To my father...

My Dad is one of the most special people in my life.  Heck, he had to put up with me for 28 (almost 29) years! We are so much alike.  Strong willed, hot temper, no patience and does not like to be told no.  All great qualities....well maybe not.  But I got them all from my Dad and those qualities have made me a stronger woman.  I stand up for what I believe in and most of the time always get my way :)

He had to put up with me and my sister, and well, let's just say we are probably the reason he is bald now.  Sorry about that Dad.  We did not make it easy on you.  But you taught me life lessons that I will never take for granted.  You are the reason why I work so hard.  To know nothing is ever given to you, and I admire that about you. 

But on a serious note, he is always there for me no matter what.  Calls me just to see how I am doing (well mostly he calls to ask about Logan....) but I am so grateful to have a father like that in my life.  I know plenty of folks who do not have a father in their life at all so I feel extremely blessed! I know it was not easy for my Dad to grow up in a house full of girls, but he made the best of it! 

I love you Dad! Happy Father's Day!!

That one time I found ten dollars

Seriously.  I did find ten dollars once. Logan was a newborn and we were going to our good friends little girls birthday party.  We had not bought her a gift because, well, we were broke.  It was right before the party and went to walk the dog and I found ten dollars on the ground.  I wanted to cry because I felt like this was God saying it will be ok.  So we did walk into the party with a gift :)
I digress, this post is not really about that. 

It is about money and the fact that we are lacking it.  Somehow we make it.  Every month is a stuggle, but we do make it.  Sometimes barely hanging on until payday.  Isn't everyone struggling to make it?  Sometimes it just feels like it is just us.  I see people going on vacations, shopping, buying new cars and houses and I think how can they afford that?  I know, I need to be happy with what I do have.  I have a job, a husband (who has a job) and a great kiddo, family, friends, a nice car and house. We are blessed beyond measure. 
Sometimes it would just be nice to not worry about money.  Go shopping (for me, not Logan!) every once in a while.  Not have to be on a budget.  Let Bryan do fun things once in a while.  We went to Austin the other weekend and we had a blast.  We stayed with a friend, but just gas and food (and maybe an adult beverage or 2...or 5) was super expensive! We do not do that often (last time we had an adult weekend away was over a year ago!)
I remember when Logan was a baby crying almost every night because I was not sure how we were going to get to the next week.  Sad that I could not breastfeed and we had to buy formula.  Eating grilled cheese sandwiches at least twice a week.  Having less than $25 in our bank account every week and I get notifications about my balance.  I work hard, so does my husband.  How can we be that bad off? 2 years later, it is still a struggle, not that bad, but still a struggle.  This post is just for me to vent so for the few that read this, I apologize that I am all like woe is me.  Sorry.  Just need to vent. 
Bottom line is, we make it.  And we are stronger.  We know what it is like to not have money.  It makes us appreciate things more.  And that makes us better.  And realizing the best things in life aren't things.  They are people, relationships, love, faith.  Faith makes me believe that everything will be ok in the end.  If it is not ok, then it is not the end.  Keep on keeping on :)