Double Digits

I can hardly believe our oldest son, Daniel is now 10 years old. Where do the years go? As I was packing last week I came across several boxes of photos. Not much packing was accomplished but I did spend a few hours reminiscing over the days when my children were so small. Several of Daniel's baby pictures were in the boxes. What a cutie he was, and how he has grown!

Before I know it Daniel will be a man and his childhood just a memory. I pray the Lord will equip us in raising a boy who, we hope and pray, will become a God fearing man.

Michelle

Singing for Tickets

 

Last week our local Christian Radio Station sponsored a stage show of Veggie Tales Live and they were giving away a few tickets, but you had to sing for your tickets. So on Friday morning I called the station and Nicholas was able to sing a veggie tale song on the radio. He won 4 tickets and a copy of the DVD "The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything". Obviously with 8 in our family we all couldn't go so we decided to allow the boys to have a night out with Gary.

At the last minute we decided that Naomi could also go as a reward for excellent behaviour. We had planned to purchase her a ticket (which were half price at the door), but as Gary was picking up the tickets Nicholas had won a woman handed him an extra ticket that she had. So all of them got in for free.

Please forgive the poor photo, it wasn't easy to get a good picture in the dark. Apparently it was a fun evening for them, they were even given a bag of candy on the way out.

God is so good for providing such special treats for my children.

Michelle

A Day at the Zoo

 

We have recently been enjoying an Indian Summer here in St Louis, so we planned a family outing at the Zoo. We had a wonderful time. One of the benefits of homeschooling is the ability to take the field trips during nice weather and when the crowds are low.

During the day we saw many monkeys but, I'm not sure who was the biggest, the gorillia the kids were sitting on, or Jeremiah (take a close look at his face!!!)

Michelle

Our Home in England

 

The picture above is the best we have of where we will be living in England. This is the Training Building at Springhead Park House, Rothwell, Leeds. Our home will be the middle floor of this building.

We have not asked for anything for our new home, but back in the Spring my sister let people know that we would be moving to England and many offered items that they no longer needed. So she and my brother-in-law have been collecting for us and a couple of weekends ago they delivered it all to our new home.

Below is a list of what has been given to us.

Microwave
Toaster
Slow Cooker
Brown Casserole dish
brown soup dishes
cereal dishes
weighing scales
Cheese grater in box
2 jugs
toast rack
Jelly mould
3 x veg dishes
3 x large / medium small
Large glass dishes
Teapot
Butter dish with lid
6 x hot & cold mugs in box
Large Pyrex mixing bowl
Large green thermos
Container with lid
Pizza dish
Polyester cup with lids
Hand held grater
Ice cub tray
Potato peeler
Ladle
Large fork
2 x small saucepans
Cutlery - 11 forks, 9 knives, 9 steak knives, 8 desert spoons, 10 or so tea spoons
Dinner service set all matching (all round unless otherwise stated)- 6 x large plates, 6 x small plates, 6 x large oval plates, 5 x small coffee cups with 6 saucers, 5 x bowls
4 x white tubs - good for herbs - I guess
1 x small plate
4 x bowls
3 x large cups (mug size) with 5 saucers
Plastic cutlery tray
1 x fridge (medium size - half way between a small English one and large American single one)
1 x washing machine
Double bed with mattress
Double bed with mattress
2 Chest of Drawers
Small trunk / chest
1 single bed with mattress - adult size
1 single bed with mattress - 4 foot size - ok for Deanna (never used)
1 single mattress
Wardrobe - single - with 2 drawers
Small Chest of Drawers
2 x set of king or double (will need to check size) duvet covers
1 x laundry basket
2 x bedside lamps
1 x lamp shade
2 x set of single duvet covers for kids beds
2 x Sofas - 1 is 2 seater and 1 is 3 seater - both with removable / washable white covers
tons of cushions
Display cabinet
Coffee table
Large Chair
Hoover
TV - 14 inch
VCR
Up display spot light - really nice
Round table (was the one in the kitchen at Vicarage)
Toothbrush holder
2 x large towels

As you can see we have most of the stuff we will need and I have been told that since this list was compiled in the Spring more items have been added, including more beds, tv and other things. We really have been blessed by God's provision through the generosity of others, especially my sister and brother-in-law.
THANK YOU!! THANK YOU!!

Michelle

Saving Money

About a year ago the Lord led me to a blog called Money Saving Mom from which I learned a lot about saving money and being a better steward of the money that God has given us. So during this year I have been refining my skills with finding the deals!

One of the places I have really been able to save is at Walgreens. The pictures below show just some of what I have been able to purchase there last month.

3 large boxes of Kleenex
2 12oz bottles of Sunlight Dish liquid
4 toothbrushes
Alka Seltzer cold medicine
6 bottles Pert 2-in-1 shampoo
Loreal Cleanser
6 bottles of Dimetap cold medicine
Rimel Liquid Foundation
9 bottles hair product for the children
12 AA Energizer batteries
3 Skippy peanut butter
4 48oz Breyrs Ice Cream
2 Scrubbing Bubbles Bath Cleaner
3 Aqua Fresh toothpaste
7 jars of Ragu sauce
1lb Spaghetti
3 78oz Laundry Detergent
2 10oz Dawn Dish liquid
2 large box Puffs tissues
5 18oz Softsoap Bodywash
1 Softsoap hand soap
1 11oz Palmolive Dish liquid
2 packets Ricola cough drops
4 bags of Chocolate candy



Before sales and coupons the total of the above items came to $267.64
After sales and coupons the total came to $83.22
Then I had a Walgreens gift card (from deals I had done in September) which was for $57.19. So I only ended up spending 26.03 in cash for all the items above plus I have earned over $40 for my November gift card.

That was what I call a deal.


It has been a treat to be able to purchase good quality items for my family, but the Lord has reminded me that while it is good to receive, there is so much joy to be found in giving. I have found much joy in being able to share many of these items with others. I was first introduced to this idea of shopping wisely and sharing from Shop, Share and Save by Ellie Kay.


So, if you haven't been saving money at Walgreens ... you might want to give it a try. You will find all the details on how at www.moneysavingmom.com

Michelle