All Naaa-tural....

Since the day Olivia arrived I've never pressured myself to continue to breastfeed her.  I just took it one day at a time.  I figured hey if it doesn't work out, then it doesn't work out.  Well so far it's worked out great, as you've read in previous posts I love it!  I never in a million years thought those words would EVER come out of my mouth.  Well, I've been breastfeeding her I haven't really pushed solids until her last doctor appointment when her doctor told me she really needed to be on at least cereal by 5 months for the iron especially.  So at 5 months I started her on Earth's Best oatmeal cereal.  To my surprise she was more than ready for it! She opened her mouth like she knew exactly what she was supposed to do.  She even loved the taste and swallowed most of it.  This was a new experience for me because Hannah and I really struggled with cereal until I could mix it with some baby food.  So a baby willing to eat it as easily as OK was, was a relief. 

She'd been eating cereal for a couple of weeks and those two weeks I really put some thought into making her first foods myself.  I wasn't sure I was up for the task, I mean honestly I'd never boiled any kind of fruit (ever, sad I know!) so I wasn't sure if it would be easy.  I decided to give it a shot after watching a video on BabyCenter.com, I thought it looked easy enough.  I packed up the girls and headed to the store on a random afternoon.  Scanning through the produce I stared at the apples and pears thinking "I have no idea which apples would be the tastiest (cooked)" I decided to go with Red Delicious because they tasted the best uncooked.  Evidently, they are supposedly not the best apples for cooking, as that was what several people had told me.  I was debating on going back to the store to pick out something more suitable but then figured why?  If she hates them I'll though it out and buy Golden Delicious or another kind.  I boiled them (successfully, which wasn't as hard as I thought it would be) and then threw them in to a blender in the water which they were boiled (to try to keep some of the nutrients that cooked out of them)  and pressed the button.  They blended perfectly but I had to add a tiny bit of water to make them more runny so OK wouldn't choke.  I poured them into ice cube trays but left some out for OK to sample.  I of course tasted them first and to my surprise they tasted just like super sweet apples!!!! SCORE!!! I scooped up a spoonful and let OK try them next and she ate 1 oz and never spit it out, not even once!  I was thrilled and when I did my happy dance she laughed and Hannah just looked at me and said "Mommy doing?" haha. 

I then moved on to the pears they were actually a little more juicy or runny after they were blended so when I feed them to her I have to add cereal to them, she gobbled them right up as well!  I poured all the blended goodies into my ice trays and stuck them in the freezer.  Two apples and two pears gave me enough baby food for OK for at least a week!  I cracked ice trays filled with the frozen baby food and placed them into a freezer safe bag and they are ready to go when I need it!  All I have to do is take them out a little ahead of time and let them thaw to room temperature and there you have it! I can't wait to try more fruits and add veggies to her diet although I'm in no rush.  The feeling of knowing exactly what your baby is eating and there are absolutely NO additional sugars and preservatives is amazing! 

I honestly could not believe the flavor.  I've tasted the jarred baby food when I fed Hannah and it didn't have much of a taste at all, more watered down in my opinion.  I thought about even buying a few sucker sticks from Michael s and making fruit pops for Hannah this summer, even frozen they taste amazing. 

Since I've been breastfeeding OK I'm on this all natural kick, but believe me I like a good cheeseburger and fries occasionally!  I want to present my girls with healthy foods they can enjoy and it excites me knowing that I can do this! So we'll see how it goes.  I'll admit I'm still tempted to just buy the jar of carrots or mango or whatever because it's right there... but I resist of course. 

Wordless Wednesday! Instagram Addiction!!!!!

Little Getaway!

I am about to explode with excitement!! We are leaving tomorrow evening for Charleston and I feel like a little kid waiting for Santa to come!  The past three weeks have been so stressful for me and I've felt a bit smothered with all the life changing decisions we've endured.  Not to mention my grandfathers death, a good family friend lost his wife after a long hard battle of cancer, and now I've got news that my other grandfather is not doing well.  When I reduced my hours of work a week down to part-time my boss decided (after it was approved) that my position was a full time position and I was going have to swap positions with another girl.  I totally understood the reasoning behind that, however, my problem was that it was approved, I gave notice to reduce my hours on a Monday, got everything squared away that afternoon and Tuesday with daycare, and Wednesday was  a normal day like any other, but come Thursday afternoon at 4 p.m. my boss's boss and my boss sat me down to tell me its not going to work.  They ask me if this was reversible, first of all there is ALWAYS a waiting list at the girls daycare so as soon as I spoke with the Sisters the very next day they filled their spots.  So NO! This was not reversible! I was pouting about it for almost a week when I decided that it wasn't worth the time it was taking to think about it and I had much more important things to stew over.  After all who knows where I'll be once I finish college?  I may find a more suitable job closer to home. Like I said who knows?

So with everything flying around in my head, to say it's been a rough month is the understatement of the year!  Even with a new position (in a department that I'm not even majoring in) and the fact we have been surrounded by a lot of sadness I feel like this little getaway is most certainly necessary.  I by no means regret the decision we made for me to stay home 3 days a week with my girls.  It's been such a joy to spend much needed mommy time with them.  Home is where my heart is and it is where I am supposed to be.  And I feel quite lucky that I am able to do this. 

Oh! And I've started classes back for the summer session!  I was worrying myself to death about a week before they started wondering what were they going to be like, how demanding they would be, how many papers was I going to have to write.  It was useless for me to do this but I wanted so badly to get started because I love being ahead on my assignments.  So far like always I overreacted and the classes will be challenging but not impossible!

Back on the Charleston topic... Kyle's brother Bradley lives in Charleston so that will be who we stay with.  Because of such a long trip with both girls in tow we are having my in-laws take Hannah on down with them Thursday morning.  We won't get there until around 8 or 9 if not later (we're not leaving until Kyle gets off work), we don't want her to be pinned up in the car for 4 hours only to get there and she's wired for another 4 hours, and she won't go to bed until midnight!

I'm very excited to spend a little one on one time with Olivia.  I rarely get to spend any time with her by herself anymore so I'm looking forward to our day together!  We are meeting a long time good friend Winter for lunch and then continue packing (what feels like our entire house!).  Hannah was only 4 months old the last time we visited so we are all really excited to stick our toes in the Charleston sand again!




Hannah @ 4 months old

1st time with toes in the sand!

Can't wait to see an "updated" picture of us!!!



Five Things That Make Me Happy

Here is another 30 Blogs in (not really) 30 Days....

Five things that make me happy....

1.} Vacation/Stay-cation.  It doesn't matter where I go or don't go, the feeling of being free of any (normal) responsibilities is a feeling that makes me happy.  Knowing I don't have to work for several days because of a trip or just to hang out with my hunny and girls is so exciting and it makes me happy! 

2.}  A happy feeling overcomes me during that last week or day of class when I know all I have left between me and that semester being over is a test!  It's such and good feeling knowing that I made it through yet another semester of college and that means I'm closer to graduating!!! Whoop! Whoop!

3.}  Any day I get to spend with my girls is a happy day for me! I love spending every second with them.  I can see them change and learn new things about them! And I know they LOVE seeing me more! If they are happy I am happy!

4.}  Date nights with my husband make me happy!  I'm still as crazy about him now as I was when we first met eight years ago! I'm sure I drive him crazy because I want to hog all of his time but hey I'm a greedy girl! :)

5.}  Trips to the mountains.  Those trips make my heart so happy!  I feel like time slows down when we're up there.  And it's surrounded by woods and I feel at home and at peace when I'm up there.  I feel like I can truly (finally) relax when I'm in the mountains.

Ten Things You Would Say to Your 16 Year Old Self...

Day 4 of 30 Blogs in (not really) 30 Days.....

1. I would tell my 16 year old self to not worry about boys! That at 25 they are a lot more exciting than at 16.... 
2. I would tell my 16 year old self that quitting is not an option.  That team you joined stick with it.  Communicate with the coach's and let them know when something isn't working well with you. 
3. Go ahead and get on birth control... It nearly saved your life (not because of pregnancy but because of the weeks where you had the-worst-cramps-in-the-world!)
4. I would tell my 16 year old self to not sell my beautiful barrel horse.  You will lose him forever if you do!
5. I would tell my 16 year old self to study harder and play less!  Partying can come after college.  And right now you need to learn the best study skills possible!!!
6. I would tell my 16 year old self "Good Job!!" for turning that guy down who tried to make the moves!
7. I would tell my 16 year old self that the arguments you have with your parents just aren't worth it.  In the end you will always lose, even if you get the permission (it was never what you were expecting anyway).
8. I would scream at my 16 year old self to stop being so self conscious, you have a fabulous body and enjoy it while it last (only about 6 to 7 more years).  And basically stop being so dramatic about everything! You will find your place in life, it takes time!!!
9. I would tell my 16 year old self that the ride might seem fun but finish college FIRST! It would be a whole lot more fun if you would have just waited!!!  Having to babies is the best thing EVER but it makes life 92783943823 times more difficult when you want to finish your BS BA. 
10. Lastly, I would tell my 16 year old self to just live in the moment.  You're only 16 once and it will go by in a flash.  Be a kid, don't grow up too fast, and have the time of your life.  Because it is the only time you will ever feel truly carefree....

Describe Your Relations With Parents

Here is another 30 post in 30 days (well, not really 30 days) post. 

My relationship with my parents....

Well (such a deep subject, I know!), I have never really sat down and thought about the kind of relationship I have with them.  It's been a difficult thing for me to figure out exactly.  I have a very different relationship with them both.  I rely on my mom with anything I have to vent about, usually she can give me insight in a gentle way.  Insight that usually, if my dad were to give would automatically offend me.  I feel like I speak for most people with I say that my relationship with my parents is never failing but half the time it's like oil and water.  We have very different views on things, but then again we have very similar views as well.  One of many problems I face with my folks is that with them being parents they tend to stick their noses a little too deeply into our affairs.  I understand they are just being parents and I'll probably be the very same way with my kids.  It can be pretty frustrating when I make a decision and instead of supporting us, they rebuke it. 

However, with that being said my love for them is unrelenting. And I know they love me the same.  My father has been the strong one, the one who's pushed me to my limits, and the one who taught me that there are consequences to every action (good or bad).  He kept me strong when I thought I had nothing left to be strong for.  But he's also hurt me and I wish I could completely forgive him but part of me still hangs on to it.  It is frustrating to say the least!!

My mom is a very special lady, one who taught me to forgive, to be positive, and to turn the other cheek.  But she too has hurt me and I sometimes wonder if it's even worth trying to heal.  We had a very difficult time almost a year ago to the day and I feel like I lost who my mom was.  Maybe I just didn't see who she really was, but this event was definitely an eye opening experience and I feel like a huge part of her vanished that day.  It's taken so much time to figure out who this person she is now, she's still my mom. Still amazing, unique and beautiful but I guess to put it plainly I feel like she's lost her faith.

My relationship with my parents was not perfect but it was what I had always known.  They want to give me (my family) the world, but sometimes I don't want the world I just want them.  They were happy, I was happy, we were a strong family unit.  Now our world has been shaken and I'm not sure where we (as a family) will end up.  I love my parents and my relationship with them then was far from perfect and it is still far from perfect but I have faith and I will try to have enough faith for both of them.  I love them so much that my heart aches to see them hurt, angry, or disappointed.  All I ask for is that my relationship with them grows and maybe I'll be able to help them renew their faith with God. 

So if I haven't totally confused you about my relationship with my parents, if you should get anything out of this post it is that we are still fighting to stay a family and we are realizing that we are still a family.  We may not be perfect but we are trying...

2008

30 Blogs in 30 Days: Day 2: Three Legitimate Fears

Fear #1
I fear anytime I'm out and about, like at a grocery store, Wal-Mart, the mall, anywhere with my girls and I turn my back on them for one nanosecond and they will be gone!  I would say that is a pretty huge fear that I have.  I have seen so many missing children's posters and it scares the crap out of me at the thought that some lunatic would actually walk up and take my baby.  I remember seeing Courageous and this guy (thug) jumped in this other guys truck (off duty cop) and takes off.  The guy (off duty cop) runs after and jumps on the side of the car.... anyway long story short he got his truck stopped and the guy (thug) ran off.  The whole time I'm thinking it's just a truck... and he opens the back door and his baby is in the back seat!!! I am terrified that if something like that would happen to me I won't be strong enough to save them!  I couldn't imagine the pain, fear, anxiety, sadness, and anger one would feel if that were to happen.  I mean one minute your child is sitting in the cart blabbing her head off and the next minute they are gone.....

Fear #2
This is a very personal fear of mine.  Rape.  If there is one thing a man can do to completely defile and debase a woman, that would be to take advantage of her.  I want to kick (several times... if not chop off) a man right in the privates for doing something like that.  If they abuse it they lose it.... Maybe I'm coming off a bit too cruel but the very word rape disgusts me, it leaves a bad taste in my mouth.  I have no problem fighting until my death to protect myself from a man with those intentions.  That fear ranks pretty high up on my scale.  I am such a paranoid person (I know!).  But I'd say that this is more than a legit fear and I'm trying my very best to be honest to show you who I am! :)

Fear #3
Stand up for what I believe in.  I'm not saying it's a bad/good thing whatsoever but I do have fears about standing up for what I believe in.  I do stand my ground on a lot some things but I also let people and their opinions run me over.  I have no wish to offend one single person, not one! But I don't really understand why it's so difficult for Christians to express their beliefs (strong or not) on any subject without someone twisting what they are saying to make it sound as if they are uneducated, ignorant, or close minded.  Ive heard things like the Bible Thumpers, the Bible is not the law of the land, and that our country was not founded on the Bible.  It hurts my heart to hear/see things like this.  It seems that Christianity is being pushed further and further away from today's society.  And I choose to not speak my thoughts (most of the time) because I don't want to offend anyone or maybe it's not worth the debate.  Is this what God would want me doing? Turning the other cheek? Or would he want me to make a stand and impose my beliefs on someone (in a gentle way of course)? So, mostly I stand down for fear of sounding uneducated or like an idiot... Its a fear that I'm not sure how to go about facing....

30 Blogs in 30 Days: Day 1: 20 Random Facts

Thanks to a couple fellow bloggers, most recently Nicole for inspiring me to do 30 Blogs in 30 Days!! I am going to be completely honest when I say I will NOT be punctual when it comes to blogging every day.  But I'm going to try really, really, REALLY hard to do blog it every day! I love fun stuff like this and it excites me to see fellow blog friends who don't mind exposing so much about themselves! I love learning new things about people, especially if I can relate (duh!)!

20 Random Facts about Me!!!

1. I met the most incredible man in the world, I love him, I want to be like him, and I miss him non-stop when we aren't together--- My Sugar Daddy (Kyle).... Ok not really a real sugar daddy, Definition follows.... NOUN man spending freely on younger partner (The "younger partner" part is true): a rich man who gives money and gifts to a younger partner in a relationship ( informal ) (WE are by no means rich in $ but he gives really great kisses (winky face))
2. I have a silly side and I crave to show it on a daily basis but sometimes life is too serious and it hides in a corner.
3. I have issues and I struggle on a daily basis to "fix" them but I usually find a peace whenever I seek God's help. Which I don't do often enough.
4. I am a hopeless romantic at heart!  I love reading all those gushy, lovey, dovey, sappy romantic books. 
5. I ADORE my beautiful little girls, they are my everything.
6. I want more.... Babies, time, vacation, kyle, chocolate, clothes, shoes, money, wits, intelligence... I know that this is my jealous side poking its head out... Thou shalt not covet....etc. but its sooo hard not to sometimes! 
7. I love Reece's Minis (They are my weakness!)
8. I have a love/hate relationship with school
9. I believe strongly in my faith, I just wish I knew how to express it to others without pushing it on them. 
10. I love to ride horses!
11. I hate roller coasters (*HATE*) I have a memory that pops up every time I think/hear/see a roller coaster: Me a little girl who refused to leave my mothers side (ever) and that included me sitting on Thunder Road at Carowinds and screaming my guts out because I was petrified! I've ridden it and others since then (with a little lot of persuasion) and I still hated every. single. minute of it!
12. I only work 2 days a week now. (Internally I'm doing a happy dance!)
13. I overcame my soda drinking habit.  I won't lie it was completely distracting for about 3 to 4 days and then after that I no longer craved it. 
14. I love my smart phone.  What would I do if I had to give it up?!
15. I have a fantasy dream of writing a book one day.  I have so many words in my head but when I go to put it on paper I come up blank!
16. I am not a patient person I hate doing tedious things! I want to scream when I'm given a work assignment that involves what I call busy work! Give me something that actually makes a difference, I need to see progress! What would you call that? Controlling, crazy, obsessive?
17. I have a love/hate relationship with scary movies.  I love them because it's an adrenaline rush but I hate them because I can't sleep at night!
18. I am not afraid of dying, I am afraid of being forgotten...
19. I love girl time with people my age but sadly I don't know how to spread my time equally... I want to be there with them but I want to be home with my family!
20. I love quotes that make me think and can put things into perspective for me.  I google quotes all the time just to give myself a peace of mind and to help me see through things a bit more clearly!

That is me in a nutshell! I hope you enjoy this little peek into who I really am. 

Boo Boos are NO fun!

Okay so I am well aware that this boo boo is the first of many but I can't help but feel like the WORST-MOM-IN-THE-WORLD right now!! I can honestly say this has NEVER happened before not even with Hannah but it happened.... Tear!  I was playing with Olivia on my lap (on the bed) and I started reading from my Kindle, some where along the way she fell asleep and I accidentally dozed off too.  And within what felt like seconds I was loudly awakened by the sound of something hitting the floor and then a loud wail!

I jumped up as quickly as my body would move and picked her up...... OFF THE FLOOR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Okay I know I'm definitely not even close to winning mom of the year but this incident made me feel worse than horrible! She bumped her head on surge protector circuit, it did leave a mark on her head and broke my heart! So I think that was enough punishment for this momma! I still hate myself for letting that happen.... Needless to say I definitely learned my lesson!!!!

Big sisters always take care little sisters!

Breastfeeding Pros & Cons

I feel like I can do a post such as this because I've done it both ways.  I have experienced formula feeding and now I have experienced breastfeeding.

Let's start with the Cons shall we?

• Very painful the first, lets be honest, 8-10 weeks... I tried it with Hannah and that was OUT of the question.  Two hellish weeks were long enough for these ta-tas! With Olivia the pain wasn't quite as severe but I WAS still in pain and there were a few thousand times where I thought "WHY am I doing this?" I still have no idea what made me stick to it...
• Annoying when you are shopping because come on ladies you can just whip out your boob and latch the baby on.  It would be nice but realistically even though I'm breastfeeding OK I don't particularly care to see another woman's breast. 
• When you want to feed the baby and attempt to "cover" up.  When your not a pro at it (like myself) the covering up part is actually pretty difficult and can stress you out.  When you're new at it for some reason it's like you have to watch the baby nurse.  Make sure they are latched on right because it can feel like someone pinches/twists/pulls your nip if the babe is latched incorrectly!
• The dreadful ENGORGEMENT...... It's the most uncomfortable feeling ever!!!!!  Your boobs feel like they have sacks of rice in them or even rocks because your ducts are too full! 
• If you let yourself get engorged too often then your chances of getting mastitis are hugely increased and I hear that feels close to death with flu like symptoms!!
• E.V.E.R.Y.T.H.I.N.G you eat/drink the baby eats/drinks.  So you have to learn the handful of foods that you can afford to stay away from because trust me you don't want a gassy baby. 
• Because I have decided to breastfeed OK, since I've returned to work I very obviously can't nurse her from work so I have to pump.  BLAHHHHH! This is so aggravating. Period. I have to pump as often as she is eating to keep my milk supply up.  She is eating every 3 hours.  So during an 8 hour day I pump 4 times it takes 15 to 20 minutes a "session".  Not forgetting to mention pumping first thing in the morning and last thing before bed.  But when she can't nurse it is the best relief I can get. 
• Leaky boobies.... Period.  Yuck! It's actually better now than at the very beginning when my body was trying to adjust to this new idea.  But I refuse to leave the house without breast pads!
• LOTS and I mean LOTS of blowouts!!!  Yep blowout defined as poopy mess, meaning changing clothes A LOT and that equals triple the laundry. 

I feel like that's a pretty big list of Cons, so I'll shower you with my list of Pros!

• Great for bonding! If you can see through the pain and sleepless nights then you can endure in a bond like no other.  Knowing that you and you alone can provide the exact nutrients (minus vitamin D) for your baby is a very fulfilling feeling! But I did both and sometimes it doesn't work and formula feeding your baby is the best thing for both of you and your bond!  I finally bonded with Hannah when she turned two months old. 
• Lessens the time of your baby blues.  Plus if you are breastfeeding it forces you to deal with your baby because you have to feed them.  So you slowly get over it.  I did notice that I experienced the blues with Hannah and OK but it lasted a little longer for Hannah than it did OK.  So I think it depends on your patience levels as well. 
• No monthly visit of mother nature!!!!!!!!!!!! I have not had a period in 13 months! And I'm loving EVERY. SINGLE. MINUTE. of it!!!!! 
• Your  baby really learns you.  OK knows exactly the second I grab her vs her daddy or mamaw. 
• Weight.  I am officially 2 pounds UNDER my prepregnancy weight!  Yes when I got pregnant with OK I weighed 134 and now I'm down to 132!!!  You burn 500 extra calories a day just by breastfeeding/pumping, basically producing the stuff!
• And the obvious reasons for health.  Our pediatrician doctor pointed out a very good point.  He said we are the only mammals who drink another mammals milk.  Good point. 
• Breast milk has TONS of antibodies.  It's seriously like the "natural" version of Neosporin.  When they are baby's they tend to rub their little faces A LOT and their nails can feel like razors so scratches are pretty common.  Well, just rub a little milk on that scratch and the next day its gone! 
• Baby acne is less severe than it is when your baby is on formula.  It's still there but just less severe!
• Your baby gets a better taste of everything because they do taste the things you eat.  Spices, sweets, salts, and bitter stuff. So, supposedly it makes them a more diverse eater.  Right now OK wants nothing but milk so I'll have to confirm that theory later. 
• Skin on skin is the happiest your baby feels so you breastfeed them they are constantly touching you.  OK likes rubbing my arm while she nurses.  It's the sweetest gesture.  Like she is comforting me while I comfort her.  Absolutely squeezes my heart. 
• Risk for obesity is lowered.  Of course they as in doctors are now saying that if you drink a lot of sugary drinks or eat a lot of sweets than you are not helping your baby out at all. Because they will learn to crave sugar.  WHO KNOWS!
• A great excuse for a time out. If I'm stressed out or in an argument or just want to be "alone" for 10 minutes I just feed OK and take a breather.  Once past the painful period (as stated above) breastfeeding can be VERY relaxing. It supposedly releases endorphins and makes you feel verrrrry relaxed. Sometimes I even doze off a little bit. 
• Sick less.  OK has been in daycare for 2 months and has only had a bad cold one time!

I could probably list more and I'll try to remember to add to my list as I think of things. 

And I totally understand and respect those who did or do not breastfeed their babies.  It is not something for everyone.  It takes a lot of time and a lot of patience.  And I can remember those two things are the very two things you lack when you have a newborn!  I formula fed Hannah and she did great (once we figured out what worked best for her).  After Hannah I swore that I'd NEVER breastfeed another baby because it was a terrible experience for me.  But when OK came along I did not push myself to do it. I simply said if it works then I'll do it until it doesn't. And so far it's worked for both of us.  And the longer I do the more I come into understanding how mothers get so attached to this.  It's seriously addicting and its something to be proud of because you are the sole provider for your baby.  Hannah turned out more than perfect.  She knew nothing but formula.  She was healthy and happy and she is such a smart little girl.  OK is the same way!

It has to be whatever works for you and your baby.  I know you want to do what's best for your baby but don't forget about yourself too.  Once I quit breastfeeding Hannah I was totally different with her.  She was a THOUSAND times happier with me too. 

Last of....

This is going to be a post about my last week of....

• Sending the girls to daycare! 
• Working full time until I finish school!
• Working as a HR Administration Assistant!
• Kyles last week being 32!
• Having a house phone!
• Having Direct TV
• Owing doctor's for O.K's birth!!!

I think that is more than enough!  Some things are a great to have in the "last week of" category.  But some of them are going to take some getting used to and are going to take a good deal of adjustment!

Obviously, taking the girls out of daycare is hard because I know how much Hannah benefits having that interaction and it's a great thing for both of them to be exposed to the virus's so they can be immune to them!  Another hard adjustment will be cutting down to part time.  This was the best decision for us because it's costing us almost $1000 a month for daycare and then I'm spending 120 a week in gas... I'll let you do the math! We were coming in the negative because I was only working to have insurance benefits... That's IT!  Losing my position as HR Admin. Assistant was a tough repercussion to me going to part-time.  Unfortunately I wasn't made aware of that until all the arrangements were made with daycare.  And if anyone knows Maryvale they know there seems to ALWAYS be a waiting list.  So as soon as I gave the ok, our soon to be empty spots were filled!  So changing to a different job position will be quite the adjustment but I'll just try REALLY hard to accept it as a blessing in disguise!  I've got roughly 2 full years left of school and who is to say where I'll be or where I'll go when I've got my baccalaureate degree in Business Admin. (maybe a job closer to home?).  We'll just have to wait and see what God's got in store for us! 

The last 4 things are most definitely good things! Kyle being 33 means I've been lucky enough to be able to spend one more year with him! I'm planning a surprise birthday party at Sims Country Bar-B-Que for him, he LOVES this place!  So being another year older really isn't such a bad thing!

Getting rid of our house phone was a good move but we've had that number for the last 8 years so it's a little bit tough to say goodbye to it (weird I know!).  We are canceling Direct TV because with a good antenna we can get enough signal to get my weekly shows! The only downfall is there will no longer be DVR! Ouch! We're definitely taking a hit there.  I mean I rarely get to see any of my shows when they are actually playing so recording them is SO easy.  But that's just another convenience we'll have to learn to live without!! And drum roll plllllease............................................ We paid our last doctor bill for a while (hopefully) at least our last hospital bill due to a baby being delivered!!! WHOOO! HOOOO! I am more than thrilled with this!  Getting taxes back this year has REALLY helped us out a ton!