Day 1

Happy 2011!! 

Is it possible for 2011 to be as wonderful and great as 2010 was? I highly doubt it! I was looking at Gus's adoption timeline and was amazed at just how quickly everything moved with the whole process. God was most definitely looking out for us (me) because I have no patience and don't know what I'd do if we were STILL waiting like so many others are with CAS.

I have to believe that what is meant to be will be. We recently had a glimmer of hope that there was another baby out there looking for us... and for the briefest of moments I said, "Could this really happen to us again?" I was excited, eager, and hopeful, but alas, it was not meant to be. The mom decided that it was probably best to place her baby with family.

We most definitely want to adopt again and don't really have any desire to go through an agency. I think we'll let go and hope that if we are meant to adopt another child, it'll happen. I've actually thought about making a website that has pictures and a birth mom letter, and then just posting it for friends and family to share with others. Maybe it'll work like it did with Gus.

Speaking of Gus... he's so incredible. He truly is the greatest thing that has ever happened to me and he brings me so much joy. He's changing each day and doing more and more for himself. He still loves to be snuggled and cuddled and I think as much as he loves Steve, he sure does love his mama!! ♥ 

Last night we went over to Wendy and Ryan's for dinner and then we watched Inception and then it was time for the ball to drop and welcome in 2011. It was nice to spend the night with such wonderful friends and to be relaxed and feel 100% comfortable. We walked home and enjoyed the fireworks that were going off and then put Gus to bed and we went to bed. Because Gus had been away from home, his routine was messed up and he didn't sleep like usual. As a result, he was up most of the night while we watched the movie. He was super tired when we got home, and to our surprise, he slept until 10am today!!

We spent the morning just relaxing and watching football, and then headed to Willow Spring, NC to visit Wilkerson Farms. Carrie Wilkerson is in my MOMS Club and she invited us over to tour the farm and to get some free beef (we referred her farm to Papa Spuds and as a result they're going to be carrying her meat). Anyway, Gus got to see and pet his first goat!!

We were supposed to go to church tonight, but when we were at the farm, I must have stepped on an ant hill or something, because I was bit and itching the whole way home. I realized that I had ants all over me and paniced a bit... we came home and I showered and still feel like I've got ants crawling all over me! AHHH!!

Anyway-- have a wonderful night! I'll be posting again tomorrow...
Until next time...
>^..^<

Financial Peace University

So a couple months ago, Burt's Bees decided to ask their employees if they'd be willing to do Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University Workplace Edition. The deal was, if you signed up for the program and completed it, BB would reinburse you like 90% of the cost. We thought this was an awesome deal and something that interested both of us. Well... the FPU has been sitting in its box for the last few months just collecting dust. I told Steve yesterday that I was ready to begin and turn over a new leaf for the new year.

Today we listened to two of the sixteen one-hour sessions. It was awesome... not only was Dave Ramsey spot-on and so accurate about spending and whatnot, but he was funny and engaging. While we listened, I had the workbook in front of me and was filling in information as the session moved forward. Steve sat and listened and then we'd pause the CD and talk about what we were hearing. It was great!!

I feel really empowered and we're only on the second session! I hope that we can listen to more sessions tomorrow and then get to the budgeting part... that's REALLY where we (mainly I) need help. We don't have credit card debt, but our home, cars, and my student loans are considered debt, and will be things that we focus on paying off through this program. I need something that'll keep my spending in check. I've decided to use cash only... and if there's something I want online, I'll give Steve the cash for it to use to pay off the debt.

When we looked at our finances and decided that it was possible for me to stay home with Gus, I had no idea just how much of a sacrafice it'd be. Before, with two incomes, we were living VERY comfortably and able to buy anything we wanted. That was all BG... now that there's only one income, I've been still spending like there are two... and making it impossible to save anything.

All that's in the past and I'm chalking it up to 2010 and leaving it here. In 2011 it'll be a new leaf with new ideas and new priorities. I'm excited about it.

Today Gus did the most amazing thing EVER!!! He was on the floor laying down... then was in the crawling position, and actually sat up on his own from the floor!!! It was incredible and had I not been there to see it, I wouldn't believe it! He was on his back playing one second, and sitting up unassisted the next. He amazes me with what he's able to do!!

Tomorrow is New Year's Eve and we're going to go over to Wendy and Ryan's and have pizza and munchies and chill with them, and then put the kids to bed and watch Inception (I can't wait to see it). Then we'll welcome the New Year and head to bed! It'll be fun to spend the night hanging with them!! I'd love for my parents to be here like they have for the last two years, but it's not possible this year... so Wendy and Ryan are the next best thing!

Oh... and starting on Saturday, I'll be posting each day (I hope)... we'll see if I can do that. It might be hard, but I'm going to try!!!

Until next time...

>^..^<