Cool things that are happenin' in our lives...
Danny's Viper job (1/2 his job) just received funding for the next 3 years! (This is the job that only had 6 weeks left, as of last month)
Our Citrus house closed, and we are living mortgage-free!
We always pay off our credit card every month, but this month we couldn't, due to the money we needed for closing on the Citrus house. By the end of this month, it will be paid off, and we'll be completely debt-free!
I have been continuing my work as a real estate assistant for some good friends in Phoenix. I really enjoy working with and for them!
We hired a sitter to be with the kids so I could stay on top of the work and not get stressed. That has been so helpful! I am looking for someone for 8-10 hours a week starting in mid-August. Send possible applicants my way.
We're heading to see my family in South Dakota in a few weeks! Yay for cooler weather!
My thyroid (Graves) disease is in remission! I am off the meds, as of last week. I was diagnosed when I was 3 months pregnant with Corban in 2007.
My joint pain is gone too. I think it's a combination of eating differently and quitting the thyroid meds.
I found out I'm allergic to... avocado, coconut, corn, tomatoes, tuna, eggs, oats, and buckwheat. I'm also possibly allergic to peanuts, salmon, and shrimp... And beef, cow's milk, soy, and banana may be a problem. Don't forget that I have Celiac so I already avoid gluten. You might be thinking, "What does this girl eat?" I'm actually thankful to know all of this! Because I'm tired of dealing with stomach troubles.
Due to the above discovery, we are eating almost exclusively organic fresh foods, including meats and milk. I'm learning to use lots of alternative flours - teff, chia, sorghum, arrowroot, and more - and we're eating almost nothing processed (anything that comes from a box, bag, etc). I've been making everything from scratch.
I'm learning how to feed my family healthy organic foods without breaking the grocery budget.
Josh's eczema is very minimal these days, in thanks to the new diet quite possibly.
Corban's 2-year struggle with constipation seems to be getting better, and I'm positive it's the new diet, plus way less gluten (though she's never tested positive for Celiac).
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Thursday, March 31, 2011
What's new?
I haven't posted anything in 7 months so I thought I'd give a little update on life...
I started working full-time, went part-time, and then quit altogether. The day I put my notice in, we found out Danny's job would start full-time the day after my last day. What a blessing that was! I know that working was in God's plan because it enabled Danny to get a wonderful job as an epidemiologist at the UofA tracking diseases and working on an anti-venom for coral snake bites. He truly loves his job. Working full-time also pushed me to get my real estate license! I've been licensed since January, really enjoy what I'm doing, and am working on growing my business.
We are still very much content with our 2 little blessings. Josh is almost 16 months old and finally walking. I love to see his personality emerging. He is a kiddo who needs social interaction daily and doesn't really enjoy being at home. It was really hard when I was working full-time (from home) because we very seldom left the house. Corban just turned 3 yesterday. I can't believe she's "free years old." She is such a blessing and a joy!
The Lord has really put on our hearts to be completely debt-free, including no mortgage (Proverbs 22:7). We do not have car loans and have no credit card debt. Our next step is to own a house outright, with no loan. We are putting a cash offer on a house tomorrow, on the south side, in a neighborhood we used to own a home in. We are very thankful we sold our house in that neighborhood because the property values tanked. We sold that house and made quite a bit of money off of it in 2010. Our plan now is to buy a house in that neighborhood (because we can pay cash), sell our house, and live in the "new" house for a few years with no mortgage while saving up money to buy a bigger house with cash or to invest in other properties. We know people think we're crazy, but we don't care. It only makes sense to be debt-free in this economy. There is a possibility Danny's job will go back to part-time in June, and we want to make sure we're in a position where we can afford to live like that, at least for a while.
I'm slowly working on giving up sugar in my life. Whew. It's hard. Some days are better than others.
I feel like my priorities are out of whack. I feel very lukewarm/complacent in my walk with the Lord. I have been praying for the Lord to light a fire under me. I have been praying for discipline in my relationship with Him - to spend way more time in the Word than I am doing now. If you think of me, please pray for this area in my life.
Well, the kids are sleeping, there are toys and things everywhere, and I think I will be productive for the rest of naptime... or I'll go take a nap too. We'll see :)
I started working full-time, went part-time, and then quit altogether. The day I put my notice in, we found out Danny's job would start full-time the day after my last day. What a blessing that was! I know that working was in God's plan because it enabled Danny to get a wonderful job as an epidemiologist at the UofA tracking diseases and working on an anti-venom for coral snake bites. He truly loves his job. Working full-time also pushed me to get my real estate license! I've been licensed since January, really enjoy what I'm doing, and am working on growing my business.
We are still very much content with our 2 little blessings. Josh is almost 16 months old and finally walking. I love to see his personality emerging. He is a kiddo who needs social interaction daily and doesn't really enjoy being at home. It was really hard when I was working full-time (from home) because we very seldom left the house. Corban just turned 3 yesterday. I can't believe she's "free years old." She is such a blessing and a joy!
The Lord has really put on our hearts to be completely debt-free, including no mortgage (Proverbs 22:7). We do not have car loans and have no credit card debt. Our next step is to own a house outright, with no loan. We are putting a cash offer on a house tomorrow, on the south side, in a neighborhood we used to own a home in. We are very thankful we sold our house in that neighborhood because the property values tanked. We sold that house and made quite a bit of money off of it in 2010. Our plan now is to buy a house in that neighborhood (because we can pay cash), sell our house, and live in the "new" house for a few years with no mortgage while saving up money to buy a bigger house with cash or to invest in other properties. We know people think we're crazy, but we don't care. It only makes sense to be debt-free in this economy. There is a possibility Danny's job will go back to part-time in June, and we want to make sure we're in a position where we can afford to live like that, at least for a while.
I'm slowly working on giving up sugar in my life. Whew. It's hard. Some days are better than others.
I feel like my priorities are out of whack. I feel very lukewarm/complacent in my walk with the Lord. I have been praying for the Lord to light a fire under me. I have been praying for discipline in my relationship with Him - to spend way more time in the Word than I am doing now. If you think of me, please pray for this area in my life.
Well, the kids are sleeping, there are toys and things everywhere, and I think I will be productive for the rest of naptime... or I'll go take a nap too. We'll see :)
Things I love
- I love praying and singing with Corban at naptime and bedtime.
- I love the way Josh cuddles his Eekie (a big stuffed mouse) when I put him in his bed.
- I love how excited Josh gets when Danny comes home from work. Yesterday, Josh heard Danny close his truck door, and he started yelling "Dada, dada, before he even got in the house." I truly love his love for Daddy!
- I love Corban's creativity and imagination. I love her stories.
- I love my sweet girl's precious personality - always full of a little spunk and lots of joy (living up to her middle name).
- I love Josh's obsessions with motorcycles and bikes. He knows the sound of a motorcycle and starts looking around when he hears one.
- I love reading books with Corban.
- I love sleeping.
- I love a clean house (though that is rarely the case).
- I love it when the dishes are clean and not piled in the sink like they are right now.
- I love hanging out with my husband in the evenings.
- I love the quietness that comes with naptime.
- I love seeing my children swim during their lessons.
- I love being in Tucson.
- I love not having to work fulltime.
- I love being a real estate agent and helping others.
- I love being married to Danny.
- I love being a mommy.
- I love the idea of owning a CRV.
- I love my Friday night Bible study.
- I love getting phone calls from friends.
- I love reaching out to people in need.
- I love that Danny and I are working on being 100% debt free - including no mortgage but owning a house.
- I love the newness that comes with each day.
- I love my Lord.
- I love that I am forgiven.
- I love that I have been married for 7 years to my best friend.
- I love spending time with my children.
- I love Dr. Pepper but really need to stop drinking it.
- I love the support and love my husband gives me.
- I love that my husband loves me even when I'm a little crazy.
- I love taking naps.
- I love wearing pajama pants most of the time.
- I love the idea of being organized (meaning my house is very disorganized but I would love to actually be organized).
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Pay off
Well, my persistence paid off. Eighteen months, 4 resume submittals, 2 phone interviews, 2 in-person interviews, 1 technology test, 1 state AEPA elementary test, and 1 clear word from the Lord to be persistent. At first, I wasn't very excited about working full-time, but the thought of touching lives and helping others has filled my heart with joy. Plus, it will be nice to more than double our income. It's been hard living paycheck to paycheck and watching our savings diminish. Now we can finally breathe and afford to fix some things around the house.
When I had my interview on Thursday with the principal, she said, "I don't know why you weren't hired last October when you interviewed. Nothing on the notes from the previous principal indicates anything bad." I told her it just wasn't the right timing (I was 8 1/2 months pregnant with Josh, and it would have been way too much stress!) So I start next Monday. I'm not sure if it will be 3rd or 5th grade, but I'm excited about either!
When I was going through real estate school in June, I saw a guy in there who looked really familiar. It took me a few minutes to place him. I went up to him and asked if he had kids. When he said, "yes", I asked if he had a little girl named Monique. It turned out that his daughter had been in my 1st grade class 5 years ago. He said that they still talk about me and that Monique has fond memories of being in my class! That really touched my heart. I really didn't think I would be back in education for a long time, but I'm really excited to touch lives like I apparently touched Monique and her family's life.
Just recently, my former student teacher (who took my position when I had Corban) asked if I would ever go back into the classroom. I said, "No." Two months later, I have a teaching job. However, it's in the virtual classroom, and I'm very excited about the challenge and change associated with it. I'm excited to get to know students and their families.
I have to admit that this is the perfect job for me. I want to be with my two little ones full-time (with a little help from a babysitter - still working out those details), and I want to be at home (my absolute favorite place to be!) How nice is it that I get to work from home, get paid, and still get to see my kiddos all day?
When I had my interview on Thursday with the principal, she said, "I don't know why you weren't hired last October when you interviewed. Nothing on the notes from the previous principal indicates anything bad." I told her it just wasn't the right timing (I was 8 1/2 months pregnant with Josh, and it would have been way too much stress!) So I start next Monday. I'm not sure if it will be 3rd or 5th grade, but I'm excited about either!
When I was going through real estate school in June, I saw a guy in there who looked really familiar. It took me a few minutes to place him. I went up to him and asked if he had kids. When he said, "yes", I asked if he had a little girl named Monique. It turned out that his daughter had been in my 1st grade class 5 years ago. He said that they still talk about me and that Monique has fond memories of being in my class! That really touched my heart. I really didn't think I would be back in education for a long time, but I'm really excited to touch lives like I apparently touched Monique and her family's life.
Just recently, my former student teacher (who took my position when I had Corban) asked if I would ever go back into the classroom. I said, "No." Two months later, I have a teaching job. However, it's in the virtual classroom, and I'm very excited about the challenge and change associated with it. I'm excited to get to know students and their families.
I have to admit that this is the perfect job for me. I want to be with my two little ones full-time (with a little help from a babysitter - still working out those details), and I want to be at home (my absolute favorite place to be!) How nice is it that I get to work from home, get paid, and still get to see my kiddos all day?
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Persist
In February 2009, I applied for a job with Arizona Virtual Academy (AZVA) - an online K-12 school. The principal told me I needed to take an elementary ed test before I would qualify. So I took the test and passed. I re-applied and was told they weren't hiring at that time. But I heard God telling me to "persist." I submitted my application again last October right after Danny lost his job in Phoenix. I was sure I would get offered the job, but I never heard anything. I emailed the principal, but she never followed up with a job offer. I was bummed.
I wanted to pursue a way to make money from home without having to put my kids in daycare. Some friends in Phoenix (who are real estate agents) approached me about working for them. I've been working as their transaction coordinator for 10 months, handling the paperwork involved with listings and purchases. I really enjoy being a part of their team! The next step naturally seemed to be real estate school. So I went through the 3-week class this summer, with the assumption I would become a real estate agent myself and be able to supplement the family income even more. I've interviewed brokers but haven't felt at peace about any of them. Because of that, I still haven't taken the state test to get my license.
Three days ago, I remembered what God told me a year-and-a-half ago - to persist. So I emailed AZVA again. They said they were hiring so I submitted my application online and emailed the principal directly. I have an interview tomorrow afternoon. I'm excited and nervous, but I'm not worried. I know God's hand is in this, and I am choosing not to be anxious. He knows our future and knows what's best for our family. If His best is for me to start working full-time again (from home!), then I will trust Him and follow His lead.
This is the first time in my life I have actually prepared for an interview. I have typed out potential questions with some bullet-pointed answers. I am prepared and I will give it everything I've got. I have prayed lots about this job, and if I get a job offer, I know it will be because God's hand is in it. If I don't get the job, I will know that God has another plan for me - whether it involves working elsewhere, getting my real estate license, or just being at home full-time. Update coming...
I wanted to pursue a way to make money from home without having to put my kids in daycare. Some friends in Phoenix (who are real estate agents) approached me about working for them. I've been working as their transaction coordinator for 10 months, handling the paperwork involved with listings and purchases. I really enjoy being a part of their team! The next step naturally seemed to be real estate school. So I went through the 3-week class this summer, with the assumption I would become a real estate agent myself and be able to supplement the family income even more. I've interviewed brokers but haven't felt at peace about any of them. Because of that, I still haven't taken the state test to get my license.
Three days ago, I remembered what God told me a year-and-a-half ago - to persist. So I emailed AZVA again. They said they were hiring so I submitted my application online and emailed the principal directly. I have an interview tomorrow afternoon. I'm excited and nervous, but I'm not worried. I know God's hand is in this, and I am choosing not to be anxious. He knows our future and knows what's best for our family. If His best is for me to start working full-time again (from home!), then I will trust Him and follow His lead.
This is the first time in my life I have actually prepared for an interview. I have typed out potential questions with some bullet-pointed answers. I am prepared and I will give it everything I've got. I have prayed lots about this job, and if I get a job offer, I know it will be because God's hand is in it. If I don't get the job, I will know that God has another plan for me - whether it involves working elsewhere, getting my real estate license, or just being at home full-time. Update coming...
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
My son
So my 9-month-old wore a shirt today that says, "I'm definitely up to something." I don't know where the shirt came from, but I found it in a box of his clothes recently. It's the perfect shirt for him. He's such a funny little guy who's added so much energy and joy to my life. He is always up to something. He has the greatest sense of humor, and I can already visualize him as the class clown someday. He refuses 95% of all solid food and will squint his face and give me a cheesy grin when I try to coerce him to eat. Tonight, I kept trying to make him laugh so I could sneak a spoonful of food into his mouth. He would laugh and then shut his lips tight as soon as the spoon got close, or he would laugh with his mouth closed. Such a sneaky little boy.
He couldn't care less about food, really. You can eat in front of him, and the only reason he'll even look at your food is to see if he can make a mess with it. I watched a friend's baby recently who was born the same day as Josh. I ate a bowl of food in front of her, and she was climbing all over me to see what I was eating. Josh, on the other hand, didn't care that I was eating. He's never cared - which is quite the opposite of my daughter's early affection for food. He also won't take a bottle. So, needless, to say, he is my sidekick wherever I go.
Josh is quite a fun little "buddy" (his nickname). I am so blessed to be his mommy. He and Corban (the 2 1/2 year old) make the perfect pair (even though she still secretly wishes he would go back to where he came from). Today, Corban was crawling around the floor, and Josh was chasing her; he was laughing and laughing at her. I joined in on the fun, and we all had a blast together. Yesterday, we were jumping on the bed - all having lots of laughs together!
If Josh is getting into something that I don't want him to play with, I'll say, "Joshy, what are you doing?" And he'll look at me with a big smile and big eyes. He loves noises, really loud noises, really really loud noises, and being scared - he will jump if you scare him, then laugh and laugh (quite the opposite of the ladies in the house who hate being scared!!)... he loves vacuums and chasing the vacuum as I clean, anything with wheels, bouncing the ball (a skill his sister is still working on). If I lose Josh in the house, chances are that I can find him in the bathroom, standing at the bathtub, wondering how to get the bath water on. He loves baths, and I predict he will be quite the swimmer someday. He loves watching boys; I think he is jealous that he can't walk or run like they can! I don't think it'll be much longer before he can walk - he's taking steps while holding my hands and starting to cruise along the couch.
When Josh gets excited, he makes this noise that sounds like a wolf howling. If he sees a fan, he does it. If he's somewhere new, he does it. Speaking of which, Josh LOVES to be out and about. We are such homebodies (the other 3 of us), but he loves to go and see and do. If he's fussy, I take him with me to run errands, and he's usually happy the whole time! Josh also flaps his arms, squeals, and dances when he's excited. It's very cute! I love to see his emerging personality become more defined everyday!!
At 9 months, he still isn't sleeping through the night. I've come to the realization that it's probably not going to happen until he's eating solids. I just don't think he's getting enough calories to sustain himself all night long. I keep telling myself that it's a phase in life that will eventually pass (and that I will never again have another newborn!!)
Well, that's everything you have ever wanted to know about Josh... and more, I'm sure!
He couldn't care less about food, really. You can eat in front of him, and the only reason he'll even look at your food is to see if he can make a mess with it. I watched a friend's baby recently who was born the same day as Josh. I ate a bowl of food in front of her, and she was climbing all over me to see what I was eating. Josh, on the other hand, didn't care that I was eating. He's never cared - which is quite the opposite of my daughter's early affection for food. He also won't take a bottle. So, needless, to say, he is my sidekick wherever I go.
Josh is quite a fun little "buddy" (his nickname). I am so blessed to be his mommy. He and Corban (the 2 1/2 year old) make the perfect pair (even though she still secretly wishes he would go back to where he came from). Today, Corban was crawling around the floor, and Josh was chasing her; he was laughing and laughing at her. I joined in on the fun, and we all had a blast together. Yesterday, we were jumping on the bed - all having lots of laughs together!
If Josh is getting into something that I don't want him to play with, I'll say, "Joshy, what are you doing?" And he'll look at me with a big smile and big eyes. He loves noises, really loud noises, really really loud noises, and being scared - he will jump if you scare him, then laugh and laugh (quite the opposite of the ladies in the house who hate being scared!!)... he loves vacuums and chasing the vacuum as I clean, anything with wheels, bouncing the ball (a skill his sister is still working on). If I lose Josh in the house, chances are that I can find him in the bathroom, standing at the bathtub, wondering how to get the bath water on. He loves baths, and I predict he will be quite the swimmer someday. He loves watching boys; I think he is jealous that he can't walk or run like they can! I don't think it'll be much longer before he can walk - he's taking steps while holding my hands and starting to cruise along the couch.
When Josh gets excited, he makes this noise that sounds like a wolf howling. If he sees a fan, he does it. If he's somewhere new, he does it. Speaking of which, Josh LOVES to be out and about. We are such homebodies (the other 3 of us), but he loves to go and see and do. If he's fussy, I take him with me to run errands, and he's usually happy the whole time! Josh also flaps his arms, squeals, and dances when he's excited. It's very cute! I love to see his emerging personality become more defined everyday!!
At 9 months, he still isn't sleeping through the night. I've come to the realization that it's probably not going to happen until he's eating solids. I just don't think he's getting enough calories to sustain himself all night long. I keep telling myself that it's a phase in life that will eventually pass (and that I will never again have another newborn!!)
Well, that's everything you have ever wanted to know about Josh... and more, I'm sure!
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Jenny?
Nobody calls me Jenny except my parents. I think my husband has called me Jenny a few times. Why Jenny for my url address, you might ask. Because everything else was taken.
I'm supposed to be balancing the checkbook, but I've decided to start a blog instead. Why? Because I'm procrastinating. Because I love to journal but hate the physical act of writing by hand. Because I like to share about my life. Because I like people to know my story and know that I am real. Because sometimes writing is great therapy for when life is hard.
I've never had a blog. And as of yet, I have no followers :) It's just me and the computer.
I have a strong passion to reach out to other moms - to befriend them, to love them, to share my story with them, to listen to them, to pray for them, to encourage them. I love being a mom. It is by far my favorite job that I've ever had. I love hanging out with my children. I love taking care of them. I love spending time with them.
Well, I have lots to say but I really should get to bed... I guess I'll pay the bills tomorrow.
I'm supposed to be balancing the checkbook, but I've decided to start a blog instead. Why? Because I'm procrastinating. Because I love to journal but hate the physical act of writing by hand. Because I like to share about my life. Because I like people to know my story and know that I am real. Because sometimes writing is great therapy for when life is hard.
I've never had a blog. And as of yet, I have no followers :) It's just me and the computer.
I have a strong passion to reach out to other moms - to befriend them, to love them, to share my story with them, to listen to them, to pray for them, to encourage them. I love being a mom. It is by far my favorite job that I've ever had. I love hanging out with my children. I love taking care of them. I love spending time with them.
Well, I have lots to say but I really should get to bed... I guess I'll pay the bills tomorrow.
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