FFF over... sorta... not really

Well FFF: Frugal Food February, (or some dorky title like that) is now over since it is no longer February but.... We have learned a TON, but have a long way to go! God will continue to teach and refine this area in our lives. It's been SO GOOD! Although we have been trying to cut back a lot, it doesn't feel stressful at all, it feels right! I was worried about it being controlling at first, but it's actually been fun :)

One of the encouraging parts is that in ONE month we saved approx. $100 in groceries and $100 on going out to eat! $200 a month in food alone! (we were able to still go out to eat however by using giftcards) Huge blessing! (I think I should write down on the blessings that God provided through people's gifts) We were also able to transfer one of Andy's paychecks towards student loans plus a CD that matured today toward the loans. It's been really sweet to reflect on God's call to be dependently responsible in this area! We are fully dependant on God to provide and be content in all circumstances yet are also responsible to make good decisions and not be wasteful. We desire to obtain this goal but while we do we pray we will not be stingy by realizing that this money is not even ours to begin with!

It's amazing and encouraging to realize how many times God speaks to us in themes. This month was the issue of finances. We did not plan for this, things just kinda "turned out" this way.

One: Andy decided to take a class at Grace (our church) once a week for 6 weeks. It helps families deal with finances in the home the way God calls us to, while being a support for specific questions.

Two: I got motivated to be a better steward with our money, specifically with food (out to eat and groceries) It's amazing how much we saved and I'm so encouraged to be a better steward with our money after this month!

Three: Preparing for this weekend, a conference we are going to called "Bootcamp: Funding your ministry" Preparing for this has required us to read this book and do a study on what the bible says about money, fundraising, etc. So far it has been really great to prepare and know we will learn to have a new biblical perspective on fundraising after this weekend!

Some tidbits that I learned this month that might be helpful to you if you feel like God is speaking to you in this way as well.

Kalona- Central Discount! Oh Boy! I'm a fan. Thank you Missy for showing me the ropes! If you haven't been there, I would strongly suggest you go. If you want someone to go with, I'm your girl. I made the goal to try not to buy anything that I think will be there, at another grocery store and make one trip there a month. Worth the drive (20 mins. or so?)

Mint.com- a sweet site that you can plug all your assets into, budget, and get email notifications when you go over budget!

The Bible! We just finished a bible study on this. But here's a QUICK little blurp to whet your appetiete. (Isn't it SWEET how the Bible talks about everything in life) Proverbs is loaded! Especially stressing how hard work and perseverence in area of finances are honoring to the Lord.

Ads- Look at em! Plan around them. It's worth the extra couple mins. it takes to do this! I added them on my favorite sites tab on the right!

Coupons- this area I could improve on. Anyone master this? How do you get the coupons? buy a paper? online? I usually take them to the store but then manage to forget to use them after I purchased the item :) I just got this address that may be worth checking out? http://thelinnenkampfamily.blogspot.com/

Shop online sometimes- If you are making a bigger purchase it may be better to look online quick to see if you can find it cheaper. for example, we "downgraded" our phones (saving $60 a month) so we needed to get a car charger and a case to protect the phone, since I drop it numerous times throughout the day! We could have got it at verizon for approx. $70 but got it all online for $15! Crazy I know! Stinkin' Verizon! :s

So although "FFF" is over, I'm going to continue to press on privately. If I come across a good cheap meal, I'll share but I won't share my weekly meal plans for a couple reasons. 1. They are boring most weeks 2. Sometimes combinations are "weird" for some of you. (I'm my mommas girl! creating something out of nothing!) 3. Like you care when we are having "leftovers"!

Please comment if you have any other tidbits that have helped you manage money!

**** Sidenote- If anyone uses formula and could use some, let me know, I have a gift for you :)

My Fave Scriptures!

Malachi 3:10 Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the LORD of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need.

Proverbs 30:8-9 ...give me neither poverty nor riches! Give me just enough to satisfy my needs. For if I grow rich, I may deny you and say, “Who is the Lord?” And if I am too poor, I may steal and thus insult God’s holy name.

Luke 16:10-12“If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities. And if you are untrustworthy about worldly wealth, who will trust you with the true riches of heaven? And if you are not faithful with other people’s things, why should you be trusted with things of your own?

The Blessing of Loving Andy and Zander

I was coaching club volleyball last night when I was talking to another woman about plans for coaching/teaching next year. When I said I'm going to continue to stay home with Zander I got a response of "What a waste" She said this in the context of giving me compliments of being a good good teacher/coach but still....my gut twisted and my heart broke. I understand that she wasn't trying to hurt my feelings but I perceived them this way. I don't question if staying at home is the right thing to do for us right now, but it hurts me when people look down upon what I strongly believe is ONE of the most honorable roles that a woman can have. (more on this later)

I confess I have my days... Some days I can't imagine myself doing ANYTHING more rewarding, other days caring for Zander seems like anything but significant. I don't believe for a second that staying home is a waste. Such strong words makes me sad and angry at the people who would think that.

Although my ultimate purpose for staying home is not personal fulfillment. Because in many ways it's a sacrifice (financially, career fulfillment, sometimes mundane activity, etc) But other ways YES, it's fulfilling. I LOVE IT! I get to watch my son grow up before my eyes! I get to enjoy him and the blessings that come along with staying at home. I see this responsibility as a delight not a burden. (almost always) :)

I try to treasure each moment. I am a learner and have learned so much from other moms that have been through it. (A lot of you who are probably reading this actually!) But I pay attention to what people tell me. These are a couple common remarks/advice/warnings.

1. Your kids are only young once. Enjoy them during this stage.
2. Enjoy your happy good sleeping baby now, because your next one will probably be the opposite (although I take this advice with a grain of salt!)
3. Cuddle with them now before they don't want to cuddle anymore. I like this one! :)
4. Cherish the stage they are in never wish they would grow up because you can never have those months/years back.
5. One thing Andy's dad taught him was, The biggest way you can show your children love, is by loving our spouses unconditionally. (Why we REALLY try to go on dates every week!)

Everyday I'm faced with a decision. Will I look at the challenges of motherhood with complaining, resentment, and self-pity, or will I embrace that challenge cheerfully realizing what a blessing it is to stay at home with my first born son? I pray I will choose the 2nd option!

Our desire is to make our life pretty simple. We do simple acts of love that almost always involves quality time with one another. I pray simple things will always be important to Zander as well. We don't need fancy stuff to show how much we love each other. Although sometimes we get nice things because we just believe they are worth it! (ie. big stroller that's nice and tall, good toilet paper, etc!)We are a family of sinners, but sinners who have been transformed by the gospel. This is the ultimate reason I stay home. I hope staying at home with Zander would give more opportunities to teach him God's ways. It has felt good and right to do some small commitments outside the home as well. Personally, I believe this has worked well for our family. It's my prayer and hope that I can maintain a balance between both of these. I'm challenged by Proverbs 31, the wife and mother of excellence. It seems like she also did some work outside the home but her family NEVER lacked anything. The family is ALWAYS her priority. What a challenge! But it's a challenge worth striving for! I wanted to include it, it's been awhile since I have read this passage and I felt like God really spoke to me through it after the conversation last night.

A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.

Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.

She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life. She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands.

She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar.

She gets up while it is still dark; she provides food for her family and portions for her servant girls.

She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.

She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks.

She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night.

In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers.

She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.

When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet.

She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple.

Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.

She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes.

She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.

She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.

She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.

Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: "Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all."

Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.

Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

Why did I write this post? Well how I started it was not how I intended to end it! Surprise Surprise! That's how I do i guess! :)

I started it to express how I feel about this issue and how I was hurt. I'm sure this can go both ways. A mom that works could feel hurt by a mom that doesn't by thinking they love their children less because they don't stay at home. I don't believe this to be true AT ALL! There are so many moms that work that are WONDERFUL mom's and love their kids as much as stay at home moms! (ie. my mom and Andy's mom!) I don't judge them at all if that is what works for their family and if they can continue to be the wife/mother that God calls them to be. There is freedom in Christ! Amen! We all value different things and sometimes we can be mean to each other. Including me, sometimes my words are insensitive and hurtful. I'm sorry. God and I are working on this! How I'm ending this post is personally reflecting on How am I REALLY doing in this category? It has caused me to reflect on myself. So, I don't feel like I can close without a challenge to myself and you. (I've been into challenges lately, right Jamie and Bridge?) :)

The challenge is for wives/moms: Of course God is at the center of it all, so are we making our family a priority in our homes? Or is it being crowded by "stuff". This "stuff" can all be really good. Like bible study, ministry opportunities, extended family, hanging out with friends, serving, working, etc. So this may look different for all of us. Personally, Andy and I are in process of looking at our weekly commitments and trying to be careful to balance. We really like to do lots of things, and say YES to all of them so it's easy to have every night of the week busy with at least one of us gone from the home. This needs to change! I also don't feel content with us both being home EVERY night of the week. So I think it is about BALANCE and being honest with God and ourselves. I desire to be a wife and mother of noble character like the one in Proverbs 31. I fail so often, so help me out here! If you would pray for me: That my priority would be the home, and that we would be able to discern how God wants us to use the time He gives us with the capacity that He allows! Let me know if I can pray for you too!

Some of my favorite Mommy Scriptures:

Titus 2:3-5 "Similarly, teach the older women to live in a way that honors God. They must not slander others or be heavy drinkers .Instead, they should teach others what is good. These older women must train the younger women to love their husbands and their children,to live wisely and be pure, to work in their homes,to do good, and to be submissive to their husbands. Then they will not bring shame on the word of God."

Proverbs 22:6- Train up a child in the way he should go;even when he is old he will not depart from it

Deut. 6:5-7 Love theLord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.

1Tim. 5:14- So I counsel younger widows to marry, to have children, to manage their homes and to give the enemy no opportunity for slander.

FFF- Feb. 15-22

Monday- Date night (gift card to Red Lobster)
Tuesday- bread machine bread and Soup from freezer
Wednesday- breakfast for supper (for sure doing it this time!)

Thursday- leftovers or frozen meal?

Friday- Friends over for supper: Chicken n peanut noodles, chipolte sweet potatoes

Saturday- leftovers
Sunday- Grilled Cheese and soup

Lunches- Random salads (above picture from last weeks leftover whole chicken meal) lots of random goodness on there :) Maybe I'll do a REALLY random meal like below. I was blending some black beans for Zander so thought I would spread some on some Leftover lasagna noodles, pesto sauce, and a little bit of shredded cheese. Ha! Weird! But surprisingly good. At least I thought so!

Fareway

grapefruit 3 for .88
tomatoes .88

pizza crust 3 for $5

shredded cheese

milk (skim and whole for homemade yogurt)

eggs

linguine

stir fry frozen veggies

Hyvee-

Dole salads .99

hyvee PB- 1.28

hyvee raisin bran

del-monte fruit in juice 1.19

yogurt for Z (I'm going to attempt to make my own!? We'll see!)

agave nectar?

8 months Zander-e-no

A few weeks ago, Zander turned 8 months. I felt bad because I didn't do a 7 month update either. Sorry sweet boy! But you have been doing and eating some cool stuff lately!


First with the eating:
You got your first 2 teeth (within a few days of each other) right before Christmas. Around that time you were only eating banana, avocado, and sweet potatoes! Your favorite were sweet potatoes, you ate them up right away without hesitation... ever! Avocado took you a few times. Mixed with rice cereal you finally ate it :) Bananas were a hit and miss day. Sometimes you loved them, other times they must have had poison on them because you didn't like em! But wow since then you have really expanded your tastes. You have had:
pears, peaches, kiwi, green beans, peas, black beans all that I have blended up with the ever so famous in our household "THE MAGIC BULLET!" Oh man, if anyone else is listening out there, we use ours at least EVERY day. Mainly for my afternoon Peanut Butter Iced Mocha! Anyway... I blend it using that then use the frozen ice cube method to have them in perfect serving size and ready to go! You have also tried some jarred baby food too. Squash, carrots, peaches, sweet potato. You don't seem to mind too much! A TRUE BISHOP IN THE MAKING!

We also started using one of the mesh baggie things to put fruit in. These are great! You got it right away! Sucked all the juice out! You can also play happily for at least 20 minutes with this baggie! Gerber Puffs! 3 for $5 at Target. Also, love these and can now feed yourself! Good job buddy!

Other Cool Stuff!

• I have loved the stage of not much movement. It selfishly makes things really easy for me! I go in the other room (maybe to refill my coffee) and come back a couple minutes later, and you have been right where I left you! Happy as can be. I have a feeling that stage is coming to a close. You are rolling around and can get on all fours but haven't "crawled" yet. You roll to get where you wanna, and can belly slide backwards. But I've been learning to keep a better eye on you!
• You do this SUPER cute thing when you get excited with your hands and feet. Your hands wiggle kinda like the wave Ms. America does (but you don't look feminine! :) and it's like TURBO speed! Then your feet go in and out like a frog. Hard to describe, I need to get it on video~
• As hard as I've tried to get you used to other people, there are still certain times you want your mama, which is ok by me :) Usually you always do great no matter whose with you!
• Takes 2 naps a day: 9 and 1
• We have our own little routine in the morning. Usually up at 7, I nurse you, put you in your jumparoo horsey gittyup machine, where you bounce contently for at least 20-30 mins! In the meantime, I'm making breakfast/coffee/cleaning dishes/etc in the kitchen. Then we move to our little quiet time spot, where you sit up and play with toys while I read (20-40 mins) Then I read a story to you, change your diaper, then down for a nap at 9! Wake up at 10. feed solids, nurse after. Then we are ready to party for the day. Either errands, playgroup, walking, etc. Back home at 1 for your nap!
• For some reason you haven't taken a bottle the last 4 or so times we have tried. Maybe you think only babies use that? Maybe it's way of saying I don't want you to even leave me. Ok.. that's a good reason!
• Transitions in and out of sitting.
• Size 3 diapers (target or Cliffords from Aldi's at .14ish each) 9-12 mo. clothes
• Approximately 22-23 lbs (according to our scale) No idea how long you are. You don't have another appointment until April!
• I don't love you any less but I let you cry if you wake up before 6:30 am
• babbles: baba, mama,dada, nana, tata...etc or lotsa squeals, and razberries
• I think you started figuring out how to give kisses. Not on demand, just when you feel like it!
• I started putting you in the shopping cart like a big boy! You LOVE this. You do your little excited motion and wrinkle your nose with enthusiasm
• Moved you to a convertible car seat because your infant one was only to 22 lbs and G'ma and G'pa Bishop got you one for Christmas!
• I think you will like to dance. Although it was about bedtime, Daddy was playing you his song he wrote for you when you were still in my tummy and I think you like it. Can you tell what you do when you start getting sleepy too?

I love you sweet boy!

xoxo

FFF- Feb. 8-14 Plan

Week one was great. Spent $35 in groceries compared to the $65 avg. I was spending!
This will be kinda an odd week because I'll need to do some extra cooking for Sunday for Perspectives and Super Bowl Party. So I'm shopping on Saturday this week:I think I'll take buffalo chicken dip and clementines to Perspectives and send White Chocolate Popcorn Snack with Andy to Super Bowl Party. Good news is, I don't need to buy any meat this week!

I loved both of these snack recipes and would recommend both of them. We had some leftover buffalo chicken dip so we topped a green salad with a couple tablespoons of it with some choppped carrots and celery! Awesome lunch!

I'm using 3 recipes this week from a blog I stumbled upon as I was looking for a snack for Perspectives. You Homebased Mom- Finding the pretty and delicious- I included the links. So I maybe splurged a bit this week with a couple extra items, but since 2 of the recipes are for "others" and not just serving us, I justified it :)

• Monday- Chicken Enchiladas with Leftover Chicken from last week with Mexican rice (although I'll do a modified version) These were also awesome! Using the leftover chicken made these recipes easy and delious! I will definately do the combo of the slow cooker chicken one night and these enchiladas the next! Yummo! The rice was modified, so can't give much of a review on that.
  
• Tuesday- Lasagna (I'll share recipe if it's good) with side salad and toasted bread sprinkled with garlic salt. It was Good, but not Amazing.
• Wednesday- leftovers from Kampmans- Chicken spagetti
• Thursday- Breakfast for supper - looks like we'll do breakfast for supper next week because tonight we had some more random leftovers again :)
• Friday- leftovers- clean out the fridge!
  
• Saturday- Ames (going to ISU game) and probably out for supper with them?
• Sunday-Valentine's day... we should do something special.. but for now...grilled cheese and tomato soup :) Hopefully we can have somewhat of an afternoon date? After church before Perspectives maybe?
  
• Lunches this week- Build my own random salad, Tuna sandwich, or Aldi fit-n-active sandwich (2 for 1.78) Love these!

Shopping List

Fareway-

Clementines- 4.88 5 lb box

Dole Salads- 2 for $3

Avocados- 4 pk

Braeburn Apples- 4 at .77 lb.

Tortillas- 8 chi chi's 1.50

Fastco PB- 1.28

Cottage Cheese- 2- 24 oz. .99

Bella Gardens Frozen Fruit- 1.88

green enchilada sauce

Aldi-

cream cheese x 4

2 limes

white chocolate chips

canned chix

ranch dressing

1- Cheddar cheese 1 Mexican Blend
Cheese

whole wheat bread. 1.69

FYI.

Price Comparisons of the Week.

Skim Milk. 1.99 Aldi, 2.69 Fareway, 2.74 Target, 2.69 Walmart

Popcorn. On sale at Fareway .99 for 3 bags. Aldi 1.49 for 6 bags.

Cottage Cheese. On sale at Fareway .99. Reg. price at Aldi 1.89

Muffin Mix- On sale at fareway. 2 for $4, Reg. price at Aldi 1.89

3 cups Shredded Cheese- On Sale at Fareway-2.99. Reg. price at Aldi 2.29

Salad Dressing- On Sale at Fareway-1.49 Reg. price at Aldi 1.19

Raisin Bran- Fareway 2.69. Hy-vee with coupon 1.99. Aldi 1.79

Generic Diapers 40 pk. Aldi 5.99, Target 6.50

Black beans- If on sale at Fareway same price. as Aldi .59

Other canned veggies- sale at Fareway .59. Aldi, .49

Chocolate Chips- Hyvee on sale 1.98.

So looks like if they sell it at Aldi, it's almost always cheaper! Sometimes just a .10 but other times almost a $1! I think that's pretty significant!

I'm going to take Kalona Trip- Going with a couple friends, Bridgete and Missy to the scratch and dent place for the first time, not sure what to expect, but I'm not going to spend more than $20. Hold me to it sisters!

PS- For those of you who think... "Dang, this lady has got way to much time on her hands, comparing prices, writing it all down... la da da...." One, what takes me an hour to organize this saves me $30 a week and that doesn't even count the $ it saves by not doing the "convenience" thing by saying "I'll just go out to eat!" I think I'll use one of Zanders nap times to save me $30-50 a week! Two, I enjoy a challenge! Three, if someone else can benefit from this as well, AWESOME... that's why I'm sharing!