50th Post! Not even a great one :-( Sorry!

So this is my 50th blog post!  I had thought it would be great to do something fun for this one.  But instead, I'm going to get my feelings out.  Which is really what this blog is all about anyway, saying what's on my mind, so I can think about other things, more important things.

Speaking of important things... My faith, husband, and children are all really important to me.  I think it was about 2 years ago I made a decision to cancel our cable TV.  It wasn't a financial decision, but one that I thought was a good  move to get the awful horrible media out of our home (the grown up shows my husband and I were watching, thinking the kids weren't paying attention, but they were).  At the time, it was a decent idea. 

About 3 days in, we all missed TV and, to be honest, we were BORED!  So, we got a little antenna for the top of the entertainment center, to pick up the news, which was important to m husband.  After that he discovered that if we bought a big one for the roof we could pick up several more channels.

Then 10 months ago I reactivated our Netflix subscription (we used it 4 years ago and liked it). 

For about $10 a month we could watch movies/TV episodes instantly on our TV (through our Wii)  and set up my laptop in the bedroom for the kids to watch a movie.  Cheap entertainment.

CHEAP!  Not inexpensive, but CHEAP (which to me, is kind of the same as saying crap).

I just figured out that in 10 months we've had 45 DVD's mailed to us, and watched OVER 350 TITLES INSTANTLY!

#$%$#%#$^

So, yes, it is inexpensive.  $100 in fees / 400+ movies = A quarter (or less) for each show.

What a disaster this has been.  We're watching more TV than ever, even though we're getting it at a good price.

I feel so stupid that I let it get this out of control.  And stupid that I didn't really FIX the bad habit, I just CHANGED it. 

I've begged my husband to let me take the TV out of the living room.  I know this is very 'unamerican'.  But it's something I so deeply desire. 

It's my wish that by the end of 2011 (but really, sooner would be better), we'll have our basement completed enough that we can put our entertainment center, TV, and all video games down there.

It's not that we watch anything that is really terrible, is just that there is so many other things we could be doing with our lives than watching shows we aren't really interested in, just because it's available.

Just like a cookie-  Just because it's there, doesn't mean we should eat it.  Just because the shows are available, doesn't mean we should watch it. 

I know this is so unfair to my husband, I really am very thankful for his support through this.  I'm the one who has the problem limiting my TV time, and because of this, he is missing out on so many sports and late night TV shows.  He has been great about all of this, he is so encouraging. 
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For those of you who are thinking of cancelling cable to save money, here is our financial break down-
Cable was $40 a month, so if we had paid that for 2 years it would've been $960
We spent $50 on a little antenna, and $200 on a great one. 

$960-$250=$710 in savings

Minus say, 1 year of Netflix, $120
Means in 2 years, we've still saved $590.. which is a great savings.  It just didn't accomplish what I had first set my sights on, which was controlling the media in our home.

I Swear.

Last night my husband was working late, so the kids and I decided to make homemade brownies and serve a candlelit dinner to daddy to show him our appreciation when he came home. 

I had the radio on, and my daughter started doing dishes, without being asked (if you knew how much food she left on the dishes, you'd know why she wasn't asked.  Oh well, the dishwasher finished what she couldn't). 

Anyway, John Michael Montgomery's "I Swear" came on.

In case you need a refresher on the lyrics, it goes like this:
"I see the questions in your eyes
I know what's weighing on your mind
That you can be sure I know my heart

`Coz I'll stand beside you through the years
You'll only cry those happy tears
And though I make mistakes
I'll never break your heart

I swear by the moon and the stars in the sky
I'll be there
I swear like a shadow that's by your side
I'll be there

For better or worse, till death do us part
I'll love you with every beat of my heart
I swear

I'll give you everything I can
I'll build your dreams with these two hands
We'll hang some memories on the walls

And when just the two of us are there
You won't have to ask if I still care
`Coz as the time turns the page, my love won't age at all

I swear by the moon and the stars in the sky
I'll be there
I swear like the shadow that's by your side
I'll be there

For better or worse, till death do us part
I'll love you with every beat of my heart
I swear

I swear by the moon and stars in the sky
I'll be there
I swear like the shadow that's by your side
I'll be there

For better or worse, till death do us part
I'll love you with every beat of my heart
I swear, I swear "
My sweet princess, who had only heard this song for the first time, but is excellent at all things musical, started humming along.  Just after the second "For better or worse, till death do us part I'll love you with every beat of my heart, I swear".  She says with the biggest smile on her face,

" I'm so excited to be a wife......someday"

Ahhh, finally, I feel like I'm doing something right!  She makes me so proud! 


Side note: It was Mac N' Cheese Monday, the noodles were mushy, the cheese wasn't stirred enough, and I served garlic toast that a certain little girl put WAY to much butter on, but it really wasn't about the food at all.  The time our little family spent at the table last night was just wonderful!

& I'm excited to be a wife too.

First off, I know this is way too forward- But I'm just going to put this out there-  I'm hearing WAY too often of couples getting divorced.  We've been close too,  we're all human and make mistakes.  Have grace for your spouse. My advice to you is something I read in a book tonight "We did WHAT WE COULD with WHAT WE HAD and THEN GOD TOOK IT from there". Think (when you're not upset) about the long term picture, is this what's best, is whatever you're upset about something that is really worth shaking your precious children's lives over.  We all know we can't change our spouses, but if YOU change, would it help the situation.  If so, do it.  You're worth it, your kids are worth it, and so is your spouse. 

Friday.

Here is a verse I came across on a web-site this morning.  I knew instantly I was supposed to read it, and believe wholeheartedly in it.   I have so much on my mind, I just wish I trusted myself to act on the feelings I have.  

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart,
and lean not unto thine own understanding.
In all thy ways acknowledge Him
and He shall direct thy paths.~ Proverbs 3:5-6 ~ 

My weekend goal is to spend lots of time in prayer and talking with my husband, so I am ready, first thing next week, to take action on the things that are pressing on my heart. 

Thoughts of the day

This is what is on my mind:
Intentional Parenting-  Not just letting each day slip by, and giving in to whatever makes our kids happy, but intentionally parenting our children.  Training them to be well disciplined.  This is a new experience for me, and let me tell you, it is H.A.R.D!  Especially after so many years of not doing this. 

Home School-I don't know if this is right for our family or not.  But it's something My husband and I are praying deeply about.  It would mean a total lifestyle change, but may be worth it for our children.  Especially my daughter.  I went to public school, I don't see it as a terrible thing.  But I think a home school environment would be less distracting and give me more time with my children.  I feel like 18 years having them home is just too short, I don't want to miss more than I have to.  There are so many pros and cons to this.  A big struggle right now is that I think my son would benefit greatly from being in a public school, where my daughter would do better at home. 

Decluttering- I spent about 30 minutes in the kitchen yesterday filling paper grocery sacks with things I don't use, or don't want to use anymore.  Today I took an hour to have a paper shredding party with the little prince.  My husband does not have the gift of organization, so I tried to organize his stuff the best I could.  I think his night stand looks MUCH better, I hope he appreciates what I've done.  & I hope I didn't do too much, too quickly.

Food-  I'm thinking of what to have for lunch, and what to make for dinner.  Wednesday is our busy day.  Thankfully I made a Turkey earlier this week, and the whole family likes it!  I'll have some for lunch, set some aside for dinner, then put the rest of it in bags to freeze and use later. 
Anyone have a favorite turkey recipe?  I have another frozen turkey in the basement freezer.