Monday, January 31, 2011

Updates

Finally a day where I can have a few moments to just relax and blog :). It hasn't been anything to serious about being busy just little things like going to the Laundromat, MOMS Club meetings, grocery shopping, a field trip, family visiting and in between all that schooling the boys and making dinner LOL.

We also went to H&R Block to get our taxes done, since hubby finally got his unemployment W2 in. Everything else came in pretty quickly but that seemed to take it's time. We won't get any money though till the fourth so I am patiently waiting. We are getting a decent amount this year thankfully. We so need it. I plan on getting a new computer since this one is getting super slow even after I wiped it all out. This one will go to the boys (with careful monitoring of course). Then we will get some things done on the Jeep that needs to be done (like struts and maybe an added leaf in the back since it sags a bit) and of course I will be getting next years curriculum with some of it too. I usually get most of it from www.rainbowresource.com .

Also with the money we get back we plan on putting some away for a small vacation. Nothing really big but my mom owns a small house up north further and we plan to spend a few days up there and find little things to do while we are there. It's always a relaxing time when we go there. We haven't been on family vacation (even a small one) in about five years! This is something we really need.

Granted we could just put that in the bank and save but we really do need this time together and it will be well worth it I think :). But the rest of the money will be put back and we will save as much as we can because you never know what can happen. Trust me when I say I know all about that LOL. I hope everyone is doing well! So far we are. God Bless!!!

Thursday, January 20, 2011

From Overwhelmed to Relief and Joy!

It has been a stressful few days but also good. Well as you know the Jeep decided to have issues and we were praying it would be an easy fix. Well when we went in a day later to see what was up we were told it looks like it's going to be a big issue. They thought it might be the front differential. They said it would cost any where from $500-$700 and maybe even more!

Another thing is we found out that on our budget plan that we are on with the electric company was going up. So instead of paying $86 dollars a month it is now going to be $122 a month! With hubby making very little money and it's not practical for me to work right now (with only having one vehicle) money is very tight.

Then yesterday while the boys were doing dishes water was pouring out of the bottom cupboard where the sink is at. So I was thinking ugh not a busted pipe too!! I cleaned everything out and dried up everything.

On the good side my mom had offered to help pay for the Jeep, and the "busted pipe" was not a busted pipe after all. We have a hole (which we need to get something to cover it) where a sprayer used to be and while the boys were doing dishes they must have some how poured water down that hole causing all that water.

Also we got a call from the place fixing our Jeep and low and behold it wasn't the front differential that was messed up! It was exactly what my husband thought it was. Which was a wheel bearing. They also had to replace the rotors and a couple of other minor things and it's going to cost us a lot less than the $500-$700! My mom is still going to help us but at least it's not as much as what was originally thought! Praise God!!

Still not sure what to do about the electric bill but one day at a time and I am just happy with all the other good news! We are still struggling but God has and will get us through everything I know. I just need to remember that it isn't about me and to focus on Him and know that He will take care of it all! It may not always be how I would do it but God's way is always the right way and I just need to let Him do what He does.

I have other things going on as well like babysitting on Tues. for my two nephews, Big Sister Training for the MOMS Club® and today we went with friends within the MOMS Club® to an Art Museum. They had a kids section. One room was with toys and other cool things to play with (like old typewriters that the boys got a kick out of) and another room full of craft stuff and painting. After they did that for a while we walked around the museum. It really was a lot of fun.

Well that is my adventures from just this week alone LOL. At least it is ending up ok. I hope things are going well for everyone else too! :) I sure hope to start blogging more again. Things just seem to get hectic around here. But I do plan to blog when I get a chance. Thanks for those who still read this blog. 

Friday, January 14, 2011

Going On's

Not much going on today. Our Jeep is hopefully getting fixed (and hoping it's not too expensive) and hubby is now at work. We borrowed my moms truck for now. We are so blessed that she has the means to helps us out and does so when ever we need it. I don't know what we would do without her! Because of the Jeep problems I wasn't able to go to a MOMS Club event today. One I really wished I could have went to but we have to do what we have to do right?

Well hubby has decided not to take the new job. There were different reasons he decided not to and I understand why. Sometimes the grass isn't always greener on the other side. He is also looking into a position at his current job that is days and makes a dollar more than what he is making now. He first wants to see what it's all about before he decides to try for it though.

As for the weekend we really don't have anything planned that I know of right now. Sunday after Church we are going to check on how our Jeep is going. We take our vehicles to hubby's cousins shop. He usually gives us a small discount (usually on labor) and does the job right. So nice to have people in the family that can do these things. Granted we still pay for everything but he gives us a little break anyway. Can't blame him he has to make money too. :)

I hope everyone has a great weekend! I may not post during the weekend. I figure that is family time but if I get a moment I may still post but not sure. Besides maybe I will have more to talk about by then LOL. At least more interesting? Or maybe not who knows LOL.

Thursday, January 13, 2011

The Jeep and Prayers

Well today started off well. I did some school with the boys then we went to Create and Play (MOMS Club event) and had fun making Styrofoam snowmen and then we came home. Then we spent some time with hubby (dad) and then we had dinner.

Then hubby calls from work and the jeep is acting up. He thinks it has something to do with the caliper. We are hoping it's an easy enough fix (please pray for it to be!) because tomorrow he has a plant tour at the place he may start work at and then right after that he has to go to his job now.

Thankfully my mom is letting us borrow her truck while hubby tries to figure what's going on with the Jeep. I really do hope it's nothing too serious. We really can't afford it. Granted I know my mom would help if we needed it but it's not something we like to do you know?

So if you are thinking of us please pray for hubby to find that this new job is a good start and pray that the Jeep is an easy fix. I am just trusting God to get us through since He's gotten us through a lot of things before and I am sure He will get us through this. Extra prayers are always helpful though :).

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Hello Again

I know I've been gone a while again. This time it has been because my computer was acting up and I had to have someone do a total restore on it for me. For some reason I was having troubles doing it on my own even though I've done it in the past. After that I still had to download other things and updates to it. Hopefully I worked out all the kinks in it. :) Come tax time when we get our money I am going to get a new computer hopefully. Nothing too expensive but something that isn't as slow as this one can be LOL.

The boys had a very bad cold also in the time of my absence. It wasn't the flu but they felt miserable just the same. Coughing, sore throat and headache never feel very good. But they are both fine now thankfully. Also I am happy to report that I did not get sick! I washed my hands vigilantly while I took care of them. I wasn't sure if that would help or not since they did breath on me a few times LOL. All in all though I have remained healthy.

In other news I was contacted by the higher ups (International) of the MOMS Club and they asked if I wanted to be a Big Sister and I have accepted. Basically I would keep track of eight chapters of MOMS Club and what they are doing (from reports they send me) and then I would make a combination report and send it to some people from International. I would also answer questions to these chapters if they have any. I would also get their newsletters and I would review them to make sure everything is just right. The newsletters are only once a month so that won't be too big of a deal and I am on the computer a lot anyway with different things so answering questions won't be too hard either. It's too bad I don't get paid for any of it though (LOL) since it's a non-profit organization. But on the upside I can put all this on a resume if I ever do have to go back to work.

Hubby is looking into a new job. The job he is at now isn't one that he will be able to move up in. From what he's heard there are people that have been there 20 years and still making the same pay he is now! But this new job opportunity he should have a chance at moving up in. It starts at 25 cents less than what he is making now but they work more hours (45-50 hrs a week.) and it will be days. Which is what he wants anyway (he works later afternoons now 4:30 P.M.-1:00 A.M. and a lot of times till 3:00 A.M.) so he can spend more time with the boys.

He went today for an interview and they said they might set up a tour of the plant on Friday for him and then he would take the drug test. After all that he would start working there. I guess it starts off like a contract job but after so many months (or so) they hire you and the pay goes up a bit then too. So we shall see how that goes. He's grateful to have the job he has now but it isn't what he had hoped it would be. Granted this new job might not either but hopefully it's at least a step up. Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers that he makes the right choice about this job.

Anyway I hope everyone is doing well. Hopefully I will be blogging more again without any more computer problems! I've missed it!

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Teaching Responsibility and other Parenting Advice Needed

Finally, a day of nothing much to do! It seems the past few days has been running around doing something. Not that what we did was bad or overwhelming per say but it's nice to have those days where we don't have to do too much. The only thing we have to do today is go to Church so the boys can practice being in their Christmas skit for Sunday.

Since Hubby has to work the wife of one of our pastors (LOL I almost put one of our pastor's wives. Would have had you wonder what kind of church I go to huh? LOL) is going to pick up the boys for their dress rehearsal.

My oldest son has a couple lines he says in the play but he lost the paper that tells him what he is supposed to say. I know I probably should have put it away myself but I thought since he is 10 he could be responsible with it. I guess that is not the case. Then he was supposed to ask for another one last Sunday but he forgot to ask. So hopefully he will remember to get it this time around. Ugh I just don't know what to do with him.

He doesn't even seem to be worried about it. That is only till I mention it. I know this little skit isn't super important but I want to teach him responsibility. Is it just the age or am I really doing something wrong here? Any suggestion? I would gladly listen to any. Maybe I am just over thinking this or expecting too much from him?

It's not like we do everything for the boys. In fact I am always trying to get them to do things on their own like working out their own arguments, having them pay for things and counting money, approaching people (have done this at a early age so they wouldn't be shy like I was/am) and asking them questions or what not, doing their school work and only asking when they need help and so on. This summer we are even letting our oldest (Would do it with my youngest too but he doesn't want to) go with my dad to Arizona for a couple weeks. Also this summer my Sister-in-law and Brother-in-law are going to show them how to work their corn stand so the boys can take it over and run it for them eventually. So it's not as though we have been coddling them.

If you have/had a ten year old please tell me if this is just a phase? He seems to be less responsible about things now then he was before, he likes to think he knows better than everyone else and doesn't seem to know where to draw the line with sarcasm. The thing though is I don't think he tries to be that way. I really think he is oblivious to it. I know the sarcasm is our fault (us being parents) because we tend to be sarcastic ourselves and I know that part I need to work on before I can work on it with him. Everything else though I just don't know what else I can do. If you have advice please post it. As I am at a loss.

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Bah Humbug to Winter

It has been snowing on and off all day today. I know a lot of people love the snow but may me...not so much. If we could only have it one day a year and that day be Christmas day then I wouldn't mind it so much. It's not even the snow I hate but the cold that comes with it ugh. I just do not like the cold!

I know this might seem strange to some but it takes me longer to warm up in the winter then it takes me to cool down in the summer. I know I am odd LOL. If I could I would so move to a warmer climate. Unfortunately I have a husband who loves the winter and the cold it brings. I know opposites are supposed to attract and all but come on LOL. Because of this he will never really want to move out out of state. Unless of course it's to Alaska or say the North Pole. Neither of which I would like to move to. Visit maybe (if I have 100 layers or so on) but move? NO WAY!

I never really knew how sensitive I was to the cold till we (my mom, brother and I) moved back to Michigan after my parents divorced. Then again we never really lived any where that had extreme winters. We did live in Germany a few times but none of the places we lived seemed to ever get as cold as it does here. You would think though since I have lived here since I was fifteen (and now I am 34) I would have gotten used to it, but sadly I haven't. If anything I seemed to have gotten more sensitive.

I don't know if it is just because I am a wimp (which I admit I can be LOL) or because my normal temperature is only 97.6 but I do have a hard time staying warm. You would think since I am over weight that it would insulate me more but it really doesn't LOL. Most people can stay warm by putting on more layers but nope not me. I could be in multiple layers and blankets and still feel like I am freezing. I would much rather have the hot humid summers we have than the freezing cold winters. Yeah I know I am weird but I am ok with that LOL. I think I am going to be like a bear and hibernate till spring and say a big BAH HUMBUG to winter!