Getting back into the swing of it all

Well, we're finally moved and settled into our new house. Nix that, we've been moved in but not quite settled for almost 2 months.

With an 8 month old, 2 year old, and a 12 year old, it's a bit impossible to be on top of everything...

The kids have adjusted quite nicely to living in a town of only 4700 people. My husband has been a little more apprehensive considering our old town was a cesspool for gunshots, muggings, drug dealings, and whatever other illegal activity you can think of. I think he's finally come to terms with just how nice our new town is.

As for me, I love it! This is MY town! I grew up here from birth to age 23. This is the life I've always known. I'm so excited to be able to share this with our children. I'm no longer fearful of the nights my husband isn't home or about unexpected knocks at the door. It's truly a blessing to be home. :)

One thing that isn't great around here are jobs. With a community so small, everyone kinda climbs over each other to acquire the higher payer jobs. Hubs found a job but it isn't quite cutting it. Thank goodness I'm still able to use my online trading business in order to help make ends meet. One of the joys of working from home* is being able to bring business with you.

Oh, I almost forgot, since the last time I posted we added a new addition to our household. Olive was born 11.09.13 and she is/was beautiful. She's already 8 months old and so chubby and sweet. Her smile is so infectious and everyday she concretes herself into this family more.

I couldn't be prouder of my children and the ways they all play, converse and love each other. Our oldest is the greatest big brother. He loves his sisters and dotes on them constantly. He is so helpful and patient, taking care to really get down on their level to play. Our middle child, SJ, is such a good big sister. At 2 years old, she is getting better at playing gently and loves sharing her toys with Wee-Uh (how she pronounces Olivia).

(I am hopeful that my 2 girls will be good friends through school!?!)

It's so good to finally be home!








*If you're interested in working from home, please email or message me for more details.

Gearing up for Stella's 2nd Birthday!

I can't believe that in just 9 short days my little miss will be 2! Where has the time gone??

I remember just leaving the hospital with our little miracle and now she's already TWO?!

I am so blessed to have such a sweet, head strong, independent, and courageous little girl. God certainly threw away the mold after he made her. Her curiosity is endearing and her silly faces put me in stitches on a daily basis.

I don't know if she'll ever know just how much her momma loves her but it's more than my heart ever thought possible.

So, onto parties!

We're having an outdoor park/party theme.

Stella absolutely adores the park and whenever its time to leave, she throws a huge fit. We're talking fire breathing, screaming, holding her breath...

She's an angel. Haha!

So her party is going to be an outdoor soiree and other than that, I'm not sure what other theme we'll be going with.

Thank goodness I've found this site Filled Party Bags to help with the decorating. This site is pretty amazing considering they thought of everything that I need to plan my little one's party.

So, 9 days till countdown. Wish us luck!

Alive, just crazy busy!

This week last week was been extremely hectic!

Kade had his first full week of Catholic school and survived! I'm please to announce that he LOVES his new school. He's a bit iffy about Mass still, but it's a learning process. I'm so proud of him because his is actually his first time ever in a church.

Saturday, we all piled into the family minivan and headed down to the local Dodge dealership to pick out a truck for Hubs. Prior to the visit, I'd be in talks with one of the sales guy who SWORE he had exactly what we were looking for and in the price that we wanted.

Yeah, right... -sigh-

We went and the first thing we're told is that they do not have what we're looking for...

BUT

they do have a bunch of other trucks that are a heck of a lot more expensive!

Puh-lease.

I was so mad! I told the salesman he was insane and I did NOT appreciate being lied to for an entire week.

We walked out. :)

So, this next week we're going truck shopping AGAIN so we'll see how that goes...

ZNZ anyone?

Sorry I've been gone for a while but I just got reintroduced to Zip Nada Zilch (ZNZ).

ZNZ is a referral site that pays you to test out products and services in your home for a trial period. I started doing this back in 2010 when I first decided to be a stay at home mom. Over the past 2 years, life sorta creeped up on me and I got away from it.

Now I'm back.

On a good day, I can average about $60 in payouts. It's not millions rich but it is a great way to help pay for the extra goodies that I buy the kiddos. I feel like I'm kinda doing my part and still doing the whole mommy thing. :)

If anyone is interested in ZNZ or just has questions in general, please let me know and I'd be happy to answer them.

Creepy cable guys

I'm done opening the door to strange workmen that I do not know.

Tonight, I had an Insight guy come to our house wanting to know if we intended to pay our final bill and if I wanted to give him a post dated check or our bank account numbers.

Yeah, lemme think about it...

No.

Why would I give any account information out to a guy that just has an Insight badge with no other credentials? Do I look stupid?

We weren't late. We weren't holding equipment. There's an Insight building less than a mile from my house. Why did we get singled out from the creepy guy?

Our service has been transferred for almost 2 weeks now.

I called their customer service and gave the 'supervisor' a tidbit of what I thought. She was actually pretty understanding and agreed with me. Our bill was paid over the phone by an actual Insight rep.

Creepy man... I hope you stay away and find other people to bother.

Oh yeah, get a shirt that fits. Your muscles do NOT look more defined by wearing a shirt tailored for a 12 year old.

The Tegelers go Catholic!

Today was Kade's 2nd day of Catholic school... so far, so good.

I am loving the small class sizes and the close knit community in the school. Kade's 6th grade class only has a total of 22 kids. Total 6th grade class, seriously...

Hubs has been Catholic since birth and even attended Catholic schools up until high school. He has felt a calling back to the church since 2010 but we've been lazy and just not made the effort. Since enrolling Kade at St Joe, we've decided we're going to do this for our family and reclaim our relationship with God.

I have never stepped foot in a Catholic church. I was born and raised Methodist but I'm willing to convert for the comfort of the family. I think the Catholic and Methodist religion are similar enough that I can accept the minor adjustments that will need to be made.

If any of my Catholic buddies would like to chime in, please do so! I look forward to your comments and stories!!!

Car shopping is so similar to shoe shopping!

Since hubs has taken a better route and we have more income rolling in, we've re-evaluated our budget and decided now would be the right time to take on a car truck payment. Hubs has been wanting a truck since our Saturn Vue was totaled in 2010 but we decided to go the van route and he's been secretly pining away for one since.

We've just started the whole looking process and frankly, it's a lot like shoe shopping. There are so many to try on with hundreds of little and different features. They come in various colors and you always have to try them on before you buy.

Hubs is a redneck man. God love him. :)

Here are 3 trucks that he's considering right now... Enjoy!

Big truck #1 is HUGE! It has a 6" lift kit and I swear that metal foot thingie comes up to my waist. Hopefully I will never have to drive or put the kids in this!!

Truck #2 isn't quite as big but please note the camo down the bottom. Yeah, he likes the camo. He's also already planning on a 4" lift.

 

Truck #3 My favorite! It looks sturdy, not too high, and there's no sign of a redneck driving it. :) I'm sure if he gets this one, he'll end up redneckin' it up a bit.

Overall, I'd like to say that I want him to get the truck that will make him happy but in the same time, I want it to be safe for me and the kids. I also do not want to run and jump to get in the damn thing!

If you're interested in a new or used vehicle, you might want check this site that helps you find your cars value. I found out that my van is still worth over $6k should I want to trade it in. Woohoo!!

Too bad if I traded in, I'd just end up with another minivan.