Accept the Unexpected

It’s never easy to accept or admit moments of weakness. I think we as Christian women often hold ourselves to higher than necessary expectations. We all feel we must “do it all”. I am a planner and when my plans fail, I feel that failure as a mighty sting.

One of my biggest frustrations as of late is the whole house issue. We bought land last September and our dreams of building our new home seem so close and yet so far away. We initially had the plan to place our house for sale at the beginning of April. Prior to that time, I was diagnosed with placenta previa and this limited my ability to do various things around the house. There is painting, sanding, packing, etc. and I can only do so much. You add this to our work schedules and third trimester pregnancy and well…progress has slowed greatly.

We also had plans to move our boxed items to the place we hoped to stay during the time our house is being built. This also recently fell through.  It’s no longer available. Now we’re trying to figure out what to do next…

Plans. Good in theory it seems.

I’ve had a hard time trying to get excited about redoing our daughter’s room into a gender friendly toddler room/nursery. I’ve dealt with so much guilt over this because I was so pumped to complete our daughter’s nursery prior to her birth. There are days when I just don’t know where to begin, what to let go, and when to ask for help.

As always, despite my feelings and circumstances, God is working. He has recently been pushing through this muck that I feel so stuck in and He is helping me work my way into clear waters of redemption. Here is what He’s helping me see thus far…

-It’s not just my circumstances that He is working on. I know that the Lord is doing great things in our lives, but it’s not just my life that he is orchestrating. I’ve been thinking of reasons why the house timing keeps getting postponed. I believe God is helping our current home’s future owners become prepared for our home’s sale. I believe He is allowing more time for us to get done what we need to get done. I believe He has another option for us when it comes to where we’ll live during our building process (FYI-we can’t just rent anywhere because we have 4 dogs and 2 cats.)

-I need to be present now. Our little girl just turned 2 and the fact that these last two years have gone by so quickly makes me realize the importance of truly living in the moment. I’ll never get these days back. With that in mind, it’s also important that I continue to savor the months of my pregnancy. The reality of our infertility issues has meant that both of our children are unlikely blessings. The Lord has proven that He is bigger than these circumstances and has graced our lives with a beautiful little girl and come this summer, we’ll have a darling little boy. The stress that I’ve had over trying to get the house together and my guilt over the nursery has taken a turn. I don’t feel as pressured to put a “For Sale” sign in our yard (although I eagerly await the day) and I’m beginning to enjoy the nursery re-do. I’ve actually determined a theme and color scheme.

-He will always provide. The month of April has hit our budget in some hard, unexpected ways. I’ve not had a month this tight in a very long time. It began with me missing an email from my student loan company indicating that my graduated loan repayment was going up…$300+ more. That was a heart stopper when I checked my account. Then, about a week and a half later our German Shepherd came down with his seasonal skin condition. His skin develops a type of yeast infection at least twice a year when the seasons change. There is nothing we can do to prevent it. We just know that we’ll have to take him to the vet, have him checked out and then give him medication for a couple of weeks. However, to add to this, our sweet Maggie dog was unexplainably injured (we still don’t know for sure how it happened) and her vet visit resulted in sedation, stitches and antibiotics. Crazy. By the end of these two weeks we were out about $1000. While the amount is still hard to stomach and my bank account has not looked this sad in quite a while, the Lord has provided. I was still able to plan and throw our daughter an adorable 2^nd birthday, as well as make our ends meet this month. I could not have done it without the Lord’s provision and long-term planning (just one more reason why savings are so important!)

-I am enough. I still struggle with this. I have felt like such an epic failure lately and my frustration level has been maxed. I want to be the best mom to my kid, the best wife to my husband, the best teacher/employee and the best friend that anyone could have…but there is a reality. I can never be the best. I can only do my best and this is where God’s grace has really been evident. He is giving me grace in the moments of my inadequacy. He has made me enough to be all of these things and all that is expected is for me to be the best of these that I can be. I am learning how to not hold myself to others’ standards and I’m learning to accept the unexpected.

If you find yourself dealing with similar feelings, join me in hanging up preconceived ideas. Cling to God’s goodness and accept His grace. Treasure the moments of the here and now. Embrace the things we can’t control as stepping stones to something greater. There is a time for all things and His plan will always be better than our own.

Link up

They Can't Go Around Naked

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While it's true that baby bottoms are some of the cutest things you'll ever see, as responsible parents, it's our job to clothe them. If you're like me, you may be finding your little one growing out of everything she owns. This venture from "baby land" into "toddlerdom" is no joke. We were very blessed to receive so many gifts for G at our showers. In fact, unless I just wanted to, I didn't really have to buy her any necessitates until about 12 months, and even then it was just a couple things here and there...but now? She is comfortably wearing size 2t and those are just not clothing sizes that you typically get at baby showers. It's understandable considering new born, itty bitty clothes are virtually irresistible.

We skimped by in October since I had set a personal goal to not buy her any clothes for that month (you can read about it here). However, I quickly realized that most of her 18 month clothes are becoming too short (she's rocking the 80th percentile for height) and with winter weather creeping in, I needed to take some serious inventory of her fall/winter attire. This resulted in about 3 fleece pullovers, 5 pairs of adequate fitting pants, and about 8 shirts (and one snug winter coat). Needless to say, I realized it was time to bite the bullet and purchase some new clothing.

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Okay...maybe not that cold yet but this was seriously funny...

Now don't get me wrong, I adore buying new clothes for G and at times it has been a serious problem. Little girls just have so many cute options! However, with the purchase of new land, our soon to be forever home on the horizon, and other financial obligations, I try to remain savvy when it comes to clothes shopping.

If you're still in the blissful stages of having all the clothes your little one could possibly ever need, great! If not, here are a few of my favorite ways to save on clothes for little ones.

Hand-me-downs
Hand-me-downs are seriously my favorite way to acquire clothes for G. They are free and I have been fortunate to have friends that take really good care of their daughters' clothing. It's nice if you have someone that you can cycle through with, but if not, take what you can get.

Gift Lists
Friends and family often ask what they can get G for various occasions and I always suggest clothes. Many people love to purchase cute little outfits for your itty bitty...so make the suggestion! And let's be honest, most of our kids have more than enough toys anyway.

Clearance Racks
This one can be a little tricky. Sometimes it's hard to gauge what size they will be in the following year when you're buying seasonal clothing. I lucked out last year. I bought an adorable patriotic outfit for G at one of my favorite children's clothing stores for $3! It fit her perfectly the following summer. It goes to show that you can find some really great deals if you're willing to sift through the racks.

Thrift Stores and Consignment Sales
You can often find great scores at local thrift stores and consignment sales. I recently picked up several pairs of pants for G for about $2 a piece. Granted these deals may not be as good as some of your yard sale finds, but considering we don't personally see many yard sales come November, I'd say this isn't too bad. I suggest when it comes to large consignment sales that you wait until their discount days to shop. While you may not have as vast of a selection as you would have on previous days, you can score some great clothes for super cheap.

Online
Such public domains such as Craigslist and Facebook house many opportunites for good finds. We've bought several larger items (e.g. treadmill and shelves) and over the last week tapped into the baby/kids section. Just this past weekend I acquired 6 pairs of pants, 4 pairs of leggings, G's Halloween costume for next year, and two nice winter coats for $25. Most of the coats I've been eyeing for G have averaged at least $20-25, so I'd say this was a good deal. (Disclaimer: You may not feel comfortable meeting strangers to obtain your items and that is okay. My hubby has stepped in many times to either come along or he'll pick them up...always at a public meeting place.)

The Shops
There are several stores that I enjoy shopping in if I can catch a good sale.

The Children's Place and Crazy 8: I love their adorable clothes and they have customer rewards, which is always nice.

Khols: I've purchased several clothing items for G in the past from their online site. The deals were great and of course you can earn Khols cash.

Sam's Club: I know you're probably thinking, what?! Yes! We have had a membership for years and I have bought multiple items for G while doing our bulk shopping. They carry great clothes for kids and have them very reasonably priced. In fact, G's Thanksgiving outfit came from there last year.

I hope this helps if you find yourself in a similar situation. There is no sense in going broke just to keep your kid clothed.

*I was not compensated in anyway to suggest these businesses.

Linking up with Leslyn

Opt Out October is Over

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The month of October has flown by. I can't believe the holiday season is upon us...not that I'm complaining because I love this time of year, but it's hard to believe that we're nearing the end of 2014. It's been a challenging but blessed year and I look forward to what the Lord has in store for our family.

At the beginning of October I decided to opt out of several things, both from a health and financial perspective.

(You can view my challenge updates here.)

Here were my health related goals...

To get healthier this month I will opt out of the following...
-excuses for not exercising. I have to get back to making my body move. Not as successful as I'd hoped...
-doubt. There have been moments over the last month that have made me question whether or not I can really do this. I can. I've gained a lot more optimism...
-complaining. If I don't like what I see or how I feel, I have no right to complain because it is within my control to change it. I can feel a change...

As for my financial goals...

To make some savvy spending choices this month I will opt out of the following...
-buying coffee more than 1x a week. Check!
-eating out more than 1x a week. We normally rarely eat out but this past month has been a bit crazier than most. It's just been so easy to grab a pizza or Chinese instead of making a healthy home cooked meal. Technically I only bought dinner out once a week...my hubby may or may not have gotten us dinner a time or two :)
-buying clothing...I rarely buy clothes for myself, but for my little one...yes. I adore tiny human clothes and when I find a great deal I jump on it, especially since she is outgrowing all of the clothes we were given as gifts/have received as hand-me-downs. The one exception will be a pair of black tights. Me: 1 new shirt for family pictures with a coordinating necklace, both for a total of around $20.   G: An $8 outfit when she threw up all over her other one while out in town and socks.
-home décor purchases. Nope. None. We're working on getting our house ready to sell and that is where the money needs to go. I did buy a pumpkin...which we carved and set upon our porch.
-things we don't use...need to be gone. I have big dreams to remove even more clutter from this house. I've got a couple bags of items ready to go!

Overall I'd say I did pretty well in a matter of 4 weeks. I'm going to try to keep with some of these things. Change can be good...

Linking up with Annie!

Opt Out Update

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It's no secret that I adore the fall season. The air is turning a bit more brisk here in Central Virginia. The leaves are beginning to turn and the daylight is slowly becoming shorter.

My heart sings.

As I take in the beauty of this season, I have also been hard at work over the last week to maintain my goals for my Opt Out October. I thought I'd give you an update.

Let's begin with the "getting healthier"...

I've really reeled in my snacking and the eating out has become almost obsolete. I've been prepping meals the night before and using my crock-pot a lot more this week to ensure that I have no excuse to eat out or pick up something on the way home. I haven't gotten back on the treadmill yet but I've been parking farther away from my destinations and my little one and I have been staying pretty busy.

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As for my spending this month? I'm doing great! Last month was out of the ordinary for me in regards to some of my typical spending habits so I feel really good about how things are going. I've opted out of multiple coffee runs during the week and I've cut down my eating out to a maximum of one time a week. (We don't typically eat out, but like I said, last month was a doozy.) There was one exception to my "no purchasing clothing" rule. Over the weekend I took G to meet her newest little friend. Our close friends had their baby a week ago and we were finally able to visit. On the way there I had plans to stop at Lowes to grab some paint. Unfamiliar with the area, I relied on my GPS. It took us on a crazy, winding, narrow mountain road...and G got seriously car sick. By the time I could finally safely pull over, she was covered in mess. I had brought an extra outfit but it was one of her "play outfits" and not one I really wanted her to be in should pictures be taken during our visit. Maybe this is shallow or silly to some, but whatever. I stopped at a local clothing discount store and picked up a cute outfit for $8. She was cleaned up, changed and away we went. Needless to say, we never made it to Lowes.

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Overall I'm proud of my progress this past week. I've been getting some things done around the house and the motivation continues thanks to Living Well Spending Less' 31 Days to a Clutter Free Life. I get an email once a day with a different de-cluttering challenge. I've been able to take almost all of them up to this point.

I hope your fall season is going just as well. This month holds a lot of joy and sadness as I reflect on all that October has held for us. We grieve the loss of our friends' little ones that have gone before us as October 15th draws near. I miss my grandfather so much more this month as the 2nd anniversary of his passing approaches. I do however have a lot to lift praises for as well. It was this month, two years ago that we announced our first pregnancy. We'll celebrate our wedding anniversary. We'll meet with friends, enjoy family time and count our blessings often. What will your October hold?

Linking up with Home of Malones

Opt Out October

Well, judging by the scale you could assume that I've given up. Not true. I've just not prioritized things the way I've needed...or maybe I have, but the balance is off. Whatever the case, I'm not happy with the last month and a half and I need to get things back together.

The same goes for our spending. I'm pretty saving savvy but this past month I've made some impromptu purchases and I need to reign it back in. These things have led me to choosing to do an "Opt Out October" personal challenge.

October will be the month that I get some things back on track.

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To get healthier this month I will opt out of the following...
-excuses for not exercising. I have to get back to making my body move. I've signed up for the Glow Baby Glow 5k to get myself motivated.
-doubt. There have been moments over the last month that have made me question whether or not I can really do this. I can.
-complaining. If I don't like what I see or how I feel, I have no right to complain because it is within my control to change it.

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 To make some savvy spending choices this month I will opt out of the following...
-buying coffee more than 1x a week.
-eating out more than 1x a week. We normally rarely eat out but this past month has been a bit crazier than most. It's just been so easy to grab a pizza or Chinese instead of making a healthy home cooked meal.
-buying clothing...I rarely buy clothes for myself, but for my little one...yes. I adore tiny human clothes and when I find a great deal I jump on it, especially since she is outgrowing all of the clothes we were given as gifts/have received as hand-me-downs. The one exception will be a pair of black tights.
-home décor purchases. Nope. None. We're working on getting our house ready to sell and that is where the money needs to go.
-things we don't use...need to be gone. I have big dreams to remove even more clutter from this house.

This month will hold a couple little treats. We're hoping to have some family pictures done this month or next. We're also planning on celebrating our 6th anniversary later this month. Those will be special items that I'll budget for. The only other things that I'm having to work out are the unexpected medical bills we have coming in. Suddenly my insurance is not covering some things that they've been covering in the recent past. Grrr.

So this is my plan. I'm hoping to see positive results in both areas. Wish me luck!

Linking up with Annie