My current "self help" read....

So, as today came about and I realized there was NO DAVE RAMSEY day tonight, as would there ever be for the next infinity of Tuesdays...... I have currently started reading this book....
I love books that make you feel good, make you want to better yourself, and give you a totally different outlook on life! Our preacher currently finished a sermon series on this book and I'm looking forward to it! So- here's to "One Month to Live" and living a "no-regrets" life!

Cow patties and blown budget!

Well, Jeremy and Jaylee Ray decided to go look at Pa's cows yesterday. I dress her in hand me down play clothes and her tennis shoes..... they return several hours later with no shoes on, Jaylee saying "Mommy I got poop on my pants" and Mom is wondering what in the hell has happened?!??!

I'm thinking she had an accident at the farm and daddy had to clean up her poop. My insides were rolling because he never gets to deal with anything like that! But, much to my disappointment, she stepped in a cow patty..... and it got, all over her shoes and the bottoms of her pants.

Yuck! Jeremy tried to hand the shoes to me and I said "Oh no- that came with YOUR trip- you can deal"

And as much to no ones surprise- he didn't clean them- he just placed them inside the garage- to where I go and look for this morning as we are getting dressed- and there they are, now, all covered in dried up, crusted over, cow patty!

Text sent to husband at 7:30- "I was going to send you a "have a great day, I love you text" instead "I'm going to buy Jaylee Ray new shoes this week so work overtime!"

I instantly got a phone call, apologizing for "forgetting all about them shoes"-- haha- yea right! Like I'm too stupid to know that he "Accidentally forgot"- Please!

So now jaylee has a pair of "farm shoes" and soon a new pair of "home/play shoes"

Text....

Friday, 7:05- Husband approached about going back to head mechanic for job, husband responds to boss...."We'll talk about it"

7:45- Husband receives a text that reads "let me know if you want it- another raise will be involved"

7:45.02- Husband forwards text to me...but my phone is turned off since there is no service at work!

4:15- I finally receive the text and cry some more on my way home from work and we both talk about how blessed we are!

Weekend- Jeremy shows excitement to noone other than me- typical! I wanted to wring his little neck when his mother asked about it- he never shows excitement to anyone, over anything! (I wish everyone could have heard the conversation Friday morning when HE CALLED to tell me what had just happened!)

Monday Morning- Husband arrives at work to be mechanic and takes back over his shop and work truck! I call at 7:30 for a reason I'll blog about next.... and already, his voice has changed and you can tell he's back to liking his job!

In Awe.....

Tears of joy this morning.......I'm standing in awe of God and his continual blessings!

Blessing #1
As I went to look at the budget last night and look at Jeremy's deposit this week, I couldn't help but thank God for his continual blessing. I remember the days and nights of crying myself to sleep and wondering how we were going to make it. Recently a friend posted on facebook that they went to speak to their landlord about their Rent and by Gods generous people, it had already been paid. I remember being in their shoes. I remember struggling to make it week by week. TYJ for your outpouring of love and continual blessings in our finances.

Blessing #2
I went to wake up my girls this morning, and both girls were just happy and grinning from ear to ear. Jaylee Ray knew that today was Friday and there were "no more fingers" and her Daddy was coming home today! Jentri was just full of giggles as always, which makes it harder and harder to leave her at Miss Robins! TJY for the blessing of children. There is no greater joy than children and the laughter and joy that they bring!

Blessing #3
Jeremy was offered another position in his job.......... possibly an increase in pay as well. God is so good and I feel so unworthy. Dave Ramsey stated over and over that when you put God in control of your finances that blessings will continue to outpour. I firmly believe this is true because we have been blessed beyond measure since taking his course!

FULL CIRCLE....

Speechless is how I left class last night......
Not many things in life leave me speechless with a dumbfounded look, but the final class of Dave Ramsey last night did. Wow.

"The Great MISUNDERSTANDING"

Bottom Line- NOTHING is yours. EVERYTHING is God's. You are working for his kingdom, and not your own. Your money is not yours. You are only the MANAGER of HIS money.

Just because you make more money, does not mean you get to spend more and have more, it is suppose to mean that you GIVE more. Ouch! How guilty of this are we? How guilty are you?

Did you know that the term "tithe" means "tenth". So, therefore, if you are not giving a TENTH of your income (10%) then you cannot say that you "tithe", you are giving an "offering". Now I know why at church we have the session "tithes and offerings" and not just "tithes" NOW WE understand! We have never "tithed", We have always "offered". And reason being- SELFISH. And being selfish is a SIN. When you clench your fist around your money, and keep it to yourself, you will never prosper in life. When you open that fist, and give it to him, amazing things happen.....things you don't even understand HOW will happen.

Guilty.....Guilty....Guilty.... are we. Even being in debt, you are still suppose to tithe. That WAS so hard to wrap my mind around, until last night. Life has no meaning unless you are a giver.

You will never have financial peace, until this great misunderstand......is UNDERSTOOD.

So- we have "Graduated" and our class is now over. 13 weeks to get on the right track of financial peace. We are on our way, and can't wait for the day of becoming debt free! It takes the average family 18-24 months to become debt free, minus their house. Then after debt free, it takes them 6-7 years to pay off their house early. I feel much more at peace with our money. The financial stress has been eliminated in our marriage, thanks to the hard, dreaded task of BUDGETING. It isn't easy, it is very hard, but it's worth it! Many say that they don't NEED a budget, they've done it their way for so long....they aren't changing. Some say they are single and don't have any worries. Everyone has a reason, but not everyone has financial peace.

Sorry if I have stepped on any ones toes the past 13 weeks during this process. It has been a very learning-filled lesson and I hope if anything, at ANY POINT, in your life, that you too will someday take this class. Of the 4 families involved in my class, we were the only couple under the age 50. The other 3 said over and over, "I WISHED I HAD TAKEN THIS SOONER", and "WAY TO GO LOWE FAMILY- WAY TO GET YOUR FAMILY ON THE RIGHT TRACK EARLY!" It is never to late to budget, and take control of your finances. It is never too late to prepare for your future. It's never to late to get financial peace!

That's OUR girl!

Recent Jaylee Happenings.....

Happening # 1
So in the past 2 years of having the same babysitter, not once have I ever received a call at work. Yesterday afternoon, while I was mid lesson, my principal came over my speaker and said "Mrs. Lowe, your babysitter is on the phone".... You can well imagine how fast I flew out of my room. I'm thinking blood, broken bones, not breathing, emergency room, etc......

I get to the phone, and my babysitter is panicked and is in tears. Poor thing- I knew it was Jaylee Ray the instant I picked up the phone. The little fart had decided to not just let her babysitter give her the one a day Singulair tablet, she decided that she wanted the rest of them, so punched them out of the package, and ate them right up!

As for Jaylee, poison control was contacted and surprisingly, this happens ALOT because toddlers love the sweet taste and want more of it! No life altering complications, just itchy watery eyes at the most!

That is MY child. Will never stop to get what she wants. It doesn't matter if she knows it's WRONG, or if she has been told NO numerous times, she's going to go after it! Then it's also HIS child.... tell me no and I'll show you I can. Or, just hide and watch and with a smirk on her face do it anyways!

Dear LORD, Please help us NOW! We are running out of our "could have beens" and free chances TOO EARLY in this girls life.....what are we going to do when she gets to be 10? 15? 18?

Happening #2

While playing catch and rolling a ball back and forth down the hallway, her short attention span drew her to Jentri's room to get the balls out of jentri's "ballin toy" and place the balls inside mommy's shoes. Then, when she went to bend over to pick up the shoe and look inside, her reply was "What the hell?"

Oh yes, plain as day, perfect context, perfect tone. Not so much as one of my proudest moments as a parent, but definitely a funny one.

Happening #3

Some background information- Jaylee has mastered the shape recognition of square/triangle/circle/rectangle/oval/moon/star/heart/diamond

Recently while playing on the IPAD with her Unky Munky, she was dragging and dropping shapes and matching them up. The game told her to drag a shape, and she was dragging everything BUT that particular shape. Her Unky Munky said "Jaylee get the right one" and her reply was "Ugghh it's by the diamond Munky!" (And she was exactly right)

This little toot is so full of it, it's not even funny. Her mind is too sharp for her age and is probably going to get her into a lot of trouble if I had to guess!!!

So, hence the picture that is posted to this- just look at her-- always up to something! Always has a smirk on her face that tells you that she knows more than what she is letting on! She is something else and is in such an entertaining stage! I love the daily conversations that we have, because I never know what she is going to say! Her memory is impeccable and I hope that she keeps it up-- I'll go ahead and give credit to her two uncles, Justin and Jordan and her aunt Bri and Tara for the brains because we all know that school was quite the social event for Mommy and Daddy..... grades and using our brain--- just wasn't of any interest!!!!

1 Corinthians 13:4-8

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails."

So, as we returned to church yesterday (After being out a month from being out of town 3/4 past weekends), I felt as if the message was speaking to me. Yesterday's sermon was all about loving those that are HARD to love. Loving those that have HURT you, and Loving those who are out to do evil things.

As I have really struggled this past week in understanding a certain someone, I finally was able to let it all go yesterday.

Disappointed, Discouraged, and Defeated

I'm really bothered by someone's lack of respect lately......

and really don't know how to handle or approach the situation.....

This is why I haven't blogged lately, because everything that I want to blog would turn into an attack..... and I know from personal experiences......words can be forgiven, but not forgotten.

So until then..... I'm on a break, trying to find my inner strength to look at the situation from their point of view and try to understand why they do the things they do.

It's very difficult to be treated with disrespect.........and it's even more difficult to be a bigger person and walk away, being completely upset and not knowing how to handle the situation.

It comes to a point where it's gone on for so long that you just feel that things are done intentionally and that you are no longer valued as a part of the whole anymore.......

It all hit....

Last night was determining your strengths and seeing if what you are currently doing is setting yourself up for your dream job.....

Question 1 up for discussion last night- if you could do/be anything in the world and money was of no object, what would you do/be?

Answer- NO BRAINER- Stay at home mom!

However- I did hear an interesting quote from Dave last night that read "Until one is content with who they are, they will never be content with what they have"

Ouch, that really hit me. Think of women, just in general. Are women ever "content" in anything? One of the Beth Moore studies that I did made us stare insecurity in the face and it amazed me how women, by the masses, are completely insecure. To me insecurity and contentment with ones self almost goes hand in hand. Unless you are secure with yourself, your life, I don't know that you will be content. We always want to "look like her" " be like her" and if you don't think that way- then Congratulations for finding your security. But don't tell you me you've never looked in the mirror and thought "I'd wish I had ______ body instead of one that's in the direction of looking like my mothers!" Of course, I LOVE myself. Everyone knows that Brittany's always been about Brittany..... but alot of that has changed since Jaylee and Jentri came into the world. I no longer have to have the latest trend or fad in clothing.... I'd rather spend it all on them instead and just wear what I have!

Contentment is a very very hard thing to find, not only within yourself, but in your finances. Are YOU content with how much you make? Or are you looking for the next big thing? Are you constantly looking at a few months down the road and thinking "if we save x amount- we can buy this or we can buy that or we can do this or we can do that?" If so- then you probably aren't content. I think it's rather normal to be looking forward to something in life, but maybe I need to change that perspective......

Our video ending last night really hit home. A guy in his 30's was working as an executive in his company, and brought $53,000 of school loans to his marriage. He had two kids and a healthy marriage. He finally stared his debt in the face, and realized that he needed to give his sons a better life than just "getting by". So, he went to work, 8-5, got home to eat his supper, play for an hour, change his clothes, and then went out delivering pizzas inorder to get out of debt quicker. At the end, it showed him playing with his two little boys, and he remarked "I'm doing this because I love my family, not because I love working my butt off. I know this isn't forever, I'm just going to have a better life for my kids by doing the extra work now"

So---tears went to flowing. All I could see was Jeremy playing with Jaylee and Jentri and how much he misses out on because of his job. We have said from the beginning "this isn't forever" and hearing it from someone else really hit me last night. We aren't the only crazy people in this world. I love my husband and admire him for being willing to leave us inorder to give us a better life down the road. I've said it once and I'll say it until this lifestyle is over, it's hard, and supper time is the hardest. Those of you that get supper time every night, value every single minute of it. Suppertime is my weakest point in the day.....

Overall-- do what you love and love what you do! Even though it may not be your "dream", you are working for the "dream" and you will, someday, get there. WORK like no one else now, so later you can work like no one else!

OCD is in overdrive.....

Some people are really annoying me here lately.....My mother always said "When you think the whole world is against you, maybe it's not the world, maybe it's You"....



I'm taking a twist off of that and saying "Maybe if more than one person is annoying you, maybe it's not them, maybe it's you".....


I don't know if that even makes sense, but maybe it is me. Every little thing about a certain few people are wanting me to just drive myself to straight tequila, skip the margarita mix!

TOP TEN!

So just like David Letterman gives his top 10 everynight..... here are my top 10 thoughts at the moment... (no pun intended)


10. You are better than no one, so don't snub others.


9. If you did not pay for it yourself, then you have no right to flaunt it and act like you did!


8. Try to remember what it was like when you were in their shoes....

7. Share is fair!


6. Stuff happens- be FLEXIBLE! (See- I'm already sticking to my resolution by cleaning up the language! Go me!)


5. Be happy for others, not just yourself.


4. Life is not a competition.


3. You do need friends to make the world go around!


2. Life is more fun in the fast lane.


1. I'd rather be fat than act like that!

Planning for Retirement, and Saving for College!

Baby Step number 4- Planning for Retirement

Baby Step number 5- Saving for College

Steps number 4 and 5 are to not be started until all of babysteps 1-3 have been complete!

Now you are asking- what are babysteps 1-3.....

1- $1,000 in a Money Market Account for EMERGENCIES
2-All debt paid off, minus house
3- 3-6 months of living expenses saved up

Last night's lesson was quite intriguing! Honestly, I have never truly "cared" about retirement, and those that have talked about it, bore me because I feel that I'm too young to worry about that. HA! That's so not the case. The time is NOW to start! What is being pulled out of my paycheck, I should be matching in a ROTH IRA and having MILLIONS to live off of by the age of 65 or 70. The time to start is, well of course NOW, but until the medical bills and school loans are paid for, we aren't quite there yet!
So, as my New Year's resolution was stated- it's time to kick it into overdrive! Our budget is set for the month, I'm stashing my cash into my envelopes marked in their categories, and HERE WE GO! I've set a goal for me to only give myself $20 of blow money for this month. The past two months it's been around $50. I can do this! I want to do this! I have the WILL to do this!!!!!
Bobby Knight once quoted "Everyone has the will to win, very little have the will to PREPARE to win" . This is my new motto. I'm going to have the will to discipline myself inorder to succeed at this task. I'm going to get every single debt paid off, minus the car and the house in the year of 2012. I CAN DO THIS! No, wait..... WE can do this!!!! Gazelle Intensity Mode is setting in and HERE----WE----GO!!!!
As for the month of December, we were able to pay for Christmas, 100% in CASH. We were able to give to the local Angel Tree Ministry. We also gave a substantial amount to a local family in need that our church was helping. We also gave to another family that I love to give to because we just love them and everything that they do for us throughout the year. We still gave our monthly offering to the church, and we also paid off more debt!

"TRY HARDER"

I'm SICK and TIRED!

Sick and Tired of the "oh poor me" and "why didn't I get one?" and "let's make them all happy" and "we can't leave them out"

NO MORE! I had an interesting conversation yesterday discussing how we are sick and tired of just making everything a "paved way" for people in society. We always have to give "everyone a certificate" at the year end assembly so "they won't get their feelings hurt". Or give them 10 tries to get it right and get a sticker just like the person who got it right the first time. Or we can't give a zero because we want "Everyone to succeed".

What are we doing here? That's right- we are raising a bunch of babies for society and leading them to believe that nothing in life is hard and that you have to work for nothing!

It's amazing how when I was in school, it was a HUGE deal to get an A in your classes. My students today have no idea what an A, B, C, D, or F even is when it comes to a grading scale. It means absolutely NOTHING to them. I'm tired of that! I remember in high school, and you will laugh when you read this next part, but there was always a bulletin board sign up in the band hall that read "TRY HARDER!!!!" It's time for our society to start- TRYING HARDER.

I'm tired of giving in to everyone because "they might get their feelings hurt". But yet, we sit around and moan and groan about our world and how people act these days. Ummmm hello? Could this not be a possibility? Look at the world of employees. Nobody in this next generation WANTS to work for anything. They want to work when THEY want to work, take off whenever THEY want to take off, never work a weekend, and get the paycheck for it. They don't want to be told NO over anything, period. I feel like we are babying everyone nowadays and so when it comes time for the "real world" they still want to be babied.

I say....NO MORE! Used to, there were these awards given in school. Most improved- Citizenship-Top Scholar- A Honor Roll and AB Honor Roll.
Now- we get to give "Most Creative Student, Most Helpful Student, Best Writer, Best Storyteller, Best Artist, Most musical, Best personality, etc, etc"

Whatever! That's a joke, and you sitting here reading this know that I'm right! People tell me that I will feel differently when my kid is the one sitting in the audience not getting the award, but you know what? I don't think I will. I remember that I strived hard all throughout the year b/c I knew that AB honor roll certificate was given and how EMBARASSED I would feel if I didn't get atleast that one because then people would know that I made less than B's and that is not how I wanted to be portrayed. I remember my mom would always tell me "Suck it up, you got to try harder" She never said "Well you deserved it sweetheart, that teacher was wrong". The ONLY time she ever said that to me was when I truly didn't get a certain award my senior year that was mine.... but the teacher completely didn't give it to me out of SPITE and not by the handbook rules of who had the most points. To this day, I'm still ticked about it -- so don't ask! It's still touchy!

Ok- Off my soap box---for now!

Happy New Years!

Well, I honestly, do not think that I have ever set a New Year's Resolution..... but I'm really going to try for 3 things this year.....


First and Foremost- become debt free minus the car and house! It's time to pop it into Gazelle mode and "get 'er done!"


Secondly- to become a better role model for my children and starting by cleaning my mouth out! I've had quite the potty mouth here lately and it's just not very classy!

Thirdly- to eat less sweets (I have a HUGE sweet tooth lately!)- wanting my clothes to feel comfortable again- not looking to slim down to a size 4-- just want my clothes to fit better. (I'll work on that size 4 thing when I'm finished having kids!-- Yes, despite the craziness- we still want a third-- just not immediately!)

New Years was very low-key for us as we were on the road, traveling to East Texas for Christmas. I actually got to bond with my 2nd oldest sister, whom I never get to spend time with, much less her husband and kids. We all stayed at the local hotel there in Sulphur Springs and we had the best time just laughing and cutting up! We had more fun playing with them, watching them be monkeys on the bed, and laughing at ourselves!