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I am a Christian. I am a loving wife to my Army-National-Guard-Recruiter-Husband of 15 years. I am a stay-at-home-mother to our four handsome sons. I am a photographer. My blog is about as erratic, eclectic and random as I am, painted with rainbows of photos and words that are hills and valleys you travel; so lovely sometimes that they hurt you. These are the stories of how far we've come in the last 15 years as Christians, as a family and as individuals.

Thursday, February 10, 2011

{January 2011}

-Photography by Bonnie Crankshaw-

It is very important to start one's year off right.  This year Brad & I have taken some very significant steps towards doing just that!  Step one, we joined FPU (Financial Peace University) through our church, HDC that begans Jan 24, 2011  Our plan is to become credit card debt free by June of this year and get some work done on my car that we've been putting off.  In fact, without the help of FPU we paid off our two highest balance credit cards already (one in April of 2010 and the last payment went out Dec 2010 on the second) a combined total of nearly $10,000.00!
In addition to that, Brad has continued to join the boys and me at church regularly and I'm back in TLBS as of Jan 25, 2011  The Lord has done such wonders in our lives these last few years, and that's an understatement if I ever heard one!  My prayer for this year is that we stay on the right track and continue to follow God's will for our lives as I'm facing a major transition with Tristen leaving elementary school this Summer only to become a Jr. High student in the Fall, as well as Hayden becoming a full-time student in the Fall at Discovery as a Kindergartener.  As for Brad, he hasn't cracked under the pressure (although Lord knows they sure are piling it on high) at work.  He remains steady and confident in his abilities, he's a survivor for sure, always making sacrifices to provide for us.
-Photography by Bonnie Crankshaw-



9 comments:

The Path Traveled said...

I love the photos of yall and your family! Sounds like you are very blessed and I'm really happy for you. Thanks for stopping by the click here
Yall are welcome as my guest anytime!

The Path Traveled said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
The Path Traveled said...

opps, I hit send twice...I'm bad!

Liz said...

Amanda, I am so pleased to see your family thriving! You are a wonderful woman of God and I cannot tell you how happy it makes me to see how life has turned out! It's been a long 11 years since we first met! Be blessed! Liz

April Winder said...

I am so glad things are going well despite all of lifes challenges. Brad is a true strength in your life and that is a wonderful thig to have. (I know how it feels to have that. :) As for the boys, they are growing wonderfully and all thanks to how much strength you and Brad have as parents. I'm sure it is a bittersweet to see them growing so quickly. You are a wonderful mother, wife, daughter, friend and sister. My favorite thing about you though?.......You.

tiffany said...

I have to smile because I love how the Spirit of God is. I am a follower of Forget Regret who follows your blog. Your blog title caught my eye and I read your latest post and it made my heart smile. Although I don't know you, I am blessed to hear that God is at work in your lives and your family and that your heart is aware of it. Many blessings to you and your family as you begin these transitions, continue on the road to financial freedom (we too are FPU people!) and continue to follow Jesus. Continue to blog--I am eager to join you on your journey!

Anonymous said...

wow ! keep it up ! love the photos .

debby said...

Mandy, your blog is always so sweet. I love how your love of God and family shines through in all your posts. Love you!
Aunt Deb

Diane said...

Amanda, I love your blogs and this one really touched my heart. You are an amazing, remarkable woman, wife, mother, and daughter. I am so touched by your life.
The boys are getting so big and growing so fast. You and Brad have done a wonderful job raising them to be loving boys (this I had the joy of experiencing first hand when I visited).