Nine miles a week...it literally is uphill BOTH ways (and hubby thought I was joking!).
I've dropped 30 pounds and two pants sizes.
I feel better than I've felt in years.
I've lost the baby weight from babies 2-10 (is that sad, or what???).
So here's the problem-- my feet hurt! They actually ache!!
Last night, instead of attending church, I was lounging in the rocker with my feet up, and sporting ice packs.
I'm only walking every other day for now. The day between gives my feet a chance to recover a little before I'm out walking again.
I did take a week off to see if they would feel better- they didn't.
This morning, Paul took me to the shoe store to purchase new shoes. Hopefully, they will feel better.
Do any of you ladies have suggestions for me? I'm just not sure what to think.
I certainly DO NOT want to stop walking-- it's taken me this long to walk without feeling like I'm going to die when I return home.
Besides, what would dear Jan say if I wasn't beside her whining the whole way??? I certainly complain about those hills enough for the both of us, LOL!!
One quick note--our newest, favorite place has got to be the Aldi's!
Beth, and my Aunt Denise told me I would have no regrets and boy, I don't!!
As a general rule, breakfast here should be a quarter or less per person, as should lunch. Dinner usually averages around 50 cents per person.
This allows me to feed everyone a balanced meal- and keeps me on my toes where our budget is concerned.
Lately, I'm just growing tired of sandwiches. Truthfully, how much peanut butter and jelly can one woman stand?
I looked around at Aldi's this morning for some other options and found tortilla chips and salsa! The chips were 99 cents and full enough (you know sometimes those bags are only 1/2 full!) to feed my crew of 11 (sorry, Meredith--you'll have to stick to PB & J until you sprout some more teeth!).
The salsa is $1.19 and also enough to feed my crew. That brings the total to $2.19 for everyone!! NINETEEN CENTS per person.
Now, you just can't beat that!! Throw on some chopped veggies from the garden and you've got a great lunch, especially in this Alabama heat.
We're finishing two (count 'em TWO) websites. One is just for homeschoolers, the other for our church--
We're almost done with the church site, and the other at least has a header graphic (thanks to Courtney).
One of my biggest plans, was to finish really fleshing out family goals for the older children in our home.
It's always funny to see where each year will lead-- last year, I felt our family focus was aimed more towards hospitality. We invited folks over for dinner, and tea, and tried to form better habits where letter writing is concerned.
This year, we seem to be really learning to plan our time more efficiently, and to set goals.
Paul and I have two graduating seniors this year (if you know us personally, be expecting an invite in the coming months!).
I've been focused on helping them to set goals for their own lives-- much more than a "to-do" list, but rather something that will focus on their plans for things they want to accomplish prior to marriage and perhaps even further into their adult world.
We're starting small, one year and five year goals- what types of projects they would like to try, things they would like to experience, Scripture they would like to memorize, etc., etc.
For now, they'll be written into a composition book so that we may make notes and keep records. We're still trying to decide how we will eventually organize these written plans.
It's meant to be a list that Paul and I can pray over and perhaps provide assistance as needed to obtain these goals.
What a joy it is to have older children--Paul and I were certainly not expecting how exciting and what a blessing they would be during these years.
In the coming weeks, I'll try and share some of our goals and plans for these children in our home.
I would hope it would be of help to those of you thinking towards the important teenage years!!
Prayer Requests
The coming months in our home- we are making very specific plans, in many areas. We would appreciate your prayers!
Paul's cousin, Lisa
My feet!
Today I'm Thankful For
New Shoes!
Onesies on clearance this morning...and in cute colors!
Big, ice-cold bottles of water on super hot days! (Thank you, Pauley!)
Sewing projects, cut out and ready to stitch
A new book that arrived today from a recent canning class.
Today's Scripture Meditation
"But what about you?" he asked, "Who do you say I am?" Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."- Matthew 16:15-16, NIV
I'm not sure why that is so exciting. We really don't have anything big planned, but, it's my birthday, and birthdays are just fun. : )
Well, we've been sewing!
I'm so glad....for some reason, pulling out the sewing machine and playing with fabric just makes this new house feel even more like home!
My Mom's birthday was last week (Happy Birthday MOM!! I love you!!!)).
We found an old rubber water bottle in the house when we moved here last January.
Courtney and I used some pink gingham and a little embroidery to create this:
I was really thrilled with the whole project. Mom is still healing (and doing great- thank you for the prayers!), but it is still slow for her and I know her feet still hurt at the end of the day.
I thought it would be nice for her to sit and relax with an ice pack or warm water to soothe her feet.
It came together pretty quickly (the embroidery took a little longer). It was a fun project.
Next, was a peasant skirt for Emma. Courtney actually made this one from scrap fabrics we had around the house:
Emma loves it and wore it to church on Sunday. ----Good thing too! She needed something really feminine to make up for the shiner she's sporting these days:
**Sigh**
Jessa's circle skirt was completed on Saturday.
I think the closest I've come to a full circle skirt is Courtney's wrap skirt a few years ago. I had forgotten how much fabric these take--still, they are so sweet! Especially, when you see little girls twirling out in the sunshine.
PLEASE pretend that you don't realize how much this skirt needs to be pressed....some things just don't happen on a daily basis around here these days!
Little girls were made to twirl. : )
Prayer Requests
Our family as we work on various group projects
My Mother has a doctor appointment today
They Young family and continued healing for Mark
Today I'm Thankful For
Lots of rain=happy plants
The sound of little ones playing piano in the next room
Homemade salsa delivered by a very special neighbor-- can you say "yum!!"
A weekend party and a chance to sit and visit with family I haven't seen for many years
God's never-failing grace in my life (I fail and I make so many mistakes- His forgiveness and understanding are never-ending)
Today's Scripture Meditation
"But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin." 1 John 1:7, NIV
We're quickly approaching the end of the basement cleaning project.
Since we've been counting (only a month or two), we've moved out several tons (literally!) of trash and debris.
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