Generosity and Bargains

When we made the decision to be parents and that I would stay home with the kids we knew that we would not always have the newest and best of THINGS but it is a price we are willing to pay for being able to raise our own children.

We were recently blessed with a generous gift of the double stroller I was saving up for. David's grandparents gave us the one we were looking at that our infant car seat fits into. This was a wonderful surprise. It is a sit and stand stroller which Blueberry is modeling in the picture.

I also belong to some Facebook resale groups. They are local groups, some are just for children's items, for people to sell gently used items for cash. We have been selling some stuff too but I found some gently used boys clothes for a great deal and I went through all of the neutral color clothes I saved from Blueberry and with those I am pretty set for boys clothes up through 9 months.

Some people have told me it is not as much fun to buy clothes for a boy, but I have to respectfully disagree. While dresses are fun and pretty, miniature polo onesies are adorable too.

People's generosity is also contagious. Though I have sold Blueberries old clothes pretty cheap, I am thinking I could probably go lower and hope that it blesses someone else.

6 Great Years and Counting!

We had a modest celebration for our 6th anniversary. We went out to brunch (with Blueberry) at a restaurant that has a Gluten-Free menu. We did some shopping. We paid cash for a used van.

We found a van that was half of what we were budgeting for a "new-to-us" vehicle so we have extra money to get some minor things fixed. We decided to sell our truck because I cannot fit two car-seats in it, not to mention that I can't drive it. I tried, I just couldn't get in tune with that piece of metal. David liked it but he is commuting to work with our car and began to see the wisdom in having two vehicles that we can all ride in. If one breaks down then we can make do with the other.

Our van turned out to be a good purchase. It has a few quirks and dings but the engine is good and the AC works. It might sound crazy but I LOVE my used and paid-for Grand Caravan! Quirks and all.

We have now paid off our last credit card so all we have in debt are student loans. They are in deferment until David's job is permanent. Any money I make right now is going into an emergency fund. Making decisions without debt and with a new perspective seemed like an appropriate way to begin our seventh year together. It is a statement that we have grown together in wisdom and are preparing for a solid future.