

My husband decided to do some grocery shopping for me on Saturday night. It wasn't what I had planned, but I appreciate him being proactive and just doing it! He couldn't stand waiting one or two more days without much food in the house ;-). (That's a man for you, right?) So, one tasks is done!

Headband Giveaway Week 2!

I am beginning week two of my one month of headband giveaways!

Here is this week's selection:

This bow is made from a pink and black flowered grosgrain ribbon, and it is accented with a pink opaque and sparkly trim. Included will be a pink crocheted headband. Here is another picture of this bow being modeled by my daughter:

To win this headband you can:

1. Become a follower of my blog, and leave me a comment stating you have.

2. You can view my Etsy shop and leave me a comment about which bow you like best.

3. View the items I have for sale on Ebay and let me know what you like and why.

For all options you need to include your email address, and I will contact you to claim your prize.

If you are interested in purchasing a bow please contact me!

Or if you know someone who may really like my products send them my way!

Realizing Goals!

At church on Sunday during worship I felt like the Lord the leading me to redefine my goals. So looking back over the last couple of weeks of my posts I realized that I have been focusing on goals, but God gave me specific instruction to formalize my goals in more areas.

In the past few weeks I have defined my cleaning goals. I have a cleaning chart set out, and it has helped to declutter my life and give my family more peace.

John and I have set spending goals together. This has shown us where we are and where we want to go. It hasn't been perfect over the last couple of weeks with money, but we are learning and will get there.

So, now I feel like I am to set out specific goals for other areas.

My number one goal that I want to define is my relationship with Papa. I want to ensure that I am moving onward and upward, and spending more time being in His presence and just knowing Him. (During my journaling I am going to write out more specific goals.) I also want to set goals for who I feel like God is calling me to be a tool in leading to Him. I want to set specific goals for reading, journaling, and spending time in prayer. Not that I will be strict about the schedule, but I need more purpose and structure. I am hoping my setting specific goals in this area it will give me more focus.

I am excited to put these plans in action and look back in a couple of months and identify what's working and what's not working, throw things out and add new in. I want to see that changes in me, my family, and my home. I am hoping that I will gain a deeper understanding of who Papa is and how much he loves me. I hope that it will be evident in my everyday life, and that it will affect those around me. So I am moving forward with the purpose of realizing my goals, and this gives me a new bounce in my step!

Headband Giveaway!

In an effort to promote my bow and headband making business I will be giving away a bow and headband combination each week for a month! Featured this week is a very adorable pink and black polka dot set!

My daughter, Caitlyn, is modeling this adorable bow!

All of my bows are handmade by me! I use many different types of ribbon, but mostly satin and grosgrain. I heat seal the ends of all ribbons so that there will be no fraying, even the parts that you can't see. Most of my bows are attached to an alligator clip. This is convenient to wear with a headband or without.

To win this awesome headband just check out my etsy store:

http://www.cuteaspie.etsy.com/

and tell me which bow you like and why.

Or, you can sign up to be a follower of my blog!

Leave a comment for me below including your email address.

I will award the winner on Thursday, August 27th.

( A new giveaway will be posted Friday, August 28th)

Update time...

So, I had a lot of meals left over from last week so John and I went grocery shopping (by ourselves, thank you Candace and Lindsey) last night to just grab a couple of things that we need. Which means I have no big update on a menu or grocery plan. I am craving a really good deal though so I will be keeping my eyes out!

Also, I sold my 2nd bow in ebay. I have 7 listed on etsy right now (www.cuteaspie.etsy.com) and I really want to use etsy because it is more economical. But right now ebay is the one giving me the results. So, I shall continue to use both until I can truly identify which option is going to work out better.

Honestly, I am very afraid that this isn't going to work. I have found doing this is very fun and rewarding for me. I want to really dig in and start making a lot. But I am trying to be smart and slow. Don't get ahead of yourself, Lindsey! I am just going to trust God and know that if this is supposed to be another way to support my family then He will provide a way for it all to work out.

The next phase....

So, now that we have begun to makeover our financial strategy, I am realizing that I am aware of the change needed in many other areas. I need to take back responsibility for my life, and the way that our family is run. Let me highlight that I said “responsibility” and not control. Control is not mine to take, control is in God’s hands and I need to trust Him for the guidance. But I am responsible for how my time and attitude, and my children’s time is spent.

So, here’s what I’m talking about...

I am on a new mission to keep my house up. Not that I expect it to be perfect, but I had fallen into a habit of sleeping in, rushing around, and barely scraping by on the household duties. Then I would end up spending one whole day cleaning the whole house. Repeat. In order to break this pattern I have established a pick-up routine for every morning and evening (dishes, pick up toys, put away clothes, basically straighten up). In addition, I have set up a cleaning schedule of deeper cleaning tasks that I need to do each day. Weekly, I will have special projects to complete, such as cleaning out the basement cupboards, or some other project.

I have also realized that Payton is coming to an age where she would greatly benefit from a little more structure in her life. By structure I mean not sitting around watching tv all day! So, I am embarking on a mission to put together one activity for her to do a day. This will also give me an opportunity to begin teaching Payton more formally about Jesus, and lay the groundwork for her to be introduced to a relationship with him.

I do not want to be come so rigid with my schedule that I am inflexible. We have begun practicing some of my new policies, and it has helped to let me feel more relaxed and peaceful throughout the day, which is going to a result in a more peaceful family. So, I hope to continue to recognize areas in which I can take responsibility and make our lives better. Because I am realizing the change in my attitude it has truly shown me how much of a mood influencer I can be for my family. When I choose to be in a good mood and joyful, not matter what we’re encountering, then it helps my family to move through whatever we may doing with a joyful attitude as well. Not that it’s all rosy and pretty, but I can help to make things as positive and productive as possible.

New Take On Food

Okay, so in keeping with the theme of lightening my load I am also returning to being frugal in the kitchen as well. We have realized that we are letting our costs get out of control, and I am going to control the parts that I can. In order to help support this new goal of money-saving I have come to a couple of conclusions. First, I am only going to shop at Aldi's and Save-A-Lot. Of course, I will go to Wal-Mart of larger commercial store if necessary. But I am going to avoid these stores at all costs because they make me want more stuff that I don't have. If I don't go, then I don't want. Secondly, I need to make a menu and be consistent with it. Here is my menu for this week:

Tuesday:

B: Oatmeal

S: Crackers & PB

L: Egg Salad Sandwiches & Yogurt

D: Baked Spaghetti Pizza

Wednesday:

B: Eggs & Toast

S: Banana

L: Leftovers

S: Tortilla Chips & Salsa

D: Mexican Lasagna

Thursday:

B: Cereal

S: Pumpkin Bread

L: Leftovers

S: PB Crackers

D: Chicken Quesedillas

Friday:

B: Pancakes

S: Grapes

L: Tator Tot Casserole John - Hot Pockets

S: Tortilla Chips & Salsa

D: Barn Payton-Ramen

Saturday

B: Cereal

S: Bananas & Pretzels

L: Leftovers John - out to lunch

S: PB Crackers or Popsicles

D: Barn Payton-Chicken Noodle & Grilled Cheese

Sunday

B: Egg Sandwhiches

L: Italian Sub Sandwhiches

D: Barn Payton- Mac & Cheese

Thirdly, I am going to look for any coupons and deals in order to sweeten my deals. Any thoughts, suggestions, or tips will be greatly appreciated! Wish me luck!

Lightening Our Load

Okay, so first of all, I tend to think that I am not a clutter bug. I am not a pack rat. I hate the idea of having random things laying around, that I may use one day. So, I am constantly on a mission to clean out our house. And, our house is pretty small for a family of four, so it is a constant battle to keep things organized.

The last week or so I have been getting very excited for fall shopping for the girls. I literally feel like I am buying myself something when I buy them something. And I just love how cute they look in their little outfits. So, I began going through all of their clothes. Payton has inherited clothes from my niece, Aubrey, which I have kept in storage bins in my basement. In order to inventory what I had, so that I know what to buy, I went through all of my storage totes today, as well as both of the girls dressers and closets. I am always shocked at how much they have and how much I can continue to get rid of. Through this process I have also realized how little they really need.

What trully kills be about this is that I feel like I am going through our house once every two or three months, and I always have stuff to give or throw away. I wonder to myself, "how is this possible?" And it doesn't just apply to the girls' things. My closet is just as bad, and John's is as well, although he would never admit it. (So, I have to clean his out when he's not looking. Funny how they never miss it if they don't know it's gone, huh?)

Seeing all the stuff I am giving away makes me think back to my childhood and the things I had. We didn't live richly, but we weren't poor either. I never wanted for anything, I had clothes and toys. Sure, there were things that I wanted that I didn't get, but what child doesn't experience that? What I realize about my childhood is how grateful how I was for what I had.

So, I am on a new mission. We do not need a closets overflowing with clothes or bins and bins full of toys. I am going to lighten our load. I am going to appreciate what I have, and I want to teach my children to be grateful, not to take for granted having everything they want.