First Days of Summer

Ahhhhh.... Summer is here! My first days of vacation have been glorious! This weekend we went up to Springdale. Bran had his first MMA fight at a Maxtap show. He won in the third round with a triangle choke! He did such a great job. However, I'm ready for him to be done with all of this fighting stuff. He makes me nervous.

Yesterday I got to hang out with the girls. It was so much fun. They went swimming... I just watched and talked. I have to get a bathing suit!! I only have my old suit from high school. I can't believe it still fits! But it's old and worn out. My mission today is to find a new one. It's not in the budget though. ha! I'm going to have to be creative. Anyways, after swimming, Meg made a wonderful dinner, and then we watched Glee.

I woke up at 6:30 this morning!! I think I am insane. I met up with a couple of friends, and we walked around our neighborhood. It was a nice way to start the day. Hopefully I will keep it up! It was some great exercise. I need to start the 30 Day Shred again. Jillian knows how to get it done!

I've been thinking about starting graduate school. It would be nice to start early and enjoy the pay increase. I just filled out my FAFSA. If I can't get any financial help, I will just have to wait. One class costs about $700. That would cut way too much money out of our debt snowball. So if I don't get any help, I'll just have to wait until we are debt free. I refuse to take out any more school loans!! I hate those things!! Say a prayer that it will all work out!

Anniversary

Today my husband and I are celebrating our second year of marriage. The traditional gift for the two-year mark is cotton. The modern gift is china. I thought that was interesting! I will be anxiously awaiting by my mailbox for all the cotton I'm sure is coming. No? Well, maybe next year.

But seriously, I wish I had a way with words so I could describe my feelings. I am so incredibly thankful for these past two years with Brandon. It has been such a learning experience for us both. It has been full of the best of times and the not-so-great times. I cherish both. I know my husband so well now. I feel like I can practically read his mind some days. Yet, at other times, I have no idea what he will say or do. I like it that way. It keeps things interesting.

I appreciate all the sacrifices Bran has made to get us to where we want to be. I know he has done a lot of things he would have rather not just to make his wife happy. He is such a great husband. I couldn't have asked for anyone better. Nothing compares to spending your life with the man that God created just for you.

Happy Teacher

Today was the last day of school for our fourth graders. We have a huge promotion ceremony for our kiddos. The post below tells everything we've done so far this week. Over at Kelly's Korner, she is doing a blog hop about things that make you happy. There was one thing that absolutely made my day today. A poem written by one of my students. Here it is:

My Teacher

I've gotten extremely close to you.

I've done the work, but you're pushed me through.

For you're the teacher I hold most dear,

And I try to shed not one tear.

This year has been so much fun,

hard to believe that it is done.

I'll remember you my friend,

until time decides to end.

You aren't very rotley,

My very own Mrs. Motley!

*tear*

Promotion

The last week of school in fourth grade is so much fun. On Monday, we had a silly string fight. Tuesday we played kickball. Wednesday we signed yearbooks, and the kids wrote all over the concrete with sidewalk chalk. Today we ate donuts and watched a dvd with pictures of all the kiddos growing up. They really enjoyed watching that! Tomorrow is the long awaited day.... Field Day in the morning and the Promotion ceremony in the afternoon. YEA! Last day of school! I'm so excited. My class this year has been so amazing. They are truly great kids. I'm sad to see them leave and go to a new building... but I'm excited for my next group!

I absolutely cannot believe I already have two years of teaching behind me! It seems just like yesterday I was moving into my dorm room my freshman year of college. I feel so blessed to work with the best team of teachers, wonderful kids, and such supportive parents. I couldn't have asked for a better career!

Financial Peace

Today was the last day of Financial Peace University. *tear*

Actually, it's bittersweet. I am so thankful for the experience and the opportunity to get to know some awesome people. I am thankful for their support and allowing us to visit their church every Friday night. I am also thankful that it's over, and we can have our Friday nights back! ha!

Here's what we have accomplished since the end of February:

• Saved our $1,000 emergency fund
• Paid off $3,795 of debt ($5,915 including our mortage payments)
• Implementing the envelope system - Cash only!
• Started saving some money for a big vacation next year!
• A budget every single month!
• Giving our entire 10% tithe
• And most importantly, we have a plan!!!

We had a lot of hopes and dreams for our future. Now, we have direction. We know where we're going and how we're getting there. It's a great feeling. The class truly lives up to it's name! We have financial peace!

So.... where are we going? We are still paying $1,000 every month towards our debt. Bran has decided not to drive a bus next year. That puts our debt free date back to August 2011. Hopefully, sooner... I know the Lord is already providing!

We must be doing something right... Bran's truck broke down the other day. The repair bill was almost $400. Thankfully, we had some extra money from my end-of-the-year bonus. It was going to buy us a new shower, but we are waiting a little while longer. Murphy's Law never fails to show up at the worst of times!

Only one more week and three days left of school!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! woohoo!!!!!!!!!!!!

My HANA

I loved my Chi. Really, I did. However, after the fourth one, I decided to try something different. Introducing my hana.

I'm pretty impressed with this iron. I ordered it from missiko.com. I was amazed and dazzled with their wonderful customer service. To begin with, the iron was on sale for the same price as the Chi ($74). Combine the price with free shipping, and it's officially a deal! This iron had much better reviews than the Chi. Several Chi owners said their next purchase would be a hana. I took their advice and look what my package contained:

Can't see?? Let me zoom in a little closer....

They included nail clippers, nail files, hand sanitizer, roses made from soap for your bath, hair product (for shiny hair), two different travel cases, a tin the iron came in, and a pad to keep the iron on so it won't burn your counter. If that wasn't enough, check this out:

Yup, I ordered the standard iron. They sent me the professional. WOOHOO!!!! I really like this company!

As far as results, I am pleased. The hana has tourmaline infused plates. My hair is really shiny! Compared to my Chi, I get the same results. The hana is lighter and has adujustable heat settings.

Here's a side-by-side comparison. My Chi has seen better days for sure! I was so upset when it just stopped working one day. The hana came with a free two year warranty, so I am covered for a couple of years! All in all, I think it was a good buy!

This One's for You!

Happy Mother's Day Mom. You're the best momma I have ever had. :)