Teacher-Fever

 

This photo brings back some AWESOME memories!!! It seems that EVERY new school year I always get an itch to teach. I love nothing more than being a mom to my boy, and would never go back to teaching in exchange for being a full time mommy, but there is something really refreshing and satisfying about teaching, too. I loved all of these kids. This was a first grade group. I enjoyed walking in that classroom every morning. I knew I would deal with the same things with the same students, every day, but I still loved it. Let’s hope my teacher fever leaves soon!

Our Boy’s

 

first

tooth

has

FINALLY

cut

through

his

sweet

little

gums!!

YAYYY!!

I found it last Thursday when we were on a little play date. When I laid eyes on it, I teared up. I think for whatever reason, it was a true memorable moment.

to daniel. . .

 

 

Here is a sweet, fragrant mouth to kiss; here are two more feet to make music with their pattering about my nursery. Here is a soul to train for God; and the body in which it dwells is worthy all it will cost, since it is the abode of a kingly tenant. I may see less of friends, but I have gained one dearer than them all, to whom, while I minister in God's name, I will make a willing sacrifice of what little leisure for my own recreation my other darlings had left me. Yes, my precious baby, you are welcome to your mother's heart, welcome to her time, her strength, her health, her tenderest cares, her life-long prayers! Oh, how rich I am, how truly, how wondrously blest!  ---Elisabeth Prentiss

Busted

 

eating

ice cream

with

Mammie

We are so feisty. Let’s stop!

 

I found this excerpt from a blog that I was recently pointed to in an indirect way. Go to Femina Girls to read more from this lady regarding being a wife and motherhood. But when I bumped into this article copied below, I was so glad that someone else seemed to feel the EXACT SAME way that I have been feeling on “hot button” issues. I either extend my judgment to others on issues, or feel the judgment extended to me. If our goal is the same, let’s stop being so feisty! (I have underlined or bolded to add effect, this woman did not do this orginially)

“We all know that women are pretty much the worst at getting tangled up in heated, personally charged arguments about things (things being pretty much everything pertaining to children). Someone comes along to say that breastfeeding is the way the truth and the life, and people start throwing stink bombs. Someone barges through saying that epidurals are the only answer to the problem of pain, and before you know it, churchwomen will be driving cars with “Ban Sally from Mothering” bumper stickers. Some poor woman makes a comment at a baby shower about how she is scheduling her baby’s feedings to try to get more sleep, and women will begin making pointed comments about baby wearing and co-sleeping, and when the next la leche league meeting is. (Shannon Maggi can personally add about 10 or 15 more topics to this hot button list, easily, but I won’t!) People start using words that are too big for the situations and start alienating Christian sisters over whatever they have decided is a monumental issue.

But here is the real big issue: Christians are not allowed to have hot button issues which they use to stir up trouble. Sure, you may care about things. Yes, you should have reasons for why you are doing what you are doing.

But have you gotten so involved in an “issue” that you cannot fellowship with Christian brothers and sisters who think it is silly? Are you so caught up in teaching your kids phonics while they are in the womb that you need smelling salts when someone laughs about it? Does it stress you out to see a “christian” mother feeding her children easy cheese? Do you long to pelt her house with copies of Nourishing Traditions with important parts highlighted? Are you the wrath of God as pertains to birthing methods, educational systems, and nutrition?

Now here is the thing. Principles are the things that God lays out for us. Love your children. Serve the Lord. Bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Children are a blessing. Be fruitful. Methods are the tools we use to try to accomplish these things.

Methods vary, even when the people involved are all following God. Do not get caught up in method camps and chisel away at the number of saints you can fellowship with every time you read a new article about that thing that has become the most important thing. Do not build for yourself an arsenal of inflammatory topics. Do not be quick to fire off heated comments.

The thing about principles and methods is that if you agree on the principle, the method is not such a big deal. But most of us know this – we understand the difference between the two, and yet we still get all wangled into madness about it. Why is this?”

To finish this article, head over to: Continue Reading

We are going to CLIMB out of debt!

While I was on vacation with my mom I had a rare opportunity to concentrate my time on a book that I feel has changed our lives forever. It is regarding how we spend our money. I read Dave Ramsey’s Total Money Makeover. I came home with a renewed and inspired idea how we will deal with our existing debt.

Dave lays out 7 “baby’ (we think that they are quite huge, personally) steps to become financially fit.

1. Save $1,000 for a emergency fund

1.5 create a detailed budget through an envelope system (more on that later)

2. Pay down all debt starting with the small debt to the largest regardless of interest rate.

We already have a plan in place as to how to do this from the beginning. It is called:
giving up stuff you don’t need. Sigh.

3. Save 3-6 months expenses. (we will save 6 because we are a one-income family)

4. Contribute 15% to retirement

 

5. Contribute to your child(ren)’s college.

 

6. Pay mortgage off as fast as possible.

 

7. Gain wealth/Give- This step is inevitable if steps 1-6 happen. But I don’t really consider this the “goal” of our decision to do this. We don’t want to necessarily strive for millions of dollars, nor will that be our reality, but we do want to go to the grocery store without using a calculator, give gifts generously without feeling a “sting” in another department, and not feel burdened by our financial situation.

 

This is not some get rich quick scheme, in fact, it will take us many years to get this to be a reality. Another great fact is that we won’t be rewarded only in the end, every time we make a good decision with our money, it will FEEL GOOD. We will be putting ourselves into a better financial state every month. If it took 10 years to get the reward, there would be no point to it. No one realistically would go for that.

I have made a grocery list inventory and will use that to create a more specific grocery budget based on ONLY things that we need. You can see a snippet of that in my above picture.

To better manage our money, we have created an envelope system of spending. I will write another blog post on this. later.

All money spending areas of our lives are covered here, even the dog expenses.

This is radical, yet, the smart decision for us. I wanted to share with you all. Thanks to all who have supported us and rooted for us in this next exciting step in our lives.

Meal Planning made EASY!

 

I am really excited to talk about this! A friend of mine, Chrissy, introduced me to this website.

How Does It Work?

You choose the store. They provide the plan! Each week you will receive a brand new plan with a complete grocery list organized by sections. Each meal plan is ONLY $1.25 per week!!

      

I went to the store today and brought TWO weekly lists with me. I chose the meal plan for 2 people for 5 days through Wal-Mart.(They offer 7 days with more members with other stores to choose from) I found that the prices that they listed for pretty much on target! If some items were a little higher, some items were a little lower. I went to the store today budgeting in $90.00, I spent $79.00 and that included other items!!! I was hesitant if I could trust their listed prices but I was SHOCKED when I walked up to the little window anticipating to see three digits! I was so wrong. One list I printed estimated it would be about $32.00 and the other estimated about $42. I cut out one meal because I knew that we, and I mean, I, wouldn’t like it, so I just cut it out. It is so easy. I wished that I could list all of the advantages. Maybe I will.

I made the first meal tonight:

• Budget Beef Meal  with
• Corn on the Cob (on the grill) and
• Crusty French Bread.

I think it’s quite tasty and pretty quick!

The advantages:

• you don’t have to wonder what to cook
• the recipes are easy to follow
• the detailed grocery list leaves out all guessing
• they are common meal items
• they are family friendly
• they share items with other recipes (so no wasting!)

I am excited about it. I hope that I have intrigued your mind. If so, to sign up, click the link below. You have to pay $15.00 for three months (12 weeks of meals) of weekly lists, and you get to choose your store!

E-Mealz- Get me started!!

I have some EXCITING things to talk about with you all soon. Maybe tonight after church I can share all the neat things happening in the Maggi household. (and no, I am not expecting another baby. yet.)