Financial Planning

Good 'Ol Dave Ramsey - sometimes I have nightmares about this man!!!!!

I am on baby step #4, which is basically the end for me at the present moment (no house/no kids). Monday at 5:00 I have my first meeting with a Dave Ramsey approved financial planner. I need help determing where to put my retirement from UBC.

I received this piece of paper in the mail stating that I have $_________ in ______ account contributed by employer and employee from 2006-2009. I have three options: blah, blah, blah. You lost me at "Dear Ms. Wood".

I have mixed feelings about this meeting on Monday, but frankly I am just proud of myself. I grew up absolutely terrified of being financially responsible for myself and couldn't wait to have someone else take over the financial part of my life. Through the past three years I have not made all of the right decisions with my money, but I have done pretty well. I have also learned that when I am responsible for my own money I can plan super fun vacations, which has been my favorite part of adulthood. I grew up in a family with not much $$$ and 5 people, so vacations were few and far between.

Over the past 3 years I have been to:

• Disney World [twice] (My favortie place on earth!!!)
• London [twice]
• Seaworld [twice]
• Indianapolis
• Atlanta [3x]
• Tahoe (Beautiful!)

My 2010-2011 Goals: DC and NYC (Saving for vacation is above saving for a couch in my book!)

I am getting all of my paperwork together, including my Dave Ramsey Quickie Budget, and ready for Monday!

I'll let you know how it goes!

Top 10 Things I love about My BFF

This weekend (despite the illness) I got to spend some time with my best friend of all times, Lee Ann. She is getting ready to have her 2nd baby, Megan Lee Thomas, at the end of November. I absolutely can't wait to meet her. This weekend was another lovely weekend to enjoy my new path in life. I was able to travel to Nacogdoches and spend some time with her, without the stress of getting back early today. This never used to happend (for instance, I have only seen her baby boy, Mason, 2 times in the past 2 years).

Top 10 Things I Love about my BFF:

10. She taught me how to ride a bike.
9. She has always understood how to use a round brush.
8. She dressed up in prom dresses with me when we were only 12.
7. She always wore socks to bed when we were children (which I never did/do).
6. She never went more than 2 months without a boyfriend.
5. Two words - Cupcakes and Wedding Dresses! :)
4. She was my first stalking buddy - look what you started (2 words - Fluffy Puppy)
3. She loves me despite all of my crazy personalities through the years.
2. She is the ultimate Martha Stewart homemaker - and fantastic mom/daughter.
1. Even if I only see her once a year - it is like we have never missed a beat!

Dependency Issues

During the past two weeks I have been made aware of a serious dependency issue I have. CCISD got a serious virus in the system and my work computer has been unavailable for the better part of the past two weeks. Then last Friday our home wireless connection become disabled. I have learned how much I miss people when I don't have access to things like e-mail, blogs and facebook. I have felt like the world was just passing me by.

I am not sure I should refer to this as dependency, because it is a great way for me to remain connected to friends and family from all over the world. I have, however, realized that I don't actually connect to many of my friends/family on a frequent basis. I must do a better job at actually calling people to check up on them and say hi.

I am currently chilling in Panera Bread waiting for 7:00 to take a test for my Research class. I don't have long before the test starts, but I thought I would check in and say hi to my cyber world friends. I miss you guys and promise to do better at staying in touch.

Saturday Night Fun

Well - it looks as if my upper respiratory infection still lingers on. Friday afternoon I slept until 5:30 and then went back to sleep at 8. The cough still lingers and the congestion remains in my chest. My precious little ones lack the concept of washing their hands (even though I remind them any chance I get).

I woke up Saturday morning and went to the Redi-Clinic to get more meds. I had to wait for 45 minutes, but finally got a new perscription. I must say I am a little concerned, because there really wasn't much interaction with the PA on call. She never took my temperature, listened to my chest or even asked my name for that matter. Hopefully it will help!

I ran several errands - including getting a new usb cord for my iphone. This meant I got to go home and update my phone to have MMS texting abilities - I am so excited.

Robert came over around 5:30 to hang out. I was anticipating a dinner at Abe's and then a movie at home. This was the plan! After dinner he took me captive and we headed to midtown. We had dessert at Ben and Jerry's and then went to Radio Music Theater. I have wanted to go there for over a year. It was super cute - and I laughed hard! He did good making the evening extra special for me - for no particular reason.

This morning I went to the 8:30 service and was snug on the couch at 9:40! I have felt a little yucky again today! I am now going to turn off my computer until I complete my homework and get ready to submit it. I have 5 hours!

Same Purpose/Different Role

Two weeks ago was my first week to start the venture for a new church. The first place I visited is having a sermon series on parenting, which made me all tingly inside. One thing I would like to have in a church is a place to serve (preschool ministry). I decided to volunteer this week to experience the preschool ministry at the church. It was a perfect week, since I was babysitting the Wilson children.

My plan would be to serve during the 8:30 service and attend the 10:00 service. (I must say that being home by 11:00 has been wonderful.) I got up early and started getting everything ready. I got all three kids dressed, two loads of laundry done, the dishes in the dishwasher and out the door by 8:10. I got to church and made the rounds dropping everyone off. Rylee was very confused about what church we were going to and why I had a new church, but she finally accepted it and went on her way.

Not being an "official volunteer" I just got a chance to observe the children and volunteers. I went to every classroom from Infants-4's. It was like a game of tug-o-war was playing inside me. I had a hard time taking a step back and accepting my role as a volunteer. My mind was racing with things that bothered me about the program and frantically tried to make a mental picture of the things that I thought were useful and top notch. At one point I had to take a step back and pray that God would allow me to focus on what my purpose was.

My prayer is that as I start this new adventure in life I will be able to embrace the fact that my purpose remains the same even though my role has changed. I am still seeking to minister to families and help them raise their children up in a Godly home. My role is no longer to oversee the ministry, but to take part in a new and exciting way. The ministry opportunities were endless and I was a bit overwhelmed trying to even think of what I would want to do for sure.

This morning at school two kids ran up to me and told me they saw me at church yesterday. They said they waved at me, but I didn't see them. At that moment I felt God working. I know it was his timing for me to move to public school and I can see that it will bring new opportunities to minister to families in ways I can't even imagine.

I ask you to please pray for me as I continue to make a decision about what church I will be attending and adjust to the new opportunities God has given me to serve him.

An Ode to Jenny Perot for her Birthday

Happy Birthday, Jenny Hanks (Perot).
Sorry it is one day late.

I searched my records high and low
and in the end cried "Oh no".

With all my changes I have lost your info
which means birthday wishes were a no show.

I hope your birthday was full of fun
and glad that this year it brought some sun.



I really did remember it was your birthday yesterday. I woke up and looked in my phone and realized your number didn't make it to my new cell phone. Then I went to send you and e-mail only to realize I don't have your e-mail address anymore - it was in my UBC address book. I was going to send you a facebook message, but I got home with 3 babies in hand for a fun filled weekend of babysitting. I am sorry to say that it slipped my mind last night. I hope you had so much fun!!!!!! I miss you and love you!!!!

PS - Do you remember the year Sara B. and I made you the scavenger hunt to find your birthday present? and Somehow I craved Blue Baker thinking of you and your birthday!

Entering the Throne Room

This weekend is one I have been waiting for ever since the day I accepted my new job. Two important things happened this weekend that I got to enjoy. I got to enjoy a three day weekend. I got to enjoy a Saturday, Sunday and Monday off of work. It was an absolutely incredible fun filled holiday weekend with my family and friends.

Friday night Michelle, Madisyn and I ran errands together and just enjoyed each other's company. We did girly things - mall, Target, Marshall's and DSW. We had a lot of fun and laughed until we cried.

Robert and I left for Livingston around 1:00 Saturday afternoon (he had a Cross Country Meet Saturday morning). We got to Livingston and enjoyed a nice home cooked meal with family and friends. It was a pretty low key night and we got to rest and relax.

Sunday morning was my first Sunday to go to church after leaving UBC. I couldn't have asked for a more perfect experience with God. I enjoyed a time of worship with the church family I had grown up with. I got to see people I had not seen in 5 years. We walked into church a few minutes late, threre were no expectations, no questions, no concerns, no responsibilities. I walked into the sanctuary for one purpose and one purpose only - to worship God with my church family. I could never explain to anyone the freedom I felt in that moment. The freedom to embrace the moment and spend time with God. I sat there as I listened to my dad lead the congregation while my mom played the music softly behind him and I felt like a small child again. I felt like I was a little girl listening to my parents, watching their examples, depending on their strength, learning from their wisdom. I truly felt like I had entered the throne room and enjoyed the presence of my God, a place where I can be healed, loved and sanctified in pursuit of pure holiness - I place where I can experience freedom.
Robert and I helped out in the nursery for the second hour. We got to help in Eli and Gauge's class, which was a lot of fun. We just got to play with the kids and spend time with my nephews. Aunt Kristin was super happy! :)

For those people who know my family you will understand how much fun I had enjoying Sunday lunch. My mother's family gets together every Sunday after church to eat lunch together. I have only been able to attend 4 Sunday lunches in the past 5 years, and I enjoyed every second of it. I especially enjoyed watching Robert get cornered by Papa to listen to endless stories of his life. We were no help - we just sat in the other corner and laughed.

That night we all got together for hamburgers, homemade ice cream and the slip-n-slide. Dad and my brothers rolled out plastic down Mema's hill and we used soap, sprinklers and water hoses to make our very own slip-n-slide. (They have done this before, but I have not been able to participate in the events.) Eli, Gauge and Cylas were ready for the fun. Eric has a broke foot and Stephen was on call, so it was just the boys, Puddin and Robert for the fun. They slide down the hill over and over for probably an hour. Everyone had good laughs and good fun. I went down the hill with Robert twice - we laughed - with each other and at each other.

Gauge spent the night last night and Roper came to play all moring. We got some good time to love on them and play with them. All in all I would say the weekend exceeded my expectations - and they were set high!!!!