Tax Season

Tax season officially started on Monday, January 20th. 

I have a big love/hate relationship with it.

I love my job and I love that the time consuming months are when it's cold and sloppy out. I love helping my clients and I really enjoy my co workers. I love that I feel like I am finally at a job that 'I belong' and that I feel appreciated and needed. I love the family/life balance they allow me to have.

I hate the long days and I hate that it's 4:50 am on Friday morning and I've been up already for over an hour working. I hate that I miss out on so much time with my husband and son.

But that's exactly who I do it for. I do it to provide a good home and life for my son. I do it so he can grow up and learn the importance of work/career, but not lose sight about family. 

I'm working my butt off this tax season not only because the work is there...but I want to show myself and my employer, that even with being a new mom, I can still do the hours and still provide outstanding work all while maintaining a life outside of work that involves spending time with my lil' family and my friends.

Not only am I working 70 hour weeks, I am still making time for the gym 3-4 days a week (over my lunch hour), still pumping/breastfeeding Turner, going to Mexico for a 4 day vacation/friend wedding and making time for friends where time allows.

I have goals...one major goal is I want to be promoted to Manager and I hope by proving myself this tax season that motherhood has not slowed or affected my work, a promotion will result. 

So here is to 81 more days of living in my office (kind of..I'm actually working from home right now) and to a great tax season full of laughter, tears (because I miss my son and husband) and to achieving what I am working so hard for.

When it rains, it pours

So we've hit a few road bumps lately in the finance department...and forking over the money for it is NOT FUN!

First up..washer dies over labor day weekend! Not a big deal as I always wanted a new washer...so we went washer shopping and purchased one. Small expense?...NO, but needed! Especially when you are a cloth diaper family! Need that thing to keep those diapers clean!

Then...when MEA weekend started (for those not in MN, students get Thursday and Friday off of school...so there weekend starts Wed evening), some kids decided they would like to destroy other people's property. We were the lucky people they decided to throw a rock through our 2nd story window. Not only did it NOT wake us up, Mya didn't even do anything. I noticed it the next morning after feeding Turner. I went to go put him on his play mat so I could get ready and there was glass all over our couch and living room floor. The shades were down so I didn't know exactly what happened...but it freaked me out so I immediately went and woke Tate up. We called the police and they came to take a report. Turns out we were one of twos with window damage. What worries me the most about this is that living room window is right next to Turner's room. I just freaked out thinking what if they would have hit his window. What pisses me off is that these punk kids think it's OK to do this type of stuff. I said a prayer for those kids.

Next up...Tate and I BOTH needed new tires for our cars. Well we all know those cost a pretty penny. It's also something we can't put off. Winter is approaching and we have a little one to think about for safety reasons. So new tires it was...wah wah!

As I am getting my tires installed...they decide to tell me my brake pads need replacing along with some rotors. That would be an additional $400+ just for that. Luckily...I thought maybe our daycare lady's husband knew a think or two about cars and asked if does this type of work ever. Sure enough...he does!!! Woohooo...that saved us over 50% of what the auto repair place would have charged us.

THEN...haha, yes...a few more things!

Our house was built in 1995. We have windows that are wood frame inside (vinyl outside). I was cleaning and noticed that our bedroom window was 'rotting'. There was condensation on the window which causes the wood to get wet and eventually rot over the years. Well great...we've been sleeping in a room with rotting windows. I am a germ freak so of course I bleached the heck out it and called my dad to figure out what to do. He talked about ways to reduce the condensation in our home and also told us to consider replacing the windows since they were older. I've wanted to actually replace our windows and patio door for some time, but never wanted to fork over the money for it...I mean we are talking 5 digits here!!!! We've had a few window companies to the house to go over things and now Tate and I need to make some decisions on what we want to do for sure.

Then...one evening Tate and I were driving back from a evening with friends (with Turner in the car). We were about 1 mile from our house when a deer ran out in front of us...luckily Tate avoided hitting it. But then...the buck that was chasing the doe that we avoided hitting, literally runs into the side of my car. Hits my passenger side (where I am sitting). FREAKED ME OUT! Tate pulled over and got out. The deer had gotten up, ran back to where it came from, and then crossed the road. My car had a nice big dent on the side and my door makes a lovely noise when you open it. Thank gosh for insurance...but there is still a deductible to pay. I'm just thankful we were all OK and nothing more serious happened. Turner slept through the whole thing.

Even though we've been hit with a string of bad luck, I am still feeling truly blessed and thankful. I've been waking up every morning so excited for a new day and feel very grateful for the life that God has chosen for me. I'm not going to lie...this is not normal for me when things like everything listed above has been happening. Maybe it's because being a mom puts everything into perspective of what is really important, maybe it's our food challenge making me feel really good or maybe it's because I know we are going to be OK since we have money saved with our emergency fund for these type of situations. Either reason is fine by me and it feels good to not be stressed about it.

With Thanksgiving approaching, it's nice to be extra thankful for what we do have. We have our health and our happiness. We are beyond blessed. Of course I'm always thinking of new things I want want want...but everything I need...I already have!

And it looks like our luck is finally turning around. We got pulled over on Friday evening on the way to a friends house. Tate wasn't paying attention to how fast he was going. The State Trooper gave us a warning and sent us on our marry way...THANK GOSH (it may have had something to do with Tate telling the trooper that it was getting close to Turner's feeding time and him screaming in the back may have just helped)!!! Fingers crossed we are on the up and up from this point forward!!!

  

If you need a good laugh...

So this video has been floating around and I usually don't watch the million videos that people share on FB. But for some reason I decided to watch this one and I am so glad I did. I did 'share' it on FB and now am sharing with all of you.

 

I've watched it over 5 times now, made everyone @ work watch it and told my family to watch it...laughing until my belly hurts each time! 

Happy Friday everyone!!!!

15 things it says to do before kids

I get emails from The Nest on occasion and yesterday I received one that had a list of things you should do before you have kids. I was intrigued and read it. I found it very interesting and wanted to share the list. I also wanted to give my thoughts on it and share what Tate & I have done!

 

Go on a wine-tasting tour at a vineyard

This is something that Tate & I have done when we were in the Florida Keys. I've also been to a few here in MN also.

 

 

Go skydiving/bungee jumping/swimming with sharks...or whatever other crazy, life-risking thing you’ve got on your bucket list.

I have gone skydiving twice and Tate has gone once. The first time I went was in CA while visiting my brother and then I took Tate for his 27th birthday!

 

Make a list of all the restaurants and bars you've been meaning to check out -- and go.

Um...I'm not a huge fan of trying new things or even going out to eat. I like home cooked meals and knowing whats in my food! I can't think of anything out here that we so want to try that we haven't yet...and when you have a kid, you can still go out to eat at a restaurant!

 

Appreciate the bathroom -- alone.

I know this is one that I will want after a child comes. I hear stories that moms rarely even get time to shower in a days time! I will be appreciating my bathroom time a lot more now!

 

Stop being so self-righteous.

haha...the description for this list items states "When you see a mom or dad struggling with a tantrum-throwing kid in the airport or at the drugstore, don’t roll your eyes and think, My kid would never do that. Because he will. I guarantee" haha...this is so me and my kid will probably so do this so many times and I will regret feeling self righteous!!!

 

Take a road trip.

This is something that Tate and I have done lots of. We road trip every time we go to his hometown because it's 4 hours away. We did road trip to Ohio many years back for a football combine and make it a little nice vacation! Road trips are fun but I really like flying too!

 

Be spontaneous.

I am the most un-spontaneous person ever and my husband can be very spontaneous. It's good that at least one of us. I am a big planner and can NOT just 'go with the flow'...it gives me anxiety!

 

Spend an entire day in bed together watching movies.

This is something that has never happened and I am not sure if ever could. I can't just sit still! We have had 'hungover' days where we lay on the couch all day...but other than that, I usually have a list of things to get done! I think when we have an infant, it would be more likely that all I want to do is lay in bed, feed baby, change diaper and then sleep.

 

Have boozy lunches with friends.

This has happened! More in my college days than now, but it has happened, it was fun and it may happen again...just probably not Tate and I @ the same time since one will have to take care of the kid :)

 

 

Feed your minimalist side.

This list items states 'Get a white chair/couch/rug/anything else you wouldn’t want stained. Leave your wineglass or coffee cup on it and watch it not get knocked over. Enjoy it while you can, because once there’s a little one tottering around, you can kiss it good-bye!'  Ok...I will NEVER own a white couch and I would never leave a wineglass on it if I owned one. Tate and I are pretty clumsy people and it would get spilled with or without a child in the house!

 

Have morning sex.

Your have a kid...your life is not ending! Morning sex may be the only time you can fit it in! Some of these things are ridiculous to me!

 

Be the last ones to leave the party.

Well the last time this happened was our wedding...but other than that, this doesn't happen. My husband is the night owl in our relationship and I am the morning person. I get tired very easily and usually want to the first to leave the party!

 

Fly first class.

Tate has flown first class and it wasn't a good experience for him...not airlines fault, just his young minded self back in college. I have never flown first class and I really don't have a desire too, unless it was free. I don't want to pay for it...call me frugal, cheap...what you may but I would rather spend the $50-$100+ on a new outfit or shoes!

 

Wear as much silk, cashmere, dry-clean-only clothing as you possibly can, while you still can.

Um...I don't wear dry-clean-only clothing now and I don't plan to start. I usually deter from buying if the tag says 'dry clean only' because it usually cost way too much for dry cleaning and I don't buy clothes expensive enough that need to be dry cleaned!

 

Take a career risk.

I have definitely have done this is the last 3 years...but I am finally where I belong! I would agree that you should think triple times long and hard about any career moves while having children because you still need to provide for your family!

 

Any of these sound ridiculous to you? Some things that should be added that you have found very difficult to do now that you have children?

 

Never have I ever...

NO..I am not going to play the game that we all did in college that involved alcohol and sexual innuendos so if you thought that this post was going to be all about that and you are disappointed...move along ;)

 

I have dealt with something for the last 24 hours that has NEVER happened to me...so it got me thinking that there are many things I have never done....that I thought I would never do....or have done recently at the ripe age of 29 and thought it would be a perfect blog post!

 

NEVER HAVE I EVER...

 

...had a headache that has lasted longer than 2 hours. The one I currently have is going on 30 hours and I don't know how to get rid of it! I am hoping that it goes away in my sleep tonight (or last night for all you reading this) and that I am enjoying this Tuesday headache free!

 

...tried pineapple before our honeymoon down in Mexico in October 2011. I think I didn't try it because my mom didn't like it and I thought, well if she doesn't, then I probably won't. I regret not trying it and now buy a pineapple once a week! I love it and can't live without it!

 

...traveled overseas. I've traveled to Mexico, Canada and many states right here in our country...but never over an ocean. I dream of traveling many places like Europe, Africa and Australia, but not any time soon. I see that in the future...someday!

 

...lived anywhere else but the great state of MN. I grew up in southern MN, went to college in central MN and now live in the Twin Cities of MN. I really can't imagine living anywhere else. I have dreamed of what it would be like to move our life somewhere else, but then it gives me anxiety thinking if it were to actually happen and all that it would involve!

 

...had a desire to run a marathon! Yes I work out, yes I have done 5k's and triathlons, but running 26+ miles sounds very miserable and training for it even sounds more miserable. I don't even have a desire to do a 1/2 marathon. The thing is, I get bored VERY easy when I am running, so running long distances does not sound like a good time. When training for my triathlons (keep in mind...this is a sprint triathlon, which means shorter distances the a traditional triathlon) it involves running AND swimming AND biking. I do something different every day for training...changing it up keeps me interested!

 

OK..that's good for now before I spill my life secrets on here ;)

 

If you liked this...play along and post yours, I would love to read all your 'never have I ever'!!!

 

Welcome to your late 20's

2011 was all about weddings. Tate and I had 10 weddings before ours last year.

2012 is all about the babies + 5 weddings. Tate and I have 8 friends expecting! Very exciting...what's even more exciting is that it's 8 friends...but 9 babies! Yup..we have a friend that is pregnant with TWINS!

I was talking with my co-worker yesterday and I asked her if she had any friends that were pregnant because I just can't get over the fact that we know so many people with a bun(s) in the oven. She said no, but she just had 5 friends have babies. She then proceeded to welcome me to my late 20's.

It never 'hit' me that we are now in that phase of life that is all about babies. I had friends have babies a few years ago, but it was only 2-3...not 8.

As I sit here and think about life in my late 20's, I find myself thinking about what I did in my early 20's that I don't do in my late 20's!

Getting drunk

The hangover is so not worth it! I need to be productive on my weekends and get things done around the house...hangover in your late 20's = being lazy ALL day and feel like crap until mid-Monday!

Shopping sprees

Let's face it...we have bills to pay that take priority over a shopping trip. I don't remember the last time I actually went on a 'shopping spree'. I will randomly buy things here and there...if it's on sale, but going to the mall hasn't been done in quite some time! I am big coupon lady and usually only buy things if it's on sale or I have a coupon for it!

Doing something EVERY weekend

Not going to lie...I absolutely love the weekends where nothing is planned and we get to stay home! Relax in our PJ's, get stuff done around the house and spend time with just us!

Going out to eat...a lot

It's fun...once in a while, but Tate and I rarely go out to eat! I love to cook and think many of my home cooked meals taste better! We go out to a restaurant probably once or twice a month, if that...which both of us are totally OK with.

Life has definitely changed...and all for the better. We go through these phases in life. My early 20's were my last few years of college and transitioning into my 'big girl' life. Those years were very fun, but as we grow older...so do our responsibilities. Those years can stay in the early 20's and I have created new memories and fun times in my late 20's!

Random Thursday Post

I could blog about our updated office space...but that would mean I have to get out the camera, take pictures, upload to my computer and then wait for them to load to blog. Too much work so I will do a random post today :)

--------------------------------------------------

Big storms last night here in MN. Woke up @ 2 am to them. Went to close the window and found our sweet lil' Mya on my side of the bed sleeping on the floor...I like to think she was protecting her mama :)

--------------------------------------------------

Carolyn over @ Life, Love & Puppy Prints posted a photo to her instagram of her blog as an icon on her iPhone. Someone asked how she did it and she explained. Well I for sure had to do it and now pass it on to any other iPhone users to do the same!

  

Got your blog page in Safari...click on button that arrow shows. Select 'Add to Home Screen.

  

Type what you what the icon named. Then...bam, it's there :)

--------------------------------------------------

This is the current forecast for today...not pretty! And all that green stuff to the left...will be on is this afternoon probably! Looks like golf league won't be happening tonight! Bummer!

--------------------------------------------------

My birthday is coming up and I am so curious on what Tate is getting me. I only asked for 2 things...but he had said he had something else in mind. I'm very rarely surprised because I usually know EVERYTHING that's going on...it's a control thing...so I am super excited to find out what it is. Not excited about turning 29...but since it inevitable...I'll be for sure making the most of my last year in my 20's.

something I keep telling myself :)

Happy Thursday everyone! Tomorrow is Friday which mean the weekend is VERY close...and a long weekend on top of that! JACKPOT!!!