Happy New Year & Goodbye Shopping!

It is that time of year again, when many people make resolutions. I always like to spend at least a few moments to review the previous year, think about the upcoming year, and re-set my priorities. This year, I don’t have much to rehash, but I am looking forward to possible big changes this summer.

I am planning to move back to my house in Texas. Now, I wish I knew how or if it will all work out, but that is my plan. My tenant’s lease ends on July 31st. I would really like to get Lexi enrolled in kindergarten there, which starts the middle of August. My dream/ideal situation is for my company to put me back on full-time in September. I can enroll Jordan in the same place that Lexi was going before we left. He would start right after Labor Day. Sounds like a great plan, but I know life often takes us in different directions. I still really want this one though.

While my company is doing ok, the economy in Florida has been suffering. There are not a lot of contracts out there. I am desperately praying we win one so that they don’t have to worry as much about agreeing to the full-time. My other option is to look for a job, but I am hoping I don’t have to go that route.

In order to make this transition easier, I realize that I am going to need money. Most situations in life are easier with money, right? Knowing that, I have decided that it is time to become an extreme penny pincher. I have never been very good at it, but I am certainly going to try.

So, here is to a New Year of penny pinching for the greater good!

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas from our family to yours! I just love this time of year.  Spending time with family and a general sense of cheer just make life seem a bit better. 

We don't have anything too exciting planned this year. Unlike last year, no family members are coming to stay. Since we're living with family, we still get the benefit of spending the holidays with loved ones.  We have also tried to help a few people who are less fortunate than we are this year. 

I had planned to hold back on shopping, but as usual I kept finding things that I knew Lexi and Jordan would love. On top of that, my sister and mom enjoyed getting things for them. They will be very spoiled come Christmas morning. It will certainly be fun seeing their excitement.

Holiday Cheer

I took the kids with me to the post office this morning to send off a few packages. As expected, the line was out the door and there were only two clerks.  I had prepared Lexi and Jordan as well as myself for the long line.  We didn't mind so much, but everyone else was grumpy and complaining loudly. 

After about 15 minutes of waiting, Jordan started singing, "We wish you a Merry Christmas!"  He sang it fairly loud and quite cheerfully.  Quite a few people around us cracked a smile.  It reminded me that "the best way to spread holiday cheer is singing loud for all to hear." Thanks Buddy the Elf.

San Diego Snow

Lexi and Jordan just love snow, pretty much like all kids, especially ones that rarely get to experience it.  Today, in fact, Jordan saw a snowball fight on television and was very excited to have one.  I had to explain that we would not be having one today.  He was quite sad and questioned why.  Well... I explained that we don't have any snow and the temperature actually made it all the way to 80 degrees.  In stead, we made snow flakes to hang up. 

Now He is Three

Jordan's birthday was yesterday.  He is actually three now.  The funny thing is that every day he jumps on the scale and ranges between 31 and 33.  Whenever I tell him his weight, he would turn to be and say "No, I am two!"  Yesterday though, he was 31.4.  He said, "Yeah, I AM 31."