I was Just Thinking....

I was thinking, just the other day, that I should probably remind (or let you know for the first time- if you are a newer reader) that:

I am NOT:
Wonder Woman
Super-Girl
Mother of the Year
An Organized Wonder
or a dark horse in the running for Top Chef!

I am just a more grown up version of the girl next door. I never have a spotless house. I could *always* be doing another load of laundry. We sometimes even eat Kraft macaroni & cheese from the blue box (gasp!).

I was standing in front of our dryer folding laundry yesterday, and I got to thinking that I probably don't share enough, how average I really am.

I've been learning and growing a lot over the last two years, since becoming a Mom. Recently, I've been trying to focus on two things: first, I don't have to have it ALL together, and secondly, I better learn to enjoy the ride.

OK, I still struggle with wanting to have all of my ducks in a row, you know... the house with laundry always folded and PUT AWAY, no dishes EVER left in the sink, no needless tears ever shed by anyone (myself included) in my family... but, I'm still learning and growing!

But learning to enjoy the ride is something that has really been a blessing for me!

Laundry, for example, while it is and endless cycle of dirty/clean, reminds me of how much I LOVE being able to take care of my family! And if I really think about what annoys me most about laundry... its clean, yet wrinkly clothes. So I have learned to fold our clothing when the dryer has just finished and our clothing is still warm... no wrinkles. And you know what, that makes me happy. I no longer dread doing our laundry, I've changed my style- and its changed my tune.

And that's also EXACTLY why I share my shopping strategy here too. I've been in the boat where I dreaded how much I would need to spend on groceries- just to take care of my family. Previous to spending coupons, I would shop twice a week just so I wouldn't feel like I was spending so much money, every. single. week.

I share what I share here to hopefully help each of you along your journey as well. Financial stress eats at our physical, mental, and emotional health and can really take its toll on our relationships. If I can share what I have experienced in easing how I take care of my family, hopefully you can ease your financial strain too.