Getting rid of debt... the good, the bad, and the ugly

Before David and I got married, we talked about buying a house, living with no debt, and having a savings that was strong enough to hold us up in case of an emergency. We needed to start making decisions then that would impact the rest of our lives together. This was so much easier to say than to actually do. We both had our own things we enjoyed. He liked buying things for his truck and himself, and I liked buying clothes and going out to dinner. These things were holding us back from living our family dream of owning a house, having children and providing for them, and living with no debt.

Soon after we were engaged, my mother in law found out that there was a Dave Ramsey class at the church that she belonged to. She offered to help us pay for the course so that we could learn some of the tips to be able to make our financial dreams come true. The Dave Ramsey class gave us good insight into what we were doing wrong. We had no plan of action and we were just spending money anywhere and everywhere trying to make some headway on paying off some bill somewhere. We slowly started paying off bills and making BETTER decisions about our money. We knew we needed to make these changes to better our life together at the beginning of our marriage.

However, once we finished the class, it was like we never took it in the first place. We were back to where we started. He was spending money on his stuff and I was spending money on my stuff. There was no communication about financial goals because the class was done... right???

At this point, we were just married, had a little money in savings, and were renting a house. There would be months that we tracked our financial situation, but then that would come and go as we had money in the bank and then no money in the bank.

4 months after getting married we got pregnant. We were SO excited! I had always wanted to be a mom and I was so excited. But then reality set in that we had to find money to pay for this child we so badly wanted. Where were we going to find that money?? Well we took out a credit card and charged and charged and charged the on other ones. One day we would have that money... we just KNEW it!

Soon that precious baby came along with the formula, diapers, and clothes. We were digging ourselves into a bigger and bigger hole. We didn't tell anyone because if we didn't acknowledge it, it wasn't there... right??? Well last November David and I had a sit down meeting with each other about finances. We realized that we were both spending money and not telling each other. As we started to open up to family, we soon decided that we needed to change. We were going to be a rock bottom if we didn't fix something and something fast. After a few days and a lot of tears, we decided that we needed to move our of our rental home and in with the in-laws. This was a big step for me, but I knew that I needed to do this for my family. In the process, I lost a little dignity but I now know this was the right decision for my family.

We have a wonderful apartment in the basement of their home. We go upstairs to sleep but are able to cook, do laundry, and live downstairs in our own space. We have learned a lot about our marriage. We now don't argue about money. We have conversations about the best way to spend our money instead of just spending away. We have started to bring those Dave Ramsey principals back into our family. We are in the process on moving to that life that we dreamed of over 2 years ago!

Easter: A day of fun!

As a mommy there is nothing I want more than to enjoy holidays with my girl! I love buying the gifts, getting everything ready to put out, and her seeing all of her fun toys. I have to say this Easter was my favorite holiday that we have had so far! I think that is because her age and her excitement for EVERYTHING around her.

The night before Easter, David and I put together her Easter basket and bookbag. As we were working on the "baskets", David kept telling me I went a little bit overboard. I knew I was buying too much when I was buying everything, but I was so excited about spending the holiday with her.

She loved every bit of Easter. The minute Mollie got downstairs, she was pulling everything out of the baskets.

She had to put on her headband and bathing suit.



Later in the day, we went to church with my dad. She got another basket from my dad and Margaret. She was SO excited! When we told her it was time to go, she immediately picked up the basked and headed to the car to get in. She wasn't going to let anyone have that basket at all!

 We finished the day out at my grandfather's house with a fun egg hunt! Mollie had her eggs to collect. She completely understood the concept! She was so excited every time she picked up another egg. She started collecting the eggs from all of the cousins as well.

 

 

March Family Day

If you have been following me this year, you will know that one of my New Year's resolutions was to do a family day each month. This has become one of my favorite things to plan each month. I love looking at all of the different websites and recommendations and finding something that is perfect for us. Mollie is learning so much every day, it is so fun to see her enjoying all of the fun things that we plan.

In March, we were trying to find something outside to do for our family day. Throughout my many Google searches, I found out that Stone Mountain had a Baby Animals Show starting at the end of March. I figured this would be perfect!

Mollie has always loved animals. Dogs are a HUGE part of our family and she loves them. She is not scared of any animals. I, on the other hand, am scared of everything! I try my best to put my feelings aside, so that Mollie enjoys everything. Through the website I found that the show would feature baby ducks, bunnies, and a joey kangaroo. That was right up her alley.

When we got to Stone Mountain, it was packed! I wasn't quite sure what was going on, but I was ready to find out. As we were walking around I found out they were celebrating Spring Break week. They had the Easter Bunny, sand boxes, and places for kids to play. This was all on top of the baby animals show. Mollie loved every bit of it. She had such a blast doing all of the fun things.

Here are some pictures from our fun day:

Learning something new every day!

Well it has been awhile, and I am quite behind on my blog postings. The past couple weeks have been crazy with Easter and the CRCT test that we give. I have been too exhausted to do anything!

Here are a few of my favorite videos of Mollie from the past few weeks.

 

 

I feel like she is constantly learning new things! She loves animals and singing. As we are riding in the car, she always wants to sing a song. The ABCs are her favorite!

Speech... We are finally on the right track!

When we went to the doctor for Mollie's 18 month checkup the doctor and I discussed Mollie's language. Mollie had lots of words, but no one was able to understand what she said except me. She would say something and everyone around me would look at me to translate. Most of her words started with d's and b's (even when they weren't supposed to) and she just started saying Momma 2 months before (which is very late for the average child). She was also not repeating words like she should at this age or saying words that I believed she should at least be attempting. When she would say a word it would have the right amount of syllables, it just wouldn't have any of the right letters in it. However, she understood EVERYTHING we said to her. She understood almost too much.

I know every child is different, but I was kind of freaking out. I think a lot of it boils down to being a special education teacher and not wanting to teach my own child. I also think that I know what to look for, and I am oversensitive when something takes more time than it should. So, as I was talking to the doctor, she seemed a little concerned as well. Since we were getting tubes the week after our appointment, she said she wanted us to come back in 3 months if we had a lot of the same concerns.

After her tubes I waited and waited for something to happen. Nothing was changing... She had more words, but they were just more words for me to translate or try to figure out. We did a lot of show me (where she would take us to the object) or just agree with what she was saying. Mollie was starting to get frustrated and I was just getting more and more sensitive to her language and people understanding her. We went to the ENT for her post op appointment and she had an ear infection and her tube wasn't even working in one of her ears because it was clogged. I was completely overwhelmed and frustrated. We are paying all of this money, and things aren't even getting better. They fixed the tube through an office procedure and asked to see us back in 3 weeks.

Well the in past 2 weeks EVERYTHING has changed! Mollie has gained a ton of words, and slowly they are becoming so much more understandable! She repeats everything we say and wants to have a conversation with us. She is able to tell us what she wants, will ask for help, and say please. (These are all things she wasn't doing 2 weeks ago.) She is speaking in some 2 word sentences.  She says "Thank you, Daddy" and "No, Mommy". We love the Thank you daddy much more than the no, mommy, but we will take it all!

I truly believe that since her ear infections started in September she has heard everything underwater. Everything was muffled and that is why she would speak with the right amount of syllables, but couldn't find the right letters. Every time she says a new word, I praise and I praise and I praise. A little too much I think... but I am so proud that we can all understand and I have to translate a lot less. I am so excited that my little girl is finally being understood and getting what she wants because she knows the right words and sounds.

I was so worried that we would be in speech before the age of 2. It looks like we are progressing perfectly now and she is very close to her developmental age with her speech. This makes me one proud momma!

St. Patrick's Day Celebrations!

Since St. Patrick's Day is on Sunday, Mollie's school decided to they would celebrate today. I was so excited to get Mollie dressed in her outfit. (You already know this is something I enjoy.)

A few weeks ago, I found an outfit that was very similar to the outfit she wore last year. I LOVED that outfit, especially the bloomers that came with it. They were green with a huge shamrock on them. Well, this outfit had the same bloomers and I just couldn't resist.

On Wednesday, when I was at my mom's, we were going through old pictures of Mollie. We saw the picture from last year and it just showed me how fast my baby girl has grown!

It is unbelievable at how quickly it has all gone! There are days that I miss my baby, but I wouldn't change the age she is now for anything! She is so fun. We have some very brief conversations, sing songs together, and have our own little moments together. I wouldn't change it for the world!

Valentine's Day with Mollie

One of my favorite things about having a girl is getting to dress her up for the holidays. I am a little overboard when it comes down to it, but it is my absolute favorite part about holidays!

This morning I got Mollie dressed in her Valentine's day attire. This whole week she has worn Valentine's day colors and outfits, but today was THE day! When I put her skirt on she walked around the house saying "pretty, pretty". I (of course) validated that and told her she did look pretty as she turned around and around to see her skirt flow out. Then, she had to get her daddy's approval. She walked into the living room and said, "Daddy, pretty?" He too agreed and she kept her turns going until it was time to walk out of the house.

It is amazing to me how much she understands and knows how to make us laugh. She is getting so big!

I know I am biased, but she is perfect!