Sunday, February 20, 2011

more medicine = more money!!

I am happy to announce that my husband and I are both on the down hill slide.. his antibiotic plus OTC medicines seem to be working!! I am now on a stronger antibiotic myself and feeling 10X better!! When it rains it pours I swear.. first Avery gets a bladder infection, I have to go to the doctor (which never happens) get a chest x-ray, & Ben gets strep throat!! (have I mentioned that each of the above costs money)

When Ben and I bought our house I was working where I am now and he had a good business/marketing job. We both had nice vehicles we were proud to drive and lived well. That comfort of living changed when Ben lost his job a few years ago.. not only did he lose his job but we had to make some major life decisions about our future. Ben was never truly happy in any of his business/marketing type jobs. His major going into the U of A @ Fayetteville was pre-med.. he said once he got his syllabus, at age 18 he quickly changed that major!! Looking back he's kicking himself for not sticking with it because he would of excelled!! After much soul searching and talk with family he decided to take a job at the ER as a tech.. Nursing school was an option on the table for him.. We figured being a tech would be a great indicator if it was for him or not.. He absolutely LOVED it; poop, throw up, mean doctors/nurses, wonderful doctors/nurses, crazy patients, etc!! So he signed up and started nursing school.. Since he didn't have many pre requisites required for RN school it made more sense for him to go through LPN school then fast track for a year to get his RN. Since his ACT was more than 10 years old he had to retake that.. he was surprised to make higher at age 30 than he did right out of high school. Since he did do so well he was able to take pre-req's along with LPN school. He graduated last June and has worked in the ER as a LPN since.. He started RN school in January and just finished the first go around with a 92%!! He will graduate in December and continue working in the ER or possibly the ICU.. He amazes me with every test or paperwork that has to be done for school. He takes great pride in his work and wants to do his best!! All that to say that since he's been in school our comfortable way of living took a hit.. We found out we were pregnant with Weslee during this transition as well. We both sold our cars and downsized to something that made more sense for our new financial situation. Ben goes to school Tuesday-Friday and works 12 hours shifts on Saturday and Sunday. Monday being his only day to sleep in and relax.. which he ends up using to study extra!! We are so proud of our house and it's a great home to start a family in. We decided we wanted to live scarcely to be able to keep our home. Our church is doing Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University, which is a great guide. Unfortunately with Ben's school/work schedule we were not able to commit to a class. I do have the Cd's and I am looking forward to listening and learning how to be good stewards of our money. We are on a good routine of knowing when to expect our bills and how much they will be, groceries, etc... it's when someone gets sick, needs medicine, car breaks down, trying to have a baby, vet bills, etc. that it stings. So like I said above, when it rains it pours!! I tell any one who asks, it's a means to an end!! There is light at the end of the tunnel and the hard work both Ben and I put in will pay off!!
You may be thinking, if you're living so tightly why in the world would you want to bring a baby into this world?? GREAT QUESTION.. We know that we can and will make it work.. We know God will see us through whatever trials we may face - good or bad!!

I know it could be so much worse.. we've been at much lower points in our lives but through it all we've come out stronger on the other side!! We're enjoying this time in our lives with each other and new beginnings, whatever those may be....

3 comments:

Lindsey Kindy said...

It was so good seeing you today! I understand exactly how you feel about "When it rains, it pours"... It seems like everytime we get ahead of our finances, something comes up and drains us. And if you wait till you are settled in your finances before having children, you will never do it... Kids are the biggest blessing, and they also can survive on whatever you give them. Keep your head up, every things gonna work out in Gods time and we are here to encourage you and Ben! ~much love

harris1013 said...

Hope everyone feels better...Just like my Dad told me if you wait until you think you have enough money, you will never have kids! So true! What he really means that is God brings you to it, He will bring you through it.

Two Girls and a Guy! said...

Chris and I didnt have a "pot to pee in" when we found out we were having Boston. But God provided for us and for sure makes me appreciate the things we have now and the hard work and sacrifice it took to get there. Its hard when everyone else around you "seems" to have it all but you have your focus where it needs to be and thats all you can do! I think everyone this year has been sick for weeks so we can definately relate! It will get better and it will be summer soon! :) Yes and you will NEVER have enough money for kids! ( They wont play or wear the things you buy them anyways lol!)