My husband, the thrifty shopper . . .

Lillian has been in some SAD need of some new clothes. She has outgrown much of what is in her drawer, and the clothes were looking pretty ratty after going through her and Cynthia (and who knows before that since I get most of our clothes second hand anyway). I have been searching for the "bin" which has the 5T girl clothes (the ones Cynthia only outgrew a year or two ago), to no avail. Lost in the move? Or put in a place I would not think of in our new residence? Sigh- well we can't wait any longer. I know the shirts and dresses go directly from Cynthia's drawer or part of the closet to Lillian's anyway, so we were just missing pants.

I looked at Jon today and said, so you want to go shopping with Lillian, or should I? I was just not in the mood to sift through clothes at the Thrift store or discount stores, so I LOVED the fact that he brightened and said "YES- I will go!" Truly, my husband likes to thrift shop- it is like a mission for him and he truly comes home with wonderful things. I have to be in just the right mood to shop for clothes, or it has to be a social thing like going out with my mom or friends- - then it is fun. Otherwise it is just a necessary chore like getting groceries.

A husband who likes to shop and a wife that doesn't? Backwards, I know- but I LOVE IT! Takes the pressure off me.

So- this is what he came home with today:

From the thrift store:


2 beautiful dresses for Lillian, 3 warm shirts for Lillian (including a beautiful hand knitted sweater), an outfit for Tyler, a white shirt for Marcus, and 8 pairs of pretty much brand new pants for Lillian (several even had the store tags still attached). Actually everything was in new or very lightly used condition. Total: $38.40 (and that includes the cute Care Bear too)

From Burlington Coat Factory: (here are the dresses you wanted me to get, Mom! Thanks again!!!)


2 spring dress hats and 2 cute spring dresses for Cynthia and Lillian, and a vest for Tyler. Total: $25.32

My daughter can look presentable again! Maybe we will still find that bin too . . .

Thank you Jon for a wonderful job.

I wish I had a picture . . .

One thing I don't like about the garbage pick up around here- they don't have carts, and won't empty a trash can heavier than 50 pounds or larger than a small trash can. Since it would probably take three of these to contain our garbage, we just fill up the one we have, and leave the other bags sitting by the trash can. Everyone in the neighborhood does this, along with leaving out anything from furniture to appliances to be picked up. I hate this because it looks so trashy on our back porch, AND the neighborhood looks horrible on garbage day.

Another side affect is local critters have access to our garbage. We have had to re-bag the garbage several times . . .

So last night as Jon was going out to put the trash on the street for garbage day, we found out what animal had been getting into our garbage. Was it a cat, like we thought? MAYBE a racoon? No- it was a giant possum! Jon said it was the size of a Cocker Spaniel, long and thin with a LONG rat like tail. He kicked the critter as hard has he could twice before it ran away. Shudder - - I am glad Jon was the one who was putting out the garbage that night!

At the same time, I wish we had a picture . . .

COMLEX 3- passed!!!

I wanted to make sure everyone knew that Jon passed the COMLEX 3!!! He took it in December with soooo much depending on that test. He can now move on to his third year of Residency!!! Phew! Not only did he pass, but he got the highest score he has gotton on the COMLEX tests. Just goes to show how his one failed test in the spring of 2009 was such an anomaly- he truly was going through a rough time then. He is doing soooo much better here. He has confidence in his abilities as a doctor, and loves his chosen profession (instead of questioning his choice). It is amazing what depression/anxiety and a bad working environment can do to a person. Truly, the environment and schedule here are so much better for him. Anyway, Jon is so excited and now looking into getting his full liscence so he can moonlight, planning when he will take the actual BOARDS at the end of Residency (to be board certified he has to pass the the National Boards and finish Residency), and also starting the process of finding a good job for after Residency. He will probably be done by the end of January 2012. ONE MORE YEAR!!!!

Famine Before the Feast

Well, at least I hope the feast is coming, after years and years of going without and hard work!

Like so many other people in the country, this year we have to tighten an already very tight belt. It is going to be our year of famine before the feast. Not that Jon's paycheck isn't fair for a Family Practice Resident (though it is lower than WA), it is the lingering affects of our big changes this year and a higher cost of living that is wearing on our pocketbook. Everyone here says that the cost of living is lower here than WA, but for us that hasn't been true. Also, this was the first move we had not planned and truly saved for, and being unemployed for half a year takes a toll too. Luckily we made it through that OK, but there are after affects. I was just trying to hold out until we could get our tax return this year- but this is the biggest blow- - we won't be getting one and will have to pay the IRS because I found out we have to pay back the First Time Home buyer's Credit we got a couple of years ago. That money went straight into the yard of our house in Yakima- and come to find out, if it isn't your primary residence anymore (no matter WHY you had to move), we have to pay it back in full.

I had someone recently really get on my case about our poor-man's lifestyle of thrift store shopping for much needed clothes and shoes, owning cars with more than 50,000 miles on them . . . and most of all, me not working outside the home. I was questioned about what would motivate me to put aside my college education and very early career and decide to stay home when I had Marcus. The funny thing is, only a few days earlier I had laid in bed awake, fretting over whether or not I should go get a job. What could I even do that would be worth it after paying for child care? Tyler alone would be very expensive to put in day-care. I do have a college degree and a bit of outdated working experience (even Property Management ended over 5 years ago when we managed apartments). Even though Jon's schedule is definitely better here, it still can be stressful and he HAS to do well here. Would me working put a huge strain on our family, and most specifically him? Deep in my gut, I know that this is true and the going to work is NOT the answer. A non-stressful part time job might work, but to truly make a difference in our finances, I think I would have to do more. Having my lifestyle questioned so right out, made me really realize my true feelings. Money is just money, and relationships in our family are so much more important. We can survive another year, if we are very careful. The well being of my family is so much more important than driving a newer car, buying new clothes instead of second hand, or even paying off some debt. I know that last bit may not seem right, but this is how I feel, and how I feel God is directing me. I recognize that if our situation wasn't going to be changing in the next year or so, I would have to figure something else out to help that debt, but there IS a "feast" of sorts coming, or at least I hope so! I just need to hold it together a little longer. I also can't be too hard on myself, many of the things that have taken a toll on our finances are things we never could have predicted (hence the need to plan for "whatever"), and I can't think of any way we could have done better this last year.

After venting a bit, I do have to say that I am so grateful that things aren't worse- because they most certainly could be. We aren't loosing our house, defaulting on our loans, not able to pay our bills, or going hungry. We have a warm home full of love and wonderful things, even if most are second hand. We truly have everything we need and more!!! I can't be too hard on myself either, because we did come through this year without a major financial crisis. I have such a testimony of having savings (I wish we had been wise and saved more), food storage, and good budgeting skills. Without these things, we would have been SUNK. I have learned some good lessons too. You never know what life will bring you, so be prepared. I know in the depth of my soul that this year will be a good one for our family, even if we do have to tighten our belts beyond what we thought we could. I was reading in the Book of Mormon tonight in Second Nephi about "there must needs be opposition in all things". We can't know the good without the bad. When money isn't so tight and we can move on, that "feast" will taste so much sweeter than if we didn't have to go through the "famine". We will also understand the extreme need to plan and save- so it won't be temping to just spend the excess. I can't say that after all the years of sacrifice for my husband's career, I am not ready for a nicer house, nicer cars, and nicer clothes - - but I can hold out for a while longer.

Under the Weather

Literally!

I LOVE the snow. We had a beautiful snowstorm the other day- you know, the kind with beautiful lazy flakes drifting down to softly blanket the dreariness of winter in bright white. Everything looks so fresh and bright after it snows. Sure, the roads are bad at that moment, but if I take it slow things are fine- - and by the next day the roads are cleared. We didn't even get a snow day, which I was hoping for, because they had time to clear the roads overnight. Truly, driving in the snow here is sooo much easier than everywhere else I have lived because there are NO hills whatsoever. I remember the rolling hills of Des Moines Iowa, where our apartment complex was down in a dip- with steep little hills up both directions on our side street (which did NOT get plowed well). Getting up those hills in the winter was truly a bear. Growing up on Spokane- I remember being so frustrated when I had to cancel plans because the residential streets were so clogged with snow- and one particular "friend" which I wanted to see every weekend (ahem) lived up on a forested hill which was totally inaccessible when it snowed. Even Central Washington, though much more mild than Utah, Iowa, or Spokane, got snow and had many hills to drive on in snowy, icy weather. Michigan is a PIECE OF CAKE!!

All in all, I would much rather have the snow than the dreary nothingness, just for the extra light and beauty it gives. The one thing I am having to really adjust to here in Michigan is not seeing the sun. It is very cloudy and dreary all the time, maybe that is why the snow is so welcome. Every once and awhile, the sun will peak out and I feel like I have been in a dark room and can hardly stand the brightness of it.

So, for now, I am enjoying the winter landscape, though it does have its drawbacks. One problem is I do feel cut off from people. I have such a need to connect with other adults, especially women- and although I go to playgroup and book club the last month only a few have shown up. I know this feeling is intensified this week because I haven't left the house much because we have all been a little "under the weather"- nothing more than a few runny noses (mostly Tyler who is also getting more teeth), and some fatigue on my part due to not sleeping well. Jon has been really busy on call this week (still NOTHING compared to CWFM in Yakima), and we all missed church on Sunday. I have had to exercise at home because of Tyler's runny nose (the day care at the gym doesn't allow that). Each morning I groan as my alarm goes off at 7am- - why am I soooo tired! All I want to do is go back to sleep, and sleep until springtime. Either that or just curl up by a fire under a nice warm blanket and read a good book. I feel so unmotivated to do more. I need to get my energy back! I need some human contact! Time to call some friends and have them over for a game night, I think!

Happy Tres Reyes

Besides it being the birthday of my youngest brother (Happy Birthday Brian!), January 6th marks the day of the "Three Kings", or "Tres Reyes" in hispanic countries. While Jon was on his two year mission in Argentina, this became a favorite tradition of his. Off and on over the years we have celebrated this holiday, and then several years ago we decided to make it a yearly tradition. The children set out their shoes with grass or grain to feed the camels, and then are left a present. We also celebrate by telling the story of the Wise Men who visited the baby Jesus after some time passed since his birth. A few times, we have even left a note to the Wise Men of how we are going to follow Jesus that coming year (kind of like a new year's resolution bit too). We end with "Rascon De Reyes" (Kings cake or bread) as our special dessert, with hot chocolate.

This year I also made a dinner with some things Jon remembered eating in Argentina- Chicken Milanese, tomato and onion salad, and rice.



Our "Rascon De Reyes" (this is actually a picture from 2008, this year's was gone before I remembered to take a picture!


The kids enjoyed their gifts:
Tyler got a new basketball hoop

The girls got a new Zhu Zhu pet- our first one!

And Marcus got a new Wii game (Scooby Doo)

Jon and I got a new Tennis Shoes series book- wahoo!

It is fun to have a reason to think about the birth of our Savior again, after all the Christmas things are put away. The story of the Wise Men is truly an inspiring part of the tale and it is fun to focus on it. Here's to many Tres Reyes celebrations in the future!

Welcome to 2011!

Happy New Year! Here's to a great 2011. I am full of excitement as I realize that 2011 will be Jon's last year of Residency, and most likely this time next year we will know where he is going to be practicing as a fully trained family physician (and then start making a doctor's income!). What a road. I am so glad for our move here to Michigan, so he can end his training on a good note.

As Christmas break comes to an end, I am sad to have to get back to real life. IT was wonderful having my husband and children around for the last few weeks- we had some wonderful family time. Jon only had to work 2 days out of the entire Christmas break! HEAVEN. Besides our trip to Columbus and Christmas festivities, we enjoyed the Science Center (the Detriot Children's Museum was a bust- that took us all of 15 minutes before the kids were complaining to leave), went to see the new Narnia Movie (with Marcus)- Voyage of the Dawn Treader (AWESOME movie!), played with friends and had fun just at home together. Jon was also able to help his 11 year old scout with a woodworking project.

Friday night we spent New Year's Eve at a friend's house having a BLAST with lots of food and games (including one of our favorites- Ticket to Ride), and a toast with Sparkling Cider at midnight! Thanks to the Moss family! I was amazed that the kids actually lasted until midnight (except for Tyler). Even though we had a few grumps the next day- it was worth it for all the fun we had the night before. It is so fun to find kindred spirits in our ward. Happy New Year!!