Transitioning Into the Madness

Sorry its been a day or two since I checked in.  Its been a crazy couple of weeks! 
     My technical last week of work was June 3rd-7th but I have continued to work from home for the past 2 weeks.   Not full time but on an as needed basis to finish up some stuff in the turnover.
     My mom had an episode where her lungs and heart were full of and surrounded by fluid.  She was diagnosed with Congestive Heart Failure and has been on a round of meds.  She had a heart cath and the dr could not find any blockages or damage to the heart so that was an awesome blessing.  BUT still haven't figured out the reason for the fluid buildup.
      I also had the opportunity to go to youth camp in Baghdad, KY.  Yes I said Baghdad!  AND IT WAS AWESOME!  This was our second year going!  You can check out the camp at
http://www.gocrossings.org/cedarmore/

The kids and adults were both blessed by this trip!  We have had the pleasure of being able to go both years while Josh Howerton of The Bridge Church  was speaking.  He is great and the kids adored him.  If you have a chance you can get his podcasts!  You won't be disappointed!
http://www.bridgesh.com/

     SO now that I've caught you up, I am working to get a schedule in place for my days at home with the kids.  I've looked at Pinterest, facebook, and google until I'm blue in the face.  I've looked for schedules, cooking recipes, cleaning recipes, and ways to save money.  It's quite overwhelming if I do say so myself.  I think that is the worst part of staying at home.  I want to make the most of everyday that I have with my kids and my home. 
Lets just say patience is not my best skill. 
But the best part of being at home is that I can worry about my schedule, cleaning, and menu choices at the pool!
 At least for now! :0)

Work day at Casa De English

Yesterday was my 10th Wedding Anniversary!  By the world's standards it wasn't an exciting day but by mine it was awesome.  We sent the kids to daycare and took the day off to tour Atlanta.  We tried restaurants we hadn't tried, stopped by the stores that looked interesting but we had never had time to stop at, and visited some estate sales.  I had a small moment of regret when I saw a beautiful buffet that I wanted to purchase and would have had I not just made the choice to quit my job.  It was love at first site and broke my heart to walk away.  But today I realize that I made the right choice.  Although I have considered knocking over my kids piggy banks and rushing over to see if it is still there!!!!!!!  :0)

Today I have to go back to mommy mode and hope to get some things done!  I obviously realize I'm starting at 11:25 but better late than never I say!  I'm going to experiment with making my own liquid laundry detergent and knocking out some laundry.  Hopefully I will be able to knock out some problem areas in the yard and be able to finish up some problem areas in the yard.  I have big expectations so better get to work!
Have a great day!

Day 6 Prepping for Unemployment

Well it has a been a busy couple of days.  My hubby and middle son went to North Carolina to help out his dad with some clean up for Memorial Day Weekend.  So with those 2 out of town and my oldest son working, me and the  little one went on a mission to do some research and prep work for the end of my employment. 
Of course the first thing on my mind is money.  How are we going to make ends meet?  How are we going to maintain the lifestyles that we have all become used to???
I have had to continuously remind myself that God is enough and he will provide.  I just have to be faithful.
I did a lot of searches on how to save money and how to simplify your life. Prayer has been continuous part of this process.
One of the books that I read was The Heart of Simplicity Foundations for Christian Homemaking From the heart of over a dozen Christian women. (theheartofsimplicity.com)

"Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain.” Psalm 127:1

In all of my readings, I am reminded that we get so caught up in the world and material things that we forget the difference between needs and wants.  I am reminded that we are a society of spoiled brats.  It is one of my missions in this journey to make my children less worldly and more Godly men.  I want them to grow up to be humble and thankful men. 

SO, my father in law gave us a gift card for Christmas to by a deep freeze.  I really wanted to have some meals to pull from on those days when dinner was the last thing on my mind.  3 weeks ago we finally went and made the purchase.  http://www.sears.com/kenmore-6.5-cu-ft-upright-freezer/p-04629702000P?prdNo=1&blockNo=1&blockType=G1
Basically it has been sitting in the garage serving no purpose until I realized I had a gold mine of opportunity I had yet to tap into.  
So I started researching freezer meals.  I can't say that I was super careful about shopping sale items but I did buy in bulk and prep my own meat which helped cut the cost.  I used pinterest for ideas and also used 2 books to help with recipes and also instruction.  Once a Month Cooking and Fix it, Freeze it, Heat it, and Eat it.  I loved the step by step instructions and practical recipes! 
http://www.amazon.com/Southern-Living-Freeze-Heat-ebook/dp/B0091JQOVU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1369880394&sr=8-1&keywords=fix+it+freeze+it+heat+it+eat+it
 

http://www.amazon.com/Once-A-Month-Cooking-Family-Favorites-ebook/dp/B003E74BKQ/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1369883316&sr=1-1&keywords=once+a+month+cooking

All of the prep work did not go a seamless as the book leads you to believe but overall it wasn't an awful experience.  I think as time goes on and we see what we like and don't like the process will get easier.  Also now that we have some dinners ready, I can focus on watching the sales and stockpiling more frugally.  As we actually pull out  and try the recipes, I will report back on how the family likes or dislikes each!

As I leave you tonight, what are the steps that you would take to prepare for unemployment?  Are you taking those steps now even though you are working? 
What is the foundation that your family is built on?  Is it a worldly materialistic foundation?
Or is it deeply rooted in the faith that God will meet or needs?  Remember I said "NEEDS".

Good night!

Day 1 of Transition Journey

Yesterday I was a Cost Analyst in corporate America.  Today starts my 2 weeks until I am a full time Domestic Analyst aka stay at home mom.  It has been a long couple of months to get to this place.  It has been an exhausting battle between the pros and cons of stay at home and corporate life.  Truth is I want them both.  I want the title, that feeling of importance, and most of all the check!  I also want the organized house, the organic meals, and the freedom to play with my boys while the world moves along in the hustle and bustle of its day.  Its not fair that men don't have this internal battle to be everything to everybody.  I want it all!  Most of all, I want to be the woman, wife, and mother that God wants me to be.  Come along with me as I journey from corporate to domestic!  I have this beautiful picture in my mind of how wonderful and seamless this transfer will be but we all know that would just be way tooo boring for me!