Oh, Boy. What Did I Just Do?

So, I was doing my morning “trollin” of other blogs on Tuesday, when I came across this post by Michelle over at Mish Lovin’ Life. Now first, I’d just like to say that if you haven’t read her blog, do yourself a favor and go read it. She. Is. Hilarious. I swear you’ll thank me later for pointing you in her direction.

But now, back to the “Oh, Boy” part of my post. After reading that post on Tuesday, I foolishly accepted her 30 Day of No Alcohol challenge. This lady has some serious Jedi mind tricks up her sleeve because before I knew it, I was accepting. At first, I was like:

“Hell yea! I’m owning this challenge! I’m gunna make it my b**ch!”

Then I got home, and my kid was screaming and throwing things. She was crying and being so picky about who changed her diapers. Kicking me if she wanted her daddy to do it and vice versa. And there was so much whining. By the end of the night, I just wanted a glass of wine (or an ice cold Bud Light). As I was opening the fridge I remembered I wasn’t allowed. So, I closed the fridge and pouted away.

But do you really want to know what makes me question my sanity on this one? Another friend of ours is getting married on the 27th, and she’s Dutch. They know how to party, y'all! Not being racist either, because they really do. Anyway, a few weeks ago her brother told my husband and I about the alcohol list involved and the amount of kegs that would be present. We had a DD lined up, and I was so looking forward to getting a bit tipsy with friends. But now it looks like my hubs is the only one that will get to enjoy the free booze. Damn those Jedi mind tricks! Thankfully, since the last time I had alcohol of any kind was on Saturday, I’m technically on day 5! No biggie. Only 25 more days to go.

Loved

Have you ever just sat back and thought about how many people your child interacts with on a daily basis? From adults to other children? Until recently, I never really took the time to appreciate how much help and kindness she (and we) receive. But now that I fully recognize and acknowledge it, I can’t help but count my blessing. Emery will never go without anything. And this makes my heart really happy.

Among these amazing people are my parents and our babysitter. When we needed a roof over our heads, my parents gladly gave up their bed for us. And then they helped us make the guest house livable. Right after I had Emery, my husband wasn’t working, and they helped us by buying extra food, diapers, wipes, bottles, clothes, and formula when the time came. Even now, they are constantly taking Emery out for a night or helping us with diapers, clothes, and food. Our daughter has an expanding collection of clothes, and shoes that surpasses even my own. And their generosity is not just with her. In fact, sometimes I have to tell them that they don’t need to buy us anything because they'll come home with bags of stuff for all of us.

Next is our babysitter. She and her family have become a part of our family. Currently, she only watches Emery three days out of the week, but I still pay her for a whole week. You have no idea how much I had to struggle with her to take my money either. Most of the time I had to be sneaky about this. Slipping an extra $20 in her purse, or gathering Emery’s things, and laying the envelope at the table before bolting. One time I wasn’t fast enough and she chased me down. She always tells me:

“We love her like our own. 

 We love having her here, because she lights up our lives.

 Don’t need any extra money.”

And I’m thinking “Wow, seriously?” I love my daughter but there’s no hiding that she’s a handful. I would even go as far as to say spoiled. She has a bit of a temper, a knack for tantrums, and she’s very demanding. But our babysitter says that she’s not like that with them. This is probably because they give her, her hearts desire. But they all reassure me that they are happy to have her. Even her husband greets her every morning gushing about “his princess”. And Emery loves the attention. Recently they went on vacation, and before they left they took her out to lunch in town. Then they cut their trip short and called me the night they arrived back in town to make sure I would be dropping her off with them the next morning. That right there, is mind blowing.

Then we have the random people we see while out shopping or running errands. There isn’t a single time where someone doesn’t come up to us and let us know how beautiful or “full of light” our daughter is. She gives out hugs, and for the most part she does behave. She says “please” and “thank you”. Some people say that they’ve never seen such manners on someone so young. And I don’t know how many times she’s turned some macho men into peek-a-boo playing softies. Seriously. I may be a bit biased but my kid (when not screaming her lungs out) is kind of awesome.

I appreciate all of this. I appreciate everyone that shows her love, and kindness. I appreciate everyone that has helped us out, given us a chance, and accepted us. Without any of them, I have no idea what we would have done or how things would have played out. But, I’m so thrilled to have so many people in our lives that truly love us. I’m so happy that Emery gets to grow up around all of this because I know that there are children out there that don't, and that's such a sad thing.

Patiently Waiting

Over the weekend, my dad informed us that a position has opened up for my husband. His supervisor and my brother’s supervisor both told my dad that they had an opening with my husband in mind so we should be expecting a call within the next two weeks. They still have to go through “all of the motions”, a formality, but my dad told us it’s a sure thing.

I. AM. SO. EXCITED! Our savings has dwindled quite a bit, and I’ve been having to work through all of my lunches just to give us the extra cash we need. These past few months, we’ve had a lot of commitments that we couldn’t turn down or reschedule. So, our budget was stretched pretty tight. Thanks to my parents not charging us for rent or utilities until my husband once again has a job, we’ve been able to manage.

But guys, when I say that I’m tired. I mean it. By the time Friday afternoon hits, I’d be totally capable of sleeping through the entire weekend. But I can’t. And then Monday rolls around and I have to added up our bills for the week. Then, I mentally calculate how many hours I need to work in order for us to get by. I was even ready to get rid of my iPhone for a regular talk & text phone. In fact, I’m still debating it. It’s just so hard to let go of all of those handy little apps. *sigh* So spoiled.

So now it’s just a waiting game. I doubt we will hear anything until next week, but man I can’t wait. We need this. I’m a little tired of pinching pennies. And I’m more than ready for us to start saving in order to move out. Seriously. As much as I love having my parents so close, I’m just ready to have our own, fully functioning, place. I’m ready to have some breathing room in our lives as well as in our pockets. So wish us luck or say a little prayer in our direction. Fingers crossed that we hear something sooner rather than later.