God is so GOOD!

This may seem insignificant to some, but to me it was a direct answer to prayer. Like a lot of families (especially one income families) we're tightening our belts and spending money only on what is most important. Our needs. Not wants. And even then, things are tight. So, it's time to buy Ruthie some new shoes... she only has one pair that fit and they're getting very close to not fitting.

And, Ruthie is a DIFFICULT little girl to buy shoes for... She has the tiniest ankles and heels and a very narrow foot. So, all of the super cute and realitivey inexpensive shoes that you may find at say... Target... NEVER fit her feet. They just fall right off. It's not even close enough to be "good enough"...

So, to put shoes on Ruthie's feet that actually fit right and won't trip her when she walks... assuming she actually learns to walk sometime soon... we must go to Stride Rite. Any parents out there who have ever bought their child shoes know that this is an expensive endeavor. I mean, the kids shoes there are more than I spend on my own shoes...

But, It's to the point where we can't put it off any longer and with the next paycheck we're going to take a trip to Stride Rite and mortgage some shoes. I've been praying about our budget asking God what I can do to help alleviate it (it seems that 1/2 of the budget is going to gas and if those prices ever drop we'll be in good shape!) when in the mail... email... came a coveted coupon from Stride Rite. 15% off!!! I can't believe it. Just in time for our purchase.

God so knows the exact timing of all our needs, and just like the Bible says in Matthew 6:25-27, "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life[b]?

Cheering for Nap time!

Yes, ALL mothers cheer for nap time, if they're honest with themselves. Some may not admit it to the world, but I don't shy away from such honesty....

Ruthie usually (Praise the Lord that I can write this sentence...if you're wondering what I'm talking about check out this post) takes a 2 to 2-1/2 hour nap each afternoon (and a 1 to 1-1/2 hour nap each morning...!) but this is ONLY accomplished if she is in her bed.

Funny, I was so worried when she was a couple of months old and would NEVER nap in her bed that I was creating some headache for myself in the future... funny how with a little bit of hindsight everything is so much clearer...trust in the Lord Ladies...it will save you from a lot of worry. But, I'm off on a Rabbit trail...

Anyway, On Thursdays I teach with a homeschool group that meets at my church and it works out perfectly because I can bring Ruthie with me and usually our Pastor's wife (and close friend), Mama D, watches Ruthie in the office while she works, I mean as she tries to work. My classes are done at 2pm and I usually hightail it out of there to get Ruthie home BEFORE she falls asleep in her car seat. Which is a death blow to the whole napping thing.

Yesterday, I had an unexpected Parent conference. Don't get me wrong, I care about my students and want to communicate well with their parents, but I have a one track mind when it's regarding Ruthie's nap. Being a little delayed, it was touch and go there for a while. I though she would bite the bullet and crash in her carseat. I don't mean crash as in a car accident, I mean crash as in..well you know what I mean!

So... in order to keep her awake I came up with this little cheer... Chant it with me...

RUTHIE ROO, I LOVE YOU. RUTHIE ROO, WOO WOO WOO!!!

To my great surprise and wonderment it WORKED!!! Her little lids would close as I said her name, but then during the WOO WOO WOO part they would spring back open so she didn't miss what I was WOO-ING about!! AND, YES we did make it home, she in her little crib (with dry diapers... another important part of the napping experience!) and slept for 2 and 1/2 hours. PRAISE THE LORD!!!