The B Word

In our Crown Financial class we were taking, the term "budget" was not used because of the negative connotations that come with it. We used the term "spending plan". After recording our spending for two fairly normal months, I have come up with a rough draft of our "spending plan". Holy S#*T!! We are truly a two income family. I can shave off a little with, what I would perceive to be, some pretty big changes. Bigger changes that would need to be seen could be selling a car, getting rid of cable and Internet, and selling the house. Actual lifestyle changes. What now? I find it hard to believe that God would somehow make money appear. Even to meet us half way is going to be hard, for us of course, not God. I know that anything is possible through God. It's our behavior and attitudes that make me doubt God would throw money our way. I don't feel that we, either one of us, are very good stewards of what God has already entrusted to us. Why would He then entrust us with more? To top it all off, Tommy's truck broke down near the SD border last night, leaving him stranded. From what Tommy has told me so far, it sounds bad. Tommy does not have a good track record when it comes to trucks, so this is pretty much par for the course. I do trust God's hand is in this. I'm not worried...yet.

Let them Eat Cake (P)

Pictures from Brady's first birthday.

My little helper who had trouble keeping her hands to herself.

Three bags of powdered sugar later...now I know why people have to pay so much to get a cake done for them, it ain't no piece of cake. I feel like it took all day. Of course that could be because I was also taking care of two children.

End result...he ate the whole piece and did so very seriously.

Learning So Much

Two books and one workshop later, I'm beginning to learn how much I have to learn about being a parent. How have I made it this long without realizing it, I don't know. Maybe because I was working full time or because Haylie is just getting to THAT age or maybe I just wasn't able or willing to accept the responsibility. Not only am I learning about parenting, I'm learning that I am as strong willed, selfish and disobedient as my 3 year old. All this knowledge makes a person really look at what they are doing themselves that is reflected in their children. I AM a spoiled brat. For years I thought I escaped the stereotypical "only child" rap, but I haven't. Everything was catered around me growing up. Not to my parents fault, there simply was no competition. Ah, I know I turned out OK and I know my children will too, all credited to God's mercy and grace of course.
Side note...someone said to me that mercy is what we receive while waiting for grace. Kind of makes sense, but I think I will have to ponder that one a little more.

As far as the family goes...Daddy is busy with work and for some crazy reason has decided that taking on all these side jobs will some how give him more time to be with family in the long run. If Tommy wasn't burning the candle at both ends already, this should pretty much burn the whole thing up at once and then some.
Brady is happy and healthy. His one year percentiles have really slowed down which puts him more in the 50's. Fine by me, my back really can't take any more.
Haylie's school year will be ending soon and we'll have to form some kind of a summer routine to keep the sanity. I do see some improvement in her behavior, but she's still bucking strong. Even through the struggles she manages to say and do the cutest things. Oh, the things she picks up on.
I'm still looking for a job, kind of. Have fully thrown myself into the job at hand, my home and my family. I will say it again, this is the most challenging job I have ever had in my life but I'm adjusting to it and beginning to really enjoy it and almost look forward to it everyday.
I'll be sure to post more pictures soon.

I Am Mommy, Hear Me Roar

I'm reading a book called How to Have a New Kid by Friday (in 5 days). It's filled with some basic principles about parenting. The main theme...You're the parent, DUH! Take charge. Don't let them grow up dysfunctional because you spent their childhood trying to make them happy. The author takes about how many parents today try to create a "Disneyland Experience" for their children. I know that I haven't a clue how to be a parent. I know that there are physical needs that need to be met and that they need to be loved, but how do I shape them to be responsible adults with a sense of self-worth? WOW, that's pretty deep! Anyhoo...it's been a great read and things have been going well. I have not really yelled or spanked in several days. (Haylie was getting spanked AT LEAST once a day there for a while because I didn't know what else to do.) This book is awesome, totally recommend it. It's relevant for kids of all ages and it's written by a Christian (though there really is no mention of God other than once or twice, it's more of a practical guide with a firm foundation in common sense.)
Thanks also to the people who passed on advise.
The last chapter of the book (the whole thing is a short read) is called Fun Day (Friday) where you implement everything and watch the looks of confusion on the kids faces. Got to love that!

He Has Risen! Happy Easter! (V)

The Thrill Of the Chase

What is the deal with always having to chase kids? I'm constantly chasing after Haylie. To get her into her pajamas, to get her out of her pajamas, to get her into the car, to get her out of the car, to put her into her "time-out" after pummeling her brother... Some might see it as good exercise and I would have to agree IF it also didn't include the exercise of my patience. ARG!! What should I do? For instance...the park. Last night we went to the park. Miss Haylie did not want to get into the car. I could have done(and have done) the chase which sometimes ends in punishment. I've tried psyching her out and getting in the car and starting to drive away. Last night I had time so I just sat in the car until she got bored of it and finally came to my side of the car and said she was ready. PLEASE HELP!! All of these ways seem to let her win. If I chase her then she gets chased, which I'm pretty sure is what she wants. If I wait in the car then she gets more time doing whatever it is she's doing. If I pull the car away then I'm afraid I'm raising the bar and it could get worse and worse as she learns I won't really leave (and I won't, I promise ;o). Are there other options I'm not thinking of? Let me know what you think, anything is welcome.