Let's talk budgeting-

I've spent the majority of this pregnancy depressed if I'm being totally honest. So when my oldest son picked up a piece of mail, "read" my name on the envelope, and opened it and exclaimed, "Oh no. Another one" that was my breaking point for this week. As much as I try not to let my sadness and stress influence him, I know that it does. He's watching everything I do and listening to everything I say. I know it's not just him, too. Abel knows I'm sad...even Merit probably feels it. That just adds to my guilt.

I don't know if it's the influx of hormones or what, but I have felt mostly unhappy during the past year. We've had a lot thrown our way- many of these happenings are blessings, I know they are, but still it feels incredibly overwhelming at times. Right now, I'm wishing we never bought this house even though I love it. It just feels like a large money pit. There were so many projects we wanted to do to it and I wanted to decorate it, finally, because it was a place we were staying at longer than a year. It was going to be home. But with Abel's recent medical bills and mine with this pregnancy, it doesn't feel like we should be here. The house feels too big. It's a pendulum above my head.

I know that money doesn't matter. It's not ours anyway...it's God's. I get nervous, though and when that bill came today and Kinley pretended to be worried, too that just made me feel about two feet tall. When you're wearing your rose colored glasses and purchasing your first home, you don't think that something might come up that costs a lot of money. You don't think your child might need cochlear implants. You definitely don't consider that your insurance won't pay for it. I've been on the phone off and on all week with doctors and our insurance company, trying to figure out what's going on. It has been a mess. The insurance company is telling me one thing and Vanderbilt another. I'm trusting in God that this is going to work out in some way in His time.

Until then, this family needs a plan. 

What are some ways you save money? Cut out cable, cell, etc bills? Clip coupons? Budgeting tricks? What's the single most helpful way you've found to watch your spending?

House Reveal

Hello, friends. Long time, no chat. I'm writing from my lovely new home that is completely unpacked aside from two large boxes. The military taught me to move in quick and make my space home because we never knew how long we would be there. As I lovingly put together the house this time, I did so feeling as if we were finally home and I just wanted to get everything together so I could enjoy it. Seven moves in over the course of our (almost) four year marriage took its toll on us, but I can honestly say that we are doing well. It's great to have a space of our own now. It's more than that, though. It's a beautiful home that we surely don't deserve, but one that we are thanking God for every day we wake up in it. I want to stay here for years and years (and years). Here's a peek around. Honestly, this house is too big for us. We don't have a lot of furniture to fill it yet so it's all a work in progress. Won't you come in?

We'll start with some empty rooms:

These two rooms connect just off the entry hallway. The formal room is bare and nothing but our table is in the dining area, but that's okay...we'll get there.
Anyway...this way to the bedrooms!

The other bathrooms are new and completely re-done, but this one has the charm of an old home and I happen to think it's perfect as a jack-and-jill bathroom for the boys...

There's a sun room that will surely be an oasis for me when I fill it with comfy chairs. I imagine this is where I'll do my morning bible study.

It connects to the den and kitchen, both of which I love.

I grew tired of snapping photos and loading them, but there's a whole downstairs to this house, too that has a playroom (that I totally plan on making an exercise room in the future), a man cave area with kitchenette, a guest suite, and a closet especially for all my Christmas things! I'm a big fan.
So that's where I've been--setting up and enjoying this lovely home. I hope to catch up with all of you soon.

Love,

P.S. Step out of your readers and come see the new look of Mrs. K and Captain J, too. Freeborboleta Designs spruced it up! I love it.

House Blues and Happy News (Vlog)

Sometimes I should ask myself, "Does this matter?" or "Does anyone care?" before I post these things, but today is not that day. 

The Scoop

Thanks for the well wishes on our house hunt. There was such a heavy load lifted from my shoulders when we signed the papers for our new house. It was everything we wanted and we had our move-in date and everything! Two weeks before closing, we got word that the appraisal came back $14,500 less than what we agreed to pay. Trouble was- the owner had gotten an appraisal months before that was much, much higher and so that's what he believes the house is worth. Obviously, we decided not to pay that much money for a house that isn't worth that right now. The owner declined our appraisal offer (with much sass, by the way) and so we walked. Bye, bye beautiful house on five acres. Hello, house hunt. What did we learn? Well, house buying is frustrating. We also learned that maybe we don't want a lot of land right now. Maybe we want the convenience of being closer to the interstate. That house was about 15-20 outside of Cleveland and we were beginning to worry that we had made a mistake although I know we would have been happy there. Everything works out the way it is supposed to, doesn't it? Still, I have an urge to bust into the toddler's room as he naps and grab the countdown-to-closing chain we made and set it on fire since it no longer applies.

I'm pretty discouraged today. For weeks now, I've been telling Holly (our dog) that it won't be much longer and things will be back to normal for her. She went from living inside with us to staying in a pen on the back of the property here. She's lonely. Furthermore, we are still in my parents' hair and I don't know what our next step is. Saturday we are going to look at 8 more houses and if we don't find anything interesting then I think it will be time to look for rental homes as bad as that sucks.

Want some good news, though? My husband is coming home in about an hour from his business trip. Yay! We've missed him.

Waiting, waiting

We've been home for a month now and I'm sure you're wondering how the process is going with the house. I'm wondering, too. We haven't heard anything since we got all the paperwork turned in. It's a waiting game. As a former military spouse, I've played this game before. It's not really my favorite. Still, we might as well make the best of it and so we lovingly tear off another ring on our paper chain every morning when we wake up. Closing is still set for late September.

I think September is going to go by fast, though. There's a lot going on. I mentioned my fitness goals for this month. Those will keep me busy! In related news, I signed up for a mud run with my husband, dad, step-mom, sister, and brother in law. I'm excited! I feel ill prepared, though. I haven't been running and working out as much as I hoped I would during this move.

We are also hoping to catch a football game this month. J has never experienced game day at Neyland Stadium! My brother was blessed with the opportunity to be a team manager this year. He's loving it! Saturday, he ran through the Power T with roughly 90,000 people cheering. His faced graced the tv several times as he was "working." I got a lot of texts- I saw Jake on TV! What an opportunity of a lifetime. I hope he soaks up every bit of it. Anyway, it would be nice to go watch him in action...and see the Vols play. I haven't been in about three years.

Anyway, there is A LOT going on here, but some things are slowing down, too. Baby A has finally started sleeping more. Praise the Lord!

It makes me appreciate slow moments on the porch like this one-

Over-n-out,

Welcome Home

I've had the urge to write a lot lately, but the time hasn't been there. We've been busy and in the moments that are slow, we've been trying to relax. Easier said than done. Baby A didn't go to sleep until 11:30 last night and the night before? He was up every.single.hour. We are so tired and feeling awful that we're keeping everyone in the house awake, too. I may or may not have been strolling around a whiny kid in the dark last night, barefoot, and holding back tears. Why does life feel so much harder when a baby won't sleep? Ha! Honestly, he has NEVER been like this. Even as a newborn and young babe, he slept more than this. It's quite an adjustment.

Good news, though...

I've got an appointment today to get my tubes tied.

Kidding.

The good news is that we have found a house we love and pending inspections going well today, it's ours! Isn't she a beauty?

We love it and can't wait to settle in. It will be awhile, though. You know what I'm talking about if you've ever worked with the VA before!

I hope we'll be happy there for a long time. I'm sure we will. We are used to making houses we don't love home and we really really like this one! We are looking forward to not mooching off our families anymore. Whether it's dog sitting, baby sitting, groceries, or moving help, we have exhausted our welcome here, I'm sure. We are very blessed by the wonderful friends and family who have helped us in our journey "home"!

I can't believe this kitchen will soon be part of our very own home...

I'm going to bake all kinds of goodies in there.

Anyway, I just wanted to pop in and show you a glimpse into our house since so many of you requested it on facebook and IG. More to come in the next few weeks.

Love,

Operation Move Family Out in One Weekend

Wow. What a whirlwind week. That's how much time we had from hearing the good news that J got the job in TN and actually being in TN along with all of our household. It's crazy. Only a week before that, we were still settling into life in the big city. It was becoming comfortable. I had made a friend that I got to see almost daily because she was my (next door!) neighbor. We'd go on walks around the neighborhood and chat about our sweet kids. She kept me sane. I will surely miss her. Things were lookin' up in Jacksonville. I can't believe that just two weeks ago this possibility didn't even exist. And here I am- writing from my mom's house- the boys are napping in my old childhood room and it's as if I never ever left. Anyway, I just wanted to say a huge thank you for all of the comments and congrats you left for us on my last post! We appreciate you celebrating with us. Now that Operation: Move Family Out in One Weekend has been accomplished, we are on to Operation Find Family A Home. It might be a long process, but God has worked out so many of the details in this situation that I've lost count of all the blessings. It is amazing! I just know He has a plan for this part, too.

The drive really wasn't so bad. I imagined total chaos. I pictured me pulling all my hairs out. Or crying uncontrollably along with my two under two. Because this move was so last minute, we had to get out immediately and we weren't very prepared. Thankfully, J's dad came to our rescue (again) and helped us get moved out by our deadline. Friday afternoon we found out that someone was renting our place which was awesome news because we were locked in until January if they couldn't rent it out. A huge financial burden was lifted, but then suddenly we realized, umm nothing is packed. We didn't really have the first box. Saturday was insane. We packed up everything we own in a day and loaded the Uhaul to the brim. We'll see if it's all broken when we finally get to unpack it all! Anyway, we pulled out of our home in Florida on Sunday. J's dad was driving the Uhaul, J was driving his truck and towing another, and I was driving the third car with the babes inside. An eight hour drive was ahead of me and I was NOT looking forward to it.

My boys did so well. I don't give them enough credit sometimes. They were little angels mostly. I mean YOU wouldn't think so if you'd been riding with us, but as for myself, I thought they were great. I'm with them all the time and I know what they're capable of! Those sweet boys didn't sleep, but they didn't cry too much either. I arrived in TN in crazy, good time (I only stopped once). Still, the stress of packing up our lives for the fifth move in four years was wearing on me and I was so happy to walk into my parents' house and hand off a kid or two. The first night was tough on Baby A. He woke up a lot and we didn't get much sleep. I think the unfamiliarity of it all coupled with his change in schedule has really screwed him up. I'm hoping I can get him back on some sort of predictable schedule this week. We're all very tired...

but so happy to be home.

the old familiar tug

Why am I always backward looking, wondering what it might be like to have my children grow up where I did? You would think being a prior military family that I would be used to this life by now. Maybe I am. There's something about getting to move every year or so that is attractive to me. Still, home is always calling out to us and when I saw this picture from this past weekend, I felt the old familiar tug to pack up this house and go on home. When I think about what's important in life, so many faces enter my mind. Among these-

These four people, my grandparents, come to mind.

I miss these moments all the time. My step-dad and his pickin' buddies had a gig playing a little bluegrass and much of my family showed up to listen. 

Nothin' big. Just having a good time.

All these small moments are big in my mind, though. How few of them I've had over the last five years!

 (Photos by Becky!)

Are you away from "home", too? What do you miss most?

Dream Homes

With our upcoming move on the brain, it's hard not to start picturing my family settled into a house that we'll (hopefully) have for years- one that we'll actually own. If there's one thing about the military lifestyle that is a constant reminder of how tough it can be, it's writing a check for rent each month. I hate seeing that money go right down the drain. Thousands of dollars each month goes toward a rental house...and then what? That money is just gone. We can't wait until we're paying for a house to keep. We can paint her walls! We can remodel if we wish. We can hang a wreath on the front door and maybe, just maybe it will feel more like our permanent home.

Where's that VA Savings Loan application? Sign us up. We're very much looking forward to being homeowners. Pinterest doesn't help either. I keep finding fabulous rooms or design ideas that keep me browsing (and daydreaming) for hours...

Source: lesapea.tumblr.com via Mrs. on Pinterest

Source: bhg.com via Mrs. on Pinterest

Source: ernestogarciadesign.com via Mrs. on Pinterest

I'm dreaming of deep claw foot bath tubs, colorful, elegant kitchens, and a heavenly reading nook with built in bookshelves- *swoon*

What's a must have in your dream home?

(This post is brought to you by MilitaryVALoan.com )

When I Was 17...

 

I don't think I've linked up here before and this was just what I needed on this Monday morning- blogging material that doesn't require much thought. Today's Topic? When I Was 17!

1. When you were 17, tell us what kind of car you drove, where you worked, and what you were usually up to on the weekends.

I drove a 98 Mazda Protege that I affectionately called Bumpin' Blue. She was a great car and earned her name because the factory stereo sounded about as good as all those kids who spent hundreds of dollars on loud, obnoxious speakers. She drove me all over, including to my first job at a local pharmacy in the next town over. On the weekends, I was usually hanging out with friends. I was blessed to have lots of friends because I switched schools in middle school so I stayed in touch with those I had to leave behind. Because they were only 15 minutes away, I still hung out with them a lot, too.

2. Show us a picture of you at 17.

I could only find my yearbook so this is what you get...

3. What did you want to be when you grew up?

I thought I might want to be a pharmacist, but that changed quickly after an ugly botany class with the world's worst professor a couple years later.

4. When you were 17, tell us the kind of boys that you dated. Did you have a type? Do you have a relationship you remember well? Do tell.

I only seriously dated two guys in high school. At 17, I was either with The Man With Three First Names or The Sheriff's Son. TMWTFN was my first love. He was attending the University of TN at the time and after being together for a few years, we decided it was best to part ways. I didn't want him to waste his college days with me, which turned out to be such a silly decision as I missed him greatly. We got back together (a lot) later on in life. After we broke up, I started dating TSS. He was the cool kid in school, for sure. Our senior year in HS, we had a good time, but as we moved on and went to different colleges he quickly became The Player and I was the silly little girl who wouldn't believe he could do anything wrong. Oh, young love. They both taught me a lot.

5. When you were 17, tell us where you pictured your life 10 years from then. Did it turn out the way you expected it to?

Well, it hasn't quite been 10 years yet, thank you very much. I'll hold on to this last month like a champ!  BUT if I were eligible to answer, I would say that my life has turned out so much better. I thought I would be a working woman, unmarried, and without any children. God had other plans for me and I'm the happiest I've ever been.

Worst Army Wife

I'm the worst Army wife ever. It's official. Every time Captain J leaves (which is often) I get a terrible homesick feeling and wonder why in the world I'm at Fort Polk, Louisiana. You would think after four years of living this life that I'd be used to it by now, but I'm not. I still feel empty when he leaves...alone. Despite having things to keep me busy and a community of Army wives who're in the same position I am, the feeling creeps in. I can't help it. I miss home. I miss my family. Last night in my hometown, they had a relay for life and my step-dad's band played there. Here's a fact you might not know about me- I actually genuinely like Bluegrass music. I grew up listening to it from my dad and my step-dad who both play a variety of instruments and have been in several bands over the years. When my mom posted a video of them playing, I felt that familiar tug to go back to East Tennessee. I wish I was there right now.

   

THE SHAGCARPET HEADLINERS

Like them on facebook here.

P.S. That's my step-dad singing and playing the tall bass.

Happy Weekend to you!

See ya.

Baby K and I...



well, we're blowing this popsicle stand. We're headed to greener more colorful pastures. Where are we going might you ask?

Well, we're not tellin'....

But I guess we'll take Daddy, too.



He IS pretty helpful when it comes to holdin' the paci.

See ya in a few days ;)

Love,

Mrs. K and Baby K

Fair warning: most of this post is complainy

Oh, how I wish I had good news.

I don't. I got nothin'.

Actually, that's not entirely true, but I'll leave that for last. Today, we were supposed to get our internet hooked up. After their "window" of time had closed shut, we called AT&T to ask why they never showed. Their response was that they didn't provide internet in our area.

(Ok, so why did you allow us to make an appointment for that?)

Anyway, long story short...

AT&T says that they'll be able to send someone out to survey the area and see if they could hook it up in our neck of the woods. Great. Perfect. But then they said they couldn't send anyone for up to 10 more business days. And then there's the chance that we would wait just to hear that it wasn't an option.

This does not work for two graduate students attending online courses.

We don't exactly trust AT&T after they neglected to actually call and cancel our appointment so now the only positive that was in my week is gone. I have no idea how I'm going to get these two research papers done without internet access at home. I can either spend time at the local library (with time restrictions on computer usage) or set up shop in a hotel again and use their internet.

I've been so annoyed recently. It's just so expensive to pick up and move, especially after we just did it 8 months ago. Now, we're wasting money on eating out (b/c we don't have our pots/pans/etc), we'll inevitably waste money on a hotel room b/c we need internet (b/c the Army will only pay for ten days), and then there are all the little expenses that add up.

We're just completely broke at this point and that's never an easy feeling when you're getting ready to have another mouth to feed. I just pray that Baby K continues to get a healthy report. Heaven forbid they have to put me on bedrest or something because I DON'T HAVE A BED!

I have been really disappointed with this move because I don't think waiting for a month on our furniture is the best they can do. We drove ten hours. It didn't take us a month to get here. I know others are waiting on their belongings, too...but I can't explain to you how much it sucks to be 8 months pregnant with nothing but the floor to sit on.

And that concludes my complaining for the day. Please forgive me.

The good news is- I talked to a midwife today who pulled strings, stepped on toes, and moved over some appointments just to fit me in. I love her soul. My appointment with the OB is tomorrow morning and I have an ultrasound appointment on July 7th! Woo hoo :) Hoping for good news! *I would just like to add that Ft. Polk's hospital staff has been very helpful. I'm definitely pleased with their service in helping me into the system so quickly and efficiently.

As promised, here are some photos of our new place-

He's weird, but I love him.

Our backyard is huge. Drifter and Holly love it here. I have new pics of them, too but I'll have to post those later. It's Mrs. K's bedtime.

I love Kirklands!

Yes,  Austin...you, too but I'm referring to the store one right now. Don't you just love that place? I never got into the home stores much because for the majority of time that I spent living on my own, I was broke. There was no decorating my condo in college because all my money went toward paying bills and food. I just never had fun in those types of places. Now that there's a little room for pretty things, look out! I still enjoy finding the bargain, though. Just this weekend, I bought lots of new goodies for the den area and saved about 300 bucks.

Might I remind you what this couch looked like in Alaska?

Pretty blah (and gross). We finally got the Drifter and Holly hair off the couch and they're no longer allowed on the furniture. Anyway, this couch came with these awful pillows that I can't seem to find a photo of. Trust me, they were wacky. I was looking forward to giving this furniture set a cheap makeover.

Enter den photos.

I also changed up the bedroom a tiny bit with a different pillow, sheets, and a new mirror. This mirror had been $150, I got it for $40 :)

I spent the day finding bargains, thanks to the sale at Kirklands (no one contacted me or will compensate me for writing this review) and I get to come home to this man- preparing dinner for me:

I'm one lucky (and very happy) gal: