Finer Things Friday: Freedom
Posted on | July 2, 2009 | 6 Comments
My absolute, all-time favorite patriotic song, by Lee Greenwood.
If tomorrow all the things were gone,
I’d worked for all my life.
And I had to start again,
with just my children and my wife.I’d thank my lucky stars,
to be livin here today.
‘ Cause the flag still stands for freedom,
and they can’t take that away.And I’m proud to be an American,
where at least I know I’m free.
And I wont forget the men who died,
who gave that right to me.And I gladly stand up,
next to you and defend her still today.
‘ Cause there ain’t no doubt I love this land,
God bless the USA.From the lakes of Minnesota,
to the hills of Tennessee.
Across the plains of Texas,
From sea to shining sea.From Detroit down to Houston,
and New York to L.A.
Well there’s pride in every American heart,
and its time we stand and say.That I’m proud to be an American,
where at least I know I’m free.
And I wont forget the men who died,
who gave that right to me.And I gladly stand up,
next to you and defend her still today.
‘ Cause there ain’t no doubt I love this land,
God bless the USA.And I’m proud to be and American,
where at least I know I’m free.
And I wont forget the men who died,
who gave that right to me.And I gladly stand up,
next to you and defend her still today.
‘ Cause there ain’t no doubt I love this land,
God bless the USA.
God Bless the USA!
What Finer Things are you celebrating this week? Link up! Please link to your post and leave a link back here. Have a great 4th!
Mommy, Come Home: Hire Yourself
Posted on | July 2, 2009 | 11 Comments
** If this is your first visit to the Mommy, Come Home series, you may want to start here. Welcome! **
Yesterday’s post was inspiration for young families who are just starting out. Rachel challenged us to dream and plan for our children from the get-go! Today, Beth offers her perspective on the transition from balancing a corporate America job with family time to Coming Home full-time.
When asking “Can we do it? Can we afford for me to Come Home?” one thing Beth demonstrates is to hire yourself. Is there anything you are spending money to have done for you that you could do yourself? Day care expenses, landscaping and lawn care, house keeper, dry cleaning, convenience foods/takeout/restaurant eating… the list is understandably long for some busy families.
The cost of working outside the home goes much deeper than childcare and work-related expenses. Time is money, and for some it may pay to add up the savings of a do-it-yourself lifestyle.
…I left my baby from 6:30 am until 5:30 pm with a family member. I only got to see my son in the evenings and on weekends. Nobody told me how difficult it would be returning to work and the other mothers seemed to transition back with ease…
…We hadn’t made any preparations or even thought about the option of me staying at home. I just thought I’d go back to work like I saw every other mother at my job do…
…I began praying every day that God would make a way for me to come home. And I made a promise to myself that I was going to do whatever it took to be at home with my child. It was a dream four years in the making…
…From the outside looking in I had it all: a great career and a beautiful family. We lived very comfortably on two salaries. I never really had to think twice about buying anything. We paid someone to watch our kids, clean our house, mow our lawn and do landscaping, exterminate our home, and the list goes on and on…
…I realized that my children needed me more than they needed things. As a working mom I was so busy I never had time to spend with my kids. Our weekends and evenings were spent running errands and shopping. Now that I’m at home I can give my children the gift of my time- both quantity and quality. And they are worth every sacrifice I’ve made to do that…
Be sure to visit Beth to read the rest of her encouraging story and see the steps they took to prepare financially for the transition from two incomes to one.
How do you save money by hiring yourself? Is there an expense in your budget that could be eliminated with a do-it-yourself plan of action?
This post is linked to Family Friday and Frugal Friday.
Tags: do-it-yourself > eliminating expenses > Mommy Come Home > stay at home mom
Mommy, Come Home: A Solid Beginning
Posted on | July 1, 2009 | 6 Comments
For my readers who aren’t yet married, or who don’t yet have children… this post’s for you! I was ecstatic when Rachel contacted me about sharing her unique perspective in the Mommy, Come Home series. As a young couple who haven’t yet had children, Rachel and her husband are to be commended for planning now. Preparing now.
…Since we entered into our marriage knowing that I will stay home with our children, we lived frugally during the next 2 1/2 years. We saved money given to us when we married, income from odd jobs, and once John David started working we kept our standard of living the same as it was in college to save! By keeping our standard of living the same and continuing to fine-tune our frugality we were able to purchase our first affordable home in December 2008 (with a 20% down payment)!…
…My earnings are not figured into the family budget because we don’t want to rely on my income at all…
…We know we will have to make material sacrifices, keep our hand-me down furniture, continue shopping at thrift stores, eat out rarely and stick to the tight grocery budget but it will be worth it because our children will be our wealth!…
“Our children will be our wealth.” Isn’t that just goosebump-inducing fantastic?!
Such promise and wisdom from a young married couple. Be sure to click over to read the rest of Rachel’s story.
If you are reading this and wish you could turn back the clock for a “do over” of your first years of marriage, take heart. There are definitely things we would do differently, too (like NOT taking out a 30 year loan for our first home… oy!) Don’t fret about the past. Learn from your mistakes. Make good choices now.
*** Many of you have written asking about topics you’d like to see and specific questions you’d like to have answered in this series. Keep those emails coming. I will do my best to get to them all, but also understand that you’re just dealing with a mama here… I’m no expert on any topic!
Summer Recipes
Posted on | June 30, 2009 | 6 Comments
Don’t miss the party at We Are THAT Family! We’re sharing our best summer recipes. My contribution? Summer Desserts! These are our favorites…
Ideal Bite
Posted on | June 30, 2009 | 2 Comments
Have you heard of Ideal Bite? I don’t usually sign up for newsletters (don’t care for a lot of stuff in my inbox that I don’t have time to read), but was excited when this one was brought to my attention. It’s geared for moms who want to make green changes, but don’t want to be overwhelmed with information and lots of change (Oh! Oh! That’s me!). They call it “light-green.” I love that!
And the daily news? It comes in perfect BITE-sized pieces of helpful info, just for moms. Right now, when you sign up, you are automatically entered for a chance to win a Walt Disney World Resort vacation. Fun!
*** To be entered in the Disney sweeps, you must sign up before midnight tonight! (6/30/09)
Tags: eco-friendly tips > ideal bite > ideal bite sweepstakes > tips for going green
Precious Life
Posted on | June 29, 2009 | 9 Comments
Check out this little sweetheart. My sister and brother-in-law were blessed with this precious boy yesterday; their first.
My children had a ball meeting their newest cousin. Oh, what fun is a brand new baby. They have God’s Promises written all over their sweet faces!
Happy BIRTHday, Little One!
This post is linked to Gratituesday and Talk About Tuesday.
Fast Food Fake Out
Posted on | June 28, 2009 | 5 Comments
You know you shouldn’t eat it, but it tastes so good. Right? Um… go visit Monica and her little Happy Meal experiment. You’ll be sorry, but do it anyway.
Menu Plan, Week of June
Posted on | June 28, 2009 | 7 Comments
Don’t miss these Caramel Pretzel Sparklers. They’d be a fun addition to your 4th of July celebration! (My camera is MIA — my apologies for the photo quality.)
Between harvest, some spontaneity and a family funeral, we didn’t get through many of our planned meals last week. So, what my menu lacks in originality, it makes up for in ease!
Excuse the repeats, but don’t be surprised if you see them again next week… there’s still lots of farming to be done, three ballgames, and my sister is having a baby had a baby boy while I was typing this up! 
Another full week ahead!
Sunday, June 28
- fried eggs, cinnamon biscuits
- clean out the fridge (taco salad, hamburgers, guacamole)
- Lance and the kids are at the farm, but I’m feasting on steak salad and Buster Bar Dessert
Breakfast Options
- steak/potato/egg scramble
- oatmeal topped with fresh fruit or raisins
- homemade granola
- scrambled eggs with cheese, muffins or toast
- pancakes
- Sausage and Gravy Breakfast Pizza
Lunch/Dinner/Supper Options – with squash and zucchini from the garden; I picked my first today!
- sloppy joes, deviled eggs
- Monterrey Chicken Quesadillas
- ranch chicken and bacon pasta salad
- homemade pizza
- waffles, eggs, bacon
Snacks/Meal Fillers
- veggies and dip
- fresh fruit
- smoothies
- sandwiches
- homemade pudding
Have a great week and a happy and SAFE 4th of July! Look to OrgJunkie for a plethora of menu ideas.
Caramel Pretzel Sparklers
Posted on | June 28, 2009 | 28 Comments
This fun salty/sweet treat is a cinch to put together with just four ingredients. They can of course be adjusted and made for any holiday, but we especially enjoy the festive Independence Day look.
Caramel Pretzel Sparklers
- 1 package rod pretzels
- 1 package caramel apple wrap
- 6 squares almond bark
- festive sprinkles
1. Slice caramel sheets into 4 or 5 strips (a pizza cutter works well for this).
2. Wrap strips of caramel around pretzel rods.
3. Melt almond bark according to package directions. Spoon over caramel-wrapped pretzels. Allow excess to drip off.
4. Sprinkle with festive sugar decorations.
Fun to use as edible table decorations or fun party favors. Enjoy!
This recipe is linked to
- Fourth of July Recipe Swap
- Grocery Cart Challenge
- Hooked on Fridays
- Tasty Tuesday
- Tempt my Tummy Tuesday
Tags: 4th of july crafts > 4th of July recipes > 4th of July table decorations > caramel pretzel sparklers > Independence Day recipes
Finer Things Friday: Spontaneity and Surprises
Posted on | June 25, 2009 | 10 Comments
My children have no idea, but in exactly 1 hour and 12 minutes we are going to hit the road. On our agenda? Cheering on their cousins at a t-ball game (stopping at *gasp* McDonald’s on the way!), and then spending the night with those cousins. Oh, the excitement! We might even do a “kid swap” tomorrow and have the girls come back with me and the boys all stay at my brother’s house for yet another night.
I love pulling fun summertime surprises on my children!
And I love being the Best Mommy, Ever! 
It’s a Finer Thing!
What Finer Things are you celebrating this week? Link up and let us know! As always, please link to your post and not your homepage, and leave a link back here so your readers can join in the fun.
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