Our Student Loans...

...are gone! Paid! Zilch! Zero! Compared to many of our friends, we didn't have that much in student loan debt (about $8000 between us). However, as of today we have $0.00! What a great feeling to pay the last of that off. What we were paying gets rolled over to our van, which we hope to have paid off this time next year. When our van is paid off, we will save what we were paying as a car payment to put towards our next vehicle so that we can pay for it in cash (or at least most of it). Than our only debt will be our mortgage. Thats the plan anyways, I know sometimes plans can go awry.

Anyways, I happened to be reading the book of Colossians last night and came across this verse:

When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions, having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. Colossians 2:13-14

And I was reminded that getting rid of our student loan debt is only a shadow of the most important debt we have been forgiven.

Tax Money

The boys don't know what a tax refund is but they have been talking about it for a week and a half now. All they know is that when this allusive "tax money" comes, they get to pick out new trains at Target. What they don't know -yet- is that our state refund was direct deposited this morning. I think its going to be like Christmas morning when we tell them. :D Sammy has an allergist appointment today, looks like we will be stopping at Target on the way home.

*I know I was going to refer to the boys by their first initial. I found that it doesn't work because whenever I use I for Isaac, it sounds like i'm talking about me. Very confusing.

Grrrrr....

I'm feeling a bit frustrated about a few things. The first is that pinkeye has decided to visit our family, and pinkeye is a very stubborn guest who does not want to leave. As soon as you think its gone, another eye starts producing goopy green eye snot. We brought E to the Dr last week and got a little bottle of drops. That little bottle is almost gone, and of course its the weekend so I can't call the office and ask for more. Why don't they prescribe a nice big bottle of drops when somebody gets pinkeye because its a given that other people in the family are going to get it. *sigh*

The second "grrrr" goes to the pattern industry. I bought the cutest boy material and I know exactly what I want to make. Can I find a pattern for what I have in mind? No! 90% of infants/childrens patterns are for girls. I looked thru Butterick, McCalls, Simplicity and Vogue, none have what I want which is a simple one piece romper with sleeves. I think I already own every boy pattern, the whole "10" of them.

There, now I feel better.

Decisions, Decisions...

We went to the annual Home Builders Expo today, hoping it would give us direction in adding on to our home. We left knowing absolutely no more than when we arrived. It was a profitable venture however, since we learned that come May the cost of having a septic tank pumped will double. That is something that we needed to do this year so we arranged to have ours pumped (and got a Home Expo 10% discount).

We decided we are going to wait another year and than decide if we want to sell, or add on. Isn't that the easiest way to deal with a big decision, just put it off a year? :D

The Gender Genie

The Gender Genie is a site where you can enter writing and it will analyze and determine whether it is female or masculine. I entered several of my blog entrys and they came up female every time. Its just the kind of thing my analytical personality loves.

Sickness and Other Tales

Sorry, its been a week since I posted. Its been a looong week of sick kids and guests. Last Monday, Elijah and Samuel started oozing green snot. Thursday I brought Samuel to the doctor because I was worried about his chest (it was rattling, but that turned out to be snot in his throat). Turns out he had ear infections in both ears. Finally, when it seems both boys are on the mend I wake up Sunday morning to find that Elijah and Samuel both threw up in their bed. Apparently, neither has a problem throwing up and sleeping in it (gross I know). They both had the 24 hour stomach bug that I had last weekend, and Isaac had the weekend before that. It seems there is a week long incubation period. Today (knock on wood) it seems everybody is okay. Nothing is coming out of anywhere it shouldn't be ;)

Saturday, Isaac demonstrated his "etch-a-sketch" dance and his "magna-doodle" dance. Both were original. I'm sure you can imagine how hard it was to keep a straight face :D.

The boys' cousins were here for a few days. Elijah and Drake clashed a bit, but for the most part all five boys got along great and had a good time together.

I have been feeling the baby move now. It does not matter how many times you are pregnant, feeling the baby move is such an amazing thing. It can bring a smile to your face even when your sitting in the bathroom waiting to throw up (remember I had the stomach flu last week, so I know this).

Henceforth, the boys will simply be I, E and S for blog purposes. Not because of anonymity, but just because its easier.

Fell Asleep Eating My Pasta... 

Cream of Chicken

I took an inventory of my cupboard today and discovered I have 6 cans of Cream of Chicken soup. Now I'm on a mission for recipes that call for it...any suggestions will be appreciated.

Solitude

For the first time since October I walked outside. It was nice. My outdoor walk not only provides an hour of brisk exercise, but an hour of solitude. A priceless hour to be alone with my thoughts and listen to talk radio or Focus on the Family. I know it may be awhile before the weather allows for daily walks, but for now I will take every one I can get!

On another tangent, 3:30 a.m. found me on the couch with Sammy trying to teach him to say his name. "SSSSSSSS-ammy" I would say. "SSSSSSS....mama" he would reply. Even at that hour I thought it was funny.