Too Much Shopping?

My Mother-in-law and Sister-in-law shop like no one's business! To give you a quick glimpse, they are both almost done with their Christmas shopping. Yes, it's not even Halloween yet. I haven't started.

Anyways, they live a block down the street from us and since I'm usually not doing anything when they plan a day of shopping or even just a trip to Wal-mart they call me. For someone who can't resist spending money this would be a bad mix. I however have trouble spending a lot of money on myself. I do however love buying things for my new home and Matt. What keeps me in check is my husband.

When I get great deals I love sharing them with him, so when I don't he knows I spent money I should not have. That rarely happens these days. My shopping buddies always say I make them look bad because they spend, spend, spend and I don't. I must say it makes me feel that much better about how Matt and I spend our money.

Last night we ran to Wal-mart to buy things for Robin's bathroom. Of course money was spent on more than just that. I was super excited that I found toothbrushes for $0.75 a piece and a new shower curtain for $1.50! We don't have anymore toothbrushes and our old curtain is getting quite dirty, so this was a good spend.

Allowing myself to purchase things we need occasionally keeps me from spending a lot at once, which would include unnecessary items. I used to plan it all out. Which trip I would buy toothpaste, soap, etc. I've loosened up and it's given us opportunities, such as this one, to save money. I absolutely love good deals and saving money!

Provision

It's way past my bedtime! However, my Mother-in-law visited, we watched a movie, and are finally getting ready for bed. I thought I would take this time to share a few things with you....

1) I'm STILL unemployed, but doing better. I've been back and forth with my attitude about this season in my life. I have been frustrated when I look back and think I just spent 4 years preparing to teach, yet do not a classroom. I'm content now. :) I've been developing my cooking/baking skills, grocery shopping on a tighter budget, raising a puppy, being a better disciple, and a better wife. Life isn't what I though it would be, but it's "His plans; not mine".

2) Since I'm unemployed, we have almost no money. We crunched the numbers at the beginning of the month and saw we were short a few hundred. Not good. God is faithful and so much bigger than numbers and money!! Doing my part through pray and faith He has provided. My student loans won't kick in like I thought they would AND I found a program to apply for that could postpone payments for a year. Nice! AND THEN, today we got a check in the mail. We didn't know this company even owed us any money at all. PRAISE THE LORD! Matt and I strive to spend our money wisely and invest it into things that will better our family (and future family).

3) I'm also delighted to report that I've found my calling in the church. I've grown accustomed to the fact that I have some leadership skills and love using them in Christian environments. Our church, like so many others, participate in something called Discipleship Walk. Long story short, I'm passionate about it, others getting the experience, and could exercise my strengths. The next one is this Spring and I'm praying God provides the money, time, and opportunity for me to go.

Well, that's all for tonight...this morning. I'm excited to tackle the to-do list with Matt tomorrow....today. Kinda reminds me of Dad and Mom running errands together on the weekends. :)