Today We Got Amazing News!

As you all know our finances have been a big concern to me. I knew that our income might be considered too low. We are a family of eight, but we don't spend like a family of 4 x 2 - kwim?

I have large rubbermaid containers where I store 'pants' 'sweaters' 'tshirts' 'pajamas' etc and we go 'shopping' from there as each child is in need of new clothes. And given I know a lot of people with boys now, we have a nice supply of near new clothes waiting for each age group! Plus our kids, being homeschooled, are not pressured to keep up with all their friends in what they have. Big savings there!

Our kids don't do all the sports and clubs available. Actually I remember having two kids and being pleased because I cut them back to where they each only did three extra curricular activities! LOL! Now our kids spend tons of time playing, climbing trees, pretend driving in our old van, being pirates or army men. Plus they are in Scouts, Beavers, Cubs, and then go to youth group activities and if a child has a *special* interest, then we follow up on that. The days of running kids in all directions is over! And not so much because we have lots of kids - I got tired of running around, being out of the house all the time, and the kids not having enough 'down' time. So that saves us a lot of money.

We buy in bulk. And when I say bulk - I mean bulk!! *laugh* Here are some recent pictures of a bulk shopping trip.

A Well Stocked Storage Room - Love It!

Anyway, I got off on a bunny trail - what's new!? So as I was saying, our finances are considered 'low' by the world's standards and yet we live quite well, thankyou! As you may remember, I was in the middle of getting a letter from our accountant (still waiting) and I emailed Kidslink to ask if we could use our income from this year (even though the year is not over yet) versus last year, as last year was so low. We took a six week road trip to Tennesse to visit my best friend, and also took months off to build our new house.

The reply I got today was WONDERFUL!! I was informed that it didn't matter how much our income was/is because how much money we make has nothing to do with an approval for an adoption!!!! All they want to know is that you have a job. And that is why the letter from the accountant has to state how long we have been in business and how much our salary is. Kidslink has said that we can use this year as our amount and that is wonderful as God has SO BLESSED us this year. The work just keeps on coming in.

Ray just got a call from a guy that wants a motel built!!!!!!!! That is wonderful! And the funny (people who know me will see the humour here! *grin*) thing is Ray was not home when the call came in and I usually avoid the business calls like the plague, unless I have a reason to take a call. I know his machine can take the messages just fine. *smile* But for some 'reason' *grin* this day I answered the call knowing it was business. What a good thing I did!!! I ended up talking to this guy for 20 minutes.

At one point, after I had been telling him that my husband was the best framer in our area (true!) he asked me if I was related to him. (huh? I thought that was obvious!) So I said I was his wife. He then told me I sounded too young and figured I might have been one of his kids! LOL!! Gotta rub that one in with Ray. *smile* I tease him cause he was grey when he was 25!

Anyway, because this guy was so open to asking me questions and talking I was able to totally *sell* my husband. The man wanted someone reliable that he didn't have to babysit to build this motel, while he is living 6 hours away. I just kept on chatting.... *grin* Now the reason this was funny is because as you can tell from my writing, I am the mouth, and Ray is the smile! He is very quiet and will *never* sell himself. If he gets this motel it would be a good job! Normally he builds houses.

So financially, God is really taking care of us! And we have also been blessed by the giving of friends! We truly appreciate the help in bringing our girls home!!