The Curtis Crew

Friday, April 3, 2009

Rainy day...

It's a rainy, rainy day today...but as a friend just told me..."but it's not snowy!" Amen, sister!

Daffodils are blooming in my yard, green buds have appeared on the trees and bushes, the robins are back singing their songs of spring.

I love this time of year...makes me think of Redemption!

Thank you, Lord, that you make all things new!

Your wonders never cease!

Have a fabulous weekend with those you love.

Emily has belt testing tomorrow for Tae Kwon Do, so I'm sure we'll have an update on our little Kung Fu Fighter!

Chow!

Thursday, April 2, 2009

Training up my children...

Train a child in the way he should go,

and when he is old he will not turn from it.

Proverbs 22:6

I am a fan of routine and structure. However, I love and appreciate breaks from the daily grind as well. I often use the breaks to re-evaluate how we run our Curtis Crew and try to come up with better and more meaningful ideas. While we were in Texas, I was so impressed with my sister and how she runs her house. This is my LITTLE sister who has always seemed (at least, I think so) to look up to me. But, let me tell you, the table has turned. Her children are so well behaved and actually do housework (without grumbling!). So, I was inspired, let me tell you!

When we returned I came up with a job list for my kiddos (the oldest two, at least) that includes daily jobs and Saturday jobs. They have 3 daily jobs and 3 Saturday jobs.

Now, keep in mind, this is week one, so it's new and fun for now, but Emily & Ben have both been working so hard every day when they get home from school. Pay day will be Monday and they will put their money in Save, Give and Spend categories (heard of Dave Ramsey?).

In addition, we've added Scripture Memory. We've been visiting a church that has a fabulous family service for kids and parents. At the end of the service each week, we are given follow-up material to do together at home. We've been using the dinner table as discussion time and Scripture memorization. If Emily & Ben can say their Bible verse by Friday's dinner, they will get a certificate for one "job-free" day during the following week.

Our memory verse for this week is "We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him." Romans 8:28. I am proud to say I will be handing out two certificates at dinner tomorrow night!

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

The "Kaddies"

There's not more than 2 or 3 days go by that Abby asks, "Where is Sebastian? I miss him!" It's amazing that she would still be missing him as much as I am. She will remember something he did and tell me about it, or remember one of his habits and ask if I also remember. I just love the minds of little ones...you never know what is spinning around in those amazing little brains!

Abby calls our newest family members the "kaddies"...I'm not sure if this is a Midwestern accent for kitties or what, but these little "kaddies" have grown and are so much fun!

First week home...

To this...

And this...

And now this...

My how they've grown!

Website Wednesday!

Whether you are worried about the economy, have been affected by the economy, or just want to save money in your monthly budget, this website will help you ease your mind a bit. This week's Website Wednesday! is The Grocery Game. All it takes is a little bit of your time, organizational skills (at a minimum) and a few small bucks a month. You can try if for 4 weeks for only $1 with no obligation to continue, but I think you'll want to continue when you see the savings coming in. If you're like me, I would much rather spend less at the grocery store each month.

From the company's website:

How it all began...

The Grocery Game grew out of a very smart and frugal hobby. Teri Gault (the company's founder and CEO) was intent on saving her family money. Her common sense homestyle approach to good living included collecting coupons and matching them to grocery store sales. Eventually, this hobby became a passion. Teri would share her money saving ideas with family and friends who were more than impressed by her attention to detail and her ability to predict sales trends. After some time, it became obvious that Teri's "hobby" was more than just a good idea to share with friends. The business of The Grocery Game was underway. At first, The Grocery Game made "TERI'S LISTs" available mainly to members in Southern California. Later, by offering franchises to persons throughout the United States, the company was able to expand at an unprecedented pace. Currently, The Grocery Game offers "TERI'S LIST" in all 50 states. Tens of thousands of members log on each week and save hundreds of dollars a month on their groceries.

Teri suggests purchasing some sort of envelope that has dividers. I bought a canceled check file at Wal-Mart for less than $4. Label the sections by categories. File your coupons this way. Once you join The Grocery Game, you will select the list(s) for the stores you shop in your hometown. Teri's list is comprised of three categories: Green, Blue and Black items. Green items are FREE (by combining store sales and your coupons you've clipped), Blue items are for stockpiling so you have enough of a particular item until the next sale cycles around, and Black items are for need shopping only. Teri will tell you on your store's list what coupons to pull from your file and how to combine them with the store's sales to save you the most money.

I encourage you to peruse the website, read the FAQ's and try it out for 4 weeks. You will be surprised how much fun it becomes to see what you can actually save on each trip.

So, grab a Sunday paper, save those coupon mailings that come in your mail this week, sign up for your 4 week trial for only $1, get your system going and watch the savings add up!

Let the savings begin!

Monday, March 30, 2009

What we're reading this week...

Before I get started, please continue to pray for Baby Stellan. You can link to his story using the button on the right of my blog. Stellan had a rough day yesterday. Please call out to the Great Physician on Stellan's behalf for healing for his little heart.

I guess the song "Back in the Saddle Again" is relevant to our household today. Spring Break is over as we resume our daily routines. I love routine, but I also greatly appreciate the breaks and start counting down to the next one, which will be Good Friday for us... see, counting down already!

So, back to what we are reading...

I tried a new author over spring break and that small taste resulted in my heading over to Half Price Books and coming home with 8 more books by Jodi Picoult...wow, have you read any of her books? What an amazing storyteller! I read the book, "The Pact", which has a pretty serious subject matter, that being teen suicide. However, the suspenseful unfolding of the story had me up very late several nights in a row. I can't wait to read another one of Jodi's books. For now, I'm catching up on my daily Bible readings. I'm a few days (ok, weeks) behind, but am determined to do this, so I'm not reading anything else until I'm caught up.

So, on to what we're reading this week...

(Click on the images to link to Amazon's website.)

My reading...

Jason's reading...

Emily's reading...

Emily is really enjoying the Narnia books. She's actually reading my books, which look like this image. She finished the first book and was ready to move on to the second immediately.

Benjamin's reading...

Abigail's reading...

Happy Reading!

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

More Birthday Fun...

It's taken me a while to get through my pictures, but wanted to share pics from Abby's birthday at Build-A-Bear. Some very special friends joined us and it was a great day! Abby was making plans about 2 weeks prior to her birthday to go to Build-A-Bear and was determined to make a "gummy bear". I just went along with her, didn't have the heart to tell her that I didn't think she would be able to build a gummy bear. Well, on her own, she decided maybe she would make a "yamb" (lamb). I think she was inspired by the rodeo animals...who knows? It was her lucky day because they had a yamb and it turned out so cute and cuddly!

3-year-old Princess...

Early morning presents...

Picking the right one...

I'll take this one...

Abby's lamb was the cleanest lamb in the store!

Ben picked a longhorn...

He wanted to name him Horny (oh my!),

but we were able to convince him to go with something else...

he settled on Tex!

The cute bunch...

Mommy's early morning baking...

Make a wish...

We love you, Miss Abby!

Bluebonnets Blooming...

If you've been to Texas in the spring and driven the ribbons of highway, you've probably seen the Texas bluebonnets. And if you've seen them, thank Lady Bird Johnson, wife of President Lyndon Baines Johnson, who persuaded the State of Texas to seed bluebonnets and other wildflowers along the Texas highways. Photos in the bluebonnets are definitely tradition in a Texans' household!

Here are a few we got (pretty good, considering all the sticker burrs and fire ants we endured during the process...)

Please pray today...

This sweet little baby, Stellan, is in the hospital fighting for his life right now. Take some time to read his story here and spend some time on his behalf asking the Lord to heal his little body.

On a side note, I will be posting more stories and pics from our trip to Texas. I'm still sorting through pictures.

Friday, March 20, 2009

Happy Birthday Abigail!

My sweet, sweet Abigail,

The day you entered my world was the day my world changed in many ways. I have experienced life in new and different ways thanks to you! Today is your 3rd birthday; it's so hard to believe! You add spice to life, living every minute of your life with very pronounced enthusiasm. I love the sound of your giggles and laughter; I love to feel your arms around my neck for a "big squeeze"; I love the way you are unable to walk across the room without one or two little gallops mixed in; I love the way you adore your brother and sister and keep up with them without missing a step; I love the way you ask for "old bunny and paci" when you are tired or hurt; I love your curiosity for life; I love your snuggles. I am so glad you are my daughter and I am beyond blessed to be your Mommy.

Thank you, Lord, for my Abigail. Thank you for the joy she adds to my life and the life of our family. I pray that you continue to mold her into the beautiful young lady you created her to be. I pray with all my heart that she will love Jesus, her family and the world around her. I pray for Your protection over her little life that no harm would come to her. I pray that you would continue to mold me into a Mommy who brings glory to Your name in my home. I pray for special blessings over Abby.

In Jesus's name,

Amen.