$65,000 Paid in Full in 3.5 Years!!

God is good everyday that He chooses to wake my family and I up, but especially today. Let me rewind back to May of 2007: Chris was getting ready for his first deployment Christian was 13 months old and I was seven months pregnant with Noah. We had two cars but were still paying for 3, 3 student loans, a personal loan, and 2 credit card debts. All together totalling around $65,000!!! I woke up today and realized it was the payday that we would finally be able to pay off our last debt! A $993 dollar payment to Nelnet for a student loan. I logged onto the website and even though it said we didn't owe another payment until 2017 because of how much ahead God has blessed us to pay back, I made the payment in full! What a blessing, it feels almost as good as the day I recieved Jesus Christ as my own personal savior for the debt of sin that owed back in 2004! I realize that not everyone out there is in the same financial situation as we are in but here are some things we did to pay back our 5 figure debt.

1) Put God first! Pay your tithes if you name the name of Christ!

Abraham paid Tithes before the law, the jews paid during the law and Christians did more than just give as their heart directed them to give. It took us a while to figure that one out but if you search the scriptures with an open heart you will see for yourself. This is one of the scriptures God used to guide us into laying aside 10% and then give on top of that as the Lord leads

1 Corinthians 16:2 (King James Version)
Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.

2) Share a Car with your husband if you are married:

Yes I know it is 2010 and people have places they need to go but if God has given you a husband and an opportunity to be a keeper at home as God commanded in Titus 2:5, then this should not be a problem. We have shared a car for 3 years and have been content in doing so. If I really needed to go somewhere I would put the kids in the stroller the baby in the wrap and walk sometimes 2-3 miles. If there was somewhere I needed to be that I couldn't walk to, I dropped hubby off and took the car or my friend Liz would pick us up in her van =) Not a big deal.

3) Pay on debt first before making any big purchases when you get tax returns:

Yes it is very hard to do when you see the IRS has deposited several thousand dollars into your bank account and your mind begins to wonder and plan out all the things you could buy with that nice chunk of change.....but stop.....Pay Your Debt!

4)Stop buying new stuff, and sell stuff your not using anymore

I take pride in our home being clutter free and do not wish to have a bunch of stuff in our home that just collects dust. I regularly go through our home and find stuff we are not using and see if someone I know needs it possibly if not, I sell it on Craigslist or a yardsale. I have made well over $1000 doing this and have kept our home clutter free!

5)Create a budget:

Well you must know where your money is going. We do one every month on a spreadsheet and just fill in the purchases we make everyday and review for a few minutes so we know how much is left and what still needs to be paid so we don't overspend.

6)Have an emergency fund:

This is very important because something always comes up always! You don't want to have to go and beg from a family member/friend or put your unexpected expenses on a credit card and pay 17% interest when you could have saved a little instead of spending all you had earlier on! The car needs new tires, we want to go visit family/friends in another state, we have another baby, the cat visits the vet, I buy a reclining chair for my mom to sit in, we need a washer and dryer..etc...etc....We need to be good stewards and save in the good years like Joseph did way back in the book of Genesis!

7)Co-habitate:

Okay this one I know not everyone is able to do, but it helped us save a good amount. While chris deployed to Quatar in 2007 and Iraq in 2009 we put our stuff in our generous friends, garages and basements (Thank you Reid, Lawhon, and Pittman Families) and moved in with my sister.

Trip to Costco

Today we went to Costco and well I couldn't contain myself at first! I wanted to buy so many things. I seriously don't get out much and the marketing at Costco definately trapped me! Within 10 minutes I wanted to buy a train set, toy story bikes, leapster learning games, dresses for my nieces, heated blankets, a leather recliner for my mom to sit in, an old fashioned popcorn maker........didn't even get to the food yet! I had to really think and not be impulsive, a little hard with Joshua throwing a fit losing his shoe on a different aisle, Christian crying about having to share his sample and Noah just being whiny Noah! So since they were not on good behavior that immediately eliminated any of the toys I wanted to buy, the recliner would not fit in my van with 3 carseats, and so I escaped with only buying some glitter scrapbooking kits for my little sisters and two books for the kids that I have never seen before. One to help tell time, and a book with animal x-rays in them. I also bought some bathmats I have been meaning to buy since we moved over 3 months ago, and 2 scrapbooking kits for my little sisters. Then I realized I was going to go out of town for 5 days and shouldn't buy too much food. Glad I came to my senses somewhat and didn't loose control, knowing how close we are to being debt free I have been thinking I can buy so many things for people and some stuff for me too but we are not there just yet!

Maternity fashion show....Not Really

Love This brown Motherhood sweater I got for $2! Am I glowing yet?

Not sure what kind of face I am making.....

Well Today I am 21 Weeks along with the 4th child =) God is so good. I usually try and avoid maternity clothes until the last trimester just because I don't like looking pregnant. Most maternity clothes fit in such a way that they really accentuate your belly. Oh and not mention when I go into a store with 3 young children the looks and questions I get....."Are they all yours?"....."You've got your handsful." ......"This is the last one right?"

However I got some really great deals on maternity clothes at a yard sale and my sister picked up some shirts at a consignment sale they were having at her YMCA. I figured tommorrow is not promised neither are any more pregnancies, and don't want all the cute clothes to get little use. So I might as well as enjoy my pregnancy despite any discomfort from my varicose veins, tiredness, and having my husband miss the whole pregnancy and birth due to a year deployment. So today I decided to bring out the maternity clothes at just 21 weeks along . I have so much to be thankful for and know so many women out there have heavy hearts because they can't even have one successful pregnancy. I am so blessed and am going to enjoy my growing belly everyday that God gives me =)

Military Hospitals

So, since someone at the whiteman AFB finance office decided not to process our move and change our housing allowance for the last 2 and half months (over 1 thousand dollar difference) I cancelled with the midwife. I decided I would rather not take anymore from our savings account and focus on paying off one last debt we owe. So that leaves us with another military Hospital experience. The first birth at Nellis AFB went well we checked in so late they had no time to give iv or suggest pitocin. The staff however had some rude comments about us refusing the pitocin after the birth, the erythromycin in the babies eyes, the hep B vaccine, and not getting Christian circumcised. We signed an early release form and left the next day. The 2nd birth at Portsmouth naval hospital was terrible: I didn't have the baby until 17 hours after checking in and was badgered about not recieving pitocin and an epidural for the whole 17 hours! I was needed told to starve and not eat until the baby was born. I had to sneak out and eat at the cafe, ask to use the bathroom during the last part of labor so I could squat and not have to lay down and sit still with that cursed fetal monitor around my belly. So finally after having a natural birth the staff tells me that I have no choice, I have to take pitocin for the next 6-8 hours...ouch with a nursing baby and no drugs. I got two roomates, one left our shared toilet bloody and had a bunch of cursing loud navy friends in and out of the room. I had the side of the room with no window and had to walk across her side of the room to use the toilet. I had to threaten to stay the rest of my visit in the lounge room with the vending machines before getting my own room. The Third baby at a civilian hospital in Missouri was much better. However, since I checked in 3 days early because my water broke I was again interregated as to why I would not take pitocin. Doctors and midwives came and told me how I was going to die and the baby if I didn't take it. So finally I had the baby with no drugs or interventions and the recovery room was great no roomates and I got to leave the next day =) They even let the boys spend the night in the room in the pack n play =)This time around Fort Belvoir Army Hospital will be where I deliver. I have had one appointment so far; aside from it taking 20 minutes circling the parking lot to get a parking spot it went pretty well. I go in for a sonogram on wednesday =) The ladies at church and my mom have been so helpful and reliable for help with the boys. So I think I can survive at most 6 more appointments and 24 hours of military care. Prayerfully our bah will be changed soon and we will be debt free within the year =)

$$$$ Drug Store Deals $$$

Well since we are in an area that has all 3 drug store competitors I figured I should take advantage of the deals. So Last night I went to Riteaid and my mom stayed in the car with the boys good thing too I was in there for over an half hour making sure I got all the up rewards (riteaid money). I think I threw the machine off because I had more coupons than items. So here is what I bought

3 jumbo packs of Huggies pure and natural diapers (some for Joshua some for new baby)

2 oral B cross action toothbrushes

1 crest toothpaste

2 packs of kotex pads

1 container of quaker oats

2 bottles of windex green works spray

24 pack bottled water

I spent $30 out of pocket got $15 worth of up rewards and will get a $10 riteaid gift card in the mail! So after the rewards and gift card it is like spending $5 on all of the above. So excited tonight I will get 2 free deoderants from CVS and Tommorrow we will head to Walgreens to get 3 free reach toothbrushes!

Really need some rest.

I have been so sleepy. Maybe it is because I have been staying up past twelve almost every night or the two flights of stairs in our house or the bday party or maybe the extra workload from not having chris to help or maybe from being pregnant I don't know.....I have been in VA for a month now and I can't say I don't miss my friends in Missouri I didn't know how attached I was to those ladies until the day before we left. Chris has been gone for 17 days!! It feels like forever. I get to see my mom alot and am thankful for that I wish she would come and stay with us for the year .....I don't know why she wants to stay in a smelly old apartment. Contimplating on whether or not to find out if I am having a boy or a girl and going to meet with the midwife on friday. I think I might just have a surprise just for fun I am sure by the time I venture out of the house I will have had time to shop online for some clothes I will just get some yellow and white layettes and diapers of course. Okay I am sleepy and going to be it is 11:24 pm....

Deployment #3

Sigh....Yet another deployment. It seems the deployments get worse and worse each time. the first one to Quatar for 4 months, a relatively safe place and short time period. The next tasking for Iraq for 6 months (2 months completed) after 2 months of training a little less safe and alittle more drama. The next one just 9 months later to Afghanistan for 365 days! So sad and I am 3 months pregnant. However we are still blessed and have no need to complain, we are all alive and well and are getting to spend some time with family in VA. Week one is done though just 51 more weeks to go!

4th of JULY NOW and THEN

vs

ON GOVERNMENT

"It is impossible to rightly govern a nation without God and the Bible." President George Washington

"Whatever we once were, we're no longer a Christian nation." OBAMA

ON EDUCATION

"As a student of history, I also know civilization's debt to Islam." OBAMA

“What students would learn in American schools above all is the religion of Jesus Christ.” --GEORE WASHINGTON

In Benjamin Franklin's 1749 plan of education for public schools in Pennsylvania, he insisted that schools teach "the excellency of the Christian religion above all others, ancient or modern."

"But we also recognize the importance of good medical care for women, that we’re also recognizing the importance of age-appropriate education to reduce risks. I do believe that contraception has to be part of that education process." OBAMA

George Washington in a speech to the Delaware Indian Chiefs May 12, 1779

"It is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favors."

Charles Carroll - signer of the Declaration of Independence Portrait of Charles Carroll" Without morals a republic cannot subsist any length of time; they therefore who are decrying the Christian religion, whose morality is so sublime and pure...are undermining the solid foundation of morals, the best security for the duration of free governments."

ON LIFE

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--

"I think it’s very hard to know what that means, when life begins." OBAMA

Patrick Henry said, "It cannot be emphasized too clearly and too often that this nation was founded, not by religionists, but by Christians; not on religion, but on the gospel of Jesus Christ. For this very reason, peoples of other faiths have been afforded asylum, prosperity, and freedom of worship here.” [May 1765 Speech to the House of Burgesses]

"Which passages of Scripture should guide our public policy? Should we go with Leviticus, which suggests slavery is okay and that eating shellfish is abomination? How about Deuteronomy, which suggests stoning your child if he strays from the faith?" OBAMA

Family Photos 2010

A Trip to the City

Today we went to Lees Summit and Independance Missouri. We took pictures at Target the boys did so well nobody cried and the photographer got some really great shots. christian smiled so hard his eyes were closed in about half of the pictures so that made it alittle easier to pick out which ones I wanted to buy =) Can't wait to get them back in a couple of weeks =) We took them to the Target cafe to reward them for their excellent behavior then to Costco and then to Chick Fil-A =)

Mountain View

So Good to see our family at Mountain View Baptist Church =) Love the Postma Family. I really hope we can go back to Vegas and serve the Lord with this church someday =)

Circus Circus

Circus Circus was alittle dissapointing because we got noah the all day pass but he didnt ride one thing he was so scared.....the only thing he rode was the baby merry go round that you put fifty cents in to ride.....Lesson Learned. Praise the Lord for God's protection Christian almost jumped off a roller coaster as it was starting to go really fast backwards.

Bible Study

Love Love Love our bible study in Vegas Bro. Matt does such a good job rightly dividing the word of truth! So good to see our old family and sad to see quite a few of them not there anymore =(

Famous Daves

Christian Stuffed his face really fast so he could get to eat his oreo cookie

The Reids: Our vegas host family


Famous Daves was so yummy I got bbq salmon. Felt so full after leaving.

Visit to Vegas

Noah driving a plane

Christian working on a car at the Lied Chilrens Museum

Our first adventure was the Childrens museum not sure if museum is the right word for it. It was more like an activity center that cost way too much but it was fun =)

The Miche Purse Party =)

Miss Angela one of the ladies at our church sells Miche Purses the coolest purses. that can change outfits in a snap. So you buy one purse and can buy different shells to snap on them to change the whole look of the purse. So much fun =)

Malaine, Me, Liz

Me checking out I really want to change my order now to the smaller bag....hopefully I can =)

Jennifer and Liz =)

Rub a dubdub 3 Boys in a tub!

Christian and Noah are getting nice tans....Look how cute they are!!!

Taking a bath with fresh haircuts from Daddy!

Sunday Nights

Here the boys are getting ready for evening service. Christian is wearing a Master's Club vest. Christian is doing very well in Master's Club and memorizes about 7 scriptures now. Noah is too young to join=(

Financial Peace

Yes these are all our credit cards except my macys and kohls because I simply can't turn down those take and extra 20 or 30 percent off when you use your card coupons! I can then pay my card off right at the register with cash or my debit card after I get the discount so I never have a balance =)

A Classic Debate?

Chris and I have been going to the Officer Christian Fellowship for about a month now thinking it would be a good way to fellowship and encourage one another with fellow believers. But the last two weeks have been more like the officer Calvanist Indoctrination Fellowship. I don't like to argue or debate with people but I could not sit still and not defend God the father and our Lord Jesus Christ as people professing themselves to be wise spewed heresies out of their mouths based on some man's teachings that don't rightly divide the word of truth. The issue at hand: God chooses some people for heaven and some for hell and the people have no choice to decide if they would like to go to heaven or if they would like to go to hell. All from Romans chapter 9 which I agree with completely when you read it in light with other scripture.
2 timothy 2:15 " Study to shew thyself approved unto God a workman that needeth not to ashamed rightly dividing the word of truth."
1)God choose Jacob to be in the lineage of the savior but he didnt choose him to go to heaven Jacob went to heaven because he looked forward to the promise of the savior nor did he choose Esau for hell. This has nothing to do with heaven or hell.
2)God hardened pharohs heart. Yes I agree but not before God was longsuffering to him, pharoah hardened his own heart against God before God hardened his heart. Pharoah had and opportunity to obey and serve God it was not God's fault. Exodus 8:15 "But when Pharaoh saw that there was respite, he hardened his heart, and hearkended not unto them..."
3)God has mercy on who he will have mercy and harden whom he will harden. I dont' have an issue with this verse either God tells us who he will choose to give grace to and who he won't but not arbitrarily James 4:5 " God resisteth the proud but giveth grace unto the humble" Again not God's fault that some will not humble themselves by realizing they are sinners deserving of hell and need a savior.
I dont' disagree that God is sovereign I know he could do anything he wants he could force us to go to hell or heaven if he wanted to and I wouldn't have a problem believing that if that is what the bible said. But God says that he is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance 1 Peter 3:9. so is God not powerful enough that he can't force his will that none should perish and make all go to heaven? No he is powerful enough but he by his grace gives us the opportunity to humble ourselves to repent and believe that gospel and be saved! What a savior I don't claim to know more about the bible that anyone else but I know what truth is and tommy Nelson is not truth.
Thy word is truth!!!

Happy Birthday Christian!!

Christian getting his face wiped....lol

I was pleased with the decorations! Thanks to Jessica and the French's helping set up!

Today was Christians Bday party!! We invited everyone from church that had children pretty much and had a good turn out despite some snow and wind outside. Christian was so excited! Seeing him smile and have fun makes me so happy! There were close to 30 kids in attendance but Christians favorite friends Vaida and Tyler were not there both of their mommies took them down south to visit family while their daddies are deployed =(

Spring is Here...almost

Family fun at the playground! so glad it is warming up around here!

Superman swinging

Joshua loves to swing

Noah says "wook at me mommy, wook at me"

Happy BDAY Joshua!!!

Joshua's First BDAY! It is so amazing how time goes by. My little baby is not a baby any more

=( He is sad because he tried to touch the flame and realized it was hot...He was happy when he got to taste some cake =)