9.19.14 Daybook :: Online Journal

Posted by Jenny on Sep 19, 2014 in Blog, Daybooks, Family Life, My Life | 0 comments

Welcome to my Daybook.  This is my online journal to keep a record of my days.  If you keep your own Daybook or online journal, please leave a link in the comments so we can visit.

 

Thanking God for…

::being married to Chris for 22 years today
::sticking it out–there is so much beauty on the other side
::the 7 children God has blessed us with
::although being sick for 6 weeks, our bodies remain strong enough to fight
::hot baths
::the smell of Vick’s Vapor Rub
::modern medicine–breathing treatments/antibiotics/codeine!

 

Praying for…
I am praying for my sweet Anna who has remained well this whole time…but is now feeling a bit run down. I am offering prayers of thanksgiving for an awesome pediatrician who will call in prescriptions for me too since I have the same thing all the lovely kiddies have. And prayers of gratitude for our friends who have brought us meals. We didn’t realize how much we needed them until they started coming. This especially relieved a huge burden of cooking and cleaning off the big girls when they were feeling better than momma.

 

Pondering…
The art or the habit of “offering it up.” I pretty much stink at it. All this time I’ve had literal pain and suffering, plus lots of sleeplessness and then just everyday annoyances magnified by a house full of really sick people…and my “offering it up” skills are infantile at best and usually said on the way to the medicine cabinet to seek relief.

So the premise of offering it up is that whatever trial, pain or suffering comes along, we offer it in union with our Lord’s suffering or we offer it for the good of another. So, an easy physical example would be when you see a person crying and you just go sit with them. You offer your presence as a comfort to them. In the same way spiritually, you take your suffering or trial and take it alongside Jesus or someone else who is hurting and you join them together to offer consolation.

I’m typically too busy trying to count on my fingers if it’s time for more medicine. A work in progress I definitely am.

 

Reading…
A free Bible. I took an online survey and received this Bible for free. First, it’s not Catholic so it’s missing some books. But other than that, I really love this Bible. It’s perfect size for my purse, the paper is awesome–no bleed when I mark in it, and I do like this translation sometimes. But let me tell you the greatest thing about it, since it was free, I’m not afraid to mark in it.

Now, I’m not coloring it like a child’s coloring book, but I have no fear in marking certain passages the “right way.” I love this freedom to highlighting, use colored pencils, add sticky notes, tabs or written notes in the margins.

This is the Bible I’ve been reading Philippians out of recently. I’ve also been sleeping with it under my pillow. Each night as I fall asleep, I fall asleep pondering these words, “The Word of God is living and active.” †Hebrews 4:12 And it’s under my pillow y’all!

 

Crocheting…
I’m still slowly working on Leo’s blanket and a blanket for Bernadette. But I’ve been sick and busy taking care of sick people. I’m a bit behind…what did I say above? I’m a work in progress in more ways than one.

 

Blogging…
You may notice some broken links or a few other glitches. Late one night I switched The Littlest Way.com with The Littlest Way.org. Confused? I own both of the domain address, plus (.net) and had been using the .com for this site, The Littlest Way, which is more of a personal, “Legacy Blogging” platform. Then I fired back up The Littlest Way “…for Catholic Women” but had to put it at the .org since the .com was already being used. Well it makes no sense to have the more public of the two at the .org now does it? So a very kind customer service rep at Bluehost–which they all are, they have the best customer service along with Mad Mimi–helped me make the switch, the great flip flop late one night of 2014. But there are a few bugs here and there, one of which is the email feed…ack!

You all are true soldiers to go through all these switches with me. Here’s the deal, I know what I’m supposed to be doing. I have just struggled with how it is supposed to look–God’s left some of that up to me. I know that I know that I know–I am supposed to be blogging in a community and joining alongside you all to read, study and meditate on the Word of God as beautiful, joyfilled, compassionate, empathetic sisters in Christ. Each time I try to stop doing that, thinking it takes too much time, or it’s not the right time, I am ever so gently nudged otherwise. So I try to obey, but myself gets in the way–makes sense?

So the new plan, the real-deal plan is to just do it. It may not look all “I will blog on these specific days with this specific plan” but it will look like, “Hey girls, let’s spend some quality time together with each other and God.”

 

Listening to…
The washing machine, kids watching Anne of Green Gables , a couple of us coughing and the air conditioner running.

But on repeat out here on the small farm this week…or in the car on the way to the doctor’s office for our usual 2-3 times a week visit right now…

Come to Me by Jamie Grace

 

 

Holding On by Jamie Grace

 

Overwhelmed by Big Daddy Weave

 

In the Kitchen…
Friends, our friends have been in our kitchen. Not literally, they are rightfully afraid of catching this respiratory virus from hell. But their plastic bowls, and casserole dishes and aluminum foil pans have graced our kitchen counters. They have brought food for our pantry like cereal, pasta and soup. Made grocery runs for me to purchase yogurt and popsicles. Some of them I haven’t even had a chance to thank yet…it’s coming girls.

 

Saving Money…
This Daybook is getting long enough, you’d think we haven’t chatted much in a couple of weeks…oh wait…let me just say, Anna and I are on a mission to cut our grocery bill down. We set a goal to pay off out house five years from the purchase date. That date comes up March of 2015. We are about 1 year behind our schedule. We are going to try to make that year up or get as close as we can in the next six months.

Anna and I have started using coupons and other money saving techniques which I will blog about because The Littlest Way is about our whole entire lives spent knowing, loving and serving God…yes, even at the grocery store.

 

Looking Ahead…
We are chasing the rabbit y’all. My prayer is that we are semi well enough to pick up our school books, grab a mop and vacuum and get things caught back up around here.

 

Captured…

 

My view from “The Breathing Treatment Chair.”

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8.24.14 Daybook :: Online Journal

Posted by Jenny on Aug 23, 2014 in Blog, Daybooks, Family Life, My Life | 0 comments

Welcome to my Daybook.  This is my online journal where I record our days.  If you keep a Daybook or online journal, please leave a link in the comments so we can visit.

 

Thanking God for…
::older daughters who are my right hand girls
::strong antibiotics for Luke who has pneumonia…in the summer…surprise!
::a short ER visit…3 hours…haha!
::Teaching Textbooks Math…3rd, 5th, 7th, Algebra 1 and Geometry
::Seton and Mother of Divine Grace Homeschool Programs
::the ability to tailor our learning needs to our children
::neighbors who will fix my lawn mower
::neighbor who will help my children break their new horse

 

Praying for…
I have been placing Chris, our family and farm under the protection of St. Michael the Archangel. An intentional and fruitful school year.

 

Pondering…
I am pondering the insidiousness of the evil one. I am pondering how easy it is to listen to the opinion of others and form the judgments they have already formed and are leading us to without consulting ourselves or God first. I am pondering the damaging effects of slander and gossip, jealousy and anger.

 

Listening to…
It is supposed to be rest and quiet…It’s not. I also hear the washing machine and dryer doing their thing.

 

Reading…
St Paul’s Letter of Joy, the Book of Philippians.

My Bible

The 4:8 Principle: The Secret to a Joy-Filled Life

 

Learning…
We were planning on starting school this week, but pneumonia, various doctors appointments and other circumstances have pushed it back one week…kind of. We started math and family school today. The rest will be added next week,

 

Saving Money…
My girls, especially Anna, and I are tackling our grocery bill. The cost of groceries is outrageous and I need to be super intentional about how I use our money. I meal plan and shop from a list already. I sometimes price match at Walmart. (I used to be better about this than I have been lately.) I’m going to start using coupons again. Again, I used to do this some. I’m picking this practice back up again–couponing/sale shopping/price matching. Not to the extreme, like I hear there is a show about, but to be a good steward of the money we have and the items we buy.

 

Let me give you an example of something I stumbled onto that is so simple and easy/  It’s called Ibotta.  I literally sat in the car in the Walmart parking lot for a few extra minutes, unlocked some saving by looking at a recipe, reading a tip or answering a question on my phone (It’s a FREE app) and then walked in the store and bought things already on my list…bread (any bread!), milk (any milk), diapers, ground beef (any brand), juice…you get the idea.  When I got home, I verified my purchases (a couple of minutes) and then took a picture of my receipt (I had to do this twice so let’s say 5 minutes) and within the hour, I had a balance of $6.25 sitting in my account!!  At $5 I can have it transferred to my paypal account!!  Sorry for all the exclamation points but come on!!!  This is an affiliate link for Ibotta and I would love it if you signed up.  First, I want you to score some cash because…groceries are crazy expensive.  And second, if you sign up using my affiliate code I get a little kick back when you sign up.

 

In the Kitchen…
I had planned to make some freezer meals over the weekend but didn’t. So this week I will work on getting some things frozen for our upcoming business of school, piano lessons, Bernadette teaching piano, soccer times 6 in three different places, etc…Oh yeah, still following Trim Healthy Mama…Yeah!!

 

Captured…

 She won’t let us touch her much less ride her, but she sure is pretty to look at!

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8.9.14 Daybook :: Online Journal

Posted by Jenny on Aug 9, 2014 in Blog, Daybooks, Family Life, My Life | 0 comments

Welcome to my Daybook.  This is my online journal where I keep a record of our days.  If you keep a Daybook or Online Journal, please leave a link in the comments so we can visit.

 

Thanking God for…
::Chris’ faithful service to our family
::time tested friendship
::storm tested friendship
::spiritual direction
::the lovely, mild summer we’ve had
::each one of the joys and gifts my have children possess
::ceiling fans
::a horse!

 

Praying for…
I have been placing Chris and our family and farm under the protection of St Michael the Archangel.

 

Pondering…
Money. I got ready to say, “Life is expensive.” But in some instances, life is as expensive as we make it. We’re in a season right now where I’ve just had to purchase school books for six children, four children will begin soccer in a couple of weeks, one child already began and this year it’s competitive, and three take piano lessons. Those are not “necessary” but they are needed…and each one costs money which stretches us thin. Then there is food, clothing and shelter; you know, the basics.

I have been stressed about money lately, especially our grocery bill. Surely I can’t be the only one to notice that a box of Walmart crackers I paid .98 for a couple of years ago is now more than double! Generic crackers…not steak! I just saw the other day that Money Saving Mom is offering Grocery University for super sale to day…like starting at $2.97 early this morning and then gradually increasing by $1 each hour. I jumped on that deal…and became an affiliate. I need some ideas to cut our grocery bill and to have them all in one place for under $5 with printables…sign me up!

 

Listening to…
Nothing…yet. The house is still quiet which will change very, very shortly I’m sure.

 

Reading…
I’m reading Paul’s Letter to the Philippians along with rereading The 4:8 Principle: The Secret to a Joy-Filled Life. I would love the company.

My Bible

And the Ignatius Catholic Study Bible for reference.

10 Gifts of Wisdom: What Every Child Must Know Before They Leave Home

 

Learning…
We start school next week. Oh boy! This going to be a great year…I keep repeating to myself. I’ll post more about our learning year separately.

 

In the Kitchen…
Meh. When my mind is occupied elsewhere, it’s hard to be focused on menu planning, especially in the summer I find. I’m still following Trim Healthy Mama and feeling great. I’m stuck in an addictive rut of a yummy shake for breakfast. I like how quick and easy it is and then I would rather have my eggs or something for lunch. Here’s my current favorite shake recipe. It started out as the Trim Healthy Mama Fat Stripping Frappe, but I tweaked it.
1 dropper B12 Liquid (my addition)
3-5 drops D3 Liquid (my addition)
1/2 Cup Almond Milk
1/2 Cup Water
1/4 Cup Cream (my addition)
2 Squares Dark Chocolate (kind of my addition, they mention it as a possible addition)
A couple of ice cubes of frozen coffee or a slight shake of some instant coffee grounds (kind of my addition, they mention as a possible addition)
1 Scoop Protein Powder
1 Tablespoon Cocoa Powder
1 Tablespoon Coconut Oil (my addition)
23 Ice Cubes
I blend all this up in my Ninja (Which is AWESOME. We use the Ninja everyday at least twice a day.) Mmmmm, I’m hungry and thirsty! I think part of my addiction is because it’s summer.

 

Captured…

 

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8.2.14 Daybook :: Online Journal

Posted by Jenny on Aug 2, 2014 in Blog, Daybooks, Family Life, My Life | 0 comments

Welcome to my Daybook. This is my Online Journal where I keep record of our days. If you keep a Daybook or Online Journal, leave a link in the comments so we can visit.

In the past two weeks…

 

1. I’ve had my feelings hurt and removed part of a post because it hurt someone else’s feeling.

2. Been bawled out and bawled my eyes out.

3. Tried to understand and been misunderstood.

4. Kept silent here and in person because what I think may be a bad day/week/life shouldn’t be taken out on anyone else.  period. ever.

5. I’ve laughed so hard with Chris and the kids watching Tim Hawkins.

6. Enjoyed a staycation and bought some yarn.

7. Helped Chris pick out a new phone and mow the farm.

8. Visited an orthopedic office for one child’s Achilles Tendinitis and an Urgent care so another child could receive the gift of four stitches.

9. Cheered at an all day soccer tournament for one child and sent another to a Team Leader training weekend.

10. I’ve felt like my head was about to explode because I’m overwhelmed and felt like my heart was going to break because I’m sad.

11. Ordered Geometry books for one child and diapers for anther…Algebra 1 for another child and beginning phonics for yet another.

12. Paid bills, read my Bible, washed dishes, pulled weeds (both physically and spiritually), stayed up too late and gotten up too early.

13. Sold some books and bought a folding wagon.

14. Took a selfie (backwards) in front of a dirty bathroom mirror and cleaned finger prints off the front door and back door.

 

 

 

I am a blessed and broken child of God.  Part of me wants to tell others, “I’m doing the best I can.  I’m sorry if it’s not good enough or pretty enough for you; let me fix that.”  And the other part of me wants to shout, “I’m doing the best I can and if it’s not good enough or pretty enough for you…too bad.”  Instead…see #4 above.

 

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