One of my favorite things to do is just meander through the garden.  The first year we had one, I actually had one of those canvas camp chairs out there and would just sit with my morning coffee... looking around, spending time quietly, and in prayer. Something got lost along the way, I suppose.  I went from being a stay at home mom trying to raise my girls right, all the while pinching pennies everywhere I could to something I'm not quite sure I like.  That time when I was home is a precious memory to me.  Even something mundane as making my own cleaners, clipping coupons and napping with my youngest can make my heart pinch even now. Opportunities came that allowed us to have more breathing room, financially, while maintaining my stay at home mom status.  However, we forgot to avoid the biggest pitfall - if you make more, save more instead of spend more.  In the back of my mind, I had that niggling that told me to rein things in, but I didn't listen.  This past year has … [Read more...]