annieology

Remember when the preacher said “and the two shall become one”?  Well, I don’t know, but that’s been a long, difficult, incomplete process around here.

Physically, it was an easy (and fun) process.  Initially.  Eventually a ten pound baby got in the way and it became apparent that we were of differing minds.  Our differing mindset, lasted a lot longer than it needed to.  It would have been easy to give up and settle into that mindset, figuring that’s how life is.  This is what everybody says marriage is like.  First comes love, then comes marriage, then comes the baby carriage, and by the time you put the carriage on the curb, you might as well throw out  the marriage as well, because you can no longer find the love.

Our marriage lasted, not because we were lucky to avoid what others haven’t, rather we were diligent, and it was blessed.   We are blessed.

Financially speaking, the first seven years of our marriage could be considered normal.  Build credit.  Get into debt.  Become hopeless.  Repeat that cycle til you die.  Several years ago, I started listening to Dave Ramsey and I wanted to get out of debt and stay there.  It was terrifying.  “What if?” became my constant companion.  Today, we are debt free.  In a couple of years, we will have the house paid for.  We just paid cash for a new roof and a plumbing emergency.  We still have money in the bank.  It was not easy to become like minded in the area of finances, but it is so worth it.  We don’t have to worry if my husband loses his job.  Now that it is just the house, “What if?” is back.  What if we have to move?  Well, renting cheap for two years wouldn’t be the end of the world.  What I do know is that when Hubby and I agree on how to spend money there’s a lot of it left over.

Every day there seems to be something that we don’t agree on.  Most times, neither of us is too tied to our opinion.  Those times are easily resolved.

Sometimes, I just submit because he is the head of the household.  Like sending Dagan to college with no money and no safety net.  My mama bear mind wanted to baby her.  Intellectually I knew that I needed to be an eagle mama and throw her off the cliff, prepared to be there if she needed.   He was right.  It’s been a year, and we’ve seen our share of Dagan’s friends come home with nothing but a student loan and a wasted year.  She has less than one year left, she’s still alive, and our relationship has never been better.

Sometimes, I don’t give in and he does because he sees that it is important to me.  And then there are times where both of us have strong opinions and neither of us are willing to budge.

Then what?

When we reach a stalemate in the Awesome household, I pray.  And my words are feeble, I always try to find God’s words to pray.  In the event of a stalemate, I pray

Philippians 2:2 – Then make my joy complete by being like minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.

I pray it for three days, figuring if God can change a dead person into a live person in three days, then he can change a mind in three days, even mine.

When it reaches this point, I’ve disciplined myself to accept whatever answer comes of it.  If Hubby’s mind is changed.  Good.  If mine is changed, then I’m at peace with it.  It hasn’t failed me yet.

Oh, that would be me.

I know, who the hell do I think I am?

I love coming home and finding out who has been checking up on me while I’m out.

Hello http://organisingtips.blogspot.com – were you using me as the anti-example?  Whatever the reason, I’m glad you stopped by.

What was I doing out with real people?

It was a church thing where we went to some body’s house and ate lots of good food and hung out and locked the kids in the backyard with a pool (that was being monitored by a lifeguard at all times) and not a trampoline.

I may have a lead on a Spanish Rice recipe.  I’ll keep you posted.

And we talked about God.  And marriage.

I love my marriage.  I love my husband.  I love my God.

And I met someone who was very interested in my worms, and has a housekeeper.  We’re destined to be besties.  Although that may be relationship step jumping.  Assuming we’ll be besties.  But did I mention, she has a pool (that is constantly monitored by a lifeguard) and not a trampoline?   And she likes my worms.   And lives next door to my other bestie?

On the way home the Princess played the “if you really loved me card”.   I sense trouble on the horizon with that young one.  She wanted a glow bracelet when we got home.  I told her she was going to bed.  She said “I thought you loved me”.   Well, I did.

If she only knew the havoc that has been wreaked by our love for her.

And I’ve been up 18 hours.  Hubby snuck out of the house this morning before 6:00 a.m. to go to Bible study.  The boys heard.  They woke up their sister.  They were trying to figure out the tv.  Then they started yelling at each other to “shut up or you’ll wake up mom”.

Isn’t it ironic?  Doncha think?

I know, I’m still here.  Have to finish my Coke.  Yes, I drink Coke at midnight.

Now, I’m done.  Good night, or good morning or good afternoon.

So, what happened this week at the center of the awesomeness universe?  Well, I’d say “Oh not much,” but that’s not why you’re here.  So, here it is.

Sunday, Daddy Awesome took the boys to the water park for a Vacation Bible School kick off party.  Fun times had by all.  Except for the fact that I told him the wrong time and he got there waaaay early, but never fear, Daddy Awesome took the boys to “ride the tooth fairy” as was reported by Booger.  Yes, it might be a questionable choice for boys aged four, five and ten, if it were in fact the tooth fairy and not the ferry.   After the ferry boat ride it was back to the waterpark where the Awesome children wowed and amazed everyone with their high diving skills and their basic water awesomeness.

Meanwhile, back in the City by the Sea.  Myself and the Princess went on a girl date.  Where as I explained here that my daughter found out about my “stripper money” anyway, I’ll spare you the repeat.

Monday began our week of VBS, Hubby and I celebrated by going to a Deli and renting a movie. Boring old married couple, I think not. I’ll save that for a later post. Tuesday it was steak, Wednesday it was my meltdown. Thursday we saw Up, and Friday, with the roofing project complete just laid around and listened to the quiet.

Speaking of the roofing project.  The roofers called me out.  Wondering why us Gringo’s have children who aren’t.  Dang, and I thought I’d put one past Hubby for the past 4.5 years.  Although maybe he put one past me, because Boog and him are quite similar….just saying.   Let me just say, the roofers?  those guys worked their tails off.  And seem to have done a super job.

Were you standing in the wake of awesomeness this week, it might have been profitable for you.  Blogher contacted me about placing ads on the blog, which you will notice by looking to your left.  We also, paid off our car, paid cash for our new roof, in addition to the LASIK we paid for last week, just being around us you might have been able to pick up some of the money flying around.   We also emptied the piggy bank and the littles are the proud recipients of $45 worth of toys the next time we go shopping.

So, I must do it…..

WE’RE DEBT FREEEEEEEEE!!!!!

and we are well on our way to killing our mortgage.  Now that we have the other “little things out of the way”.  It wasn’t too long ago that we were uncertain if Hubby, aka Awesome Daddy, aka The Resident Geek, would be employed this week.  He is, and we are thankful for that.  So thankful we’re committed to doing only the best of the best with the money we earn.

Obama has had this brilliant plan that is trying to get everyone to have a mortgage no higher than 40% of their monthly income.  FOR FORTY YEARS.  Yikes, I freaked at the prospect of how much freakin money that would be.  Then I figured if we paid 40% of our mortgage we’d be done with the damn thing no time, but could not bring myself to pay that much every month.  So, I decided on 33% roughly and we’ll be done with the durn thing in 24 months give or take because you know that bonus’ and tax refunds will also be applied.  By the way, from the calls Dave Ramsey is allowing on his radio show, it doesn’t sound like Obama’s plan is helping.  They seem frustrated with the bureaucracy (which I just Freudanly spelled buraucrazy(Welcome to a new awesome word)).  I need a whole dictionary page to explain my awesome words.  I’ll work on that.

So, me and my many personalities bid you adieu and wish you all well for your Father’s day weekend.  (I bought Kobe steaks and cannot wait to eat them celebrate Daddy Awesome!)