Plan Ahead!

Today I found TaxCaster. It was really cool because I was able to plug in a few peices of information and determine a ballpark number for our tax refund next year... so we can start planning on our next steps for our financial goals!

Check it out... the results may surprise you! Also, this is a great place to play around with things! I found out that if Dustin filed married filing separately, we'd owe $5500! But married filing jointly yeilds a return of $1800! That's a huge swing... but it's good to know! Things may be a little different for you, so make sure you are making the right choices!

I know I am a little behind in my 30 in 30... but expect a few posts really soon to catch me up! :o)

Book Review: Stay Home Stay Happy

Since I have been trying to be a happier stay at home mom, I was eager to read Rachel Campos-Duffy's book, "Stay Home, Stay Happy". She is a successful mom of 5... who seems to have it all together... and since I, well, don't... I asked Dustin to pick it up on his way home for me.

I have never been one to read books. I devour them. It's a bad thing, really... but at least then I know where a lot of things are in the book for later reference. So when I am trying to figure out a way to reconnect with myself, or how to fit more into my day, or just need a few minutes of serenity, I know exactly where to turn.

But what did I think of the book? Rachel made some great points about family traditions and how she has helped instill some great family values based on her own childhood as well as her religious background. She also had some good ideas on helping a household run efficiently.

But the best part for me was 2 pages long... and it was playlists for her iPod while she worked out at the gym. Seriously.

All in all... it's a good read... but I think I need to find another book to help me find a new kind of fulfillment in being a stay at home mom... I love it, but... well... you know. :o)

Importance

I know a few people are really tired of me whining about my family. I should be lucky to have such an awesome, huge, loving family.... right? We are almost all living in AZ... we try to do family things together... but it's still family... a family that drives me batty.

Especially now. I am having to make some major sacrifices to keep the peace in regards to our Thanksgiving plans. And I am being told that they don't want it... that I am making an inconveinence for people. That they all deserve a break from what is important to me. And just so we are clear, I am talking about dishes... and using them... not imported caviar, or pressed linens.

But it makes me wonder... what really is important? Is it more important to me to stand up for what I am believing is the right thing? Or more important for me to surround myself with family? What if that family is full of so much negativity, so much anger, so much greed that I leave feeling bad every time? How much can I subject myself to before I realize that it's just not worth it?

This happens to me every major holiday. Mother's Day I spend crying over how everyone ignores me when I suggest cooking a meal at home ("I'll do the cooking," I say... or my hubs offers to grill). They all want to go to Z'Teja's... which is both out of our price range and hard to get reservations for 36 at. We end up with Costco lasagna... and greedy family members asking for every family to PAY for their food... which they had no say in. And was cold and almost gone when they arrived... because for some reason, when they say that we are eating at 12, it's decided to start at 11 because someone is hungry.

I can't make this stuff up.

I really think that it's not healthy for me to keep trying to make things work and feel so bound to this negative cycle. I think that it's time for me to branch off and start making things about simple traditions. About food and fun and family... not a cafeteria line and a funds jar. About enjoying a homemade pie... not wondering who is going to wash the dishes.

Sometimes, the important things are are ones that you tuck in at night, you call for help, and you don't have to explain anything to. They are the ones that matter.

Mmmmmmm... Goes Healthy!

I got this in my email today from Fitness Magazine! I can't believe this is allowed to be considered a "Healthy Breakfast"... but I will take it!!











Let's Do Brunch: Stuffed French Toast Recipe: "Stuffed French Toast"
Makes: 4 servings
Ingredients
1/2 cup fat-free cream cheese
2 tablespoons plus 1/2 cup strawberry jam
8 1-inch slices French bread
2 egg whites
1 egg, slightly beaten
3/4 cup fat-free milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/8 teaspoon apple pie spice
Nonstick cooking spray

Directions
Combine the cream cheese and 2 tablespoons jam. Make a slit in each slice of French bread to form a pocket; fill each with about 1 tablespoon of the cream-cheese mixture.
In a small bowl, combine egg whites, egg, milk, vanilla, and apple pie spice. Lightly coat a nonstick griddle with cooking spray; heat over medium heat.
Dip the bread into the egg mixture, coating both sides. Place slices on the hot griddle. Cook about 3 minutes or until golden brown, turning once.
Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, heat the 1/2 cup of jam until melted, stirring frequently. Pour over French toast.
Nutrition facts per serving (2 slices): 300 calories, 14g protein, 30g carbohydrate, 2g fat (0g saturated), 0g fiber"

Time Flies...

I can't believe it was 2 short years ago when Ryan entered our lives in a whirlwind of a childbirth... I've posted his birthstory here, so I won't do that again... but take a look at how he has grown!!

Love you Kiddo!

A Whole Different 2WW

Anyone who is familiar with a 2WW (or Two Week Wait) may have gotten a few little butterflies seeing that in print... but let me tell you... although I am thinking of my midsection... and that feeling of overwhelming happiness... I am also thinking of this:

Did you know that the average person gains 7.5 lbs during the Holiday Season!??! I am still working hard to LOSE that... but I am wondering what little changes you are going to make to your Thanksgiving menu so that you can still enjoy, but not worry about your waistline... tell me your secrets and I'll share a few of mine later this week!

Fatty Cake

I don't know how I feel about this. I know that I should just accept it at face value, but I have a tendancy to read into things. I know I am not alone... you do it, too, don't you? Really?

I met my mother in law today for lunch at Jason's Deli. My husband also met us there, and once our food came out, he mentioned about how his wrap had only 300-ish calories... and I say something about how that's probably what I should have ordered, and he offers me a bite... blah blah blah... and then my MIL says "Yeah, I noticed you have lost a lot of weight."

To me.

Ok... so on one hand, it's a compliment... I am looking smoking hot, no? But at the same time... it makes me feel like those nice words were laced with barbed wire... was I a fatty cake?? Was I a chunker the last time she saw me?? I mean, I have lost 11+ lbs in the last 15 weeks... but I am still wearing my same old jeans... I wore a maternity top today (because I like it... not b/c I need it). My shoes were even a little snug... but to my MIL... it was the *best* I had looked in a while.

Why couldn't I just accept it? I have been having what I call FCS... or FattyCakeSyndrome for a while now. It's where I just see myself as chunky... no matter what the scale reads. So I eat a cookie to make myself feel better. Or maybe I make some chocolate milk. Or whip up an excuse for a Sonic shake. And then when my husband makes an advance, I kill any chance of anything by asking the question that is really dreaded around here... "Am I a FattyCake?? Do you just like FattyCakes?!?!"

But I promised myself this week is going to be a FC-free zone. I am going to love myself a little bit more when I start thinking my FCThoughts... and my shakes will turn into bubble baths. My cookies into At-Home Pedicures... and in no time, this FattyCake will be a CutiePie.