A City Life For Me

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth…” Romans 1:16  “Unemployed.”  That has a sort of lovely ring to it.  Okay, maybe not.  How about “retired”? Today was Ben’s last day as an employee of Terminix.  While we are rejoicing to finally be done with pest control (at least for now), it also means that we are officially unemployed.  The company has not been a joy to work for, but Ben will miss the people.  I was invited to a surprise BBQ put on by the guys at the office today. Everyone had chipped in for hamburgers, hotdogs, and the works.  Guys who are no longer with the company or working out of this office stopped by to say “goodbye” and “good luck” to Ben.  It meant a lot to him!  Of course, in typical guy style, no one had remembered to check the propane on the grill, so mid-way through cooking they had to go buy another bottle!   The former secretary, Tina, came over for the occasion also.  She was a big

This is our last day of no-spend-month.  We started out with $250 in cash to spend on everything except bills, tithe, medical, and moving expenses.  I think we accidentally added a little money to it because I had some cash from selling items on Craigslist.  But we didn’t withdraw any extra money, and it is refreshing to say that we lived a whole month on around $250! Here are some things that I learned: I planned my trips better so that I used as little gas as possible.  I had gotten lazy in this area. You can go out to run errands without getting a snack in the drive thru or a coffee at Starbucks (this is my #1 downfall!) I used my bread machine to make bread for Ben’s lunches this month.  He said it was more filling, and I love the smell of bread baking.  It saved us about $20. I used coupons to get about $100 in free groceries.  They were not the items that I would have put on my list, but it forced me to be creative and use what I had on hand.  We   had sandwiches on le

We are trying to teach Elaine how to drink from a sippy cup.  She doesn’t take a bottle, and I thought this would provide an alternative means of hydration when I am not around, or when we are out and about.  She really likes to hold it and chew on the nipple because it is soft rubber and she’s teething.  But, as you can see, we have a long ways to go!  Good thing it doesn’t leak! By the way…Elaine woke up yesterday morning with HER FIRST TOOTH!  It finally pushed through the surface on one side.  It’s still barely visible, but it is definitely there!  And according to Ben, she’s just not cute anymore!

Here’s a new video of a trick that Ben likes to do with Elaine.  It’s the video that will make the grandmothers freak out!  (It’s okay, he hasn’t ever dropped her…yet)

I know that the last few posts have been Elaine all the way.  But, since we are packing to move everything is out of place in our home right now.  And thus Elaine is into everything.  So I just have too many pictures not to share them.  For my non-grandparent readers, sorry to bombard you with more pictures of Elaine! Getting stuck in Mom’s Longaberger basket: Discovering that Drawers Open: “Whoa.  I didn’t know it could do that!” “Does this one work too?” “What’s inside?  Anything fun to play with?” “Okay.  If I look at you for a picture will you leave me alone so I can play?”

Elaine is…well…she’s a baby.  Into everything.  Curious about everything.  Eats everything (except her green beans).  It’s very hard to do much at the computer without little fingers trying to touch the buttons too.  Or move the cursor with the mouse.  You get the idea.  So the other day I had this {brilliant} idea.  Why not let Elaine “touch” Daddy’s laptop (while it is turned off) so I could work on mine without interruption.  Elaine {loved} the idea.  Turned out to NOT a {brilliant} idea (I should have known)!  Good thing Daddy wasn’t home! “Wow Mom.  You mean I can play with this one?”   “Do you think Daddy will notice I’ve been on here?  It’s only a few fingerprints!” I absolutely {love} this picture!  Future blogger right there.  Curved fingers and all!  (Of course she was scraping at the keys, and actually succeeded in removing the spacebar key from the key pad…it clips back on, or I would be a dead wifey right now!) “Hello?  Grandma?  Anyone on Skype?  I’m here.  Look at

“Saturday Linkage” is not going to be a weekly feature on my blog, but occasionally as I find interesting articles in the blogosphere I want to pass them on to you. :: Do babies know the difference between good and evil at just 6 months old?   I found this article to be an interesting read. :: New Pampers diapers under Federal investigation for causing chemical burns .  For all my mommy friends in the blogosphere! :: We have homemade pizza every Friday night from this recipe.  (from Money Saving Mom) .  Ben said it’s the best! :: I used this tutorial to create a custom blog header in blogger this week (maybe you already know how to do that, but I had to learn.  I used Gimp software) :: Money Saving Mom’s coupon database (you can search by expiration date & coupon source) :: Coupon Tom coupon database by Jill Cataldo (you can search by items generically or brand specific – this is my favorite coupon database) :: Modern hymnwriters Keith & Kristyn Getty from Ireland *. 

Elaine *loved* sitting in the big rocking chair and reading her book!  She’s wearing a Massachusetts shirt that is too big for her, but I couldn’t resist it on the clearance rack at Target, especially since Ben is from Mass.   This morning Elaine decided to help me with the diaper laundry.  She *loves* standing up anytime she can get a hold of anything.  Here’s how it went… Who can resist a fluffy bum?   “Ah!  Someone is stealing our diapers!” “Caught ya!” I love this next picture…just chillin’, relaxin’, standin’ up on her own, leaning against the laundry basket, grinnin’ up a storm… That’s my girl!

Elaine was up very early today, and we ignored her.  Apparently she decided to “create” her own fun by “destroying” the crib!  When Daddy went in to get her, the bumper was untied, she was twisted in the crib, and her foot was against the fold-down panel pushing it in and out.  She liked the “bump-bump, bump-bump” noise it makes.  She was extremely happy, so I went for the camera.  (I know…I have too many pictures already.  But who can resist?).  Elaine has learned to smile when I get the camera, but she was so incredibly excited over what she had done in the crib that she couldn’t hold still for a picture!  This is how it went… “Are you sure you want to take my picture?” “Wouldn’t you like to see Bunny instead?” “But it’s so exciting!  Look what I did!” “Hmmm.  I wonder what’s underneath here?  Oh.  Just my toes.” “Now what do I do with it?” “Ahhh!  I’ve been caught!” After a hard morning’s destruction, she just had to roll in the floor! Until next time, this has been a pr

Would you like to keep up with us once we move to New York?  Just fill out our simple form by clicking the link below.  We will email the prayer letter and updates.  If you do not have email, you may give us your address and we will do our best to mail a hard copy to you! Fill out the form Our first prayer letter can be viewed here .

(Sorry…forgot the flash)

On May 15, 2010 we attended the wedding of Dan & Rachael Brown.  It was a beautiful outdoor wedding and the weather was just about perfect.  Elaine did much better than we expected.  Here are a few pictures… Mr. Hildebrant and Rachael preparing for the entrance of the bride   Pastor Brown and Dan awaiting the bride The bridesmaids   Entrance of the bride   Mr. & Mrs. Dan Brown! Ben, Elaine, & Andrea with the happy couple Elaine was super happy at the reception.  She especially enjoyed the bells that were on the table! The cake.  They both ended up with frosting all over!  (I’m so glad that Ben was nice to me in that regard!) :: Kiss ::

This past school year I have been attending a Bible Study on the Gospel of John.  Last Thursday we completed the study with chapter 21.  In this chapter, following Simon Peter’s lead, the disciples return to their former life of fishing on the sea of Galilee rather than waiting for the Lord as instructed.  They fished all night and caught nothing.  At daybreak a “stranger” walking along the shore calls out to them and inquires about their catch.  Sadly they respond that they have no fish.  Then the “stranger” instructs them to cast their nets on the other side, and He tells them they will find fish.  At this instruction, and the catch of 153 fish that followed, the disciples realize that the stranger on shore is the resurrected Jesus.  When they arrive they hear His invitation, “Come and dine,” and they discover that He already has fish and bread on the fire.  They had obeyed His command to fish on the other side, and I think that it reminded them they were supposed to be fishers of me

We are almost half way through our no-spend month experiment.  It has been so good for us to do this, even if we don’t make it at the end (but I’m thinkin’ we’re gonna make it!) Started with: $250  Spent: $158 Remaining: $92 Notes: Freezer and cupboards are stocked, so only milk has to be purchased through the end of the month. Last three days are moving days, and moving expenses don’t factor into no-spend month. Trip to NYC this weekend is separate, so the gas and food are not paid for out of the $250. Things we have done to save money so far: Took advantage of triple coupons to get over $60 in free groceries Filled a new prescription at Target to get a free $10 gift card Won an iTunes gift card from MoneySavingMom . I used this to get a new Adventures in Odyssey for entertainment on our trip to New York City. Garage sale: $130 income.  Used some to go out to eat for Mother’s Day (along with a gift certificate I had). Earned two free Chick-fil-A meals for being a