To me...



33 years =
396 months
1716 weeks
12053 =12045 days + 8 days(because 4 years one year is 366 days so)
289272 hours
17356320 minutes

Wow! Who would have thought I would make it this far. We live our days as if it is the last one. Worried that we may not ever finish high school, get married, have children, or be financially stable. I would tell 15 year old me to just slow down. Enjoy life a little more.

I wished I would have competed a little more in solo and ensemble. I wish I would have finished trying out for cheer leading in high school. I would tell myself not to worry about what people think about you in high school because once you graduate nothing from that period of life matters anymore.

I would tell myself not to worry about a husband, my time would come. And kids, slow down and enjoy single life and the money you have - take a good "blue water" trip before kids! God has a very grand plan once you decide to have kids, you will never guess what it is either and I could tell you but lets let it be a surprise.

I would tell myself, to love yourself, inside and out. Phases of life will come and go but you will always be. Also, show love to your parents more. One day you will understand a parents love and it will all become clear. They really do want what is best for you. Their ways are not always your ways but your ways are not theirs either!

I could go on and on but these things are what crossed my mind. I am happy to be turning 33 and cannot wait to be 40. It just means that I have survived another year of life (not the life/death thing but just life in general). I can learn and grow. As my children get older I can only hope to pass on some of the things I have learned and hope to get them to embrace slowing down in life.

Time away...

Here is where I want to go...

Anywhere with clear blue water! A safe country preferably, but anyway that is my dream to go.

What I am planning right now, is a girls getaway. When I say girls I mean just me and my mom!! Surprise mom!!! Get ready because although you will be sad that I am not bringing the kids, we are going to have fun that weekend. That means conversations with out interruptions, eating when we feel like it, and no schedule. Sometime in the fall, say Octoberish. We will set a date and make plans. I already talked with husband and he says its OK. :)

Time...

Day after day. We wish our time away and then when we get there we want to go back and do some of it over. We wonder why we make the choices we make, but they all lead us to one destination, HERE!

I found Dave Ramsey, by searching, getting out of debt. I plugged our debt into the program and at first just credit cards, then I added a few more big ticket items. I was shocked to say that least that we could be out of debt in just 5-7 years. And I am talking some big ticket items. I talked with the husband and he is now more dedicated to sticking with the plan of no extra spending and getting bills paid off. If we can relieve the debt and monthly payments then we can actually enjoy a trip to the zoo and other fun things. I read in a magazine yesterday, something to the effect of: Instead of keeping up with the Jones', try to keep with the Smiths.  In other words, keep company with people who are like you and want to keep your financial goals instead of living beyond your means. Now not all our expenditures were excessive, but some were not needed. As my mom and dad say, there is a difference in needs and wants. Ask yourself this when you go to buy something.

We have kept our goal so far by not eating out. Its going good and I know that over a months period we will see a difference. We do have one scheduled eating out time and that will be the night of Aug 5, due to unavoidable things. But we are looking forward to that. Also we decided to skip our Sunday school social to keep our "Smith" goal and avoid a big dinner bill because they are eating at a "nice" "expensive" restaurant.

I did spend a little this weekend, I bought picture frames. This was a need in my mind. My girls are one month away from turning two and they were no where on our walls. Well, except for a couple small places. Well, we remedied that. I love it too. We added our family picture to the large living room wall, it looks glorious. I added H and L&A to the front door wall - that will change annually with their new pictures they get on their birthday. Also in the hallway the girls were added to the family wall from the 1 year photos. I completed their collage and also added their picture beside my bed. I love each and every one and they make me smile when I pass them!!! Cant help but stop and pause, I should have done it sooner.

Operation sound machine is over! We have gone a whole week now and also completed nap times and all is well in our house!

We are three weeks away from H starting 1st grade and we will go shopping for school supplies this weekend! He is excited!

I found out today that the girls will be promoted to the two year old class at church. I am happy and sad. I am very glad they will be out of the nursery... That nursery is horrible. Matter of fact I just told Husband yesterday that I really didn't like our Sunday school (teacher) and the nursery. But we have the next two weeks off. So well see when we get back.

I guess I have rambled on enough...

Holdin on tight to my goals!!

PS: Thanks for the post!! You know who you are :)

Dreamin on...

Dream on, girl, dream on...

Found it...

OK, I found the house!!

Affordable, yes.
Space, yes.
School system, yes.

Getting out of our house... probably not! But I am in love anyway!

One day at a time...

I remember driving with my grandparents in their RV and hearing the song play, One Day at a Time Sweet Jesus. I am embracing this song now.

I was able to have a really great talk with husband last night and was so happy that he would actually talk with me and share some things that he feels that I never knew. I pray that we stick with our challenge and that one day in the future we will see the light at the end. We see a pin hole light and that will have to do for now but we will work together to get to that full light.

I am happy to say that we are free of the sound machine and I/we are not going back. Nap times will be interesting on Saturday and Sunday, but since they sleep at nap at school without a machine, I am hoping that they adjust just fine like they did at night. I love not having to rely on it!

Toddler beds are coming next and then potty training.

The dance...

My husband said he had a little tear in his eye last night.

You see, during operation no sound machine, I put a CD player in its place. Monday night they told me to turn it off, they didn't want it. But last night I turned it on and they liked it. Husband was sitting on the floor and me in a chair as the girls wind down from the dinner/bath routine. L goes to him and says "dance, daddy" and pulls on his hand for him to stand up. He gets up and then of course A goes to hold his other hand. L says "dance, daddy, dance". So there in the girls room, swaying to Celine singing a lullaby no less, husband had his first father daughter dance with his two favorite girls!

Such a sweet moment to never forget.