Tuesday Turnback

Here are a few pics of the kiddos when we got a bit of snow after Christmas.

Sister Bear

Yes, Brother Bear has gotten new boots since this pic with Uncle Buddy was taken. He doesn't have to wear Sister Bear's boots anymore.

I like December snowflakes.

I prefer January snowflakes.

Eat From the Pantry Challenge Week 2

We've been doing well so far. I am going to need to go to the grocery store soon. We are out of eggs, bread, and almost out of milk. Running low on fresh fruit as well. Just got the weekly ads, and it is $10 off $50 at Shop 'N Save on Thursday so I will be there right after Zumba. Can't wait till then for the bread though.

Tonight's menu
*Marinated Salmon
*Steamfresh Potatoes and Green Beans
*Fresh Fruit

One pantry problem... does anyone have any recipes or ideas for 12 cans of refried beans??

Financial Peace is Coming

In just a few short weeks, Mike and I will once again be leading Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University at our church. If early registration is any indication, we could have 75 people participate. Awesome. To get prepped for the class, I decided I would share one couple's story over the next several weeks. They lead FPU at their church across the river...(*last name has been changed)

Our FPU Story – The Millers*

“Income” – how much money you bring in, (or your financial shovel); and “outgo” – how much money you spend are the two constants in everyone’s financial equation. We don’t make a million bucks, but income has never really been the issue for us.

We know that, especially in this economy, lots of people are losing jobs or having their income reduced. I think Financial Peace will give you some new perspectives about income as well as outgo. But our story focuses more on planning, organization and re-thinking priorities versus coming up with new income sources.

Just because income hasn't really been our issue, doesn’t mean we were good at handling money. In truth, we were terrible at it. Turn back the clock 3 years ago. We always had too much month at the end of the money. We had little savings, and at times, no savings. We were always putting essentials like gas on a credit card because we never had enough in the checking account. We didn’t give an offering more times than I would like to admit. We sometimes couldn’t buy groceries when we needed them. It seemed like something unexpected was always coming up – like the kids needed school supplies – and it was a struggle to find the money. Since I did the bills, Tim would say to me, “Why don’t we have money for this?” Invariably it would turn into an argument. It got to the point I felt I was walking on eggshells around him about money, because it seemed like it was always my fault there wasn’t enough.

So it was surprising to me when, one day, he came home from work and said, “We make enough money, we should have our cars paid off.” I laughed. “No way,” I said. “We barely have enough to cover all the bills and we usually have to hold off on groceries. And we don’t even know how we will pay for Good Shepherd when Eli is ready for kindergarten.” But the Holy Spirit was working. What Tim said stuck with me. So a few days later, I said to him, “Let’s say I agreed with you about paying off the cars. How do you propose we go about paying off these cars, huh? Where would you get the money?” He told me to listen to Dave Ramsey on the radio on the way home from work and he had these things called the baby steps that showed you how to do it. That’s all he said. So I started listening. Soon after that we started on the baby steps.

To be continued...

Does any of this sound familiar? If so, consider taking Financial Peace University. It is not easy, but it does work. It really makes you think about what is really important. What the real priorities are. I will post more of this story next week because it is fairly lengthy.

Push-Ups Have Been Banned

Yesterday I had my annual physical with my PCP. Things are great for the most part.

Blood Pressure--Excellent.

Heart and Lungs--Excellent.

Skin color--uhh, "very pale". (That's not rocket science to figure out.) I MUST start taking multi-vitamins and increase my Vitamin D. Trip to the Caribbean anyone? I also have to start taking Claritin pretty much year round for my sinuses and sinus headaches.

I also informed her that every time I do push-ups, my left arm makes a "pop" or "crack" noise. She seemed puzzled. After doing a few motion swings my shoulder, she informed me that I have "very bad arthritis" in my left shoulder. She said there was "a lot of grinding." According to her only "serious athletes" (that are as young and vibrant as I am) have that much grinding. Obviously, I am not a serious athlete. Now, I have been working out considerably more than I ever have on a consistent basis, but serious athlete I am not. Luckily, we aren't going to do any treatment since it only bothers me when I do push-ups. So I have to lay off the push-ups. That's really a bummer because it really is one of the best core strength and arm exercises you can do.

No, that's not me.
(photo from ehow.com)

Eat From the Pantry Challenge

I decided to try the Eat From the Pantry Challenge going on at the Money Saving Mom blog (see side bar for link). Here are the guidelines...


1) Stop at the store a maximum of three times in January.

2) Only buy dairy (milk, eggs, cheese, etc.) and produce (fruits/vegetables).

3) Spend a total of $75 or less on groceries during the month of January.

So, tonight's menu is:

*Minute Steaks
*Betty Crocker Au Gratin Potatoes
*Steamfresh Vegetable
*Sliced Apples

This is going to be difficult because our pantry isn't exactly "stocked" after the holidays, but we will see how it goes.

Treasure Hunt!

In keeping with our plans to live intentionally this year, we planned our family day around the "Treasure" exhibit at the Missouri History Museum. Because we had never been to the museum despite living here for nearly nine years now, we figured this was a perfect time for our first visit. It didn't disappoint. The museum itself has free admission (if you ignore the taxes you pay to fund it), and the exhibit was just $5/adult and kids were free. The kids enjoyed learning about pirates and seeing various shipwreck treasures from the 16-1700's.

Noah makes a pirate flag

Carlie uses a metal detector to find treasure

Panning for Gold

Thomas Jefferson

Lunch at Il Vicino... yummmm!!!!

2010- Time for Intentional Living

I listen to Dr. Randy Carlson a lot on the radio, so I decided to do as he says and start living intentionally--making the decision every day to do something to improve faith, relationships, finances, health, and work.

FAITH... I bought these devotional studies last year that I never got around to doing. Well, for January I will study the book of Ephesians with a little help from Elizabeth George.


RELATIONSHIPS... We will do one family outing per month. It doesn't seem like much, but we have a limited budget. I will also schedule an outing once a month with a friend. For January I will be attending Winter Jam 2010 with my friend, Karen. If anyone else wants to come I won't say no. Here's a little taste...



FINANCES... Not very difficult. We are continuing our quest to be debt-free. We hope this is the year we can finally call Dave Ramsey and scream "We're debt freeeeee!!!!" I may even drive down to Nashville and let him know in person.



HEALTH... I am going to make a decision every day to eat a piece of fruit. This is really lacking in my diet, so I have to make an intentional choice to eat it every day. Do M&M's qualify as a fruit? Also, I will continue my exercise regimen of Zumba twice a week and running/walking (mostly walking) 3+ miles twice a week. If you've never tried Zumba, here's a sneak peek...



WORK... I "work" at home, but I do need to get more done. In January I will be focusing on organization and cleaning. I have already started clearing out our storage room and have made great progress. Maybe I will post a picture when I am done. I am also excited to be getting new laundry baskets. Grammy D. gave us some money to buy new ones. It seems a little strange to get excited about laundry baskets, but I'm kind of strange.



So, there is a glimpse of our plans for the year. I'll keep you posted on how it's going, and I challenge you to pick one of the five and make the choice every day to improve it.

New Blog Header

How do you like the new header? If any of the six people who read this know anything about HTML, I could use your help. I would like the header to be BIGGER, but I don't know how to do it. Increasing the size in photo editor does not work.

I'm working on ways to be more intentional in 2010 and plan to post them tomorrow. Resolutions are too vague. You have to make intentional choices every day, and hopefully the choices made will improve your faith, financial situation, relationships, health, and work. One example might be I am going to spend more time with my family today, so I am not going to get on Facebook or use the internet at all today. (I think everyone can relate to that one.)

See you in 2010!!!!

In Case You Were Wondering...

... we are still here. I did finally get our Christmas cards mailed so that is one thing I can check off the list. Many things still on the calendar as the one-week-till-Christmas countdown begins. Looking forward to a visit from Grammy and Pawpaw R. in a few days, and Grammy and Grandpa D. will be coming after Christmas (and Buddy and Casey and possibly Pony Boy.)

My Celine Dion Christmas CD was MIA for the last month. Luckily, I found it. Joyous!! Let the loud music blare throughout the house.

I made the playoffs for fantasy football, but I lost in the first round by four lousy points.

All for now, gotta watch the Monk finale on hulu.

Drummer Boy 2009

In case you are looking for something to do this Christmas season, come see Drummer Boy at Grace Church in St. Louis. Our church has been putting this on every year for the past several years, and it continues to grow in popularity. It is AWESOME!! And, it is FREE!!! Here is a sneak peek...

Christmas Treasures

The article below is from my daily email devotions from Proverbs 31 Ministries. It was written by Rachel Olsen. Some people are so blessed with the gift of words and writing. (I am not one of those people.) It's a great message for the Christmas season...

"For where your treasure is, there your heart is also." Matthew 6:21 (NIV)

It was 38 degrees when I woke the day after Thanksgiving. Yet, willing to brave chilly temps and frenzied crowds in search of crazy deals, I headed out shopping.

As I walked the aisles past slick gadgets, plush robes, and animated toys, one thought kept coming to my mind: The gifts we long for—the ones we ask for, save for, shop for, and wrap up in shiny paper with bows—will disappoint, eventually. They will age, wear, scratch, stain, fade or break. They may even get lost or stolen. Not long after the shiny newness wears off, the realization sets in that these objects don't provide the lasting happiness we'd hoped they would.

Am I a Christmas scrooge? Not at all! Beneath my tree sits several lovely gifts I look forward to giving my family. And I'm hoping one will appear there for me before Christmas Eve. But this thought, this realistic view of the contents of those packages, helps me keep the material aspects of this holiday in perspective — eternal perspective.

It's so easy to get caught up in the commercial fervor that is Christmas. It's easy to think we must show our love through bought gifts. But often a warm hug and some relaxed hospitality, time spent together on a hobby, or a letter detailing your appreciation would mean so much more than another coffee mug or gift basket. And for those of us facing hard financial times this year, that's welcome news.

If I could give you one fantastic gift today, I'd take your hand and cause us both to travel back in time some 33 years after the birth of Christ. We'd sit together on the hillside and listen to Jesus teach the Sermon on the Mount. We would hear our Savior say , "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also" (Matthew 6:19-21, NIV).

Perhaps hearing it from the Savior's lips would help us believe that it's important what we treasure. It's important where our heart is. And to remember that the objects we ask for, give, and receive are temporary, just like the pleasure they bring.

God, however, gives gifts that are eternal. They never age, fade, deteriorate or fail to delight. He gave the gift of love with a baby in a manger. He gave the gift of truth through the teaching of Rabbi Jesus. And He gave the gift of eternal life in the form of the crucified and risen Christ. God gives the best gifts!

I found a few good deals at the mall that early Friday morning, but no thing like the deal I found at a little church almost two decades ago when I met this risen Lord and exchanged my sins for His grace.

In the days of the Bible, times of great joy were frequently accompanied by the giving of gifts (e.g. Nehemiah 8:10; Esther 9:22; Revelation 11:10). This ancient custom, practiced in all nations throughout history, finds its greatest expression today at Christmas. As we participate in gift-giving this year, let's follow God's lead and look for ways to also share love, truth and the path to eternal life with those we care about. Perhaps we can help another to find the greatest gift of all, or to treasure it rightly.

Dear God, thank You for the treasures of Christ, the gift of grace, and the blessings of eternal light and life. Show me opportunities to share them with those around me this month. Help me keep my heart set on You as the only lasting source of delight. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Tuesday Afternoon Quarterback

I won! I'm not going to rub it in or anything. This week my dilemma is whether to start Matt Schaub against the Colts, or Eli Manning against the Broncos. Any help or suggestions are greatly appreciated. The Rusty's Beef-A-Reeno player of the week is RB Jamaal Charles of the KC Chiefs. Here is why...


Video Courtesy of ProSports/NFL

I'm Addicted...

... to THIS!!!



What can I say? I think I could eat this every single day. Love it. Love it. Love it. We are so lucky (or unlucky) that Little Caesars opened right by our subdivision. You just can't beat $5 for a large pizza, and the crazy bread is just ridiculously good. Be warned, when you come visit us, expect to have it at least once during your stay :-} We'll even pay!!

Tuesday Afternoon Quarterback

You have probably been wondering why I haven't posted anything about my fantasy football team for the last three weeks. Well, it's because I LOST 3 in a row, and I really don't like to post about it when I lose. Guess what that means. I won this week.

It definitely went down to the wire. I was up by almost 80 points going in to Sunday night's game between the Colts and Patriots. My opponent had both Peyton Manning and Randy Moss. Yikes! I thought "What is the likelihood they will average 40 points each?" They came pretty close. I think they combined for about 75 points. Luckily, I have balanced scoring on my team. This week's Player of the Week is Vikings WR Sidney Rice. I figure I should give him some props since he caught for over 200 yards this week.

Oh, and get this. I play T-Bone (my husband) this week. I was going around the house Sunday singing "Rice, Rice, Baby" and said I was going to use it on my league blast. Today, I was setting my lineup and noticed he put "Rice, Rice, Baby" (referring to his player, Ray Rice) on his league smack talk blast. Clearly, he can't come up with his own ideas so he has to steal mine!!

Is it Just Me...

... Or is it a wee bit early to be hearing Christmas music on the radio stations?  I mean, the Cowboys haven't even played their traditional Thanksgiving Thursday game yet.  Maybe I will be more in the spirit if I get out my CD's and start blaring them in the house.  I did win several cool Christmas houseware items last year at our family Christmas celebration that I am anxious to get out of storage.  We're gamers and the competition can get fierce, so it is nice to come out on top, but I digress.  What was I talking about?  Oh yeah, Christmas music.  Here is one of my favorites...

Courtesy of YouTube

Christmas Child Update

We finished our Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes. After a 2 box donation from Grammy R., we were able to put together 7 boxes!! We will be delivering them to the church this evening. Carlie had so much fun putting them together this year. Noah, on the other hand, could not understand that the stuff was not for him, and he couldn't keep it. I went ahead and did the EZ donate online to cover the shipping costs. This allows our packages to be tracked, and we will see where they end up.

A few of the items we picked up at the Dollar Tree...


Carlie filling the boxes...


And, ready to go...

Noah Owes Us $12.95

Sunday I went in to get Noah from "rest time", and I was greeted with this surprising scene...



...Yes, that is a library book. Great. Ripped to shreds. Damaged beyond repair. I went in to the library today to pay the $12.95 "lost" fee. The women working there said it was not a big deal, and that it happened all the time. Not exactly what I wanted Noah to hear. So, we came home, and he had to give me $12.95 from his piggy bank.

Halloween Trivia Night

Last night we participated in the trivia night put on by the local community center. We got 3rd place. Out of 10 rounds, we scored 10/10 on five of them. Rahul, Sarina, and Mike dominated the "Harry Potter" category, and I rocked the "College Towns" category. However, "Beer Slogans" and "State Quarters" got us pretty good.

Us

Erin & Lance

Sarina & Rahul

Jackie & Marty

The Black-Eyed Peas

And, the BEST costume of the night...

Shrimp Cocktail

Succoth Celebration

Wednesday was Carlie's Succoth Celebration (Feast of the Tabernacles) at school followed by Harvest Parties. All the kids bring in various produce (apples, potatoes, sweet potatoes, etc.) to be donated to a local women's shelter. I had no idea she was going to be reading a passage from Psalms, and, luckily, I had the camera.

Birthday Prep

I decided to do a Lightning McQueen cake for Noah's birthday since he absolutely loves that movie. Luckily, I didn't have to buy the pan because a mother of a fellow kindergartener let me borrow hers. Splendid, now I don't have to spend $20+ on the pan. Little did I know that the decorating bags, tips, Cars icing gel, and frosting ingredients were going to cost over $15. Unless you do this for a business or decorate every cake you make with these items (which I don't), it is ridiculous to spend that much, in my opinion.

After being hunched over for 3 hours+, I finally finished the cake. I think it turned out okay, but I will probably be buying my cakes from Costco or making a basic cake with Betty Crocker frosting. Costco cakes run around $16, taste awesome, and you don't have to do the work. One thing I learned from doing this is that Wedding/Celebration Cake bakers are so worth the price they charge. They have been gifted with an unbelievable talent. As for me, I will stick to putting up closet organizers. Much more fun.

Over 3 hours (a sore neck, a sore back, and arthritis in my right hand) later...

Ready for my own DIY Show

I'm a little behind, so I will try to catch up over the next few days. Last weekend the closet organizer came, and I spent my time assembling it. I highly recommend easyclosets because it was, as advertised, very easy. If you can follow directions, you can do it. Mike was nice enough to do all the laundry and cleaning while I was showing off my DIY skills. I think it took about 10 hours of total labor, but I move kind of slow and measure twice so I only have to cut once. Plus, I wasn't going to drop $1000 for someone to do what I can do myself.

This part took the longest. Making sure the tracks were measured properly and leveled.

The drawer wasn't too bad, and I even have some space in it. I guess it's a good excuse to get a few more tops.

The bottom is a hamper. One less thing taking up floor space in our not-so-large bedroom.

Tuesday Afternoon Quarterback

I won again. This week's Beef-A-Reeno Player of the Week is TE Owen Daniels from the Texans. I think he is from Naperville. He scored over 20 points this week which is huge for a TE. Speaking of TE, did anyone see Dancing with the Stars last night when Michael Irvin put a coin between his cheeks because his instructor said he needed to dance like he had something stuck up his rear? Too funny. Anyway, next week I play Newman! Newman! has Tom Brady. This could be a rough week for Beef-A-Reeno as Adrian Peterson will only get you so far. Keep your fingers and toes crossed.

Photo from AP/Yahoo Sports

A Way to Bless (Your) Children This Christmas

I'm sure you have already started thinking about what to get your kids this Christmas. I know I have. They are so blessed to have all that they have, and I am thankful for it. There are so many boys and girls throughout the world who live in orphanages that never get to open one Christmas gift. Operation Christmas Child is a project of Samaritan's Purse that delivers presents wrapped in shoeboxes to children living in remote locations throughout the world.

We participate in this every year. It is a great way to make a difference in a child's life that you don't even know, and you can teach your kids about giving and their blessings as well. Last year we did 2 boxes, and this year our goal is 5. I posted a video below about Rosi's shoebox story. For information about a shoebox drop-off in your area as well as guidelines for what to put in the shoebox, visit Samaritan's Purse (click here.) Please let me know if you decide to do this project and how many boxes you fill.

Another One Bites the Dust!

Just so you all know, we don't have patio chairs anymore.

Carlie said, "I think he is making a pillow."

He carried this all the way up the tree. Then came back.

Why stop at the head rest? Go ahead and take what you need out of the seat as well.

Ripped to shreds!!

A Little More Incentive

Sallie Mae has got to go. She has been taking up space in our house for far too long. I needed a little incentive to get this ball and chain out of the house for good. So, here is what we decided on.



It's the KLOVE cruise (or a Music Boat Cruise) depending on the headliners. I wish. I wish. I wish we could go in 2010. I really hope these artists will be there when we take the cruise. They are my very favorites.

CHRIS TOMLIN.


MERCY ME.


NEWSBOYS. Mike is not a huge fan of the Newsboys because he thinks their lead singer is "scary looking". (You can judge for yourself.) He is no longer their lead singer though so I hope their sound isn't changed too dramatically since the new guy is Michael Tait from DC Talk.


Once we get old Sallie out the house, we will be going. We will most likely take a side trip to Disney World as well. I hope people will join us. But, you can't join us if you have to put it on a credit card. You have to pay cash for it. Remember this is to celebrate being debt-free!! I'm pretty sure Grammy D. will be in because I know she has always wanted to go. Any other interest out there? I'm fun to cruise with!!

Monday Afternoon Quarterback

Yes, this is a day early, but I can safely say I lost this week.  Bummer.  I was bitten by the injury bug.  One of my better WR's, Calvin Johnson, was injured on an early play and did not return.  Hopefully he will not be out for very long.  His lack of point production, and the fact that I had a kicker whose team did not score one lousy point really hurt me.  So, there is no Player of the Week because I do not give them out if I do not win.  

On a side note, after 20 years in business, Ozzie's Restaurant in Westport is closing its doors.  Last day of business is this Friday, October 16th.  

Graphic from Ozzie's website

Broom Ball

Swept? Seriously? What an embarrassment. October ended way too early this year. I am so disappointed. I have nothing more to say.

Photo courtesy of flickr.com

Sniff Sniff

Game 1

Dodgers: 5

Cardinals: 3

Are YOU Ready?

Get your game on!!!! Don't you just love the shirt? Vintage. It's my shirt that I got WAY back in 1982 after the Cards won the World Series. Yes, it still fits.

GO CARDS!!!!

YEAH BABY!!

Go Crazy, Folks! Go Crazy!!

Spirit Shoes

Tuesday Evening Quarterback

I'm sure you have just been waiting on pins and needles to find out if I won my fantasy football game over the weekend... well, I did!! Barely. Only by 9 points. What a nail biter. If it hadn't been for a backup running back throwing a TD pass, I would have lost. So, my Player of the Week is Steelers' RB Mewelde Moore.

Photo from NFL.com