Eight years handed to the Navy

It's official, Chris is the property of the  U.S. Navy for another four years. You know, it didn't really hit me until I typed that line. We have been living this lifestyle for the past few years, and it has become a part of us. It seems normal to think that we are going to be a military family for another four years, but when I really think about it, it does make me a little nervous. In less than a month, Chris will be choosing(loosely) where we will spend the next few years of our life, where we will raise our family. In less than a year, we will once again pack up all of our belongings and move to a new town where we don't know anyone. Sure, its exciting, but it is also scary. Especially for someone like me, who needs everything to be planned to a T. But somehow, I got carried into this life where I am constantly challenged to stay sane. Anything for love, right?

Speaking of anything for love, Chris changed his reenlistment to Dave & Busters because he was worried about me making the hike up Cowles Mountain after my surgery on Friday.

I am ready for whatever journey this life takes us on because we will do it together. Cheers to another, completely different, four years as a military family!

This weekend, I...

.. Recovered from having my wisdom teeth removed and my tongue tie snipped. My husband got a few embarrassing videos of me waking up that I thought about sharing.. just for a very brief second! To all the people who told me it would be nothing, you lied!

Yay me, I didn't swell or bruise too bad. You should see my tongue though.

.. Last weekend, my son was the one doing the recovering after his own surgery.

Luckily, everyone is starting to feel better around here because we have such a busy week coming up! I am nowhere near finishing my class, wrapping presents, making blankets, or starting to pack for Arizona!

December Goals

 

1. Decorate for Christmas and find a tree. We have a small apartment but will hopefully be in a house for Xmas next year, so I want to find a decent tree at a decent price. Craigslist is not helping me.

2. Make dentist appointments. I have to get cavities filled and my wisdom teeth out. Needless to say, I’m postponing making the appointments even though I am in pain.

3. Lower grocery bill. Somehow, our grocery bill has been up $100- $300 the past few months. I know my son can eat, but not that much.

4. Finish class before going back to AZ. Another month of rushing to get a class done before heading back home for a visit.

5. Wrap all presents before Christmas Eve. I’m so good at leaving a present or two for Christmas Eve.. or Christmas morning.. But not this year!

 

I did so-so well on last month's goals..

1. Bake with pumpkin. Pumpkin bread, plus two home made pumpkin pies with fresh pumpkin- one for a church dinner and one for Thanksgiving.

2. Organize Caden’s room. I’m about halfway. So many toys, and we still have Christmas!

3. Finish my class schedule. Almost, just waiting on an appointment with my counselor.

4. Start Christmas shopping. Check!

5. Pack up Caden’s baby stuff. I really need to do this. Baby gliders and cradles may work well for storage, but I’d much rather have them in storage.

I'm so excited for December!

Christmas on a Budget

Christmas is my favorite holiday, hands down. I love buying presents for other people, and of course, getting presents myself is just as fun. This year, our christmas budget is a little smaller than usual, so I'm taking every step possible to make sure that I get the most for my money and spread that Christmas cheer as thin (or thick?) as possible!

Here are the steps I have been taking:

1. Creating a budget and sticking to it. We already have a monthly budget, and sticking to that has been the only reason we have saved enough to buy christmas presents. Something that we have been trying lately is a paycheck 'allowance' for each of us, and its actually working. If Chris or I want something, we have to save our money until we have enough to get it, so it not only helps us save money, but it prevents impulse buys that we may not be happy with later.

2. Planning meals for the weekend, clipping coupons, and shopping the sale ads. Somehow, our grocery bill  has skyrocketed the past few months, and I'm trying to lower it without sacrificing how well we eat. Saving money in other areas means more money for Christmas.

3. Making money while I spend money buying all those Christmas presents with Ebates. I seriously love this site. In just under two years, I have made $140. That might not be too much, but when you think about the fact that it's free money, it seems like much more! After Christmas last year, I received $50 from all my online shopping, and I'm hoping to do the same this year.

4. Setting a limit on Christmas spending and buying for the kids first. Yes, budgets apply to christmas shopping as well! And Christmas really is about the kids.

5. Getting creative with wrapping. The dollar store is a great place to buy gift bags, and I even found scored big with Toy Story wrapping paper!

Or.. You could always put a bow on your child and give them to their grandparents for a few days..