Gifts & Dancing

So, as I mentioned before, since Matt was out of town working, we didn't get to attend the Valentine Swing Dance that we had planned for. So, instead, I took Brooklyn as my date. We got all fixed up in some cute black dresses, did up our hair and went! It was a lot of fun and I can't believe how little you have to learn to be able to get out there on the dance floor and look like you know what you're doing. Sure, there are PLENTY of fancy-schmancy moves to learn in the future...but for our first time, we were able to pick up the basic steps pretty quickly and then we danced the night away!

It was really cold outside and I just couldn't bear the thought of walking outside bare-legged...so I wore my jeans underneath my dress until we got inside! I'm such a wimp these days! :o)

Here are some pictures of the gifts that Matt brought home for us! First of all...my ring. It's much prettier in person! We're going out on a little make-up Valentines date tonight so we'll swing by the mall and exchange this for the correct size. For those of you who remember my FB post about "THE JEANS"....they're getting returned. I tried to wear them Wednesday to church (had 'em on for about 20 minutes)...but three reasons made me decide to return them instead. 1) They're about 4 inches too long. Even with my highest high-heels on...I was stepping on the hem. 2) They're EXTREMELY comfortable (baggy)--which means I probably really needed a size smaller. 3) $50 is just too much to pay for a pair of jeans that don't fit perfectly.

Anyway, here is Grant with his sling shot that has already gotten him into LOTS of trouble. Super cool gift---but it should have a warning label that reads: REQUIRES SUPERVISION! Any parent who gives a 5 year old little boy a real slingshot, shows him how to put a rock in it and aim and shoot it, should just expect the other children (and dogs) to get shot with it. The slingshot is currently in "time out." ;)

And lastly, here is my beautiful girlie showing off her new hat. Isn't it adorable?

And although this picture has no significant meaning, I decided to include it because I just think it's so pretty. I took the kids to a indoor bouncy place the other day and I snapped a quick one of Brook in between jumping. I love this girl!

Testimony from the test! Triumph from the trial!

So today marks the 18th consequtive day that my hubby has worked!!! He has not had a day off in almost 3 weeks! Wow! What a MAN!
Because of his commitment, diligence and hard work I am ELATED to say that we are on the verge of being DEBT FREE! And not only debt-free...but we also have been able to build our savings account back up too! (Rene, you can stop holding your breath now! ha ha)
It's almost ironic...how we just went through one of the toughest years we've ever had financially...and yet...we are achieving something we've been working towards for TWELVE years!
You know what made the difference? God is our provider; Not our jobs.
Yah, it was (and is) a lesson that wasn't quick or easy to learn...but we HAD to stop putting our trust in our paycheck, and start knowing that we know that we know that God's "got this." As long as we remained faithful to tithe, give when we could and be good stewards with what we were given, our efforts have been blessed!
We gave the largest tithe check I've ever written out last night...and I don't say that AT ALL to say woohoo look at us....I say that to say WOOHOO LOOK AT GOD!!!!
Of course, we have done without somethings we'd really like to have (wedding ring, new car, vacation) BUT...now that we are not slaves to debt, we can start saving up to buy these things CASH! (or at least with a big down payment)!
I am really going to consider getting Dave Ramsey's Money Management workbook thing and start applying his principles of putting money in envelopes for everything. That seems so "stone age" to me...to carry around CASH for stuff...but, I can TOTALLY see how doing that would make my Wal-Mart trips much more focused and less impulsive. I would be forced to pay attention to how much I'm spending and not nearly as tempted to throw that sports bra or pkg of socks or pj's for the kids in the cart that way. Also, as my dear friend Lisa pointed out to me....it's also a way to be able to purchase things for yourself without feeling guilt (because if the money is in the envelope marked "clothes for jen" then I can spend it!! YAY!)
The tough thing will be passing up that bargain on the clearance rack for 70% off just because I don't have money in the envelope. Maybe I'll make up a special envelope called "bargain money" so that I can spend it on anything that I find that is an amazing bargain!?!?!
Anyway, I'm curious...have any of you used this envelope system? And if so, how has it worked for you?
Another thing I'm hoping to implement with our new-found financial freedom is some kind of savings for those things you never think about saving for (dog grooming, car tags, car maintenance, Christmas, date night, birthday gifts). Not exactly sure how to do this...but I know that those things right there are the ones that got us into debt in the first place!
So....do any of you have any money tips you'd be willing to send my way?

I am SOOOO looking forward to spoiling my hardworkin' man this weekend! Rest, relaxation and a DATE! Yee-haw!

Hilarious!

Hey, my man delivers...but if he didn't....a box of chocolates would surely do the trick! ha ha ha

I take it back....

Well, well, well...wouldn't ya just know that as soon as I go and post something like that last post on here...that my hubby comes through big time!
I haven't mentioned this for fear of freakyweirdazoids that might be stalking me in blogland (hey...ya never know!!) but...my big stud muffin has been out of town for a couple of weeks for work and so we missed having Valentines Day together. It sucked. I did have a great time going swing dancing with Brooklyn on Friday night...and I had a fabulous time with my handsome little Grant on Sunday eating lunch and browsing the mall...but when you're as completely infatuated with your hunny as I am (and I AM!)....it just stinks not getting to be with them on Valentines Day.
But alas, my knight in shining armor made it back home last night and he came BEARING GIFTS!!!
Oh YAH BAY-BEE!!!
For Grant, an EXTREMELY COOL real slingshot. It's made of wood and has an eagle head on it with leather peices. MAJOR rad!
For Brooklyn, a hat that I seriously want to steal from her...but I'm trying not to. It's brown and rugged (sort of the pageboy style) and it has a big rhinestone cross on it diagonally. It's stinkin' awesome and I love love love it.
But for MOMMA....he brought me a ring from James Avery! I've always wanted one and have admired them for years. It's a silver heart and I'm gonna love wearing it just as soon as I exchange it for the right size (stink!) Then....later...well...I can't tell you too much....but let me just say...the ring wasn't all he had for me! hahahahahahaha....okay...I'm giggling. I can just see your faces...you're like JEN!!! (except for Tammy who is like ROCK ON!)...anyway, he had a little sumpin-sumpin for our alone time too, which brought BIG SMILES to my face and still does!
:o)
I'm the luckiest girl alive! really, I am!
(ps. pictures to be posted soon!)

Reality is just so...boring!

So, I was given something different for Valentines Day this year. It's called a Reality Check.
Yah...I still live in the land of fantasy fairy-tale romance. The kind you see in movies and read about in books.
And it's not just for Valentines Day. In my mind, every momentous occasion should be marked by the giving of thoughtful gifts, heart-felt sentiments and priceless, quality time with the one you love. It should be chock-full of suprise, anticipation, elation, celebration and butterflies in the stomach!
Now I realize, we do live on this earth (not in the clouds above it) so I know that EVERY holiday can't be enjoyed this way...but there are a few that just canNOT be overlooked (IMO). They are:
#1: Your birthday. This is YOUR day. The other 364 days of the year are regular days where you spend the day doing things for other people (work, cleaning, cooking, etc.). So what's so wrong with thinking that on that ONE day, it should be ALL about the birthday person? From the moment they open their eyes, til they close them to go to sleep that night, it should be one celebration after another. Yes, I think that 2 of your vacation days should be used for this. One day off for your birthday and one day off for your honey's birthday. (maybe even another day off for each childs birthday!) Of course, I've yet to meet another human being who feels this way...so it remains a fantasy to me.
#2: Your Anniversary. Wow...the day you said "I want to be with you every day for the rest of my entire existance on this earth!" HOW IN THE WORLD do people just give a simple card and go out for dinner and call that CELEBRATING? Sheesh...I give cards all year long and go out for dinner all year long...so what makes that special? I realize, I'm totally in the minority here....
#3: Valentines Day. The entire USA recognizes this as the day you show your sweetie how much you love them. People who know nothing about love go to more effort (it seems) than a lot of us who are really IN IT (love). Think back to when you were 16 and you had your first 'serious' boyfriend. Wasn't it a big deal back then to get him something special (maybe cologne or a shirt from his favorite store) and have a special date and he would usually buy you flowers and maybe a peice of fun jewlery? You always held your breath that he (or someone!) would send you something at school so it would be OBVIOUS that someone out there LOVES you. Not just 'loves' you...but LOVES you!!!

Yes...well....either those days are over--or maybe they never really existed. Maybe it's all a figment of my very lively imagination!?! All I know is that no matter how hard I try not to, I usually spend the week prior to any of these given holidays dreaming up all the possible scenarious that I am going to be surprised with. My poor family...if they DID ever want to do somethng over-the-top for me, they'd have to be DANG creative because there's rare a thing I haven't already thought of and played out in my mind! It's like a fail-proof recipe for disappointment and I buy into it every time.

So...my question is...do I need to come back to reality and realize that this is just NOT how the real world does it?? (how extremely depressing and boring!!) or....does everyone else need to read my blog and GET BUSY WITH IT and start showing each other how much they mean to one another!!!???? (why..yes...I think that sounds delightful!)
HAHA...
I think I've gone loony....

***I would just like to say, before I end this post that...YES..I USED to celebrate things like this. However, due to being surrounded by people who don't share my excitement in 24-hour celebrations, my enthusiasm has been whittled away bit by bit, year by year. I still feel just as passionate about it as I ever have...but when you go to all this work and thought to do something like this for someone and they honestly would have rathered just get a card and go out to eat...then you start realizing that maybe this is what "I" want done for me...not what other people want done for them. As we all know from reading Gary Chapmans book "The 5 Love Languages"...we all spell LOVE differently...and then some of us just spell it
LOVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Little Helpers

I'm not sure if this might violate child labor laws....but I'll tell ya what....cleaning house sure is a lot more fun and a lot quicker when you put the little people to work as well!

Here is Brooklyn mopping the floor and Grant scooping dog poop. They each earned $3 for a job well done! (and mommy had to do a few less jobs that day! YAY!)

Oh, there it is!

So, in my last post I was asking where the snow was....well, I found it! It started falling shortly after I hit publish and didn't quit until after I went to bed that night. Here are a few pics from my front yard.

I have some really cute pics of the kids with the snowmans we built...but they're on my phone so I'll have to upload those later!

What Snow?

Well....we're all ready for this big winter weather storm...but where is it? :o)
It figures, the ONE TIME I actually listened to their warnings and bought candles and batteries and got out all my flashlights , rented movies and got lots of foods and cooked up several meals (spaghetti, roast & chili)...and nothing happens. Well, I don't mean NOTHING...we certainly got a layer of ice...but I was thinking (and they were saying) power outages for days...roads thick and icy/snowy with no chance of getting out of the house for 3-4 days.
Not that I'm complaining...I definitly don't want the power to go out. Talk about going stir-crazy super-quick! 2 kids and NO lights, heat or tv. Agh!
Anyway, now that the kids are out of school today (needlessly?) I am wondering what in the world we are going to do with ourselves? hmmmm...do we bake? Do we do an art project? Do we watch movies? Play games? I guess the choices are endless...
I just checked the online forcast. It says we should be getting 2-5 inches of snow by this afternoon. We shall see....

Bear with me here

Okay, this batch of pictures I put on here are all in a jumbled up mess. Sorry! Here are the last few pics from the ball....until I get the ones that the photographer took there.

This one is of me and my dear friend Rachel, who actually invited us to the ball!Here is one I snapped on my first day of babysitting. After playing outside for a couple of hours, the kids were exhausted, so they cozied up on the couch for a movie! Cute...

Lastly, one of me without all that makeup (ACK!!!) I'm sorry...I guess I'm more of a natural girl. I mean...I LOOOOOOVE getting all cutsied up and going out. Give me high-heels and bling ANY day...but you can keep your 2-inch thick make up, thank you very much!

Subway Mom

Here I am delivering Brooklyn's birthday lunch from Subway. I look like a B.U.M.!!!

My little Rock Star!

The party at CiCi's Pizza

Payton, Grant, Madison, Brooklyn, Karsyn, Taylor

Our pretty snow"girl"

Our little snow"man"

Blizzard 2009

Having "fun" shoveling snow over the Christmas "blizzard".

Ticked Off

Well, folks, here you have it. Me in a BAAAAAD mood. I was frustrated with how I looked (hated the make up, wasn't loving the hair and the dress didn't look nearly as good as it seemed to in the dressing room). The bottom line was: I was being a big baby.

Pre-Ball

Brooklyn used my camera to take pictures of Matt and I. Here we are 'reviewing' them while my mom snaps a pic with her camera.

Brooklyn's Birthday, Bikes!, Ball!

I am getting worse and worse about keeping up with posting pictures on here! But, finally, here they are...our month of January. A picture is worth a thousand words right? :o)

This first one is a "date night" Matt and I took. Brooklyn grabbed the camera and snapped a pic of us.

This is a random one of Grant that I snapped just because I think it's funny that he loves to sit on TOP of the counter top and do writing/coloring. Looks horribly uncomfortable to me, but I guess for him, the bar just above makes the perfect "table".

January 11th was Brooklyn's 9th birthday. We ended up having quite a few "parties" for her. On the 8th, I took her and 4 of her girlfriends out for pizza and cake and then we spent the night at a hotel where they have a little indoor water park. They had tons of fun and only stayed up till about 2 am.

On her "actual" birthday on the 11th, I picked her up from school for lunch and took her out to Subway. I made a tiny little cake.

Then, after school, we took her out to Applebees for her birthday dinner. I made my first-ever chocolate chip cookie cake (using a springform pan). It worked out really well and tasted FABULOUS!When we got home that night, she got her big present, which was a new bike!! Grant had gotten his new bike about a week earlier with his Christmas money, so I took pictures of them both with their new bikes!Grant has amazing balance and can stand on the seat of his bike! He climbs up walls and doorframes like a monkey! I've got to get him back in gymnastics!

As most of you know, Matt and I attended our first BALL on Saturday, Jan. 16th. Most of the pictures are on my mom's camera, which means I'll have to upload them using Picasa. Here's one though that my friend Rachel took.
Okay, more pics to come....I just gotta find the time!

Looking for good news?

Okay, if you're on my blog today, it may be because you're checking to see what the good news is that I was talking about on Facebook.
Well, I got a job!
Here are the details:
*I will be babysitting for 2 children in my home M-F. 9 a.m. till 4 p.m. Ages 2 and 5.
*The parents are friends of ours and we have a wonderful relationship and very open communication with them.
*They live in the same little town as us--so very convenient.
*I will be making just a little less than I have been making from the doctors office.
*This is a temporary situation (3-6 months). Their mother is quitting her job sometime in the next 6 months, but I will watch them until either she decides to quit, or another job opportunity arises for me.
*The 5 year old child is in kindergarten and will be at school the same hours as Grant is, so I will actually only have the toddler in the afternoons.
*They are very sweet, quiet natured kids that I am anxious to love on!
*I will still be able to do everything I normally do around the house while they're here (including workouts and cleaning, etc.)
*And...I had thought that this would mean I would have to quit going to the gym for my morning classes, which would have been REALLY REALLY SAD for me...but...my mom offered to watch them for me during those hours. I will pay her so that it will be fair, but she only wants $40 a month (which comes out to $5 everytime I go to the gym). Awesome!

At first I was a little unsure of this....seeing as how I've been thinking that my "big break" was about to come through as far as fitness instructing/ministry. But, the truth is, my classes are about to end and so far, they haven't asked me to teach any other classes as of yet...which means it's time to find something else. The more I think about this whole situation (the babysitting) the more I see that it is the perfect solution for both of us (me and the other family). This will "buy" me more time to figure out what I'm doing/where I'm going...and in exchange, they get to leave their kids with someone who they already know and trust. (what an honor for me!)

I'm not exactly sure when this will be starting, sometime in the next 2 weeks. Anyway, I just wanted to let everyone know so if you see me after school with 4 little kiddos in the car, you'll know whats up! :o)

Also, in other news:
*The doctor I work for has decided to postpone my layoff---until Feb.1st. YAY! One more month of working for him means more money to get out of debt with! Hooray! (Ps. I work from home.)

*I'm starting a new Beth Moore Bible Study called "Breaking Free" tomorrow night with the women's ministry at our church. I'm looking forward to digging deeper into God's word this year and I can't think of any better way to get off to a great jump start!

*I'm looking forward to the new season of The Biggest Loser which is starting tomorrow night. Since I will be at Bible Study during that time, I will be dvr'ing it and watching on either Wednesday or Thursday so PLEASE DON'T TELL ME ANYTHING!!!!! :o)

*Beginning today, Jan. 4th, I am back on my clean eating. I will be preparing weekly meal plans every Sunday afternoon and will be e-mailing it along with all the needed recipes to people who are interested. I'd be more than happy to add you to my e-mail list if you want. I guarantee you, if you'll stick to only eating the foods on this meal plan AND get at least 30 minutes of exercise a day, you WILL lose weight. I have already prepared this weeks meal plan and posted on my other blog. Feel free to check it out. Going to get to my 120 goal weight this year...no question about it.

*My little girl is turning 9 in exactly one week! AUGH! That is just crazy. I've never been so unprepared for her birthday as I am this year. It just seems like Christmas was yesterday and now it's birthday party time. Usually, it seems like, there is more time between those 2 events!?! It will be a small party this year.....because

*WE ARE GETTING OUT OF DEBT! Most of you remember that we had to borrow $1800 from my parents last year to get the transmission replaced in our van. Well, the "deal" was that we would start paying them back $100/paycheck as soon as Christmas was over. I gave my mom the first $100 today and it felt AWESOME! I can't WAIT to get our tax return back and pay off some more stuff. For a while there I was really focused on getting a new wedding ring and us taking a vacation in 2010...but....I really think those things can wait a little longer. As soon as we get rid of this mountain of debt that we're in, the next purchase will be a new vehicle to replace the van. It may take a year or two...but I think we're starting to see a small glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel now! (Thanks Rene!)

*PRAISE REPORT: While I was at my wonderful friend Rene's house last week working out with her, her handy hubby took it upon himself to look at my van and see why the heat wasn't working. Turned out the thermostat was cracked. He offered to let me use their (fabulous) SUV to run my errands while he went to the parts store, bought the part and installed it in my van. WHAT A BLESSING! And I can't believe how terrific it is to have heat in our vehicle again! My guess is that it hasn't been working right for a looooong time. Because seriously, I don't remember ever being so warm in my car before! THANK YOU SO MUCH DAN and RENE!!!

Okay, that's about all I can think of for right now. I need to get off here and go get prepared for my last Monday night of teaching classes at the gym. After this, it'll just be Thursdays! Hope you're having a good first week of 2010. Remember, it's up to YOU how good and happy it is!