Organization: Family Management Notebook

I've been working on getting my life organized before the baby comes and one of the things I have been working on is a family management notebook for our household.  I first thought it was a good idea when I ran across this post while surfing through some blogs: http://www.thebettermom.com/2011/08/family-management-in-emergency-situations-legos-optional/

To put it lightly, I LOVED her idea.  Now, there are some parts where I thought this very ingenious lady was a wee bit crazy.  For instance, no thanks, but I am NOT keeping important information such as bank account numbers, driver's license numbers, and social security cards in one notebook so that anyone could just snatch it.  Sorry, but that just sounds like identity theft in the making.  I suppose that if you are very careful with the information (as I am sure Amy Bayliss is) you could do it safely, but I want this notebook to be available and easy to find.  I don't want to be worried about where I place it, who sees it, etc.  So I will not be putting any sort of HIGHLY sensitive information in it.

This is what I HAVE put in it thus far, however.  I currently took her front cover template and changed it just

Baby Clothing Ideas

So, I have been perusing the price of clothes for babies...and can we just say ridiculous?!  I am not spending $40 on some outfits that my child is going to wear for 3 months.  ::Shakes head::  So....I started thinking.  A lot.  Here is my thought process.

It started with "THIS IS OUTRAGEOUS."  And then I went to Joann.com for something totally different.  While there I found out that I can get McCall's patterns on sale this week for $1.29.  Then I realized I can get fleece and flannels on sale for 50% off.  Then I realized I had a 25% off coupon for the 4th-6th on sale and full-price items.  I was originally going to use all of these discounts (minus the patterns) on different items for other Christmas presents (which I still plan on doing)....  But....I then started thinking about baby clothes.

So I started looking up McCall's patterns for infants.  And I found some that I REALLY want to try.  These are some of my ideas:

McCall's Patterns: 6426

This is the first pattern I am going to work on.  I am definitely going to make these sacks, as EVERYONE tells me

Recent Finds!

Here are a few of my 2nd hand recent finds!

This is a really neat picture frame that I found while shopping at Value Village!  At first I planned to replace the pictures in it with my own pictures... But the more I looked at it, the more I like the ones that are already in it!  This frame cost about $2 and if you know the coast of frames like this, you will know that this was a good buy!  Plus, it fits my style perfectly. 

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Here is a nice throw blanket blanket that I found for $0.99! It had originally been $3 but it was a 99 cent special!  

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Next, I found a desk organizer!  I don't remember exactly how much this cost, but it wasn't much!  This is much more my own personal style then the most of the modern desk organizers that I have seen like it.

So you see? Once again, you can uniquely decorate your home (or stash stuff in the attic for your future home) and do it with your own personal style - with just a bit of pocket change.

~ Missy

Me, Me, Me?

Me, Me, Me?

Posted by Lisa

I have noticed the concept of “me, me, me” a lot since I have gotten married….not only in myself, but also in my friends who are married.  Marriage is about giving – on both sides.  Despite that knowledge I sometimes pay more attention to what my husband is giving as opposed to what I am giving.  It is an interesting situation to be in!  

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While I work on that and try not to be selfish, I also see it in the world around me.  I have many Christian friends who

Emotions

Emotions

September 17, 2011

Emotions.  They can be a beautiful thing, but they often are a girl’s worst enemy.  I am sure that almost all of you have had a 30 minutes period where you have gone from happy, to frustrated, to furious, to sobbing, back to laughing again – probably for no real particular reason.  Sound familiar?

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But oftentimes it is not because of the actual emotions; it is instead because of how we, as girls, handle

Praise in Prison

Ever since I was a very little girl, I remember listening with wide eyes to the stories of missionaries who suffered in horrible circumstances for the name of Jesus Christ.  The stories that inspired me the most were that of people who, when thrown into prison, would choose to sing praises to God through it all.   Stories like Paul, in the Bible, who sang praises to God while chained to a dark, dismal, prison wall.  Excitement and passion would fill my heart when I heard these stories and I would think, “Yes, Lord! If I am ever thrown in a prison or am being tortured for your name, I am going to be singing praises all the way!”  
No doubt, if I was chained to a prison wall, I would choose to praise God because that is what I have set in my mind to do ever since I was so young.   But what if there is another kind of prison and I am chained to a different kind of wall?  Perhaps a wall that’s not so recognizable?

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Over the summer I had the opportunity to spend two months

Be a Chimney

Be a Chimney

Posted by Lisa

Written September 17, 2011

My friend and I were talking a few days ago about listening.  A couple of my friends and I seem to have this knack for people (and I mean anyone) coming up and telling us their burdens and life story.  Don’t get me wrong – I’m not complaining; but sometimes my heart breaks when I hear their stories and troubles.  Sometimes I also feel like telling these people to look around them and just see how their lives are really not that bad.  Let me tell you though – it not easy to tell someone that.  And sometimes it just isn’t the right time or place or thing to do at a given particular moment.

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My friend texted me the other day asking me if it was normal to feel so burdened down by other people’s