Survived Month 1!!!

WAHOO!!!!!!

Month 1 of the new budget is in the books.  We survived it!  I had a few slip ups here and there but all and all it was a very GOOD thing for us.  With the left overs in the envelopes and my little slip ups we came out even which is what we were trying to accomplish so it WORKED!!! We have already created this months budget and I went and got the first round of cash today, so month 2 bring it on.

Let me put this little side note out there though.  Shopping solely with cash is NOT easy.  It takes me twice as long in most stores because I really think through every purchase, which yes is the point, but makes it so much more difficult.  I have really struggled making purchases and have really tried to stick to the needs and little on the wants.  I still see all the cute clothes but I also see that they are full price so I decide to wait until I can get them on sale.  I know in time this will all get easier but right now its a challenge to say the least.

Thanks,

Payton's Mom

Budget!!!!

I know I have been missing for the last week, I have been running around like a mad woman but we are finally settling back into our routine.  Amazingly with all the craziness I have managed to pretty much stay on budget.  I have had 2 minor slip ups, one was printer ink, we have now realized that we are going to need a home fund for things of that nature so that one was ok the 2nd not so much.  I originally was going to take Payton's 1st birthday pictures myself but she has decided that mommy photos just aren't really fun anymore.  I just needed them done so we went to Portrait Innovations on a whim.  They were terrific and the pictures came out great but that was not in our budget and I should not have done it.  OOPS!!! This is going to be a learning process for me sometimes shopping and self control don't match with me.

So now I will explain more about our process.  Since we are following Dave Ramsey's method, we start a new budget every month.  His belief is to fill in your budget until you get to $0 dollars.  We fill in all of our necessary items and then the rest goes to savings.  I believe its helpful to budget to $0 so that in my mind I don't think "oh there is extra for me to use" then in my head I can spend double or triple the extra.

This is the form that I created for us to use at our monthly Budget Committee Meeting (I liked Dave Ramey's fun title it makes it sound important)  We are still working out the issues with the form but for now its working.

They are bound and put in my wallet where your check book would go so that I always have them.

We have also started using the envelope system.  Let me just tell you all how tough that has been.  Walking around a store knowing that you only have a certain amount of money and once its gone its gone is SO tough.  It has done two things, A. made me much more aware of how much things cost and what I buy that I don't need. B. I spend 10X's longer in the store now debating what I am going to buy and do I really need that.  I have a very long dialogue that goes on my head as I am shopping about whether I need it or not. It has been a very good thing though, as tough as it has been I really realized I bought a lot of crap that was not needed.  I do REALLY miss going shopping all the time but that wasn't helping anyone.  I am considering starting back at the gym to help give me something to do during the day instead of wanting to go shopping all the time. 

I am sure there will be more growing pains as we continue this process but I hope that it can lead us to happier more financial sound family.

Thanks,

Payton's Mom

2013's Resolution

I usually don't like to make New Years resolutions because I get disappointed in myself when I don't accomplish them. This year I am changing that, it's the year of organization. I am ready to get our life and everything around us organized.  We have lived here for close to three years how and I still have yet to unpack everything and our walls look quite bare.  I am ready to make a change and get things organized and have better systems in place so that I can be a better wife and mother.

We are in need of a new budget so we will be following Dave Ramsey's system. We are both very excited and think it will really help us stay on track. The most important thing to both of us is that I remain at home with Payton. Nathan had one of his parents at home with him til he was 7, I never got to be at home I was in daycare since I was born, I want to be able to be the one to show her things and get to experience firsts with her everyday. With all of that losing one whole income can be challenging, so it's extremely vital for us to have a budget and stay within it. I hope to be able to share more about this as we move forward with it.

Thanks,

Payton's Mom

Payton's Party!!!

I had so much fun planning and putting together this party for her.

This was her cake table.  I made everything but the cake and cupcakes.

Cake table as well as her high chair decorated with a "I am 1" banner.

Pinwheels in the cupcakes to add to the summery feel.

More Decorations

Front Entrance

Front Door

I loved doing this for her and I hope that one day she will be able to look back and know that she had a great 1st birthday party.  I will be adding a few tutorials on how to make some of these things.

Thanks,

Paytons Mom

Payton Allie is ONE!

I am completely in AWW that I have a one year old.  I can not believe the little girl that she has turned into, she has such a little personality and she is constantly learning new things.  We had such an amazing party for her yesterday.  I spent the better part of three days crafting trying to prepare for it, but everything came together beautifully.  Everyone had such a great time and she really enjoyed getting to play with her cousins and see everyone.

I will share more of my craft projects in a few days.  I have to recover and get my house back in order.  I have lots of plans to get my house and life organized this year.  2013 will be the year of organization!!!

Thanks,

Payton's Mom

Funny different things look now

4 Years ago today.......... Nathan proposed to me.

I had to work a half a day and then we had plans to go out that night.  When he got to my house I could tell he was a little annoyed that I wasn't ready to go so I hurried and got dressed and then we left.  I asked where we were going and he said that we were going downtown Charleston.  I said ok great and just kept talking.  We got down there and parked and he said lets go to the swings, I hesitated but finally agreed since it was cold out, but I love being down there on the water so I was willing to go.  We started swinging and talking and then he started telling me how much I meant to him and at that point I realized what was happening, he got out of the swing and down on one knee and asked me to marry him.  It was such a magical moment.  We had been together for so long and I knew he was going to propose soon but it was still a very exciting night that I will never forget.

Fast forward 4 years and we are married, have a house, a dog, and sweet little Payton.  Tonight we will probably go to bed before the ball even drops as Payton wakes up between 7:30 and 8.  I love our life and wouldn't trade it for the world and its so awesome to see how much has changed in the past 4 years.  

Nathan, I love you so very much and you are such a fantastic husband and father.  I could have never imagined 4 years ago we would be here today.  We have had our ups and downs but we ALWAYS find a way to get through it.

These are the swings

Moments after he proposed

 My ring!!!

Thanks, 

Payton's Mom & Nathan's Wife

Food for a 1 year old

I have really struggled lately with what to feed Payton.  I know I have to progress beyond purees but I am really having a struggle with it.  I don't eat a lot myself so its really hard for me to think of things to fix her since I don't eat much.  

Yesterday I spent two hours digging through websites and blogs and books trying to come up with a meal plan for her.  I can finally say that it is done and hopefully I will do better at sticking to it.  Its hard for me to remember that now I have to kind of plan ahead and know that shes going to he hungry at a certain time since normally she just screams at me and then I get her a bottle or puree.  She is really doing well with table food.  She loves fruits and veggies she is not a fan of meat yet.  She is funny though, if I give her mixed veggies she eats all the green ones first, then the orange and then usually just plays with the corn. 

This is her menu this week.  I hope it will help both of us.  Her 1 year appointment is next week so hopefully that goes well.

Thanks,

Payton's Mom