An Update on Life

It is officially winter! We have snow on the ground (that hopefully won't melt), the Christmas tree is lit, and of course our utility bill just increased by $100... yep, winter must be here! I have a love hate relationship with this season. Love the snow and the joy that comes with the Christmas season, but can't stand the windy days that give you chills even when you are bundled, and of course I never actually appreciate paying my heat bill. On the bright side, I am thankful to be living in a home that has heat, even if it can be a struggle to pay.

The past few months have been kind of rough as our income has decreased substantially.  Thankfully we have not fallen behind on any bills.  We have had to put over $100 into each of our cars, which has not been fun. I had a leaking gas line in the engine area (not something to put off fixing) and today we brought Jarrett's car in to get the tires rotated so it's ready for our trip next week and ended up having to put new tires on his car. At least I have been putting extra into savings!

We are also approaching the 3rd trimester... that means Baby will be here in 3 months! We have been working hard to hang sheet rock and get the room painted, now we just need to get the carpet put in. I am hoping to be done at one of my jobs the end of January, this will save us gas money, and since I only work 17 hours a week there, we won't be losing too much income... AND I have been saving up my paid time off that we will be able to get once I'm done! My other job I will be working at through February unless I am told otherwise, but so far it has been a good pregnancy, so we are praying that no complications arise.

After the baby comes I am hoping to be a stay at home mom. We realize that this will be tough, but do not want to have our child in day care. We have been continually sharing Shaklee, as this is how we are hoping to help support our family. Please take a look at our website! I have also taken time over the past month or so to pick up a hobby that had been pushed aside a long time ago.

As I will be taking the spring semester off and finishing my A.A. next fall, I figured I would have more time to have a hobby since I am not going to be studying and working. So I have been knitting and crocheting A LOT! I have mostly been making Christmas gifts, but in between I have also been making some items for the Etsy shop I plan to open sometime after Christmas (hopefully in time for the new year!) I will keep you all posted and let you know when it officially opens. I plan to have several knitted, crocheted, and other handmade items for sale!

Oh, and I also plan to blog more once the new year starts...maybe it will be a resolution :)

Satin Hands Winner!!

Yesterday completely got away from me.  We looked at a 2006 Impala and spend some time in Duluth.  We also bought a new kitchen table and did some grocery shopping! I got so caught up getting everything done that I forgot to announce the winner of the Satin Hands Set........ 

and it is Michelle!! So excited that she gets this set because she is a mom of 3 with a 4th on the way! What a great way for her to pamper herself! Congrats Michelle!! 

(Michelle & her husband)

FAB Friday

Today is a day off...both work AND school! I am going to clean my house a little and enjoy the sunshine! 

I work Saturday and Sunday afternoon, so we do not have much planned for the weekend.

I want to share an update on our car search...

I emailed the dealership that was selling the Saturn VUE on Tuesday.  I heard back from the guy on Wednesday morning that they were bringing the car to International Falls for someone who was interested. I started searching some more and praying more about this.  I emailed him again this morning and he said he didn't hear anything and would let me know as soon as he did... 15 mins later I get an email saying it did not sell and will be back in town tomorrow.  So we plan to go for a test drive tomorrow!!! 

(here is the VUE we are looking at)

I forgot to take a pic of dinner the other day, but here is the recipe

Salsa Chicken:

2 lbs chicken breasts
6 Tbs chili powder
2 tsp cumin
1 jar of your favorite salsa
couscous 
sour cream
shredded cheese

Cut chicken into 1" cubes and put in a gallon Ziplock bag.  Add seasoning and shake until coated.  Dump contents of bag into Crock Pot and pour jar of salsa over the top (I personally love to use Archer Farms Organic Chipotle salsa!) Cook on low for 7-9 hours.  Serve over couscous and top with sour cream and cheese if desired.

P.S. - I entered this recipe in a give away at Envy My Cooking 

Out with the old...In with the new!

There have been a lot of changes going on in my heart over the past couple of months and they have begun to pour over into my living.  I desire to change, but it is so hard to do when life around me is so mundane.  I have become very aware of how I talk and the conversations I take part in.  I have noticed that my comfort level in everyday conversations around me has changed drastically.  I almost feel awkward when people around me are talking about going to the bars and other things that they did over the weekend.  My attitude and the way I carry myself has also seemed to change.  The Lord is doing something - and although I am not sure what it is - I want to be ready for it.  I wouldn't say I ever really turned from him, but the past several months of my life have definitely been consumed with other, less important things.

I have found a new friend! I feel so blessed as she too is a fellow believer in this faith that I strive to live and follow everyday of my life.  Just talking with her brings joy to my life.  It is nice to finally have people to join with that have the same beliefs as I, and she is in the nursing program, so he understands the stresses of my life far better than anyone else.  PRAISE THE LORD!!

Over the past couple months I have also been trying really hard to change the way that Jarrett and I eat.  Boy, oh boy is this a hard goal to accomplish!! I have been buying primarily organic foods and have started shopping at the local co-op.  I love it there!! Yes, it is a little spendy, but why not if it going to be better for my health in the long run.  I have been thinking a lot about our future family quite often, and this is part of the reason that I really want a change.  I do not want to feed my children things that, yet unnoticed, are harmful for their bodies.  It is a challenge for my husband to see eye-to-eye with me on this one.  He loves his food, and I have to admit that I do too.  But really eating healthy doesn't have to taste bad!! 

Oh... and one of our cars is not doing so well.  It is the car that we bought for Jarrett back in November.  Unfortunately we took it in today for some "minor repairs",  such as brakes and an oil change, and found out that the transmission needs to be rebuilt. Hm.... We are considering buying a new vehicle.  Since we only paid $450 for this car, it is almost not worth it to put in well over $1,000.  So I suggested to him that we look into a more "family friendly" vehicle for our near future and that he just take over my current Taurus wagon.  We are praying for a great deal and a great vehicle.  I am looking at a 2003 Saturn Vue that I found at a dealership here in town (what do you think Ria??)  And I also found a 2008 Honda CR-V that I really like, but it is a little bit over our price range.  Any suggestions?