Financial Fitness

We bought the book The Total Money Makeover- a proven plan for financial fitness, while we were in our way too expensive townhome in Daybreak. It was during this time that we knew we had to get out, because we were on a bad road. We have since started listening to Dave Ramsey's podcast and have really been inspired by Dave's enthusiasm, and by all the sad, but successful stories that are revealed on his show. As bad of a situation as we are in, we are fortunate that we are now moving forward! Which is a GREAT feeling. We have cut up our credit cards, and are looking forward to our financial future, rather than feeling lost and unsure. If you need some help with a plan financially, we totally recommend listening to his podcast, and if you're feeling good about what you hear, we love his Total Money Makeover book, but have heard his Financial Peace is really good too.

I'm sure that there are lots of good inspiring people to learn about money, and how to do good things with it. Who has helped you out?

Does every family have one of these?

I don't weather to call him our medical mishap, or our pricy child or what. He is a doll, and a very loving little guy. It brings me to tears daily as he rubs his cheeks on: the mesh of his play-yard(bed), the carpet, the couch, or anything that will relieve the itching. Although most people only see his exzema on his face, it also is all over his little body.

We have had him to a pediatric dermatologist, and have a few different strengths of topical steriods to apply to the area's with the worst break outs. So we had him looking really good with the steroids last week, but then his skin is so weak due to the steriods, that he just cracks open from smiling, or anything the bends his skin too quickly. So, that's a lose lose situation. :)

My Mom and I ventured into Dave's Health- a local natural/homeopathic, vitamin/suppliment store. I've never explored these options too deeply, but decided it was worth a shot after the wonderful results from the steroid. Anyway, I was sent home with a probiotic, to give him twice a day, a wonderful no steroid cream, and two homeopathics. Fortunatly, everything I've read about these things says they are really safe options. But still I feel overwhelmed and sad that my baby is still so itchy!

Do any of you have experience with severe eczema? or with any of these treatment options?

Today we also found out how much we are going to have to pay for our lovely trip to Primary Children's Hospital. So his allergies are now tree-nuts, and he has begun swelling when he's had Papa John's pizza, and home-made spegetti. So tomato sauce is on the outs for him.

Have any of you done allergy testing on yourself, or your children? I've heard stories of people going in, then having to go in for shots a couple times a week, for a couple years. That's right YEARS. Crazy isn't it?

And last but not least, I've learned that Eczema, Allergies, and Asthma usually come in 3's, so we have to watch him closely for Asthma to present itself, and cross our fingers that it doesn't!

I'm praying my little guy will at least outgrow the Eczema sooner than later, and that it's not bothering him as badly as it appears, no little kid should be so miserable all the time.

I love you my baby boy!

Let them be little.

When it comes to my sweet babies, I spend a lot of time thinking.. "I can't wait till this stage/phase passes... " But recently, I had a conversation about how our Daughter misses the kindergarten cut off by only a few days this fall. This woman told me told me to cherish the extra year with my smart little girl, because once they start going to school it'll never be the same. And while I am anxious for school, to engage my sweet daughter's mind, to help her grown and learn, I've taken to heart cherishing the next year while I'll have all 3 kids at home still. I really need to work on enjoying each phase and letting them be little, I can only imagine 10 years down the line and looking back and wishing I had enjoyed these few years with my babies a lot more. There is no doubt that my current phase as a Mommy is crazy and stressful, but here's to relaxing a bit and enjoying the journey. :)

Our weekend get away...

We took a much needed road trip up to Idaho this past weekend. Though the kids didn't enjoy all the time in the car, they really behaved really well, and Josh is ready for a Chicago road trip! I'm not quite ready for that, and neither is our pocketbook, so I guess I can prepare until then.


The main purpose of our get away was to see my sweet Grandma. She had a stroke a couple weeks ago, and has been on the rehab floor recovering. I'm so glad we got to go and see her, even though it was really hard watching her struggle with her speech, and not knowing if she actually knew who we were. This week she has been doing really well, and everyone is hopeful for a full recovery from the stroke. Way to go Grandma! We love you and hope things can return to normal quickly!
We went out to the Perrine Bridge. Apparently, this is a popular spot for base jumpers, because it's actually legal to jump here. It's a beautiful place and the kids really enjoyed trying to throw rocks down into the Snake River. Tender Heart was a bit nervous looking over the edge, even if he was on Daddy's shoulders. That's okay, better safe than sorry! This was the view down into the Snake River from the scenic overlook. We want to go back and hike down and get a bit closer to some water.
And last of all, we got to go on a tour of the new Twin Falls, ID LDS Temple. Isn't it beautiful? We were very excited to have the kids get to walk through and see the different rooms. Our daughter had just gone to a primary activity the month before learning about temples, so this was perfect timing. Though the Temple is not dedicated yet, there was a very peaceful feeling there, and I'm greatful we got the opportunity to walk through.

A walk down Memory Lane.

I'm not a huge tagging fan, but saw this and thought it would be fun. (and yes, I think something is wrong with me, this is my 3rd entry in 3 days!) So here it goes, lets see how many people actually read my blog. (aka please leave a comment!). Thanks!

1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember!
2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It's actually pretty funny to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you. If you don't want to play on your blog, or if you don't have a blog, I'll leave my memory of you in my comments.

One of my favorite places: Butterfield Canyon

A pretty flower.

Ignore how I look... this was our sick Sunday(thus my beautiful sickly face. :S), we were all not feeling well, but needed to get out of the house so the kids didn't go insane. It's a beautiful drive, we need to go up more often.
View into the Copper Mine.

4th of July

I love love holidays, and it seems I have to make such an effort to get our family participating in all the fun! We did make it to the Riverton parade, at least to part of it. It was a lot of fun, and I learned that perhaps I need to teach my kids not to be "too" polite. They always hesitated when candy was thrown, just seeing if anyone else was going to get it, and of course- they did. :) They still had fun seeing all the beautiful floats, horses, clowns, and police motorcycles.

Friday, we were planning on hiking to grandier peak, like we did last year, but those plans fell through, so then we were going to go to the top of butterfield canyon to have some fun, which also fell through. My Dad then suggested that we go sailing, it seemed like a windy day, so we headed up to Deer Creek, to find out there was no wind. :) We ended up eating some yummy food here, then doing some fireworks with my family. It turned out pretty fun!

Saturday, Josh ended up going motorcycling with my Dad and our Brother in Law John. They had a GREAT time. Josh got home, just in time to go to WALL-E with his parents.(Which was so cute! We loved it- thanks Grandma and Grandpa Err Err!) We got home from the movie and our baby was snacking on some S'more trailmix. He threw up a little, and I figured it was because he possibly didn't chew well enough or something, but then his poor bottom lip started to swell, and swell, and swell! We decided to take him into KidsCare to get it checked out, he was trying to fall asleep while we drove there, and he kept having to lift his head to breath in. Anyway, they ended up consulting with the head ER Dr up and Primary Childrens, and we got to ride in an ambulance up there. (Can we say stress about $$$). They kept us for 6 hours for observation. They gave him Benadryl at the Kidscare, and by the time we got to Primary's he was already looking so much better! After recieving yet another oral steriod, we got to go home at 3 a.m.~ with instructions to keep him away from nuts- or tree nuts. And now we get to carry around lovely Epi-pens. It's hard to tell how to balance things out and not over-react, but not under-react too, if that makes sense. We are going to our family physician today, who I love, so hopefully he'll give me good insight on how to be cautious, but not crazy about things. I have an appt with an Allergist in August, so they can do testing on my little tyke. Poor kid.

Today we are back up and running like normal. :) Hopefully it will be a calm week! With any luck(Josh needs to get some hours covered at his part time job) we'll be taking a quick trip up to Idaho this weekend to do some yard work for my Grandparents, and to go on a tour of the new LDS Temple in Twin Falls. Hurray!

Hope each of you had a wonderful Independance Day! I'm so greatful to live in the U.S.A. and for all the freedoms we enjoy. I'm thankful for all the servicemen who are sacrificing life here to protect our Country. :)