Necessities

As a lot of you know Nick and I are huge Dave Ramsey fans and are currently working through his plan to become debt free. We are making lots of progress which is so exciting. God has really blessed us during this process and has provided many unexpected gifts to help us.

Nick gets paid once a month so about this time every month we start working on next month's budget. (By the way, I LOVE getting paid once a month, although at first I thought I would hate it! But, since everything we pay for is paid once a month it just makes sense! But, you do have to be careful!) As I am starting to think about this month's budget I was thinking about necessities vs. things we want. We are making so much progress on our debt and should be debt free except for our house in less than a year but I can't help but wonder how much faster that process would go if we really were spending less money on our "wants".

I think society has really skewed my view on necessities vs. wants. I have become convinced of so many things that I should have that I don't stop to think about if I really need those things. Not that we need to deny ourselves of everything, but we do need to exercise descernment. And, as soon as we are debt free we will really be able to enjoy the things we want! Like Dave says, "Live like no one else so that later you can live like no one else."

Father, I just pray that you will help me to be a good steward of Your money. Show me what I need as opposed to what I want. Help me to spend wisely so that even through spending money our family can bring glory to You.

Ready for the week!

So, I think our whole family is finally healthy again and I am ready for the week! Being sick really threw us all off! Even though I will miss Nick when he goes back to work tomorrow I am ready for life to get back to NORMAL!

We don't have much planned for the week which I am really excited about. Max is teething and is in kind of a pre-terrible 2's phase right now so a lot of time at home where I can be consistant with him is just what we need!

I am super excited for next weekend because 2 very fun things are happening! 1- I get to go to Catrina Steinmann's baby shower which I am so excited for! Christina is throwing it and she always throws FABULOUS showers! 2- our good friends Melissa and Joe Jackson are coming into town and spending Saturday night with us and part of the day Sunday! I can't wait! We haven't seen them in a long time and we always have so much fun when we get together!

I hope everyone had a fun Memorial Day weekend, despite the bad weather!

Moving Bug

Every once in awhile I catch the moving bug. It ususally doesn't last long and it doesn't happen very often, but today I definetly have it bad! I really wish we could move and be closer to family. It hits me the most during small holidays like Memorial Day or Mother's Day. Days where you really wouldn't drive 4 1/2 hours to spend with family but if they were close by you would definetly be with them. Most of our friends have family in town or within an hour so on holidays and special occassions they are hanging out with their families and we spend them alone. Not that we sit around moping. We definetly make the best of them! And we are truly content within our little family of 3 (almost 4) but I do think it is something that people who do have family around really can't relate to. Nick's family lives fairly close but they just aren't the kind of family that gets together for things like my family is.
It is especially hard living so far away when I want a date night with my hubby or my family is doing something fun I want to be a part of. I am also super close to my grandma and she really doesn't drive. So, I would give anything to be there and be able to take her to run errands once a week and things like that.
Don't get me wrong. I love where we live. I love our friends so much and we truly have a home here. But, when you have little kids it is hard being away. I want my children to have a close relationship with my parents and I want them to grow up with family around. And, even though we are close and can visit often it just isn't quite the same as being able to see them every week.
Of course, I am sure we won't move. Nick loves his job and we are just kind of tied down here for now. I guess maybe I wish we could just move all of my family here!
Anyway, I am just asking God to give me peace and to carry out His will in our lives. If that will is here than I want to have peace about living here. If it is to move than I pray that he will open doors for that and show us opportunities. Please be praying for me in these areas!

Worst place to live?

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24713234/

Who would have thought that Springfield, MO was one of the worst places in the whole country to raise a family? Interesting...

Sick for a week...

So, I have been sick for about a week now. I am about to loose my mind! I am actually "feeling" a little better but my cough is keeping me up almost all night. It started out as a fever, sore throat virus thing. I went to the doctor Friday morning and was told it was just a virus and that because I am pregnant they couldn't give me anything. Then Saturday night when I was up all night I started feeling like I was getting a UTI which can be very dangerous during pregnancy. So, Sunday morning I went to urgent care and was given some antibiotics. So, I think that is better but my cough is still going strong.
I am feeling so frustrated because I am exhausted and want to sleep but I can't. Plus, being cooped up in the house all week is rough. The weather is beautiful and there is fun stuff going on and I am trapped inside my house.
And now, Nick is getting it. It wouldn't be so bad if it didn't last so long...
Anyway, just thought I would update everyone on what's going on in my life! Sorry if it is a little whiney! Hopefully I will be in better spirits tomorrow!

My Greater Purpose

Ever since becoming a Christian about 4 years ago I have had a strong desire in my heart to do big things for God. How can you know who Jesus is and be saved by His grace and not have that desire? However, lately, as I am sure most of you stay-at-home moms can attest to, it is very hard to feel any purpose in my life!

Now first, let me put a disclaimer on that.... I LOVE being a stay-at-home mom. My husband and my son are the most important people and I know that nothing in the world is more important than investing in them full time. Which is why I said it is hard to FEEL like I have any purpose in my life.

In my head... I know I have purpose! We are making a huge sacrafice to say to God, our children, and the rest of the world that family is our main priority. I know that my being home full time and investing in them makes a difference, not only for them, but for God's kingdom. My child (soon to be children) get to hear all about God on a daily basis, have healthy home cooked meals three times a day, live with routine and consistency, and are entertained not by a television set or video games but by us and good books and carefully selected toys.

I know I could make a lot of money out in the work force and I am not going to lie, the money is appealing some days. Whenever people hear what my degree is in they ask why I don't work from home. I could work from home and make a lot of money doing so. But then, what? Park my kids in front of the televsion during the day and spend my evenings listening to my husband and little boy laugh in the other room. I might as well go sit in an office several hours a day.

But, I can't do that. My time with my children is limited. I only have them for 18 short years in my home and I need to give them my full attention. I am not bashing women who have to work. I know that there are some cases where that is necessary. And, some women choose to work and that is totally their choice.

But, I guess, sometimes it is just hard to see how this "sacrafice" has a greater purpose. Especially at the end of the day when all you have accomplished is two loads of laundry, a clean floor, wiped a nose 5 times, played Legos for an hour and a half, and read 32 books out loud it can be hard to feel like you are doing anything great for God. Or even, anything great at all.

So, I guess this is what I am struggling with right now... feeling like I have a greater purpose. In my head I know without a doubt that I am doing the most important work in the world and that this is what God wants me to do. But, I let the world get to me and tell me that if I am not doing 100 million things and am not frazzled beyond any recognition I am not serving a greater purpose.

"Father, you are an amazing God with amazing plans for all of those who love You. You know me and You know the desires of my heart and I am so grateful for that. Please help me to be content and patient and follow You. I know that what I am doing with my life right now is what You would have me to be doing. Please give me Your peace that I may know that I am doing the right thing and show me ways that I can greater fill Your purposes for my life. Help me to shut out the lies of the world when they tell me I need to "get a job" or suggest my current career is "temporary and that one day I will have a real job." Help me to be a better wife and mother every single day as that is what you have called me to do. Thank you for allowing me to do this very important work for You. I know that raising children that are sold out for You is a very high calling and I pray that You will help me to accomplish this task. I know that it will only be possible through you! Thank you for being a God who hears our prayers and allows us to struggle! I love you so much!" Amen!

Yesterday I got a call from the paramedics around 4:10 p.m. My sister Emily had been walking to CCH and began having major seizures. Thankfully, a campus security guy was walking by and she was able to flag him down and by the amazing grace of God he also happened to be an EMT! Emily ended up having 5 major seizures before getting to the hospital. Nick and I were able to drop Max off with the most amazing friends in the entire world, Wyatt and Christina, and be there with her. It was such a blessing to have Nick there because Emily was totally out of it from all of the medication they had given her so I was a little shaken up. Anyway, she is doing okay now. She is staying with us which we are happy about and my mom is coming down today. Emily is doing okay but I think she is very scared. I can't imagine what it must feel like to have this going on with your body and not have any control over it and not know the cause. She handles it so well and I am so proud of her. Please pray for her whenever you get a chance, specifically in these ways:

• as she takes her finals starting tomorrow after going through this totally traumatic experience, pray for her to have the peace that only God can give in times like these
• in two weeks as she spends a week in the hospital undergoing lots of tests, please pray that they will be able to figure this out and even solve this problem!
• praise God for how he works in amazing ways! We are so thankful for the security guard being nearby! We are also so thankful that we were in town, we were supposed to be at a wedding up in K.C. that started at 4 but my doctor does not want me traveling so we had to stay home... praise God! We are also incredibly thankful for Emily's awesome roommate who was at the hospital before we even got there and stayed with us the whole time, what an amazing friend!
• pray for my mom, it is so hard to watch her child suffer when there is nothing she can do, pray that God gives her peace and wisdom

Thank you so much for your love and support during this time!

Hormonal

I really look forward to when Sophie gets here! For me, one of the hardest parts of being pregnant is dealing with the hormones. I consider myself a pretty happy and upbeat person so dealing with hormones is really hard for me. Today I am just having one of those days. I want to just sit around and cry! But, there is NOTHING wrong! I find that so frustrating!
But, I guess aside from that everything in our little house is going great! Max is doing fabulously and learning so much! We are really enjoying the fruits of our labor in training him to sleep because he is such a good sleeper now! I remember when he was little having to listen to him cry for hours because he didn't want to sleep but was totally exhausted! But, those days are no more... and haven't been for awhile but we are just now seeing the full effect of using the BabyWise method with our little guy. Since he knows that bed time is bed time no matter what he totally joyfully goes to bed now! The other night I asked him if he needed more milk or if he was ready to brush his teeth and go "night night". He shouts "teeth!" jumps up and runs to the bathroom to brush his teeth. Then he sits and brushes his teeth! I then said, "okay, it is time for night night" So, he runs into his room, grabs his blankie and tries to climb into his crib himself! We picked him up, gave him kisses, layed him down, shut the door and didn't hear from him again until 8am the next day! And, this is basically how it goes every night!
I love the BabyWise sleep method because it has totally allowed Nick and I to be on the same page and always be consistant with Max. Having a toddler has made me realize how consistancy is so essential to their little world. They are SO much happier when they know what to expect and know what their boundaries are! Not to mention, that using BabyWise has allowed us to still be a married couple! Max goes to bed between 7:30 and 8:15 and then we still get to have 2 hours of quality time together before we go to bed. Last night Max went to bed and then we sat drinking tea/coffee and chatting for like an hour and a half and it was just so nice and relaxing!
Anyway, that is what is going on in our house! Hopefully everyone is doing well and staying healthy!
Love, Katie

52%

So, I am having one of those nights where I can't sleep! But, I am sitting in bed playing on the computer. Well, as a lot of you know my hubby is a sleep walker/sleep talker. So, a few minutes ago I was sitting here looking at stuff online and Nick sits straight up in bed with a great big smile on his face. So, I ask him what he is up to and he responds:
"I don't know, but if I am elected I think life here in America will improve by 52%... Thank you and goodnight" And he lays back down!
He is so funny! I just had to share!

self-controlled

On Tuesday night we had some great friends from church over for dinner, the Clevenger's. We had such a fun evening! It was so fun to get to know them better and to learn more about them. Jacqueline is such a neat lady and she is just one of those people who seems to radiate Christ's love wherever she goes. While they were visiting they mentioned that they had fasted from all television for two years earlier in their marriage and that it was the best two years of their marriage. Wow! I can't imagine giving up T.V. for two years! But, long story short(er) it got me thinking about fasting. I have to admit, fasting is not a spiritual discipline I have really ever thought much about or really taken on. However, I absoltuly see its value. Especially when you give up something that is taking away your relationship with God or family. When I started thinking about this idea a Bible verse from Titus popped into my head... "Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands so that no one will malign the word of God" Titus 2:4-5.

It kind of hit me- self-controlled... I really lack self control in a lot of different areas in my life and I am NOT okay with this! I will not go into great detail because no one really wants to sit and list all of their faults for the world (or my faithful blog readers!) to look at! But, one area where I have always lacked self-control is in eating and specifically eating out. I love eating out. I think now that I have a family a lot of what I love about it is the conveniece more than the food but all the same I love it. Whether it is a quick burger at McDonalds, a fun lunch at Chili's or a fancy evening out at Nakkato... I love it all. And, I know that there is nothing wrong with eating out. However, it isn't okay to be controlled by something. In some weird way I have let eating out control my life. My desire to eat out on a regular basis is a large part of my struggle with weight and has been part of our struggle with finances. I have let it take over some of my life. I am sure it has hurt me in other areas as well.

I want to be able to enjoy eating out and make it a small part of my life. But, the last few days it has been on my heart that maybe our family should fast from eating out so that we can give it an appropriate place in our lives again. I have seen so much good that comes out of our eating at home as I have thought about it this week

• we eat meals that are much healthier... who knows what is in restraunt food?
• we have quiet time as a family around our dinner table... there is something very special about eating at your own home with your own little family
• we are able to teach our son good eating habits, good table manners, and talk about healthy food choices
• I am able to serve my husband and son through preparing a meal for them... and often my husband turns around and serves me by taking care of the clean-up!
• we are all less distracted while eating
• we save so much money by eating at home

So, I will be praying about this a little more... but I think our family is going to fast from all eating out for 30 days! I think it will be hard but everytime I want to just grab something to eat I will have the opportunity to thank God for providing for our family with healthy foods to eat at home and our wonderful family to eat with. I really think this time will help us to become better stewards of what God has given us and will bring us closer as a family which is always a good thing!

Please pray for our family as we take this on! I hope I haven't blabbed too much and that this entry makes sense! Have a blessed day!