Birthdays and Anniversary's

Summer is flying by!. June 30 was the twins birthday.  They got to spend the day at the beach and of course there were presents.  It's difficult to find gifts for girl #4 and #5.  I am thankful for new inventions that keep us entertained. They got a new scooter and razor bike. It is quite entertaining if I do say so. Leah and I look a little funny riding it but I promised her I would NOT post pictures of that.

Steve and I went to a Tigers game.  It was fun to go away, with just us.  We heard NUMEROUS times how unfair it was that we were leaving the kids home.  And they NEVER get to do ANYTHING fun. I told them when they get married they can go.  Megan said, "sign me up."  We are now nervous.  But we did have a great time.  It's not even where you go, it's being able to have conversations and not being interrupted or wondering who's listening :)  The girls stayed with my parents and my uncle and aunt at the beach.  Not sure my Uncle Larry and Aunt Brenda planned on having a kid in their trailer but they were awesome sports and they made Ashley feel so special!!!  She was very happy to not have to stay with her sisters.

Next up is Megan and Ashley's birthdays!  They are had a joint birthday party which they were super excited about.  The nice thing about this age is, I don't really have to plan much.  Just say, "yes" or "no" and buy the stuff.  They take care of the rest.  Happy Birthday my sweet, sweet girls! 

 


For some reason lately, my focus with the girls has been contentment.  We observe so much discontentment in this world.  I had a dad ask me, many years ago, "when will my children be content?  It's always, more, more more."  I thought it was funny he was asking me, because he was a lot older than me, but I understood and I still think of it to this day.  It's something we all strive for, and something I SOOOOO want to engrain in my children.  God put us here for a purpose and we don't want to get caught up in the worldy ways. 
This summer we got our kids started on Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace jr, for kids.  Steve and I believe in this program.  Steve has listened to him on the radio forever!!!  When someone is "cheap" we say they are "dutch" but this is not that.  This is being smart.  It's simple, they work.  (the older 2 have jobs so that's much easier.  The younger 3 have chores, more work for me :)  When they get their money, they divide it up into save, spend and give.  Each child has a different percent of spend and save depending on age and what they are saving for.  They have all been excited about it.
More than teaching them smarts with their money, we're trying to teach them contentment.    Contentment when you have much and contentment when you have little.  We can try :)

Not much time left before school starts.  We are going to try and fit in a little more fun.  2 girls have camp, and 1 more camping trip.  God is good!