I can not believe it's been almost a month since I posted anything on this blog. I am a horrible blogger.
A LOT has been going on.
Chris is home, but leaving in a few days.
My bow business is booming. (I never expected this but am extremely thankful)
I have been feeling incredibly blessed lately.
Lilly knocked Chris's laptop off the coffee table and broke it. We are trying to fix my old desktop so he can take my new laptop with him instead of buying a new laptop. I am too cheap to buy a new laptop.
Back when we paid off our car I mentioned that we are now debt free. What I didn't mention were the collections we had. They have been laying VERY heavy on my heart. As of Monday, every single collection or past due account is completely paid off!
Zip. Zero. Zilch!
No more ANYTHING on our conscience.
I can't tell you what a relief it is for us to have it paid off. Now onto saving as much as possible to be able to buy a house.
Showing posts with label Blessed. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Blessed. Show all posts
3.09.2011
1.25.2011
Can you spot the kid?
We have a speedway in our house and it is incredibly LOUD.
Can you see my little speeders?
I'm sorry, what? I didn't hear you. There is a race going on right now.
There's one of them! Do you like her ripped up pants and mismatched stripes?
She stopped long enough to pick up her pillow pet and then it was back to the speeding.
I bet my neighbors just love me.
Can you see my little speeders?
I'm sorry, what? I didn't hear you. There is a race going on right now.
There's one of them! Do you like her ripped up pants and mismatched stripes?
She stopped long enough to pick up her pillow pet and then it was back to the speeding.
I bet my neighbors just love me.
1.18.2011
Watch out! Momma's cleaning house!
I have a post ready for today but I didn't like that it was another whiny post. I need to stop doing that!
I'm working on de-cluttering the whole house. It is a disaster!
We have an abundance of stuff which is a big reason why I have been whiny. I can't see how blessed we are because we have too much. I resent the stuff we have.
Seriously, we have TOO much JUNK.
Throwing away and donating feels so much better than looking at the stuff piling up.
I can already feel a huge weight being lifted from my shoulders.
and that is a GOOD thing :)
I'm working on de-cluttering the whole house. It is a disaster!
We have an abundance of stuff which is a big reason why I have been whiny. I can't see how blessed we are because we have too much. I resent the stuff we have.
Seriously, we have TOO much JUNK.
Throwing away and donating feels so much better than looking at the stuff piling up.
I can already feel a huge weight being lifted from my shoulders.
and that is a GOOD thing :)
 |
| Sophie chatting with the stick in the t-ball holder. Gosh I love that kid. |
1.15.2011
Look Out Cat Woman
This is Lilly. Or as I lovingly call her, Silly Lilly. Here's why.
She cracks me up on a daily basis. Her sense of fashion is eclectic to say the least. I need to remember to take some pictures of the outfits she like to wear when we go out shopping. The girl marches to her own drummer that's for sure. I love that about her.
Drawing a dinosaur.
She's showing me how the dinosaur walks.
She is totally rockin' the cat eye glasses.
She cracks me up on a daily basis. Her sense of fashion is eclectic to say the least. I need to remember to take some pictures of the outfits she like to wear when we go out shopping. The girl marches to her own drummer that's for sure. I love that about her.
Drawing a dinosaur.
She's showing me how the dinosaur walks.
She is totally rockin' the cat eye glasses.
1.07.2011
Happy New Year!
New year, new beginnings.
Isn't that great? We get to start over. We get to do things this year that we didn't have time for last year.
I am resolving this year to be a better parent.
I tend to get into a funk right after Chris leaves to go back on the road. I cry and whine and act like a baby. I want to lay in bed and just forget that I won't see the father of my children for at least 5 weeks.
It's depressing, and not just for me. For my kids too.
I don't want to do that this year.
On another note... what is up with Twitter lately.
There have been such harsh words written towards people recently. Have people become so out of touch with reality that they forget that there really is another human being on the other side of the monitor?
I'm not pointing fingers because I am not perfect. But I do know that what you put online for the world to see, will in fact be seen. Good or bad. And I also know that what a person types in 140 characters or less can have a profound effect on the way they are perceived by others.
The last few days have made me reconsider even having a twitter account that has anything to do with trucking. Not only have I been offended by some of the things said, my heart hurts for those people making the ugly comments.
We as Christians are blessed by the Fruit of the Holy Spirit.
What we as Christians say does leave a lasting impression on others, whether they are Christian or not. Shouldn't we, at all times, be trying to show others what it's like to be a Christian?
Isn't that great? We get to start over. We get to do things this year that we didn't have time for last year.
I am resolving this year to be a better parent.
I tend to get into a funk right after Chris leaves to go back on the road. I cry and whine and act like a baby. I want to lay in bed and just forget that I won't see the father of my children for at least 5 weeks.
It's depressing, and not just for me. For my kids too.
I don't want to do that this year.
On another note... what is up with Twitter lately.
There have been such harsh words written towards people recently. Have people become so out of touch with reality that they forget that there really is another human being on the other side of the monitor?
I'm not pointing fingers because I am not perfect. But I do know that what you put online for the world to see, will in fact be seen. Good or bad. And I also know that what a person types in 140 characters or less can have a profound effect on the way they are perceived by others.
The last few days have made me reconsider even having a twitter account that has anything to do with trucking. Not only have I been offended by some of the things said, my heart hurts for those people making the ugly comments.
We as Christians are blessed by the Fruit of the Holy Spirit.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
– Galatians 5:22-23, KJV
What we as Christians say does leave a lasting impression on others, whether they are Christian or not. Shouldn't we, at all times, be trying to show others what it's like to be a Christian?
12.21.2010
So thankful
If you haven't noticed by now, I'll let you in on a little secret.
I COMPLAIN A LOT!
I complain on here because I have no one else to discuss things with. Being a trucker's wife is a very lonely thing. And when that trucker drives teams and is on the night shift, it tends to be even more lonely.
This my complaint box.
But it is also my praise box. The place I like to write down what I am truly thankful for, so that I never forget.
This is one of those times where I will praise rather than complain.
Right now, I love the company my husband works for.
A lot of people don't.
BUT that's OK because it works for us. (at the moment)
I know there is no such thing as the perfect trucking company. I knew that going in. We both did. What sets this company apart, I think, is the fact that they actually try to be as accurate as possible.
He has had one error on his pay sheet in the time he has been there. It was corrected the following week.
His paycheck from his previous carrier had an error on nearly every check. 2-3 weeks to get corrected as well.
Not cool.
The place he works at now pay detention pay.
Previous carrier. Nada.
Now? Prepass.
Previous? Had to request toll money, got charged. Withdraw money from ATM, got charged. Lucky if he ever saw his toll money reimbursed.
What I am getting at is that when he lost his job back in July, I freaked. I cried. I was so upset.
I should have been on my knees praying to God thanking Him for His blessing.
I COMPLAIN A LOT!
I complain on here because I have no one else to discuss things with. Being a trucker's wife is a very lonely thing. And when that trucker drives teams and is on the night shift, it tends to be even more lonely.
This my complaint box.
But it is also my praise box. The place I like to write down what I am truly thankful for, so that I never forget.
This is one of those times where I will praise rather than complain.
Right now, I love the company my husband works for.
A lot of people don't.
BUT that's OK because it works for us. (at the moment)
I know there is no such thing as the perfect trucking company. I knew that going in. We both did. What sets this company apart, I think, is the fact that they actually try to be as accurate as possible.
He has had one error on his pay sheet in the time he has been there. It was corrected the following week.
His paycheck from his previous carrier had an error on nearly every check. 2-3 weeks to get corrected as well.
Not cool.
The place he works at now pay detention pay.
Previous carrier. Nada.
Now? Prepass.
Previous? Had to request toll money, got charged. Withdraw money from ATM, got charged. Lucky if he ever saw his toll money reimbursed.
What I am getting at is that when he lost his job back in July, I freaked. I cried. I was so upset.
I should have been on my knees praying to God thanking Him for His blessing.
12.05.2010
What a difference a year makes
One year ago my husband quit his job. He quit because his job was being outsourced to India.
Again.
See 2 years prior to this, his job with a major shipping company got outsourced to India. Then *surprise surprise* their customer satisfaction went WAY down so they moved their software support BACK to the states. Just not back to where Chris worked.
He got placed with a job he hated. Customer support. He sat at a desk for 9 hours a day and listening to people complaining.
He started getting depressed. Not like clinically depressed. Just depressed about all the shoulda coulda woulda's he felt he missed out on.
Then he found out his job would be ending. The company told him that they would be slowing letting people go, anywhere October to December. He stuck with them until the end.
He took about a week off after he quit just so we could get things in order. Financially and emotionally.
He was starting CDL school.
He and I had talked about this for quite a while. It's something he and I've always wanted to do. I can remember my mother telling me to go get my CDL way back in like 1996. I never did. I should have, but I didn't.
I sure as heck didn't want Chris to miss this opportunity to get his. He had turned down the chance once before and wasn't letting it slip away again.
Monday, December 7th, 2009 was the day that changed everything for us.
I was now married to a trucker. For a year I had tried to get myself emotionally prepared for this roller coaster ride. The first 6 months after he left were the worst. I saw him 3 times. Well 4 actually. He just so happened to have a drop here in Jacksonville while he was out with his trainer so they stopped by and stayed the night.
I have always considered myself to be independent. I was a single parent for nearly 5 years. I know how to handle being alone. What I didn't know how to handle, was being a wife and being alone. I pretty much stunk at it. And still do at times.
There were times during this year that he wanted to quit. He was tired. Worn slap out. I wouldn't let him quit. I still won't let him quit.
He has dreams and is willing to go the extra mile to makes those dreams come true.
He knows what he is doing. He is respectful of others. He is a safe driver. He is an awesome husband and by far the better parent.
AND he is about to have that "Golden Year" under his belt. I thought I would never see the day and I am so proud of him for the sacrifices he is making for us.
Again.
See 2 years prior to this, his job with a major shipping company got outsourced to India. Then *surprise surprise* their customer satisfaction went WAY down so they moved their software support BACK to the states. Just not back to where Chris worked.
He got placed with a job he hated. Customer support. He sat at a desk for 9 hours a day and listening to people complaining.
He started getting depressed. Not like clinically depressed. Just depressed about all the shoulda coulda woulda's he felt he missed out on.
Then he found out his job would be ending. The company told him that they would be slowing letting people go, anywhere October to December. He stuck with them until the end.
He took about a week off after he quit just so we could get things in order. Financially and emotionally.
He was starting CDL school.
He and I had talked about this for quite a while. It's something he and I've always wanted to do. I can remember my mother telling me to go get my CDL way back in like 1996. I never did. I should have, but I didn't.
I sure as heck didn't want Chris to miss this opportunity to get his. He had turned down the chance once before and wasn't letting it slip away again.
Monday, December 7th, 2009 was the day that changed everything for us.
I was now married to a trucker. For a year I had tried to get myself emotionally prepared for this roller coaster ride. The first 6 months after he left were the worst. I saw him 3 times. Well 4 actually. He just so happened to have a drop here in Jacksonville while he was out with his trainer so they stopped by and stayed the night.
I have always considered myself to be independent. I was a single parent for nearly 5 years. I know how to handle being alone. What I didn't know how to handle, was being a wife and being alone. I pretty much stunk at it. And still do at times.
There were times during this year that he wanted to quit. He was tired. Worn slap out. I wouldn't let him quit. I still won't let him quit.
He has dreams and is willing to go the extra mile to makes those dreams come true.
He knows what he is doing. He is respectful of others. He is a safe driver. He is an awesome husband and by far the better parent.
AND he is about to have that "Golden Year" under his belt. I thought I would never see the day and I am so proud of him for the sacrifices he is making for us.
11.09.2010
Budgeting
It's a pretty common occurrence for my friends to call me up and ask me if such and such is a great deal down at the wall-to-wall mart or the grocery store. I am a certifiable penny pincher.
I am. Really.
I even have a whole 'nother blog chronicling my life as a penny pincher. I cut coupons, I buy 4 or 5 Sunday papers just for the coupon sections. I am that lady in front of you at the grocery store checkout that has a coupon for everything. I am also the one that can buy $200 worth of grocery for less than $50.
BUT... I had my husband to help me. We have 3 kids. I am but one person. My coupon clipping time has been cut down considerably and my shopping time even more. See, when you have 3 kids, you want to get in the store and out of the store as fast as possible.
This year has been a struggle for me.
OK quit laughing. I know this is the wrong profession for Chris to be in if I like all those things. I have budgeting software that hasn't seen the light of day since November 2009.
I feel like a lost puppy wandering around looking for something, anything to come in and swoop me up and show me the way.
I do need to pat Chris and I on the back for a moment. We paid off our car last week. 6 months early too! We could have paid it off last February when we got our tax return, but we needed that money to live on until he got a steady paycheck.
Steady paychecks have pretty much been nonexistent since he started in January. It has definitely been hard to get used to and actually still is. Last week he had an awesome check, this week... well... he will be lucky to get 1/4 of the amount he made last week.
Now that our car is paid for, we have no debt other than our household bills. And since getting on the budget plan with our electric company, those bills are pretty consistent from month to month.
I'm gonna pull out the ol' budgeting software and give it another go. I am also gonna try to prioritize my time more so that I am able to clip those coupons more!
If you don't hear from me for a while, send backup.
I am. Really.
I even have a whole 'nother blog chronicling my life as a penny pincher. I cut coupons, I buy 4 or 5 Sunday papers just for the coupon sections. I am that lady in front of you at the grocery store checkout that has a coupon for everything. I am also the one that can buy $200 worth of grocery for less than $50.
BUT... I had my husband to help me. We have 3 kids. I am but one person. My coupon clipping time has been cut down considerably and my shopping time even more. See, when you have 3 kids, you want to get in the store and out of the store as fast as possible.
Shopping with 3 kids is kinda like herding cats.
It's difficult, lengthy, but is possible.
This year has been a struggle for me.
I like order.
I like budgets.
I like assurance.
I LOVE consistency.
OK quit laughing. I know this is the wrong profession for Chris to be in if I like all those things. I have budgeting software that hasn't seen the light of day since November 2009.
I feel like a lost puppy wandering around looking for something, anything to come in and swoop me up and show me the way.
I do need to pat Chris and I on the back for a moment. We paid off our car last week. 6 months early too! We could have paid it off last February when we got our tax return, but we needed that money to live on until he got a steady paycheck.
Steady paychecks have pretty much been nonexistent since he started in January. It has definitely been hard to get used to and actually still is. Last week he had an awesome check, this week... well... he will be lucky to get 1/4 of the amount he made last week.
Now that our car is paid for, we have no debt other than our household bills. And since getting on the budget plan with our electric company, those bills are pretty consistent from month to month.
I'm gonna pull out the ol' budgeting software and give it another go. I am also gonna try to prioritize my time more so that I am able to clip those coupons more!
If you don't hear from me for a while, send backup.
6.11.2010
Have some compassion
When did being a Christian become so… hurtful. Insulting. Hateful.
I use Twitter for networking. I have met some amazing new friends on there and I really enjoy learning about the trucking industry from the pros out there.
What I don’t like are the “Christian” truckers out there spreading their hate of certain types of people through their updates.
I am a born again, God fearing Christian and have been for most of my life. I was raised in a loving Christian home with 2 of the best parents in the world. They taught me what it was like to be a Christian. And I have tried to live my life they way I was taught.
Am I perfect?
Um. Not even close.
Do I care?
Not in the least.
Perfection is something that can never EVER be achieved. All I can do is try to be a more perfect me. A better person. A better Christian.
I don’t understand it when people talk the talk but then don’t walk the walk. I can sit here all day and tell you I am a Christian, but if my actions or words tell you something different, what good does that do.
Have some compassion people!! Put yourself in someone else’s shoes that is less fortunate than yourself. Even if it’s only for a minute. You will quickly realize how blessed you are and how tiny and insignificant your problems truly are.
8The LORD is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy.
I use Twitter for networking. I have met some amazing new friends on there and I really enjoy learning about the trucking industry from the pros out there.
What I don’t like are the “Christian” truckers out there spreading their hate of certain types of people through their updates.
I am a born again, God fearing Christian and have been for most of my life. I was raised in a loving Christian home with 2 of the best parents in the world. They taught me what it was like to be a Christian. And I have tried to live my life they way I was taught.
Am I perfect?
Um. Not even close.
Do I care?
Not in the least.
Perfection is something that can never EVER be achieved. All I can do is try to be a more perfect me. A better person. A better Christian.
I don’t understand it when people talk the talk but then don’t walk the walk. I can sit here all day and tell you I am a Christian, but if my actions or words tell you something different, what good does that do.
Have some compassion people!! Put yourself in someone else’s shoes that is less fortunate than yourself. Even if it’s only for a minute. You will quickly realize how blessed you are and how tiny and insignificant your problems truly are.
Psalm 145:8 (King James Version)
8The LORD is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy.
6.09.2010
We are so blessed
I don't consider myself an overly compassionate person.
At least I didn't think I was. Until now.
I'm not sure if the mother in me, or the fact that I had such a great childhood but was such a freakin BRAT to everyone and now I feel lame about it. But my compassion meter is going through the roof lately.
First off, we are NOT well of by any means. We can hardly keep up with our own bills much less contribute to a good cause to help someone else. We have 3 kids. My husband is a truck driver with only 4 months of driving experience. I stay at home with the kids so we seriously have ZERO extra income. Heck we hardly have an income at all.
But I realized something this weekend. We are freakin RICH!
We have our health. We have our loving marriage. We have 3 absolutely gorgeous children. We have a very supportive extended family that would give the clothes off their backs to help us. We have a roof over our head and food on our table. Every. Single. Day.
We actually have excess stuff. Too much stuff.
My husband got a new co-driver this weekend. He didn't want to team with this person. He's a smoker and Chris really isn't a fan of smoke. He hates it actually. It gives him headaches and makes him sneeze all the time. But this guy was the only available guy to team up with him at this time.
There is no doubt in my mind that God brought this person into our lives.
This man has it bad. Really bad. He lives in a tiny apartment with his wife and 2 kids. His wife can't work because she is legally blind. I'm not sure what is wrong with his son but I am pretty sure he is mentally handicapped. He is 12 and about the size of my soon to be 4 year old with the speech to match. He is broke. He just finished his month long training with the company and is already nearly $700 in debt to them because of advances. Chris told me he brought 1 bag of food and a case of ramen noodles to the truck.
Of course I immediately went into freak out, overly concerned mode and loaded him up with so many groceries I don't think they will have to shop for 5 weeks.
I mean really. REALLY. And I sit here and complain sometimes that my kids are too loud or we can't afford to go out and eat.
We are so blessed. So, so blessed.
At least I didn't think I was. Until now.
I'm not sure if the mother in me, or the fact that I had such a great childhood but was such a freakin BRAT to everyone and now I feel lame about it. But my compassion meter is going through the roof lately.
First off, we are NOT well of by any means. We can hardly keep up with our own bills much less contribute to a good cause to help someone else. We have 3 kids. My husband is a truck driver with only 4 months of driving experience. I stay at home with the kids so we seriously have ZERO extra income. Heck we hardly have an income at all.
But I realized something this weekend. We are freakin RICH!
We have our health. We have our loving marriage. We have 3 absolutely gorgeous children. We have a very supportive extended family that would give the clothes off their backs to help us. We have a roof over our head and food on our table. Every. Single. Day.
We actually have excess stuff. Too much stuff.
My husband got a new co-driver this weekend. He didn't want to team with this person. He's a smoker and Chris really isn't a fan of smoke. He hates it actually. It gives him headaches and makes him sneeze all the time. But this guy was the only available guy to team up with him at this time.
There is no doubt in my mind that God brought this person into our lives.
This man has it bad. Really bad. He lives in a tiny apartment with his wife and 2 kids. His wife can't work because she is legally blind. I'm not sure what is wrong with his son but I am pretty sure he is mentally handicapped. He is 12 and about the size of my soon to be 4 year old with the speech to match. He is broke. He just finished his month long training with the company and is already nearly $700 in debt to them because of advances. Chris told me he brought 1 bag of food and a case of ramen noodles to the truck.
Of course I immediately went into freak out, overly concerned mode and loaded him up with so many groceries I don't think they will have to shop for 5 weeks.
I mean really. REALLY. And I sit here and complain sometimes that my kids are too loud or we can't afford to go out and eat.
We are so blessed. So, so blessed.
6.08.2010
Starting a blog
I decided to start this blog for my own sanity! A way to get out my frustrations and love for my husbands job as a OTR truck driver.
I'm pretty sure it won't be anything super duper informative, but I will try and make it fun!
I'm pretty sure it won't be anything super duper informative, but I will try and make it fun!
8.24.2009
Happy 2nd Birthday Sophie!
We don’t do big parties here. Caitlin got one this year only because she won it at “Take you kids to work day” where Chris works. For Sophie’s birthday it was just us and my dad and his wife. We had such a nice visit, delicious dinner and an awesome cake!
Enjoy the pics!
It’s blurry, but it’s still cute!
Sophie and my dad. He was telling me NOT to do something… it never ends...he still does even though I am grown.
The cake. It wasn’t fancy. Just really good! It was just a doctored up box cake mix and homemade butter cream frosting. YUM!
Don’t mind the garbage or the laundry hamper OR the honey mustard dressing on Sophie’s shirt. She loves “sauces” as she and Lilly call them.
She blew them out! Good thing she only had 2. It took her a while for just those.
The inside of the cake. RAINBOW! Everyone LOVED it and was so surprised! It was a hit!
Why yes, that is my pizza pan being used as a cake plate. Don’t tell me I am the only one that does that.
Sophie loved the cake! (No she’s not missing her hand, my camera just stinks at action shots)
Lilly loved it too!
7.03.2009
Happy 4th of July! (early)
Nothing has really been going on except I am EXTREMELY sleepy and tired around this time (5pm) every single day now. Maybe it’s just the weather. We usually have thunderstorms around this time everyday and I love to sleep during a good t-storm. Who knows… at least I’m gonna blame it on that.
Tomorrow we are going to grill hamburgers and hot dogs with homemade buns, along with potato salad and grilled corn. BTW, Target has ears of corn on sale this week 10 for $1.00 15 for $1.05 at our store!! Can’t beat that!
Since not much has been going on, here are some pictures of the girls from last week and today.
Here’s Sophie looking adorable. I tell ya if this kid gets any cuter, sheesh… she’s gonna be a little heart-breaker when she gets older.
Here’s one of Lilly. I didn’t realize I got Caitlin in the picture as well, but I love this picture of her. She is always thinking about something.
I had been planning on making the girls some dresses but then procrastinated so much I never did make them. Well, last Wednesday I finally made them!! They turned out so cute.
Bad lighting + bad camera = bad pictures. Sorry.
Guess what came today!! My years supply of Kraft Mac and Cheese!! My girls were so excited!
Sophie was VERY excited! She loves anything pasta and cheese.
Tomorrow we are going to grill hamburgers and hot dogs with homemade buns, along with potato salad and grilled corn. BTW, Target has ears of corn on sale this week 10 for $1.00 15 for $1.05 at our store!! Can’t beat that!
Since not much has been going on, here are some pictures of the girls from last week and today.
Here’s Sophie looking adorable. I tell ya if this kid gets any cuter, sheesh… she’s gonna be a little heart-breaker when she gets older.
Here’s one of Lilly. I didn’t realize I got Caitlin in the picture as well, but I love this picture of her. She is always thinking about something.
I had been planning on making the girls some dresses but then procrastinated so much I never did make them. Well, last Wednesday I finally made them!! They turned out so cute.
Bad lighting + bad camera = bad pictures. Sorry.
Guess what came today!! My years supply of Kraft Mac and Cheese!! My girls were so excited!
Sophie was VERY excited! She loves anything pasta and cheese.
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