October Month

This past month has been truly wonderful.  Bridger has continued to grow and is learning so much every day.  He went through a very short stint of being interested in pull-ups.  He is talking more and more and I'm actually starting to decipher what he says.  I love this kid and think he's just about the cutest and coolest boy alive.

 The weather was so nice this month - we spent a lot of time outdoors.  We hiked to a couple of waterfalls, the Y, and tons of easy walks to parks.

Battle Creek Falls

Bridal Vale Falls

 The Y - homecoming weekend

 Enjoying the fall weather on one of our walks

 Tim has been leaving around 6 every morning, so when Bridger wakes up, he hops into our bed and falls asleep for another hour - its adorable until he starts kicking me.

 My parents came for a short visit and spoiled us.  We love them so much.

 Bridger found an old bear from my house in St. George and took it back with us to Provo.  He sleeps with it, plays with it, puts it to "night-night", and loves it to death.

 Carving Pumpkins

 Watching the World Series - last game

 My Birthday was today and Tim made it absolutely AMAZING!  Everyone was so sweet to call and text.  It was such a sweet day.  Tim blew up 29 balloons (I can't believe I'm that old!)  and wrote one thing he was thankful for (about me) in each one.  

This might be first time I told Bridger to smile and this is the pose I got...so great.

 Tim took me to the Cheesecake Factory for dinner and just as I was about to blow out the candle on the cake, Bridger beat me to it and blew it out.  I was shocked he could move that fast.  Tim let me blow out candles when we got home, so no harm done.  I think this will be a great year for me - another baby (5 more weeks), a new home, new job, and the best people in the world to be there with me.  I am so grateful.

 

Thoughts on Budgeting

I am a list person, which lends itself well to making budgets.  I really REALLY enjoy creating budgets.  It reminds me of creating a weight loss plan.  I think of all the possibilities - the money I'm saving, the new outfits, the once a month fancy night out, the tight stomach, increased confidence, etc.  When it comes to actually following through on a weight loss plan, its the same as a budget, it doesn't happen.  I feel bad for a few days, then buy myself a very overpriced, fattening dessert and start again.

The past couple of months though, I have created a budget and stuck to it.  Yes, I am quite proud of myself, but I have to say that I have hated almost every second of it.  I can understand why our country is in serious debt, no one likes to feel deprived (kind of like a weight loss plan).  I am sure when Tim is actually making money, budgeting might be more rewarding, but right now, even on our tight budget, we won't have any money left in just a few months.  I keep having to remind myself that I am just trying to make our money last longer, and there can be confidence found in that - knowing that we have enough to get us through one more month.

Even though I really hate budgeting (the act of living a budget, not writing one out), there are some things I feel like a budget helps me to realize:

1 - It is a GOOD thing to NOT get everything you want, or think you need.  Too much self-indulgence makes people lazy, spoiled, and self-entitled.  I am working on being happy without buying everything I want, and guess what...I'm happier knowing that I can discipline myself.  I seriously feel like a better person for not eating out when I have everything for lunch at home.

2 - I don't have to have the latest and the greatest.  This is the hardest concept for me.  If I had a phone upgrade, I would have gotten the iphone 6 yesterday.  The new Honda 2015 CR-V came out recently and you better believe I've already built it to my liking (Touring CR-V) and sent it to my dad - since he gets excited with me.  The truth is - always feeling like I have to own the newest thing out makes me a discontented person.  My parents will say I was born discontented, but I don't have to stay that way.  Living on a budget makes it impossible to always have new and there is nothing wrong with that.  I'm still working on this.

3 - Live simply.  Since Tim is at school all day (and most nights), Bridger and I like to run errands.  We go to the mall, TJ Maxx, pick up a treat at the market, etc.  Now, instead of shopping, we go to the park, walk everywhere, visit free museums, and pick up movies at the library to watch at home.  I miss shopping, but we still have fun and I don't look at my bank account and wonder where all my money went.

So yes, living on a budget is not easy but it is or can be very rewarding.  I hope I can always live within my means (I mean, for at least another month) because that really does make me happy and that is what this life is all about, finding real happiness.  Amen.