Tightening our belts, creating a budget, and getting out of Debt.

So since Christmas time we have really been struggling by the end of each pay period..... it's been hard and so we decided to have someone come in and help look over our finances and what is the best plan of attack to get out of debt.... other than our mortgage of course.... well I won't get into details but boy was it an eye opener. So it means there are a lot of changes happening in our household. We are getting rid of somethings that we don't need, that are really just wants..... we are creating a menu and sticking to it..... we are not eating out as much.... I might be watching 1 or 2 kids during the week and David might be getting a second job. The key is we won't be spending money frivolously and we will have to cut back on Birthday and Christmas budgets etc..... it will be hard, we will be tight on Money for a few years, but if it is what it takes to get our budget back on schedule and get out of debt it will be worth it.... better to do it now when our kids are small and they don't understand they are missing out on things, than in 10 years when they can understand it. We are trying hard to get out of debt, we don't want things to get worse.....  we are looking forward to a bright future, even if it takes a lot of tears.... (tears which have been shed today) patience and years.... So if you ask us to go do something it's not because of you it's because we are getting out of debt, if you get something small or nothing at all for birthdays or Christmas it's because we are trying to better our family situation, and get out of debt. We will get better and we will overcome this but it will take time. So for now I will say goodbye... please note one of the changes happening is getting rid of the internet and using our phones for internet..... so don't be surprised if the frequency of my blog posts go down quite a lot...... its better for my family and I have to do whats best for us!

Love,
TT

Being a stay at home mom is a tough job......

But I love it! It's been a while since I posted on here, an actual post. I have been keeping super busy being a mom. The kids are doing better and finally starting to get better... (knock on wood!) My days consist of taking care of the kids, and trying to organize my life/house..... We have 3 rooms that I have really been working on to organize they are getting better..... but still far from being there.... here are some pictures of my projects.... please don't look at the gross carpet or wallpaper.... eventually when we have some money and have done some of the other projects that need to be done first we will get them fixed......

Part of the Toy Room/Craft Room!

Another view of the Toy Room/Craft Room!

Another view of the Toy Room/Craft Room!

Our Red Room/Storage Room/ Future Guest Room

Family Room, Notice all the papers on the floor that need to be filed away!

 Some of the projects I have been working on:

Books, Books, and More Books! I found like 5 boxes of books in my  red room to put away! We had to go buy a new bookcase!

Decorating/Organizing the Kids Room!

Obviously there is still lots of work to do...... but my hope is to be settle in, unpacked and organized by the end of March.... that will be our 1 year of being in the house mark. Hope I can do it with all the other things I want to do.
I am working on the kids's first year scrapbooks, sewing several things, potty training the little princess, and being a good mom. Can I do it???? Yes I can!


Love,
Tt

Updates!

Well, the Family Blog has been updated! You should go check it out!

What have I been up to.... well we have been cleaning, organizing, cleaning, organizing and cleaning some more. We have been trying to move all our pictures from the computer onto CD's. We rearranged the house a little. I have been trying to organize my craft room and just staying busy being a mom to my two adorable kiddos. Once things are organized I will post pictures. It will just take a while.

Oh I still have to post my New Years Goals, but that will be another day!

Love,
TT

Marriage: 2 People Working Side By Side!

When I think of the perfect marriage, I think of my parents. Now don't get me wrong I know there marriage isn't perfect, but what I do know is I want my marriage to be just like theres. I see the good things and am trying to put them into my marriage to make it the best marriage I can.

Some of the things they do to make the Perfect Marriage:

• They treat each other like the King and Queen they are. They are so sweet to one another, they are kind, loving and treat each other so wonderfully. This is something I am definately working on. I forget to be patient with my hubby and sometimes loose my cool with him but I am working on it.
• My parents walk side by side..... by this I mean they NEVER make decisions without consulting each other, whether it be something small or something big. It amazes me how often I see spouses or families never consult with anyone else, expecially their spouses, on what should be done or the best decision is for the family. They feel they have to do it one way and NO ONE else gets an opinion on it. My parents always consult with each other and/or anyone else who may be involved in the decision to be made and they listen.  
• My parents know the importance of intimacy. I am not talking about things that should happen behind closed doors but things that are OK to happen in public. Growing up I never questioned whether or not my parents loved each other. They were always holding hands, stealing a kiss or two, cuddling, or numerous other things. They know the importance of intimacy in marriage. I  remember when Buzz and I were dating, and I believe we were just cuddling on a couch, we   had someone get after us for "being to intimate." I never understood it and now if someone said that to me, I would probably glare at them and continue to cuddle.  I understand people are uncomfortable with public display of affection, but I think it is important. I do not want my kids to EVER wonder if there parents really truely LOVE each other. Actions speak a lot louder than words, and it honestly makes me sad when I never see the same people even holding hands.
• My Dad still to this day will open the door for my Mom! This is one that David has down pat. He gets mad at me if I open the door for myself when he is with me. I learned to let guys open the door for me, and it has helped in my marriage, and it is not something that I had to teach Buzz to do, he came to me doing this. There is a picture circulating around Facebook of a Guy opening a car door for a girl and it says "Real Men Still Do This!" I completely and totally agree!!! All men should open the door for their Ladies and Ladies should let them. I hate the excuse that some Ladies use, "I hate waiting for them to walk around the car to open my door" Really??? You can't wait 5 seconds? Let your Guy be a Guy, Let him be a King to you the Queen.
• They work together to get things done. They do things together and LOVE spending time together. I still sometimes need me time, but I love spending time with him and he loves being with me.
• They have taught us as kids to be independent. My parents are my best friends, and I know I can turn to them for ANYTHING, but they also taught me to do things on my own, pick up after myself, ask when I needed things and not expect it to be handed to me, they did this so that when I went off to college or when I got married, I could rely on my Husband and not my Parents. They will always be there for me.... I know this without a doubt, but I also know they taught me independence.

My parents have been married for 40 years and I know without a doubt that it will take me a long time to get my marriage to where they are at, but I have a firm beginning! We just have to keep working on it and never give up on it! I love my parents, they are amazing and wonderful. Thank you for being such a good example of a "Perfect" marriage!

Love,
TT

New Posts on the Family Blog!

Go check them out! There are several of them!!

Love,
TT

Projects!

Ok so lately I have been super busy! Between Little Prince and Little Princess getting sick, family activities, working on cleaning up so we can rearrange our house, sewing and just being a mom we have had quite a few weeks. Our house is decorated for Christmas, Christmas Presents are wrapped and we are so excited for Christmas with 2 kiddos instead of one and to celebrate in our own house. It will be so fun.

Anyways, my Brother-in-law is leaving on his mission in less than a week, and so we are doing his Christmas tomorrow. We will be doing our usual get matching PJ's and this year I really wanted my kids to have PJ's that match us so we can get a cute picture. Well of course its hard to find Pj's for adults and for children that are the same so heres what we did.....

We bought these....

1 XXL pair of Pants

3 large Shirts

Cut them up, did a little sewing, a little ironing, and some clipping threads and made these.....

1 toddler shirt/pants and 2 infant shirt/pants....

I love they turned out, Now we hope they fit!

Love,
TT

What have I been up to?

No good as always. I am really trying to declutter and organize my house but that is hard when you have two little ones that require a lot of attention and one of which makes messes as fast as you can pick them up. I focus on one room and another gets torn apart, and vise versa. Someday I will get on top of things, and hopefully sooner rather than later. I have big plans for the house. Some rearranging to do, if I can get the hubby on board. We will see.

I also have some sewing projects that I now have less than a week to finish. Once I get them done I will for sure take pictures and post them on here!

I have updated the family blog, so you can go check that out as well. I am trying to become a better mom, but that takes a lot of work and patience on my part. Hopefully I can keep up with all I wish to do.

I am thinking of some new years resolutions currently..... I will post them when I get them set in stone. Maybe that will help me keep them...... ha ha ha thats funny.

Sorry this point is so disjointed it is after midnight and I can't sleep!

Love,
TT