Sharing The Wealth...

The Chief and I are not wealthy by any means, I mean listen folks we are rearing a family of seven on very little money. Somehow we make it and are doing good. We are doing this by living as best we can as a debt free family, we have paid everything off and in cash. (except house). So here is my take on sharing the wealth...

In the drive-thru pay for the car behind you. (Chief and I do this often and it is fun!)

In the grocery store line ask the person behind you if you can pay for their groceries. (Of course I mainly have to do this in the 10 items or less line, but almost everyone I have asked says yes. Some have said no thank you)

Babysit for someone.

A few years ago the Lord gave me a ministry called Manna Meals. I haven't done this lately but fix a family a meal and take it to them. (Not because they are sick, or just had a baby, or someone died, but just because...) I usually pray and ask the Lord to show me who needs this ministry, more often than not I am the one who is blessed by the ministry.

I am sure you can think of many fun ways to share your wealth, especially with the Christmas season coming so soon. Adopt a family for Christmas, if you don't know one all you have to do is contact your church or any church, I am certain you will find a family in need.

Buy two of everything for Thanksgiving, and deliver a full Thanksgiving meal to a family.

I also want to say that this is a great time to do things like this with your children. Giving is a hard concept for children all together, what a better time of year to share your wealth. Spread it around...I challenge you!

Not to toot our own horns, but come back here and share what ideas you came up with, I am always looking for a fun way to show my kids what true giving is all about!

I look forward to hearing from you.

This and That...

Some days it's not worth the fashion fight. Doodlebug #3 added the boots, scarf, and hair bow! What this proves to me is that she is ADORABLE in anything! :-)
Date night was good, although we didn't make it to Tallahassee we did go to our favorite Mexican restaurant and had a nice dinner with all the time in the world! We had great conversation and quality time together. It's about that time for another date though!

I must have bragged on Grant too much, because he has had me sleep deprived and in tears for two days. Up and restless. Each morning at around 4a.m. I have to pass him off to the Chief just so I can get some sleep. I really hope we get back on track real soon!

I have a prayer request I cannot go into at the moment, but the Chief and I need guidance and prayer for a situation we are facing. I would appreciate and covet any prayers that were interceded on our behalf. Personally I am praying for Peace, Wisdom, and Discernment.

I am so ready for Halloween to be over! I may step toes, but we don't celebrate the holiday so I am up to my eye balls in Halloween junk. What did me in was Doodlebug #2's note that was sent home stating she would be making Witch's Brew in one of the class rooms tomorrow...I had to let her teacher know that she needed to be pulled from that most definitely. (done with ranting on that one.)

On an up note, next weekend I will be going to my annual ladies retreat, I am so excited and plan to enjoy every moment. There is nothing like being spiritually fed and having the fellowship with a great group of seasoned women, who's heart solely follows after the Lord. Gonna be GOOOD, GOOOD!!!

R.O.M.E The Latest Design...

Kenna off to school!

So it's so great to have friends with talents you don't! Here is the latest design from R.O.M.E Designs. Should you want to place an order I can e-mail you more pictures of outfits, and you can also contact Laura at:

lauranicholson@bellsouth.net

Now would be a great time to place your order for matching sibling outfits for Fall and Winter seasons!

Not Me Monday...Post #1

So this is my first Not Me Monday...

I absolutely did not turn a life lesson of sharing out of Doodlebug #1 sharing her already chewed bubblegum with Doodlebug #3...complete with praising her with for being so sweet about giving up her only piece of gum to her little sister..no NOT ME!

I did not tell the Chief that I had a bad night sweat, when in fact when he asked me why the covers were wet I realized I had a major boob milk leakage...no NOT ME!

I did not serve chicken nuggets and mac and cheese three days in a row, despite the kids groaning and complaining...no NOT ME!

I did not secretly want to slap the doo-doo out of all the "gawkers" at Wally World as I made my first debut with all five Doodlebugs on Saturday...no NOT ME!

And I most certainly DID NOT wait until the morning to clean up the "projectile" poop episode Doodlebug #5 had in the middle of the night all over the changing table, wall, basket of diapers, mirror and floor...no NOT ME- NEVER! Gotta love those breastfeeding poops!

Friday Thankfuls...

Well, the first thing I am thankful for is that my babies are back! Doodlebug 3 and 4 are home safe and sound. Mom and Dad have had them in Albany for a week, which was necessary for my recuperation, however on Wednesday I began to ache for them.

We met Mom and Dad in Bainbridge and I was received with the biggest hugs and kisses. Gunner kept looking at me and grabbing my arm and laying his head on my arm. **Sigh**

Of course, they are calling me Nana and Joel Papa but I am sure that will remedy itself shortly. I did miss them a whole whole lot.

Pray for us as a family, please. Vacation is now officially over and back to our normal routine. I cannot thank my Mom and Dad enough. My Mom literally has cared for this family for a solid two weeks, I thank my sister who kept the little ones while my Mom worked. I couldn't have done it without you guys. And to my Dad who also, bussed Mom over here and back and forth...thank you! I love you.

A Few Things I want To Share!

My Miracle Baby His hair is so very blond!
The House Is Trucking Right Along!
One Day We Will Be Finished

-O.k. so the house is is still being worked on . All 15 new windows are in and the two french doors have been delivered! It's constant banging and hammering and nail guns around here. I can't wait for the finished product.

-I had to post pictures of the littlest Doodlebug. He is awake more and more every week. He is still a dream night sleeper at least 6-7 hours at a time. Or at least until my (lets say) nursing "instincts" tell me to go wake him :-).

-I miss my little Doodlebugs #3 and 4. They have been gone since Saturday staying in Albany with Nana and Papa. I get the best phone calls with all the going abouts of the day! They will be back by the weekend, then the "vacation" is OVER!

-Gas in Bainbridge is $2.32...I know you are jealous, huh?

-I AM going on a date the hubby TONIGHT! I am so excited. I think we will head to Tallahassee for dinner. My wonderful friend Tori is taking the girls to church with her and they may spend the night in case we run late.

Well, I guess that's all for the updates. Oh, yeah. I was feeling good enough on Sunday for a very quick trip to take the baby to see my MIL. She was able (after some crafty situation of pillows) to hold Grant. Of course, she says he is the Chief made over! I am glad we got to do that.

Again my nursing instincts tell me to go wake Grant, so morning nap is over and onto the rest of the day. I hope everyone has a prosperous one!

A Costly Mistake...

I am back...did you miss me? I came down Thursday with a terrible uterine infection, but I am feeling much better (I will spare the details).

So onto the current post.

Last Wednesday after I got up from my nap, Joel said I need you to come sit down I have something to talk with you about. He began telling me that while I was sleeping Doodlebug #1's teacher had called and said that for the days of Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday she had not finished her work and was completely spacing out during school. She assured Joel her attitude was o.k. but her focus was not. She continued to suggest she had a bit of "Baby-itis" and for us to expect quite a bit of Incomplete's on her paper work on Friday.

I lost it! What have I done! Poor thing. The Chief had it all planned out. We would sit her down and talk with her after school and then he would take her off for a mani and pedi and to pick out a toy and to dinner out of her choice! Sounds like a plan to me.

Doodlebug gets home- We sit her down (Mommy's trying not to be emotional). We start with- Kenna guess who called mommy and daddy today? Doodlebug looks like a dear in headlights...What do you mean Mommy? I don't understand? I ask her what work she didn't complete and she says there is none. Daddy tells her we love her and we know times are tough, but things will get better and daddy is taking her on a date tonight! Of course she loves this idea, but every time we went back to her work she would cry and say she didn't understand, finally 30 minutes later it just got too strange, she was addiment that her work was done and so on and so on. I finally look at the Chief...heck now I am confused!

The Chief looks at me and says, "Do you think I have the wrong kid?" Are you freakin' kidding me? I grabbed his phone and called the school..."No, Mrs. Jenkins it was Mrs. Maxwell who called..."Lord hold my tongue...PLEASE!!

15 minutes later...conversation with Doodlebug #2. Guess who called mommy and Daddy today?

Boy oh, boy. The Chief then took Wednesday, Thursday and Friday with all Doodlebug girls three date nights with Daddy. Each got a mani/pedi, each got dinner out, each got a shopping spree and we are out about $400...Not to mention he had to promise Doodelbug #1 he would pick her up early from school just so she would switch her date to the next day so Doodlebug #2 could go on the first date.

I am please to announce that for Thursday and Friday Doodlebug #2 came home with all work complete. Can someone please call the Chief and tell him Mommy is not completing all her work and is not focusing? I want a date night!