Journey to Staying Home

Taking a Break

bearcatbabe2004@yahoo.com (Jessica) — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 03:29:00 +0000

As most of you have noticed, I have not been blogging for a couple weeks. When I started, I was really sporadic about how I posted and I finally thought that I found my groove. Well . . . I had to get a job and now life is crazy. I need to figure out how to schedule my life and make sure I am getting the basics done before I can do the fun things . . . i.e. blogging. So I hope all of you have a wonderful holiday season and hopefully I will be back shortly after the new year!

Happy Thanksgiving!

bearcatbabe2004@yahoo.com (Jessica) — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 19:14:00 +0000

Happy Thanksgiving! I hope all of you have a wonderful thanksgiving with family and friends. I am so thankful for so many things this year.

My life
My family
My friends
My home
Food on the table
Working vehicles (this is a big one for us)
Church Family
Pets (most of the time)
That we both have jobs
etc., etc. etc.

I could be here all day!

What are you thankful for this Thanksgiving?

I Love my Husband!

bearcatbabe2004@yahoo.com (Jessica) — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 06:03:00 +0000

I love my husband so much! I mean, I always do, but especially today.

I have been having a really hard time adjusting to work and haven't been feeling that good lately. Well today when I got home, Tim had the dishes done (which were sooooooo disgustingly piled up...my fault), the trash taken out (all of it) and dinner made! Really good spaghetti with ground beef in it! I was so hungry on the way home from work and almost stopped! (I don't get home until midnight!) I was so happily surprised! I can't wait to thank him!

I have the best husband ever!

Does your husband ever surprise you like that? Do share!

My Puppy doesn't Listen to Me!

bearcatbabe2004@yahoo.com (Jessica) — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 05:55:00 +0000

My puppy doesn't listen to me has to be one of the biggest complaints I hear about dogs! Believe me, I'm right there with you!

I love this picture! It's not mine but it looks just like my boxer, Captain! Have I mentioned how much this dog frustrates me! In the same breath I'll tell you how much I love my puppy! Yes...my puppy! My husband always makes fun of me and says that he will always be my puppy even when he's old! True! He ate my work headphones the other day! I wasn't even gone that long! It was when I was taking the van to the shop....which thank goodness we got back today! Not sure exactly what was wrong with it! I'll talk to Tim in the morning! Well, anyways, back to dogs! You leave the house for 5 minutes without him and he's destroying things. We no longer have blinds in our house because of him. We just put blankets up everywhere! I try to put everything up before we leave the house but he always manages to get into something! We can't keep him in the cage anymore. He has tore it up completely and escapes everytime. I don't know what to do. I was so mad at him the other day and Tim asked if I wanted to get rid of him and of course, I said no. I love my puppy! Even when he makes me cry! I never thought I could become so attached to an animal but I have.

So, any advice? I would love to hear your experiences, especially if you've had boxers! Let me know! Thanks!

CVS Trip this Week

bearcatbabe2004@yahoo.com (Jessica) — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 17:35:00 +0000

I love shopping at CVS! It is so much fun! Sunday I realized that in my area, I'm not the only one. We were late getting up that morning and I didn't make it to CVS until 8:30 (the horror! :) ) and they were already out of the contact solution! Darn! And I actually needed contact solution...it wasn't something that I was just buying because it was free. Well I was talking to the cashier and she said that when there is good free stuff, people are lined up at the door! Mental note taken! So since I had $15.99 in ECBs from last week I had to do some quick thinking. I didn't earn as many ECBs as I wanted but I got them down to a more manageable size. 15.99 is hard to spend some weeks to roll them over.

Okay for my shopping trip:

Maybelline Mineral Powder Foundation $8.99 ECB
Dial Soap Gold $1 ECB
Toilet Paper (we needed some)
Newspaper
Coke and Milkyway (to bring my total up)
Tape (donated to the troops and to get my total up)

Coupons

$3 off maybelline foundation

15.99 ECB

Total oop: $0.20!!!!! Such a wonderful feeling!

Now I realize that I spent my money a little foolishly but in my defense I was so hungry that morning and we didn't have time to make breakfast so it helped my stomach stay quiet during church!

I earned $9.99 in ECBs for next week, which I think is much more manageable. I also got a coupon for $2 off any L'oreal skincare and I got an email for $4 off cosmetics which I didn't have a chance to print off yet.

On a different note I was looking at my receipt and total savings so far $107.46 since I started CVS shopping! Wow! That is pretty exciting since I have only been doing this since the end of September! I love CVS!

Go visit Money Saving Mom and Deal Seeking Mom for more CVS deals and scenarios!

I Love Freebies!

bearcatbabe2004@yahoo.com (Jessica) — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 03:20:00 +0000

Wanted to share more freebies with y'all. Please share with us if you know of any!

Free sample of NicodermCQ® clear

Free sample of LACTAID® Fast Act Dietary Supplements

Free sample of Tena® male guards

Free sample of Myoplex®

Free Xtreme X20® Sample Pack

Free One Touch® Blood Glucose Meter

Free sample of ACTIV-FLEX® lightweight cohesive tape

Enjoy!

How to Create a Budget Series

bearcatbabe2004@yahoo.com (Jessica) — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 00:41:00 +0000

I think that I am going to start a "How to Create a Budget" series. During these hard economic times you wonder how many people even have a budget. We have a budget but are not following it very well. Now that I have a job and we can pay more of our bills, I have created a new budget and plan on following it. Before I start this series, I would like to know a few things.

1) Who has a budget?

2) Do you follow your budget?

3) What are your categories?
-without becoming too personal....I don't need to know that you are paying on an American Express card and a private student loan; just list the general categories

4) What would you like to know about budgeting?

5) How do you handle your flexible expenses (e.g. food, gas, entertainment)?
-do you use only cash, credit cards to track, envelopes, etc.

6) What would you like to change about your budgeting system?

Thanks for all of your help and I will be sharing my responses as well! Hopefully I will be able to help some people out and learn some things from my readers in the process!

How to Make Extra Money

bearcatbabe2004@yahoo.com (Jessica) — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 02:06:00 +0000

Since it's Christmas time, I decided to talk about how to make extra money. With the way the economy is, everyone is looking for extra money.

1. Sell plasma - make sure you find a reputable place. Payment ranges from $10-25.

2. Ebay - get rid of clutter before Christmas and make some extra cash.

3. Side jobs - check out Craigslist for side jobs. It doesn't work for everyone but if you are handy then you should be able to find something.

4. Seasonal Retail job - some people are looking for extra helpers around Christmas time like Walmart.

5. Mary Kay, Tupperware - these companies are not for everyone and if you're not careful you will spend more than you make but if you like to socialize it may be worth it.

These are just a few ideas. Let me know if you have any more ideas.

Rivalry Week!

bearcatbabe2004@yahoo.com (Jessica) — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 20:19:00 +0000

No, I'm not talking about my kids! I'm talking about football! Hopefully that doesn't make most of you run away! I'll be honest...I love football! How can you go to Ohio State and not? It just doesn't happen! Well anyways, today was the big game! And we delivered! I figured we would, but it doesn't matter how well either team is doing before the big game, it is ususally a very competitive game. Well not so much today! 42-7! We kicked Michigan's butt! On top of that, Ohio State got a new record! First time in school history beating Michigan 5 times in a row! Great job guys! I am so proud of you! Jim Tressel also has a 7-1 record against Michigan which I have to say, is pretty darn good! And it's the 75th anniversary of the first time the Buckeyes have received gold pants for beating Michigan! Weird tradition I guess but hey! It sounds like fun! Now we just have to wait to see what bowl game we get to go to! It's been a great year despite a few bad games....USC and Penn State come to mind. But they are both excellent teams! How I miss Columbus! Maybe I'll get to go to a game next year! Well back to regular programming now!

Back to Work - part 2

bearcatbabe2004@yahoo.com (Jessica) — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 18:09:00 +0000

After an anonymous comment that I received on this first post, I feel compelled to elaborate. Now this is not something that I will get in a habit of but I'd like to put it all out there! Or least most of it! Need some privacy! First of all, my blog is not for debate or criticism. There is enough of that in the real world. I love my blogging world because I feel like I can connect with women who are similar to me, with similar values. I do not get a lot of that in the real world, especially since I have went back to work. That is why I deleted the anonymous comment. It was said in a critical tone, or at least that is the way that I took it. Now, I may have been quick to judge, but I don't want to start a trend of those comments on my blog. This lady's intentions may have been pure, but it may start other people having negative comments towards my blog. Now I know that I can reject them but I don't personally want to read them. Just reading them is enough to bring my spirits down.

Ok. Now that that's out of the way. As you know from my last post I just returned back to the workforce. Not by my choice. I am submitting to my husband on this one. He wants me to go back to work because of financial reasons. He has tried to get a second job but where we live everything closes early. Now right there, I know that there is some controversy. But my standpoint is in line with what I have read in the Bible and very similar to other Christian keepers of the home that I have met online. The man is to provide and the women is to keep the home. Now it is not a sin for a woman to work outside of the home, so if it is her husband's wishes, she should submit. Then pray that your husband will change his mind and make it work on one income. Now, this is of course, if you are being a good keeper of the home. This is not an excuse to be lazy at home and sit on your laurels. You need to be working. To be completely honest with everyone, I was not working as hard as I could be. So my husband had every right to ask me to go back to work. I have major self discipline problems, lack of energy and motivation. And I just don't like to clean! As I think most women don't. I sort of slapped God in the face with that one. It is a blessing to be able to stay home and make a good home for my family. I am slowly learning that. I have asked God to be patient with me as in this area I am a slow learner. I am hoping that he will bring me home quickly and with my husband's approval and understand that this is only a season of my life and I must have patience.

But do know, that I was not fighting my husband the whole time I was home. There are many circumstances regarding it and if you read back earlier in my blog you will be able to figure them out. The past couple months, my husband has been in conflict about it. He wanted me home, but at the same time, doesn't want to lose our home. He hates that I am gone right now (I'm working second shift at the moment) but knows that we need the money right now.

So that's my story. Hopefully it doesn't make everything more confusing. If you have any personal questions, feel free to ask. If it's too personal, I will probably email you instead of commenting on the blog about it!

I hope that you all continue to read my blog and share with me your journeys.

Sears November 22nd - Doorbusters from 7:00a.m. to noon only

bearcatbabe2004@yahoo.com (Jessica) — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 17:36:00 +0000

Sears Super Saturday Sale

I am so excited about Christmas coming up! There are so many great sales going on to get started with your Christmas shopping! I know that I'm going to head over to Sears this weekend! They are having a great one day only Doorbusters sale! I am so excited about the great sale on outerwear and sweaters for my family.....60% off! That means we can stock up! Kaylin has outgrown all of her clothes and I am in desperate need of some sweaters! My new work is so cold and all I have are short sleeves! I also can't wait to check out the Craftsman C3 19-2 volt 3-pc combo tool kit! Maybe a gift idea for Tim....hmm...we'll see....if he's a good boy! It's on sale for $89.99 and you save $50! That sounds like a pretty good deal for me! He's been trying to work around the house more and he needs some more tools! I better get there early though because these deals are only available while quantities last! At these prices they will go quick! Go check out their weekly ad for more great dealbusters!

I love Sears because they have everything that I need! I can also convince my hubby to go shopping with me because of their fantastic hardware department! Shopping for my hubby is not on his top ten list of things he wants to do when he is off of work! So it's a win-win for the both of us!

Proverbs 31 Bible Study - Manager

bearcatbabe2004@yahoo.com (Jessica) — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 02:25:00 +0000

I am so excited about the topic of our study this week! I think, right now, this is where I need the most help. If you read my last post, you understand that I have a hard time keeping our home and need help in figuring it out! God really knew that I needed this this week. I have such a struggle with getting things done. I am lazy and unmotivated and get tired very quickly. I also get distracted very easily. Usually once I get in the groove I am good. So it's getting that motivation to start!

Amy says, "We are to succeed despite difficulty and hardship and we already know the only way we can succeed in spite of hardship is to put God first before everything else." I love this statement! But it is so hard to put into practice!

1) God set things up to operate effectively and efficiently and we can learn from his example.

God created seasons and your home also functions in seasons. Amy used the examples that we only shovel snow in the winter and cut the grass in the spring and summer. We are also in seasons when it comes to the age of our children. Right now we do not have kids in our house full-time. When we have a baby life will become much different and our list of things will change.

2) Plan but don't let it rule your life. Use it as a tool.

This is great! A schedule can be very useful but it can also hinder us. What if you have planned to clean the bathroom but it just stopped raining and your children want to splash in the puddles and look at the rainbows? What do you do? Well, I know that I wouldn't miss a chance to splash in the puddles and share one of God's miracles with my children. Don't become a robot and be flexible. Use it as a guideline. A schedule and a plan is especially helpful when your life becomes stressful and you need help putting one foot in front of the other. You don't need to come up with a new cleaning schedule everyday. It's already there. This is where a household management binder comes in very handy. I'm still working on putting one together for my household.

3) A good manager delegates responsibilities accordingly.

Many women have problems with this. I do. Especially since we think that since our job is keeper of the home, it all falls on us. We are allowed to have help. From our children and from our husband. We should take into account though all the work outside the home that our husbands do. So we shouldn't boggle them down with a "honey-do" list. But I'm sure they would be happy to help every once in awhile. And children definitely need to learn how to contribute to a well-ran household. If you don't teach them, then who will. They will grow up and not know how to do anything. I'm sure they will learn, but their learning curve will be significant.

Amy says, "Your job as manager is simply to make sure the household functions and sustains life - to the best of your ability.

Scripture for Memory

Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

-2 Corinthians 7:1

For Study Purposes:

Right now, write down the "to do" list in your head. Tonight you are to get a good night's sleep! :) Done!

Devise a plan of attack for your home. It should contain seasonal chores or tasks as well as daily tasks. Will work on this!

Ask God to show you ways to run your home more efficiently. Seek to solve at least one problem area this week. Dishes is a big problem in my house. I hate them! And I don't have a dishwasher (well I guess it's me!). I need to figure out a better way to get them done and realize that they have to be done no matter what!

Questions to ponder: Has housework become a source of validation for you? A source of pride? If so, how do you intend to change that? Housework has become a source of pride for me when my husband praises me on a job well done. I need to work on me not needing his praises for something I should be doing anyways. I am doing it for the Lord and for him.

I hope you enjoyed this week's study! Please go visit Amy to join or view other participants' responses!

Back to Work

bearcatbabe2004@yahoo.com (Jessica) — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 00:04:00 +0000

Well after 9 months I'm back to work. Let me tell you, it is weird. I've really gotten used to being a wife at home and a homemaker and getting a routine in place before we have children. But we needed the money bad and I'm supposed to be a submissive wife. At least I'm trying. I've been working hard since working on my Proverbs 31 bible study. Well hubby says if we want to keep the house I need to go back to work until we have a baby. So off I am! Well not wanting to complain about my situation or my husband I actually just need some advice. I am working second shift and my husband works first shift. To be exact, he leaves at 4:50am and comes home around 4:15pm and I will be leaving around 2:45pm and get home around 11:45pm. So we won't be seeing each other Monday-Thursday (those are the only days I'm working - it's part time for now). So I was wondering if any of you work the opposite shift from your signaficant other and how do you deal with it? It doesn't help that we're trying to get pregnant right now either! Kinda have to see each other for that. We are also newlyweds. Unfortunately this is the only job the temp agency had available and I haven't been able to find a job on my own. So for the time being it is my own choice. I know that this is only for a season of my life and if God wants me back home he will help me find a way home. We just really need to work on getting the bills paid right now!

I also need advice on how to get everything done around the house when working. It's been awhile since I've been a working woman and was not doing such a great job when I left work. I've always had a problem with keeping the house and organizing and such. Not a very motivated person! But I am trying and looking to the Lord for my strength.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance!

Menu Plan Monday

bearcatbabe2004@yahoo.com (Jessica) — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 02:27:00 +0000

Yay! Another menu plan for another week! We went off track over the weekend and today (my first day at my new job - I'll get it together tomorrow) so I need to alter some things for this week.

Monday subs from the pizza place

Tuesday Spaghetti

Wednesday Mamwiches

Thursday Jambalaya

Friday MacWeenies

Saturday Tacos

Sunday Spaghetti

Hopefully the menu will stay this way. I'm looking forward to Jambalaya and tacos...yummy! Go visit I'm an Organizing Junkie for some more great menus!

My CVS trip this week!

bearcatbabe2004@yahoo.com (Jessica) — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 20:32:00 +0000

I had a fantastic trip to CVS today! I saw some really decent deals and decided to go today before church. That way I can get the free items before the rush. I did notice one other lady that was using her ECB's. So not too much competition! So the fantastic part......I went to coupon machine....and it printed out.....$10 ECB! So excited! That has never happened before and helped me soooooo much! So here's what I got:

Bought

Palmolive Dish Soap
Garnier Fructice Shampoo
Loreal Advance Revitalift
newspaper
pens

Coupons

.25 off Palmolive dish soap
1.00 off Garnier shampoo

Used $17.99 ECB
Earned $14.99 ECB

and the best part....... .75 oop! Can't believe it! And I put it on my giftcard for transferring a prescription. I was so excited! My husband thinks I'm a dork but oh well!

The only problem was that I couldn't get the diabetes book....the pharmacy wasn't open and I was having problems with the water but I think I figured it out. The toothpaste monthly deal was also out of stock. I'll try later this week!

Go visit Money Saving Mom or Deal Seeking Mom for more CVS savings! And let me know how all you did this week!

Cold...again!

bearcatbabe2004@yahoo.com (Jessica) — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 18:14:00 +0000

I miss our Indian Summer! Not a big fan of cold. At least until Thanksgiving and Christmas! Have a great weekend!

Clothes for Hubby!

bearcatbabe2004@yahoo.com (Jessica) — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 17:28:00 +0000

So I found this great new website for pants for hubby! He is so hard to shop for and his pants can get so expensive! Well go visit this website for tactical pants! I found a great pair marked down from $34.95 to $24.95 and they look really sturdy. Here is a list of their features:

A Total of 10 Pockets!
60% Cotton / 40% Polyester
Fade Resistant Fabric
Diamond Gusset Crotch
Cinch Waist System
Cargo Pockets with Organization System
Two D-Rings Per Cargo Pocket
Double Knee Fabric
Airport Friendly, Heavy Duty Hardware
Double Seat
Dual Front Slit Pockets
Dual Front D Rings
Lower Leg Pockets
Built In Blousing Strings
Slanted Cargo Pocket Flaps For Seated Access

Operator Tactical Pants has over 20 years experience in military and law enforcement clothing! Doesn't this sound like a company that you want clothing your big, strong man? I know my husband is really rough on his clothes and I think that these tactical pants would be able to withstand his daily labor. Go check them out!

How to deal with your dog?

bearcatbabe2004@yahoo.com (Jessica) — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 17:15:00 +0000

I am having a lot of stress over my puppy! We have been leaving him out when we leave the house because he has broken out of his cage almost every time. He does okay but he does pee and poop on the carpet still. He also gets into things if we don't put everything completely out of his reach. He'll tear up bags and boxes. He likes to get the stuff on my computer table. One day (before we were wise to putting everything up) he ate an entire loaf of bread! Well today I was about to cry! I was coming home from the temp agency (getting some information about the assignment I'm starting on Monday) and he broke one of my china plates! My wedding present from my parents! Sooooooo mad! My husband's birthday was yesterday and we had steak and I put it on nice china with candles and wine! Trying to make it special since we couldn't go out to eat. Well I hadn't gotten to dishes yet and told my husband to leave them on the table because I didn't want them to chip in the sink. Bad mistake! Didn't even think of that before I left this money! I was so mad at him! I know we need to be more careful but he is a terror! Any advice?

Cheap Auto Insurance!

bearcatbabe2004@yahoo.com (Jessica) — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 17:05:00 +0000

You know me! I hate to spend more than what I have to for an item! Especially something that isn't even fun! Hello car insurance! It used to be a really big budget buster in our house! I hate car insurance but sometimes it comes in really handy.....like for example, when I caught my car on fire this past spring! I guess I finally got my money's worth. To get cheap auto insurance you need to compare quotes. One great website is autoinsurance-4u.com! This is a great website to compare cheap auto insurance quotes. Enter your zipcode and autoinsurance-4u.com will give you some of the best companies for cheap insurance. My page pulled up all the really big names so I know it's trustworthy. It makes it so easy because all of the companies are already there for you and then you plug in your information and get the best quote! How much easier can they make it for you to get really cheap auto insurance! Auto insurance can vary so much from company to company depending on their criteria. Why should you have to pay more just because a company has a different standard. Especially if you are getting the same coverage! This is definitely one way to be frugal ladies! I love how easy it is to navigate and there's no pressure of picking a certain company. Autoinsurance-4u.com is really looking out for your best interest and wants to help you get really cheap auto insurance! Now that we've compared our rates we only pay about $125 a month! Much better than the $250 per month that we used to pay! You owe it to yourself to try and save yourself some money. No obligation for a very easy quote. Go check them out!

Thrifty Thursday's

bearcatbabe2004@yahoo.com (Jessica) — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 23:58:00 +0000

Welcome to another week of Thrifty Thursday's! This week's tip is to consider how much electricity you are using and if you can change it. My husband and I are conducting a frugal experiment - go see what we are doing!

We started trying to go without lights this week and it's hard. It's especially hard because it's dark out at 6pm. If I don't get dinner started right away then I'm cooking while it's dark. We have turned on the lights a few times but we are keeping it to a minimum. I'll keep you updated and let you know how much we save!

Go visit Thrifty Jinxy for more Thrifty Thursday's!

Go vote!

bearcatbabe2004@yahoo.com (Jessica) — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 19:19:00 +0000

Please go vote today and let your voice be heard!

Menu Plan Monday

bearcatbabe2004@yahoo.com (Jessica) — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 01:32:00 +0000

I love having my menus planned for the week. That way if things get busy, I have peace of mind when it comes to dinner. My husband likes to know what we're having as well.

Monday Baked Chicken, Baked Potatoes and Mixed Veggies

Tuesday Mamwiches

Wednesday Spaghetti, Salad

Thursday Soup (not sure what kind yet)

Friday Tuna Pea Wiggle

Saturday Jambalaya

I'm very excited for the Jambalaya! I haven't made it in awhile and it sounds yummy!

Visit I'm an Organizing Junkie for more delicious menus!

What if you could get eyeglasses cheap?

bearcatbabe2004@yahoo.com (Jessica) — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 21:27:00 +0000

I ask myself this question all the time! Eyeglasses are so expensive and insurance companies don't cover a lot of the expenses! Either you don't get the eyeglasses you need or you stay with the same outdated frames because you can't afford them. Forget it if you have multiple children who need eyeglasses! Who can afford that? If I could afford eyeglasses I would buy them for myself (I'm the only one in the family who needs them right now) but also I would buy a back-up pair, just in case.

Well I have found my answer.....Zenni Optical! They have eyeglasses starting off at $8.00!!!! Yes, you heard me right! How can that be, you ask? Well they have no middleman selling only their own manufactured frames direct to you. They also have virtually no advertising budget, which allows them to sell at a low cost to you! It can't get any better than that! If you don't believe me, then read this great article over at the Chicago Tribune! People are spending entirely too much money on eyeglasses!

Please take a look at these eyeglasses! They are really cute! I hate spending more than I have to. When you are resourceful, that frees up money for fun things, like taking your kids to the amusement park! Make the smart choice and consider Zenni Optical for your next eyeglasses purchase!

Proverbs 31 Bible Study - Being a Mother

bearcatbabe2004@yahoo.com (Jessica) — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 20:54:00 +0000

So on to our next part of the study. This part really interests me because I am trying to become pregnant. I have desired to become a mother for a really long time and am so excited that I am finally getting the chance (well soon at least!). Amy shared some really great thoughts that I would like to share with you!

1) Children are a gift from God.

2) We must parent on purpose.

3) We must allow our children to become who He designed them to be.

Society does not seem to value children these days. It is just horrible! If you have more than 2 or 3 children you are looked at like you are crazy. Women are ridiculed for choosing to marry or have children too early....these are the best earning days of your life...blah....blah...blah! Women are afraid to tell their employers that they are expecting or talking to co-workers about trying to get pregnant. All I have ever wanted to be is a mother. I never knew when it would happen but I knew that I wanted it to happen. Every child is a blessing no matter how it happens.

Also, a little rant of mine. Some people who do have children seem not to want to parent them. They want to be their best friends and induldge their every desire. Now wanting your children to have a better life than you is not a bad thing but you are not preparing them for the future. Disciplining them is a good thing as long as it is does with love. Why are you telling your child no? Is there a good reason? The same goes for when you are telling your child yes. You have to consciously make a decision based on what your child needs.

There are also the parents who live through their children. Or they push their child to become something so hard that their child resents them for it. For example, you were a football star so you think that you're child should be. Or, you didn't get to play college ball so you push you're child as hard as you can even if they don't want to do it. God has a plan for your child. Pray for your child daily that he will lead your child and that he will reveal to you his plan for your child so you can help.

Scripture for Memory

The righteous who walks in his integrity - blessed are his children after him!

Proverbs 20:7

Go visit Amy if you want to join the study!

Please Watch - "I Invented the Internet (Ep. 4: Kill and Destroy)

bearcatbabe2004@yahoo.com (Jessica) — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 18:05:00 +0000

This is not a political blog nor do I ever intend it to be. I do not like discussing politics with anyone besides my husband and my best friend. But....I watched this video and felt convicted to share it. Do with it what you will but please watch it and pray over it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIdbYjmbFzo