Mighty Prevailing Prayer

Anyone reading, or read, the book by Wesley Deuwel: Mighty Prevailing Prayer? Your thoughts, please.

What my grandfather's home was to me...

As most of you heard, Drew and I left town for five days last week to accompany my mom on her monthly trip to the cabin she and my dad have in South Georgia. David had two large projects for work to complete, so the timing was perfect for us to give him the house to himself. I have several posts about this trip, but I will give you one at a time so it's not so overwhelming.

While we were there, as I watched Andrew spend time with his Nana, I was quickly brought back to the many times I spent with my grandpa and grandma when I was a kid. Until I was about 10 or 11, they lived in Lehigh Acres. Then they moved away to Southern Illinois where my grandma had family. My understanding is my grandfather planned this so that when something happened to him, grandma would be surrounded by her family and not be alone. Well, we traveled to their house almost every summer, and sometimes on other occasions. I have such wonderful memories of cooking with grandma, walking to Main Street to go the bank, sitting on the front porch with grandpa waving at all the passersby, working with grandpa in the garage and in the garden.

As I remembered these special times, I was deeply saddened by how much I still miss them both (Grandpa went to heaven in 1999, and Grandma in 2005). I realized, once again, how much I wish they could be here to meet and love on Andrew, and how much I wished they could see Mom and Dad's cabin to enjoy family time with us all there. However, as I was sitting in the rocking chair on the back porch of the cabin, tears in my eyes, the Lord told me something very special: "Jennifer, why are you crying? This place is, and will be, for Andrew what your Grandpa and Grandma's home was for you."

I couldn't believe I hadn't realized that before. I was overcome with joy at how true that is, and how I will (Lord willing) have the great privilege to see my son make very similar memories with his Papa and Nana in a very special place.

Where have you been?

I haven't posted in a while. My excuse for part of that time was that Andrew and I were gone to Georgia with my mom, Drew's Nana, for five days. We had a great time, and I will post soon about our trip, incl. photos.

We were in teeny, tiny farmer-town, South Georgia, where most people, incl. my parents' cabin, still don't have internet access (however, for Mom and Dad, that is by choice). SO, besides all the great fun and fellowship we had together and with others who live there, I thoroughly enjoyed not feeling the pull to work on the computer (I do actually work on the computer) or be on the phone (cell service stinks, and no one would know how else to find me).

Where is one of you favorite places to visit that keeps you "unplugged?"

Easter 2009

16 Week Belly

Here it is... funny- some people are asking where my baby bump is, and yet others are saying they can't believe I am showing this much. Tell me what you think... honestly.

Target Deals

This is what we purchased at Target:

5 - Johnsons Bath Buddies Soap (0.97 ea, less 2 $2/2 coupons, less 1 0.75/1 coupon)
3 - Aveeno Lotion (2 oz) (2.99 each, less $10/3 coupon)
5 - Market Pantry Fruit Snacks (3.2 oz, by the registers) (0.89 each, less 5 $1/1 coupons)
1 - Cotton Squares (2.19)
1 - 100 count file folders (3.89)

Total Value of Items Purchased: $24.35
OOP: $5.45
Savings: $18.90 (78%)

Great Buys at CVS

We paid a visit to CVS tonight. Here is what we purchased:

4 - 20 oz. bottles Sobe Life Water (B1G1, plus 2 B1G1 coupons)
1 - Sensitive Enamel Protect Colgate (3.99 ECB WYB 1 @ 3.99, minus $1 coupon)
1 - Sensitive Whitening Colgate (3.99 ECB WYB 1 @ 3.99)
2 - 16 oz. Lemon Ajax Dish Soap (0.99 each)
2 - boxes Lorna Doone cookies (1.00 each)

Total Value of Items Purchased: $23.32
OOP: $3.30
Total Saved: $20.02 (85%)

Chadwick's Free Item WYB One Item

Hi there- wanted to share with you that you can order from Chadwicks and choose any item free when you buy one item. The free item is the lowest priced item in the order. Just enter Promotion Code CH21033. Happy Shopping!

Family Date and a Smart Little Boy

We went to the Evening of the Arts at the school tonight and then took Drew to dinner at Silver Spoon (yay for gift certificates!). When we were done with dinner and were waiting on the check, I excused myself to the ladies' room. Andrew was talking to Dave while I was gone, and this was their conversation:


Drew: Mommy crying?
Dave: Drew, why is mommy crying?
Drew: Mommy sad.
Dave: Why is mommy sad?
Drew: Sick.
Dave: Why do you think she is sick?
Drew: Baby tummy.
Dave: Does mommy have a baby in her tummy?
Drew: Yah.

Later, for comic relief, Drew decided to lift up his shirt and stuff his lion underneath it on his belly to make a baby tummy.

Also, as if we weren't already crying with laughter, he SCREAMS "Bye- love you!" to the waitress as she walks away from our table. The whole restaurant heard this. Never a dull moment.

We don't go out to eat much, mainly because of Drew's allergies, but also because I would just rather cook and eat at home. But, this was definitely one of the most well-behaved evenings in a restaurant we've ever had with Andrew. Go, Drew!

Incoming to pay for... oh, we need this.

You may (or may not) know that I consult on the side for some local small businesses. Very limited hours, which fits my needs and the needs of the clients perfectly. I have been struggling with the income received from this consulting.

The idea was that the money earned from such accounts would go directly toward some outstanding debt we have. However, the reality is that most months that income has to go to help pay for other necessities, such as groceries and diapers (yes, he is still in them- we're working on it). The main reason is a cash flow issue; Dave gets paid twice per month, which is fine. But once the bills are paid, and then a need arises before he gets paid again, we have to dip into the money that has come in from my consulting. SO, in the meantime, the money is not going where we intended it to go.

HAVE ANY THOUGHTS, IDEAS, or ENCOURAGEMENT you'd like to share on this topic? Please, I welcome your input. I'm fresh out!