So it has been forever since I blogged regularly, and I feel like I should explain or let you know what I’ve been up to.

LIFE took over.

My father-in-law died mid-December after a long battle with Alzheimer’s.

The day after his death, I lost one of my part time jobs.  I knew going into the job that it could be seasonal, but I was really hoping and praying to be hired on and stabilize our financial situation.

My dad is not in a good place and I have allowed his poor decisions to cause me a great deal of stress.

Add, Christmas to the mix and I had to focus on what is important in my life.

God has to come first.  My husband and I, really made a greater effort to get up early each morning to do a devotion.  There was so much stress in our lives and uncertainty that starting it in prayer as a couple and in God’s word brought peace.  God is in control.

God is in control and God is good!

The day before New Year’s Eve, a friend called my husband and offered jobs starting on Tuesday.  We struggled, played with numbers, and made some really tough decisions over the New Year’s weekend.  I started a full time job just days later and for the past two weeks have worked 8 hours a day.

This is a major change for my family.  My husband is taking several distance classes this semester, so his schedule will be more flexible.  We have juggled household responsibilities around and are still finding some balance there.

We are still working out the logistics of it all.  Thankfully, our fellow carpool driver’s have been willing to be flexible with getting my daughter to and from school.  Our neighbors and friends from church and preschool have helped out tremendously while we figure out the best daycare options for my four year old once my husband’s regular semester begins.

I have made it a point not to turn the computer on until after the kid’s go to bed, so that once I’m home my family has all of my attention not a screen.

So for this season of my life, I guess I can no longer call myself a stay-at-home mom.  I am so grateful that for the past 6 years I have been blessed to be home with my kids and been able to work part time jobs that had flexible schedules.  My husband has about two years left to earn his Master of Divinity and then we’ll see what God has in store for our family.

The deals will be back and One Frugal Mama will continue to write!  I love writing and I love getting and sharing good deals!  But, God and family has to come first in my life.

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