by Claire
The kids and I had a blast this weekend with very little spending. Love those weekends! And the potential for spending was big with our church festival yesterday. I’m all about supporting the church, but church festivals can suck some serious money out of the pockets! We went in with a budget and a plan. $20 per child and don’t ask for another penny. It turns out that they each came back with money after playing a few games and eating tasty festival food. Then they spent the majority of their time out on a soccer field with a group of friends playing (free) soccer and football. 🙂
As for me, God was doing great work again. The short version is I had time to visit with DD’s volleyball coach and learned that we have much in common. At first as I was listening and reacting, she stopped herself thinking that I was alarmed by her story in a judgmental way. I quickly shared that I was alarmed by her story because it was my own. She loved a man who wasn’t able to be loved and gave up years of her life trying to fix what she had not broken. She’s getting to a better place now but I was moved to tears as I saw in her story what could have been my story had my marriage continued. I walked away from that church festival filled with joy and hope and, most importantly, a new friend to help and be helped by on this journey. What are the odds of that happening? God doesn’t play odds of course but I’m human and the rational brain continues to be amazed.
Oh and I also wanted to share for those of you that are familiar with the Catholic Church festivals, our church had a great new idea that was a huge hit. Now, for those of you non-catholics, please remember that as a whole, our community likes its alcohol. I know this can be a hot button issue for folks and I don’t want to start any drama here, but the reality is Catholics like to drink. So this year the womens’ group added something to their “cake walk.” The “wine walk” was a HUGE hit and raised a lot of money for the many good works the church does. I just wanted to share because I had not seen that before and found it pretty ingenius.
And so it is time to tackle another week. I’m energized and enthusiastic about doing so. I hope you are too!
Born and raised in Texas. I’ve at least driven through every state in the US courtesy of a roadtrip loving Dad.
I’m single with two children and a good parenting relationship with their father.
I am a “life is just half full of funny” kinda gal. Humor is my saving grace and I am thankful for it every single day. I have a strong Catholic faith and am thankful for that foundation.
I read a lot for a living but still enjoy a good book. I love biographies but in recent years have found the need for fun fictional books–sadly, for a long time I just didn’t enjoy fiction!
I love live theatre of any kind–from local productions to Broadway.
I love to scrapbook and pride myself in my kids’ albums.
I love being a mom but also love my career. I’m blessed to have found a balance allowing me to be at everything my kids need and want me to be at–while also having a career.
Favorite Quotes: Well behaved women rarely make history.
Behold the turtle. He makes progress only when he sticks his neck out. -James Bryant Conant
Jesus drank wine. I’ve got no problem with it. LOL Can you tell I’m Catholic? 🙂
Ha ha Mary! I like that one! Jesus approved indeed!
Isn’t it amazing how God brings people into our lives at just the right time? So glad that you were encouraged in multiple ways over the weekend!
Totally blows me away Jean–no matter what it just totally blows me away.
Looks like you had a nice weekend. Hope, you will have a nice week too:)
BTW, it is great that kids did not spend all the money you gave them. They seem to appreciate the value of money.
I am really proud of them T’Pol so thanks. The tooth fairy came to visit last night and DD asked that I put her $5 in her account because she is saving up for “something great!” 🙂
I love reading your blog and am so happy you are doing so well – I believe Faith plays an important part of that. I am Catholic as well, and we are totally stealing that idea of the Wine Walk – I love that!
Thanks Renee! Glad you are a reader. Reports from church are the wine walk was a HUGE money maker!
Easy on the budget, fun for the whole family and a helpful divine appointment thrown in. Sounds like the perfect weekend !! : )
Amen Lynda! 😉
glad you had a great weekend!
before my financial turn-around i remember a good weekend meant a bit of shopping and looking lovingly at my loot, lol.
now it’s all about being productive, getting outside, going to church and hanging out with friends & family.
Isn’t that the truth?! I still have cravings for those mindless shopping trips and work hard to control them. Ha ha @ “looking lovingly at my loot.” Wow. Can I relate to that visual!!
Claire,
You’re an inspiration. So glad to hear you and the kiddos are doing just fine! 🙂
By the way, I love reading your blog. I am pushing and pulling my own family into becoming debt free. It will take at least 18 months, (all student loans!) but I am determined to do this for my family tree. What does Dave Ramsey say? “Live like no one else…so you can LIVE like no one else.”
Chris
Thank you Chris! Pushing and pulling and dragging and sobbing our way to debt free is going to make the pay off so much sweeter! Good for you for tackling the school loan debt for your family!
Oh my, I am also figuring out how to incorporate a wine walk in to my life. My church (an Episcopal cathedral in the city) doesn’t do a festival, but I will definitely be doing the wine walk!
Also, so glad you had an uplifting weekend. 🙂
LOL Meghan! I love your word choice here “figuring out how to incorporate a wine walk in to my life.” I think we should all have that goal on some level! 🙂
What’s a wine walk?
The Catholic church tore apart my family. It took many years to repair my relationship with the man upstairs…I’m still walking with Him but its a struggle.