Getting out of debt

So in this post I mentioned the Financial Peace University we had done by Dave Ramsey. It has seemed like such a long uphill battle, but my husband and I are debt free! Today we paid off both of our cars. One of them being 6 months ahead of schedule. Starting out the new year debt free is such a relieving feeling. For a while it has just been our two cars that we needed to pay off, but man did it take long! Living on one income for our family with me in school has been hard, but we have made it possible. One thing that has been especially hard is tithing. There are so many things and bills that our first 10% could be spent on. But, we are where we are because Jesus has gotten us through everything. Every thing we have is because of Him and we are continuing to try to remember that, even when we might feel like we have nothing.
It will be nice to finally start saving money. We want to buy a house in a couple years so that is what we will be saving for now. If anyone is needing to get out of debt or just need advice or tips on how to be a better saver, Dave Ramsey's site has amazing answers.

New Years Day

New Years Eve consisted of a bed, pj's, and Netflix. Having a toddler can be exhausting and after I put him to bed at night, I'm about ready to sleep myself. I am definitely an introvert, give me a book and a comfy blanket and I am completely satisfied to stay home all weekend..but..my husband loves to go out. He wanted to go out with Judah so New Years day we went to a small petting zoo in our neighborhood. Aside for my husband getting bit by a donkey, it was nice to go out. 
Later after Judah's nap, he was a bit cranky. So, my husband asked if he wanted to go to the beach (which of course was a yes!) and we went to the pier and out to eat. It was a great start to a new year!

Lake Tahoe

I can't believe that August is already over! This August we had our first family vacation as a family of 3. I had never been, nor had my husband, to Lake Tahoe so we decided that was our destination. We also took my mom with us (she doubles as a babysitter!). We decided to drive up there at night so Judah can sleep, might I add that he did AMAZING there and back! It was so beautiful up there, I'd love to live somewhere like Lake Tahoe when I retire. We stood in North Lake Tahoe but drove down to South Lake Tahoe to visit those beaches as well. Judah absolutely loved playing in the sand, eating it too. On the night of our first day there, there was a crazy rain downpour with hail. Also, there was a crazy road down to South Lake Tahoe where there was no guard rails and it just drops straight down on both sides. Oh and we rented a four-person peddle boat. Before we left, I bought Judah a infant life jacket because we had planned on rafting (water levels were too low so we didn't) and he hated the jacket. When we went on the peddle boat, I thought Judah would be mad because of his jacket. Between it being cold and the rocking motion of the boat, Judah slept the whole time we were in the water. It was a great first family trip.

 (crazy no guard road)

4th of July Weekend

This weekend was filled with a lot of family time. Between school, work, and just little things that we fill our lives with, it sometimes feel that we don't have much uninterrupted family time. On July 3rd we went to a local firework show at the park. That was very different than last year. Last year we had an almost 3 month old. There was more soothing and comforting. This year there was running around on the playground and playing on open fields of grass with Judah's ball.
On the 4th we stopped by my dads house to pick up a box of fireworks for Judah and mostly watched the neighbors fireworks. Besides the fireworks, there was a lot of downtime this weekend which we filled with naps, lounging, and Church. It was a good weekend with much needed family time.

Judah's First Birthday

Wow, I can't believe that I am already writing a post on my son's first birthday. It has been such an honor to be his mom this for this long. He has brought so much laughter, tears, joy, excitement, and so much more. He's learned so much in one year, with little assistance. I'm amazed with the things that babies teach themselves. He's walking now. When did that happen?! It was just last week that we brought him home from the hospital. It was just the other day that a feared changing his clothes because I was sure that I was going to break his little arm. Now we pretty much have to wrestle him to get a shirt on. I cannot get over that God has trusted Daniel and me to be his caretakers, out of all the people in the world, we were the ones chosen. I love him with all the I have. I look forward to the years to come.

So Judah had a baseball themed birthday party. The weather was very unpredicatable. Last week it said it would be 72F, then 66F, and ended up being 75F with the sun right over us. Judah was a little cranky because of the heat and there was zero shade. Nonetheless, I am so thankful for everyone who came. I love just stepping back from the hosting roll and taking a moment to just look around and see all of the people who love and care about him. They mean so much to us.

Here are a few snaps of our day:

 I wanted to go with snacks that you think of when you think of going to a baseball game. So snacks included licorice, cracker jacks, bubble gum, and of course peanuts.

 We had a hotdog and nacho bar

 He was a little hesitant to dig in, but then......

Judah had a great day with everyone but was so exhausted by the end. (As I write this, he's sleeping with my husband on our bed).

Judah's Dedication

Today was Judah's dedication. Dedicating him is something that is very important to me and Daniel. It's publicly declaring that we will do all that we can to raise him in the Lords way and guide him in the right path.

Before his dedication, we had lunch at our house. The weather was supposed to be low 70's and I decided to have a grilled cheese bar. We had various topping to put in the sandwiches along with a tomato soup. I have never had anything other than traditional grilled cheese so this was a nice upgrade.

We are so incredibly blessed to have amazing people in our lives who love and support Judah. He will definitely have great guidance in walking with God. 

I could have no greater joy than to hear that my children are following the truth.

3 John 1:4