A miracle (and a word to the wise)

Yesterday was grocery shopping day and boy did I make the rounds. 

Hot Shots drive thru espresso - check

Safeway gas - check

Milk Creek Produce - check

Fred Meyers (I was NOT there to check out their new fall boots, in case you hear reports otherwise.) - check

Payless shoes (everyone knows Payless has groceries right?) - check

Ross (and Ross does too!) - check

Walmart - check

Winco - check

Costco - check, check and check!

Phew, what a day!

I would just like to let you know that my little Blakester is a shopping SUPERSTAR. Russ was able to pick up the kids from school so I didn't have to be back by my normal time, meaning I could spend a little longer up in town. But this also meant Blake had no nap whatsoever. 

He was a champ! Fun and easy, and a complete crowd pleaser to boot. "Hi guys!" he yelled repeatedly at anyone who walked past us. "What you doing?" to anyone who shopped near us. "Wook at dis!" to everyone around us in line at the Costco checkout, as he proudly displayed his scribble art on the back of my grocery list."Bye, bye!" he would wave to anyone we left behind, and not stop until they answered back.

With such a great shopping companion I had no real reason to stop, which is why after leaving at 10 am, we came home at 5:30 in the evening. I TOLD you I love to grocery shop! 

Alright, it was only half grocery shopping, and this is where the miracle comes in. In all my many stops of the day I was able to purchase ALL of my groceries and household items, PLUS 2 pairs of leggings and a new dress and tunic top from Ross, all while NOT ONLY coming 20 bucks under my regular grocery budget, but saving FORTY DOLLARS of it for a special item Russell wanted, AND not touching my "extra groceries" money that is supposed to be for last minute items throughout the pay period (but rarely makes it past day 1). AND TO TOP IT ALL OFF I didn't touch my blow money!!!! (if you are unfamiliar with Dave Ramsey this means play money.)

Are you amazed? You should be. This has never happened before. Not even close. It's not that I always go over budget (although that's happened a time or 50), it's that I will always use all of the budget. Plus I usually spend my entire blow money fund on the first day of the pay period (I lack self-control). In fact after texting Jana to tell her of my accomplishment I realized it seemed way too good to be true and thought for sure I'd messed up my math somewhere. If you know me, you'll know that this would be the far more likely scenario. But lo and behold, after using a calculator and everything, it's true! It was a pay day miracle!

My only reservation with sharing my success is that Russell will now expect a repeat. 

Don't cross your fingers honey, I'm still not quite sure how it happened.

Actually that's not true. I DO know. As I typed that last sentence the Holy Spirit reminded me of yesterday morning. When my alarm went off, instead of getting out of bed like I normally would, I sat up against my pillows and pulled my bible onto my lap. I read the Word and then prayed over my day, giving it to the Lord and asking for His help, especially with my shopping.

Well, after yesterday I'd say that Jesus is an even better shopping companion than Blake!

And I'll also say that, wow, I can write quite the voluminous post!

Have yourself a lovely Friday :)

Jodi

P.S. On a completely unrelated subject, when you are pooped out after a long day of shopping, do NOT let your 7 1/2 and 9 year old children talk you into letting them watch Congo with you on Netflix. They will be engrossed and tell you that it's not too scary for them while the movie is going. And then they will get out of bed, sobbing, later and beg you to let them sleep with you.

Just a little warning.