Saturday, May 17, 2008

Day 125 and we have a new baby in our family

Well, it was a crazy day. I was originally supposed to go to a child care class today but it was canceled due to low enrollment. So my friends and I decided to meet up and have lunch. I met and visited with them, then got groceries and came home. Hadn't been home that long when Di called and they were taking Mandy in to do a c-section. So we headed back to Enid and got to see Mandy & baby Sara! Everyone is doing fine (Praise God!). Hailee is one proud big sister!

Friday, May 16, 2008

Day 124 and the Big Day is HERE!

So today, my "baby boy" graduates from high school. He hates it when I call him that. LOL. But when I look at him, I sometimes still see the smiley baby or the bouncy preschooler that he was. So anyway, before I get too emotional, we're moving on.

Here is the updated debt list. As of today, we have paid off $4985.54 in debt over the last 4 months! We're caught up on all of our regular bills, we have had several major car repairs that we've been able to pay cash for, a plumbing emergency that we were able to pay cash for. Life is wonderful! Oh, and the brakes are fixed on my van. The baby EF is down to $877, but once we add $50 from Tom's paycheck today, it will be back to $927.

DLO: $14.40-PAID!
DLO: $34.11-PAID!
Radiology: $37-PAID!
Urgent care clinic: $46.15 (August 2007)-PAID!
Urgent care clinic: $40.55 (November 2007) PAID!
Urgent care clinic: $21.50 (February 2008) PAID!
Dr. Office: $79.20-PAID!
Dr. Office (June 2006) $105.02-PAID! Dr. Office (March 2008, Tracy & Tasha)-$63.44
ER Doctor: $93.54-PAID!
dentist: PAID!!!
Auto parts store: $161.73-PAID!
Josten's-PAID!
Second half 2007 real estate taxes: $148.64-PAID!
Hospital: $261.16-PAID!
Car loan: Balance: $2303
House: paid $1340.24
Credit card #1: $2970-paid $150
Credit card #2: $1104-paid $50
Credit card #3: $990-paid $50
Credit card #4: $899-paid $429.19 (balance $470)
Credit card #5: $908-paid $50
Credit card #6: $2509-paid $150
My student loan: $12, 913 (in deferment due to my full time student status)
DH student loan: $53, 248(in forbearance)


Thursday, May 15, 2008

Day 123 and What a Difference!

So I was thinking today about how I was feeling a couple of years ago the day before Serenity's graduation. I was so stressed out, I was a total basket case! Don't get me wrong, I'm stressed out about Josh's graduation and the party, but nothing like I was then. I think a lot of it boils down to us having better control of our finances. I've been putting money aside for Josh's graduation gift, and to pay for the party. So I just had to pull out that envelope to go shopping earlier this week for the party. I've got Josh's graduation money ready, I just need to get him a card to go with it. It was a couple of weeks after Serenity's graduation before I had her money for her. I am just praising God for the wonderful blessings we've seen over the last few months!

I finally got to watch the movie Flywheel earlier this week. I had borrowed it from a friend quite a while back, but with the end of school crunch hadn't had time to watch it. It was made by the same church that produced Facing the Giants-it was their first movie. It was a little rougher around the edges, but I liked it as much or maybe even better than Facing the Giants. I think the thing I liked best about it was that even after the main character had his turning point, he still struggled with doubts and fears. That is so true to life! We can feel on top of the world one moment and then knocked down to our knees in the next. On our knees is probably where we need to be!

Tomorrow will be a crazy busy day so I will try to post, but if I don't get a chance, I'm sure you'll all understand! I'm hoping to have the debt update ready to post by tomorrow!

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Day 122 and life is never boring at my house!

Well, there is never a dull moment at my house, that's for sure. The issue of the week is a biting toddler. It's normal behavior, but upsetting to everyone involved. So let's hope this phase passes soon!

Just two more days until graduation. I'm trying not to think too hard about everything I still have left to do before Friday night. If I do, I might just have a meltdown!

My brain is tired today and I can't think of anything else to say. LOL. Hope all of my friends and family are having a great week!

Tuesday, May 13, 2008

Day 121 and 4 months!

Well, 4 months ago today we started our Financial Peace class, and 4 months ago tomorrow, I started the blog. Can you believe I have posted on this thing for 121 days in a row? LOL!

Let's see, some updates. We are doing well at controlling ourselves with Sonic drinks and eating out. I'm not saying we never do it, but it's nothing like it used to be! I sent the garage sale money towards the one credit card today, it will bring that balance down to $495. We got a letter from them yesterday saying that we had a payment due each month on the 25th of $25 through July, and then a final payment of $799.19 in August (they apparently had not received the $250 payment when they sent the letter). Anyway, I'm hopeful that we'll either have it paid off by then or we'll have made enough extra payments that they'll be willing to continue working with us. The collection phone calls have slowed down and almost stopped. As we continue to make payments, hopefully they'll stop all together.

On my eating habits. Well, some days I do better than others. I just keep trying! I've been trying to buy healthier foods and lots of fruits and veggies to munch on.

Monday, May 12, 2008

Day 120 and a Brand New Week

Well, we're into another new week already. Does it seem to anyone else like 2008 is just flying by? Josh's baccalaureate went well last night and we're into the graduation countdown now! The kid's grandpa from Chickasha came last night and Serenity came with him so he wouldn't have to drive alone. Their grandma is in the hospital so she didn't get to come. Serenity will be coming home for a few days on Thursday.

I've got a lot of house cleaning to do this week to get ready for the party after graduation. I've been having to focus on one thing at a time, schoolwork, then garage sale, now graduation. I'll be glad when this weekend is past so maybe I can take a break!

When Tom & I get paid this week, I'll be posting a debt update. I think we'll be getting close to $5000 this week!

Sunday, May 11, 2008

Day 119 and What can I say?

We are weak! So very weak! We ended up eating out last night. We were both too tired and wiped out to convince ourselves to cook.

I posted some of the leftover stuff on freecycle and a lady picked it all up last night. The rest we put back in the garage. We're going to continue going through stuff and gathering up stuff because Mandy is planning on having a garage sale in Enid later in the summer. So hopefully I can haul a bunch of stuff down there and try to sell it and have a bit more to put towards a credit card. I'm also planning to let my current (and some former) parents know that I am available for evenings and weekends this summer to try and help raise some more money to put towards paying off debt.

Oh and the EF has been full for a little over a week, and last night my brakes all of a sudden started making a horrible grinding noise. So it won't be full for much longer. LOL!