The End Of Wandering?

I have to admit, I am going through a gamut of emotions lately. Some days are great...other days, well, they aren't. It's hard to differenciate between my crazy pregnancy hormones, or being a little homesick. On the bright side, we visited a small group this week. We really have enjoyed the church we found, but have missed the "fellowship" of our small group back in Florida. We have such a great group there. In our experience it can take years to develop trust, comraderie and genuine love for each family or individual. That being said, while we miss our dear friends in Florida, we were warmly welcomed here...so we'll see how it goes and trust God to put people in our lives to build us up and vice versa.

On another note, We've been going through the Old Testement at church. Last week was specifically regarding Moses last oration or speech to the Israelites. After wandering in the wilderness for umpteen odd years, they were finally on the brink of entering the "promised" land. (BTW, They had already been here before, if you don't recall) Basically Moses says "What I want to tell you isn't so hard to understand...it's not brain surgery....you don't have to get a PH D in theology or apologetics to understand the concept....God doesn't expect you to have to asend to heaven to get it, or go across the the ocean to find it..." (give me a little room to paraphrase here) "It is right here, the Word is in your mouth and in your heart so you may obey it." (from the The Story pg. 70 or Deut. 30:15-16.)

Moses gave the Israelites a choice: "See, I set before you today, life and prosperity, death and destruction."

• Love the LORD your God
• Walk in obedience to Him
• Keep His commands

I am sure many of you could expound on the specifics for me...Especially in regards to the "commands, decrees and laws" part. But simply put, Moses tells them it is something they already have in their hearts. I'm thinking its that innate knowledge of God, and desire to have relationship with Him. And when we have relationship with Him, we know what pleases Him...and what doesn't, and we choose to walk toward or "in" that obedience. Maybe that seems a bit simple, but most of the time I believe we tend to create too much fluff. It's too complicated, when in reality, it really shouldn't be, doesn't need to be, and wasn't ever intended to be. Aren't we to come to Him like "little children"? How much more simple can it get?

As far as how this pertains to me, See, I am on this new journey. A new life. A chance to start over. To enter the "promised" land. I have a choice (or We--my husband and I) to make: Life and Prosperity, or in our own words: Fulfillment and Freedom OR Death and Destruction, again in our own words: Bondage and Slavery.

God specifically spoke to me through this story, and as I read through some of the stories of old I am seeing them with new eyes...because like the Israelites, I have been wandering. My life reflecting the wandering of the Israelites....obedience, complaining, disobedience, repentance, obedience. The choice, and the outcome is clear...either way one chooses. What do you think? What choices are you facing? How obedient are you willing or unwilling to be? What does "obedience" mean to you? Just thinking...thanks for reading.

Hip Mama.


By the way, if you haven't already joined "The Challenge" Please visit the other blog to find out what it's all about. Click Here.

PS....Photoqueen, I think I need an editor. :)

Total Money Makeover: The Short Story

I might go back and edit this post, but for purposes of getting something up here I think it's important to tell you the basics:

• Hip Mama & Dad aren't too Hip when it comes to finances...since we are $40,000 in debt. 
• About 1/2 of that is Student Loan and Car.
• The other half is frivolous credit cards and some personal loans

The plan is to basically use Dave Ramsey's "Total Money Makeover" as a guideline.  Check out his website here.  I will try to post more soon.

The first step would be to know approximately how much debt you are actually in...then go from there, as GI Joe says, "knowing is half the battle".

"Live Like No One Else, So You Can Live Like No One Else."

This is the quote that Dave Ramsey says is his motto for life, or was his motto for life before becoming debt free, and a world renouned financial guru.

I mentioned in an earlier post this week or last that I'd be making some kind of announcement. Well, the announcement is a commitment to be debt free and an invitation to join me (us) in my (our) quest. Finance is a big theme these days. In particular, the disintegration of the family. Lets face it, it seems to be at the root of many issues in the marriage. Why we think divorce solves this, I'm not sure I understand, but nontheless, it seems to be on the "Top 5" list of why marriages end in failure instead of "til death do us part".

So in pursuit, not of wealth or fame, but in pursuit of a successful marriage, and a (more) stress free family, I (and Hip Hubby too!) am commiting my self to the "Live Like No One Else." motto. Hip Hubby and I are commited to honoring the Lord in our finances and in our family. So no more secrets here...

Will you join us and share in our journey? I've created a blog to help with us with accountability and gettin' real. If you're interested, visit my newest blog HERE and join in! So far I've explained the challenge. In the next day or so, I'll be posting my story...and all the dirt on my finances. I encourage you to pray about joining the challenge with me. Imagine how much we could do were we debt free? If you have a good handle on finances share with us how...and encourage others. It doesn't really matter what "plan you are using, just that you have a plan and are sticking to it. Although Dave Ramsey's plan made the most sense, where we are at now. Looking forward to your feedback and your "locking arms" with us.

Total Money Makeover: The Challenge

For the purpose of getting started, I'm creating a blog to help keep me accountable in certain areas of my life. At the moment the purpose is financial freedom. The reason for the title, to Love others, to Laugh with family & friends, enjoy Life, and to "Live like No One Else". See my post here for more explanation.

I don't want to limit the ways we can use this blog, we can use it for financial accountability, or other types of accountability/challenges. I just want it to be used as a place to share, be honest and for those who are commited to Living a life in a different direction. I am a believer, so my journey also includes being a good steward of what the Lord has given me. Up until recently my huband and I haven't been very good stewards. I hope those of you who have conquerd finances will share with those of us who struggle and we can all see how we are doing and lock arms and pray for one another as we journey together on this path.

Another burden I have is the growing number of failed marriages today...specifically in "the church body." I believe finances are a major undercurrent of why these marriages are failing. I hope and prayer is that maybe this commitment or challenge might be a small step in keeping a marriage from getting so stressed over money that they forget everything else.

IF you would like to share your story or join the challenge, please let me know. The goal is to have many contributors, and I will mediate for now, but before you take the challenge here's what's important: HONESTY. If you would like anonymity, that's fine...be whoever you want, just keep it real. Just let me know if you would like to be a "challenger". I am open also to contributor's who want to post some tips....time, money, devotional...encouragement. Whatever. Just let me know.

The Heart of Our Home

You'll have to forgive the Amount of pictures of each room...but the mom's and a couple of friends are wanting to get an idea of where we live now....so the more we have the better...any way, here are the kitchen photos.

LOVE IT!

Is this for real? Somebody pinch me!

Hip Mama

Our Home Part 2

I know I already posted a picture of the front of the house. But this is our front porch decorated for Fall/Halloween. Last weekend we found a great pumpkin patch not too far from here, but what seemed like a old country road...we took a quick hay ride and the kids picked out pumpkins...so I decided to find te box with my meager assortment of Fall Holiday decor. I usually buy new stuff on the 50-75% off shelves after the fact. Someday it will be a nice little front entry way.

I thought I would also include some of the views around our house and neighborhood. This first one is just to the left if you are facing our house. Our neighborhood doesn't have a ton of houses in it and as you can see, next to us is probably a hundred or more acres of vacant land. Apparently it used to be a farm, and there are wildflowers and wild wheat growing next to our house. The kids are most excited about the deer we see in the mornings and evenings as we drive in or out of the neighborhood. I'll have to post some pictures, it's pretty cool.

These next ones are facing away from our house...below is our closest neighbor, but there is a house being built on the right of us.

Here are some more pictures..The next ones are the living room, and if you know anything about our previous living arrangements (which were totally fine) This is a big change for us...we have a ton of more room for the kids now. We went from 1200 sq. ft. to 2000 sq. ft. plus a 2 Car garage! And did I mention it's brand new? (can you tell I'm excited about that?) We are just so grateful for the blessing. While we miss our friends and family, we truly feel this is where he wants us to be and that he prepared the way for us. And on top of it all, our rent is $500 less! WOW! (I know the image quality isn't the best, but all I have to work with at the moment is the camera phone! Pic. #1 As you Enter. To the Left are small french doors that open to our guest-room/office Pic. #2 Just the whole living room (to the right in the back is the doorway to the Master bedroom. Pic.#3 Is the archway into the dining/kitchen area. I am posting as I get things settled. At the moment the dining room is my laundry folding table and I need to put some away.

Enjoy a peek into our new home!

I'll be continuing to update...so visit often, and I am planning some interesting sharing in the next week or so. Thank you all for your encouragement & support! It has meant so much!

Hip Mama

Our New Home

This is the Front of our new home. God is good. Not only did he provide us with a BRAND NEW home in a nice area, it was one of the least expensive we found! It is a testimony to what God did to prepare the way for us to come to Texas. I prayed very specifically about certain things...These are the things I prayed for:

• 5 bedrooms (or 4 + bonus)
• A church close by
• A good school district in case we decided to send them to school
• Resonable distance from Matt's work...so we can spend plenty of time together.
• Affordable, so that we can honor him and be good stewards...by commiting to financial freedom from debt.
• That we would find a home quickly, so we could get the kids settled quickly

God has really worked in amazing ways...He also added some extra perks too....

(I'll get back to that later today, I just realized I need to go grocery shopping and take the Little Guy some lunch b4 that time passes.) Hip Mama

To be continued.....

It's Monday....

It's probably just my crazy preggo hormones....but it's been one of those days...overly emotional, everything seemed to go wrong or have a wrinkle in it. Even the kids felt it, I think. I was going to give another update on finding the house and everything but, I'm exhausted and ready for a new day with a fresh start! I think underlying everything was the fact that I missed home today...and not so much "Florida" just family and friends. However, the bright spot in my day was the chance to meet some new people at a mom's group that just started at the church we are currently checking out. I'm looking forward to getting involved and meeting new people, more than ever...

Matt leaves tomorrow for a trip to Chicago for training. I at least have some phone numbers of people I barely know in case of an emergency. :) "um hi! remember me, the red head, ya, well um...my car broke down...." I can just see it now! :0)

Anyway, most days have been fairly good and productive, but today wasn't one of those. Tomorrow is a new day! Yea!

Please keep us in your prayers we need it!

Hip Mama.

Family Acclimates in the Lone Star State

After a great vacation in the Mountains of Tennessee, and the ride from Hell in their humble stage coach to Texas, the family seems to be acclimating well to their new surroundings in the Great State of Texas.

Seriously though, after spending a wonderful week hiking and enjoying the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, and surrounding areas we woke up Sunday Morning, repacked the mini-van and headed South West toward Texas. We had a great drive, and we were able to stop in Birmingham, AL visit my little brother's college campus, restock on food items, gas and the very importand DC-9V adapter for the 2nd DVD screen to work to keep children entertained (thank you GOD!) and parents somewhat sane.

We made it all the way to Baton Rouge, LA where we stayed in SUPER 8 motel, which boasted a generous complimentary breakfast that never materialized. I think the shower was more desired than the sleep, although it was neck and neck between the two. I do however reccommend bypassing highway roads in Louisiana, if at all possible...unless you plan on going to the dentist or desire to have all of your fillings shaken out of you, that road is truly memorable. We woke up Monday morning with the intention of reaching our final destination.

Monday (Sept. 29) was a mixture of excitement, and trepidation. For every thing I was excited about, I think I was equally anxious and even somewhat overwhelmed at the prospect of it. For example, finding a home, an area where we would like, a school for the kids...etc...making new friends, missing my old friends, missing family, and growing our own...that being said, after a couple more hours on the roads of Louisiana, we found ourselves at a friendly Texas Welcome Center where the kids promptly adorned our mini-van with "Don't Mess with Texas" bumper stickers, and filled bags with information on a plethera of things to do upon our arrival to our new "home-town". We also met up with my dad, who was in Houston on business, and then another 3-4 hours to our final destination where we found a Red Roof Inn, that assured me the complimentary breakfast would promptly materialize from 6am to 9am the next morning and every morning while we stayed (and I'm happy to report it did). We got in about 9 or 10pm and couldn't wait to get to bed.

That's the jist of the road trip, apart from massive amounts of movies and junk food. I'll have to continue later, because I'm exhausted.

BIG CHANGES

Well, It's been 2 months and a lot has happened in 2 months. I hope to be able to update all of them and get back to blogging now....but here is the short version:

Husband interview for a job in TEXAS Sept. 2. Accepted the position the 6th. We left Florida on the 19th, went on vacation and arrived in the Lone Star State Sept. 29 late at night. Found a home the next day. Moved in on Oct. 1.

How is that for crazy...since he accepted the position, I haven't had time to think about being nervous. Until now....ugh....

But I am excited about our new life.

More to come.

Hip Mama