Pennies from Heaven! (and tables and chairs :)

Ok, so it's happening.... as you know, we just sold our table for $700.... well, yesterday, I got a check in the mail for $260! My husband's company switched dental insurance this year and our dentist found a mistake in their records because of the switch and reimbursed us for the difference. WOW! Didn't see that one coming...

Malachi 3:10 "Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me know herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it."

Oh, and we were planning to use our fold-out table and chairs until next Spring... well, one of my friends in our ward, told us we could have her old table and chairs for FREEEEE!!! (think of Adam Sandler in Bedtime Stories) :) Thanks, Rachel!!

I am so thankful for the blessings of paying our tithing. I know that Heavenly Father is watching over us.

Ask and ye shall receive...or Tender Mercies...or After the trial of your faith comes the blessings...or Happy Dance?

Too many great title possibilities for this post..

Guess what?! We sold our table. I am so relieved and excited. $700!! It's so amazing to me, because on Saturday, we had nothing. My last post talked about spending a $5 rebate check for groceries. So yesterday I had to figure out a way to get apple juice and bread.

Let me back up. We had a darling couple come look at our table a few weeks ago. They really liked it. The next day, however, they called to say they weren't sure if they could buy it yet, because the husband's work hours had just been cut. I was kinda bummed, but they said please give us until the 1st of August and we'll see what we can do. I was satisfied with that, because tuition isn't due until the 16th of August and I knew it was in the Lord's hands.

So early yesterday morning, the husband calls and says he has put some money away and wants to surprise his wife with the table. I was excited. Then, he said, Can I bring the money over this morning? (uh, HECK YEAH!!) I was ecstatic!!! And he did. CASH! I am so excited for his wife too, what a sweet hubby to plan a surprise like that.

It makes me think of another great quote... I can't find the exact one (I can't spend all morning looking for it), but it's something like this:(this is from a New Era article) "God usually answers our prayers through someone who has resources and talents we lack." Wow, this sweet husband, Kasey, was an answer to our prayers. I had to refrain myself from hugging him!! Why did he pay us yesterday? The Lord is taking care of us.

Now, I must confess, after the kids and I went to the free lunch at the school yesterday, we went to the store and got a few groceries... and I bought everyone a doughnut of their choice... NOT from the day old rack either :) LIFE IS SO GOOD.

Busy Bee

Here's some pictures of our trip to Bear Lake last weekend. The water's really high this year, not much beach area. But we had a great time anyway.


Zoe and Beck are in our little cubby shelf thing by the garage... the kids love to climb up there.


And also a picture of Zoe's Halloween dress she's been begging me to make ever since we found the fabric in my storage box a few months ago (it's not going to be that long) She's going to be the Blue Fairy from "Pinocchio". (The fabric we already have is blue, so that's what I suggested she could be, aren't I sneaky?)

Well, I don't know what's up with me, I've just been busy busy lately... I've got this sewing bug and even a yard work bug and cleaning bug (Man, I must be sick, because this is NOT like me!) Maybe I'm finally recovering some energy after being released in May from almost 4 years in Young Women's. If I were pregnant (NO!!!! I'm NOT!) -- I would call all of this energy "nesting" I suppose. It feels good to get a bunch of little things done that I've been neglecting forever and in some cases I've even forgot about. I found two cute shirts of mine in my sewing basket today that have needed mending for so long... I forgot I had them! Wow!! It feels like I have new clothes.

However, I just haven't really been in the mood to blog. Too many thoughts and feelings I don't really want to share with anyone. Too many crazy things going on. I want to be positive and share good things. I've always been a bit of a non-conformist type person. Not quite sure if that's the right word, but I just kinda do my own thing. Every once in awhile I'll meet someone who doesn't mind that about me, but usually people just can't handle it. Well, I'm pretty sure I'm a complete nutter, but what the hey, I have an awesome husband and 4 healthy children to love me anyway. Thanks to my friend, Jill, for the quote: "There is pleasure, sure, in being mad, which none but madmen know!" -John Dryden

We are looking forward to Zeke finishing school in December! We're still hoping and praying for enough money to pay his tuition. We don't have all of it yet, but I have a very good feeling whenever I think or pray about it. I know something will happen to help us get him through school. I'm so thankful for the companionship of the Holy Ghost. It is so wonderful not to be stressed about it.

I also wanted to share another great reminder of the power of prayer and faith. Well, just to set up the story, Zeke gets paid on the 5th and the 20th of every month. Friday was the 16th and well, we're out of money (no biggie, it's just the way it is right now). I've got plenty of food in the house, but I looked at some recipes and thought if I just had some egg noodles, carrots, and mozzarella cheese, I could put together some nice meals until Tuesday. (not those things together necessarily) So, I'm a very straight forward person when it comes to prayer. I knelt down and asked Heavenly Father if I could come up with just enough money for those things I would be fine until payday. Later that day, I went to get the mail and guess what?! Yep, there in the mailbox was a $5 rebate check from a rebate I had sent in months ago and forgot about. Is it a coincidence that it arrived on Friday? I think not!! Jeffrey R. Holland said, "A coincidence is a small miracle in which God chooses to remain anonymous." Thank YOU very much... I went to the store today and got exactly what I wanted. (and free candy for the kids from the bank! SCORE!!) I know that Heavenly Father hears and answers our prayers.

I also like another quote from Mary Poppins, "Enough is as good as a feast." I am truly thankful for the desire we have had to follow the prophet and "live within our means". It has been a great blessing in our family. We are so happy for little things and we are so good at not spending money. Try it, it's harder than you think, but I promise you that the peace that comes with it is priceless!

I'm rambling... I should be going through my Primary lesson..... ok, that's why I've got all of this energy to do OTHER things... it's called PROCRASTINATION... now if that's not the best motivator to do anything but the thing you're supposed to be doing, I don't know what is :) Hope you're all having a FABULOUS summer!

I'm still here..

I haven't blogged for awhile I guess it's been over a week. We got home from our trip at midnight on Monday. I've been doing laundry and more laundry and such. I've also got a "yard work bug" this week and it's a really good thing (Thanks, Mom, I think I caught it from you). The kids and I have been outside all week (except for when we're doing laundry). I'll post pictures and write more later... I've gotta get out in the yard before it gets too hot.

Oh, and I've been reading a very interesting book by Viktor E. Frankl called "Man's Search for Meaning" (Angee, I told you I wasn't super into it, well, I got home and now I can hardly put it down :)

I just can't sit still at the computer this week.

midnight creative streak!

This isn't the best picture, but it was midnight and my fingers were sore... and well, you get the idea. I couldn't get my flash to turn off.

So I got this wild creative streak last night... the kids were in bed, Zeke was reading... I whipped out my old glue gun (I'm not much of a "crafter" usually, but when I am it comes in spurts)... anyway, some friends of mine inspired me (I really was watching, not just yapping :) to make some hair clips and bows for my girls.....This is only my 2nd attempt, but I think they turned out pretty good. The colors and designs were made for very specific requests by Zoe and Kaia. so fun! :) YAY for little girls...

Have a great holiday weekend...we are going to my parent's house... and that is THE highlight of my year, so I know I'll have some great pictures for you when I get back. :)