Thursday, September 27, 2012

Fulton is Two

Dear Fulton, 

Today you are two and there are lots of things to celebrate about you.  You love pizza, french toast, and chocolate milk.  You love all things Toy Story especially Buzz Light Year.  You talk up a storm in complete sentences.  You follow directions really well even if they include multiple steps (Please pick up your toys and then get your shoes).  You recognize items in a pairs as two of something “Two doggies” or “Two eyes.”      You love animals.  You love to play animals and will personify your toy animals.  You can also name almost all the animals at the zoo (penguins, monkeys, pelicans, eagles, and bears are probably your favorite.)  You love trucks, tractors, airplanes, and everything transportation related.  You love to mimic mom and dad and spent a lot of time vacuuming and mowing the lawn each day (we hope you don’t outgrow this, haha) 
You giggle like crazy roughhousing with daddy, but you are very serious and focused when you play basketball or baseball with daddy.  You also love cuddle time with dad. 
You love to read and amaze mom because you will read stories with her for over an hour at a time. 
You are pretty easy going, but sometimes have tantrums even if your belly is full and you are well rested (For example, if you don’t want to be playing quietly in a church pew or would rather be outside looking at ducks then waiting inside the doctor’s office). 
You recognize images of Jesus and the Blessed Mother.  You can do the sign of the cross.  Mom and Dad love it when we “catch you” making the sing of the cross on your own.  You are surly forming some early concept of prayer. 
Fulton you are one cool kid and mom and dad love hanging out with you.  




Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Getting Out of Debt

A lot of people comment/hint that Bill I are lucky when they learn we are out of debt (except for the house).  This annoys me a little because I don't think "luck" had anything to do with it.   Getting out of debt was a serious effort and a  "giving" up of many things.

How did we do it?

We followed Dave Ramsey's Plan ( look into his radio show/read his books/check out his website for more information on that) and lived below our income...way below.

Homemade Laundry Soap
We lived in a tiny 500/month apartment (we probably could have afforded a luxury apartment in our town at 1,250 a month), we didn't have internet or cable, we ate things like beans/rice and boxed mac-n-cheese for dinner.  I think my husband bought beer 3-4 times the entire two years we were getting out of debt.  When I needed work clothes or shoes we went to goodwill.  We didn't buy Christmas or birthday presents for each other.  We made our own laundry soap.  (still do).  Get the idea?

Was it worth it?  YES.  In 21 months we paid off 42,000 in student loans.  It was so worth it.

Were we inappropriately cheap?  I don't think so...we still bought Christmas gifts for our parents and our son.  We still gave to our church.  If we were invited to dinner at friend's house we bought a dish or special beverage to share.

When people comment how lucky we are that we are out of debt and they just finished telling me they ate at Red Lobster last week and they have an Iphone...I get a little annoyed.  Understand  why?