the ENDS of the bread loaf

When sharing with the girls on Wednesday night, Milo's current situation with his job we explained that although dad would still be getting paid through July, it was very important for us to look at eliminating those 'extra things' in our lives. We explained that this was simply due to the fact that during the next 7 months we just didn't know where we would land in the job market. That it was important for us to be even better stewards of our resources, while God's plan was being revealed to us.

During the day, Milo and I had made a list of ALL the things that money goes out the door for. We prioritized that list deciding which 'things' we would eliminate first, second, third, etc.

Our first focus was on 'luxury' items for mom and dad including, kickboxing classes, housekeeper, specialty coffees, fountain diet cokes at Kwik Trip, the newspaper, and I was shouting from the roof tops when, Skoal was added to that list! See there is LIGHT in EVERY dark situation! It continued with movie rentals, eating out, Milo's favorite Bud Light at the end of the day, and super smart grocery shopping, just to name a few. We considered this phase 1 in the plan. We wanted not to have any of the girls activities be affected until some of the last possible stages. As each month passed, we would continually be looking at the action plan and implementing the next phase as necessary.

When the girls got home from school, Madison immediately noticed a piece of paper on the fridge with the month of December laid out, her bible verse from the Christmas program, and a BIG X through December 9th. As we gathered around the kitchen table for our 'family meeting', Madison blurted out, 'Mom, are you going to have a baby?'

We all laughed and I especially hard, saying 'NO, I am not going to have a baby.'

Their laughter quickly turned to looks of concern and we shared the developments of the day. We then explained that the calendar on the fridge was a 'family challenge'. We were going to see how many days in a row our family could go without spending any extra money, other than for the items we had listed on our list. Our goal was to make this a FUN challenge that we could all pull together on. I am happy to say that we have currently made it 3 days! Both Madison and Kennedy check in with us during supper and one or the other, makes the check in the appropriate box.

After dance last night, Madison jumped in the van and first words out of her mouth,

Madison: 'Mom, do you have your wallet with you?'

Mom: 'Yes'

Madison: Great, I am so thirsty, can we stop and get a water?

Mom: Yes we could, but then we won't be able to put a check on the calendar tonight.

Madison: O! YEAH. OK, forget it, I will get some when we get home and next time remember to bring a water bottle with me.

I smiled because our conversation on the way to dance was about how she cried at school, when she explained our family's situation to her teacher. Madison shared, 'Mom, I just don't like change and I didn't mean to cry, it just came out.'

Madison hurts when anyone else hurts and when our BIG brave, noble knight teared up on Wednesday night, you can bet that all three of his fair maidens head south right along with him.

With Madison's permission, I want to share the precious note that she wrote to her dad.

Dear Dad,

Please don't be sad! You are the 2nd best dad I could ever have (Jesus being the first). I really don't like it when you are sad because that makes me sad. :-( Me and Kennedy will be fine and what ever we need to do with our lifestyle we will happily do it!

Love,

Maddie

I LOVE YOU!

P.S. Can I sleep in your bed tonight?

P.P.S. Here is my $20, you can have it for whatever you need.

Kennedy doesn't show her emotions as much as Madison, however I did hear yesterday before school, her giving her sister a gentle reminder, 'Madison, make sure you pick up your room and make your bed today.' She was being sensitive to things that make me happy.

Finally, you may be wondering my I titled this entry, 'the ENDS of the bread loaf'?

My noble knight was wondering aimlessly around the house yesterday morning, wondering what to do to fill his hours. Other than checking in my office every 15 minutes, asking me what I was doing, he decided to make 'us' breakfast. This unemployment thing, could actually be a pretty good thing. My dishwasher has never been reloaded and emptied so many times during one day. So he cooks up this delicious, Egg McMuffin filled with this amazing maple syrup infested sausage (Walmart freezer section) and cheese. As I take my first bite, while Milo is still wrapping up his creation, he boldly declares.

Milo: I just want you to know that I NEVER eat the ends of the bread loaf, but I am TODAY to maximize our resources.

Jill: What! I LOVE the ends of the bread loaf, here take mine and I will eat yours.

Milo: No, No, I will eat the ends of the bread loaf.

And so he did.

My noble knight, knight in shining armor, God bless him today AND please find SOMETHING for him to do!

Hugs...