Dare I Jinx It?

It's been three (four?) nights in a row now that the boys have slept for six to eight hours non-stop. Bliss, people. Pure bliss. Of course, this means that they're eating every two or three hours during the day, but that is a-ok with us!

I'm just a little worried about what this will mean when I go back to night shift in March...Nathan is going to start going into work for a total of a day and a half during the days that I'm off duty and I'm really not sure what that's going to mean for my ability to get good sleep in. Especially since my parents are taking off for Mexico on the 16th of this month. Eeek.

Let's see...what else has happened since I last posted six (SIX?!) days ago?

Hang out night. On Friday night, Carly and Shem came over for pizza and Guitar Hero. Pizza = $20. Guitar Hero = ...nevermind. Fantabulously fun times with another young couple who understand what it means to have young children and values = PRICELESS! 'Nuff said. Thanks you two!


Babysitter. Great news! We found someone to watch the boys for a few hours on days that I work, so Nathan can get some rest. (We might have to throw a few hours in there for her to relieve me too.) Her name is Jan and we met her for the first time on Sunday, at which time she immediately glommed on to Levi and didn't let him go until she left. We're going to go see her place this evening, since we'll be taking the boys over to her when she babysits them as she also has her mother in law staying with her. The good news is that my parents have known her and her husband for years (they use to be some of my dad's patients) and I've gotten glowing recommendations from other people as well. All wonderful things to put a mommy's mind at ease.

Make-over day. On Saturday, my mom and I were pampered and primped at A'Diva salon, where we had our make-up and hair done before going out for a half-hour photo shoot with my photog friend Carly. We are SOOO happy with our photos...usually I hate (h.a.t.e.) photos of myself, but Carly managed to extract all of the cringe factor out of up close photos of my face. Love that girl! And can I just say how beautiful my momma is? Well, she is. B-e-a-utiful. I believe Carly will be putting some of my photos up on her photo blog today. The link to her blog is under my "Friends Who Blog" links, towards the bottom. Not to be confused with Carly Carlson Photography, her photo website. Although you should go there too...her work is great.

Superbowl. Nevermind. Don't get me started. Dang it, you got me started. Supid Steelers. Stupid Refs. You'd think the Steelers would like to win honestly. Right? Or that maybe the refs would be objective. No? Well phooey. Stupid Steelers.

Young Life. Last night, Nathan loaded up the boys and met me at the clubhouse for Levi and Asher's first (of many) experience with Monday night Young Life. Considering all the loud noises, they did an amazing job and actually fell asleep in our arms by the time we got to the last songs and Mike's talk. They're naturals, I tell you, naturals. Probably didn't hurt that they were exposed to YL insanity from the womb. During the medium speed songs half way through club (remind me someday to outline what a night at Young Life club looks like) I was standing behind the carpet-covered risers we have in the club house and was holding Asher in front of me, facing forward. The little he-man decided he wanted to stand, so I obliged, just barely holding him up under his arms. And then he proceeded to dance. Kid you not. He danced. And then cried when the music was over. Are 4 month (2 month) old babies suppose to be able to do that yet?

Oh, and did I mention that it was a ton of fun to have Nathan at club? 'Cause it was. Not to mention that it was nice to be able to be at club without missing out on spending that time with Nathan. Great compromise!

Budget Planning. I finally got our budget all lined out, and not a moment too soon either, since it's now February. WHAT?! So weird. Anyway, yesterday I call our natural gas provider about their budget pay plan, which entails them looking at your bills for the past year, taking an average of all of those bill totals, and giving you a monthly cost according to that average. With that one phone call, I will be writing out a check for $60 less than I did last month! WOOT! We're currently on Baby Step 1 of the Dave Ramsey Total Money Make Over (create a $1000 emergency fund) and will be able to complete that step in only two months and will then move on to Baby Step 2: Pay Off All Debt Using Debt Snowball. That one will take a little longer (warning: understatement of the century) and will be hard work, but will be SO worth it.

Oh, and did I mention that our pastor's sermon on Sunday was about debt. Well it was. Apropos, no?

Appliance Repair. For the past few months, our fridge has had a curious water leak into the main fridge area, which has resulted in constant puddles on each of the shelves. Which I have had to clean up on a regular basis and has meant wiping things off when we take them out of the fridge lest they drip all over the place. Highly annoying. So yesterday Nathan dissected our refridgerator. He took off the back panel. He took out our ice maker in the freezer. He attacked it all with a hair dryer. And managed to thaw out the mass of ice around and inside of the hose that drained the water from the freezer/fridge into the drip pan at the bottom of the fridge. And now? No water on the shelves of our fridge!!!

Oh, and did I mention that my husband is my hero? Well, he is. Hands down. My hero.

Ok, I think that's about it. As if that weren't enough. Thank God today's my Friday.