You can't out give God!

So Shane has been taking a class at church based on "The Blessed Life" book. Of course, some of it is based on the old testament rules of tithing. Shane and I do not believe in the old testament rule of giving a tithe ( a tenth) but we do believe in listening to what God wants us to do with ALL of his money since afterall it is ALL HIS. If we actually took the time to do the math, we probably give anywhere between 5% and 100% depending on what God lays on our heart.

As you know Shane and I own our own business www.nowitspartytime.com And as you know owning your own business means you NEVER know exactly what your month is going to look like so trusting God is sortof all you can really do. So when God requires us to give it ALL, it is a huge leap of faith for us. 2 weeks ago we had a really good weekend and we REALLY needed that money to catch up on bills and to buy nearly all the children some shoes and cold weather clothing like jackets and socks etc. Well, God had really been hitting Shane and I with conviction about really seeking Him about EVERY bit of money he gives us. And this particular Sunday He spoke clearly to my husband to give an exact amount of $865 which was nearly all of that weeks earnings. So we wrote the check. The rest of the day, one child after another complained about something not fitting or needing something clothing-wise that they had outgrown etc. And then the girls needed dance clothes for the new dance class they started. Well, Shane and I have been walking with the Lord long enough to know that this was an attack of Satan. He wanted us to regret or begrudge the offering that we so willingly and cheerfully gave earlier that morning. We immediately called it out and with a positive attitude we said "Devil, you can't make us regret following Gods leading on our lives".

Needless to say, We recieved a phone call soon after from someone who said God had laid it on their heart to purchase all our childrens winter wardrobe. (mind you that this person had NO KNOWLEDGE of what we were going through financially)

I will say it again WE CAN'T OUTGIVE GOD!

Discovering Hiccups

I just thought this was cute and had to share. My 2 and a half year old Devon discovered Hiccups the other day and he was so proud of himself. He says "Mommy watch me!" Then he would stand really still looking up in the air like he was concentrating and hiccup. I would pretend to be surprised and say "What in the world!" Then he would bust out laughing. Sometimes he would hold his belly and double over in laughter. He started going room to room telling any one of the children or Shane to look what he could do. Ahhhh, 2 year olds are the cutest :)

It Could Only Mean One Thing.

For those who know my story, you know that me actually having a full blown period this July was a complete shock to me and my husband. I had all the normal mood swings, exhaustion and cramps that other women complain about. Honestly, I must be a really big baby cause I don't know HOW you woman go through this EVERY MONTH! I felt like sleeping all day and eating every second I wasn't asleep. I felt bloated, irritable and a little bit on the crazy side to be honest for 7 whole days. My patience level was nearly non-existant. I knew I was losing it one day when I shouted at my children at the pool in front of my sisters 6 year old and TEENAGE SON,  "Listen here! I AM ON MY PERIOD! So that means I have the patience level of ZERO. (motioning a big fat zero with my two hands) Anymore arguing and we will pack up our stuff and go home. You understand me?" Ok, not one of my finer moments admittedly but not my worst either. (Oh the stories I could tell you about me and insulin for Gestational Diabetes. lol)

Anyways, The next month I started having a period again but it lasted for like half a day. That got me wondering and testing. I tested myself just about once a week in the month of August and always it was a negative but ALAS, yesterday on September 15th 2012, I got a positive! We are having Baby #8! I am so excited to see this little bundle of joy.