One stay at home moms journey to find herself again

Friday, August 13, 2010

Embarking on a wild ride

well, it's been a 7+ year journey but I've finally figured out what I want to be when I "grow up" I've been thinking a lot about when BD gets out and the job he wants does pay good...for us, but maybe its losing the 'security' of the Army that lights a fire under me? I want to get my degree while I'm still an Army wife so that I can use the MYCAA program, and although I love being home with my kids, it isn't what I want to do for the rest of my life. Once my kids are in school I am not going to sit home and twiddle my thumbs. I want a job, a career.
I am going back to school to become a Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer. In laymans terms, a sonogram technician. I still need to figure out what areas I am going study the most in (ie: pregnancy, brain, stomach, ect) I plan to pick a couple different areas to study so that it helps my chances of getting a job.
I Never ever thought I'd want to do anything in the medical field. I just don't do goo or fluids, but this feels right. Ya know that feeling deep down where you know you are doing what's right..ya, that one. plus..scrubs are -really- cute! ha
It amazes me that you can take a little wand and look inside somebody. When I was pregnant I was so awed to check out the machines and I watched like a hawk to see if I could make out any of the symbols/signs ect, not bc I was necessarily worried about my babies but because it was cool!
I am so so excited! I can't wait to start school. I can't wait to learn all about it. I am checking into colleges and facts on the job and everything looks promising. Projected job growth is good, pay is good and this is a job I can do anywhere. I am so excited to start this new chapter in my life. I am scared though, really...really...scared! lol It's been soo long since I have been in school. And all those subjects that make people cringe, anatomy, physiology, physics, I will be taking. lol I always did pick the hardest road possible. :-) Maybe it's so that I can watch myself succeed time and time again.
At the current time I plan to just get my associates so that when BD gets out in 2years I will be able to get a job if I need too, if not, I will go for my bachelors, providing financing comes through, ect. Heck, maybe I'll even go for my Doctorate *totally just kidding........I dont like school that much!*

Thank you to my husband for supporting me 1,000% on this journey. Thank you for providing for me the last 5 years. Thank you for never pressuring me to get a job or go to school. Thank you for always encouraging me in all I do. Thank you for accepting me just as I am right now, a little stay at home mom. Thank you for believing in me, beliving in my 'smarts' even as a stay at home mom. Thank you for being my Prince Charming. The only way I'll succeed on this journey is through your support, so thank you!!

To my parents: thank you so much for your constant love and support. Thank you for never pressuring me into college. Some of the best advice I recieved from my mom was to not go to college unless you know forsure what you want to do, because then you end up spending lots of money and time trying to figure it out. Thank you for never saying "you need to go to college" You knew that when I was ready, I'd do it.
Thank you for having the wisdom to know that 6 years ago I didn't know what I wanted and if I had gone to school I woulda majored in something that at this point in my life I wouldn't enjoy. Then would go back to school spending more time/money..or I woulda just been unhappy. Thank you for allowing me to find my Prince Charming and have my Princesses first and then pursue college, if I wanted.

This will be a wild ride. I excited, scared, nervous, happy. It will be extremely hard, but I want to succeed. I wanna pull off a 4.0!
now, if you'll excuse me, it's time for me to go buy my colored pencils and Strawberry Shortcake lunch box! woohoo!!!!!!!

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

money, money, money

So I'm thinking more and more about saving money and being frugal. When BD gets out we will most likely take a paycut for at least the first year he's in the Academy and the Force so I'm thinking more and more about saving money and living smart.
I've started line drying, yes..I know..How very Little House on the Prarie, but comeon, I've gotta use the 106 degree heat to some sort of advantage. I keep our big double front windows closed with new fangle energy saving Curtains, which is really really hard for me. I hate being inside and having no way to look outside, I get almost clasutrophobic. I'm also starting to look at coupons more. I wish they had coupons for veggies, meat, and fruits. I buy very litle packaged products and I refuse to buy a product I don't normally buy just so that I can say I used a coupon because in the end I'm still spending more, unless that product is free. I spend approx $150-$175 every 2 weeks on groceries and that includes diapers/wipes/laundry detergent, ect.
I also called our electric company to see if they could get us a lower rate and sure enough they did!
I also have a Khols card *gasp* When the girls need clothes I wait for a sale, which they have pretty reguarly and then using my card I also get another 15-30% off my total. I've walked outta there spending $100 but saving $180 for all the clothes we need. Then I pay it off the next month.
We rarely go out to eat when BD is home...we almost NEVER go to a sitdown resteraunt, unless we have a gift card, and we only eat out at other places 2.. -maybe- 3 times a week. When BD is gone I dont eat out much at all, even fast food, because its just too much work to get both kids in the car, go get something, come back, unload everything and then eat. Just too much work to justify it for me. If we're out and runnin behind and hungry then ya we pick up somethin, but other than that..not normally. This actually has less to do with money and more to do with my lazyness. lol
We don't buy soda for the house but thats just because if we have it, I'll drink it and I dont need to drink Dr Pepper all day. ha

So...Lemme have it, Tell me your best frugal/money saving ideas!

Ps: I do NOT do cloth diapering...somethin about scrapin poo off a diaper just makes me whiggie..although I do have to admit some of those cloth diapers are REALLY cute! but lana will hopefully be outta diapers soon so we'll just have to wait and see if I change my mind on the next baby.

Saturday, August 7, 2010

Time

So, this week's weight loss did NOT go good. it bombed..failed...hey, at least I didnt gain anything. I did stay right where I was last week, which is good, I guess. But, I've been given a gift, the gift of time! Time to do better next week.
Time is a funny thing, it either goes too fast or too slow. It seems like time never cooperates with us huh? But time does not stop, no matter how much it feels like time is at a standstill, it isn't.
I know every military wife has heard the phrase "at the end of everyday you are one day closer to being with your spouse again" well, think about it for a minute, really let it sink it. Tomorrow I am one day closer to having my husband/wife home. Isn't that an amazing thought?! Yes I've heard it thousands of times before but when I really let it sink in and really thought about it, I was like wow! cool!! I don't know about you but being a temporary single mom my days fly by. Even days that I dont have anything going on it's hectic. Someone will get sick, they'll fight all day, something unexpected will come up, meses will be made all day long causing me to have to clean up said mess and chase said mess maker.
Cherish each day. I promise you if you spend each and every day wallowing in pity and sadness you're days WILL seem like they are dragging. But when you get up, get busy, become involved, whether its with FRG, volunteering, seeing family, whatever, Time will go faster. Ya know the old saying "Time flys when you're having fun!"
Make the best out of your situation. I get to spend wonderful quality time with my girls at the moment, it's like a girls night EVERY night. okay, ya, I'm exausted, they fight, I scold them, time outs, tandrums, drama, but..aren't we supposed to look at the bright side? or at least try to find one?
Yes, I am sad that BD won't be at Lillias 3rd bday...but, Lillia gets a chance to see her grandparents and spend quality time with them, I get the wonderful gift of help that I don't get often, I get to leave our mutts here and not have to worry about them, I get the chance to visit where I grew up again. Next year Lillia may not be spending her bday with her grandparents so this is a wonderful opportunity for her. see...The bright side!
now, If you'll excuse me I'm going to follow my own advice and go spend some time with some family for, as Lillia says, "Cousin Nessie's birfday party, SWIMMIN TIME!!!" lol Yes, I could be sad bc my husband isnt there with me and I still havent figured out how I'm going to properly watch 2 kids in a pool, but I'm not going to think about that, I'm going to think positive!

Later!

Monday, August 2, 2010

Hello August

Well, August is finally here. Last month I did really well on my goals. Lost the poundage I wanted to, plus 3 more. I hope to lose 7lbs this month.
This month will be a busy one. Birthday parties, birthdays *apparently everybody in my family chose August to be born*, a trip, and the most important birthday of all, My Lilibug will be 3!!! It will be a bittersweet birthday as daddy is away but Im trying my hardest to make it perfect for her. We are going back to Ks to celebrate and shes requested a Princess birthday party and Princess she's getting.
I also have gotten myself in quite the prediciment with Lillia. She was sleeping perfectly *8pm-7am* before BD left then BD left and she was thrown off and was waking up a lot sooo in the interest of sleep that we all needed I started the "milk cycle" milk always makes her fall asleep. Welll, now she's getting up 3 times a night for milk. I realize I was stupid to even start it but at that point I just needed to survive. If I don't give in to the milk she throws a royal tantrum, if she throws a royal tantrum then she wakes up her sister as they share a room. Sooo as of tonight Miss Lillia is camping in the toyroom and not getting milk and we will kick this habit. I need to sleep. I need consistant sleep for more than 3 hrs at a time *no exaggeration, I'm up every 3 hours* not to mention shes costing me a fortune drinking milk all night, as she's on soy.
Just so you can share in my misery, heres a rundown of my nights.
I go to bed between 10 and 11, usually closer to 10, she wakes up around midnight, back to bed, she's up around 2, 2:30 again, back to bed, then shes up again between 4-5:30, then back to bed *Hopefully..we pray that happens* then up for the day around 6-6:30, but shes not really rested because she's a grump all day
I...Am...Exausted. So I hope this is a quick, painless process. Every morning I must save the world all by myself and a Super Hero has to sleep.

So..if ya pray, please say a quick one that my child will kick the crack *aka, milk* and sleep all night once again.