So this year I've decided to set a pretty tight budget. I want to have our finances under control and not to go spend just because we've had it. Also, doing this will allow for some date nights, which we all know are essential.
I've heard amazing things about the cash envelope system. I'm in the process of getting my envelopes together. I've written all of our expenses down. IF we end up sticking to this budget or going below it, Christmas will be paid in cash that we've saved. AND, we will also have a chunk to put back for our new home (or hopefully we will be in it by then!!)
Again, I'm hoping this won't be a NY resolution I think I can do and give up on immediately. But so far, i've stuck to my grocery budget for the week. And hopefully, with the help of coupons, I'll start going WAY below it.
Anyways I'll keep you updated ;)
Friday, January 3, 2014
Monday, December 30, 2013
Resolutions.
So, I know just off the title alone, that the post is probably expected to be something I won't live up to. I have made lists of resolutions year after year & given them up within the first week of the year. This year is different, I have several reasons for wanting to stick to these. I'll list them with the resolution. And of course, I plan to blog on it ALL year.
1) I plan to blog WAY more.
Maybe daily. I love interacting with mommies and getting and giving advice. SO nice to see how we do things alike, and how we do them differently as well. Also, I HOPE to eventually turn my blogging into writing & hopefully into an income. My hopes are high but I have faith in myself.
2) I plan to stick to a strict budget.
My hubby & I are trying to sell our current home & build our dream home. I hope to be able to make these numbers work and make my Pinterest board for my home a reality!
3) I plan to coupon WAY MORE.
As in, I hope to blog shortly with a grocery trip that I've saved 75% or more on. Eventually I would love to ONLY be buying meat and things coupons aren't available on for my household. Wiping that bill out of our budget or slashing it will make a tremendous difference for this household of 4.
4) I AM getting in shape.
Like right now. I had surgery, as you know, December 2nd. I go back to the doctor about my hernia January 7th. I'm hoping that IF I need surgery, I can bounce back quickly. I'm ready to be lifting weights and squatting with weight again.
5) I plan to run my first 5K.
Today, I decided I felt well enough to add the C25K app on my iPhone again. I started it and my legs feel just a tad like Jell-O. Taking time off from running was silly, but necessary with all of my health issues. As soon as I have a release from my doctors, I plan to train & make this a reality before the year is through.
6) I will attend my first (and hopefully not last) home school convention.
It's in March & it's right here at home. I'm SO excited. We have made HUGE progress since August and I'm hoping to continue homeschooling my babies until they reach college. This year we picked from a few simple curriculums, but i'm hoping to find one I'd like to commit to =) Any suggestions ARE welcome ladies ;)
7) I Plan to be more organized.
Seriously, this is starting with my kids' room. My cabinet for the kids' school is a mess however. January 1st is a great time to start.
8) I want to stop hoarding stuff I don't use or won't need.
Craigslist, eBay, FB, yard sales. It's going down.
These are just a few. I have a few I'd like to keep to myself and work on without a soul knowing. I'm just hoping I will stick to a few of these and be able to have something to show for it when December 31st 2014 rolls around ;)
1) I plan to blog WAY more.
Maybe daily. I love interacting with mommies and getting and giving advice. SO nice to see how we do things alike, and how we do them differently as well. Also, I HOPE to eventually turn my blogging into writing & hopefully into an income. My hopes are high but I have faith in myself.
2) I plan to stick to a strict budget.
My hubby & I are trying to sell our current home & build our dream home. I hope to be able to make these numbers work and make my Pinterest board for my home a reality!
3) I plan to coupon WAY MORE.
As in, I hope to blog shortly with a grocery trip that I've saved 75% or more on. Eventually I would love to ONLY be buying meat and things coupons aren't available on for my household. Wiping that bill out of our budget or slashing it will make a tremendous difference for this household of 4.
4) I AM getting in shape.
Like right now. I had surgery, as you know, December 2nd. I go back to the doctor about my hernia January 7th. I'm hoping that IF I need surgery, I can bounce back quickly. I'm ready to be lifting weights and squatting with weight again.
5) I plan to run my first 5K.
Today, I decided I felt well enough to add the C25K app on my iPhone again. I started it and my legs feel just a tad like Jell-O. Taking time off from running was silly, but necessary with all of my health issues. As soon as I have a release from my doctors, I plan to train & make this a reality before the year is through.
6) I will attend my first (and hopefully not last) home school convention.
It's in March & it's right here at home. I'm SO excited. We have made HUGE progress since August and I'm hoping to continue homeschooling my babies until they reach college. This year we picked from a few simple curriculums, but i'm hoping to find one I'd like to commit to =) Any suggestions ARE welcome ladies ;)
7) I Plan to be more organized.
Seriously, this is starting with my kids' room. My cabinet for the kids' school is a mess however. January 1st is a great time to start.
8) I want to stop hoarding stuff I don't use or won't need.
Craigslist, eBay, FB, yard sales. It's going down.
These are just a few. I have a few I'd like to keep to myself and work on without a soul knowing. I'm just hoping I will stick to a few of these and be able to have something to show for it when December 31st 2014 rolls around ;)
Tuesday, December 3, 2013
Organ Removal with two small children...
So, yesterday I had both of my tubes removed, ovarian cysts removed, an ablation ( I knew about all of this) & they also found a hernia (totally unexpected). I had been in a TON of pain and I had major swelling. Going into this surgery thinking I would be absolutely miserable, not able to do anything, and have two children who would be furious with mama for not being able to hold them.
TOTAL OPPOSITE!!
Kyleigh is only 2 and from simply seeing the bloody "boo-boo stickers" knows that mommy can't pick her up. Instead, she holds my hand and patiently walks beside me. When I want to snuggle with her, I cram a pillow between us and she lays on my chest. Totally cooperative for a 2 year old if I may say so!
Kade (4) is completely grossed out seeing my stomach all bloated, gross steri-strips, and VERY protective. He has scolded his sister for even being rough around me. He constantly tells me that he loves me and asks if I'm okay.
This experience will hopefully eliminate all of this ridiculous pain I've had. And it's totally rocked my socks off as far as showing me how mature these kiddos are!
Just wanted to share & brag a tad ;)
TOTAL OPPOSITE!!
Kyleigh is only 2 and from simply seeing the bloody "boo-boo stickers" knows that mommy can't pick her up. Instead, she holds my hand and patiently walks beside me. When I want to snuggle with her, I cram a pillow between us and she lays on my chest. Totally cooperative for a 2 year old if I may say so!
Kade (4) is completely grossed out seeing my stomach all bloated, gross steri-strips, and VERY protective. He has scolded his sister for even being rough around me. He constantly tells me that he loves me and asks if I'm okay.
This experience will hopefully eliminate all of this ridiculous pain I've had. And it's totally rocked my socks off as far as showing me how mature these kiddos are!
Just wanted to share & brag a tad ;)
Thursday, November 28, 2013
Our Black Friday Trip ;)
SO, Today My Baby Girl turned 2. I will post her baby story later tonight/early tomorrow. She decided she wanted to go "Black Friday" shopping tonight with me at Goody's. I got $248 worth of stuff for $78!! I had 4 coupons for 25% off a single item & a $10 scratch off given to the first 50 people in line. I took advantage of sales big time, bought mine & Kade's sweaters & my boots for our family pictures Saturday, and just some play clothes for the kiddos. Not too shabby ;)
Sunday, November 24, 2013
I am thankful to be busy
I am thankful to be busy.
I, like many others, took on the 30 days of thanks on FB. I got to day 18. I plan to catch up, seriously. But these past few days, I have especially been thankful to be busy. I have spent my weekend shopping for my daughter's 2nd birthday & Christmas. I have spent LOTS of time with my family. And I've spent my Sunday with my church family & babies. I have more than 30 reasons to be thankful. If I listed each person in my life I am thankful for individually, I'd be here literally all day. Also for the opportunities. But most of all, to be saved & know that no matter how bad I may mess up, Jesus loves me enough to die for me.
So that's pretty much been my frame of mind this weekend. I know i'm behind. And i'm about to catch up. But i simply have TOO many things to be thankful for =)
I, like many others, took on the 30 days of thanks on FB. I got to day 18. I plan to catch up, seriously. But these past few days, I have especially been thankful to be busy. I have spent my weekend shopping for my daughter's 2nd birthday & Christmas. I have spent LOTS of time with my family. And I've spent my Sunday with my church family & babies. I have more than 30 reasons to be thankful. If I listed each person in my life I am thankful for individually, I'd be here literally all day. Also for the opportunities. But most of all, to be saved & know that no matter how bad I may mess up, Jesus loves me enough to die for me.
So that's pretty much been my frame of mind this weekend. I know i'm behind. And i'm about to catch up. But i simply have TOO many things to be thankful for =)
Thursday, November 21, 2013
OT Today =)
Super excited mommy moment. Today at OT my baby tried A TON of new things.
Mini Corn Dogs
Apples Sliced with Caramel
Green Beans
Cooked Carrots
Seasoned Potatoes
NONE of these things he's tried since he was eating them pureed as a baby. He hasn't had any use for them at all. Any attempts to talk him into eating them before today ended with a furious child and an exhausted mommy. But today he just let go of his control & enjoyed himself!!
I just had to brag ;) Any mommy with a picky eater in OT knows what this kind of day feels like!!
Mini Corn Dogs
Apples Sliced with Caramel
Green Beans
Cooked Carrots
Seasoned Potatoes
NONE of these things he's tried since he was eating them pureed as a baby. He hasn't had any use for them at all. Any attempts to talk him into eating them before today ended with a furious child and an exhausted mommy. But today he just let go of his control & enjoyed himself!!
I just had to brag ;) Any mommy with a picky eater in OT knows what this kind of day feels like!!
Wednesday, November 20, 2013
And Another Update On Homeschool...and some new foods in the mix as well...
We are making more progress by the day. The number of words Kade can read grows each day, as well as his ability to relate & apply them. He is able to read (most of our books) for me when it's story time. Another new development, handwriting. It's gotten so much more legible. He is so proud of himself for being able to write things out himself when commanded. We have also been working on a lot of Social Studies & Science activities that are age appropriate as well.
My proud moment of the week...Kade is eating Chicken Nuggets!! It started out Monday at Bilo when I suggested some Perdue Monsters University chicken nuggets. He's on a Monsters Inc./Monsters University kick. He said he promised he would try them if I bought them. Going to OT has helped TREMENDOUSLY with adding healthier options to his diet. But chicken suggestions used to bring on this reply: "I'm not going to eat a chicken, Mommy!" Relating the food to the critter. Lovely. Not anymore, Thank Goodness!! As soon as we got in from the store, I cooked a cookie sheet full of them. He ate 2 his first attempt!! And just today he actually asked for chicken nuggets & fries for lunch as soon as we finished school. Being able to add onto his already expanding diet is a blessing. His OT will be proud, she's SUCH an amazing woman & LOVES my child. I love that she doesn't just see him as another picky eater, but she truly cares for him & doesn't push him to objecting point.
Anywho, just wanted to update. Thank you for reading! Have a great night ;)
My proud moment of the week...Kade is eating Chicken Nuggets!! It started out Monday at Bilo when I suggested some Perdue Monsters University chicken nuggets. He's on a Monsters Inc./Monsters University kick. He said he promised he would try them if I bought them. Going to OT has helped TREMENDOUSLY with adding healthier options to his diet. But chicken suggestions used to bring on this reply: "I'm not going to eat a chicken, Mommy!" Relating the food to the critter. Lovely. Not anymore, Thank Goodness!! As soon as we got in from the store, I cooked a cookie sheet full of them. He ate 2 his first attempt!! And just today he actually asked for chicken nuggets & fries for lunch as soon as we finished school. Being able to add onto his already expanding diet is a blessing. His OT will be proud, she's SUCH an amazing woman & LOVES my child. I love that she doesn't just see him as another picky eater, but she truly cares for him & doesn't push him to objecting point.
Anywho, just wanted to update. Thank you for reading! Have a great night ;)
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