6 Weeks

So, I'd like to apologize for my lack of posting, but it seems that's how I start every post. I don't even think I'll promise to try to do better this time. My excuse will be that I'm living life and frankly sitting at the computer in my basement isn't as appealing to me as curling up on the couch to watch some TV with my hubby, but one day I may look back and wonder what was going on in my life in January 2007. So, here's a brief overview.

Family
Family is good. Grace is really getting into her 2's and acting terrible lots of the time. She follows it up with moments of cuteness though. We're trying really hard to be tough and consistent, but sometimes I wonder if we're screwing it all up. I guess that's how parenting goes, right? It looked so easy when you saw the toddler screaming at the top of his/her lungs at the grocery store before you had your own kids. This weekend she was sick and that was no fun, but tonight she was back to her old self, so I don't think we have to miss any work. Eric is good too. Especially since the Colts won the superbowl!

Trips/Visitors
January 12-16 - We took a trip to Iowa to visit my parents. Well, my Mom at least. The week before Dad found out he had to take a work trip to China, so he wasn't there. This was our first trip with Grace in her own plane seat and it was so much better than riding on my lap. Not sure it was $250 better, but since we didn't have a choice, we appreciated it. Iowa was very cold. We didn't go out except one excursion to the mall and to church, but it was a nice visit with the family.

We did host a superbowl party, since we are ultimate Colt's fans. It was really fun although I didn't spend much time watching the game, since we hosted and there were also several little ones in attendence. In total including our family, we had 18 in attendence. Plus, COLTS WIN!

Last weekend was GWO in Columbus. Samara hosted, so I still got some free time. Thursday night Danialle came in late, so I picked her up at the airport and we stayed at my house. Friday we drove over to Samara and brought Grace to play with Ava. Friday night Danialle took some awesome pregnancy pictures of Samara. Saturday we went to breakfast (I took Grace home) and then went to the mall for some shopping. I was very good and only bought one item. Afterwards we went home to get ready and then had dinner at the Melting Pot. Yum! We came back home and took some more pictures and then Sunday took Danialle back to the airport. Erica came back to my house and I hosted a jewelry party, now that Erica is an Independent Consultant for Premier Designs. I didn't have a huge turn-out, but I did end up with enough sales and bonuses to earn $280 in free jewelry. Awesome!

Work
Work has been better. Still extremely busy, but I'm keeping a positive outlook and trying to stay as organized as possible and communicate with everyone. In January we moved to a new office building which was challenging because our new layout gives everyone less space, but is also kind of fun because everything is new and the new layout is much more open.

On January 26th, I took and passed my final CPCU exam. I've since then got the letter giving me permission to use the designation. So now that that's official, I can begin planning our trip to Hawaii in September. I think we're leaving on a Friday, the conference lasts until Tuesday night and then Eric and I will pay for an extra 2 days and go to Maui. It's so exciting!

Same day as my CPCU exam, my boss told me that she had nominated me to become an AVP (Assistant Vice President). I've wanted this for at least the last 3 years. My nomination was approved by our office head and my department head on a regional level. Next the Zone/Region head has to approve and then it's official. Announcements aren't usually made until April, but it looks positive!

School
Organic Chemistry is going well. I have a good teacher and it's so much easier just doing one class at a time, plus I don't even have a lab this quarter. I've only had 1 test (#2 is on Tuesday), but I got an 87 percent plus he curved it to give me a 93%. I also think he might drop another test or curve the final scores. I think I should do fine.

Health
Dr. L left the surgery practice I had been going to to start her own practice. I followed and got to see her at the end of January. My mammograms looked good and she didn't have any concerns for me. We did decide it's time to get my port out and I have that scheduled for Wednesday, February 21st (yes, this week!). We also discussed my hopeful timeline to start trying to get pregnant this fall (did I mention a trip to Hawaii in September with my husband?). In short, she recommends waiting 2 to 5 years. And while she wasn't super enthusiastic about me pushing the 2 year mark, she said she doesn't have any reason to tell me no. So, the plan will be that the week before I go to Hawaii, she's running a full battery of tests including a breast MRI, Mammogram, and Chest X-Ray along with the normal blood work. I have my 2 year follow-up appointment with her the week after I get back. Assuming all test are clear, I will get the all clear. Yahoo!

I did have another small scare. My periods have been pretty normal over the last year, but this month, I continued spotting after the normal time (12 days total of bleeding). I called my GYN because I remember Dr. Y telling me that Tamoxifen can increase your risk of Endometrial cancer. Short story is that both Dr. Y and Dr. B agreed that "just in case" they should do a biopsy of my endometrium. It was not a comfortable procedure, but I have received results and all was fine. Dr. B assumes the irregular bleeding was a side-effect from my IUD.

Last week, I had my quarterly/semi-annual CT of the chest, abdomen and pelvis and MUGA scan. Tomorrow, I see Dr. Y to review and have our quarterly review. I think I may bring up the Tamoxifen. I stopped it when we were doing the biopsy and I haven't restarted it. At most I will only take it for another 6 months, so I wonder if I really have to take it. I'm tired of being on medication. I'm guessing, he'll say yes, take it as long as I can.

Finances
This one I'm kind of excited about. Heather and Nick had read this book by John Ramsey and last year managed to get out of debt. She had talked about it and I kind of ignored it, but then Danialle and Erica started talking about it too and our church also started giving these classes called "Financial Peace." The church classes sounded great, but always conflicted with my class schedule. They just started a 2nd round of classes and this time I really felt like it was something I needed. So, I bought the book, read it in one day and Eric and are going full force in an effort to be debt free (except for the mortgages) by the time I quit my job and go to school. I wasn't sure how we were going to make it if I quit my job, but now the answer is becoming more clear. We are in the early stages (week 2), but so far, we have made up an unbendable budget. Meaning if something changes mid-month, we have to take the funds out of somewhere else. Also, we pay cash for things like groceries, lunches, eating out, gas for the cars, etc. At the beginning of the period (weekly/biweekly,etc) I get out the cash and put it in envelopes and that's how much we have to spend. When it's gone, it's gone. Next month, I'm paying off my car and then I will be applying my car payment every month to another debt. We've also decided to put every extra dollar into our debt. Meaning overtime, etc. Because it won't affect my plan on when I will start med school, we are also discussing that I take next quarter off of school and work tons of overtime to see if we can't get a few things paid off. Finally, we cut up every single credit card we have. They just aren't there to fall back on now. We have a small "emergency fund" if we have an emergency, but everything else must be budgeted. This year, we shouldn't treat Christmas as an emergency. We're only paying cash! I'll give you updates as we go, but I'm so excited to think we could be debt-free minus the house in less than 3 years. (This includes both of our cars, student loans, and credit cards!)

Upcoming Events
I've got a lot coming up:
1. In the next week or less, Samara is going to have her baby. I've been waiting on the call this weekend, but so far nothing. If she doesn't go on her own, she's being induced on the 26th. I've luckily been offered a spot in the delivery room again, and I can't wait to witness my second birth (not counting when I was doing the pushing!). I'm so lucky my best friend wants me there!
2. Tomorrow, I'm going to see Justin Timberlake in concert with some friends from work. (I already had bought my ticket - pre-budget)
3. March 9th, I'm heading to Minneapolis to meet my Mom for a weekend of shopping at the Mall of America! I'm so excited. I'm pre-planning what I want to buy. Mostly shopping for my upcoming vacation to the Dominican Republic. Again, I've made up my March budget and will be taking cash only to the mall, but enough that I can enjoy the shopping!
4. In mid-April, Eric and I will be going to the Dominican Republic for a full 7 nights with Eric's brother and wife and her Mother and Brother and spouses. It's an all inclusive, so should be very fun with very little to worry about. We're even budgeting for a spa package for me! Can't wait!

I hope I update again before all those upcoming events pass! Ok, I need to go study and see my hubby. Later!