Month: February 2011


Feb
2011

Verse of the Week – Ephesians 5:1-2

categories: jesus, love

“Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”   Ephesians 5:1-2

Instead of the million other things I try to do and to be, this is what I’m going for this week (and hopefully many more weeks).  Forget the rest.  I want to live as a dearly love child of God who tries her best to love like Jesus and live like her Father wants her to.  Simple, incredibly difficult, and humbling words are all wrapped in one little sentence, and the directive is so clear.  Help me Lord, to be more like you want me to be, to love people like you do, and to live as your child.


Feb
2011

Frugal Friday – Budget Busting Temptation

categories: budget, financial freedom, frugal

Everyone has a weakness, something that tempts you no matter the consequences.  When you are trying to stay on a budget, temptation seems to pop up everywhere.  Lately I’ve been tempted to spend all over the place.  Cute maternity clothes call to me from the racks saying, “You need cute clothes, buy me!”  And there’s the baby stuff.  Oh, the baby stuff.  It calls to me from the stores and my inbox saying, “Doesn’t your baby deserve the best? If you want to be a good mom you’ll buy me.  Aren’t I the cutest thing you’ve ever seen?”  We also get tempted by budget busters like vacations and dining out, things we “deserve” because we have been so frugal.

How do we deal with all of this spending temptation when we are trying to save for our first house and baby?
We do our best to stay on budget, and we keep our budget flexible adding and changing things when needed.  We are going on an overnight getaway soon, a little babymoon, so we budgeted for it over several months so we don’t have to stress about the expense.  I got a little extra clothing money last month so I could buy more maternity clothes.  We are putting off as much baby spending as possible until after our baby showers, and budgeting some each month so that when we need to buy stuff we will have the cash ready.  We struggle daily with the temptation to forget our budget and spend whatever we want, because we do have a big savings fund.  Sometimes it is hard to not spend because we worked so hard to save up that money and be debt free.  I think what really keeps us grounded is that we are on the same page with money all the time, and make sure to work through it if a conflict arises.  This has been the best thing ever for our marriage and our finances.

What are your budget busting temptations?  How do you avoid giving in?  

Feb
2011

Glimpses of a Winter Wedding

categories: frugal, weddings, winter

Weddings are one of my favorite social events, because they are such a celebration of love and lives to be shared.  Recently I served as a bridesmaid for my friend Marci’s wedding in Arkansas.  She decided on a winter woodland wonderland theme, and I posted about her inspiration here.

There were so many frugal, creative, and handmade touches throughout the reception.  Matches and sparklers awaited the departure of the bride and groom.  Painted branches hung with white lights and origami birds greeted guests as they entered.

The bride looked radiant in her 3/4 sleeve beaded gown.  She had each bridesmaid pick her own dress with a color guideline of pale to slate blue.  We looked everywhere for a maternity dress in those colors for me, but finally found one in the regular section at the Gap.  They basically only make maternity dresses in dark monochrome or giant crazy patterns.

This earthy monogram decorated the front door of the reception venue.  

Matt and Crystal with their cute boys

Each centerpiece was unique and handmade.  They made the room look really lovely and fit the winter woodland theme perfectly.

The soft glow of white candles set the romantic mood in the room.  Mirrors reflected the light throughout the room.  

The wedding and reception were so lovely and different, and really fit the personalities of the couple.  My favorite weddings are those that make you think, “This fits them so well.”  Every touch was thought through and so many were both frugal and handmade, which makes them dear to my heart.  I’m so thankful I got to be a part of Marci and Scott’s special day.

What unique idea did you have at your wedding, or see at a wedding you attended?


Feb
2011

Verse of the Week – John 15:5

categories: jesus
*image from brewright.blogspot.com
I am the vine and you are the branches.  If a man remains in Me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.     
John 15:5

This morning one of the pastors at our church shared about the difference between trying to make a name for ourselves, and God making a name for us.  He shared the passages in Genesis 11 and 12 that showed the fate of the builders of the tower of Babel as apposed to that of Abram/Abraham.  The builders tried to reach God through their own work, while Abram believed God and trusted Him.  How different those 2 approaches to life are, but they make all the difference.  I think I struggle between the 2 on a daily basis.  I really want to trust God with my whole life, but sometimes it is so hard to get over the fact that I don’t know best and what I think is good for me is not the BEST that God has for me.  I’ve learned that the good I want for my self  is often the enemy that gets in the way of the best that God has planned.  
Do you struggle with trusting God with anything in your life?   

Feb
2011

Wiener Dog Wednesday – Snow Day

categories: Uncategorized

Please note that Jackson is not normally allowed on the furniture at our house. Up until we got married, he had free run of the house/couch/bed under my watch. Jed put a stop to that and went all Cesar the Dog Whisperer on him. He is much better behaved now. I’m not the world’s best disciplinarian. Despite all of this progress, it has been so cold that we took pity on the wiener and allowed him back on the couch. He promptly settled the pillow to his liking and snuggled under a blanket. He has a tough life. Before you think that we normally force him to lay on the cold, hard, wood floor, I should tell you that he has cushy beds in both the living room and master bedroom. Yep, it is a tough life he leads.


Feb
2011

A Rustic Bachelorette Weekend

categories: arkansas, frugal, weddings

Last week I told you about the simple and artistic bridal brunch for my friend who recently got married. After the brunch all of the bride’s friends whisked her away to the Red River near Heber Springs, Arkansas, for a rustic, laid back, and super fun bachelorette weekend.

I found the cabin on the Vacation Rentals By Owner site. It was pretty affordable when we split it among all the friends attending. We brought our own food and drinks and saved a ton not going out on the town. The bride just wanted to get away, so it was a perfect place to make that happen.
The cabin overlooked the river and though the scenery was not in the prime season, it was still lovely. The living room had an awesome fireplace that provided the perfect gathering place for our time together. I made baked brie and tomato soup that we enjoyed all evening, and my friend Crystal made an amazing cake.
It was an amazing weekend that made the bride feel loved and cared for before her big day. The photo above shows the bride (in orange) with some of us. This was the crew that hung around as long as possible enjoying the peace of the woods.

How have you celebrated bachelorette parties?

Feb
2011

Verse of the Week – 1 Peter 1:18-19

categories: jesus


We sang this hymn at church this morning, and it made me think about what my salvation was worth to God. I’m so thankful that He brought me out of the pit that I had dug for myself and gave me a whole new life, made me a new creation.

How deep the Father’s love for us
How vast beyond all measure
That He would give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure

How great the pain of searing loss
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the chosen One
Bring many sons to glory

Behold the Man upon a cross
My guilt upon His shoulders
Ashamed, I hear my mocking voice
Call out among the scoffers

It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life
I know that it is finished

I will not boast in anything
No gifts, no powr’s, no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ
His death and resurrection

Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom



“For you know it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.” 1 Peter 1:18-19