Tears in Walmart...

The fluorescent white and blue looked as if it were glowing through the automatic doors. There I was, about to enter a store that I never wanted to be entering. Everything, BIG. Including the carts! What on earth do I need a cart this size for? I roll my squeaky cart over to produce. As if the cart is screaming, LOOK, LOOK, SHE'S SHOPPING AT WALMART! As I glance at the produce my eyes start welling up with crocodile tears. Nutrition is something my husband and I are very passionate about. Organic Nutrition is another. Looking through the produce, all I can see is pesticides and fertilizers... Pale fruit and vegetables... They almost looked dead. You're plants should never look dead. They're purpose is to bring life to your body. So if they look dead before you put them in your body,  they aren't going to give you the fullness of nutrients they should...

Rewind to the day before grocery shopping day...

 In order to reach a goal we've set by September, we decided to go over our bank statements from the past 3 months together, to see exactly where every penny of our money was going. Tallying up 3 months worth of expenses, and than seeing which expenses where accurate, and which ones were "OH MY WORD WE SPENT HOW MUCH ON GROCERIES!?! Whenever anyone asked me "What do you and your family spend monthly on groceries" I would respond "$500.00/month"... For three months in a row we had spent about $900.00/month just on groceries!!! For my husband, me, and a 1 year old! What they hay! Not to name drop on stores, but we tended to by most of our food at two stores in Portland... Right next to each other. One full of organic goodness, and the other filled with a lot of the same products, a little less organic, and a little less expensive! Yea that's right Whole foods and Trader Joe's! I'm talking about you!!!

I can almost hear scissors snipping when I think back on how much we decided to snip out of our grocery budget! Snip snip snip! There goes my organic! We've said for a while now that we would never compromise our health. That we would always cut everything out we needed to be able to eat well, and feed our family well. Problem is, when you've already cut everything out possible, and your only bill every month is Groceries, gas, and cell phones... You've got to think about what needs to happen. Cell phones= The cheapest phone on the market, along with getting on my parents family plan= Our phones are not the issue... Gas= gotta get to work. Gotta get to church. Some days, just gotta get anywhere I can, as long as I'm out of the house! = I already cut back on driving to save money= gas is not the issue. GROCERIES! Groceries are the issue! Snip snip snip. There goes my organic, and hello Walmart! 

I felt a little bit better when I saw some organic produce! Love you WF's but... I've been noticing lately the amount of produce you've been purchasing from Mexico! You too Trader's, most of your produce comes from Mexico... So, as far as I'm concerned you both have something in common with Walmart! Except! I can get 5 oranges from Mexico at Walmart, for the price of 2 non organic Mexico oranges at WF's, and 3 non organic from Mexico at TJ's... Let's talk Yams... I was all excited that WF's finally ran a deal on Yams... $2.99 per pound! They were on my grocery list. I go to Walmart, and they always sell yams for $0.99 per pound. I smiled. Olivia Garden tomatoes, normal purchase at Hannafords OR WF's for no less than $2.99 a pound. Walmart, $1.99 per pound. I smiled again. Bob's Redmill products... Between $2-$3 per an item cheaper at Walmart. Annie's organic products. $1.00 cheaper at Walmart. I still don't like the morals of Walmart. However, to reach our goals, I appreciate their super low prices, and that they surprised me with the amount of organic products they carry! I have been able to shave $100.00 per week by only purchasing certain  items at my favorite stores, and buying the most of my groceries at my, hopefully temporary store! 

My last blog I mentioned "We gave up, so we could gain" This is an area that I have given up. I know it's not forever, but for now, I have to say goodbye to the luxury of organic. To some this may seem crazy, but to you who put your faith in God I will say this. My heart was broken over the new foods we had to eat. I was asking the Lord why we didn't have enough to provide the kinds of foods, we believe He would prefer us to eat. The Lord gave me a very specific prayer, to pray over our food for every meal. "Dear Father, we ask you to restore every nutrient to our food that it was originally design, by You to hold. We ask you to take out anything that would bring harm, and hinder fullness of life. We ask you to take out any pesticides, or fertilizers that were used to grow this food quickly. To restore our foods nutrients back to 100%. AMEN! I believe that by praying this prayer, my food is restored. I believe that while we are sacrificing, the Lord is good to not only provide, but to also protect us! 


                                           Because He gave up, so He could gain!

$31,000 gone!

 

Almost three years ago to the month, Andrew and I started building our little home that would help us get out of debt. We had no idea of the sacrifice and hardship ahead. We thought it would be a "romantic" adventure. Just us, in our newly built home, in the woods secluded from all else. Romance quickly left as we found the difficulties in what we were trying to do. We gave up, so we could gain. As humans we don't do that well. We were secluded and felt alone in our "romantic adventure".

 

 

 

At first it seemed like we would never get out of debt. As we wrote all of our bills down on paper we realized that our bills consumed almost all of our income. Individually we had both made foolish mistakes with our finances. Evaluating the mountain of debt we were attempting to tare down seemed impossible!

 

Together we looked at our mountain... Andrew with optimism, and I with Little less than optimism. $54,000!!!

 

About nine months into our journey, we had close two $8,000 paid off! Then something happened which meant we had only a short time to pay off another big chunk before a third of our income was gone!

 

 

 

A year and a half sooner than we had planned, we found out we were pregnant! Excited, but wondering how we would make this work with our goals?!? Over the next nine months we paid off another huge portion of debt. I was pregnant, and had no mind to even think to keep track of how much exactly... but it was a good portion.

 

My heart broke alittle...

 

(My pregnancy... I dreamed of being a cute pregnant mom! I had a beautiful belly for any beautiful maternity top! The hardest part of my pregnancy was not being able to buy maternity clothing. Not being able to dress my body to show that I was SO excited to be pregnant! I spent 8 months of my pregnancy wearing the "belly band" so I wouldn't have to pay for new pants, and squeezing into my non-maternity tops with long undershirts, so I wouldn't look like a hill billy! Month 9 we had to cave and get me 3 maternity shirts. One for work, a sweater so I could stay warm, and a dress shirt... All of which were on sale! Most of my pregnancy was in the fall/winter, and to "save" money, I didn't buy a winter coat I could fit into... Luckily I was pretty warm my entire pregnancy, so I would just put a sweater on... Probably not an important rant, I just wanted to tell you something that made me sad to give up for our goal.)

 

After Eden was born, we re-evaluated our finances, and put together a new budget. MORE SACRIFICE. There were so many times where I would think, "how could we possibly sacrifice more?!?" We're already not considered American!

 

By summer 2011 All of our credit card debt was GONE! We held the deeds to our 1998 Toyota Camery, and a 2008 Dodge Ram!!! Do we really own BOTH of our vehicles!?!? I feel like that is rare? Maybe not?

 

In effort to pay off my smaller student loan, we started eating more rice and beans. Never bland, thanks to my husband's Colombian heritage! Rice boiled with lime and cilantro, and beans with Smoked Paprika, Cumin, Cayenne pepper, Coriander, Cocoa, Onion, garlic, and salt... Throw some tomato, onion, and avocado on top and you feel RICH!

 

We paid all but $2,000 of my small student loan off, and decided to use part of our tax return to finish off that loan... How does it feel to pay this off? ummm... Are there words?!?!?!

 

As of February 19th, 2013(today) We have paid of $31,000! We did not completely meet our goal of $54,000 in two years... However, we got an unexpected surprise that is worth way more that $23,000! Little miss Eden girl!

 

We were given the opportunity to move into my grandfather's house until it sells to keep the house "lived in". We are still on the same old track of paying off our last student loan, but THERE'S A BATHROOM!!! It feels like the Lord has handed us a gift, and said "Okay Andrew and Elizabeth, just rest now. Take a break. Kick back and relax.

 

I can't begin to tell you what we had to sacrifice in order to pay off what we did. My entire marriage has been devoted to paying of debt. We have sacrificed our wants and desires, we have sacrificed each other, in order to do this... It has not been easy. Sometimes when I think back over the past two and a half years, I just want to cry. I'm still overwhelmed with how we lived to take down this debt mountain!

 

As much as I don't want to post this last picture, I feel that I should.

 

 

This is a picture of us after hiking one of our favorite hikes. We are gross, sweaty, and exhausted. Today, this is how I feel. I wanted to write this part of our story today because I felt discouragement creaping in... I needed to remember where we were, and how far we have come! The mountain has been moved!

 

 

If we can do it... You can do it!

 

My "ONE" year old?!?!

 

 

Although this blog is titled "My "ONE" year old?!?!", I thought I would start this blog off by apologizing that the last time I took time to update this blog, I had an eight month old...In my first blog I asked myself the question "How can I be a good blogger". My plan was to be current and update my blog often...WHOOPS! My apologies, there will be a blog after this one to share what this year has held, along with some pretty encouraging victories!  For now, I just want to rant about my beautiful daughter!

 

 

So, to the point. My ONE YEAR OLD?!?! Really? Did this really happen to me? A minute ago I was pushing my bundle of goodness out, during the best moment of my life. Now I have the cutest, patootie-est one year old ever! (sorry other mommies... I know we all think ours are the cutest!) I mean look at her! She's beautiful right?

 

 

So many beautiful and wonderful things have taken place over the duration of her life. Along with some not so pleasant, extremely painful, and frankly petrifying to my soul "events". God has shown His unfailing provision, and goodness to us yet again. When my husband and I named our daughter, we named her because it meant "The place where God walked". We felt it would define an intimate relationship that she would one day, hopefully at a young age, have with her heavenly Father. Throughout this year, when I'd look at my daughter, I'd find myself saying "Eden...my joy, my pleasure, my delight". When we dedicated our daughter to the Lord, our pastor spoke over her what her name meant in Hebrew. A definition my husband and I had never heard for the name Eden. It was "my Joy, my pleasure, my delight". I was amazed because I knew that the Lord had named her, and then used me as her mother to call out who she is!

In honor of Eden's first birthday, and all we have been through together... Eden decided to get my husband and I a present. She gave us a walking baby!

                                            
I'd been told by many many parents that you DO NOT want your baby to start walking! I however, couldn't wait for her to start walking! Yes she's into everything, but it's so much fun watching your child slowly gain there own sense of independence. Not to mention now she can wear girly dresses, and her pants aren't always dirty in the knees!
 
                                                                           Eden,
                                  
                                                                        From this...

                                                                         To this...

                                             
                                                                      In one year...


A year that I completely lost myself, and somehow found me! A year that felt like death some days, and others felt like real life. Someone told me last night that before I know it I'll be wondering where my life went. That we are all headed towards the same place, and are all surprised when we get there, how fast it went by. I felt so blessed to be able to respond with "Every time I rock my babe to sleep, every time she wraps her arms around me, every time I bless the food we eat, I take a few extra moments to thank the Lord for every moment He has given me, in that day with my little daughter. It is true. Life is a vapor. However, I truly believe that through thanksgiving, we can spend more time in each moment, which actually slows that vapor down.


I will not live life blinded, numbed, deaf, and lifeless to those that I Cherish around me.

I will strive for things that matter, and not pocket fillers. I am so thankful for my life, for who I am, and for all that has been given to me. My life doesn't look like anything special, but to me, I have been given the most special gift... My life.

Our Little Home

 

So, here I go... Here is the most recent picture's I have, to bring you on a tour of "Our little Home".

 

You know how everyone always says to "finish your projects before you move in, or they'll never get done"? well that's true... hence the Scaffolding still hanging out in front of my house.

 

Our Front yard and deck overlooking the river...

 

 

 

                                   First floor... What you'll first see when you open the door

 

If you sit on the little couch you will be looking at where I'm standing to take the couch picture...

 

 

A quick turn to your left...

This is our Table/bar... Every piece of furniture in this house(except the green dresser upstairs) was made by us... The table top was the door to the old camp...

 

 

Another quick turn to your left...

This is the view of our little kitchen. It's a one man kitchen, but Andrew and I have mastered fitting the two of us in there, with minimal arguments...

 

 

See, all the way to the left??? That is one of the first gas stoves/ovens ever made... We found it in my grandfathers basement, cleaned it up, and put it to use again! It works great!

 

Here's a closer look...

 

 

 Isn't This a cool original design for a kitchen counter/ sink counter? We thought it up, argued over how to make it, argued while making it, and well... made it! The curtain covers the sink base... Just a burlap bag from CBD some thread, a stick and some rings... pretty awesome!

 

 

For roughly $200 a year, this little wood stove heats our house...

 

 

Let's go upstairs( keep in mind this is the floor we added) to our loft...

P.s. These stairs are as steep as the look, and are really just a home made ladder we call stairs... Yes, I have fallen down them!

 

 

I'm just going to do a 360 degree turn for ya's...

 

 

 

So that is the tour of "Our Little Home"...

 

 

 

 Oh wait! I forgot to show you the bathroom! The most important room in the house! (at least it is to me)...

 

 

Yes, that is right! OUR BATHROOM IS A PORTA POTTY!!!

 

 

 

 

It gets better! This part my husband didn't want on here and I said "babe, I have to be real with people"... His response to that was " Isn't there such a thing as being too real?"...

 

 

Any way, in my attempt to "be real with people", This next picture is what we pee in at night... Mostly because I'm afraid to walk through our already wooded yard, to an even more wooded area to get to our "out house".

 

My "Evening John"

 

 

 

At the finishing of "Our Little Home" we moved in, two weeks after we got married, and started what we now know to be "quite the adventure"!

 

 

Two weeks prior to our moving in to what was the "best little home in the world", here we are... In sheer bliss... Excited for the adventure before us!

 

All I can do is Laugh!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Brief History Part 2... Building our Home

I left off with "waiting for my true love"... So anyway, we met! He was a customer of mine, and attended the same church I did(although I never saw him). A mutual friend of ours decided to play match maker and not to much longer we... GET HITCHED!

So, let me take you back a little bit further... When we got engaged the February before we got married, together we were $54,000 in debt! School loans, Two truck payments, credit card debt... The whole shebang! We had great plans to get an apartment in the city and have fun being newly married! One day I'm walking in the woods behind my parents house, asking the Lord "Lord where will we live?" All of a sudden I see this!

That's right... I see this! The little run-down camp my Father and mother lived in while they built there "Real life house" when they were our age! I'm thinking to myself "NO WAY!" Lord, this can't be you! Now I've known the Lord long enough to know He's alittle crazy sometimes, and most likely this is exactly what He is telling me! WHAT THE??? So here, in the woods, our building journey began...

Let me show you around the place the Lord was telling me was going to be our home...

                                             This is a picture of the back wall of the camp...

The Kitchen...

Standing by the "back wall" looking at the entry-way...

Standing in "The Kitchen" looking at the entry way wall...

So there it is! All 300 square feet of it... My Father and Mother lived in this little camp 27 years ago, for 4 years, with two kids(my older sister and I) and a bunch of beagle puppies! Oh, and did I mention, they had no electricity, running water, or plumbing!

We had from March, 2010 - September 2010 to rebuild our new home! Yes, that is... 7 months! Scary, but when the Lord tells you to build something, you better pick up the hammer and built it!

Andrew working at the Coast Guard 2 days on 2 days off, 3 days on 3 days off, and me working 5 day a week from 4:30Am-1:00pm, we started building!

First we had to tare everything down to the original studs! The walls, the floors, the entire roof! Oh yea...Let me tell you about this! There were carpenter ants, and flying squirrels in all the walls, floors, ceiling, roof... EVERYWHERE! We would pull down a piece of urine filled sheet rock and thousands of ants would fall on our heads! We would pull down a urine fill wall, and flying squirrels would dart out at us... Two words... Beady eyes! 

Everything torn down, we start to replace all the plywood, and rotted beams... Keep in mind we have no idea how to build a house, so we made ALOT of mistakes along the way...

We also decided that unlike my parents, we couldn't live without a second floor. We decided to add an extra 190 square feet to the camp by building up, and making a loft...

The beams for the second floor go up, and the nail gun becomes my new best friend!

New beams, starting the plywood... over 30 trips to Lowe's already made...

A couple trips to the ReStore in Portland, we found all our new windows for under $200!  That's 6 almost brand new windows, and one that I refurbished! Sweet!

Second floor almost built... Roof here we come! DAD HELP!

Let me tell you... My dad, Andrew and I, put that roof up, and it had to be one of the freakiest things I've done... Next time we need some harnesses!

At this point we are making our way into August, which is knocking on the door of September 11th... Our wedding date! All hands on deck!

Thanks to my Dad, Uncles, and almost husband we get it all closed! Then the trench digging begins... Not that I'm a Deva or anything, but I'm going to have running water!

There it is... The 8 foot deep trench, with ALOT of BIG spiders, and little frogs, and roots all over the place, that the men decided would be a great place for me to hang out! "your the smallest one here Elizabeth" they said, as they sent me to, what felt to be, my grave... I had spiders in my hair, I stepped on and killed probably 30 little frogs, and got scratches all over my body from the freshly sharp roots! Although terrifying, I prevailed! I was determined to have running water!

Put the pipes in the ground, covered the ditch up, and there's my sexy man looking like he's the one that was in the ditch! whatever, "a girls gotta do what a girls gotta do!"

The exterior almost finished, about 3 more weeks to go, and$ 7,000 into it(cash I'm proud to say), Now it's time for the interior! This is where I come in... Being creative with all the scrap wood, doors, windows, whatever I can get, I will make this little place our home!

My next blog will be on the interior of our home, with pictures and the finished product!

Have an amazing rain filled day!

Elizabeth Garcia

Brief History Part 1... How we met

I have been a blogger for one day now, and I'm ready to through the computer out the window! Trial and error Elizabeth... Trial and error. So, I'm trying to figure out how to right my blog. I'm thinking I should start in google search... "How to be a good blogger", and see what my friend google tells me to do! For now, I'm going to start with some breif history... I'll start with Andrew...

Andrew, one of the most gentle beings on this earth, with more grace than I've ever experienced, was born and raised in California... That's right, he is a true Californian. After traveling all over the world with the Coast Gaurd...Doing all sorts of adventurous things... He read an "outdoors" magazine, which told him that Portland Maine was one of ten most adventurous places in the United States! WHAT! Anyway... So he tells the Coast Gaurd "move me to Maine!".

 Meanwhile ,there is a girl named Elizabeth working at starbucks...

Yup, That's me! Barista by day, street musician by night... working my tail end off to pay for three years worth of student loans... Yes, that is three years because I couldn't figure out what I wanted to be when I grew up, so I dropped out and learned guitar. So I'm doing my thing, being a cool barista, surfing, playing music on the streets, seeking Jesus... Living the life basically, waiting for my "true love".

It all began here... My life as a Wife. The role I thought would define me... Would create me, and make me into everything I've ever wanted to be... and well, although not in the way I pictured it... it has!