Debt Free Journey

Well, our family has finally accomplished a goal that we set out for a few years ago, to be debt free, expect our mortgages. We've had a few setbacks, but we finally made it and that is what has made it possible for me to stay at home with Hunter.

Four years ago, looked a lot different than today does. We had two auto loans, a few credit cards, and six student loans between the two of us. I'm going to guess our debt load was 60-70K between all those things. The first thing we paid of were the credit cards and started paying them off every month and never went back to carrying balances on them. Then we tackled the five smaller student loans on by one. We got both our cars paid off at one point and were left with only my one student loan. Then there was are setbacks... we wanted newer vehicles. We did not need them, but we did it anyways :(

I don't fully regret buying Jesse a new truck and me the SUV I had wanted forever. It means that we love our vehicles and we truly do not want or need to trade them in for a very long time. We did finance about half of each of them because we had our other vehicles paid of and we traded them in.

So our next steps were paying off his truck, my SUV, and then, just this week we paid off my final student loan. Woo-hoo! It feels so good to know that everything we own (besides our two houses) are completed paid for and we can live on a lot less income.

Why did we do it? I think the driving force really came after Hunter was born. I wasn't convinced that I wanted to be a stay at home mom, but I did know that I wanted to have that option if I wanted it. I also knew that we Jesse being in the military, we could have to move at anytime, which meant that I would be jobless for at least a period of time. It was more long term planning for the what-ifs.

We still have an emergency fund in savings, which for my sanity I need (can you tell I'm a planner? Even for the unexpected?). I'm so happy that we went down this path. I would never of dreamed that would could live on one income, much less comfortably, but here we are! I feel much more free and less stressed out and am SO blessed to be able to stay at home with Hunter and grow another little baby. I think the key is to stick with it even if you don't make all the "right" decisions along the way, it'll happen eventually!

I love to hear about other people's journey to be debt free, so feel free to share! Or if have any questions, leave me a comment or e-mail me!

Thankful Thursday

It's another Thursday morning, the last day of my work week, and a great day for me to reflect on the things in my life that I am grateful for.

1. My parents. They take such great care of Hunter while I am at work and this summer, my mom has been making dinner for us during the week as well. It's been such a blessing especially while Jesse is deployed. Plus, she has been making healthy food, which may have contributed to me dropping... THREE pounds in the last week.

2. Jesse will be home in less than 3 weeks!!

3. Jesse and I finally being on the same page and being confident in what we will pursue for our future.

4. Jesse got picked to go to New Zealand/Antarctica for the ICE Mission for the 3rd year in a row! He'll be down there for a month... and it's looking very likely that Hunter and I will go join him for two weeks of it! Love adventures!!!

5. My internal alarm clock. My phone is my only "alarm clock", but for some reason the alarm clock is just not working this week and I haven't had time to take my phone in. I've woken up by 5:30AM every day this week on my own and made it to work on time! Amazing how our bodies work! :)

What are you thankful for this week?

Thankful Thursday

It's been a few weeks since I did a Thankful Thursday post, but I think it's so good to sit down every once in awhile and really think about what you are thankful in your life at that point in time. This week, I am linking up with Undeserving Grace.

Things I am especially grateful for this week:

1. Being able to Skype with my husband a few times

2. My amazing parents who have been so good to me this week. They made it possible for me to run three times this week by walking Hunter while I ran, took such great care of Hunter while I was at work this week, and they also had me over for a couple ah-mazing dinners!

3. My son who is growing into a polite little guy. He has been using his please and thank you's like a pro this week! Sometimes he gets a little confused and says "You're welcome" instead of "Thank you", but hey, the thought is there! Love it!

4. The C25K program. I started running again this week and was pleasantly surprised to find that I was able to pick up where I left off at Week 5. Not in running shape? Check out the program, it's great!

5. Being able to have a serious disagreement with Jesse over the phone today without either one of us raising our voices or getting defensive. We have some very serious decisions to make in the next six months about our future and even though as of right now we disagree, I know that we will be able to come to an agreement eventually without disrespecting each other.

6. Hearing Hunter begin to sing some of the lyrics to "Our God", whenever it comes on in the car, he shouts out "Our God" and has even said "Our God izzz stronger". Can't wait to see this little boy to grow into a man of God!

Thankful Thursdays

It's been awhile since I reflected on a Thursday morning for the things I am most thankful for. So here we go, because God knows that I have so much to be thankful for right now!

1. I am so thankful to have siblings that can offer so much guidance and Christian advice to help me through tough situations. I love that we can be upfront and honest and know eachothers hearts well enough not to get offended but instead listen to another perspective.

2. I am eternally grateful to have a God who gives Jesse and I full authority to claim Hunter as a child of Jesus and to be able to pray over him and protect him from anything not from God.

3. I am thankful to have a husband who serves his country. I am also thankful for the oppurtunity to be able to serve my country as well through taking care of our family while he will be deployed.

Okay, I'm ready to lighten up a little :)

4. I am thankful for my little boy saying "thank you" for the first time last night. It melts a moms heart to hear her child learning manners.

5. I am thankful that my Ipad 2 will be here on Monday!!! That means Jesse will still be here to set it up for me and get it ready so I can skype with him from anywhere while he's gone.

6. I am SO thankful that the weather seems to be making a turn towards Spring. Can't wait for some days in atleast the 60's!

Thankful Thursday

I am thankful for so much, but today I just have to express that I am extremely grateful that Hunter is such a great sleeper. He sleeps about 11 hours straight at night and usually still takes 2 naps during the day. It makes me a happy momma!

Thankful Thursday

It's a good day to remind myself what I am thankful for. I have had a kind of crummy week at work, haven't had my husband to myself for 5 waking minutes since Sunday afternoon, and I just kind of feel like I am in a funk. I need to focus on the things that are going wonderfully in my life.

1. I am super thankful that I don't work on Fridays. I don't think I could get out of bed for a 5th day and drag myself in.

2. I am thankful for the bible study that I am part of with some e-friends. We really opened up to each other this week and I know that we have a bunch of prayer warriors praying for our needs. Thank you, girls!

3. I am thankful for Emerald City Smoothie. I've had 2 smoothies there this week for lunch and it's such a great way to get full at lunch without having to go to Taco Time, McDonalds, etc. They even have protein powder that is egg based so that makes it 100% Paleo friendly!

4. This is silly, but I am thankful for my tv shows. I've been alone the last two nights AND in my funk. They have really kept me distracted and entertained after Hunter goes to bed.

5. I am so thankful that my little boy is such a laid back, happy, and fun boy. I just can't seem to get enouugh of him. I looked at the pictures of him and Henry from yesterday's post like 10 times at work yesterday and everytime it brought a huge smile on my face. I can't wait to spend 3 full days with him starting tonight.

Thankful Thursday

As Thanksgiving approach, many of us take this opportunity to ponder what we are truly thankful for.

1. My parents. My parents give and give and give. They give differently to each of their kids, depending on what their need is. I love this because so many times people get caught up in being "fair and equal" to their kids, and that usually means that each kid gets the same exact things. In my case, my parents give me a hand, well actually many hands. My dad watches Hunter for most of the day and then my mom takes over for the last couple hours until I get off work. It is amazing to be able to go to work and know that your child is being loved to pieces and taken care of wonderfully.

2. I am thankful for my husband and his sacrifice to serve our country.

3. I am thankful for eggnog lattes.

4. I am thankful for Hunter's sleep schedule. The kid sleeps 11-12 hours straight each night!

5. I am thankful for Honey Crisp apples.

6. I am thankful for Christmas music.

What are you thankful for today?