Living on less!

This is my New Year’s Resolution….to live on less.

Live on less money, live on less STUFF, live with less commitments, live with less stress.
I think it is sad that I have failed at properly budgeting our money. I am inconsistent with my spending in every category. In groceries I fluctuate by well over $100-$200 each month. In clothes, I spend large amounts ($600-$1000) twice a year. Now, if I would set the monthly budget aside to make those bulk clothing purchases it would not be such a big deal but I don’t.
Needless to say, consistency is not my strength.

My plan to live on less is as follows….(no gasping allowed)

Spend $75 a week for all grocery items
• Clip coupons
• Plan budget conscience menus
• Limit snack foods
• Focus on whole food & meatless meal diet
• BE ACCOUNTABLE
Spend $5 per week/per child for clothing - $25/week total (this one scares me!)
• Sew as many clothes with repurposed materials as possible
• Buy used clothing
• Save clothing for younger siblings
Grow 75% of all produce this year

Plant 5-10 more fruit trees to increase fruit harvest in coming years

Spend no more than $75 per child per birthday (party & gift)

I am committing to bring $100/month into our family budget through talents I have.

I am so excited and optimistic about this plan. I have had these ideas and desires floating in my head for a couple of years at least but I never made a plan. I am so nervous and so excited at the same time. Of course while I want to sew everything the kids wear, I also have to realize I do not have much extra time. SO….I must budget my time with a balanced schedule and plan ahead.
I will plan at least 3 months ahead. I will hold 1 major planning day at the beginning of each month and then 1 smaller planning day each week.

On Wednesday’s I will plan my menu for the following week based on my coupons and the sale papers. I will go to the store on Thursday or Friday and report my success/failure. I am tracking the prices so that I can accurately plan my menus.
I will be working on clothing items each week and will post about those as well.

Christmas is Almost Here!

I love this time of year. Christmas.....A celebration of the birth of our Saviour Jesus Christ. It is so easy to say that without realizing the true impact of its meaning. HE was BORN to SAVE us!!! How awesome is that!?!?

He saves me daily from my flesh, my selfish ways! Only through him am I able to be the best wife and mother I can be. Thank you Jesus that I have you to rely on.

Just last night I prayed for God to give us a family to bless this year with gifts and food and not even 24 hours has passed and my beautiful Aunt told me of a family that she came in contact with that was in need!! I watched her in amazement and told her the simple prayer I had prayed JUST last night! We both started to cry at the realization that she had been divinely placed at a particular store and a particular checkout line so she could ASK FOR THE lady's name and give it to us!!! Thank you God that she was sensitive to His will!!

WOW!! That is all I can say! WOW!! Thank you Jesus. Now my children will have the most amazing Christmas experience of all.....giving.

Happy Holidays

I love this time of the year. It can be so joyful and full of well wishes. IF we allow it to be! I have noticed that my family's enjoyment of the holidays is directly related to whether or not I am allowing God's love, grace, mercy and joy shine through me!

I am committed to enjoying this season, everyday, even if laundry mountain has had an avalanche!

I am also looking forward to the coming year! I have great changes in store for myself and my blog. I have been praying about a few things and will be very excited to share them very soon!

Much love and blessings,

From the Fowlers

My Family

Family Weekend 2009

The ones who started it all.....Thanks Pops & "E"

Here are the kids through out the weekend. Hannah loved the ability to run back and forth between our tent, Rick's tent and the jumpers! Notice she is having a COKE at 4:35 PM!! and of course that was NOT at our tent, that was her "Sue Sue". Uh-huh. No wander she never wants to come home.

Wyatt showed up in his pj's Sunday morning but since they were Halloween pj's, I felt they were fitting to the occasion.

Costume Contest

SO...FUNNY!!

Bill got the kids dressed for the costume parade since I was busy chatting. Well.....we forgot her Tink shoes AND she left her undershirt on!....HAHA. SO funny.

I love my kids

I am so in love with my life. I really feel like I have it all. I have a wonderful husband, fantastic kids, a great family, and I get to stay home. I have a great family and a great family-in-law.

I just want to say "Thank you, God".

Disney Summer 2009