Day 4: Tips for successful budgeting

So, I got behind a couple days... we've had family over and I just forgot. Also, this is my least favorite topic to write about but I kept it because it is helpful.

I can only tell you what works for us. We try not to overspend and we definitely try to save. I created a budget once but we only used it for a month or so and then forgot. Maybe I should try that again. As you can see, I'm really struggling with what to even write here. :) So, if I think of some helpful tips I will definitely post them!

Day 3: Describe your dream house, are you living in it?

I am NOT currently living in my dream house. My dream house would have the following things:

• A wrap-around porch
• At least 4 bedrooms
• A photography studio
• A craft room for artsy fartsy stuff
• LOTS AND LOTS of storage space
• A theater
• Chad's own space for whatever he would like in it
• A playroom for the kiddos where ALL of the toys would stay (yeah right!)
• A library
• Open floorplan with plenty of light throughout the house
• It would sit in the middle of a really big, fun yard
• and LOTS AND LOTS of LOVE (insert collective "aaawwwww" here"

That is quite a wish list I know but I am describing my dream house. I'm sure there are other things I would add to that but I can't think of them right now. Chad and I have found a house plan that we both really like and are hoping to build a house in the next 5 years or so. It doesn't have everything I mentioned above but it's still pretty great and it will still be a "dream" house for me.

Day 2: Describe your dream job, are you doing it now?

I think I am doing my dream job. Sure, growing up I wanted to be an actress or a singer (yeah right!) but I'm currently doing what I love... MOMMYHOOD! When I thought about this topic, I instantly remembered witting in my Panama City, FL room talking to one of my best friends about how we would love to be able to one day stay home with our children. Luckily, I'm blessed to be able to do just that. I couldn't imagine anything else... However,...

I recently, as you know, started getting more into photography. If I could do this as a side job, that would be PERFECT. I really enjoy photography and would love to do it as a small business.

Day 1: Describe your current lifestyle in some detail.

I have a FABULOUS life!

• A wonderful husband!
• 2 healthy, adorable, loving, entertaining, precious children!
• A fantastic FAMILY!!
• A faith in my Lord and Savior that can get me through anything!

Because of those four things above, I am SO, COMPLETELY BLESSED! I have so much to be thankful for and my life basically revolves around those four things I mentioned. So... to describe my lifestyle...

I am married to Chad who is an amazing hubby, father and friend. Together we have two of the best darn kids anyone kid over ask for and we spend our time teaching them, loving them, sometimes scolding them and well, parenting them. My lifestyle? I'm a MOM, that is what I do. I take care of my babies, I cook for them, I (sometimes) clean for them. ;) I try to be the best mom I can be for THEM. I know that there are many times when I spend way too much time playing around on this computer when I should be interacting with them more but I also know that free play is good for them too. I know that I make mistakes but I hope they are in no way detrimental to their growing up. (I'm pretty darn sure they are not.) I love them (and their daddy and the rest of my family) with all of my heart and I hope to be the best person I can be for each and everyone of them.

Ok... so I'm not sure if that is really going into detail about my "lifestyle" but that's my life (in a very, very small nutshell).

10, No make that 11 Day Challenge About Life

Ok, so I realized I'm much better at blogging when I already have a topic in place. So here is my next 10 Day Challenge and it's about... LIFE! I just made it 11 days because I thought of another topic. So here is the 11 Day Challenge about LIFE!

Day 1: Describe your current lifestyle in some detail.
Day 2: Describe your dream job, are you doing it now?
Day 3: Describe your dream house, are you living in it?
Day 4: Tips for successful budgeting
Day 5: Best day of your life
Day 6: Did you go to college? Where?
Day 7: Are you in a successful relationship?
Day 8: What has been your biggest accomplishment so far?
Day 9: If someone told you 10 years ago that this is where you would be today, would you have believed them?
Day 10: What is the most important thing in your life right now?
Day 11: If you had ONE day to do ANYTHING you wanted, what would you do?

Ready for summer!

Lainee and I are currently fighting colds and it makes me want summer even more. Why? Well, it seems like colds decrease dramatically and I don't remember ever getting sick during the summer (let's hope I just didn't jinx myself). I'm also ready for summer so we can bring out the kiddie pools and let the kids play in the water. And then there are BBQs, relaxing evenings outside enjoying peace and quiet, smell of suntan lotion, popsicles & ice cream, etc... I could go on and on. The weather has been so crazy around here and it's time for it to just figure it out and get consistent!

We did have some nice days last weekend and the kids had fun playing with KJ's new sprinkler ball and we had a pretty sweet squirtgun fight.

So, I've really started getting into photography. I'm constantly checking out a new photography group I joined, always looking for volunteers who will allow me to take their pictures and continuing to practice to improve upon my skills. I really love doing it and I want to be good enough so that I can photograph others and potentially have my own small business doing so. Jessica Greenfield Photography-I already have my name and logo! Just have to continue to portfolio build and hopefully make something of this hobby of mine.

Wow, where have I been?

Oh, I know! Spending all of my computer time getting my shop up and running!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/sillyfacedesigns

Check it out if you have the time. :)


Other things I've been doing? Well, I just started KJ on a new preschool curriculum a couple of weeks ago, here is the link:
http://www.letteroftheweek.com/Preparatory.html
I'm thinking about changing it up though. I feel that the theme of the week should begin with the letter of the week that he is learning about and that everything should just fit together better... so, I think I'm going to create my own curriculum using peices from that website and maybe others.

We spent this last weekend in Shelton for Chad's grandpa's memorial. It was sad to "officially" say goodbye but it was nice to see family, as always. We already have a few trips planned back to the west side this summer, should be lots of fun!!

So, I'm still working out but my diet has not been so great. I'm hoping to get myself back into it and get back to losing weight. The good: I havn't gained any, the bad: I havn't lost anymore... so, it's definitely time to get back to eating better. Also, I'm going to be an aunt soon!! Ashley is due in a few weeks and I have to say that I'm pretty darn excited. I'm also working on getting better with my photography so that others may let me practice on their children, that would be groovy.

Chad is keeping busy with work and always finding new jobs that we need to do around here. KJ is cracking me up daily with some of the things he's saying or doing. He is such a funny kid. And Lainee, well she is everywhere!! She's such a good walker and she's also my little clingon. :) Speaking of, she needs up now.

So, I'm cutting this short. I know it was kind of strangly written and pretty random but there it is.