my tree and indoor decorations are put away and I've started cleaning the house and putting outdoor decorations away.
I've got a lot of things that I want to start now that Christmas is over and a new year is just around the corner!
One of those things is giving my PCOS the attention it needs to be able to change things for the better
I'm on medication and am adding natural supplimenta recommended by my doctor as well as overhauling my lifestyle by eating according to my insulin resistance and PCOS needs and getting more active. I'm also making it a point to start my days with prayer and meditation because I know in my own power I will run out of determination. But I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!
I just placed my grocery order to follow a 28 day start up plan from an awesome book my mom gave me and I pick it up this evening!
I received our new preschool curriculum right before Christmas so I also need to read up and prepare for starting that with Hannah Kate hopefully on January 2nd.
We are also talking about separating the kids into two different rooms again as then sharing a room is causing more arguments (and violence) as well as sleep disruption and bedtime routine issues. Basically my goal is to revamp our life in the most beneficial way possible for everyone! I want to be intentional, organized, productive, kind, patient, fun, healthy, loving and joyful! So that is exactly what I'm setting out to do! Lord help me!
Monday, December 26, 2016
Saturday, September 10, 2016
The Appraisal
Well, we got the appraisal back last night and it came in $7,000 under the agreed upon asking price in our contract.
Our realtor wrote up an amendment for the contract asking that the seller come down on the price to meet the appraisal number with no other changes. We signed it, he sent it. He also warned us that it is highly likely the seller might agree to lowering the price IF they are no longer responsible for our closing costs which they were agreeing to contribute $5,000
And as he warned that is exactly what we just heard.
They agreed to lower the price but now they don't want to contribute closing which is a bit of an issue for us.
I have contacted our lender to get a good idea of what our final number will be to bring to closing now that we have to pay for all of our closing costs.
With all this going on our closing date is definitely NOT next weekend. Right now we are shooting for the first business day in October so we can get October and November without a mortgage payment. That's Monday, October 3rd.
Once we get all this figured out we really only have the survey left and then the lenders and title company getting the paperwork together so hitting that October 3rd date should not be a problem.
We will have to come up with a little more money than anticipated but we still believe this is our promised land and that God is very much in this big transaction. With 3 weeks between closing on this house and the farm it is possible we could get our escrow check just in time for closing if we hound the lender a bit. So that's our prayer right now, and that it's enough to mostly cover the extra costs.
Either way we are moving forward and are a little closer to getting to our farm. (And that's a really good thing considering we have added two dogs and 12 chicks to our family in anticipation! ;)
Onward and Upward! :)
Our realtor wrote up an amendment for the contract asking that the seller come down on the price to meet the appraisal number with no other changes. We signed it, he sent it. He also warned us that it is highly likely the seller might agree to lowering the price IF they are no longer responsible for our closing costs which they were agreeing to contribute $5,000
And as he warned that is exactly what we just heard.
They agreed to lower the price but now they don't want to contribute closing which is a bit of an issue for us.
I have contacted our lender to get a good idea of what our final number will be to bring to closing now that we have to pay for all of our closing costs.
With all this going on our closing date is definitely NOT next weekend. Right now we are shooting for the first business day in October so we can get October and November without a mortgage payment. That's Monday, October 3rd.
Once we get all this figured out we really only have the survey left and then the lenders and title company getting the paperwork together so hitting that October 3rd date should not be a problem.
We will have to come up with a little more money than anticipated but we still believe this is our promised land and that God is very much in this big transaction. With 3 weeks between closing on this house and the farm it is possible we could get our escrow check just in time for closing if we hound the lender a bit. So that's our prayer right now, and that it's enough to mostly cover the extra costs.
Either way we are moving forward and are a little closer to getting to our farm. (And that's a really good thing considering we have added two dogs and 12 chicks to our family in anticipation! ;)
Onward and Upward! :)
Tuesday, September 6, 2016
Seasons Beginning to Change
I love Septenber and the very beginnings of Autumn; decorations of leaves and pumpkins in stores, the smell of cinnamon, darker skies, cooler breezes and for me, a special sense of peace and joy that I tend to accompany with Piano Music from Jim Brickman.
This month I put together a page of monthly goals. A month of progress, nothing too lofty or long term, but sensible, attainable and helpful.
One of these goals was to start blogging again, and another is to keep a private journal. I think I know that if I make time to write, even if it's just what my days or weeks have been like or what I'm feeling or struggling with, I tend to be a healthier, more patient, even tempered person.
Today was the first day of Mother's Day Out for both of my precious children! I already miss them but I have been very productive in these last few hours. Hannah Kate is 3 and 1/2 and Levi is 20 months. I hope their first day was lots of fun! They are going through so many changes right now with our move to the country and I'm trying to be sensitive and understanding to how that might be rocking their little words of stable familiarity.
Our last big hurtle to get through in this process of buying a micro farm is the appraisal. It's been done but he has until Friday to submit the paperwork and I just want it to say that it's worth exactly what we've agreed to pay so we can finally breathe and relax. After that everything else should be a breeze.
We visit the house pretty much every weekend. We have been visiting a church out there, that's where the kinds started Mothers Day Out today. And every time I am out that way I want to pull in and take a few moments just to sit on that magnificent front porch and wonder at Gods beautiful creation! It's so quiet out there, so peaceful and sweet. The kids love it, they try to get into the house when we are there! Haha.
I see us homeschooling on those porches and in the kitchen. I see the kids playing in their shared farm themed room, I see us hosting fall festivals, thanksgiving and Christmas parties, I see us bringing home a future baby, lots of family interaction, hands on learning, laughter and love. I am hoping and praying these sweet images are from God and that, as I believe, hHe is giving me a sense of assurance that this is our family's promised land. It all falls so perfectly into the vision we are pursuing for our family.
In any event, God is good all the time, and I know He has great plans for us.
This month I put together a page of monthly goals. A month of progress, nothing too lofty or long term, but sensible, attainable and helpful.
One of these goals was to start blogging again, and another is to keep a private journal. I think I know that if I make time to write, even if it's just what my days or weeks have been like or what I'm feeling or struggling with, I tend to be a healthier, more patient, even tempered person.
Today was the first day of Mother's Day Out for both of my precious children! I already miss them but I have been very productive in these last few hours. Hannah Kate is 3 and 1/2 and Levi is 20 months. I hope their first day was lots of fun! They are going through so many changes right now with our move to the country and I'm trying to be sensitive and understanding to how that might be rocking their little words of stable familiarity.
Our last big hurtle to get through in this process of buying a micro farm is the appraisal. It's been done but he has until Friday to submit the paperwork and I just want it to say that it's worth exactly what we've agreed to pay so we can finally breathe and relax. After that everything else should be a breeze.
We visit the house pretty much every weekend. We have been visiting a church out there, that's where the kinds started Mothers Day Out today. And every time I am out that way I want to pull in and take a few moments just to sit on that magnificent front porch and wonder at Gods beautiful creation! It's so quiet out there, so peaceful and sweet. The kids love it, they try to get into the house when we are there! Haha.
I see us homeschooling on those porches and in the kitchen. I see the kids playing in their shared farm themed room, I see us hosting fall festivals, thanksgiving and Christmas parties, I see us bringing home a future baby, lots of family interaction, hands on learning, laughter and love. I am hoping and praying these sweet images are from God and that, as I believe, hHe is giving me a sense of assurance that this is our family's promised land. It all falls so perfectly into the vision we are pursuing for our family.
In any event, God is good all the time, and I know He has great plans for us.
Tuesday, April 28, 2015
Family Life
We dedicated Levi to the Lord on Sunday. A little family thing as our dedication with our church is on Mother's day and created several schedule conflicts with our family members.
Hannah Kate was dedicated at about the same age and it makes me realize how fast time flies.
We dedicated Levi in San Gabriel park and it was beautiful and perfect.
Levi is becoming more vibrant, social and happy lately! Which is incredible because he wakes up every two hours or so at night!
This is something we are working on very gently and gradually but I'll admit, the sleep deprivation is starting to get to me. It doesn't help that Ryan's work is picking up so much that he often doesn't even see the kids during the day or he catches an hour or two with them before bed. So needless to say, life is getting pretty stressful for me and some days are more of a struggle than others. Exhaustion is a crazy thing... The combination of chasing and consistently (and hopefully calmly) disciplining a 2 year old all day and tending to a baby around the clock, keeping up with diapers, dishes, and laundry (Not very well, I might add) It takes it's toll. And I'm just going to be real here, not doing it well really get's to me. I want my house, my kids, my behavior, my life to be perfect... (Like it's actually attainable!) and when it's not, I feel like a failure. You'd think I'd have gotten over this by now because it's a daily issue!
That feeling of inadequacy grows and festers inside my psyche with every added night of crappy sleep, every long day my husband and I have to work our roles separately until bed time, every time I lose my temper, fail a diet or exercise goal, go to bed with a messy house or laundry left in baskets instead of put away... which, is pretty much every day.
I'd say that this failure issue is probably my greatest battle in life right now. The thing I'm forced to either bring to Christ daily, or suffer with.
But my God is so big and so gracious, that even on the days that I don't make time to bring my struggles to Him in prayer He still shows me His Love and blessings in my life and brings to light the joy I have in my kids laughs and smiles, in little blessings throughout the day, in gorgeous weather and majestic creation that just radiates true beauty and emanates original poetry. Things My God knows, speak to my heart.
My husband and I are planning a "Light at the end of the tunnel" vacation for this fall. When things calm down after the summer we will take the kids and go somewhere beautiful where we can fully enjoy God's creation in what I consider the most beautiful time of the year. Planning this trip gives us something to look forward to and brings us closer together in the little moments we get with each other.
In all things, God reminds me that His grace is enough and His strength is made perfect in my weakness. He is much bigger than my failures and emotional inconsistency. :)
Hannah Kate was dedicated at about the same age and it makes me realize how fast time flies.
We dedicated Levi in San Gabriel park and it was beautiful and perfect.
Levi is becoming more vibrant, social and happy lately! Which is incredible because he wakes up every two hours or so at night!
This is something we are working on very gently and gradually but I'll admit, the sleep deprivation is starting to get to me. It doesn't help that Ryan's work is picking up so much that he often doesn't even see the kids during the day or he catches an hour or two with them before bed. So needless to say, life is getting pretty stressful for me and some days are more of a struggle than others. Exhaustion is a crazy thing... The combination of chasing and consistently (and hopefully calmly) disciplining a 2 year old all day and tending to a baby around the clock, keeping up with diapers, dishes, and laundry (Not very well, I might add) It takes it's toll. And I'm just going to be real here, not doing it well really get's to me. I want my house, my kids, my behavior, my life to be perfect... (Like it's actually attainable!) and when it's not, I feel like a failure. You'd think I'd have gotten over this by now because it's a daily issue!
That feeling of inadequacy grows and festers inside my psyche with every added night of crappy sleep, every long day my husband and I have to work our roles separately until bed time, every time I lose my temper, fail a diet or exercise goal, go to bed with a messy house or laundry left in baskets instead of put away... which, is pretty much every day.
I'd say that this failure issue is probably my greatest battle in life right now. The thing I'm forced to either bring to Christ daily, or suffer with.
But my God is so big and so gracious, that even on the days that I don't make time to bring my struggles to Him in prayer He still shows me His Love and blessings in my life and brings to light the joy I have in my kids laughs and smiles, in little blessings throughout the day, in gorgeous weather and majestic creation that just radiates true beauty and emanates original poetry. Things My God knows, speak to my heart.
My husband and I are planning a "Light at the end of the tunnel" vacation for this fall. When things calm down after the summer we will take the kids and go somewhere beautiful where we can fully enjoy God's creation in what I consider the most beautiful time of the year. Planning this trip gives us something to look forward to and brings us closer together in the little moments we get with each other.
In all things, God reminds me that His grace is enough and His strength is made perfect in my weakness. He is much bigger than my failures and emotional inconsistency. :)
Saturday, April 11, 2015
4 Months Old
My sweet, adorable, and precious son turns four months old tomorrow. I didn't want to wait for the actual day to blog because my chances to do so are few and far between and there has been a lot on my mind about my little boy that I want to process via the therapeutic method of writing.
I don't know who all actually takes the time to read my blog and as I have a lot to process this is going to be a very tender and honest post and I do wonder what unkind thoughts and judgements might run through people's minds who don't know me very well or maybe just don't really like me. Perhaps I'm simply very insecure at the moment (It wouldn't surprise me, I am most critical of myself and most anxious and insecure about my Mothering.) SO with that precursor.... let me begin;
I LOVE LEVI! He is the most handsome baby boy I've ever seen (I might be biased) and nothing would make me think otherwise.
But it has come to our attention that he has a flat spot on the back of his head. About a month ago we asked his pediatrician about it and she did not seem concerned at all. She said it was fairly minor in comparison to the wide variety she sees and is very common these days as we put our babies on their backs to sleep. We also now have car seats that click in and out of our vehicles and swings and bouncers that all put babies on the backs of their heads. Some babies skulls are softer than others and for some reason boys are more likely to have this issue than girls.
So, I say all that to say, Levi has Brachycephaly (Flatness of the back of the head)
And as much as I explained all of the possible contributing factors I cannot help but feel like a failure as mother. Did I or do I not hold him enough? Why didn't I educate myself about these things more? I wear him in the Ergo a lot, I thought I held him plenty, he even makes up in the night a lot and nurses on his side.... Had I known his sleep and play rocker and car seat played such a big role in all this I would not have let him spend as much time in either and since finding it out I put the rocker away and bought a new cars eat, have been putting Levi on either side to sleep and bought him a special pillow for when he is on his back during the day or in a swing, bouncer, or car seat so I have pretty much completely eliminated time on the back of his head. His pediatrician thinks that by doing these things we can reverse the flatness but if in a month or two we don't see good results we will look into a special helmet.
It's purely cosmetic, just the shape of his head, but if there is the slightest possibility it will bother him or make him insecure later and we can fix it while he is young I will do everything in my power to do so.
I love him and think he is perfect regardless of head shape but I want him to have the best and I want him to be confident and happy with himself.
I do more research every day and have a list of questions for his pediatrician at his 4 month check up and he has an evaluation with The Hanger Clinic on the 23rd.
I'm looking into exercises and cranial massages to add to our tummy and side time play and keeping him off the back of his head.
I'm also trying to give my anxiety and since of utter failure to my great gracious God and try not to think too much about it. I know I love my children and I am now very aware of how much attention I give to each of my children; verbally, physically, emotionally.
I'm trying to remember each day to give my anxieties to God and trust Him to equip me with what I need to be a good mommy to my precious children.
Saturday, March 14, 2015
A 2yr Old And A 3 Month Old
My amazing kids keep me so busy I haven't had a chance to update my blog about them!
Hannah Kate turned 2 about 3 weeks ago and she is as full of life and energy as ever before if not more.
She was potty training like a xhanp but decided one day that she just wasn't interested anymore so we are working on that this week. All we really need to do is find her motivation. She knows how to do it.
Hannah Kate has become more affectionate towards me and Ryan and more jealous of her little brother and unfortunately much more randomly aggressive towards other children. This little issue breaks my heart but we are working hard on making it a short phase. Discipline has been a large parr of her day in recent weeks but she is still sweet and big hearted and my precious little Angel ... Who just happens to be VERY two.
Levi just turned 3 months old on Thursday and today I was told he is starting to look more like me. I still think he has his daddy's eyes but his hair continues to grow thicker and more curly every day. :)
His quiet and laid back personality has done a 180. He has gotten very fussy lately and very clingy. He has also started drooling like crazy. How early can teething start?! He has also been pretty congested and really struggles with air bubbles causing him gas and discomfort so I don't MIBs holding and wearing him but lately even that isn't enough to calm him. He and HK have been a hand full lately and I admitted I have been feeling pretty overwhelmed with everything lately but I do love my job and my incredibly adorable and amazing children.
I'm trying to remember that we are on a great adventure but lack of sleep and alone time sometimes scew my perspective. I'm a work in progress :)
Friday, February 27, 2015
5 Years
Today is the anniversary of the day I married my Husband. My confidante, friend, and partner.
In the last five years we have lost family members, pets, battled infertility, journeyed through foster parenting, moved 4 different times (Not including 2 weeks in limbo where we stayed with gracious friends) we had two children of our own, made 8 trips to the ER/Urgent care center, traveled to Costa Rica, The Bahamas, Lake Tahoe, and Chicago together. We have laughed, cried, and simply lived life together, hand in hand for five beautiful years. Experiencing our fair share of trials and triumphs, good times and bad.
And now we are embarking on yet another big and exciting journey TOGETHER! We are following God's will for our family in starting our own business.
Being self employed is not easy and not a hugely desired career these days. And it requires A LOT. We are aware that what we are doing is risky, and some may deem it unwise, but even more unwise in our opinion would be disobedience to God.
The Bible is FULL of stories where God called people to step out in faith, and a lot of those times He didn't lay out His detailed plan or give more than one instruction at a time, but "Blessed are they who hear the word of God and obey" Luke 11:28
Hebrews has a chapter referred to as The Hall of Faith. A place in the Bible devoted to listing all the accounts of people who put their faith in God even when they did not understand, could not see, didn't know, or were told to do the opposite. And it was accredited to them as righteousness because they obeyed God.
I never feel closer to my husband than when we are walking hand in hand where we know God has called us to be.
I am SO proud of my hard working Man who loves me and our children so much that he puts God first, and listens to Him over the wisdom of man. That is Godly leadership. And I am happy to follow him in this great adventure God is leading us on.
I am confident we are right where we are supposed to be and we are there TOGETHER. There is no better place.
Happy Anniversary to us! :)
In the last five years we have lost family members, pets, battled infertility, journeyed through foster parenting, moved 4 different times (Not including 2 weeks in limbo where we stayed with gracious friends) we had two children of our own, made 8 trips to the ER/Urgent care center, traveled to Costa Rica, The Bahamas, Lake Tahoe, and Chicago together. We have laughed, cried, and simply lived life together, hand in hand for five beautiful years. Experiencing our fair share of trials and triumphs, good times and bad.
And now we are embarking on yet another big and exciting journey TOGETHER! We are following God's will for our family in starting our own business.
Being self employed is not easy and not a hugely desired career these days. And it requires A LOT. We are aware that what we are doing is risky, and some may deem it unwise, but even more unwise in our opinion would be disobedience to God.
The Bible is FULL of stories where God called people to step out in faith, and a lot of those times He didn't lay out His detailed plan or give more than one instruction at a time, but "Blessed are they who hear the word of God and obey" Luke 11:28
Hebrews has a chapter referred to as The Hall of Faith. A place in the Bible devoted to listing all the accounts of people who put their faith in God even when they did not understand, could not see, didn't know, or were told to do the opposite. And it was accredited to them as righteousness because they obeyed God.
I never feel closer to my husband than when we are walking hand in hand where we know God has called us to be.
I am SO proud of my hard working Man who loves me and our children so much that he puts God first, and listens to Him over the wisdom of man. That is Godly leadership. And I am happy to follow him in this great adventure God is leading us on.
I am confident we are right where we are supposed to be and we are there TOGETHER. There is no better place.
Happy Anniversary to us! :)
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