See, I told you!

I told you I would be back soon with a real post, but I bet you we're expecting it to be this soon. I mean my track record lately with posting has been less than stellar. However, I am home with a sick kid for the 5th day out of the last 7 and I thought maybe I could use a little of my time here for something besides attempting to seize and destroy all the germs in this house!

So, how ya been? We've been pretty well. We had a really big event recently when my youngest went to Kindergarten! He is loving it! And once I was able to work through all the emotions and implications of this event in my life, I have really been loving it, too! I have been reminded about just how crucial alone time is to my psyche. I am still working three days a week, but I now have two days BY MYSELF to get things done at home and elsewhere. I will admit that I have been home more than elsewhere because it just feels so good to be alone in my house. Of course, I miss the boys, but I find that I appreciate the time I do have with them even more. I guess absence really does make the heart grow fonder!

The second big event in our life as of yet involves a word that starts with a B. And no, it's not BABY! The B word I am thinking of is not as cute and cuddly as that one. The B word I am referring to is BUDGET. I know. A bad word for some of you, maybe, but I'm actually finding it is not as bad as it sounds and that I really find a lot of comfort in it.

One of the biggest changes has been our frequency of eating out. This has been huge for me and I thought it would be a lot harder than it has been. Rich has been a huge help and we have really enjoyed cooking together at times and he has been a lifesaver at helping me clean up. Yep. He's a keeper. I have also enjoyed the quality time at the table as a family (somehow it is just different than being around a table at a restaurant). Also, I have found the boys have been eating and trying more new foods because...well, there is no short order cook to give them exactly what they want. It's good.

Another big change with the budgeting has involved meal plans, grocery lists (what a novel concept!), coupons, sale papers, etc. I have been truly amazed at how much money I have saved just by having a plan! It takes a lot of time initially, but I believe it saves time in the long run. Seriously, how many hours of your adult life have you spent standing and staring at the freezer/refrigerator/freezer pondering what to have for dinner? It's nice to be able to go to the kitchen and just do instead of think. Ya know?

Anyway, I guess that's my little update for now. I'm going to download some pictures later and see about putting a few of those on here to catch you up in visual form.

Later!