Welcome to my weekly Daybook post here at The Littlest Way. This is a post where I gather all the ordinary things that happen or are happening in my day to day. Things like what I’m reading or listening to…eating and cleaning and learning…These are the small moments that make up my blessed daily life and I want to remember them. I would love to read your Daybook, just leave it in the comments section below. You can use my prompts or make up your own to include items important to you; mine change depending on season and circumstance.
Thanking God for…
::safe trip to and from Florida
::an awesome family vacation–our first in 7 years
::visiting 4 different beaches
::our home parish
::a friend to watch the farm while we were away
::kind words of encouragement while Bernadette is spending the summer in Florida
::fish tacos!
::sunscreen
::my Old Navy denim dress that doubled nicely as a cover up
Praying…
My oldest is spending the summer in Florida discerning if she will move there or come back home. Nothing changes a mother’s prayers than to have one of her children in another state! I’m also praying for Chris as he tackles some new work. And for myself–I have a lot of things to do and I need to do them in an orderly manner, on time and well.
Pondering…
God and parenting a young adult child.
Listening to…
This very moment? A fan in the office. The air conditioning is broken on this end of the house. Thankfully the other end–we live in a ranch style home–is still working. They are 32 years old so I would say they have served their time well. But, summer in Oklahoma…we need to get this baby fixed or replaced quickly!!
Reading…
My large print Bible
Bible Journaling…
I’ve been doing more verse mapping over Bible journaling lately. I think the kids and I will sit down some day this week and do some Bible journaling together.
Around the House…
Well, we’ve already talked about my broken air conditioner…I’m so glad to be home. I was afraid I would get to Florida, spend time in a grand home and visit beautiful beaches and want to stay. I did spend time in a grand home and loved every minute on the beaches, but I love my little farm and was so happy to be back on it! Our friends who we stayed with, the woman is a very organized and neat homemaker. Of course she doesn’t live with eight children 4-16…but I am hoping to be better organized in my own home after spending a week in theirs.
In the Kitchen…
Dinners:
Trim Train Taco Soup
Cowboy Grub
Wicked White Chili
Crockpot Chicken
Beans and Rice
Taco Salad
Potato Soup
Lunches:
Sandwiches
Waldorf Cottage Cheese Salad
Salads (a couple of days with crispy salmon)
Breakfasts:
Muesli
Shakes
Eggs and bacon
Cereal
Our Domestic Church…
Father’s homily Sunday was very good. He spoke of the importance of teaching and more importantly showing our children their faith. This is something I was much better at before I had teens to toddlers. That’s one of the things I’ve been praying since Bernadette hasn’t been here, “I pray she learned her faith well in our home. I pray it is strong enough to brave the world.”
Saving Money…
Our beach vacation was our reward to ourselves for paying off our house in six years–start to finish. While were spending time with out friends in Florida–they have retired there–I asked many questions of them. He is an accountant and although they are financially well off, she still uses coupons for groceries and eating out and price matches. It was so inspiring to me to watch this first hand. I think we think, or at least I do, that watching my money is something I do now so I won’t have to later–I’m talking coupons and price matching. This week made me realize they are where they are because it’s a lifestyle…not for the poor, working class or even middle class, but for those who value their time and money. I came back with a renewed sense of how Chris and I want to and need to take even better charge of our finances.
My first grocery trip back, I used both Ibotta and Checkout 51. My 14 year old daughter actually does this for our family. They are both apps you load on your phone. We’ve made $99 in the past year and half with Ibotta. I’m not sure of our lifetime earnings with Checkout 51, but we have $20 on there now waiting to be cashed out or applied to a gift card. Simple to use, no coupon clipping or price matching.
Captured…
Chris took this of me while we were at Nokomos Beach. It was kind of a stormy day so we didn’t swim much. Instead we combed the beach for shells.
So glad you had a nice time. And I always love the coming home part.
I am inspired by my older sister who is also that way in spite of having great wealth. My priest helped me to see more clearly that it is not our money and that we are called to be good stewards with all that God gives us.
I’m so happy to be home. I was afraid I’d rather stay there…nope. Home is good!