Favorite "Meditation of My Heart"

Call unto me,

and I will answer thee,

and shew thee great and mighty things,

which thou knowest not. --Jeremiah 33:3 KJV

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Contests & Cookie Sheets

Okay, I'm in a bit of a dilemma...I like to focus on being content and happy, not just with people, but with things too.  For example, just because I have only one old cookie sheet I don't go buy another because my bottom oven rack burns cookies and I can only have one cookie sheet in the oven at one time anyway.  I try to focus on repairing, not replacing and limiting expenses for things that I think are pretty or fashionable.  I figure that I have the prettiest of all fashion and decorations, in my ever-changing, growing children, AND nothing is more beautiful than them!

So when someone told me about a contest on FB to win $75,000 healthy home makeover, well, I just did what I usually do and said to myself, "Oh that's nice."  BUT then I started thinking about all the "stuff" on my wish list and all the good stuff it could do for my kids AND oh, I was so tempted to enter!  BUT I think contests make people--or at least me, discontent--I think it makes us change our priorities and we start thinking we "deserve" something....BUT oh, how wonderful it would be...SO I CAVED!  I entered. 

The contest only goes until April 24th and we only have a chance to win if we are in the top 10 for receiving the most votes on facebook so yes it is highly unlikely we will win.  Considering that I already CAVED, if you are on facebook and have a few minutes drop by this link:  Ecomom and vote for us.

This is our wish list if we win:
  • New heating and air unit-The one we have now is too small for our house because when the previous owns built on, they did not increase the size of the heating and air unit.  The a/c freezes up about 4 times per summer and always on the hottest days.  Since Nate cannot handle the heat well, we retreat to the mall, the (non-smoking) bowling alley or other air conditioned family friendly places until it thaws several hours later.  Plus Grace's room is never as warm or cool as it should be so this would end her needing extra fan/heater.  (The heater always makes me nervous.)  We had priced fixing this before and it was $14,000.
  • Air filtration system to improve breathing for Nate.  Others like Jon, Hannah and myself with allergies will benefit too, but Nate will notice this one the most! We price this before and it was $2800.
  • Water filtration system would end our purchasing water for Nate.  We think this would be around $1000.
  • Remove carpeting from the downstairs and replace with a dust free option.  We think $6500.
  • Add a second w/d that is energy efficient.
  • Enlarge my raised bed garden.
  • Install a roll-in shower for Jon in the downstairs bathroom so he can get a "real" bath easier.  Right now he gets bed baths and a real bath 2x a month. We had gotten a price on this before and it was $5000.)*
  • Install a lift between the upstairs and the downstairs.  This will make it much easier to get Jon, Vanessa, laundry & myself up/down.  (Varies $12,000 & up)*
*We don't know if they will consider these within the guideline, but these were already on our future expenses list anyway so I'm putting it on this list!

So now I just have to avoid the daily articles that Ecomom sends me on "stuff" that I "need" for my home until April 24th AND if I get too discontent, then I guess I can splurge and get myself a cookie sheet at a yard sale!  (Oh, see there...this is why I hate contests and sweepstakes...already has me thinking about another cookie sheet!)

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.--Psalms 23:1

Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned,
in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. --Philippians 4:11

3 comments:

  1. Christina Bergeson/VargasApril 13, 2011 at 11:04 PM

    Leatta, I cannot think of a MORE deserving family than yours. The fact that you are my cousin doesn't even factor in the reality that you and Ed are miracles within yourselves.Yes, your 10 BEAUTIFUL children are indeed miracles to you, Ed, each other, and everyone they come across--and to the world; BUT you and Ed are miracles to THEM!!!!! It was all meant to be.I am in complete awe over the way you two have raised these wonderful babies, have worked through your own health issues, and have worked physically,mentally,and emotionally to have the life you have.I hope that my girls can look up to you the way I do and take some of your selflessness and purity as they grow. I LOVE YOU!!!!! Christy

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  2. Leatta - is this a vote every day kinda thing? I just voted and I'll keep voting and will spread the word.

    Does Ed drink coffee? Are you by a Starbucks? I'll fund his coffee to keep him awake while he translates our dossier docs. Whatever it takes. :-) We got our referral a few days back. It's Magdaline!!

    karen.gigure@yahoo.com

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  3. Congratulations!!!!

    Ed's not a coffee drinker, but I have some translating waiting when he's done with yours so he's getting "pushed" here. I've even bought him his favorite late night translating foods :)

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