Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Sad Day
You know how it is when you have a comfort piece of clothing - something you just love to hang out in on ANY day of the month because it feels good? I have two pair of black mesh shorts that have been comfort pieces of clothing for the last 10 years, literally. They travelled to Guam and back with me. They went on many hikes and many swimming adventures. They have lounged around the house for endless days and even been exercise apparel. I have slept countless nights in them. In the last few months I have noticed them having a few age issues. Their elastic seems to be dying. Today I came to the conclusion that it is time to lay them to rest forever. They just don't stay on like they should due to their elastic issues. So, it was with a sad heart that I sent them on to a better place - most likely a landfill. Happy Earth Day.
Monday, April 20, 2009
Jonathan's Finalization Hearing
I just saw the paralegal who is working on our case. We had to return to them a bunch of paperwork that we needed to have corrected so they could fix it and then we can go get it notarized. Among the errors we corrected were my age, the spelling of our last name, the city he was born in, the hospital he was born in, the date he was born and the date we brought him home. Seriously, they were having some issues when they typed up that one! As I was giving her the forms to fix, she emphasized that when we receive the corrected ones we need to get them back right away because she already scheduled the finalization and technically she isn't supposed to do that until the papers were signed.
Imagine long quiet pause. Then I clarified, "So you already scheduled the finalization?" She told me yes. I asked if we could know the date. So then she had to go back to her computer and shift through everything to find it for me. Now wouldn't you imagine that when you have news this big you would tell right away? I would say I was amazed that they hadn't called us as soon as it was scheduled, but...I'm not amazed. Let's just say that after the finalization, we will be celebrating not only having Jonathan, but also being done with that adoption attorney forever. So anyway...
Drumroll please... Jonathan's finalization hearing in which everything is official and unchangeable will be held on May 26th at 11:15 a.m. in Tampa, Florida. Until that date, we will continue to pray that God prevents any circumstance that would hinder or delay the finalization. We have been blessed to have this precious little man and cannot wait for the day when he is officially ours and no human being can take him away from us.
Friday, April 10, 2009
Our Total Money Makeover
Okay, so this is an advertisement. Or maybe it is a testimonial. Not sure, but it is information for you. :)
A few members of our family have recently started reading and following the Dave Ramsey book, Total Money Makeover. They found some success and suggested we go borrow the book from the library.
I like to think that I have a fairly good financial brain due to great teaching and leading by my mother as well as a great class in college by Mrs. Janke. Thankfully, Mike and I grew up in the same type of environment, so we have been likeminded on financial issues (which I know is a huge blessing). However, this book was kind of an eye-opener to me. We've lived on a budget before. We do work to keep our expenses down. Still the book and principles therein have really been a source of inspiration to us.
His entire theme (in fact it is watermarked on the bottom of every page of the book) is "Live like no one else so that one day you can live like no one else." He does also point out that it gives you the freedom to give, which should be a goal. His point is that you should count pennies, save in every area and work to accomplish a series of baby steps. You start with building a $1000 emergency fund. The goal is never to borrow on credit again, so the emergency fund is there so that when Murphy's Law comes along, you don't have to use a credit card to deal with it.
Once done with that baby step, you work to pay off all debt other than your mortgage and home equity line if it is more than half of your annual salary.
I get fuzzy on the next because we aren't done with the first two yet, but they include setting aside for retirement, college fund, paying off the mortgage and etc. There is also so much more, but you have to read the book to get the full effect and to avoid my misquoting anything.
Anyway, how this has helped us:
1. We have a goal. We have a plan. We are working on it together, so it becomes a bonding thing. We rejoice together over the slightest victory.
2. We are officially on a tight budget and watching where every penny goes right now. Little things that add up normally are not adding up because we are working to avoid them. It is exciting to see the potential to scrimp and make progress towards our baby step. One of our decisions was to ditch the cable television and save that money each month. That will save us time and money, so we are happy about that.
3. One of his statements was to sell things you have now that you don't really need, in an effort to get your debt paid off and not have that burden. He said you should be so aggressive about it that your kids start to wonder if they are going next. In that light, we've been putting stuff on Craigslist and Ebay and Amazon as well as planning a garage sale soon. We are using that money first to pay for our vacation and if there is any left over, to apply it to our debt. It is actually fun and exciting to get rid of stuff and see how it adds up quickly towards your goal.
4. We are using his envelope system successfully. I can testify that it is true that if you are scrimping and saving and then pay for your groceries in cash, you pay much more attention to what you are getting and the value thereof than you do when you put it on a credit or debit card. We set our grocery budget for the month. After receiving Mike's check, we took that amount out in cash and once that money is gone, we will have fun eating out of the pantry until his next check when we can re-fund the envelope.
I'm sure there will be many more posts regarding this in the future, but I hope it is an inspiration to you that if you need some guidance about money, or even if you think you don't, it is a good book to read.
A few members of our family have recently started reading and following the Dave Ramsey book, Total Money Makeover. They found some success and suggested we go borrow the book from the library.
I like to think that I have a fairly good financial brain due to great teaching and leading by my mother as well as a great class in college by Mrs. Janke. Thankfully, Mike and I grew up in the same type of environment, so we have been likeminded on financial issues (which I know is a huge blessing). However, this book was kind of an eye-opener to me. We've lived on a budget before. We do work to keep our expenses down. Still the book and principles therein have really been a source of inspiration to us.
His entire theme (in fact it is watermarked on the bottom of every page of the book) is "Live like no one else so that one day you can live like no one else." He does also point out that it gives you the freedom to give, which should be a goal. His point is that you should count pennies, save in every area and work to accomplish a series of baby steps. You start with building a $1000 emergency fund. The goal is never to borrow on credit again, so the emergency fund is there so that when Murphy's Law comes along, you don't have to use a credit card to deal with it.
Once done with that baby step, you work to pay off all debt other than your mortgage and home equity line if it is more than half of your annual salary.
I get fuzzy on the next because we aren't done with the first two yet, but they include setting aside for retirement, college fund, paying off the mortgage and etc. There is also so much more, but you have to read the book to get the full effect and to avoid my misquoting anything.
Anyway, how this has helped us:
1. We have a goal. We have a plan. We are working on it together, so it becomes a bonding thing. We rejoice together over the slightest victory.
2. We are officially on a tight budget and watching where every penny goes right now. Little things that add up normally are not adding up because we are working to avoid them. It is exciting to see the potential to scrimp and make progress towards our baby step. One of our decisions was to ditch the cable television and save that money each month. That will save us time and money, so we are happy about that.
3. One of his statements was to sell things you have now that you don't really need, in an effort to get your debt paid off and not have that burden. He said you should be so aggressive about it that your kids start to wonder if they are going next. In that light, we've been putting stuff on Craigslist and Ebay and Amazon as well as planning a garage sale soon. We are using that money first to pay for our vacation and if there is any left over, to apply it to our debt. It is actually fun and exciting to get rid of stuff and see how it adds up quickly towards your goal.
4. We are using his envelope system successfully. I can testify that it is true that if you are scrimping and saving and then pay for your groceries in cash, you pay much more attention to what you are getting and the value thereof than you do when you put it on a credit or debit card. We set our grocery budget for the month. After receiving Mike's check, we took that amount out in cash and once that money is gone, we will have fun eating out of the pantry until his next check when we can re-fund the envelope.
I'm sure there will be many more posts regarding this in the future, but I hope it is an inspiration to you that if you need some guidance about money, or even if you think you don't, it is a good book to read.
Moving On
So, now that the drama (hopefully) is over related to my blog and those who can view it, it is time to move on with life. Thanks for your patience. I really do hate going the password protected route, but I just couldn't handle any more of her comments.
Monday, April 06, 2009
Reasons for the Change
Thanks for your patience as we had to change our blog URL. Two main things inspired this switch:
1. Jonathan's Adoption. Maybe I'm being paranoid, but I didn't like the fact that at one point you could put all three of our first names into a search engine and up would pop our blog, which just happened to have our last name. One more quick search and you could have our address. Once I realized that, I kept envisioning walking outside the house to find Jonathan's birth dad there to take him away. So...I was wanting a URL that didn't include our last name and that's why I'm asking that you not put our last name on your blog connected to this link. Maybe I'm paranoid, but I'd rather be safe than sorry.
2. A bitter anti-adoption blogger ran across our blog back just before Jonathan was born and has sent us several messages as well as written several rude posts about us on her blog, stating that we stole another woman's baby, that whenever Jonathan cries it is because he is crying for his real mom and etc. Frankly, she has gotten my blood pressure up one too many times and the last one chose to link us on her post so that all of her other adoption hating friends could find our blog and share their own great comments. She also made the statement "hey, adopted kids are replaceable, right?" in relation to the pictures of Jonathan in his Bumbo. That one really sent me over the edge. And for the record, he is only in that on the counter when we are there next to him. He also does not yet have the strength to jump out of it, but if he did, again, we are there. She doesn't know us. She hasn't seen how we care for him and yet she has chosen to judge us. So, we decided to make the change to avoid more of all of that mess.
Thanks for your understanding and patience with our switch.
Oh yeah, one more thing. If you have a blog and don't see your blog listed on the right hand side under our friends, will you make sure to leave a comment so that I can link to your blog again? When we changed the URL it got rid of all my links to friends. Thanks!
1. Jonathan's Adoption. Maybe I'm being paranoid, but I didn't like the fact that at one point you could put all three of our first names into a search engine and up would pop our blog, which just happened to have our last name. One more quick search and you could have our address. Once I realized that, I kept envisioning walking outside the house to find Jonathan's birth dad there to take him away. So...I was wanting a URL that didn't include our last name and that's why I'm asking that you not put our last name on your blog connected to this link. Maybe I'm paranoid, but I'd rather be safe than sorry.
2. A bitter anti-adoption blogger ran across our blog back just before Jonathan was born and has sent us several messages as well as written several rude posts about us on her blog, stating that we stole another woman's baby, that whenever Jonathan cries it is because he is crying for his real mom and etc. Frankly, she has gotten my blood pressure up one too many times and the last one chose to link us on her post so that all of her other adoption hating friends could find our blog and share their own great comments. She also made the statement "hey, adopted kids are replaceable, right?" in relation to the pictures of Jonathan in his Bumbo. That one really sent me over the edge. And for the record, he is only in that on the counter when we are there next to him. He also does not yet have the strength to jump out of it, but if he did, again, we are there. She doesn't know us. She hasn't seen how we care for him and yet she has chosen to judge us. So, we decided to make the change to avoid more of all of that mess.
Thanks for your understanding and patience with our switch.
Oh yeah, one more thing. If you have a blog and don't see your blog listed on the right hand side under our friends, will you make sure to leave a comment so that I can link to your blog again? When we changed the URL it got rid of all my links to friends. Thanks!
Friday, April 03, 2009
Jehovah Jireh - God Does Provide
Lately I've been perhaps more attuned to God's provision in the small areas. Here are two exciting examples I've had recently...
1. Mike and I are trying to save to be able to go on vacation this summer up in Michigan with my family. The cost includes airfare as well as cabin rental. With things being tight everywhere in the economy, as well as having some recent hurdles pop up in front of us, we can't plan on money from regular income to do this. We considered not going this year, but really feel it is an important family time and we don't want to miss it. So, we've been praying that God will allow us to have extra income to cover that. We listed a bunch of stuff on Craiglist that we don't actually need. I've put a bunch of CVS & Walgreens freebies (things that I've gotten free or made money to take off their hands using coupons and etc) up on Amazon. We are planning that any extra hours that I end up working for my sister to put towards it as well since that is not normally planned into our budget. Well, in just the last three days, I've sold over 10 items on Amazon and some of them have been things that have been sitting there for months. WHOHOO! Praise the Lord for the extra provision towards this goal. It gives me hope that we can make it...He will provide.
2. Okay, you are probably going to find this ridiculous, but here goes. I LOVE using Skintimate shaving cream when shaving my legs because it feels better than soap, smells better than soap and works better than soap. I don't know why this little thing brings me so much pleasure, but it does. I HATE buying it when I know I could use soap that will last much longer for much cheaper. So, I haven't had any in several years. Well, you can imagine my delight when Money Saving Mom's website said that you could get it free after register rewards this week. WHOHOO WHOHOO!!! It wasn't advertised in my paper, so I was kind of nervous going through the first time. I paid for the purchase using my Walgreens gift card, so no money out of pocket. At the end, out popped $3.00 towards my next Walgreens purchase, making it free! WHOHOO. Two more times this week, I've been able to snag a bottle, so now I have one in my shower and two in reserve. Seriously, I cannot tell you how excited this makes me. So this week, I am also seeing Jehovah Jireh in a Walgreens deal that totally makes my week and gives me a joyful spirit. :)
1. Mike and I are trying to save to be able to go on vacation this summer up in Michigan with my family. The cost includes airfare as well as cabin rental. With things being tight everywhere in the economy, as well as having some recent hurdles pop up in front of us, we can't plan on money from regular income to do this. We considered not going this year, but really feel it is an important family time and we don't want to miss it. So, we've been praying that God will allow us to have extra income to cover that. We listed a bunch of stuff on Craiglist that we don't actually need. I've put a bunch of CVS & Walgreens freebies (things that I've gotten free or made money to take off their hands using coupons and etc) up on Amazon. We are planning that any extra hours that I end up working for my sister to put towards it as well since that is not normally planned into our budget. Well, in just the last three days, I've sold over 10 items on Amazon and some of them have been things that have been sitting there for months. WHOHOO! Praise the Lord for the extra provision towards this goal. It gives me hope that we can make it...He will provide.
2. Okay, you are probably going to find this ridiculous, but here goes. I LOVE using Skintimate shaving cream when shaving my legs because it feels better than soap, smells better than soap and works better than soap. I don't know why this little thing brings me so much pleasure, but it does. I HATE buying it when I know I could use soap that will last much longer for much cheaper. So, I haven't had any in several years. Well, you can imagine my delight when Money Saving Mom's website said that you could get it free after register rewards this week. WHOHOO WHOHOO!!! It wasn't advertised in my paper, so I was kind of nervous going through the first time. I paid for the purchase using my Walgreens gift card, so no money out of pocket. At the end, out popped $3.00 towards my next Walgreens purchase, making it free! WHOHOO. Two more times this week, I've been able to snag a bottle, so now I have one in my shower and two in reserve. Seriously, I cannot tell you how excited this makes me. So this week, I am also seeing Jehovah Jireh in a Walgreens deal that totally makes my week and gives me a joyful spirit. :)
Sunday, March 15, 2009
You Have to Love It When
This past week, for the full retail price of these items at Walgreens (which I normally would NEVER pay)...
Instead, I was able to bring home this:
OH YEAH!!!! Thanks to Money Saving Mom for sharing about the deal in advance. Thanks to my husband, my friend Tina and my sister Barb for printing the internet coupons for me. Thanks to my friend, Julie, for hooking me up with the Walgreens Buy 1 Get 1 Free Coupons for Enfamil.
Instead, I was able to bring home this:
OH YEAH!!!! Thanks to Money Saving Mom for sharing about the deal in advance. Thanks to my husband, my friend Tina and my sister Barb for printing the internet coupons for me. Thanks to my friend, Julie, for hooking me up with the Walgreens Buy 1 Get 1 Free Coupons for Enfamil. The great part is that my Walmart will always trade diapers for diapers without a receipt. They don't care where you bought the diapers in the first place...they will trade straight up value. So, the box of 100 #3 diapers came from trading in two packages of 35 too small for Jonathan diapers in for 100 diapers that he'll be in soon. I love their policy because as he outgrows each size, I just take all that I have left of that size in unopened packages and trade them in for the next size up. Love it! I also have enough wipes to last me forever, which is super great because I'm not the stingy on wipes type of person. I'm the open the diaper, throw your head back and gag, quick use as many wipes as necessary to get rid of all the gunk, type diaper changer. I've used up to 7 wipes on one diaper before. So...the fact that I scored six Mega packages this week really makes me happy. :)
Cool Outfit
Mommy loved this Spiderman/Marvel Heroes outfit that was passed along to us from some friends. She kept saying that she loved the "Underoos" style of the bottoms. So, she couldn't resist taking and posting this picture of me in my super cool outfit.
Lowry Park Zoo
Last week we went on an outing to Lowry Park Zoo with Julie and her kiddies and Nicole and her kiddies. Here are a few pictures from the day.
Church Picnic
Well, apparently I only kept the camera out long enough to take three pictures, but here are three pictures of the Little family at the church picnic. They are super cool.
First Few Times of Cereal
Really, it isn't that my mommy has horrible aim that is the problem, but more that I like to flail around and in between bites I try to stick both my hands in my mouth. So, the end result is cereal everywhere. I've been getting better at it though and seem to like this new food source.
First Time Trying Out My Bumbo
One of my mommy's super great friends hooked me up with this Bumbo thing and tray table. I've been enjoying it lately and thought I would show you some pictures of my first time in it.
Monday, March 09, 2009
10 Minutes A Day for 6 Days
Okay - lately I've been finding myself on the computer more often throughout the day than I'd like. So, for the next six days, I'm limiting myself to 10 minutes a day. I have to get on each day to check Amazon and Ebay because I sell stuff and need to keep orders going out on time, but other than that, a quick check of money saving mom, and making sure there is no crisis sitting in my inbox, I'm going to be off the computer. If you really need me, call me. :)
Oh yeah, and if you have a kid in diapers or ever give away diapers, the Walgreens deal this week can't be beat. Last night I got two jumbo packages of diapers and one large package of wipes for $14.72 and then I got the $10 register rewards off my next purchase - effectively getting all of that for only $4.72. Money Saving Mom.com has the link to the $5.00 off and $3.00 off coupons for Huggies. I'd explain more, but I'm out of time. :)
Oh yeah, and if you have a kid in diapers or ever give away diapers, the Walgreens deal this week can't be beat. Last night I got two jumbo packages of diapers and one large package of wipes for $14.72 and then I got the $10 register rewards off my next purchase - effectively getting all of that for only $4.72. Money Saving Mom.com has the link to the $5.00 off and $3.00 off coupons for Huggies. I'd explain more, but I'm out of time. :)
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
A Few Changes
I've made a few changes to the blog. I have debated whether or not to completely password protect the blog, but I haven't wanted to go that drastic yet. However, I do think I might change the URL in the next few days.
If you are one who regularly "lurks" and maybe reads the blog without ever commenting, please leave a comment on this post. Then when I change the URL, I'll send you a message letting you know the new one.
Also, if you have linked to our blog on your page, will you make sure that our last name is not listed? Thanks!
I'm just in the mode of wanting a little more internet privacy at this point.
If you are one who regularly "lurks" and maybe reads the blog without ever commenting, please leave a comment on this post. Then when I change the URL, I'll send you a message letting you know the new one.
Also, if you have linked to our blog on your page, will you make sure that our last name is not listed? Thanks!
I'm just in the mode of wanting a little more internet privacy at this point.
Monday, February 23, 2009
My Big 4 Month-Old Man
Yes, I totally know that I'm biased, but I think he is SO CUTE! I love this first sideways look picture - it is almost mischievous. :)
Big Smiles!
Big Smiles!
Saturday, February 14, 2009
My Love.
Well, I have always been a little anti-Valentine's Day. When I was single, we used to name this day SAD (Single's Appreciation Day - a day to celebrate our state of singleness) and I used to regularly wear all black in some crazy independent external statement when internally I longed for what all those other couples around me seemed to have. I wanted someone else to love me - to have that "special someone" I could always count on to be happy to see me and who would love me unconditionally - quite a challenge. :) Just when all hope seemed to be lost that this person existed, a friendship began to turn into something so much more.
The dating process was unique, but we survived it. Then on May 2nd, 2003, on a quiet beach in Guam, Mike got down on one knee, told me he loved me for the first time and then asked me to marry him. He had no way of knowing that ever since I was little I had dreamed of being proposed to on a beach under the stars. I will never forget that moment and how special he made me feel. We quickly began making plans and God blessed each step of the way as we were able to schedule everything for an early July wedding on such short notice.
For 5 1/2 years now I have had the privilege of being his wife. The time has flown by so quickly. Now beside the titles of Husband and Wife, we are also Daddy and Mommy. I loved him so much before we were married (frankly, before he was sure he loved me), then we got married and I thought that I could not possibly love him more. Now as I'm able to watch him be a great Daddy to Jonathan, I find that I continually love him more. He works hard to provide for us and comes home exhausted and yet still finds time to listen to me babble and vent about everything that has occurred during the day. He truly is my prince charming in every way.
So while I reject Valentine's day because the world and Hallmark require that this be made into some commerical holiday, I still choose this day to tell you how much I love my husband. I am blessed beyond measure and will forever be thankful that he chose me.
Here are some pictures for us from these past 6 years...
In Guam at church
At our wedding rehearsal breakfast
Before the wedding
Resting my feet after pictures
The Happy Couple
Mike's happy expression
Kiss the Bride! Is it time YET to kiss the bride??!! Just say "Kiss the Bride" already!
Holding Hands
In Pennsylvania a few days after the wedding
In Michigan, summer of 2007
Michael,
The dating process was unique, but we survived it. Then on May 2nd, 2003, on a quiet beach in Guam, Mike got down on one knee, told me he loved me for the first time and then asked me to marry him. He had no way of knowing that ever since I was little I had dreamed of being proposed to on a beach under the stars. I will never forget that moment and how special he made me feel. We quickly began making plans and God blessed each step of the way as we were able to schedule everything for an early July wedding on such short notice.
For 5 1/2 years now I have had the privilege of being his wife. The time has flown by so quickly. Now beside the titles of Husband and Wife, we are also Daddy and Mommy. I loved him so much before we were married (frankly, before he was sure he loved me), then we got married and I thought that I could not possibly love him more. Now as I'm able to watch him be a great Daddy to Jonathan, I find that I continually love him more. He works hard to provide for us and comes home exhausted and yet still finds time to listen to me babble and vent about everything that has occurred during the day. He truly is my prince charming in every way.
So while I reject Valentine's day because the world and Hallmark require that this be made into some commerical holiday, I still choose this day to tell you how much I love my husband. I am blessed beyond measure and will forever be thankful that he chose me.
Here are some pictures for us from these past 6 years...
In Guam after my bridal shower
In Guam at church
At our wedding rehearsal breakfast
Before the wedding
Resting my feet after pictures
The Happy Couple
Mike's happy expression
Kiss the Bride! Is it time YET to kiss the bride??!! Just say "Kiss the Bride" already!
Holding Hands
In Pennsylvania a few days after the wedding
In Michigan, summer of 2007
Michael,
I love you. I love reminding you that I loved you first because I knew that I wanted you to be my husband way back in September of 2000. I'm so thankful that out of all of the choices that you had, you chose me. I love it that we have never had a fight and that we are both committed to keeping it that way.
You complete me. You know me better than anyone else and still love me despite all of my insecurities. When I have days of being discouraged about myself, you lift me up. When I'm feeling a little on the chunky side instead of berating me or making me feel like I've disappointed you, you remind me that you love me and completely support me. You have been so supportive of my coaching and really of anything I try to do. I hope that you can feel that I am supportive of you too. I want to always be a help in achieving your dreams and never tear them down.
One of the things that I first loved about you was your servant's heart. I still see that in you as you look for ways to serve others around you. I love it when we can do things together for other people. Thank you for being a leader in our home in that area. I'm glad that Jonathan will grow up seeing this example in his father.
You truly are my best friend and there is no one I would rather spend time with. You are the first person I think of in the morning and I get excited when I see a text message from you or a phone call from you. When you are working long hours, I miss you and I can't wait to have you come home to me.
No matter where the future leads us, I am so thankful that I am by your side. Whether we have one dollar to our names or a million, I will be happy because God has given you to me. I will fiercely protect our marriage and will fight anything that could drive a wedge between us.
I love you with all that is in me and I praise God for binding our hearts together. You were totally worth the wait.
Sandra Lynne
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Jumper/Activity Center
This past week we set up Jonathan's jumper/activity center thingy. This was his first time in it. I think he was a little overwhelmed by all the new colors and textures surrounding him. He does seem to like it now though. Our little guy is growing up so quickly. I was traumatized this past week when we had to switch him over to #2 diapers because he'd outgrown the #1 diapers. Tomorrow we start adding rice cereal to his diet. Next week he'll turn four months old. He is a fun little guy and we are blessed to have him.
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