The Liger is my favorite animal

Zoe is learning her animal sounds. We have been working on what a lion says. When I tried to video tape her last night, she was so eager to watch herself, she quickly wanted to watch the instant replay.

I need a brake

My mom always told me (not to sound too Forrest Gump) that you have to find the blessings in each day or the day will wear you down.

Yesterday was that day. It's funny when you mention that you're struggling how God's sense of humor comes out.

It's 4 o'clock and I'm leaving work. I have a pork roast in the crock pot waiting for pulled pork sammies for dinner. I did most of my cleaning yesterday morning, so I may actually get a chance to chill out and play with Zoe longer than normal. It's looking like a great evening.

I get in my car, turn it on, call N to see how he's doing and go to back out of my spot. My car won't move. I check to make sure I've lowered the emergency brake. Yep. Hmmm...

It's been windy and there is stuff all over the roads, so maybe something is under my car. Nope.

My emergency brake is locked. My right, back tire won't move. Well, how does that happen? How do you fix that?

You call your husband, crying just a little at the thought of mechanic and towing bills and he offers to skip school and come look at it. (Blessing #1)

He brings a friend who is very car-smart to help. (Blessing #2)

They take off the drum and the pads totally crumble (I know, you're totally impressed with my knowledge of all things brake-related). If I had driven much further with the pads the way they were, my cylinder could've been totally ruined. That would cost almost as much as my car is worth to fix it. (Blessing #3)

N and his friend John go to the parts store, buy the needed stuff and fix the brake. In my work parking lot. In the dark, wet and cold. (Blessings #4, #5, #6, well there are too many to count)

I go home prior to the brake fixing to pick up Zoe and head home. Grandma has already fed her. I'm hoping that the pulled pork might still be okay after an extra 2 hours on low. From the smell in the garage I immediately know that's a negative.

Because I put the crock pot on high. I essentially made pork jerky yesterday in a crock pot. Tasty!

In the grand scheme of things, burnt, pork jerky isn't too bad. The crock pot will take a week of soaking before I can get it clean. It's a reminder of my day.

Zoe got to spend some time with daddy last night (Blessing #612). N got an extra two hours of sleep to help with his tough, new schedule (Blessing #762). I have new brakes, a husband who selflessly helps me when I need him, a daughter who loves having both her parents home in the evenings to play with, friends who will drop everything if we need help and a mom who helps with Zoe without complaint.

That's just the blessings I can see. There is a certain peace in knowing that your family and your friends are part of a team that God has surrounded you with. They encourage, support and love on you just because they can.

Sometimes it takes being stuck in one place because of a locked brake to see all those blessings that surround you everyday.

The Bad News Bares

Sometimes life is hard. I truly believe that God allows you to wade through the difficult to grow in Him. That's not something that I always like. I'm truly a Type-A person. I like my routine. I like knowing that I can depend on certain things each day.

So when God says, "it's go time," I tend to freeze up a little. By freeze up, I mean I can get pretty stubborn and a bit mean. It's my way of dealing with the growth. It's not because I doubt God or because I think I can do it better, it's because I really don't like change. Which unfortunately isn't part of God's whole, big, master plan.

N started working full time this past week. On one hand, it's a major blessing. In a time when people are being laid-off, he's getting more hours. If that's not a praise, then I don't know what is.

The only down side is he leaves the house at 4 o'clock a.m. and doesn't get home until 10 o'clock p.m. through the week because he's also going to school. That's a pretty grueling schedule. The end is in sight because his night school will eventually be done. It's just that 4 hours a sleep a night during the week right now isn't the best case scenario.

That means I'm a single parent through the week. If you've ever been around a 2 year old, you know they can be a little active and a little exhausting. Not to mention working in the financial industry that is so full of good news right now.

Instead of having Fridays evenings as a time when we can be a family, we're just plain tired. Physically and emotionally.

I have to admit, this weekend caused me to freeze a bit. It caused me to have a pity party. Which is the saddest kind of party you can have.

I had to run to the store yesterday afternoon. I may have committed a cardinal sin. I wore sweatpants to the grocery store. I didn't want to go. I didn't want to have to think. To do ONE MORE THING.

I plugged my iPod into the stereo and let the first song play. It was MercyMe's "Bring the Rain." I was singing along with the chorus, just enjoying the moment. Then the song went into the last bit of worship. I couldn't help myself from singing along, just crying.

In that instant I was reminded that God is holy. He is the Almighty. He has a plan. While we're in the middle of a hard moment in our life, He is still taking care of us. Still providing for us. He is in control of my spirit.

When I got home, a certain 2-year old came running up to me for a long hug. A certain man in my life helped put away the groceries. For one moment I knew we were in this together. The team God surrounded me with who love, encourage and support me. Despite the fact that I don't do well with change.

Or wear sweatpants to the grocery store.

Because we would all like to save a little money on toilet paper and facial cleanser

In this type of economy, it seems that cash is as precious as finding that big, golden nugget back during the California Gold Rush.

I've started clipping coupons. I even have an accordian file that holds all my free money. In the last money I've saved over $30.

I'm not even close to being the woman who has a grocery bill of $270 and only paying $45, but we're getting better.

Since I figure most of the people who read this blog would also like to know about good finds, I thought I would include this link to Proctor and Gamble.

On Sunday, March 1st they will have a savings book in the Sunday paper. These people make all kinds of products I'm sure you use. Toothpaste, dishwashing detergent, toilet paper, etc. In the last book I was able to save close to $20 on stuff we use everyday.

Just wanted to let you know about it. Might be reason to buy a Sunday paper.

Move over Bar Refaeli

We had a little photo shoot for our 2 year old. For the first time, she smiled, laughed and just enjoyed herself. Which is a huge change from the tears and reaching for me.

Here is what a really great photographer can do for you! Thank you Jessica. You made the whole morning great.

Tinkle, Tinkle Little Star

This weekend we decided to buy Zoe a potty chair. I don't think she's entirely ready to begin potty training yet, but I wanted to get her a chair that she can begin to feel comfortable with.

We went to the store, she tried out several chairs and we settled on a pink, Baby Bjorn throne for our little princess.

When we got home, she wanted to put on her fancy shoes and sit on her throne.

Now if only potty training will go this easily!

Three's Company

This weekend D & E came to visit. It is always such a joy to have them with us.

I came out of the bathroom Saturday morning to N sitting in the living room and no children. It was quiet.

If you're a parent you know they are up to no good.

Then a burst of laughter from D's & E's room.

All the covers were on the floor and we had three guilty smiles.