Contentment and stuff

This entry has been floating around in my brain for a while.

Over 3 years ago, Scott and I discovered Dave Ramsey and committed to getting out of debt and staying out of debt forever.

Have you ever sat down and listed every single debt and calculated the grand total.
 -gasp-

When we did, it was a

 tightness-in-our-chest,

cold sweat,

Dear Jesus helps us

kind of moment.

Then, we looked at each other and asked, "What in the heck is all this debt from?"

Yes, a lot of it was medical bills that we couldn't pay out of pocket, but at least half of our debt was from: "stuff"

STUFF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

"Stuff" we couldn't afford, but wanted right then.We couldn't even name the things we had spent so much money on. Delayed gratification was not in our vocabulary.

3 years ago we started our climb up an enormous mountain.

3 years ago we started selling most of our "stuff", working every chance we were given, and we cut our written budget down to the bare minimums.

no cable,

no eating out,

no buying gifts,

no new clothes

no new shoes

no vacations,
no pedicures,

no going to the movies,

no memberships to gyms,
no trips to Target for more stuff

etc. etc. etc.

And 1 year ago, we sold our beautiful home because it was owning us.

We have experienced a lot of  pain the last 3 years. Cried too many times to count. And I'll admit that I've whined, "but it's not f-air" 3 millions times.

I kept thinking "I'll be happy when our last debt is paid off. I'll be happy when we don't have to work 2 jobs."...
Clearly paying off debt is no fun and I saw no way to be content until the debt was gone.

When going out and buying more stuff every time you are sad, mad, happy, depressed, anxious, isn't an option, you learn who you really are because you aren't hiding behind all your stuff. (HUGE life lesson for me)

In the beginning, without all the "stuff" around me, it was uncomfortable. I was letting the "stuff" give me a false sense of contentment. I also had to remind myself that everyone else isn't as perfectly happy as they appear on Facebook.


Through endless praying and the continuous support of Scott, I have stop saying, "
I'll be happy when..."

I'm so blessed to be married to Scott and mommy to Ella and Eric. I'm thankful to have a roof over our heads and food on the table. I'm thankful God has given opportunties to increase our income through second jobs.


I have a strong faith in God and His timing.

For the first time ever I have a sense of peace.
Peace of our past, present, and future.

So here we ...a little more than 3 years into our journey:

dwelling in a rent house,

driving cars that are more than 10 years old (but paid for!!), and

 living with minimal stuff.

And I am content right where we are.

"Be joyful in hope,
patient in affliction,
faithful in prayer."
Romans 12;12

 

 

father's day

Happy Father's Day!

June 2007

Scott holding Ella looking at brand new baby Eric

 June2007

 Fall 2007

 Christmas 2010

Like father, like son.

Scott is doing bunny ears on Ella and Eric is doing it, too.

Reasons not to own a dog:

1. Friday I took the kids to the library for a program on Search and Rescue Dogs.

It was very informative for the parents, but the kids were pretty bored and just wanted to pet the dogs! Eric isn't a "dog person".

The blood hound in the picture is Maggie and she needs her face wiped every 3.5 seconds because of slobber.

2.  This weekend we got to dog-sit for Sammy.

Sammy is a sweet boy, but a litle naughty.

I had to sprint and chase him on 2 separate occasions. All I could think of while I was running was- what would I do if Sammy gets run over while I'm in charge.

Thankfully Sammy is safe and back in his mommy's arms.



Morning at the pool & sibling fighting

We had a fun morning at the pool. It wasn't too hot and we had the pool to ourselves the majority of the time.
I think the kids jumped in over 100 times.
After the pool, we came home and had "school". Each weekday I work with both kids for about an hour. Ella is reviewing and Eric is getting ahead for kindergarten. Following "school", I read aloud to them for about 30 minutes. Then they have to read in their own rooms for 30 minutes. Both kids really enjoy our routine and want to do it on the weekends, which does not happen.

Currently Ella & Eric get along with each other about 25% of each waking day, which leaves me taking deep breaths 75% of the time.

As an only child, I always assumed siblings were perfect playmates.

I was wrong.

Ella and Eric stay awake at night planning how they will pester the crap out of each other.
I know this is normal, but no less maddening.

This is my first time to blog from my phone (pics and all).

random iphone pics

Eric's pre-k graduation. Ms. Tina has been wonderful and we will miss her!

 Picture of Scott's Dad and Uncle w/ Eric and cousin Will

 I got my hair highlighted this spring. This was how Ella thought it looked and she was correct.

After this picture, I made an appointment to dye it back dark brown.

 Eric with (clean) underwear on his head in the car...

 Eric can be a silly clown, but he can act all grown up, too. He said he looked like a man in his suit.

 I took this picture about 200 yards away and didn't realize her tongue was out until later.

Ella lost her 1st tooth this spring while at school. (1st grade year)

I can handle vomit and snot, but loose teeth make me ill. I seriously break out into a sweat and get a metalic taste in my mouth.

Birthdays!

Last month we had a birthday party x3. Ella and JoEllen celebrated their 7th and Eric turned 5.

We had a luau themed party at our church family life center.

Eric wanted a superhero cake!

 I really can't believe they are 5 and 7. This year I am purposefully savoring every stage (good & bad).

It's easy for me to look ahead to the future and miss all the special details each day brings.

 The days are long, but the years are short!

 Don't you just love their carefree smiles!

JoEllen and her mommy Shauna.

T Ball

This was Eric's first year to play T Ball and he LOVED it. Look at his sweet face!

 I think he is a natural and has many fun years ahead at the ball park.

 His team was The Cubs and he was #2.

 He was always very focused out on the field. Every so often he would look to the crowd to find me or Scott. He would smile the biggest grin and wave to us.

 Sliding/getting his pants muddy was one of the highlights of every game!