First Days Of School!

Onto Second Grade! Ben was more than excited to be heading back to school. Mostly, he wanted to see all the friends he'd missed over summer break. Ben loves everything about school! In typical Ben fashion, he had his clothes, including shoes with socks inside, laid out the night before. His backpack was ready with his favorite book these days (Harry Potter #4) and the Nintendo DS (for the bus ride). He was ready!

 There was no way he needed (or wanted) me to take him to school. He'd miss the friends who ride the bus, of course. I love that he's so social, and makes friends every where. He enjoys people and talking -it fills him up! We made it to the bus stop with the bus waiting, and Ben anxious to get on the bus, obliged me with a quick picture and smile. "Love you mom!" and he was off! Ben is a mature kid. He's smart. He is out to do good and follow rules. He loves school and learning. I am so glad that he is growing into such an amazing capable young man.

 Kade's in Kindergarten!! I can't believe it; he's been waiting to be here forever! Kade started the week after Ben did, and so I enjoyed two "first day of school"days. I loved that I got the chance to focus mainly on Kade and his first day in big kid school. We had visited with his teacher the week before, and he was able to show off his amazing self! Of course, the teachers fell in love with Kade and his quick humor and incredibly outgoing personality. But, of course, they were so impressed by his reading and how easily he completed all the math questions. He is reading well into first grade level! And his math is into first grade level too. Joe and I couldn't be more proud of our Kader-bum and how much he's grown and how much he knows!

 I love so much that Kade is super social and excited about life in general. He's always positive and ready to try anything! There was no fear and nerves for this kid -but, of course, that's Kade!!

 Standing proud outside the front doors.

Even though Kade really wanted to ride the bus with Ben and all the big kids on day one, I asked (almost begged) him to let me take him to his actual class "just once." He indulged his mama (thanks Kade!) and I got to take him for his first day of elementary. He walked in confidently, found his name and name tag, hung his backpack up, was ready to start the day! Bring on Kindergarten; this kid is ready!

This Kid! Incredible!

It has been very well documented through this blog that Ben loves to read. Since his last birthday he has read the first three Harry Potter books. He recently bought the fourth book (for $2 on the yard sale page -score!) And immediately started reading it -literally- he started reading it in the car on the way home from picking it up.
This book is has over 700 pages in it! And, tonight Ben says to me, "Mom! I'm in the 500's! That means I only have 200 pages to go!" This kid is incredible! I love his thirst to read! And, not only can he read the words, he comprehends them too. This is a Jr. high school level book! And, anything he doesn't know he asks about and understands. He just soaks everything in. It's incredible to watch this boy who isn't even 8 yet, absorb so much, and LOVE IT, and want more books. (Oh, and did I mention, he's read a couple "little chapter books" since starting this one.) He's made it through 500 pages, and has read a few other (ten chapters or so each) books on the side, and he got this book just a little over a month ago! Incredible! It blows me away. Keep it up Ben Ben! We will never let you run out of books to read!

Turning Little Jars into Shoes and Bricks

The Lord once preformed a miracle and turned water into wine. Well, in my life, He's done miracle's for me, and in one instance turned pint sized mason jars into church shoes and landscaping bricks. :)

Recently I've started selling things via a online yard sale page. It's been really simple and has helped me de-clutter my house while making money at the same time. As a homemaker, part of my job is to manage the money well. I haven't always been good at it, but as I have grown and learned, I know more ways to cut back costs. I have often prayed for help in doing just that. Yard Sale-ing has been a HUGE blessing to me. The Lord has literally given me a way to help bring in a little extra cash in place of all the stuff we no longer need.

Today, was just *too* perfect a set up to not see as a blessing and an obvious gift from the Lord. It may seem very small, and not all that impressive to anyone else, but to me, it was just incredible. :)

The Little Jars ~First thing this morning, I was meeting a lady to sell a bunch of pint sized mason jars too. I know I will not use for at least the next year or more; I just don't want to can these days, and soon the baby will be here and my hands will be full. (Plus, I love having the open space on my garage shelves!) I was selling them for $8.

The Shoes~ Last week we shopped for school shoes. (Ben is now a size 13.) Then Sunday he mentioned his church shoes were too tight. I thought, "Man, we were just there. We could have gotten church shoes. I guess we'll get them some time this week." Then, our of nowhere, a post appears on the yard sale page. "Boys Church Shoes size 13, $3!"  PERFECT!

The Bricks~ months ago we had a stone/brick-ish wall put up in our front yard. We paid for a certain amount of bricks, but after a few unforeseen stacking needs, we ended up being about 20 bricks short of what we needed. So, our wall has been unfinished for months. Despite Joe reminding me over and over, I never remembered to call the landscape place to have them deliver bricks. (Each brick is anywhere form $4-$6) Last night while looking at the yard sale page, up popped a post for landscaping wall bricks .25 a piece!!! They look very similar in color to mine. I could now buy 20 bricks for $5 instead of $100 give or take!! It was an incredible savings!

So , incase you haven't made the connection....I made $8 this morning for my little pints jars, bought shoes for $3, and bricks for $5. And EVEN swap! My little glass jars literally turned into shoes and bricks for me. I am so thankful that the Lord takes care of our needs and wants. When we desire to do good, He helps us find ways to do it. I want to save money, be more frugal and I am working at it, and this little miracle in my day proves that He is mindful of me and my goals. He will help me achieve great things (like getting out of debt) through small and simple things (like saving money on shoes and bricks.) I am just thankful.

Superman Lives Here

Superman has moved in! For the last couple days, Carter has been better known as "Pooper Man"  (that's how he says Super Man) hahaha. We love it. And, we all call him Superman. I've endulged him and have let him wear the cape to the store. Nothin' cuter!! Love this kid!