better.

Not sure where I left off last, but things are better. I don't feel like we're drowning as much. Svend is taking the job in Anna in April.  He just make 3500 take home pay--nearly $1000 more than we have been making since we moved her.  Finally. Unfortunately we were on vacation so we ended up spending half of it… but since it was a conference, it should be reimbursed. It's a blessing, otherwise we would be really in the hole.

Currently our finances are stable. We have $4k overall in savings.  Our debts however have multiplied. Not really… but we own $800 on a crown I had to get… We owe 3600 on the van still…it is KILLING ME that it's not paid off! Oh well. we are building up our savings too.

I am so GRATEFUL my parents have allowed us to take over their home for so long.  2 months will have turned into a year by the time we are out.  Svend (and my dad) want us to have 20K in the bank before finding a home. $14k is needed and the other 6k for the unexpected things/savings. I think it's smart.

We met with a lawyer (my sis-in-law's brother in law). He works with contracts and told us we should be safe…

I am praying his paycheck keeps up because we will be able to reach our savings goal by April/May if it does… which is good because in April, our pay decreases to a set $5000 gross per month.  Tax return in Jan/Feb will help as well.

Christmas is next week. It doesn't feel like it. I'm not a go-getter like I used to be. I feel like I haven't given our kids all the experiences I want them to have before Christmas. Oh well. I think I will always feel like that. When we have our own home, I will start decorating in November ;)

Kids are doing better in school. Tally went to counseling and I felt like I just need to give her more attention than I do.  Anders played with Svend last night. He asked me how much I PLAY with Anders… like I don't already feel guilty enough?  Today Tabitha said "today is not a cleaning day, it's a PLAYING day! Tomorrow we will clean."  I didn't do too good of job at it…but we did play tag for a little bit, wrote two letters to mail… I need to do better.

Had a dentist appointment for Anders. Told the dentist about how the assistant pulled Talia's tooth when Talia asked her not to (and she didn't come get me). Told him that was upsetting. He apologized and said they would talk about it…I told Talia I would go back with her every time. She said "get me a different dentist!"

Talia's class is reading "wonder" in school. I loved it. But, it talks about suicide and teenage themes which I felt were inappropriate. She will be reading James and the Giant Peach instead in the hallway. I asked if she was okay with this, and she just said "yes! I Love being in the hall reading by myself." She needs alone time.

Kids are all in Capoiera. They love it so much. They are all doing so good. I want to be in it!!! I'm trying to lose weight. I'm trying to work out 3-4 times a week. This week has been off…hopefully next week I'll be able to get back into it. I started at 173, went to 176, and am now 172.  So, did I lose 1 lb or 4? haha.  I want to be 169 by Christmas.  1 week. can I do it?!??!!? It would be nice. Haven't been 169 since I was pre go with Anders.

then maybe I can be 160 then 150.  ;)


Tally told me she weighed herself the other day. She is 80lbs and feels like that is too big for a 9 year old.  I told her she was healthy and fit.  I never want my kids to be dictated by a number on a scale. we talk about being healthy--not how much you weigh.  I don't weigh my self in front on the kids. I don't talk about diets. I talk about being healthy and eating good so I can have energy.  I hope my kids will have the confidence in their bodies that I was not blessed with.

Going to see my old friend, Christel, tomorrow as a chiropractor. About. Time.   Though, speaking of bodies, I am a lot bigger than I used to be… so it's a little frustrating in my own head to think what she must be thinking of me when I shouldn't' even care but do. I've had 5 beautiful kids. I am able to keep up with them and be happy…. shouldn't' that be enough??