My current "self help" read....

So, as today came about and I realized there was NO DAVE RAMSEY day tonight, as would there ever be for the next infinity of Tuesdays...... I have currently started reading this book....
I love books that make you feel good, make you want to better yourself, and give you a totally different outlook on life! Our preacher currently finished a sermon series on this book and I'm looking forward to it! So- here's to "One Month to Live" and living a "no-regrets" life!

Cow patties and blown budget!

Well, Jeremy and Jaylee Ray decided to go look at Pa's cows yesterday. I dress her in hand me down play clothes and her tennis shoes..... they return several hours later with no shoes on, Jaylee saying "Mommy I got poop on my pants" and Mom is wondering what in the hell has happened?!??!

I'm thinking she had an accident at the farm and daddy had to clean up her poop. My insides were rolling because he never gets to deal with anything like that! But, much to my disappointment, she stepped in a cow patty..... and it got, all over her shoes and the bottoms of her pants.

Yuck! Jeremy tried to hand the shoes to me and I said "Oh no- that came with YOUR trip- you can deal"

And as much to no ones surprise- he didn't clean them- he just placed them inside the garage- to where I go and look for this morning as we are getting dressed- and there they are, now, all covered in dried up, crusted over, cow patty!

Text sent to husband at 7:30- "I was going to send you a "have a great day, I love you text" instead "I'm going to buy Jaylee Ray new shoes this week so work overtime!"

I instantly got a phone call, apologizing for "forgetting all about them shoes"-- haha- yea right! Like I'm too stupid to know that he "Accidentally forgot"- Please!

So now jaylee has a pair of "farm shoes" and soon a new pair of "home/play shoes"

Text....

Friday, 7:05- Husband approached about going back to head mechanic for job, husband responds to boss...."We'll talk about it"

7:45- Husband receives a text that reads "let me know if you want it- another raise will be involved"

7:45.02- Husband forwards text to me...but my phone is turned off since there is no service at work!

4:15- I finally receive the text and cry some more on my way home from work and we both talk about how blessed we are!

Weekend- Jeremy shows excitement to noone other than me- typical! I wanted to wring his little neck when his mother asked about it- he never shows excitement to anyone, over anything! (I wish everyone could have heard the conversation Friday morning when HE CALLED to tell me what had just happened!)

Monday Morning- Husband arrives at work to be mechanic and takes back over his shop and work truck! I call at 7:30 for a reason I'll blog about next.... and already, his voice has changed and you can tell he's back to liking his job!

In Awe.....

Tears of joy this morning.......I'm standing in awe of God and his continual blessings!

Blessing #1
As I went to look at the budget last night and look at Jeremy's deposit this week, I couldn't help but thank God for his continual blessing. I remember the days and nights of crying myself to sleep and wondering how we were going to make it. Recently a friend posted on facebook that they went to speak to their landlord about their Rent and by Gods generous people, it had already been paid. I remember being in their shoes. I remember struggling to make it week by week. TYJ for your outpouring of love and continual blessings in our finances.

Blessing #2
I went to wake up my girls this morning, and both girls were just happy and grinning from ear to ear. Jaylee Ray knew that today was Friday and there were "no more fingers" and her Daddy was coming home today! Jentri was just full of giggles as always, which makes it harder and harder to leave her at Miss Robins! TJY for the blessing of children. There is no greater joy than children and the laughter and joy that they bring!

Blessing #3
Jeremy was offered another position in his job.......... possibly an increase in pay as well. God is so good and I feel so unworthy. Dave Ramsey stated over and over that when you put God in control of your finances that blessings will continue to outpour. I firmly believe this is true because we have been blessed beyond measure since taking his course!

FULL CIRCLE....

Speechless is how I left class last night......
Not many things in life leave me speechless with a dumbfounded look, but the final class of Dave Ramsey last night did. Wow.

"The Great MISUNDERSTANDING"

Bottom Line- NOTHING is yours. EVERYTHING is God's. You are working for his kingdom, and not your own. Your money is not yours. You are only the MANAGER of HIS money.

Just because you make more money, does not mean you get to spend more and have more, it is suppose to mean that you GIVE more. Ouch! How guilty of this are we? How guilty are you?

Did you know that the term "tithe" means "tenth". So, therefore, if you are not giving a TENTH of your income (10%) then you cannot say that you "tithe", you are giving an "offering". Now I know why at church we have the session "tithes and offerings" and not just "tithes" NOW WE understand! We have never "tithed", We have always "offered". And reason being- SELFISH. And being selfish is a SIN. When you clench your fist around your money, and keep it to yourself, you will never prosper in life. When you open that fist, and give it to him, amazing things happen.....things you don't even understand HOW will happen.

Guilty.....Guilty....Guilty.... are we. Even being in debt, you are still suppose to tithe. That WAS so hard to wrap my mind around, until last night. Life has no meaning unless you are a giver.

You will never have financial peace, until this great misunderstand......is UNDERSTOOD.

So- we have "Graduated" and our class is now over. 13 weeks to get on the right track of financial peace. We are on our way, and can't wait for the day of becoming debt free! It takes the average family 18-24 months to become debt free, minus their house. Then after debt free, it takes them 6-7 years to pay off their house early. I feel much more at peace with our money. The financial stress has been eliminated in our marriage, thanks to the hard, dreaded task of BUDGETING. It isn't easy, it is very hard, but it's worth it! Many say that they don't NEED a budget, they've done it their way for so long....they aren't changing. Some say they are single and don't have any worries. Everyone has a reason, but not everyone has financial peace.

Sorry if I have stepped on any ones toes the past 13 weeks during this process. It has been a very learning-filled lesson and I hope if anything, at ANY POINT, in your life, that you too will someday take this class. Of the 4 families involved in my class, we were the only couple under the age 50. The other 3 said over and over, "I WISHED I HAD TAKEN THIS SOONER", and "WAY TO GO LOWE FAMILY- WAY TO GET YOUR FAMILY ON THE RIGHT TRACK EARLY!" It is never to late to budget, and take control of your finances. It is never too late to prepare for your future. It's never to late to get financial peace!

That's OUR girl!

Recent Jaylee Happenings.....

Happening # 1
So in the past 2 years of having the same babysitter, not once have I ever received a call at work. Yesterday afternoon, while I was mid lesson, my principal came over my speaker and said "Mrs. Lowe, your babysitter is on the phone".... You can well imagine how fast I flew out of my room. I'm thinking blood, broken bones, not breathing, emergency room, etc......

I get to the phone, and my babysitter is panicked and is in tears. Poor thing- I knew it was Jaylee Ray the instant I picked up the phone. The little fart had decided to not just let her babysitter give her the one a day Singulair tablet, she decided that she wanted the rest of them, so punched them out of the package, and ate them right up!

As for Jaylee, poison control was contacted and surprisingly, this happens ALOT because toddlers love the sweet taste and want more of it! No life altering complications, just itchy watery eyes at the most!

That is MY child. Will never stop to get what she wants. It doesn't matter if she knows it's WRONG, or if she has been told NO numerous times, she's going to go after it! Then it's also HIS child.... tell me no and I'll show you I can. Or, just hide and watch and with a smirk on her face do it anyways!

Dear LORD, Please help us NOW! We are running out of our "could have beens" and free chances TOO EARLY in this girls life.....what are we going to do when she gets to be 10? 15? 18?

Happening #2

While playing catch and rolling a ball back and forth down the hallway, her short attention span drew her to Jentri's room to get the balls out of jentri's "ballin toy" and place the balls inside mommy's shoes. Then, when she went to bend over to pick up the shoe and look inside, her reply was "What the hell?"

Oh yes, plain as day, perfect context, perfect tone. Not so much as one of my proudest moments as a parent, but definitely a funny one.

Happening #3

Some background information- Jaylee has mastered the shape recognition of square/triangle/circle/rectangle/oval/moon/star/heart/diamond

Recently while playing on the IPAD with her Unky Munky, she was dragging and dropping shapes and matching them up. The game told her to drag a shape, and she was dragging everything BUT that particular shape. Her Unky Munky said "Jaylee get the right one" and her reply was "Ugghh it's by the diamond Munky!" (And she was exactly right)

This little toot is so full of it, it's not even funny. Her mind is too sharp for her age and is probably going to get her into a lot of trouble if I had to guess!!!

So, hence the picture that is posted to this- just look at her-- always up to something! Always has a smirk on her face that tells you that she knows more than what she is letting on! She is something else and is in such an entertaining stage! I love the daily conversations that we have, because I never know what she is going to say! Her memory is impeccable and I hope that she keeps it up-- I'll go ahead and give credit to her two uncles, Justin and Jordan and her aunt Bri and Tara for the brains because we all know that school was quite the social event for Mommy and Daddy..... grades and using our brain--- just wasn't of any interest!!!!

1 Corinthians 13:4-8

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails."

So, as we returned to church yesterday (After being out a month from being out of town 3/4 past weekends), I felt as if the message was speaking to me. Yesterday's sermon was all about loving those that are HARD to love. Loving those that have HURT you, and Loving those who are out to do evil things.

As I have really struggled this past week in understanding a certain someone, I finally was able to let it all go yesterday.