Money Mondays: Learn To Use What You Have First

One who is faithful in very little is also faithful in much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.  Luke 16:10

"Lord, please bless my finances."  "Bless me financially."  "Deliver us in our finances." "I'm praying for a financial blessing."  "I need an increase, Lord."  We've all heard these little prayers before and have most likely called them out ourselves.  I know we have.  It is the "prayer heard 'round the world."  Everything will just be alright if I can increase my finances.  If I just had more money, I'd be able to live a little better.

We pray this impatient prayer all the time.  However, how many of us are praying for wisdom to learn how to use what we already have?  How many of us are asking for guidance so that we can make the best financial decisions with what we have now?  Too many times we are praying for the wrong thing.  Many times we don't even prepare for what we're praying for.  It doesn't make sense for me to have an increase in my finances, when I don't really know what I'm doing with the little I have.  We just have more money to make an even bigger mess than the one we started with.  When we haven't learned how to manage our money, no amount of money is going to make too much difference.  Sooner or later, we're going to find ourselves back where we started.

Start, instead, by asking God for wisdom and understanding in learning to use what you have.  When you get a handle on what you have, you'll be better prepared for when the increase comes. 

Money with Miranda

The wise woman builds her house, but the foolish tears it down with her own hands. - Proverbs 14:1

Hey guys!  I hope you enjoyed this post!  I've been asked about finance workshops a lot and my hectic life is...well...you know. lol 

So this is one way, I'll be getting information out there.  Every Monday, I'll be doing "Money with Miranda" and encouraging biblical guidance with our finances.  I also speak at a few women's conferences once or twice a year.  Maybe one day soon ( and twin free for a few hours ), we'll get some workshops going.

Let me know what you guys think!

Birthday Hair - Perm Rods On Natural Hair

I've got several comments, messages and questions about my "birthday hair."  Thanks to all for the positive comments!  You can adjust this routine to fit you, but here's what I did and what I used.

These are all the products that I used on my hair for this style.

Suave professionals Coconut oil infusion shampoo

Tresemme Naturals conditioner

Infusium 23

Camille Rose Moisture Milk

Ecostyler gel

Pantene Argan Shine serum

Spray bottle with water

After washing and conditioning my hair, I applied Infusium 23 as a leave in.  This is not my normal leave in, but a bottle that I am trying to finish off.  Then I sectioned my hair and applied the Camille Rose moisture milk.

Then, I grabbed some medium sections and applied the ecostyler.  If my hair felt a little too dry, I'd spray it with the water bottle. I didn't want it soaking wet, just a little moist. Then, I'd put the ecostyler on. I used two different rollers, white in the back and in the bottom sides.  Then I put the peach colored ones in the top.  I'm a little obsessed with tapered cuts, so I was trying to emulate one.  My hair is a good bit longer, though.

I could see a little fuzz as I was rolling some of them.  I figured maybe I should have rolled my hair onto the roller vs. rolling the roller into my hair, if that makes sense to you.

  If you remember from my journey to minimalism post, I mentioned some products that I was going to make sure I use.  This is one of them.  It made my hair really shine, and I received lots of comments about that too.

I slept in a bonnet over night and then unrolled the next afternoon.  It started to lightly drizzle that morning and there was no way I was taking my hair down until it was almost time to go. lol

You can see my frizzy roots good here.

After a bit of separating and lifting the roots, here's what we have.  I was pretty happy with it even with all the frizz.  However, every time I curl my hair, I get the overwhelming urge to cut it off in a shorter style.  I've big chopped twice already.

Tips: The Loc method works wonders for retaining moisture.  Sometimes we switch it up to Lco - liquid, cream then oil.
I couldn't find my oil when I did my hair at 2 in the morning. lol 
That's that mom life for you!


XOXO
Miranda

36 and 33 - Birthday Behavior

Andre and I both celebrated birthdays this past weekend.  His was on the 29th of June and mine was on the July 2.  Well, he had to work on his birthday so the kids and I made sure that he had a little celebration at home.  We have this little tradition of always throwing Andre a little party.  It is probably just as much for the kids as it is for him.  

Blowing balloons up and throwing them all over the living room floor was an absolute birthday necessity according to Caleb.  We rushed all over the house trying to prepare before BooBoo got home from work.  The kids would call to check his location, then check the time.  The minute they heard keys at the door, everybody scattered and hid.  Happy birthday was sung at the tops of everybody's lungs and balloon fights followed.  We prepared a "feast fit for a king" and Cate placed his crown.  Then, we ate and laughed and lived for year thirty six and every other day we've been blessed to see together. 

 

The twins always enjoy making a mess.  We didn't give them the seafood just because I'm still kind of squeamish about it.  I gave them chicken, but I guess I'll let them try it soon. 

Happy birthday to my babe. God ain't finished with him yet! 

Then, Saturday the real birthday date begin.  Y'all know how it is when you finally get out of the house alone without your kids.  Praise God!  Won't He do it!  A big thanks to my mama and my sister for watching all 5 kids so we could have a little evening out.

I'm not going to lie.  I went out and bought everything I had on plus a little extra. lol  I mean happy birthday to me.  My tops are from @cheekybliss and my jeans are from @belk junior department.  I never really know what section to shop in when I'm in big department stores, so I hang out there.  Both of these shops are tagged on my Instagram page.



We didn't know how to act.

We decided to go play some Putt Putt. This was pure fun competition. I even decided to get a score card and fill it out "winner" and "loser." Now, my points were supposed to be in the winner's section, but Mr. Man here decided to let me play first.  He put my points in the loser's section. lol    

You guys, I concentrated real hard to beat him too.  I was talking plenty of trash too.  Not to mention, that heat was about to melt all my face off.  I was about to burn up out there, but I was trying to look cute.  We, then, went inside and played a little air hockey.  Oh, and I was not the winner either. I tried!

Our next stop was Red Lobster.  I didn't take any pictures though.  I kind of wish I did because we barely have any pictures of us together.   

Next stop was the movies.  We just looked up one that was close to the Red Lobster.  When we went to order tickets, they showed us a screen to pick our seats.  Well that was different.  We've been to a couple of theaters, but have never had to pick seats before.  Then we walked in and look!  Fully reclining seats, yall!  We live in a small town and are from an even smaller one.  You may have had this experience before, but this was new to us.  I was like "Awww shoot, now! I'm 'bout to go to sleep."  Lol! 

I did doze off a couple of times for real though. I was laid all the way back.  We watched Wonder Woman, by the way.  It was completely awesome!  I really recommend you see that if you haven't already.

It's my birthday!  Thirty-three years young! I decided since I'm usually taking pictures of everybody else, I try to get the hubs to take a few pics of me sometimes. 

I've always wanted one of these skirts, but I can never really find them for adults or made exactly the way I want.  I did find this one @belk junior department and snagged it up.  My top was a gift from my Pastor for Christmas.  She is a woman, by the way.  Let's just clear that up!  I was trying to go for an old kind of regal look I guess.  I added the headpiece which I do believe is from Walmart.

I was slightly annoyed by the zipper in the front of the shirt and started to wear it backwards.  However, knowing me, I'd get make up all over it and be out of luck.  So I let it be.  Do you think I pulled it off.

Thank you guys for stopping by and checking out this blog post!  If you've embraced the chaos, you can find more of us on Instagram.


XOXO
Miranda

We Still Enjoy The Fourth of July

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.  Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.  Galations 5:1

When I was in school, I had never heard of Juneteenth.  I had always learned the Declaration of Independence which almost advertised "a happily ever after" notion.  I was not aware such a thing as Juneteenth even existed.  It wasn't until adulthood that I gained knowledge of most African American history via social media outlets and various Facebook pages dedicated to the study of African American history.

Juneteenth, June 19, 1865, marks the end of slavery in America.  The last slaves were freed in Texas meaning that is was almost 100 years after the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776 stating all men are created equal.  That is clearly worthy of celebrating! Being that African Americans were not free on the actual "Independence Day," some choose not to celebrate it and that's okay.

 

Dragging late as usual, we finally made it out of our door to have a picnic at the park and enjoy the fireworks show together.  We celebrated family, life, and let's not forget food. We enjoyed our time together.  Shoot, my husband wasn't working. That's a celebration all in itself. 

We know our history and are still learning it.  We are woke.  We still enjoyed ourselves.

However, what I don't get is when others complain about the folks not celebrating (and vice versa).  I mean I totally get that too.  It's like you've been told a lie all your life or kept out of this secret that directly affects you. Now you have finally learned the truth, and it's upsetting.  Think of people in your life that have lied to you or kept something from you that directly affects you.

One thing about us as a people though, we looooove to tell people to get some knowledge and educate themselves.  It's like our favorite thing to do.

So being disrespectful and mad at someone for attaining understanding and knowledge of one's self and one's history is kind of ridiculous.

Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover up for evil; live as God's slaves.  Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor. 1 Peter 2:16

Whether you celebrate or not, that's up to you.  I can think of plenty of things to celebrate, one being the freedom of gaining knowledge.  I can celebrate all the things that God has freed us from.  I can celebrate the wonderful family that He's blessed us with ( even if those tinier ones are running me ragged).  I can celebrate life and I can do that all day, every day.  If one of those days is Independence day, then so be it. 

God (Please) Bless America.

2 Corinthians 3:17

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.

Summer Reading Book List

I haven't had a chance to actually sit down and read a book in a good while.  So I was hoping this summer I'd get a chance to completely ignore my children and read.  Okay, not completely ignore them, maybe.  Then, also try to factor in not falling asleep while trying to do so. I've already dozed off a couple of times and sometimes just flat out went into hibernation.  Y'all know how it is with kids. Therefore,  my summer reading list is turning into my "read by the end of the year" list.

Nevertheless, she persisted. 

So here's what's on my reading list! I'm excited and can't wait to read all of these!

1.  The Life-changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo.
This is what I'm currently reading.  I had heard of it before and decided we needed it.  You can look for an post update on this one soon.

2.  Milk and honey by Rupi Kaur

It is a book of poetry that I stumbled across on Amazon.  It was a best seller and highly rated so I decided to give it a try.  We'll see what comes of it.

3.  The Friendship Lifeline by Erica Grant.
This a book written by one of my friends on Godly friendships.  I've started reading this already and am taking notes.  I could definitely use advice here on choosing and being a good friend.  I'm not good with keeping in touch with people even if I like them. Jesus fix it.

4.  Unglued by Lysa Terkeurst

I follow Lysa Terkeurst on Facebook and really enjoy her wisdom.  This will be the first book that I've read from her.  I'd still like to read Uninvited as well.

5.  Year of Yes - Shonda Rhimes

First of all, let's just thank Shonda for Grey's, Scandal and How To Get Away With Murder.  When I do get to watch them, no matter how long it's been, I am always captivated.  She really has a brilliant gift of writing. 
So back to the book.  I keep hearing great things about this book.  I am also one that needs to stick to yes so I can see what blossoms. I'm looking forward to reading this one.

5.  Piecing Me Together by Renee Watson

An Instagram friend shared this one and I was immediately intrigued. Maybe it was the title. Perhaps it was because I know what it feels like to be completely broken.  I can only imagine the narrative. I can't wait to get to the bottom of that!

6.  The Complete Poetry Edition of Maya Angelou.
 After watching a documentary on her life that I was completely unaware of parts, I wanted to read more of her lesser known work.

7.  The Complete Book of Home Organization by Toni Hammersley (abowlfulloflemons)

I'm a sucker for organization books, posts, containers, etc. I love organizing, not so much now with the twins destroying everything. I do mean everything, too! My method of organizing now has been "just throw it away." Nevertheless, she persisted. Lol.  I still like beauty of organizing even when it feels like the twins are defeating the purpose.

What are you reading this summer or this year?  Have you read any of these books?