Happy Friday! And Happy Two Weeks on our budget for us! Well, it's been a little more than 2 weeks, actually, Monday will be 3, but I haven't had a WHOLE lot of time to blog. The kids are a joy, but the consume pretty much all my time, not that I mind. :) I've learned and accepted that certain things will just be taking the backseat for a while.
Anyhow, this week has been pretty good. We started off Monday celebrating Tim's birthday a few days early since he had to work on Wednesday evening. I successfully made ribs for the first time. They sure turned out pretty well, and I am not a big ribs-fan.
This week, I believe what had been impressed on my heart the most about our budget is how liberating it is to not be a slave to our money. The Bible says we were placed here to glorify the Lord, and we certainly won't be able to do that if we are fretting about money. Having a set cash allowance is great. I know what I have, and once it's gone, it gone, and I have to wait. I know exactly how much I have, and how much I can spend. This has definitely kept me in check and not spend out of our means.
The best news is that now that our finances are more in order, it feels GREAT to be able to give our resources away to those who need them more. I use to always stress when giving money for our tithe or offering. I would stress knowing that we wouldn't have enough for the rest of the month if we gave XYZ, etc. I can now say that we have faithfully written out our checks 3 weeks in a row, and it feels GERAT! I also was able to give a little money to the Haiti fund through our cell phone bill.
I, by myself, have none of this under control. It has been through prayer, submission, and trusting God with our finances that things are starting to look up now. We don't make a lot of money, but I've learned that I really wasn't be as responsible as I thought I was. When I came to that realization, as much as it hurt, I knew it was a sin that I wasn't being smart and responsible with our finances.
Please keep us in prayer that we continue to discipline ourselves to do what is right. Recently, I learned of some pretty bad news in regards to our district's budget. Things do not look good for many people, and several are worried about their jobs. I, for one, believe that what will happen will be God's will, and we will be brave with whatever challenges we need to face. However, this goes to show even more, how important it is for our family to save up for a rainy day (Haven't you guys enjoyed the rain this week????).
Well, hope all are off to a great weekend!
Friday, January 22, 2010
Friday, January 15, 2010
Calling All Boxtops!
Hey everyone! Happy Friday! I've got a favor to ask all of you out there! We are fundraising for our school through Box Tops. Box Tops can be found on many of the household items you already purchase on a daily basis. If you don't collect, could you please forward them to me? Every Box Top raises 10 cents for our school! Here are some brands with Box Tops...
Arinda Fanning
c/o Citrus Hills Intermediate School
3211 S. Main Street
Corona, CA 92881
We'll be collecting until February 19th, and the class that raises the most gets a secret prize! (their teacher as well!)
- cottonelle
- kleenex
- ziploc
- Huggies
- Pull Ups
- Cheerios
- Kix
- Lucky Charms
- Hamburger/Tuna/Chicken Helper
- Kotex
- Avery
Arinda Fanning
c/o Citrus Hills Intermediate School
3211 S. Main Street
Corona, CA 92881
We'll be collecting until February 19th, and the class that raises the most gets a secret prize! (their teacher as well!)
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
First Week
Well, we've been on our new budget for a little over a week now. It's only been a week, but I feel like I've learned so much.
1. I learned just how irresponsible we can be with our money when you do not keep track of our spending.
2. I learned TO keep track of my spending. It really opened up my eyes to where our money was going, and why we felt like we were always short.
3. Giving ourselves (Tim and I) a cash 'allowance' has really forced us to think about what we are spending our money on.
4. Cash allowances have also GREATLY decreased the use of our debit card.
All in all, I think we can say that we feel relieved and proud of ourselves. With spending money more wisely, we also believe we are honoring the Lord more - which definitely leads to more blessings. They will not necessarily mean more monetary funds, but I (for one) have such a greater peace knowing we are honoring God with our finances. Truth be told, the way we spend our money can definitely be a witness to those around you.
Hope you all are having a good week. Halfway to Friday. I, for one, am very excited. Will keep you posted on whatever we learn, as I know we have a LONG road ahead of us. Being on a budget one week definitely doesn't make us experts, but I'll try to encourage you each week by what our family learns.
1. I learned just how irresponsible we can be with our money when you do not keep track of our spending.
2. I learned TO keep track of my spending. It really opened up my eyes to where our money was going, and why we felt like we were always short.
3. Giving ourselves (Tim and I) a cash 'allowance' has really forced us to think about what we are spending our money on.
4. Cash allowances have also GREATLY decreased the use of our debit card.
All in all, I think we can say that we feel relieved and proud of ourselves. With spending money more wisely, we also believe we are honoring the Lord more - which definitely leads to more blessings. They will not necessarily mean more monetary funds, but I (for one) have such a greater peace knowing we are honoring God with our finances. Truth be told, the way we spend our money can definitely be a witness to those around you.
Hope you all are having a good week. Halfway to Friday. I, for one, am very excited. Will keep you posted on whatever we learn, as I know we have a LONG road ahead of us. Being on a budget one week definitely doesn't make us experts, but I'll try to encourage you each week by what our family learns.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
A Fresh Start
There's nothing like the feeling of a fresh start to the New Year. While last year was crazy, I wouldn't change it for anything. However, as cliche as it may sound, yesterday made me feel like we were turning over a new leaf. There was so much we wanted to accomplish, and so much we had hoped for, but it just wasn't God's timing. The main reason I was excited yesterday though, was because we started a new budget plan.
We've tried different budgets, spreadsheets, etc, and they just never stuck. However, we've come up with a new plan that I am confident will make us discipline ourselves and allow us to put a nice chunk of money into our house fund. Please pray our family sticks to it. Last year really showed us that we really were not THAT responsible, or as responsible as we though we were, with the money we brought home each month.
There is so much I want to do this year, but I know it'll all be in baby-steps. I think our BIG goal this year, is really to get into a house. Our lease here at the apartment is up in May, so please pray we'd make a wise decision. We wouldn't be ready to purchase a house then, but we don't want to renew for a whole year. Pray a shorter lease won't drastically increase our rent.
Well, fresh start also means going back to work tomorrow. We had to take 2 furlough days this week because of the economic. Please pray for good news when we all return. There are some pretty narly budget proposals that will be voted on. Please pray that there'll be minimal lay-offs if there has to be any.
We've tried different budgets, spreadsheets, etc, and they just never stuck. However, we've come up with a new plan that I am confident will make us discipline ourselves and allow us to put a nice chunk of money into our house fund. Please pray our family sticks to it. Last year really showed us that we really were not THAT responsible, or as responsible as we though we were, with the money we brought home each month.
There is so much I want to do this year, but I know it'll all be in baby-steps. I think our BIG goal this year, is really to get into a house. Our lease here at the apartment is up in May, so please pray we'd make a wise decision. We wouldn't be ready to purchase a house then, but we don't want to renew for a whole year. Pray a shorter lease won't drastically increase our rent.
Well, fresh start also means going back to work tomorrow. We had to take 2 furlough days this week because of the economic. Please pray for good news when we all return. There are some pretty narly budget proposals that will be voted on. Please pray that there'll be minimal lay-offs if there has to be any.
Happy Tuesday Everyone!
Friday, January 1, 2010
Out With the Old, In With the New
January - Tim turns 28. Arinda trying to keep morning sickness at bay. Natty takes her first trip to Disneyland.
February - Arinda turns 26, and feeling fabulous to be expecting another baby. Our family takes trips 2nd, 3rd, and 4th to Disneyland. Kudos for their get in free on your birthday promotion and park hopper tickets.
March - We find out we're expecting our first son! His name would be Nathan Joel. We place an offer on our 1st house. And our offer is accepted! We're going to be homeowners!
April - Signing paperwork away.
May - The house didn't work out. We had to back out of our offer. We move across the street to rent another year. We also find out that we are going to have a niece! Yay for Matt and Maggie!
June - Arinda watches her first full set of 8th graders graduate. This was the first year she had her students as both 7tha nd 8th graders.
July - Welcome to the world, Nathan Joel Fanning. After being told he'd be early, Nathan decided to teach us all a little patience and came just about 2 weeks overdue! Arinda went in to be induced, fining out she was in labor, and Nathan came later that afternoon.
August - Loving our family of 4!
September - Tim and I celebrated our 3rd anniversary. Arinda goes back to work from maternity leave, starting her 4th year of teachimg - all 8th graders.
October - Finally getting the hang of having 2 kiddos, feeling more confident about going out.
November - Natty has her first dentist appointment. Our princess turns 2!!! We celebrate with a Curious George themed party in her honor.
December - Nathan gets to celebrate his 1st Christmas! Tim finds out he will be teaching his 1st college-level class!
As you can see, our year was full of ups and downs. One thing remains confident, and that is the fact that our God never leaves us, nor forsakes us. Through everything we've been through this year, we know God is with us, watching over us, and strengthening us. We are stronger followers of Christ because of 2009. While unknown, I can't wait to see what 2010 brings for our family. Here are some of my goals:
- Get a nice chunk of our bills paid off.
- Save up for a downpayment for a house. (Goal is 10%)
- Be consistent with putting money into the kids' saving accounts.
- Start my Bible study earlier on in the week, so I'm able to learn as much as I can.
- Stick to our budget.
- Help Natty with her potty training
- Stay withint our $600 budget for groceries, food, and diapers.
- Help Natty finish learning the rest of her alphabets
I am not much into making resolutions. I do want to reflect on what I didn't accomplish or areas I could have done better in, commit them to the Lord, and fix them.
Happy New Year 2010 everyone!
I know ours is off to a great start!
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
More Pictures
Sorry, my laptop decided to konk out while I was upload, so I broke it up into two posts. :) Enjoy!
Nathan having a blast. Totally love the reaction! 
Checking out the petting zoo in Norco, Natty hiding behind Mommy - the safest place. :)
Decorating her FIRST gingerbread house.
Daddy working on the tree with Natty.
Daddy and Nathan at Olive Garden for Grandma's birthday
Natty in Norco with Grandma, not liking Santa.
Enjoying a carriage ride
Chilling with Daddy and loving brother to death. :)Merry Christmas Eve-Eve!
Wow, I'm usually pretty good about posting. Needlessto say, chasing after 2 kiddos has forced me to divert my attention elsewhere. However, I'm loving every minute of it. Not much time for myself anymore, but then, I knew that going in when we got pregnant with Nathan. Both of our kids are doing great!
Natty is growing into such a wonderful young lady. She knows all her alphabets with a few exceptions - W is hard, she wants to call it M. She can put so many words together now. She great at saying Thank you Mama, Dada, or whoever else it is who is giving her something. :) Some new words she's picked up - elephant, porcupine, Christmas, and even some Mandarin from Ni-Hao Kailan!
Nathan is growing into a handsome boy. He is only about 5 pounds lighter than his big sister. He is also sporting 3 teeth now, and another one about to break through the gums. He is NOT enjoying the process at all, but he is still our happy boy, and love him dearly.
I thought I'd post some pictures of what we've been up to the past couple weeks. Enjoy! Merry Christmas Eve-Eve!
Natty is growing into such a wonderful young lady. She knows all her alphabets with a few exceptions - W is hard, she wants to call it M. She can put so many words together now. She great at saying Thank you Mama, Dada, or whoever else it is who is giving her something. :) Some new words she's picked up - elephant, porcupine, Christmas, and even some Mandarin from Ni-Hao Kailan!
Nathan is growing into a handsome boy. He is only about 5 pounds lighter than his big sister. He is also sporting 3 teeth now, and another one about to break through the gums. He is NOT enjoying the process at all, but he is still our happy boy, and love him dearly.
I thought I'd post some pictures of what we've been up to the past couple weeks. Enjoy! Merry Christmas Eve-Eve!
Nathan being his happy-self
The Kiddos enjoying their new double stroller.
Nathan enjoying his thumb.
Natty baking cookies with Nana.
Mommy and Natty at Olive Garden
for Grandma's Birthday
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