tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12694319566585096592024-03-13T03:23:22.355-04:00(Bee)autiful BlessingsA lifestyle blog about motherhood, books, home decor and all things Ohio.Kaity B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11121029548598878286noreply@blogger.comBlogger755125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1269431956658509659.post-33321137453711532552022-01-01T15:37:00.002-05:002022-01-01T15:37:27.210-05:00Dear Baby #3<p><i>*I wrote this in October 2020 shortly after our miscarriage. I didn't know if I would ever share it, but now that Baby #3 is safely Earthside, it felt like time.</i></p><p>Dear Baby #3,</p><p>Last week I shared with my small corner of the world the news that your Daddy and I lost the little clump of cells we thought would one day be you. The morning it happened, I knew within seconds of waking. Once I confirmed, I ran crying into your Daddy's arms and he held me so tightly and so tenderly. In a moment in which I felt so weak, your Daddy's strong arms cradled and soothed me. I can't wait until you get to meet him- he's the very best.</p><p>The day of our loss, I texted my co-workers to let them know that a "family emergency" would prevent me from logging in that day. I alternated laying in bed crying, watching Netflix, and texting with the moms in my village who time and again continue to show up for me. This group of women has loved, cared for, and empowered me more than they will ever know.</p><p>The day after our loss, I felt relatively...normal. Your Daddy and I entered into the "trying to conceive" season with the knowledge that not every pregnancy results in a baby. So perhaps that realistic and pragmatic mentality was what left me feeling okay. That's not to say we weren't sad. That's not to say I didn't feel stupid or silly for scheduling midwife appointments and purchasing maternity clothing. But the possibility was always in the background of our minds.</p><p>However, upon sharing the news of our loss with our extended circle, the outpouring of sympathy was more overwhelming than I ever could have anticipated. Your family is so well-loved by our community, but the barrage of supportive messages admittedly felt a little like living our tragedy all over again. That was a hard day.</p><p>It's been over a week since I shared the positive pregnancy result with your Daddy. And now a week since the pregnancy failed. I'm still processing- every emotion feels surprising and unexpected. The sadness neutralized by the numbness. The embarrassment overshadowed by confusion. The myriad of thoughts and questions has brought me to a place where I don't know what is right to feel. I don't know how I feel period.</p><p>Your Daddy and I always said, we would be blessed to have a third mini-human, but content with the babies we were already inordinately grateful to bring into the world. We've had a kind of "Que sera sera" approach to family planning. We don't know what the future holds for us, so we live each day thankful for the many blessings we share in the present. And let me tell you, sweet babe, your older brothers are the greatest blessings we could never have dreamed of. </p><p>And so as we proceed in the aftermath of this loss, we question- are we meant to have more? At what point do we stop trying? Because the truth is, we are both easily frightened by the prospect of a third round of pregnancy and childbirth. We feel nerve-wracked about the financial consequences of three little mouths to feed. We feel doubt about whether the joy of three tinies will outweigh the stress. We feel all these scary emotions and they make us question what we truly want our family to look like.</p><p>Keeping these very real and very valid fears in mind, it would be easy to stop. It would be easy to say we don't want to risk another heartbreak or disappointment. The only thing nudging me forward into the scary unknown is <i>you</i>.</p><p>I have known you for years. I have felt your feisty spirit tugging at my heartstrings. I have envisioned your presence in our family portraits. While all logic would lead me to believe you are nothing but a hypothetical, I simply <i>know</i> otherwise. You are a very real part of our family and I've known this for a long time even when I refused to acknowledge and accept it.</p><p>Baby #3, you are already so loved. And while I am learning that you will come in your own timing, and the uncertainty of that brings me no comfort, I simply cannot wait to meet you. Your Daddy and I still step forward shakily and more fearful than we were just weeks ago, but we will continue pursuing you because we belong together.</p><p>Love,</p><p>Mommy</p>Kaity B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11121029548598878286noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1269431956658509659.post-29993349913560474712021-05-24T06:00:00.006-04:002021-05-24T10:21:15.999-04:00We're Taking the #SaferSwimmerPledge!<p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"> This post has been brought to you by <a href="https://www.goldfishswimschool.com/dayton/">Goldfish Swim School- Dayton</a>.</span></i></p><p>This past week has been sunny, 80's and gorgeous in Ohio and gah- it feels so good. It feels like we have EARNED this summer after the past year! Summer has always been my favorite season and I'm so incredibly excited to spend the next few months creating memories with my boys. Saturday morning walks to our farmers' market, a road trip to Walt Disney World, and too many poolside days to count!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNpfkQ50p5So3kC_8UW8lTKfiXKnQs7NfbD2umgWjvhB2622veDntGqQRL1FKu9NSvc3e3MDNh13qZET8L3CpDgtDm709swIpMu3ffZZQVoqu5ixVymJ0r4MQIhVM1TorNpE-PXIYKXk0/s784/Goldfish+Dayton+Safe+Swimmers+Pledge.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="588" data-original-width="784" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNpfkQ50p5So3kC_8UW8lTKfiXKnQs7NfbD2umgWjvhB2622veDntGqQRL1FKu9NSvc3e3MDNh13qZET8L3CpDgtDm709swIpMu3ffZZQVoqu5ixVymJ0r4MQIhVM1TorNpE-PXIYKXk0/s16000/Goldfish+Dayton+Safe+Swimmers+Pledge.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>Memorial Day weekend is the unofficial unveiling of just about every American pool and unofficial kickoff to summer. With that in mind, Goldfish Swim School is encouraging parents and kids alike to take the <a href="https://www.goldfishswimschool.com/safer-swimmer-pledge/">#SaferSwimmerPledge</a> to bring greater awareness to water safety and drowning prevention!</p><p>So, what is the <a href="https://www.goldfishswimschool.com/safer-swimmer-pledge/">#SaferSwimmerPledge</a>?</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9ttt2pl6L-5-Eu9kRrbPNAuH6yctWSaChrVF5szXn_GkCZdcn3gMMAdjy52EaY_9YHvK_rIaoIs3jG8EzFc7ZWKeS7YEP5Cgr1QYPMpAGKHl2pkKZ0bkVND7kmYKtN9jJG84Cll1MCtw/s784/Safer+Swimmer+Pledge.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="618" data-original-width="784" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9ttt2pl6L-5-Eu9kRrbPNAuH6yctWSaChrVF5szXn_GkCZdcn3gMMAdjy52EaY_9YHvK_rIaoIs3jG8EzFc7ZWKeS7YEP5Cgr1QYPMpAGKHl2pkKZ0bkVND7kmYKtN9jJG84Cll1MCtw/s16000/Safer+Swimmer+Pledge.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><b>The Safer Swimmer Pledge</b></h3><ol style="text-align: left;"><li><b>Whether I'm at home, the beach or pool, I will play it cool and follow the rules.</b></li><li><b>When it comes to swimming, water safety is key, that's why I will always have an adult with me.</b></li><li><b>When I'm around water or on a boat, I can wear a life jacket to help me float.</b></li><li><b>No matter how deep the water may be, I'll jump in with my feet.</b></li><li><b>If I see a swimmer in need, I'll throw them something to float, and then I'll go and get an adult. </b></li></ol><div>Throughout the month of May, <a href="https://www.goldfishswimschool.com/dayton/">Goldfish-Dayton</a> is encouraging families to take the pledge and have those conversations about water safety. Drowning remains the number one cause of unintentional injury-related death among children ages 1 to 4, and the risks are even steeper due to the pandemic. With children out of swimming lessons, the odds are high- but armed with the right knowledge and precautions, these statistics are preventable! </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcOoENbNOKnoycnKasfxUj9T0GxMoRUuoYetNM9cFRoDWcLJJWvknRqTWJGY4qA6nnl5AJ0509lQGNdwdLSslL1gpOWkTD8eF5NiWun84C_O9FpBqaMJRiSFIQVPsx8bRVttz-k2JB_so/s1176/Safe+Swimmers+Pledge+Goldfish+Dayton.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1176" data-original-width="784" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcOoENbNOKnoycnKasfxUj9T0GxMoRUuoYetNM9cFRoDWcLJJWvknRqTWJGY4qA6nnl5AJ0509lQGNdwdLSslL1gpOWkTD8eF5NiWun84C_O9FpBqaMJRiSFIQVPsx8bRVttz-k2JB_so/s16000/Safe+Swimmers+Pledge+Goldfish+Dayton.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>If you're a parent of young children, keep in mind these water safety tips as you spend your lazy, hazy days of summer by the ocean, lake, or pool:</div><div><ol style="text-align: left;"><li><b>Enroll in swim lessons- </b>Swim lessons can dramatically reduce the changes of a drowning incident as muscle memory helps kids know what to do in a water emergency.</li><li><b>Never swim alone-</b> Teach your children the importance of the buddy system.</li><li><b>Wear a U.S. Coast Guard-Approved life jacket- Before</b> purchasing any flotation device, look for the Coast Guard approval and ensure the right fit so there's no risk of your child slipping out. Life jackets are especially important in lakes and oceans where water conditions can be more unpredictable.</li><li><b>Designate a "Water Guardian"-</b> Adults can work in shifts to ensure that there is <i>always</i> a set of eyes on the pool while children are at play. Even if a lifeguard is on duty, having a vigilant, distraction-free adult is imperative.</li><li><b>Play it cool and follow the rules-</b> The same way that we teach our kids not to play near traffic, we need to be having those same conversations and water safety and following the pool rules.</li></ol><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiY7-Eo0xQflEzod4j6ZTWtlEr6nh-LIMXk3MkXvg-vLx6kePO2RGFlOrfX9D-o3ooTwbgdDEHkANZZiGYvfTR4p67jcOlmjpQe8AOnWiT3N7xrNNJJTKCGSOS_zPTtG-ScL_Y4p9wNyk/s784/Goldfish+Dayton+Safe+Swimmer+Pledge.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="523" data-original-width="784" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiY7-Eo0xQflEzod4j6ZTWtlEr6nh-LIMXk3MkXvg-vLx6kePO2RGFlOrfX9D-o3ooTwbgdDEHkANZZiGYvfTR4p67jcOlmjpQe8AOnWiT3N7xrNNJJTKCGSOS_zPTtG-ScL_Y4p9wNyk/s16000/Goldfish+Dayton+Safe+Swimmer+Pledge.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>So why should you take the pledge? Not only are you teaching your kiddo(s) the five water safety must-knows and spreading awareness to prevent childhood drowning, but you also have the opportunity to <u>win a YEAR of free swim lessons from Goldfish Swim School</u>! Each pledge will also receive an exclusive Safer Swimmer Promo Code for 25% off your next <a href="http://t.ly/Rk85">Speedo</a> purchase and earns a $1 donation to the USA Swimming Foundation, providing access to swim lessons to children across North America!</div></div><div><br /></div><div>I know childhood drowning is not something that any parent wants to think about, but it does happen. Are you ready to commit to the <a href="https://www.goldfishswimschool.com/safer-swimmer-pledge/">#SaferSwimmerPledge</a>? Sign up through the end of May to keep your kiddos safe in the water this summer!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Kaity B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11121029548598878286noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1269431956658509659.post-78224157466255085392021-04-26T06:00:00.009-04:002021-04-26T09:08:52.864-04:0035 BEFORE 35: One-Year Check-In<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8X4V5i5bLzvVc6WncEmBSHkTDe2d003IAhF3IXsUzagFb8CtVpIva4WrzQriOKjih43euonGFYvJ7UpILSOdONyGJ-fKmn9-HqKzkPcy6g4nHxeiQevLyUAQHmg3zIQ7C-5EnKC_YR5A/s784/35+Before+35.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="588" data-original-width="784" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8X4V5i5bLzvVc6WncEmBSHkTDe2d003IAhF3IXsUzagFb8CtVpIva4WrzQriOKjih43euonGFYvJ7UpILSOdONyGJ-fKmn9-HqKzkPcy6g4nHxeiQevLyUAQHmg3zIQ7C-5EnKC_YR5A/s16000/35+Before+35.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Last year, having finished off my 32 Before 32 Bucket list, I came up with a new list of goals to accomplish by the time I turn 35. Today just so happens to be my 33rd birthday, so although this blog sits collecting dust, I love doing these recap posts and checking in on my goals. At the time, I came up with my list, we were about 1-month in to pandemic life and had no idea what the next year would look like. My list of goals is a reflection of that unknown, but also optimism that eventually life would return to some semblance of normal. Here's what I managed to do during the Year of COVID:</div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">35 Before 35: One-Year Check-In</h3><div><br /></div><div><b>1. Take an international trip</b> | Ha.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>2. Earn a second professional designation</b> | <i><span style="color: #04ff00;">COMPLETED (4/21)</span> </i>| Oh my goodness, I fit this one in just under the wire! This past Saturday, Chuck took the boys off my hands and I spent all day at home cramming and took the leap and PASSED my final exam on the first try! The test requires a 70% passing score so I was shocked when I got an 81%. Studying at home during the pandemic with two kids at home was sooo difficult, so I feel particularly proud of this one. My 3-year work anniversary is just over a month away and it's absolutely bonkers how much I've learned and achieved in that time. I can't wait to see where the next 3 years take me!</div><div><br /></div><div><b>3. Pay off ALL student loans</b> | <i><span style="color: #ffa400;">IN PROGRESS </span></i>| In 2020, I paid off THREE private student loans thanks in large part to the government stimulus checks. I'm hopeful that we'll have paid off another private student loan by July and though it will definitely be a stretch, it's not outside the realm of possibility that we'll have all of my private loans paid off by the end of the year!</div><div><br /></div><div><b>4. Renovate basement half bathroom to a full bathroom</b> | Originally, we planned to tackle this project this year. However, after a year of being cooped up at home, we decided we'd rather spend what we'd put toward tearing up our basement floor to take a family trip to Walt Disney World. Hopefully, we'll get to this in the next year or two.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>5. Schedule a monthly family day trip</b></div><div><br /></div><div><b>6. Join a nonprofit board </b>| Not necessarily a non-profit board, but I am serving on a committee at church which is similar, so I'm not sure whether to count this one or not.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>7. Install new kitchen and basement flooring</b></div><div><br /></div><div><b>8. Open Roth IRAs for Chuck and me</b> | This won't happen for another few years until we pay all our debt off.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>9. Host a foreign exchange student</b></div><div><br /></div><div><b>10. Deliver 35 meals to someone who needs it (1/35)</b> | <i><span style="color: #ffa400;">IN PROGRESS</span> </i>| Unfortunately, I kind of stunk at this in the past year. It was already too much work just trying to feed my own family!</div><div><br /></div><div><b>11. Run a half marathon</b></div><div><br /></div><div><b>12. Teach Charlie + Crosby how to swim</b> | <i><span style="color: #ffa400;">IN PROGRESS</span> </i>| We re-enrolled the boys' in weekly swimming lessons at <a href="https://www.goldfishswimschool.com/dayton" target="_blank">Goldfish Swim School-Dayton</a> and have marveled at their progress!! </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheAp-35sNQY4YiI3p79eVmgt6GxNSDqSjqfZCOFqmsqv0gWQ6cULMb7cKSheQAdXuFWiAIppWXDl5CzJYXZwh88izRTPGeldyLweubjnVtanfOEBhkgiXKumqRQRyjx1jNmwUPpkQwDlo/s784/35+Before+35+Bucket+List-+Swim+Lessons.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="523" data-original-width="784" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheAp-35sNQY4YiI3p79eVmgt6GxNSDqSjqfZCOFqmsqv0gWQ6cULMb7cKSheQAdXuFWiAIppWXDl5CzJYXZwh88izRTPGeldyLweubjnVtanfOEBhkgiXKumqRQRyjx1jNmwUPpkQwDlo/s16000/35+Before+35+Bucket+List-+Swim+Lessons.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>13. Replace our back porch</b></div><div><br /></div><div><b>14. Visit Frankie's grave</b></div><div><br /></div><div><b>15. Attend a cooking class</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>16. Deliver my Daddy's ashes</b></div><div><br /></div><div><b>17. Take a romantic vacation for our 10th anniversary</b></div><div><br /></div><div><b>18. Get a fourth tattoo</b></div><div><br /></div><div><b>19. Install planter boxes in our front yard</b></div><div><br /></div><div><b>20. Run a 5k with Charlie</b></div><div><br /></div><div><b>21. Purchase a minivan</b> | <i><span style="color: #04ff00;">COMPLETED (12/20)</span> </i>| Almost on a whim, I decided to snag an awesome deal on a 2018 Toyota Sienna I'd been following on CarFax on the last day of 2020. It worked out great and becoming a minivan family has been everything I'd hoped for and more!</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihToMBELCpFwOnFG1MmuLBmDtrPefDy1iS7xg_QxprHupHTXdaG00uFqOl-rgEPeQXyeaRijpw104nz-Q8KPlU6gVIVx6mQhkxoxpPUs9ZdKJHMlwXa6avyPgZOg_uVX4-qlXY-mPDz1w/s1045/35+Before+35+Bucket+List-+New+Minivan.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1045" data-original-width="784" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihToMBELCpFwOnFG1MmuLBmDtrPefDy1iS7xg_QxprHupHTXdaG00uFqOl-rgEPeQXyeaRijpw104nz-Q8KPlU6gVIVx6mQhkxoxpPUs9ZdKJHMlwXa6avyPgZOg_uVX4-qlXY-mPDz1w/s16000/35+Before+35+Bucket+List-+New+Minivan.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>22. Run a race in 3 different states (1/3)</b> | <i><span style="color: #ffa400;">IN PROGRESS </span></i>| I've run a virtual Ohio-based race, but don't anticipate running outside of my home state any time soon.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>23. Plan an annual sister weekend</b></div><div><br /></div><div><b>24. Refinance our mortgage</b></div><div><br /></div><div><b>25. Attend a concert with Chuck</b></div><div><br /></div><div><b>26. Replace living room furniture</b> | <span style="color: #04ff00;"><i>COMPLETED</i> (9/20)</span> | Although our sectional took nearly FOUR months to arrive due to COVID-related delays, we finally got her in September of 2020 and have treasured it every day since then. We couldn't be happier with our purchase and are so glad we waited it out rather than going with a Plan B couch.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLpIDrvBDuq3qMaWwCloh79jTJK2XFFPymTJ2zVdb-2NZQ4MTZHGI1R7qTkGlDJ7YxNcJTC7bfwrhZbNwGLRqkJZxw1ttrJ28zATmid2KmgLt5W1xzoBLItQbqbvgY0Lc-ZVoFH5WnAM8/s784/35+Before+35+Bucket+List-+New+Couch.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="588" data-original-width="784" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLpIDrvBDuq3qMaWwCloh79jTJK2XFFPymTJ2zVdb-2NZQ4MTZHGI1R7qTkGlDJ7YxNcJTC7bfwrhZbNwGLRqkJZxw1ttrJ28zATmid2KmgLt5W1xzoBLItQbqbvgY0Lc-ZVoFH5WnAM8/s16000/35+Before+35+Bucket+List-+New+Couch.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>27. Take a Mommy + Me class with Crosby</b></div><div><br /></div><div><b>28. Learn how to can veggies</b></div><div><br /></div><div><b>29. Replace backyard fence and repair driveway</b></div><div><br /></div><div><b>30. Visit my BFNSCF</b></div><div><br /></div><div><b>31. Host an annual ladies' brunch</b></div><div><br /></div><div><b>32. Paint and install new counters and kitchen backsplash</b></div><div><br /></div><div><b>33. Decide whether to grow our family</b> | I'm not sure what and whether to share about this one right now. This past year has been hard and weird, but hopefully I'll be ready to share at some point in the not too distant future.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>34. Increase our tithing by 10% each year</b> | <i><span style="color: #ffa400;">IN PROGRESS</span></i> | So far, so good! I've increased the amount of our monthly tithe by 25% from 2020 to 2021 and we've continued to give to our church every month.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>35. Send 35 birthday/thank you/etc. cards (19/35)</b> | <span style="color: #ffa400;"><i>IN PROGRESS</i> </span>| An unintended consequence of pandemic life- I live for mailing cards to my loved ones! I've probably sent more than 19, but haven't been super diligent about keeping track.</div><div><br /></div><div>Considering the last year has taken place during <i>"unprecendented times"</i> (who else is sick of that word?), I'd honestly say that my progress hasn't been completely terrible. It will be interesting to see what the next year holds for me and my family. We can only hope for more travel, more friends, and less worry.</div><div><br /></div>Kaity B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11121029548598878286noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1269431956658509659.post-37400328068525009672021-03-30T12:00:00.005-04:002021-03-30T13:03:36.112-04:00Celebrating 5 Years of Fin-tastic Fun!<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>This post is brought to you through a partnership with Goldfish Swim School-Dayton.</i></span></p><p>If you've followed me for any length of time, it wouldn't be a stretch to say my blog has been on life support these last few months. As much as I wish it were different, it's admittedly become harder to keep up with it as my kids have gotten older and my professional responsibilities have taken a front seat. This was all before COVID, of course, which completely sucked out any remaining creative spirit I may have had.</p><p>I make no promises for the future of this space and my public writings, but I will say this- if there is one thing I'm inordinately grateful to have held onto during this season, it's my family's partnership with <a href="https://www.goldfishswimschool.com/dayton/" target="_blank">Goldfish Swim School- Dayton</a>. We've been a part of the Goldfish family since Crosby was in diapers and I can't imagine a more wonderful place for my boys to learn and grow in their swimming skills.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiST3M9Iqo_u8s7-mwwmQucVCUSPxzR036V_7Ac8XWVaXO8icPiuT3aWqxjXH49nGCBXYm2MjH-b-k835lTVCh3Ce1JevwaP5IyLCGQ4exRN5D_1P47M0so7AYapuAbdrWF6HOwU-DaCUw/s1176/Goldfish+Dayton+5th+Birthday.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1176" data-original-width="784" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiST3M9Iqo_u8s7-mwwmQucVCUSPxzR036V_7Ac8XWVaXO8icPiuT3aWqxjXH49nGCBXYm2MjH-b-k835lTVCh3Ce1JevwaP5IyLCGQ4exRN5D_1P47M0so7AYapuAbdrWF6HOwU-DaCUw/s16000/Goldfish+Dayton+5th+Birthday.png" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">Happy 5th Birthday, Goldfish Dayton!</h2><p><br /></p><p>This month, Goldfish Dayton celebrated FIVE years of serving the little ones of the Dayton area! We've been with them almost since the beginning and it's been such a gift to watch them grow and expand their outreach to young families. Like most small businesses, Goldfish Dayton's General Managers, Amy & Andrew Strozier, were thrown an enormous curveball when COVID hit. Not only did they evolve to continue offering swim lessons in a safe environment that followed COVID-19 protocols, but they've begun to add more class times to accommodate the growing demand for swim lessons! There's a reason why I'm so incredibly passionate about the work Goldfish does- it's all about keeping kids safe and having lots of fun along the way.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJu-hlCO1NOYRbhmB-xae_FkumjT8IYEV5V9Z68CrcPXzAsZj-zeNWV1UCk_awx8orMViDvX2UoX3POAoDSrJDqpCcZswJY4BdRTnSWn4DgUpAx8A3InoYyO6OKofIGF4MGhc2GI0Xx4w/s1045/Goldfish+Social+Distancing.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1045" data-original-width="784" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJu-hlCO1NOYRbhmB-xae_FkumjT8IYEV5V9Z68CrcPXzAsZj-zeNWV1UCk_awx8orMViDvX2UoX3POAoDSrJDqpCcZswJY4BdRTnSWn4DgUpAx8A3InoYyO6OKofIGF4MGhc2GI0Xx4w/s16000/Goldfish+Social+Distancing.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><h2 style="text-align: left;"><br /></h2><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><p style="text-align: left;"> </p><h2 style="text-align: left;">National Doctors' Day- March 30, 2021</h2><p><br /></p><p>It felt fitting to honor Goldfish's commitment to water safety and drowning prevention on today, <b>National Doctor's Day</b>. As parents, we depend on our pediatricians to advise us on nutrition, car seat safety, illness and medicine. With drowning being the number one cause of injury-related death among children ages 1 to 4, we need to make sure we're discussing water safety too! The <a href="https://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/pediatrics/early/2019/03/13/peds.2019-0850.full.pdf" target="_blank">American Academy of Pediatrics</a> recommends swim lessons for all children starting at age 1, but you can teach a baby as young as four months. Swim lessons teach lifesaving skills and can reduce the risk of drowning by 88%!</p><p>This is why Goldfish Swim School has launched Goldfish Rx which aims to build relationships with pediatricians across the country by providing educational material needed to promote doctor-patient conversations around drowning prevention, the importance of water safety, and the value of swim lessons at a young age. Drowning accidents can and do happen to anyone and Goldfish Swim School is the leading premier learn-to-swim concept. Classes are offered by specially trained instructors in a safe, child-friendly and fun environment using a research-based philosophy called <a href="https://www.goldfishswimschool.com/about/our-philosophy/" target="_blank">The Science of SwimPlay®</a> which teaches swim and safety skills through guided play. </p><p>Goldfish Swim School offers year-round swim instruction for children from four months old to 12 years old, with specially designed lessons for infant and toddler swimming. With summer quickly approaching, there's no time like the present to introduce your little ones to safe swim in a fun and inviting environment!</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij6uY3MRFTssgLWh059KLuYSZYuwaYE8HKFWHpyTpiRhAs11HMaPCQDTEXod1_E-KHrH8cxpObAT2An6TeP9IcSqRCF3xfHwAx_GmilTbhdC_30sfPcKdUHJ_GRGGiKuXJ9omQN0jN0ks/s1045/Goldfish+Dayton+Progress+Report.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1045" data-original-width="784" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij6uY3MRFTssgLWh059KLuYSZYuwaYE8HKFWHpyTpiRhAs11HMaPCQDTEXod1_E-KHrH8cxpObAT2An6TeP9IcSqRCF3xfHwAx_GmilTbhdC_30sfPcKdUHJ_GRGGiKuXJ9omQN0jN0ks/s16000/Goldfish+Dayton+Progress+Report.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p> </p><h2 style="text-align: left;"><b>Charlie & Crosby's Progress Report</b></h2><p><br /></p><p>I grew up taking swim lessons through the YMCA, so it means a lot to me that the boys learn to swim from an early age like I did. With summers spent in beaches and in pools, I want my boys to have foundational swimming skills, but more than that, I want them to have the knowledge of what to do should they ever find themselves in a water-related accident. I have always been deeply convicted about water safety, but knowing that people in my larger circle have experienced near-drowning emergencies with their children has compelled me to become a swim safety advocate to other parents of young children!</p><p>In the last few months, I have really seen the fruits of the boys' hard work paying off! Crosby, who has always been more trepedatious in the water, now enthusiastically asks for his goggles during bath time so he can practice holding his breath underwater- it may not sound like a big deal, but I assure you, it is! Charlie is [this close] to swimming independently. Most recently, he has mastered his Front-to-Back-to Front Rollover and Swim skill!</p><p>Week-after-week, I continue to be so thrilled with their progress and I can't wait to see them show off their skills this summer at the pool! If you're curious about Goldfish Swim School- Dayton, use <a href="https://www.goldfishswimschool.com/dayton/about/claim-my-referral/?code=family-1031-3462&schoolId=1031" target="_blank">this referral link</a> for a FREE, no-strings-attached intro lesson!</p><p><br /></p>Kaity B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11121029548598878286noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1269431956658509659.post-25908454761019911832021-01-27T17:52:00.005-05:002021-01-27T17:52:41.254-05:00January is Bath Safety Month!<p style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>This post is brought to you by <a href="https://www.goldfishswimschool.com/dayton" target="_blank">Goldfish Swim School-Dayton</a>.</i></span></p><p>You all know that I could sing the praises of Goldfish Swim School for the rest of my days. I love that my boys improve in their swimming week after week. I love that their confidence grows with each new skill mastered. But most importantly, I love that before Sea Otter Floats, before Superman Glides, and even before Pulling Paddles, my babies were learning the fundamentals of water safety.</p><p>January is Bath Safety Month and because water safety is kind of their thing, Goldfish is sharing the things you need to know to keep your littles safe in the water!</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB0CZUhcvbWTwxdjeoglUcc5UZ_qDyXmFR7AU4HrxNy1KB7004QDIrIMtLd1z27dBHg8q4eQcBNN8iN4kLwVag30YTW6KOemlZLl-rMa23FsKrwPxxfE31lFhTkKHYYIG3tClZ1_FFvME/s784/7+Tips+for+Bath+Safety.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="657" data-original-width="784" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB0CZUhcvbWTwxdjeoglUcc5UZ_qDyXmFR7AU4HrxNy1KB7004QDIrIMtLd1z27dBHg8q4eQcBNN8iN4kLwVag30YTW6KOemlZLl-rMa23FsKrwPxxfE31lFhTkKHYYIG3tClZ1_FFvME/s16000/7+Tips+for+Bath+Safety.png" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><b>1.Test the Water</b></h3><p>Always run the water on your own forearm first, whether filling the tub or rinsing your little one's body and hair. Your fingers are a little less sensitive to the water temperature than your wrist is, so it's important to make sure you're testing water there to ensure it won't be too hot for a baby's sensitive skin.</p><h3 style="text-align: left;">2. Don't Overfill the Tub</h3><p>For little ones who are just learning to sit up and are still getting used to their own coordination, there's no need to fill the tub with water up to their necks. Put enough water in to be about belly button level or so. This way, should a reach for a bath toy turn into a slight tumble, there's less worry about being submerged, and getting back upright is quicker and easier.</p><h3 style="text-align: left;">3. Enroll in Swim Lessons</h3><p>Goldfish Swim School teaches <a href="https://www.goldfishswimschool.com/blog/2015/january/5-reasons-to-start-your-baby-swimming-before-age/" target="_blank">babies as young as 4 months old how to swim</a>. While this doesn't entail doing laps up and down an Olympic-sized pool just yet (you'll see extraordinary results with time!), our instructors use integrity, compassion and trust to teach babies how to be safer in and around water, while learning the building blocks of swimming -- like breath control, how to go underwater, and not panicking when water gets in their face (whether intentionally or not). In turn, this knowledge makes bath time safer.</p><h3 style="text-align: left;">4. Use a Stool…and Towel</h3><p>For yourself! Park it next to the tub during the entire bath time and remain within arm’s reach. Not only will you be right there for baby, but you won't have to stretch too far and run the risk of slipping yourself. Accidents can happen in a split second -- even when you're confident all is going well. Have a towel handy on the floor so you don't slip on any water that finds its way outside of the tub from an overzealous splash or two.</p><h3 style="text-align: left;">5. Use a Cup to Rinse</h3><p>Bring a plastic cup or bowl with you when you're filling up the bath water so you have it on hand when it's time to rinse shampoo out of your little one's hair -- saving yourself the struggle of trying to lean his or her head underneath the tub faucet, and eliminating the risk of accidentally knocking their noggin on the faucet. If you're so inclined, you can even buy a special rinsing cup that bends around a child's forehead to prevent a face full of water…in theory.</p><h3 style="text-align: left;">6. Know that Babies are Slippery!</h3><p>They can wiggle out of pretty much anything while they're dry, and babies get even more difficult to keep a grip on during bath time. You can use a baby tub, a special baby bath seat, or have your baby sit on his or her own in the tub. Thinking of holding your baby and jumping in for a quick shower? Opt for the bath instead.</p><h3 style="text-align: left;">7. Use Anti-Slip Grips</h3><p>Make bath time more fun -- and safe -- by adhering colorful rubber non-slip grip adhesives to your tub (maybe some goldfish ones, perhaps?). Even if the colorful ones don't quite coordinate with your décor, you can purchase simple adhesives in neutral colors and shapes to help minimize slips. Consider installing a non-permanent grab bar for your little one to hold onto as he or she grows.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi0KuynBGoBhOZur5ETMuyi5crsnijz9632TqHiv4Y8sDacFNi5zFed2NBTrQVtv_hhf8kr-8-ojk5FbEFu7dZI4Qs6NrXrMkExtvuGvD9DRDE_JUqeTmz7BN8-bNN_BsaqkL7tbIahks/s784/Goldfish+Swim+School+Dayton+Glider+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="523" data-original-width="784" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi0KuynBGoBhOZur5ETMuyi5crsnijz9632TqHiv4Y8sDacFNi5zFed2NBTrQVtv_hhf8kr-8-ojk5FbEFu7dZI4Qs6NrXrMkExtvuGvD9DRDE_JUqeTmz7BN8-bNN_BsaqkL7tbIahks/s16000/Goldfish+Swim+School+Dayton+Glider+1.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>You can find out even more bath safety tips at the <a href="https://www.goldfishswimschool.com/blog/2019/january/seven-bath-safety-tips-for-january-s-bath-safety/" target="_blank">Goldfish Swim School blog</a>! If you've been delaying enrolling your babies or toddlers in swim lessons, don't wait! You can sign your little ones up using the new Goldfish Swim School mobile app- lessons begin at as early as four months old. Try your first lesson absolutely FREE with <a href="https://www.goldfishswimschool.com/dayton/about/claim-my-referral/?code=family-1031-3462&schoolId=1031">this code</a>, just for followers of (Bee)autiful Blessings.</p><p><br /></p>Kaity B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11121029548598878286noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1269431956658509659.post-88603141893662620462021-01-01T01:37:00.001-05:002021-01-01T01:37:54.868-05:00FINANCIAL PEACE: 2020 Debt Paid & 2021 Goals<p>Oh, boy. Where to start? 2020 was a year. I'll spare you the platitudes that include phrases such as "pandemic," "unprecendented," and "dumpster fire." You've heard them. We all collectively experienced 2020 and I imagine we all collectively did <u>not</u> meet the goals we planned for ourselves.</p><p>That being said, if 2020 had a silver lining at all for my family, it was that not doing anything or going anywhere lent itself well to our debt-free journey. Before I share what we accomplished in the last year, I thought I'd recap the goals I shared eons ago in January 2020:</p><br /><h3>Recap of my 2020 financial goals</h3><br />In January, we celebrated paying a total of <b>$37,250 </b>toward debt in 2019 (a 22% increase from the year before). This total included wiping out medical debt, as well as our credit card debt. We were elated with the progress we made and ready to maintain our financial discipline and set our sights on new hurdles:<div><br /></div><div><b>GOAL #1: <i><span style="color: #04ff00;">Payoff my auto loan- COMPLETE! </span></i></b>| In February, we knocked out the auto loan on my 2012 Kia Forte. We then got to enjoy the remainder of the year with just one car payment which felt pretty amazing.<br /><br /><b>GOAL #2:<i style="color: red;"> Purchase a new car- INCOMPLETE!</i></b> | Technically, this is an "incomplete," but for a very <i>good</i> reason- I didn't purchase a new vehicle, because<b> I didn't need to</b>! Starting the new year, we assumed we'd have to replace my little Kia that's been with me since before we were married. What we weren't anticipating was the fact that my weekly mileage would go from 400+ miles per week to probably less than 20 miles per week when I began working remotely from home due to the pandemic. The only thing I used my car for in the last 9 months was school drop-off and pick-up. And did I mention how much I <i>loved</i> not having a car payment?<br /><br /><b>GOAL #3: <span style="color: #04ff00;"><i>Payoff a student loan- COMPLETED!</i></span></b> | I am so excited to share that not only did I payoff a student loan...I paid off THREE! That being said, in the interest of full disclosure, the CARES Act stimulus check and forbearance of Federal loans allowed me to put a lot more money toward my high-interest private loans than I would have been able to in a "typical" year.<br /><br /><b>GOAL #4:</b> <i><span style="color: #04ff00;"><b>Payoff personal debt- COMPLETED!</b> </span></i>| We had a couple small miscellaneous debts that we carried over from 2019 and were able to knock out by February. However, we did add debt to this category when I financed my Peloton in August. It's 0% APR so I think of it less as a debt than a payment plan, but still keep track of my payments along with my other debts.</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>GOAL #5: <i><span style="color: #04ff00;">Cash flow our family trip- COMPLETED!</span></i> </b>| One of my best friends was supposed to get married in May and we were going to tack on a family trip to Washington DC. Obviously, that was cancelled and she postponed her wedding until September. Since the school year had started by that point, our family trip became a solo weekend. My trip expenses were significantly less traveling by myself, but I'm still proud to have saved up and had plenty on hand to pay for unexpected expenses that popped up.</div><div><br /></div><div><h3><b>So, how'd we do in 2020?</b></h3><br />Last year, we paid a total of <b>$43,308.17</b> (a 16% increase from 2019) toward debt! Here's how it broke down:<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjugt2ZgUaxWKMMi4bsdGcmMB42jDKtSbeFP7ZnIs8Iy8if5OZmHNThfhnCjIyD0DMGp_ZlwSM1aw5IoRZ1QA-b8_Ur9PeC5TBTqmR8pQCUnGTKoBBkPnpHn58ZNE4_epZBKSwo1iEsWk4/s784/2020+Debt+Paid.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="658" data-original-width="784" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjugt2ZgUaxWKMMi4bsdGcmMB42jDKtSbeFP7ZnIs8Iy8if5OZmHNThfhnCjIyD0DMGp_ZlwSM1aw5IoRZ1QA-b8_Ur9PeC5TBTqmR8pQCUnGTKoBBkPnpHn58ZNE4_epZBKSwo1iEsWk4/s16000/2020+Debt+Paid.png" /></a></div><br /><br /></div><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>It's hard for me to believe that we were able to put so much toward my student loan debt this year. The last few years, our focus has been on our "Debt Snowball" and getting rid of all of our smaller debts so that we'd have more income freed up to apply toward our biggest debt- student loans! We began 2020 with SIX FIGURES worth of student loan debt- it was literally more than our mortgage because of the egregiously high interest rates. This was the year we made actual progress in reducing the principal amount rather than just paying interest in the form of minimum payments. </div><div><br /></div><div>2020 was the year that we shifted tactics from debt snowballing to debt "avalanching." One of the three student loans that we paid in full had an <b>11.25%</b> interest rate (which had actually decreased from over 13% in 2019). It felt so good to kick that one to the curb!</div><div><br /></div><div>In looking forward to the year ahead, 2020 has taught me to keep my expectations low. I know that we're nowhere near the end of this pandemic and anything can happen. However, I also know that in the midst of life's uncertainties focusing my energy on goal-setting genuinely brings me joy when the world feels entirely out of my control. </div><div><br /></div><div>I have reason to believe that we won't exceed our 2020 debt payoff total in 2021 for a few reasons: 1) Presumably, I will be returning to the office (and my 45+ minute commute) at some point and will actually need a new vehicle, 2) Due to the way health insurance is structured through my employer my income has exceeded a certain tier and my healthcare costs will triple next year (not excited), 3) I don't expect any more COVID-related supplemental income, but it will be interesting to see if President-elect Biden and/or Congress make any movement toward student loan relief.</div><div><br /></div><div>So, with those variables in mind and with the mentality that all of these could wind up being irrelevant and/or replaced with other priorities, here are my financial goals for 2021:</div><div><br /><h3>5 Financial Goals for 2021</h3><br /><b>GOAL #1: Payoff my next highest-interest (10.25%) student loan.</b> <br /><br /><b>GOAL #2: <i>Finally </i>purchase my minivan.</b> <br /><br /><b>GOAL #3: Save and cash flow our family trip to Walt Disney World!</b><br /><br /><b>GOAL #4:</b> <b>Increase my monthly tithe by 25%.</b><br /><br /><b>GOAL #5: Increase our Emergency Fund savings to $10,000.</b><br /><br />Ideally, I would <i>love</i> to pay off all my remaining private student loans, but between the car purchase and the family trip we have some bigger expenses to save for so I think our priorities are going to shift in that regard. And yes, one could argue that student loan repayment should come before Disney World- but my children are only going to be this age once and honestly, I want us to enjoy a little reward for the hard work we've put in to dramatically reduce our debt. We are not entitled to a family vacation, but for the first time in our 8-year marriage we are in a position to do so. The trade-off feels more than worth it. <br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b>> > ></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>What are your financial goals for the next year?!</b></div><br /></div>Kaity B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11121029548598878286noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1269431956658509659.post-64720699663163128582020-11-27T06:00:00.004-05:002020-11-27T06:00:04.573-05:00Unwrap the Gift of Water Safety<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> <i>This post is sponsored by <a href="https://www.goldfishswimschool.com/dayton/" target="_blank">Goldfish Swim School-Dayton</a>.</i></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipIennMwP2OJArRmS0Xh34358gDHj984eXLmoow3pxDpCDw6ORHfmD1FDj-5tFPLDwuNhi_fYfcXsUcyHyiZTX102wCXlyMBqTdl6Nk8RRy5-YM7qdZGZPe3TuPIqY8xh_uJ79noGsnY0/s1046/Goldfish+Dayton+Swim+and+Save.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1046" data-original-width="784" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipIennMwP2OJArRmS0Xh34358gDHj984eXLmoow3pxDpCDw6ORHfmD1FDj-5tFPLDwuNhi_fYfcXsUcyHyiZTX102wCXlyMBqTdl6Nk8RRy5-YM7qdZGZPe3TuPIqY8xh_uJ79noGsnY0/s16000/Goldfish+Dayton+Swim+and+Save.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><h1 dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: mediumblue;">Announcing 2020 Holiday Packages</span></h1><p dir="ltr">Most of you know by now that I've been thrilled to partner with <a data-cke-saved-href="https://www.goldfishswimschool.com/dayton/" href="https://www.goldfishswimschool.com/dayton/" target="_blank">Goldfish Swim School- Dayton</a> for the last few years. They have the absolute best staff and their program is dedicated to not only teaching kids the fundamentals of swim safety, but just plain having fun in the water!<br /><br />That's why I'm so excited to help announce the release of their 2020 Holiday Packages! If you know me, you know I could do without the clutter and consumerism of the holidays. I'm all about skipping the plastic toys and giving my boys experiences. This Christmas, you can give a gift that will create fun experiences and lasting memories for the entire family. A gift that will bring out their full potential and build confidence in and out of the water.<br /><br /></p><p dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;"> <img data-cke-saved-src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/QTYanRgU9OEz8s1qFcwTy9v4eIu4fCkWByXPytw9pKCbZbSZNi1ltVextiKiJ3_eSpQOdj8a0ivhkDwWYo8kQFDDY0veWSpmYpz0AEzgGgVfpcTY3hOh8oLDHgx0hWoK2ro-cIiF" height="239" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/QTYanRgU9OEz8s1qFcwTy9v4eIu4fCkWByXPytw9pKCbZbSZNi1ltVextiKiJ3_eSpQOdj8a0ivhkDwWYo8kQFDDY0veWSpmYpz0AEzgGgVfpcTY3hOh8oLDHgx0hWoK2ro-cIiF=w320-h239" tabindex="0" width="320" /></p><h3 dir="ltr"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: mediumblue;">Make a Big Splash: </span></div><span style="color: mediumblue;"><div style="text-align: center;">Two-Month Holiday Package ON SALE now! </div></span></h3><p dir="ltr">This is perfect for new Goldfish members or those not currently enrolled. In addition to swimming every week for 2 months they also are waiving your annual Membership fees, giving you a super cute book featuring Bubbles the Fish, a bookmark with stickers, a holiday ornament, Goldfish Tote, and a swim diaper or member t-shirt!<br /><span style="font-size: 12px;"><em>**Only 50 of these packages are available so get yours before they swim away!!</em></span><br /><br /></p><p dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;"><img data-cke-saved-src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/WTzT3PwtlHQTLSErxkObYlzucKlJpYVq2_IwZLH-NgUPDzz0t1NBB4tOKkuqlI5pGolv4Cm5xlaLqBBDzgoTsLFvaCEkwiPysaZBWtjmioYKbA-NEiihwE3JV1bYa4F_kXHRNyFy" height="241" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/WTzT3PwtlHQTLSErxkObYlzucKlJpYVq2_IwZLH-NgUPDzz0t1NBB4tOKkuqlI5pGolv4Cm5xlaLqBBDzgoTsLFvaCEkwiPysaZBWtjmioYKbA-NEiihwE3JV1bYa4F_kXHRNyFy=w320-h241" tabindex="0" width="320" /></p><h3 dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: mediumblue;">Swim and Save: Build your own Package!</span></h3><p dir="ltr">When you purchase $500 in family credit Goldfish will gift you $50 more! Or purchase $1000 and get $100. Then the rest is up for you to decide. Your child or children can swim once or twice a week. Or buy new towels, goggles, or suits! This option is perfect and flexible for whatever your family wants! </p><p dir="ltr">Think this gift is just for parents to give? Think again!</p><p dir="ltr">The best part is that Goldfish has a <a data-cke-saved-href="https://app.iclasspro.com/portal/gssdayton/products/category/holiday-packages?sid=743767740" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://app.iclasspro.com/portal/gssdayton/products/category/holiday-packages?sid%3D743767740&source=gmail&ust=1605221629289000&usg=AFQjCNFNvVxlTx-Z2TD044JzFFY95FiTuA" href="https://app.iclasspro.com/portal/gssdayton/products/category/holiday-packages?sid=743767740" target="_blank">brand new online store</a> where these packages can be purchased at your convenience. Simply create your account and purchase the package perfect for your fish. This has been a top seller for aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents each year and this year is no different! If you would like assistance with your purchase you can always call the amazing Goldfish staff at 937-972-0177, email at <a data-cke-saved-href="mailto:swimdayton@goldfishss.com" href="mailto:swimdayton@goldfishss.com" target="_blank">swimdayton@goldfishss.com</a>, or stop by their front desk!<br /><br /></p><div style="text-align: center;"><strong style="font-size: 22px;"><span style="color: mediumblue;">Special Offer for friends of (Bee)autiful Blessings! </span></strong></div><p></p><p> Have you been thinking about signing up your kiddos for swim lessons, but not sure if you're ready to take the plunge? I have amazing news! Use my <a data-cke-saved-href="https://www.goldfishswimschool.com/dayton/about/claim-my-referral/?code=family-1031-3462&schoolId=1031" href="https://www.goldfishswimschool.com/dayton/about/claim-my-referral/?code=family-1031-3462&schoolId=1031" target="_blank">referral code</a> to get your first lesson absolutely FREE! No strings attached.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj23CnZtXlFOCVYg39syVgjqvCvtiwGNCYZ2o_VKlgMmhvuSGNFuzLvodQMZB4iAd3Y1oBN0LztN-A0bl1RhHOLZ6nCncmGkYuZ4vWKu-EdqdXNjNqePnmIWoHz-_8XGLEruoDhO2hKH5Q/s784/Goldfish+Dayton+Glider+1+Class.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="523" data-original-width="784" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj23CnZtXlFOCVYg39syVgjqvCvtiwGNCYZ2o_VKlgMmhvuSGNFuzLvodQMZB4iAd3Y1oBN0LztN-A0bl1RhHOLZ6nCncmGkYuZ4vWKu-EdqdXNjNqePnmIWoHz-_8XGLEruoDhO2hKH5Q/s16000/Goldfish+Dayton+Glider+1+Class.jpg" /></a></div><br />Kaity B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11121029548598878286noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1269431956658509659.post-10687880925224194422020-09-21T16:35:00.000-04:002020-09-21T16:35:05.578-04:00Finding our New Normal<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtiXPfkNSJ8W74UjY5VPjavLN7_h3WtYk6fn_Lm_Iq1eVWEjo-KiYx3yUExm-HN7cKeuBCH2Rdekg2W9QaW8o2FSzoLRCtaDINshWaRpkjjvDiZ93PsGVscXtlzeD3qlwhSsAeKJ6lYG8/s784/Finding+New+Normal+Goldfish.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="657" data-original-width="784" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtiXPfkNSJ8W74UjY5VPjavLN7_h3WtYk6fn_Lm_Iq1eVWEjo-KiYx3yUExm-HN7cKeuBCH2Rdekg2W9QaW8o2FSzoLRCtaDINshWaRpkjjvDiZ93PsGVscXtlzeD3qlwhSsAeKJ6lYG8/s16000/Finding+New+Normal+Goldfish.png" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>As if parenting during a pandemic wasn't eventful enough with hybrid school and remote learning, the past few weeks have seen so much happen in our life. Chuck and I shared our 8th wedding anniversary, I've lost count of the number of family members' birthdays we've celebrated, and I just got back from standing in as a bridesmaid for one of my my college besties. Life isn't slowing down for us anytime soon, so it feels nice that Saturdays have become the one day a week where life feels somewhat reminiscent of normal. With no alarms set, we enjoy our slow mornings followed by our weekly family outing to <a href="https://www.goldfishswimschool.com/dayton" target="_blank">Goldfish Swim School- Dayton</a>. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvHN8gq4X4jbmax67mCCm64x4GaSnekoqTc9LMQR79bNRDaPLgFDa_RfZ4lKPTo_j2yXy_E3OfNg6VKrlZVKF9qWPBXD9vOx-OOpk-szN_s2fFcYVHToSpjGtwsYaRXbx2h-27RPcaCF8/s784/Goldfish+Sea+Otter+Float.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="523" data-original-width="784" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvHN8gq4X4jbmax67mCCm64x4GaSnekoqTc9LMQR79bNRDaPLgFDa_RfZ4lKPTo_j2yXy_E3OfNg6VKrlZVKF9qWPBXD9vOx-OOpk-szN_s2fFcYVHToSpjGtwsYaRXbx2h-27RPcaCF8/s16000/Goldfish+Sea+Otter+Float.JPG" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>We took an extended break from swimming lessons when I started back to work full-time. It wasn't manageable with trying to study for my licensing exams. Now that we're back, it feels even more special to watch how far my boys are coming in their swim skills. They were basically still babies (in my mind, anyway) when we stopped going and while they were on the cusp of being able to climb out of the pool independently, they were essentially just flopping around in the water.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYlpLqRlsKRPnb96MeFl822YAjAAdLX3rUR9Bte2ZkI0oIWqB5qOp4p-V_ha0YpS59Mma3sqSsGzj-sWOkV_mcwofTLiJB8NeyjFYEHeB9F10Y_EBSmSrRgPahCsz8wRSag4wMVZivWro/s784/Goldfish+Swimming+with+Barbell.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="523" data-original-width="784" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYlpLqRlsKRPnb96MeFl822YAjAAdLX3rUR9Bte2ZkI0oIWqB5qOp4p-V_ha0YpS59Mma3sqSsGzj-sWOkV_mcwofTLiJB8NeyjFYEHeB9F10Y_EBSmSrRgPahCsz8wRSag4wMVZivWro/s16000/Goldfish+Swimming+with+Barbell.JPG" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>Now that they're 4 and 5, I can literally watch week-by-week as their skills improve. We returned in June and in that short amount of time, Charlie has started floating without assistance, he's working on his front-stroke and is comfortable going underwater for diving rings. He has seriously amazed me with how much he has picked up just in his half hour lessons! Crosby is obviously younger and has always been the more timid and trepedatious one of the two. And though he's still working on his skills, just his attitude change toward swim lessons has been monumental. There was a point when the thought of getting into the pool would turn both my boys' mood instantly sour. We made it through tears and uncooperative tantrums to genuine excitement each and every week. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjIgZqwVUMq7ds3cagxQONw57U9zScdpET_5GNg3RWrcBo9mUrFlGT6VX25BSSLVF8Nh_pwCTU319fVc0RzMfurF1MiftkairRcqGJox5Q7W2p3sRhxtKEXlM0fSUveDlzWg3B-jbmSow/s784/Goldfish+Arms+in+the+Air.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="523" data-original-width="784" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjIgZqwVUMq7ds3cagxQONw57U9zScdpET_5GNg3RWrcBo9mUrFlGT6VX25BSSLVF8Nh_pwCTU319fVc0RzMfurF1MiftkairRcqGJox5Q7W2p3sRhxtKEXlM0fSUveDlzWg3B-jbmSow/s16000/Goldfish+Arms+in+the+Air.JPG" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>It's a testament to their emotional development, but it also speaks to the model that Goldfish uses. Their "The Science of Swimplay" philosophy creates a safe space for kids to learn swim skills, but genuinely have fun doing it. Their instructors are wonderful and my kids are learning life-saving skills while just playing and being kids. I'm a big believer in teaching through play and I can see it paying off in my own boys.</p><p>As we approach winter and COVID doesn't appear to be leaving us anytime soon, I'm grateful to have an outlet for the boys to get out their physical energy and in a safe and sanitary venue. If you want to read more of my thought's on Goldfish's COVID response you can <a href="https://www.beeautifulblessings.com/2020/07/getting-back-to-goldfish.html" target="_blank">check it out here</a>!</p>Kaity B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11121029548598878286noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1269431956658509659.post-78944045760945087652020-09-04T12:42:00.005-04:002020-09-04T12:42:56.454-04:00What I Want to Tell my Best Friend on her Wedding Day<p>I'm writing this from a Best Western hotel room on the Eastern shore of Maryland. I didn't know I would be here until a few months ago, but as we now know, 2020 has become the year of loss, change, and rolling with the punches. And today, I'm sitting here having some much-needed introvert time as I prepare to help one of my best friends marry the love of her life tomorrow.</p><p>I've been wanting to come back to this space for so long. There is so much I want to catch up on and so much life and many blessings to be documented. But being a full-time working parent during the pandemic has been harder than I know how to articulate. It has required every ounce of my physical, emotional and mental energy just to survive this time, so blogging has once again...fallen by the wayside.</p><p>However, after a day or two spent child-free and left alone to my own devices, I've felt that creative buzz creep its way back into the recesses of my mind. I had ideas for things I wanted to do during my solo weekend- perhaps a drive along the bay, or some time with my nose in a book, but mostly I've just been listening to my body. So far, she's directed me to an early morning run, all the seafood I can consume, and of course, the first love of my life- writing.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibLsU08r1ftmtH7c8He2wno3ghhqWaBZgCdgSNYQXGUkIqCT_kAlvNpVthXLuxoT9mYIC5tiWmmXKC-YZOb1qEFm39kSwmLg1K1wZ3Ij27BGnniQx_ZVgmgeuIvlB2m2CTXEUhZ6kF13g/s784/To+my+BFF+on+her+Wedding+Day.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="523" data-original-width="784" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibLsU08r1ftmtH7c8He2wno3ghhqWaBZgCdgSNYQXGUkIqCT_kAlvNpVthXLuxoT9mYIC5tiWmmXKC-YZOb1qEFm39kSwmLg1K1wZ3Ij27BGnniQx_ZVgmgeuIvlB2m2CTXEUhZ6kF13g/s16000/To+my+BFF+on+her+Wedding+Day.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>I've had a lot of time to think about love and marriage. Before I departed on my 8 hour drive east, Chuck and I enjoyed a quick breakfast date at our favorite hometown coffee shop (if you ever find yourself in little podunk Wilmington, Ohio please be sure to stop into <a href="https://www.thekavahaus.com/" target="_blank">Kava Haus</a>!) to celebrate our 8th wedding anniversary (obligatory link to our throwback <a href="https://www.beeautifulblessings.com/2012/10/wedding-recap-ceremony.html" target="_blank">wedding photos</a>). Every anniversary date, we try to be intentional about reflecting on what we learned in the last year of marriage. We talk about where we failed each other, how we can serve each other better in the coming year, and what our favorite moments of the last year were. Some people measure time beginning January 1. For us, time is measured year by year beginning September 2- the day we became a family. </p><p>In our eighth year together, I can genuinely say this is the best love I've known. There was no way for 24-year old me to know how she and her partner would evolve and how they would grow together, but I wish I could tell her how little she truly knew what love was on that day. Not in a condescending way, but in an optimistic way that would leave her with the hope of better days to come in that sixth year after the birth of her second child- oof, it was a doozy. </p><p>In our eighth year together, selfishness hasn't been completely abolished, but we do a really good job taking care of each other. Our life rambles on with a certain rhythm and cadence and we are constantly attuned to our partner's wants and needs. </p><p><i>"Did you have a stressful day at work? Why don't I take the kids to the park so you can have a couple hours of down time?" </i></p><p><i>"Are you missing your spiritual community? I'll make breakfast Sunday morning so you can relax in bed with your Zoom worship."</i></p><p><i>"Are you feeling grief over the memory of your lost parent? May I comfort you or do you want to cry alone?"</i></p><p>The best thing we've learned together is the simplest and hardest of things- to put each other's needs first. Because strangely and perhaps even counter-intuitively, <i>we</i> are at our best and our marriage is at its best when we stop thinking about what we need and begin thinking about what our partner needs. And when you trust that your partner is taking care of you, you can stop obsessing over taking care of yourself. There is peace to be found in that ebbing and flowing, and picking up, and putting down. It is the result of so many missteps, so much patience, so much humility, so much time, energy and intentionality. And it is one of the most beeautiful things in the world.</p><p>So as I think about my sweet college roomie marrying the man she has waited so long for. And as I think about the young couples in my life embarking upon this winding, trial-filled, and miraculous journey, the best advice I can give them is this- the only secret to a happy marriage is to take care of each other.</p><p><br /></p>Kaity B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11121029548598878286noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1269431956658509659.post-50414250295749309262020-08-10T17:00:00.008-04:002020-08-23T12:57:34.625-04:00A (Non-Conspiracy) Theory for Putting Out 2020's Epic Dumpster Fire<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<i>I wrote this post a few weeks ago and sat on it before hitting "publish." I didn't want to sound naive and tone deaf. However, reading it back, I think it's still worth sharing what's been weighing on my heart these last few months as the world seems to burn around us. </i></div>
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Every Saturday morning, Chuck and I drive the boys to their swimming lessons at Goldfish Swim School in Dayton. We live in a fairly rural area so it's a solid 40 minute drive. Because we both work full-time Monday-Friday, it often feels like we barely see each other during the work week. We hustle at our 9-to-5's, I scramble to make dinner before he gets home, and then he will either take the boys to the park so I can get things accomplished around the house, or we try to have some semblance of decompression while our maniacs run rampant until it's time to initiate bath and bedtime.<br />
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Those 40-minute drives on Saturday mornings are our opportunity to catch up from the chaos of the week and check-in with each other. Those 40-minute drives are when our best conversations happen.</div>
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This past weekend, like most couples are these days I'm sure, we were discussing current events. We both expressed how surreal it is to be living through a time that will be written about in history books. Just as people who lived through WWII and The Great Depression did, this is real life. It is just such a strange time to be in this world.</div>
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My range of emotions about living in the time of Coronavirus has run the gamut. Some days I'm doing okay and appreciate that I work for a responsible organization who is working tirelessly to keep its employees safe. I appreciate the fact that I have the capability to work remotely from home- mere minutes from my children and their schools. But most days, my highly-sensitive, empathetic nature proves to be as much a curse as it is a blessing. Some days I am just depressed and tired of feeling, and hurting, and watching helplessly as the world seemingly burns to the ground. </div>
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I don't think I'm alone in feeling this way, but with everyone in isolation the loneliness and separation from my community can mess with my head. It's also unfortunate that during a time when we need to be in solidarity more than ever, our politics only continue to divide us. Here's the thing I've been thinking about, though. It's not unique for their to be political contention in an election year, but I'm exhausted of the fight being marketed as being between Democrats vs. Republicans, Right vs. Left, Liberals vs. Conservatives. </div>
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The fight is not Americans vs. Other Americans. The fight <i>should be</i> Americans vs. Coronavirus. The fight <i>should be</i> Americans vs. Political Corruption. The fight should be Americans vs. Racism, Xenophobia, and other types of bigotry that are hurting us collectively. The talking heads, the media, and the institutions that yield their power over us may have us distracted and believing the fight is amongst ourselves, but it's not. </div>
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It's deeply upsetting to me that freedom, liberty, and patriotism- the values that we pledge our allegiance to- have become synonyms for selfishness and narcissism. I was young when 9/11 happened, but it was the first event to awaken my political consciousness. And while I may not have fully understood the gravity of what had happened, nor what terrorism even was, I witnessed Americans coming together- unifying- against a common enemy. We stood together and both physically and metaphorically had each other's backs. We had a leader who grieved alongside us and inspired us. </div>
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What happened to America circa 2001? I have my theories. However, I don't think this country needs another conspiracy theorist with a blog. What this country is in dire need of is KINDNESS and EMPATHY. I am not suggesting that issues like systemic racism and voter suppression can be done away with some random acts of kindness. But I am suggesting that perhaps, kindness and empathy could cure a lot more smaller pains and evils. And maybe if we're not so all-consumed by the smaller issues, we'll each have more capacity to confront the larger, scarier and more complex ones. </div>
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Perhaps, I'm way off base and I'm taking a naive and simplistic approach. But I'm willing to be wrong if it means that people in my immediate community feel more heard, more loved, more encouraged, more inspired, and more understood. </div>
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Kaity B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11121029548598878286noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1269431956658509659.post-49702643779573855742020-07-20T20:00:00.001-04:002020-08-23T12:58:27.011-04:00Getting Back to Goldfish<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">This post has been sponsored by Goldfish Swim School- Dayton.</span></i></div>
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It's hard to believe we've been living this COVID life for over four months now. I'm a homebody and an introvert so it would appear that I would be built for sheltering at home, but even <i>I'm</i> struggling with the lack of community and structure. Because I have family members who are either immuno-compromised or at high-risk because of age or pre-existing conditions, we've definitely been erring on the side of caution. Everyone in our family masks-up when we're in public and we only leave the house to visit with family or for essential shopping like groceries. </div>
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I really wanted the boys to continue taking swimming lessons this summer. However, I struggled with whether a children's activity could be deemed as "essential." I mean, I didn't want to put anyone at risk just to get my kids out of the house once per week. After giving it some thought, and a swim safety PSA from my blogger friend <a href="http://whimsicalseptember.com/" target="_blank">Erica at Whimsical September</a>, I concluded that for us- the risk of my boys' drowning due to not being able to swim independently felt like just as much of a life-or-death risk as COVID-19. I know not every parent may have come to the same conclusion we did, but after a month of lessons back at <a href="https://www.goldfishswimschool.com/dayton/" target="_blank">Goldfish Swim School- Dayton</a>, I feel 100% that we made the right call. </div>
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After Ohio's lockdown order in March, Goldfish Dayton reopened at the beginning of June with every possible safety precaution in place (<a href="https://www.goldfishswimschool.com/dayton/covid-reopen-details/" target="_blank">Check out their Coronavirus response here</a>). They've closed changing rooms to get parents and guests in and out of the facility as quickly as possible. Upon arrival, guests are asked to wait outside until the previous classes are dismissed and exiting the pool. All staff members (except instructors in the pool) are masked and a staff member guides each family through a symptoms checklist at the door before they're granted entrance. In between classes, chairs in the waiting area are sanitized and only one caregiver from each household is permitted inside the facility. Chuck and I change the boys into their swim gear in the back of our SUV and then change them back into dry clothes in the car. It makes for a very quick and efficient entrance/exit and I've been genuinely impressed with how smooth the whole process is. </div>
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On top of all this, they've also made check-in touchless with some help from their new <a href="https://apps.apple.com/us/app/goldfish-swim-school/id1501711228" target="_blank">Goldfish on the Go</a> app! With their mobile app, you can keep track of your class bookings- including cancellations and scheduling make-up classes. You can handle all of your billing and payments, receive news and announcements, <i>and</i> they are also moving to all digital evaluations so you'll always know how your kiddos are progressing. I've sincerely loved the app so much and it has enhanced our Goldfish experience that much more.</div>
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I never want to sound like I'm drinking the Kool-Aid, so to speak. But I honestly can't say enough wonderful things about the staff and facility at Goldfish Swim School- Dayton. Their managers and teachers genuinely love each and every student and are so patient. I know water can be a scary experience for some kids (and mine have been especially trepidatious over the years), but Goldfish always makes it such a positive experience for them and allows them to learn at their own pace.</div>
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If you're in the Dayton area and have been thinking about enrolling your children in swim lessons, don't sleep on Goldfish- Dayton. They recently added more class times and they're filling up quickly, so <a href="https://app.iclasspro.com/portal/gssdayton/dashboard">register now</a>!</div>
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Kaity B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11121029548598878286noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1269431956658509659.post-12071746503471258312020-05-28T17:38:00.000-04:002020-05-28T17:38:25.540-04:0035 BEFORE 35<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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35 Before 35: A 3-Year Bucket List</h2>
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<b>*1. Take an international trip</b> | This is a carryover from my 32 Before 32 bucket list. I haven't traveled out of the country since our Jamaican honeymoon in 2012!<br />
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<b>2. Earn a second professional designation</b> | I earned my first professional designation in 2019 and had planned to work toward a second in 2020. I think this is totally within reach, but perhaps not as soon as I had planned due to the Coronavirus.<br />
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<b>3. Pay off ALL student loans | </b>| This probably won't happen within the next three years. I've calculated out our debt snowball and we're realistically looking at a 4-year timeline unless our household income dramatically increases. It's unlikely, but who knows what the future has in store.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">4. Renovate basement half bathroom to a full bathroom</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span>| I think we're all ready to stop fighting over our single shared bathroom. It's long overdue to turn our non-functional basement half bathroom into a bathroom people actually use!<br />
<b><br /></b><b>5. Schedule a monthly family day trip </b>| Before the stay-at-home order, we were actually doing a good job of this. In February, we paid a visit to the Newport Aquarium and we in early March we took a day trip to the COSI museum in Columbus with Chuck's brother and his family. I like being intentional about spending time together as a foursome and introducing our boys to new experiences.<br />
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<b>6. Join a nonprofit board</b> | This has been something I've been interested in for awhile, but the timing has never worked out. <br />
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<b>7. Install new kitchen and basement flooring | </b>Our basement carpet and grimy kitchen tile has got to go.<br />
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<b>8. Open Roth IRAs for Chuck and Me | </b>Debt payoff is the name of our game right now, so we're not in a place to begin investing and saving for retirement (outside of our 401ks) just yet. Hopefully, this will change in a couple years' time.<br />
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<b>*9. Host a foreign exchange student </b>| This is another carryover from my 32 Before 32 list. I've always wanted to host a foreign exchange student because my own study abroad experience was so impactful. Chuck has been supportive, but continues to remind me that the timing isn't right quite yet. He's been right, of course, but it's only a matter of time before I wear him down.<br />
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<b>10. Deliver 35 meals to someone who needs it (0/35) | </b>Loving on people with food is one of my favorite things to do. I make a mean veggie lasagna and I love blessing new Mamas and friends going through tough times when I'm able to. It's something I'd like to do more frequently. <br />
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<b>*11. Run a half marathon | </b>I trained in 2018 and 2019, but due to work obligations and a heat advisory, <a href="http://www.beeautifulblessings.com/2019/07/the-time-i-didnt-run-half-marathon.html">my Half never happened</a>. I have two scheduled in 2020- in August and October. They're far enough out that I still have time to train, but running definitely hasn't been a top priority during lockdown.<br />
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<b>12. Teach Charlie + Crosby how to swim | </b>For a couple years, we took the boys to <a href="https://www.beeautifulblessings.com/2018/04/ready-for-summer-with-goldfish-swim.html" target="_blank">weekly lessons at Goldfish Swim School</a> in Dayton and <i>loved</i> our experience there. However, when I returned to work full-time, it just became too logistically difficult for us to continue. We have a local community pool that opens in the summers and at some point I'd like to get our boys back in the water and swimming independently.<br />
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<b>*13. Replace our back porch </b><b>| </b>Our back porch is in rough shape and we've had to have broken stairs repaired more than once. Eventually, we'd like to replace it, reconfigure the stairs, and add some built in planter beds.<br />
<b><br /></b><b>*14. Visit <a href="http://www.beeautifulblessings.com/2013/05/for-frankie.html">Frankie's</a> grave |</b><b> </b>It feels impossible to believe my fake big brother has been gone for 7 years. We were actually supposed to be headed to DC at the end of April on a family trip en route to a friend's Maryland wedding and I planned to visit Arlington National Cemetery while we were in the area. Due to COVID, her wedding has been rescheduled for September so hopefully I can visit my Frankie G once and for all.<br />
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<b>*15. Attend a cooking class </b><b>| </b>Cooking has become one of my favorite weekend activities. Getting meal subscription boxes like <a href="https://www.purplecarrot.com/" target="_blank">Purple Carrot</a> has been so useful in teaching me new skills, but I'd really like to up my game by taking a class.<br />
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<b>16. Deliver my Daddy's ashes</b><span style="color: orange; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"> </span>| When <a href="https://www.beeautifulblessings.com/2018/11/hes-up-there-playing-his-music.html" target="_blank">my Daddy passed in 2018</a>, his Last Will & Testament stipulated that he wanted half of his ashes spread over his Mom's grave in Upstate NY and half of his ashes were to be delivered to his best friend in California to be spread in the Pacific Ocean. My sister haven't had the means to deliver his ashes to the West Coast...yet. But I'm hopeful that we'll be able to do so in the next year or two.<br />
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<b>17. Take a romantic vacation for our 10th anniversary </b><b>| </b>Our 10th anniversary will fall on September 2, 2022. Honestly, our bar for a romantic vacation is so low at this point. We'd take a long jaunt to a Taco Bell if it meant we got some alone time! Ideally, we'd like to do a Caribbean trip of some kind reminiscent of our Jamaican honeymoon.<br />
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<b>*18. Get a fourth tattoo </b><b>| </b>I've had a tattoo idea I've wanted to do for several years now, but could never justify spending the money when there are childcare and student loan payments to be made! <br />
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<b>*19. Install planter boxes in our front yard </b><b>|</b> In 2018 while we were out of town, Ohio was hit with a huge ice storm and we lost both of the beautiful trees in our front yard. Since then, our house has lacked any curb appeal. I'd really like to build wooden planter boxes to plant some flowering perennials and add some color to our property!<br />
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<b>20. </b><b>Run a 5k with Charlie</b><b> | </b>Charlie is quickly becoming my little running buddy! He's accompanied me on his bike on a few of my trail runs and always wants to come with me when I head out. The kid has got some serious speed and I think it would be such a fun bonding activity to do together.</div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b>*21. Purchase a minivan |</b><b> </b>We paid off my car in February 2020, so right now I'm enjoying having no car payments for as long as possible before we take the plunge into minivan ownership.<br />
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<b>*22. Run a race in 3 different states (1/3) </b><b>|</b><b> </b>This is a carryover from my previous bucket list. So far, I've only raced in my home state of Ohio!<br />
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<b>23. Plan an annual sister weekend | </b>A few months ago, I called my sister and asked her, "Do you feel like we've been growing apart?" It was a heartbreaking realization to come to that as we've been getting older and creating lives that are states apart, we're just not involved in each other's day-to-day the way we were as kids. We decided to commit to an annual sister weekend and had even made plans for a weekend in Denver in July...before COVID hit. <br />
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<b>24. Refinance our mortgage | </b>Once we've built up a little more equity, we'd like to refinance so we can get a better rate and expedite our payoff. <br />
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<b>25. Attend a concert with Chuck | </b>It's been years since Chuck and I attended a concert together which is insane because we're both huge fans of live music. Obviously, I don't foresee any large gatherings in our immediate future, but I look forward to this day when life returns to some semblance of normal.<br />
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<b>26. Replace living room furniture | </b>Having two toddlers and a puppy has not been kind to our sofa. It's gotten to the point where we rarely even use our living room because the furniture is in such terrible shape. I want to change this ASAP because our living room was my favorite room in the house until recently.<br />
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<b>27. </b><b>Take a Mommy + Me class with Crosby</b><b> | </b>While running is an easy bonding activity for Charlie and me, I also want to find a one-on-one activity for Crosby and I to enjoy together- whether, it's art, music, cooking. I cherish spending quality individual time with my kiddos. </div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b>28. Learn how to can veggies | </b>Chuck lovingly bought me a hot water bath for Christmas several years ago that still hasn't seen any use. I've always wanted to learn how to can veggies in the summer, but have either been too intimidated or just plain lacked the time. As my kids age and become less dependent on me, I'm hoping I'll have some more time to pick up a couple new hobbies. <br />
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<b>29. Replace backyard fence and repair driveway | </b>I'm thankful to have an enclosed backyard to contain our energetic pup, but the chain link and patchy asphalt is really unattractive. I want to continue making our backyard a place we <i>want</i> to be in. <br />
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<b>30. Visit my BFNSCF | </b>My high school best friend and I have lived states apart for our entire adult life and have not seen nearly enough of each other in that time. The last time we saw each other in-person was when Crosby was six weeks old and I made the spontaneous decision to spend a week of my maternity leave with my bestie in North Carolina. <br />
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<b>31. Host an annual ladies' brunch | </b>Since moving back to Chuck's hometown in 2013, I've found myself in a group of terrific women. I've held a couple Galentine's Day and Christmas Cookie exchanges since then, but I'd like to be more intentional about hosting my friends. In a house full of boys, having time with female friends has become <i style="font-weight: bold;">so</i> important to me. <br />
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<b>*32. Paint and install new counters and kitchen backsplash | </b>Since the day we bought it in 2015, my kitchen has been my least favorite room in the house. It's a small, dark galley-style kitchen that is in desperate need of a coat of paint. If I'm going to spend hours of my day cooking for my family, I want it to be a happy, welcoming space!<br />
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<b>33. Decide whether to grow our family | </b>I shared <a href="https://www.beeautifulblessings.com/2019/12/the-state-of-family-address.html" target="_blank">the state of our family</a> a few months ago, but the truth is, we still don't know what the future holds for us. Will we remain a family of four or will we grow in number either biologically or through adoption? We somehow still don't feel confident in the answer, but I'm hoping we'll know someday soon. <br />
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<b>34. Increase our tithing by 10% each year | </b>I've only recently begin a habit of monthly giving versus sporadically giving when we happen to show up to church on Sunday mornings. It's a small amount until we're debt-free, but I'd love to give more to the faith community that has given me so much. <br />
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<b>35. Send 35 birthday/thank you/etc. cards (0/35) | </b>I feel like this is such an easy goal to embark upon during the time of COVID. I've kept every card I've ever received since the 6th grade and I want to do a better job of sending little parcels of TLC to my friends and family.<br />
<b><br /></b><i>*Indicates a carryover from my <a href="https://www.beeautifulblessings.com/2018/05/32-before-32.html" target="_blank">32 Before 32</a> bucket list</i><br />
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<b><br /></b>During this time of anxiety and uncertainty, it feels good to have hope in better days to come. I don't know what the next year has in store for me, my family or my country, but I'm hopeful that by my 35th birthday, I will have some accomplishments to reflect back on and celebrate. </div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><b><i>What is something you're looking forward to if and when life returns to normal?</i></b></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Kaity B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11121029548598878286noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1269431956658509659.post-46775668075478735992020-04-27T18:17:00.000-04:002020-04-27T18:20:22.263-04:0032 BEFORE 32: Final Check-In<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Yesterday was my 32nd birthday. It was not the birthday I envisioned- I wasn't able to enjoy the typical warm, sunny April weather I've become accustomed to. And of course, throwing Ohio's stay-at-home order into the mix added a whole other unprecedented dynamic. But all-in-all it was a good day. This isolation life has been exhausting and my sweet hubby treated me to a day of relaxing and recuperating.<br />
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He brought me my morning coffee, locked my bedroom door and kept the boys at bay all day while I read to my bookworm heart's content. I emerged just long enough to eat, shower and do a quick 30-minute yoga class via the Peloton app before I retreated back to my hermit cave and proceeded to continue reading. After nearly a decade together, what can I say? My man knows what I like!<br />
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My sister and Mom both called in the morning and we had a nice little video chat. My mom hilariously asked "So, how old are you?" and when I responded she replied, "Oh my God, you're old! I thought you were only 30." I pretty much feel the same way. Thirty two feels very...<i>thirties?<b> </b></i><br />
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Despite my weird thing with odd numbers, thirty-one was a good year for me. I passed my second registration exam and earned a professional designation. Not to mention, our family really got our debt snowball rolling! I'm hoping thirty-two brings with it more financial stability and professional accomplishment. But being that we're in the midst of a global pandemic, I'm keeping my expectations low.<br />
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Thirty-two will also be the year that Charlie goes to Kindergarten and Crosby will head to his first year in Pre-K. I'm honestly really excited for the next season of parenthood. I'm rarely the Mom who laments about the passing years (I'm sure that will change when they're 18). I love watching my kiddos grow into their personalities. Quality time is my love language so I feel at my most fulfilled as a Mommy when I can spend one-on-one time with them sharing a mutual interest- whether it's running, reading, yoga, etc. That is significantly easier with older kids than it is with babies and toddlers!<br />
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Since yesterday was the day I turned the big 3-2, I figured it was a good time to check in on my 32 Before 32 goals and see how I did. I started this bucket list around my 30th birthday and my last check-in was this time last year so there's a lot of ground to make up!<br />
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32 Before 32: A 2-Year Bucket List</h2>
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<b>1. Take an international trip</b> | <span style="color: red;"><b><i>IN</i></b><i><b>COMPLETE</b></i></span><br />
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<b>2. Host a foreign exchange student </b>| <span style="color: red;"><b><i>IN</i></b><i><b>COMPLETE</b></i></span><br />
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<b>3. Pay off a student loan | </b>| <b style="color: red;"><i>IN</i></b><b style="color: red; font-style: italic;">COMPLETE </b>And to think, if my stimulus check had come a week or two earlier I could have crossed this one off!<br />
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<strike style="font-weight: bold;">4. Return to work full-time</strike> | <i><b><span style="color: lime;">COMPLETE!</span></b> (June 4, 2018)</i> This goal feels silly now, but was heavy on my mind as a 30-year old stay-at-home/part-time working Mama.<br />
<b><br /></b><b>5. Visit a new state </b>| <b style="color: red;"><i>IN</i></b><b style="color: red; font-style: italic;">COMPLETE</b><span style="color: red;"> </span>Clearly, no travel goals were met as we focused on paying down our debt<br />
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<b>6. Convert attic to a fourth bedroom</b> | <b><i><span style="color: orange;">IN PROGRESS</span></i></b> It is legitimately insane how long this project is taking us. Although the bulk of the room is done- window, new lighting, and shiplap wall have been installed by our friend. I still need to paint and we need to install a closet to make it a real bedroom.<br />
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<b>7<strike>. Take an anniversary trip</strike> | </b><i><b><span style="color: lime;">COMPLETE!</span></b> (September 1, 2018)</i> Chuck and I took a quick, overnight trip to Louisville, KY. It wasn't the best experience- we couldn't get into the distillery tour we were hoping to and our hotel wasn't the best. But we still enjoyed a kid-free evening together at a dueling piano bar.<br />
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<b><strike>8. Adopt a four-legged friend</strike> | </b><i><b><span style="color: lime;">COMPLETE!</span></b> (December 21, 2019) </i>Of all the items on my list, this one honestly surprises me the most! Chuck and I knew we wanted to get a family dog, but since we both work full-time and commute we just didn't feel like the timing was right. Then in a sleep-deprived haze shortly before Christmas I submitted an adoption application and the next day, <a href="http://www.beeautifulblessings.com/2020/02/welcoming-our-newest-family-memberreggie.html">Reggie</a> was ours!<br />
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<b>9. Run a half marathon | </b><b style="color: red;"><i>IN</i></b><span style="color: red; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">COMPLETE </span>And of all the items on my list, this one disappoints me the most! I trained in 2018 and 2019, but due to work obligations and a heat advisory, <a href="http://www.beeautifulblessings.com/2019/07/the-time-i-didnt-run-half-marathon.html">my Half never happened</a>. I have two scheduled in 2020- in August and October. They're far enough out that I still have time to train, but running definitely hasn't been a top priority during lockdown.<br />
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<b>10. Replace our back porch </b><b>| </b><b style="color: red;"><i>IN</i></b><span style="color: red; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">COMPLETE</span><br />
<b><br /></b><b>11. Visit <a href="http://www.beeautifulblessings.com/2013/05/for-frankie.html">Frankie's</a> grave |</b><b> </b><b style="color: red;"><i>IN</i></b><span style="color: red; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">COMPLETE </span>We were actually supposed to be headed to DC this week on a family trip en route to a friend's Maryland wedding. I had planned to visit Arlington National Cemetery while we were in the area. Of course, her wedding has been postponed to later in the year so this one hasn't happened yet, but I wouldn't have made the cutoff date anyway.<br />
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<b>12. Attend a cooking class </b><b>| </b><b style="color: red;"><i>IN</i></b><span style="color: red; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">COMPLETE </span>This is definitely one I'd like to rollover to my next bucket list!<br />
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<b><strike>13. Pay off all credit cards (3/3)</strike></b><span style="color: orange; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"> </span>| <i><b><span style="color: lime;">COMPLETE!</span></b> (May 2019) </i>All I can say is- <i>WOOHOOOOO!!!</i><br />
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<b>14. Renovate our kitchen </b><b>| </b><b style="color: red;"><i>IN</i></b><span style="color: red; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">COMPLETE </span><br />
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<b>15. Get a fourth tattoo </b><b>| </b><b style="color: red;"><i>IN</i></b><span style="color: red; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">COMPLETE </span><br />
<b><br /></b><b>16. Take a family camping trip </b><b>| </b><b style="color: red;"><i>IN</i></b><span style="color: red; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">COMPLETE </span><br />
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<b>17. Update my wardrobe | </b><span style="color: orange; font-style: italic; font-weight: 700;">IN PROGRESS </span>Since starting at my current job back in June of 2018, I've slowly been building up my professional wardrobe primarily through <a href="http://www.thredup.com/r/WGGOP8">ThredUp</a> with the occasional <a href="https://www.stitchfix.com/invite/kbxgm9p2ns?sod=w&som=c">Stitch Fix</a> thrown in when I can justify the splurge. There are still things I could use- new jeans and more shoes, but my closet is in better shape than it's ever been.<br />
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<b><strike>18. Add a railing to our front porch</strike> </b>| <i><b><span style="color: lime;">COMPLETE!</span></b> (October 23, 2018) </i><br />
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<b>19. Try 10 new restaurants</b> <b>(2/10) </b><b>| </b><b style="color: red;"><i>IN</i></b><span style="color: red; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">COMPLETE </span><i style="font-weight: bold;"> </i>I didn't do a very good job of tracking this so I'm not positive what the final tally is. But I know it's not 10. We tried maybe 2 or 3 new restaurants, but typically stuck to more local places on our rare date nights since we never felt like driving and wanted to be close to the kids.<br />
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<b><strike>20. Enroll Charlie in preschool</strike></b><i> </i>| <i><b><span style="color: lime;">COMPLETE!</span></b> (June 2018) </i>He "graduates" next month and will head to Kindergarten in the Fall!<br />
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<b>21. Landscape our front yard </b><b>| </b><span style="color: orange; font-style: italic; font-weight: 700;">IN PROGRESS </span>I'm going to call this one "in progress" even though it's been ages since we last did anything to our front yard and won't be doing anything in the foreseeable future. In November of 2018 while we were out of town enjoying Pre-Thanksgiving, Ohio was hit with a huge ice storm and we lost both our beautiful trees. After having hideously unattractive stumps for almost a year, we had a landscaping company come out and grind them and lay down grass seed. It fixed the stump problem but our yard still leaves much to be desired.<br />
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<b>22. Meet a blogging friend </b><b>| </b><b style="color: red;"><i>IN</i></b><span style="color: red; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">COMPLETE </span><i style="font-weight: bold;"> </i>#MomLife?<br />
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<b><strike>23. Plan something for Chuck's 30th birthday</strike> </b>| <i><b><span style="color: lime;">COMPLETE!</span></b> (April 15, 2019) </i>Chuck celebrated his 30th birthday last week by taking a weekend trip to visit his sister in Kansas City, MO. It required very little planning on my part, but it was what he wanted, so we were both happy. On his actual birthday, I picked up a Chocolate Peanut Butter cake from a cute little bakery that recently opened in our town and had pizza delivered. It was a low-key, simple way to celebrate my low-key, simple man!<br />
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<b>24. Purchase a minivan |</b><b> </b><b style="color: red;"><i>IN</i></b><span style="color: red; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">COMPLETE </span><i style="font-weight: bold;"> </i>We paid off my car in February 2020, so right now I'm enjoying having no car payments for as long as possible before we take the plunge into minivan ownership.<br />
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<b><strike>25. Take a photography class</strike> | </b><i><b><span style="color: lime;">COMPLETE!</span></b> (January 2019) </i>Our family photographer offered an Intro to Photography class and I was so excited to kick off the new year by completing an item on my bucket list. It wound up being just the two of us and I was so appreciative of the time we spent together.<br />
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<b><strike>26. Pay off all medical bills from Crosby's birth (3/3)</strike> </b>| <i><b><span style="color: lime;">COMPLETE!</span></b> (June 2019) </i>We made the final payment on our outstanding medical bills from Crosby's birth just <u>months</u> before his third birthday. Ugh!<br />
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<b>27. Run a race in 3 different states (1/3) </b><b>|</b><b> </b><b style="color: red;"><i>IN</i></b><span style="color: red; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">COMPLETE </span><i style="font-weight: bold;"> </i>Just in my home state of Ohio!<br />
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<b>28. Visit the <a href="https://www.americansignmuseum.org/">American Sign Museum</a> </b><b>|</b><b> </b><b style="color: red;"><i>IN</i></b><span style="color: red; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">COMPLETE </span><br />
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<b><strike>29. Paint and finish decorating our master bedroom</strike> | </b><i><b><span style="color: lime;">COMPLETE!</span></b> (January 2020) </i>I have no recollection of when I was finished with our master bedroom so I'm going off of the date I rearranged it to its current setup when I was stir crazy this past winter.<br />
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<b>30. Take the boys to an amusement park </b><b>|</b><b> </b><b style="color: red;"><i>IN</i></b><span style="color: red; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">COMPLETE </span><br />
<b><br /></b><b>31. Visit Old Man's Cave in Hocking Hills </b><b>|</b><b> </b><b style="color: red;"><i>IN</i></b><span style="color: red; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">COMPLETE </span><br />
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<b><strike>32. Attend a concert</strike> </b>| <i><b><span style="color: lime;">COMPLETE!</span></b> (July 13, 2018) </i>My sister-in-law and I have made a tradition out of an annual country concert. In 2018 we saw Miranda Lambert and Little Big Town. Last year we attended Outlaw Music Festival which included Willie Nelson, Bonnie Raitt and Luke Combs (who I was unfamiliar with, but she adores).<br />
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<b>TOTAL GOALS ACCOMPLISHED: 11/32</b><br />
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My batting average wasn't great the last two years, but I'm proud of the things I did accomplish and look forward to rolling several of these into my 35 Before 35 list. Stay tuned!</div>
Kaity B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11121029548598878286noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1269431956658509659.post-28770824423796535722020-04-19T20:41:00.000-04:002020-04-19T20:41:17.951-04:00QUARANTINE LIFE: One Month Check-In and Silver Linings<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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After one month under Ohio's stay-at-home order, I've been reflecting on what life looks like for us right now. What's working, what's not. Time has honestly lost all meaning, but I know that for about a month now Chuck and I have both been working remotely from our respective home offices. Him, in his basement/man cave. Me, in our office/guest room. We've also been effectively running a daycare center simultaneously for Charlie (5) and Crosby (3).<br />
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<b>SILVER LINING:</b> Both of our jobs were already set up to function remotely.<br />
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Not only was the transition relatively pain-free (I won't say stress-free), but I was reminded recently that we are both <i>insanely</i> fortunate to both work for businesses deemed essential when a friend expressed stress over not having a paycheck and only having a small amount of savings to keep them afloat for the foreseeable future. There are a lot of people out of work and hurting right now and I'm trying to remain mindful of that, give where and when I can, and be as fiscally responsible in the midst of so much change and uncertainty.<br />
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In terms of the adjustment for our family, the adults are...<i>struggling</i>, while our kiddos have managed to take it in stride. They are at the worst and best age. On the one hand, they are not yet old enough to consistently feed and entertain themselves. Our mornings are completely unproductive and I am interrupted no less than 26 times before lunch for snacks, cuddles, and drink refills. (This doesn't include the amount of times I have to stop what I'm doing to referee whatever the current screaming match is).<br />
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<b>SILVER LINING:</b> My kids are so resilient.<br />
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On the other hand, in spite of the fact that they need to be fed three meals and countless snacks per day, they've adapted well. In the afternoon, Crosby goes down for a nap which allows me a few productive hours before I clock out. Charlie has been <i>amazing</i> at occupying himself and respecting the fact that Mommy and Daddy have important work to do. A few days ago, I marveled at the fact that while he was laying in the guest bed in my office watching cartoons, he instinctively knew to pause his show every time I answered a work call so I wouldn't have any background noise. It's little things like this that make me so proud of him and how he's adapted.<br />
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Because of their age, they don't fully grasp what's going on so there's no real fear or confusion. They know they're not allowed to see their extended family or go to the store "because of the virus." There have been a couple times when Charlie has cried over missing his cousin/best friend Lucie who he usually sees several times a week this time of year. And he's mentioned missing his friends and teacher at school. But for the most part, they are just thrilled to have all this time with Mommy and Daddy.<br />
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<b>SILVER LINING:</b> Family time.<br />
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There aren't words to sufficient to describe the level of exhaustion we're (and everyone else) experiencing right now. Trying to work regular full-time hours while attending to small children is something I never wanted and the lack of structure and stress of not having enough distraction-free hours in the day has led me to tears on more than one occasion. However, I feel like my kids have aged so much just in the last month. Charlie is becoming such a responsible young man. And Crosby has morphed from my baby into a very opinionated and insightful little person. I feel their childhood slipping away and I'm thankful for this special time with them before they become school-aged and get sucked into the whirlwind of all that entails. So, although the threenager in the house is driving me crazy more often than not, I'm able to appreciate how much he's grown when I take a step back to reflect.<br />
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<b>SILVER LINING:</b> My kids are being kids.<br />
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Whenever we used to stay with my Grandma for the summers and complain about being bored, she would always reply "Only boring people get bored." I love that expression and I see now why boredom is such a gift to our kids. Don't get me wrong, my kids have consumed far more Paw Patrol in the last month than I am proud of. But even infinite computer time loses its luster after awhile and I have seen my kids play independently with Play-Doh, read more books, and spend more time outdoors all because of the gift of boredom.<br />
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I can't say I'm necessarily viewing this situation through rose-colored glasses. I am still <i>really</i> struggling. I remarked to Chuck this morning that it feels so unfair that after a combination of my own proactive self-care and a mild Ohio winter, for the first time in a long time I didn't have to contend with my usual seasonal depression. Then what should have been a sweet reprieve of Spring has brought with it some serious mental health challenges. I am in a <i>funk</i>. I miss my church and community, I miss the ability to be 100% present at work, I miss working toward my bucket list goals. Now my only goal is "Survive this Shit without Losing my Shit."<br />
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In the midst of this really ugly and trying time, there is a beautiful irony to the fact that the two little people who are my greatest sources of stress and exhaustion are also where I am gleaning my greatest joy and hope for a healthier and happier future.<br />
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I hope you're hanging in there, friends. COVID-19 is changing all of our lives. Over the aspects that we <i>can</i> control, let's be cognisant of the silver linings and make sure the most lasting changes are for the better. </div>
Kaity B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11121029548598878286noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1269431956658509659.post-69345701703352542822020-03-30T18:48:00.001-04:002020-03-30T18:48:40.032-04:00QUARANTINE LIFE: A Little Bit Tired and a Lotta Bit Angsty<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I was already out of the habit of writing consistently, but it feels exponentially more difficult to know where to start when it feels a little like the sky is falling. I've been thinking about how my 8th grade English teacher had us listen to the radio on 9/11/2001 and journal what we heard and how we were processing it. The middle schooler who wrote that journal entry had <i>no</i> understanding of what had happened or the cultural and societal impact that day would wind up having in my home country and around the world.<br />
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And yet, I'm so glad I have that journal entry to recall. Because hindsight is 20/20 and it feels nearly impossible to remember the actual emotions we had during times like the days post-9/11 or currently in the midst of the Coronavirus pandemic. I'm writing equally for 2020 Kaity, as well as for 2030 Kaity.<br />
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Today is Monday and I just began my second week of working from home (today marks Chuck's third). For over a week now, we've attempted to maintain our full-time working hours while also simultaneously watching over an energetic 5 year old and a needy 3 year old. (That isn't meant to be a complaint about my beloveds, but simply a statement of fact.) Chuck already had an "office"/Man Cave in our basement so the transition was pretty seamless for him. I had no such set up, so we moved all of the boys' toys upstairs to what will become their new bedroom and I turned what was essentially their playroom into my Office/Guest Room.<br />
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The day I found out my company was going to move toward having us work remotely I invested in a brand new computer and some rainbow-print bedding. Those two things may not seem like necessities, but they were for me. My surroundings have a huge impact on my functionality and mental health so I knew I had to create a space for myself that fostered creativity and positivity in the midst of a stressful and overwhelming situation. I finished painting this past weekend and was so happy with the results. Chuck made a comment that it looked like it should be our hypothetical daughter's bedroom. If I'm being honest, that's kind of exactly what it was for me (but I'm sure that ache is becoming old news to those who know and love me).<br />
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When all this began a couple weeks ago, Chuck and I joked about how our Enneagram types were on full display- my Type 1 Perfectionist was stressing about the prospect of losing my everyday structure and routine (I realize this sounds trivial, but is something I'm finding to be incredibly important to me). Chuck's Type 9 Peacemaker couldn't have seemed less ruffled. He was very go-with-the flow and has continued to be for the last few weeks. While I'm just about on the verge of a mental breakdown because of the constant stream of disruptions to my usual workflow, Chuck is just tickled about all of the family time we're getting as a result of this isolation.<br />
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I know who I married and I love his heart. I swing between being overwhelmingly grateful that he is steadfast and calm when I am rigid and impatient, and then totally annoyed because HOW IS HE SO UNBOTHERED WHILE WE'RE IN THE MIDDLE OF A GLOBAL PANDEMIC?! I'm not a drinker, but I'm starting to see the appeal.<br />
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I feel like this time at home with my children has also given me flashbacks to my time as a stay-at-home Mom and let me tell you- there is a reason why I left the SAHM life behind. I wish with every ounce of my being that I could be the woman who devises activities and lesson plans and fills each day with organic learning and fun experiences, but I am most assuredly NOT. Before having kids, I was never a "kid person." I just have never related to kids- even as a child. When my sister and I were little and in social situations where we were thrust together with other kids, we would literally just find an isolated corner to hang out in where we would pass judgment on the other children. (Not a cute childhood story, but helps explain us both as adults). I simply don't relate well to kids or enjoy kid activities the way I feel like a Mom should.<br />
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Finding out I was a terrible stay-at-home parent and then subsequently finding my groove as a full-time working Mom made me realize that <b><i>my</i></b> best version of motherhood is one in which I have a long break from the incessant activity and noise. I am a better Mommy to my boys <i>because</i> I'm not always around them. And yet- here we are. Not only am I expected to perform my typical day-to-day office job, but I am also around my kids ALL THE LIVE LONG DAY.<br />
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I'm overstimulated, exhausted, and burnt out. It feels like we were just leaving the season of cooped-up, stir craziness behind and the freedom that Spring usually brings me has been snatched away. Life just feels...unsustainable at this moment in time and I worry that my children are going to somehow be hurt as a result of my melancholy and mental fragility.<br />
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I didn't mean for this to take such a depressing sharp turn, but it feels tiring to keep up the charade that I'm doing fine. And clearly, these emotions that have taken residence in my heart were bursting to spill out. I know when life returns to some semblance of normal, we'll collectively find our new rhythm. I also know that in the grand scheme of things I am considerably lucky to have my family's health, job security and a [very small] amount of savings to fall back on if things take a turn. I know I am not alone in my grief and overwhelm and I'm hopelessly optimistic that better things lie ahead. But today, I'm just a little bit tired and a lotta bit angsty. <br />
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Kaity B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11121029548598878286noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1269431956658509659.post-50569126667686653482020-02-18T20:35:00.002-05:002020-02-18T20:35:16.130-05:0019 GOALS IN 2019: The Final Recap<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: "pt sans";"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: 1px;">I think it's fair to say that 2019 was the year blogging sat on my back burner. I was working full-time, studying for exams, and using my spare time to try and keep up with two energetic little men. As my brain soaked up as much finance-related information as it could, it left no room for reading or writing.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "pt sans";"><span style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: 1px;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: "pt sans";"><span style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: 1px;">Now that we're over a month into 2020, I'm thankfully not as over-committed as I was last year, but it's admittedly been difficult to get back into the swing of writing. Blogging is at best a dying art, but I've poured so much of my life into this silly pastime that it breaks my heart even thinking about giving it up. I started writing here just before I boarded a plane to Uganda in January of 2009. Over a decade of my life is chronicled here and I sincerely hope to do a better job of documenting the next 10 years. Not to mention, if I want to call myself a writer, I kind of need to write...</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "pt sans";"><span style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: 1px;">Anyway, I did a piss poor job of checking in on my 2019 yearly goals, but I want to wrap up so I can move forward with a fresh set of goals for 2020.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "pt sans";"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: large; letter-spacing: 1px;">Here is my final 2019 BUCKET LIST recap: </span></span></h2>
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<b style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: 1px;">PROFESSIONAL</b></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: 1px;">As a full-time working Mama again (in a brand new-to-me industry), there was so much professional development for me to conquer in 2019!</span><br />
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<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><strike>Pass my registration exams.</strike></b> <i><span style="color: orange;"><b><span style="color: lime;">COMPLETE!</span></b><span style="color: orange;"> </span></span></i>I passed my first exam on December 31, 2018 so it didn't technically count for 2019. But I passed my second exam in May and then earned a professional designation in December! I'm really proud of the fact that I went into this job and those exams with no prior experience in the financial world and I passed all three on the first try!</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: 1px;"><br /></b><b style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: 1px;">READING</b></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: 1px;">In my heart of hearts, I will always be a bookworm. But with everything I had going on, I wasn't putting any pressure on myself to participate in book challenges or spend all my spare time with my nose in a book.</span><br />
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<li style="letter-spacing: 1px; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Read 35 books.</b><span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span><span style="color: red;"><b><i>NOT COMPLETED (26/35)</i></b></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"> I still averaged over two books a month which wasn't terrible- my Top 3 favorites would probably have to be <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22574709-searching-for-sunday">Searching for Sunday</a>, <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34273236-little-fires-everywhere">Little Fires Everywhere</a>, and <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35133922-educated">Educated</a>.</span></span></li>
<li style="letter-spacing: 1px; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Read 3 books published before 1990.</b> <span style="color: red;"><i><b>NOT COMPLETED</b></i></span> <span style="color: red;"><b><i>(0/3)</i></b></span> Not a single book published before 2010.</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: 1px;"><br /></b><b style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: 1px;">FINANCIAL</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "pt sans";"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: 1px;">2019 was the year we really dug in our heels and began making some progress with our debt snowball. </span></span><br />
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<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Increase my credit score by 5%</b>. <span style="color: red; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">NOT COMPLETED</span><b style="font-style: italic;"> </b>My credit score was a rollercoaster over the course of the year and I wound up about where I started. Womp, womp...</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Save up enough to buy a minivan in cash. </b><i><b><span style="color: red;">NOT COMPLETE</span><span style="color: red;">D</span></b> </i>Ha! Not even close, though I did pay down a lot of my current auto loan.</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Contribute at least $500 each to Charlie and Crosby's 529 college savings accounts</b>. <i style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: red;">NOT COMPLETED</span></i><i style="color: orange; font-weight: bold;"> </i>The boys got some birthday money to put toward their college savings, but I didn't contribute much extra to their 529s as we have more pressing short-term financial goals</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><strike>Pay off remaining credit card debt.</strike> </b><i><span style="color: lime;"><b>COMPLETE!</b></span> </i>Finally! One I can proudly say we crossed off in May.</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><strike>Pay off remaining medical bills.</strike></b> <b><i><i style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="color: lime;"><b>COMPLETE!</b></span></i> </i></b>A couple months later, we paid off all our medical debt in July!</span></li>
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">HEALTH</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I wanted to continue working on living a healthier lifestyle with manageable and realistic goals for my busy schedule. It went okay...</span></div>
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<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Go to the gym at least 2 mornings per week. </b><i style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: red;">NOT COMPLETED </span></i>In fact, I cancelled my gym membership pretty early on in the year.</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Run a half marathon. </b><i style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: red;">NOT COMPLETED </span></i>Ugh, I was so close but due to a heat advisory I wound up running a 10k instead of <a href="http://www.beeautifulblessings.com/2019/07/the-time-i-didnt-run-half-marathon.html">my planned half marathon</a>.</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Attend yoga class at least once per month.</b> <i style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: red;">NOT COMPLETED </span></i>Also, nope.</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><strike>Plan one vegetarian meal per week.</strike></b> <b><i><b style="font-style: normal;"><i><i style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="color: lime;"><b>COMPLETE!</b></span></i></i></b> </i></b>I did this pretty informally. I wasn't tracking, but I did a pretty been decent job eating vegetarian a couple times per week, even if it was just eggs and toast.</span></li>
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">HOME</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I love, love, love my house and making it more of a home is one of my favorite things to do. I had big aspirations (bigger than my wallet!) for 2019.</span><br />
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<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Finish converting upstairs room to a fourth bedroom.</b> <i style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: red;">NOT COMPLETED </span></i>Although it wasn't completed, we did make progress! Our friend installed a window, new lighting, and some shiplap-type siding for the accent wall. We still need to install a closet, paint, and purchase the bunk bed, mattresses, and bedding.</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Convert downstairs bedroom into an office/guest room. </b><i style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: red;">NOT COMPLETED </span></i>Not yet.</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Remodel downstairs half bathroom into a full bathroom</b>. <i style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: red;">NOT COMPLETED </span></i>Not even close.</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><strike>Landscape the front yard.</strike> </b><b><i><b style="font-style: normal;"><i><i style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="color: lime;"><b>COMPLETE! </b></span></i></i></b></i></b>It still doesn't look great, but we did have a local landscaping company grind the stumps leftover from when we lost all our front trees to an ice storm in 2018 and planted some grass seed.</span></li>
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">LIFE</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">These were the few random, miscellaneous things that I wanted to see happen in 2019 for me and my little family.</span></div>
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<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><strike><b>Adopt a four-legged friend</b>.</strike> <b><i><b style="font-style: normal;"><i><i style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="color: lime;"><b>COMPLETE! </b></span></i></i></b></i></b>We did it, we did it! <a href="http://www.beeautifulblessings.com/2020/02/welcoming-our-newest-family-memberreggie.html">Reggie joined our family</a> just a few days before Christmas. </span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><strike>Take a kid-free weekend getaway.</strike></b> <b><i><b style="font-style: normal;"><i><i style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="color: lime;"><b>COMPLETE! </b></span></i></i></b></i></b>Over Labor Day weekend, Chuck and I dropped the boys off to go camping with Grandma while we stayed in Watkins Glen, NY and attended a friend's wedding. It was the perfect way to celebrate our 7th wedding anniversary.</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><strike>Take a photography or cooking class.</strike></b> <b><i><span style="color: lime;">COMPLETE!</span> </i></b>Back in January, our favorite family photographer offered an Intro to Photography class. It wound up being just the two of us and I was so appreciative of the time we spent together. I haven't practiced much, but at the very least, I can now take pictures in manual mode.</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "pt sans";"><span style="font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: 1px;"><b>2019 TOTAL GOALS COMPLETE: 8/19</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "pt sans";"><span style="font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: 1px;"><b><br /></b></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "pt sans";"><span style="font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: 1px;">We didn't do a lot of the house things we wanted to and my half marathon medal remains elusive, but at the end of the day- 2019 brought us some major professional and <a href="http://www.beeautifulblessings.com/2020/01/financial-peace-2019-debt-paid-and-2020.html">financial wins</a>, so I'm calling it a success!</span></span></div>
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Kaity B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11121029548598878286noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1269431956658509659.post-85987714482290315032020-02-08T10:32:00.001-05:002020-02-09T10:23:46.635-05:00Welcoming our newest family member...Reggie!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I think...I think I've forgotten how to write.<br />
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In the last year, with all of my spare time spent studying for exams and/or trying to be a somewhat decent mother, I really got out of the habit of publishing any blog content. In the last couple months, I've been feeling the itch to return, but I've really been struggling with where to start. So much time has elapsed and so much life has happened in my digital absence. The boys both celebrated birthdays, I earned a professional designation, and a lot of progress was made toward our family's <a href="http://www.beeautifulblessings.com/2020/01/financial-peace-2019-debt-paid-and-2020.html">financial goals</a> and my personal bucket list goals.<br />
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Writer's block has been been hitting me BIG TIME. But also, in the time that I've written this handful of sentences, I've been interrupted by small people needing things from me no less than 13 times. As if I needed a reminder of <i>"Oh right, this is why I can't expend the mental energy required to string words together."</i><br />
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In any case, I'm doing my best. And I figured today's topic was a "softball" post. One that I really want to share and one that is incredibly easy to write because it can be summed up as...<br />
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WE GOT A DOG!</h3>
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To provide some backstory, the week before Christmas was a big, fat stinker for our family. Everyone was battling various ailments, our daycare provider had a pipe burst in her house and had to unexpectedly close through the end of the year. This was exacerbated by the fact that Chuck and I collectively had <i style="font-weight: bold;">no</i> sick or vacation time left to take off and deal with the aforementioned crises. A co-worker had just gone on maternity leave so not only did I not have the time to take off, but I was also leaving my short-staffed team in the lurch who needed me for all of the last-minute, year-end calls and tasks.<br />
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Suffice to say, it was stressful. We both wound up taking unpaid leave, relying on family members, and somehow found our way through the chaotic holiday season. I like to think the boys didn't know the difference and all of the time spent with family was fun for them, but if I'm being honest it was <i>not</i> fun for Mommy.<br />
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In this blur of commotion, I wasn't sleeping much. It was a Friday evening and one of the boys had woken up (crying? vomiting? It's all a blur at this point) and I couldn't fall back to sleep. A few months prior we'd submitted an adoption application at an animal rescue in Dayton, but there wasn't really any follow-up. We thought we had found our dog back in the Fall, but it wound up falling through as the pup we had our eye on was nipping and they were concerned with us having small children in the house. So in the very early morning hours of Saturday, December 21, I started mindlessly scrolling <a href="https://www.petfinder.com/">PetFinder's</a> available puppers and discovered that were some puppies available at our small county's humane society. I submitted our application some time around 4:00 AM with absolutely no expectation that anything would come of it. Imagine my surprise when I got an email a mere six hours later from a volunteer asking if we wanted to come meet the puppies.<br />
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I filled Chuck in on the whole situation and asked if he wanted to meet them. I showed him the pictures of the Lab/Terrier puppies and while we agreed that they were <i>all</i> cute, we both had our eyes set on one named "Shadow." Chuck is often reluctant to venture outside his comfort zone and is the steady, reasonable partner to my sometimes impulsive self. He had some reservations and questioned if our full-time working lifestyle was adequately suited for a pet. His points were all fair and I was fine if we went, met the pups and then decided it was too much for us. I emailed the volunteer back and she let us know that there were only two puppies left and they had another family coming at 1:00 PM to meet them. She asked if we could come at 1:30 PM and we confirmed.<br />
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We didn't let the boys know where we were going. Instead, told them we were going to take them to a surprise place. When we got there, Shadow was the only puppy left and I was inwardly thrilled. The friendly volunteer brought us into a small office and allowed us too love on the last pup of the litter. The boys were still totally clueless and just marveled at how adorable this little guy was. After a few minutes, the volunteer excused herself so Chuck and I could talk about if we were going home with a dog. It took absolutely no convincing from me- if anything, I was more hesitant while Chuck was instantly smitten. When Charlie uttered, <i>"I wish we could have a dog like that" </i>(still oblivious as to why we were there), I was sold.<br />
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We signed the papers, drove to Walmart to pick up all the necessary doggy paraphernalia and just like that- he was ours.<br />
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It took us about a week to finally settle on a name. I was advocating hard for "Buddy," (like the Elf) since we got him 4 days before Christmas, but Chuck begged me to pick any other name. He frequently refers to the boys as "buddy," so thought it would be too confusing. We just couldn't land on one that we both <i>loved</i>. The following Friday, we went over to his parents' house and I introduced him to my nieces and nephews. Our goofball oldest niece jokingly suggested that we name him "Reginald" and call him "Reggie" for short. I realized when she said it, that I actually didn't hate the name Reggie. I shared it with Chuck when I got home and he was on board. Seven days after he joined our family, he finally had a name- <i>Reggie. </i><br />
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Everyone warned us that puppies were hard work and it would be like raising a third child and let me tell you- they were right. The past several weeks have been A LOT. We have cleaned up so much pee, poop, and chewed-up debris. He is still jumping, nipping, and trying his darnedest to eat <i>all</i> of the unattended people food. But honestly, for a puppy? He's doing great. He gets a little bit better at potty training each week. He loves to cuddle and is a good listener. The daughter of a friend of ours is a senior in high school and comes to walk him every day at lunch time. It's the perfect arrangement and we feel far less guilty leaving him home while we're at work all day knowing that he has some social interaction while we're gone.<br />
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He's a royal pain most of the time, but he's a puzzle piece in our family and we're so in love with our Reggie Roo!<br />
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Kaity B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11121029548598878286noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1269431956658509659.post-4529991273289510802020-01-02T06:00:00.000-05:002020-01-02T06:01:30.791-05:00FINANCIAL PEACE: 2019 Debt Paid and 2020 Goals<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I feel as though the beginning of a new year, a new decade, is the perfect push to get me back to blogging. If my 2019 had a word it would be...<i>flourish</i>. I worked incredibly hard in the past year- I studied for more hours, days, weeks and months then I can count. Those hours of studying were hours not spent with my family, so I refused to squander them and even make failure an option. I passed my second of two exams in May that my job required and then decided to go one step further and sought out a professional designation just for me. I passed that exam on the first try too.<br />
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However, I didn't just flourish in a professional sense. This year felt like the first in Chuck's and my married life where we made momentum toward our financial goals. "Broke" has been the name of our game since we met in 2010 (no thanks to my student loans). We're not exactly making it rain, but when I look back at all the financial progress we made just in the last year, for the first time it feels like the end might actually be in sight.<br />
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If you read my <a href="https://www.beeautifulblessings.com/2019/12/the-state-of-family-address.html">The State of the Family</a> post then you know that our biggest goal right now as a family is becoming debt-free. We still have a long way to go, but in 2019 we rid ourselves of <b>ALL</b> our credit card and medical debt! This felt like such a huge win and a great boost to our morale. Getting rid of those pesky smaller debts made us feel like our debt snowball was finally gaining momentum!<br />
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<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Recap of my 2019 financial goals</h3>
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Last year was the first year I shared about our debt-free journey because last year was the first year we were actually working toward it and not just prolonging it. Becoming a two-income family again was a game-changer and so we got right to work. You can read more about our <a href="https://www.beeautifulblessings.com/2019/12/the-state-of-family-address.html">2018 Debt Payoff</a>, but the abbreviated version is that in 2018 we paid a total of $30,500 toward our collective debt with the largest category being our mortgage at 32%. I also made the following goals for 2019:<br />
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<b style="color: lime; font-style: italic; text-decoration-line: line-through;">GOAL 1: </b><b style="color: lime; font-style: italic; text-decoration-line: line-through;">Improve my credit score by 5%</b><b style="color: lime; font-style: italic;"> </b>After a lot of fluctuation over the year I ended with a total increase of 8% (only 5 points difference) from January 1- December 31, 2019.</div>
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<b><span style="color: red;">GOAL 2: </span></b><b><span style="color: red;">Pay off my auto loan.</span> </b>Unfortunately, I have about $1,700 left until it's paid in full, but I'm eight months ahead of schedule!</div>
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<span style="color: red;"><b>GOAL 3: </b><b>Save up enough to buy a minivan in cash.</b></span> This was definitely my least impressive goal. I am not a naturally good saver which is something I'm really trying to work on. I'm going to need a new car in 2020, so it's time to kick this goal into overdrive!</div>
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<b><span style="color: lime;"><i><strike>GOAL 4: </strike></i></span></b><b><span style="color: lime;"><i><strike>Pay off remaining credit card debt.</strike></i></span> </b>Complete in May!</div>
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<i style="text-decoration-line: line-through;"><span style="color: lime;"><b>GOAL 5: </b><b>Pay off remaining medical debt.</b></span></i> Complete in July!</div>
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<h3 style="text-align: left;">
<b>So, how'd we do in 2019?</b></h3>
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Last year, we paid a total of <b>$37,250</b> (a 22% increase from last year) toward debt! Check out the breakdown:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhohKeet1_Ptk7IWlxn2I288_tpiKx5xPgn5GVyQd5InC6DIcX3TqRMD7xG8j3Fe8a2UN1Efj9CjEXqUExC9cUGFZrZW9jkBgONLoA9PnnW9v-8GxIm1MZNuaE-U-QMSwKsBzchca-o4ws/s1600/2019+Debt+Paid.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="658" data-original-width="784" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhohKeet1_Ptk7IWlxn2I288_tpiKx5xPgn5GVyQd5InC6DIcX3TqRMD7xG8j3Fe8a2UN1Efj9CjEXqUExC9cUGFZrZW9jkBgONLoA9PnnW9v-8GxIm1MZNuaE-U-QMSwKsBzchca-o4ws/s1600/2019+Debt+Paid.png" /></a></div>
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It's so interesting to me to see the category changes from the prior year. This year our mortgage only accounted for 24.5% of our total debt paid as we shifted funds to payoff those annoying smaller debts and get our debt snowball rolling.<br />
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One of the best things I did this year that contributed to our success was nailing down my own personal zero-based budgeting approach to paying our bills (which is a Dave Ramsey term that means every dollar is budgeted until you're left with zero dollars). Chuck and I get paid on alternating Fridays which is <i>so</i> awesome for helping me manage our finances. Using a combination of Word, Google Calendar and Google Sheets, every week I budget for our weekly expenses- gas, groceries, and childcare. Then, I pay all of the next month's bills and minimum payments and apply whatever is leftover toward our smallest debt. Because Chuck's earnings fluctuate with his commission, I've found this to be the most helpful way of staying on top of our debt payoff goals. The <a href="https://www.creditkarma.com/dashboard">Credit Karma</a> app has also been a game-changer for keeping me encouraged. It updates weekly and even if my score doesn't change, my open balances total continues to decrease which makes me so happy.<br />
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This is the first year in a long time where I don't anticipate any huge changes to our family life (knock on wood!). We don't foresee accruing any new debt and fingers crossed that our household income will only continue to increase! With that in mind, here are my five financial goals for 2020:<br />
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5 Financial Goals for 2020</h3>
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<b>GOAL #1: Payoff my auto loan.</b> This is obviously a carryover from 2019, but is definitely doable within the first few months of the year. Once my current car is paid off, I'll begin the hunt for a new one!<br />
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<b>GOAL #2: Purchase a new car.</b> I've got it narrowed down to two different vehicles, so it will ultimately depend on my savings and local vehicle inventory.<br />
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<b>GOAL #3: Payoff a student loan</b>. This will require some discipline, but it's within reach for my smallest loan.<br />
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<b>GOAL #4:</b> <b>Payoff personal debt.</b> We have a couple small miscellaneous debts that won't take more than a month or two to knock out.<br />
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<b>GOAL #5: Cash flow our family trip</b>. One of my best friends is getting married in May and I'm going to be a bridesmaid! Since we got rid of our credit cards for good, we're cash flowing the wedding expenses and trip to Maryland. We're also planning on adding a quick detour to our itinerary to take the boys to DC for the first time!<br />
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If you made it to the end, you must be a debt-free nerd like me! Obviously, finance has become a huge part of my life in the last two years and I can't wait to continue to <i>flourish</i> in 2020.<br />
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<b>What are your financial goals for the next decade?!</b></div>
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Kaity B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11121029548598878286noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1269431956658509659.post-28043940939518840772019-12-12T18:52:00.002-05:002019-12-12T19:17:41.442-05:00The State of the Family Address<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Disclaimer: Before I dive into the topic at hand, there is a LOT I have to catch up on. Today's post is <u>not</u> that. Catch-up post is coming soon!</span></i></div>
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A couple of days ago I posted a picture on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/beeautifulblessings/">my Instagram</a> "oversharing" that after months, nay <i>years,</i> of conversation, Chuck and I had finally reached a decision on the current state (and future) of our family. However, my lack of pronouncement about what that decision actually was led to quite a few people scratching their heads and privately messaging me along the lines of, <i>"Umm...care to elaborate?"</i> To all the people I left utterly confused, my apologies. I was reluctant to come right out and say it because up until now it feels like we've gone back and forth and changed our mind no less than a hundred times.<br />
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However, I feel okay sharing here and now because this time feels different. Without getting into some heavy theological tangent, this past year has been a big one for my faith. I've been praying more and listening more. And not too long ago, I prayed and God listened. I prayed for clarity and my prayer was answered. I texted Chuck the next morning and he was on the complete same page.</div>
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You see, for the last couple years we've been really torn about adding more children to our family. Once we had Crosby, we declared <a href="https://www.beeautifulblessings.com/2017/03/were-done-having-kids.html">We're Done Having Kids</a>. And we meant it. I gave away all of our baby clothes to some fellow boy Mamas and made mental pro and con lists about the perks of keeping our family limited to two miniature Stuckerts. We didn't feel like our financial footing was solid enough to bring another baby into the family. We didn't want to go through another round of pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding. And quite frankly, we were scared to sacrifice our mental sanity because the first two years after Crosby was born were a complete shit show. </div>
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We had a million reasons why it made sense to remain a family of four. And yet, there was this tugging at my heartstrings. My head made peace with the current makeup of our family, but my heart stubbornly refused to get on board. Not to mention, the sheer volume of testosterone in our house was making me desperately yearn for a baby girl. </div>
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So, for the last year or so we've gone back and forth- <b><i>do we follow our heads or follow our hearts?</i></b> One day we would be responsible grown-ups and decide we were content with being a two-child family. And then the next day, I'd be overcome by a vision of Christmases down the road where three or more Stuckerts came home to spend the holidays together- and suddenly we were planning to try for another baby. This was our pattern for <i>months</i>.</div>
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Until I prayed, and God answered. </div>
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Before I ever gave birth. Before I got married. Before I even met Chuck, I wanted to pursue international adoption. At the height of our financial despair it seemed completely out of reach and unrealistic for us. But we've been incredibly diligent in the last year and have made some serious momentum with our <a href="https://www.beeautifulblessings.com/2019/01/financial-check-in-2018-debt-paid-and.html">Debt Snowball</a>. We feel like a debt-free life could actually be within reach for us within the next 3-5 years. And we really don't want to put that on hold and take on the <i>additional</i> expenses that a third child would entail. </div>
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<b>So, what's the plan?</b></h3>
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Finally, the part where I tell you our life's plan! I feel silly even posting this because putting a plan in print is a foolproof way to make sure it never comes to fruition. However, Chuck and I have decided that while we don't think our family is "complete" we feel very confident that we're done with the baby-making stage. </div>
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What does this look like? It means that for the next 3-5 years we'll continue to be serious about becoming debt-free and getting rid of all my outstanding student loans for good. Once we're debt-free, we can start applying all that freed up income toward saving for adoption expenses. We're well aware of how costly international adoption can be. Thankfully, my employer is one of the best in the nation in terms of supporting working families and they offer a sizable adoption reimbursement program. It could potentially cut our expenses in half! </div>
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Obviously, we don't know who our future children will be, but we have a good idea of what area of the world they'll be born into. And we also still haven't given up hope of a Girl Stuckert joining the family.</div>
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So, there you have it- the Stuckert Family Plan. We know what they say about, "If you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans," but we feel a deep and abiding peace about this path and will be working our tails off to make it happen!<br />
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Kaity B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11121029548598878286noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1269431956658509659.post-53503027077994016202019-09-05T05:00:00.000-04:002019-09-05T05:00:04.108-04:00Dear Crosby (On Your 3rd Birthday)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Dear Crosby,<br />
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Today is your third birthday and I simply cannot believe my baby boy is no longer a baby. In fact, you adamantly refute the label every time by shouting, <i>“I not a baby! I’m Crosby!”</i> I swore, the first year and a half after your birth felt like the longest span of time in my life. Having you and your brother so close together was hard work for Mommy and Daddy. Of course, now that this day has come, I’m not quite sure where the time has gone.<br />
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In the past year, you have shed your baby fat and become a little human to be reckoned with. It seems everything that Charlie managed to avoid in his twos and threes, you’ve been determined to let us experience. You have just about the loudest and most terrifying scream ever. Thankfully, you’re very good at calming yourself down when it gets a little out of hand.<br />
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From the moment of <a href="https://www.beeautifulblessings.com/2016/09/crosbys-birth-story.html">your (late) arrival</a> to this world, you’ve wanted nothing more than to be held by your Mama. I affectionately refer to you as my “koala baby” because you’ve always preferred to cling to me versus anything else. I’ve never been much for physical affection, but you slowly turned me into a cuddlebug. These days, I’m finding myself seeking YOU out for hugs!<br />
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Little one, you are as sweet as they come and everyone who knows you falls head over heels for your adorable temperament. We named you “Crosby” because we wanted your name to reflect your Daddy's and my mutual love of music. Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young is one of your Mommy’s favorite bands so the name just stuck. It would seem that your name was a self-fulfilling prophecy because you have delighted in music your entire life. You love dance parties with Mommy and jamming out on your guitar and djembe any time we have music playing in the house.<br />
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You are so much like your Daddy it blows us away. You have his lips, his “Stuckert brow,” and his huge-hearted personality. Your life has given me the gift of better understanding the man I married 7 years ago. I’m so thankful for that.<br />
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Crosby, I know that being 20 months younger than your big brother will bring its challenges. You are destined to a life of hand-me-downs and trying to keep up. But here is what I know about you- you will not for one second let it get you down. You have the most adventurous, down-for-anything zeal for life that is completely unmatched. Charlie may have been the first, but you my love, are the piece that makes our puzzle complete. I can’t imagine life without your light in the world.<br />
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Your Daddy and I love you more than we can say. Enjoy Year 3, my love. You are bound for tremendous and wonderful things!<br />
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Love,<br />
Mommy<br />
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Kaity B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11121029548598878286noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1269431956658509659.post-84375942775920468312019-08-20T19:37:00.002-04:002019-08-21T09:28:18.642-04:00The Loneliness of "Boy Mom" Life<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Growing up, my younger sister and I would spend our summer breaks living with my Grandma in New Jersey for three months. We’d help out around her family business, take frequent trips to the library, and eat out for nearly every meal. For one weekend of that summer, our aunt (who had two boys of her own) would scoop us up for some girl time. Our days were spent swimming and doing arts and crafts. She would spoil us with whatever junk food we wanted, drive-in movies and back-to-school shopping.<br />
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We lived for those weekends and in retrospect, I can’t believe how lucky we were to have an aunt who just genuinely loved hanging out with “the girls.” In hindsight I also see the situation differently as a mom of two boys myself. I think my aunt needed that time with the girls just as much as we did. Because I’ve been finding something as of late- #BoyMom life carries with it a unique sort of loneliness.<br />
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For months (maybe even years now?), Chuck and I have frequently gone back and forth about whether we want to have a third child. The window of time for us to decide is growing smaller and smaller if we don’t want an awkwardly large age gap between our hypothetical middle and youngest children. And yet, we legitimately cannot figure out what our family should look like. I’ve found myself frustrated by the conventional wisdom that says if you’re meant to have another child “you just know.” Or the cliche that asks you to picture what you want your family to look like in 5, 10, 20 years…The truth is, I have no idea!<br />
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We love the idea of Chuck being a “girl Daddy.” (He would be <i>the best</i>). However, it’s vastly outweighed by the cons of four more years of childcare expenses, the agony of pregnancy and childbirth, and pushing back the timeline on our career and financial goals. Not to mention, we feel like we’re barely keeping our heads above water with these two insane children- I can’t even imagine the stress of trying to juggle three!<br />
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Chuck and I were in tears discussing it for the zillionth time a couple evenings ago, because we’re so dang burnt out and exhausted right now. And I came to realize something. I don’t know that I actually want a third child. I think I just want a daughter.<br />
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Only having ever had a sister, boys are basically a new species. Everything about boys is new to me and I have found so much joy in the journey. My boys are the most kind, silly, tender-hearted, smart, inquisitive, and hilarious beings I’ve ever had the privilege to know and love. But some days the endless litany of wrestling and poop jokes overwhelms me and I question whether I’m cut out for this. "Tom boy” is not a term anyone has ever used to describe me. My childhood was spent playing Barbies with my sister or with my nose in a book. The sheer physicality of boyhood feels like too much sometimes and I wish I had a female in the house to balance out all of the testosterone.<br />
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I want a girl.<br />
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But I don’t know if I want a girl enough to take the chance of a house filled with three boys. International adoption is something I always thought I would do someday, and Chuck and I are leaving that door open for the future. But right now, I'm just trying to find peace in the occasional loneliness of being a boy Mama.<br />
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Kaity B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11121029548598878286noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1269431956658509659.post-81173150581866582082019-08-19T20:45:00.002-04:002019-08-19T20:45:29.403-04:00Charlie's First Day of Pre-K (and Other Mommy Blogger Musings)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYlT4mfFNIAMmapPXJbAM0wp5T8Y_-R-DCdeXzAYD8z2ncPvHRZezGzjxMPdlHlkasr0SCtj5_DC-74mLYVkt39bV54VxT4NC6n0rl8KLdQi50MVfTk8ilJzeHIT8fVe3GWG41QYzuv5M/s1600/Charlie+Pre-K.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1176" data-original-width="784" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYlT4mfFNIAMmapPXJbAM0wp5T8Y_-R-DCdeXzAYD8z2ncPvHRZezGzjxMPdlHlkasr0SCtj5_DC-74mLYVkt39bV54VxT4NC6n0rl8KLdQi50MVfTk8ilJzeHIT8fVe3GWG41QYzuv5M/s1600/Charlie+Pre-K.png" /></a></div>
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A little bit of real talk before I launch into an ode to how adorable my child is. Since I went back to work full-time last June, it would be an understatement to say I've let this blog become a little neglected. It wasn't an intentional choice; just something that had to slide off my plate to make room for everything else going on in life.<br />
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I don't know if you know this or not, but toddlers are <b><i>a lot</i></b>. Chuck and I have been feeling a little burnt out lately. They say that comparison is the thief of joy, so I try to find contentedness and gratitude in what truly and genuinely is a very fortunate and happy life. However, in my less "Pollyanna" moments I look to my friends who have children around the same age whose parents are able help with childcare and the little green monster of envy gets stirred up in me. That's not a slight toward our boys' grandparents because I know if they could, they would. It just wears on you to be in parenting mode all the time (and the cost of childcare can be tough pill to swallow!)<br />
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All of that to say, that blogging has moved down my list of priorities and I've spent a lot of time thinking about why I don't want to let this space go, even if it's rarely used these days. I think I've narrowed it down to two things: 1. I suck at scrapbooking, so this weird little online space is essentially my kids' baby book, and 2. Writing is just a part of my genetic makeup. I feel like I simply don't know how to exist in this world without it.<br />
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So, if you like to follow along with my pretty mundane little life- I've got good news for you, I'm not going anywhere. Whether you'll be receiving more regular content any time soon is probably a crap shoot. I'm not in a season where that feels doable yet, but who knows- I may get there soon.<br />
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But I digress...my firstborn started Pre-K! Last year, Charlie attended a 2-day/week preschool at the local Methodist church. It was a sweet little program, but it required a lot of coordinating transportation logistics which was an annoying stressor in our life that I was all too ready to give up. Our local school district has a Pre-K program in which kids can ride the bus with school-aged kids, so that was really all I needed to know.<br />
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The program is made up of 2/3 students with special needs and 1/3 typically developing students. On top of the provided transportation, I really liked the idea of Charlie attending school with some of his special needs peers. On top of having a Grandpa who was disabled for twenty years, our boys' also have two sweet cousins on the autism spectrum. I want my boys' to be surrounded by other kids who are differently abled. I never thought much about my Dad's disability while he was alive because he was just my Dad. I didn't think of him as "a disabled person." However, since his death I've spent some time meditating on ways in which I can be a better advocate for children and adults with special needs and/or disabilities. I don't have any real answers yet, but this feels like a start.<br />
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His first day was last Wednesday and after a couple days of transportation issues, I think we finally got him on a bus schedule that works for him and his sitter. He hasn't told me nearly anything about how he spends his days, but I know that he <i>loves </i>riding the bus with the big kids! And Mommy loves that his school has an app where his teacher sends pictures and classroom updates so I have some semblance of knowledge of what he's doing four mornings per week!<br />
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Once we've gotten these first couple weeks under our collective family belt, we're also going to be enrolling him in a boys' tumbling class. This kid never stops moving and loves to do flips so it seems like the perfect fit. Mommy is excited for him to burn off some of that energy and learn a fun new skill!<br />
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On top of that, our Crosby Loren turns 3 in less than three weeks! It may take me another month to draft a post, but definitely stay tuned for my little Ninja Turtle's birthday celebration!</div>
Kaity B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11121029548598878286noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1269431956658509659.post-62819825021281904272019-07-30T19:09:00.002-04:002019-07-30T19:09:58.559-04:00The Time I (Didn't) Run a Half Marathon<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
For awhile, I've had a <a href="https://www.beeautifulblessings.com/2018/05/32-before-32.html">bucket list goal </a> to run a half marathon. I've mentioned it several times in different goal-related posts on my blog, but it's been awhile since I've written anything related to my running, so I thought it'd be fun to record for posterity.<br />
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Running has been a pretty big part of my life for the last two years. I've never been athletic or someone who enjoys going to the gym, so running has always been my fallback way to stay moderately healthy. I ran track in high school. At the time, I took it for granted and misused my time to hang out with the "wrong crowd." Looking back 15+ years later, I'm really glad that I participated because I think it helped in conditioning me and setting me up for fitness success as I've gotten older.<br />
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The last time I ran in a legitimate race was 2014. My employer at the time was sponsoring employees to run the Capital City Half/Quarter Marathon & 5k in Columbus as part of an HR initiative. I trained for a couple months and successfully ran the 6.55 miles having just found out that I was pregnant with Charlie. Once the race was over and childbirth became my new "marathon," I gave up on running for awhile. I ran a 5k when Charlie was 3 months old (#FirstTimeMom) and then I may have done a sporadic treadmill run here and there, but no real training of any kind.<br />
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Last year began my foray into actual half marathon training. The combination of my Dad's scary and traumatic health complications and my need for some mental sanity in balancing stay-at-home motherhood and my part-time jobs led me to seek out running again. Last July, I signed up for my first-ever Half Marathon- the 1/2 Way to Christmas Half Marathon in Dayton. In the months leading up to it, I was doing a long-distance run every weekend and 2-3 short-distance runs during the week. I felt great and was completely prepared to run my first 13.1 mile race. Unfortunately, at the last-minute something came up at one of my jobs and I wasn't able to run my race.<br />
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Although I was fortunate that the race organizers let me defer my registration until the following year, my motivation took a big blow. I had just started my new full-time job, was studying for my professional exams and once I no longer had a race to train for running stopped being a priority. The silver lining was that I now had a race to train for in 2019.<br />
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So, with my Christmas-themed race scheduled for Saturday, July 20, 2019 I began my training about three months ago while on my April stay-cation. It was more half-assed than I'd like to admit. I didn't do any weekday runs, but committed to a long-distance run every weekend. I pulled off some 8-mile runs in May and into June, and then in July I ran my first 10-mile run in over a year. It wasn't easy and my legs were jello by Mile 9, but I felt as ready as I could hope to be for my first half marathon.<br />
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The week approached and it seemed that every time I checked the weather the temperature crept up another degree. Two days before the race, the organizers sent out an email saying that due to the excessive heat warning they were adjusting the course to keep everyone close to the start line in case of a medical emergency. They also provided the option for anyone to "downgrade" their half marathon registration to the 10k option. I weighed my options and decided to swallow my disappointment in another lost half marathon opportunity and made the smart choice to run the 10k instead.<br />
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I woke up at 4:00 AM on race day. I like having a long, slow start on my long-distance run mornings where I have time to slowly drink my coffee, hydrate, eat a light breakfast, and use the bathroom upwards of 5 times (only a slight exaggeration). I drove to the race and discovered that the 10k started an hour after the half marathon so I killed time in my car and continued to hydrate. By the time I took off at the starting line I had to pee terribly. Thankfully, there were Porta Potties at the Mile 2 marker. I made a mad-dash and once I'd emptied my bladder, I was good to go.<br />
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The course was a down-and-back so the first two miles through a field in full sun were also the last two miles in full sun. Suffice to say, it was HOT. The heat was oppressive and I was one of the few runners who actually ran the entirety of the full-sun section of the course. I made use of every aid station for water and Gatorade and fought the urge to walk because I just wanted to be done. The last 100 yards, I channeled my inner high school track kid and sprinted my little heart out finishing the 6.2 mile course in 1:10:40 (11:23 pace, in case anyone actually cares about that sort of thing).<br />
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I felt really good at the conclusion of the race. Compared to the 8 and 10 mile runs I had trained for, 6 felt remarkably easy. I recognized that due to the heat (and my inexperience) I was really glad I chose to run the 10k instead. First, because I genuinely don't know if I could have finished 13.1 miles. Secondly, because even if I had miraculously finished, I would have been miserable and useless for the rest of the day. Instead, I drove home after my run, swung by the farmers' market, and then had a huge post-race breakfast at Bob Evans with my guys. Not bad for a Saturday morning.<br />
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I would still like to run a half marathon, so after my 10k experience, I signed up for a half in October. The race is an all-women's event in Cincinnati called the <a href="http://queenbeehalf.com/">Queen Bee Half Marathon</a> and I'm really excited for the combination of estrogen and race-day adrenaline!<br />
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I feel as though I've finally arrived at the place where I enjoy running. It always takes a little while to get there, but it's done wonders for me both physically and mentally. Running is the perfect activity for my inner perfectionist- giving me the opportunity to always be working toward self-improvement. It gives me the solitary time I crave as an introverted Mom of two <i>very</i> noisy toddlers. And it genuinely makes me feel closer to my Daddy (who <a href="https://www.beeautifulblessings.com/2018/11/hes-up-there-playing-his-music.html">passed away in October</a>). I feel as though every run I complete is honoring my Dad's physical struggles and I can feel him right alongside of me.<br />
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I don't know if my October half marathon will be a one-and-done kind of thing, or if I'll commit to running them with some kind of regularity. But I do know I want to continue running- whatever that looks like- for many years to come. </div>
Kaity B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11121029548598878286noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1269431956658509659.post-67740305596710698702019-07-11T15:15:00.001-04:002019-07-11T15:15:27.912-04:00Life Lately v9 (Or, Anything to Distract Myself from the Fact that my Family has Lice)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
This post has been brewing for a few weeks now, but honestly it's been so long since I last hit "publish," that I've really struggled with where to begin. I feel like there's so much ground to cover that I haven't even known where to start. Well, who woulda thunk that it would be a case of <i><b>head lice</b> </i>that brought me back to my blogging roots?<br />
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That's right- my parenting nightmare became a reality when I realized yesterday evening that there were in fact tiny little creatures skittering through Crosby's and my hair. <i>*shudders*</i> I spent upwards of four hours scrubbing, shampooing, and combing through all our hair. I managed to go through the entirety of my childhood without getting it, but ah yes, the joys of motherhood. I promise, I'm really trying not to be overly negative or dramatic about this- but head lice is one of my biggest irrational fears and I cannot even tell you how much I'm freaking out right now. So much so, that I used a sick day (that I do not have to spare because it seems like my children are literally always sick) to stay home and wash every last linen and article of clothing in our house.<br />
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So, while I sit here in my freshly laundered bed suffering from phantom itches all over my body, I figured I'd do something relatively productive with my downtime (anything to distract myself!) and publish the post that has been a long time coming.<br />
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<b>LIFE LATELY (v9)</b></h3>
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When last I left off at the beginning of the year, I was spending my cold, winter months trapped inside <a href="https://www.beeautifulblessings.com/2019/01/what-i-wore-on-marie-kondo-my-latest.html">organizing my house and attempting to upgrade my wardrobe</a>. I shared that I was still in full-on study mode at work and that Chuck and I were going back and forth on <a href="https://www.beeautifulblessings.com/2019/02/life-lately-v8.html">whether we wanted to have another child</a>. In March, Crosby celebrated his half birthday so I threw together a quick <a href="https://www.beeautifulblessings.com/2019/03/crosby-2-half-birthday-interview.html">2.5-year interview</a> post. And then I checked in on some <a href="https://www.beeautifulblessings.com/2019/04/32-before-32-one-year-check-in.html">bucket list goals</a>.<br />
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Now here we are, over two months later and my blog is like a desolate, Mommy blogger wasteland. Allow me to catch you up to speed...<br />
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<b>HEALTH & FITNESS</b></div>
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I felt like we spent so much of our Spring just battling sickness. We had two bouts of strep, a couple ear infections and other assorted ailments. It's remarkable how you can be the healthiest person in the world and as soon as kids enter the picture, it's game over.<br />
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On a more positive note though, I'm back at it with half marathon training (Version 2.0). You may remember that <a href="https://www.beeautifulblessings.com/2018/05/a-little-running-update.html">I trained last year</a> and at the last minute wasn't able to run due to some unfortunate circumstances outside of my control. Thankfully, I was able to defer my race registration until the following year. Which sounded like a great idea at the time, but now it means I actually have to be able to run 13+ miles <b>NEXT WEEKEND</b>. Eek! I'll be honest, I haven't been as motivated as I was last year, BUT I've managed a couple 8-mile runs which gives me hope that I might actually be able to pull this off. Now, I'm just praying that this Ohio humidity takes a hike!<br />
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<b>STAY-CATION: 2019</b></div>
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Since I've been actively saving up to <a href="https://www.beeautifulblessings.com/2019/01/19-goals-in-2019.html">buy a minivan in cash</a>, we knew there was no way we could swing a vacation this year. Instead, I made my birthday week in April a Staycation week. While I devoted my week to studying for my professional exam, scrubbing every square inch of our home, and all the other house projects I haven't had time for, our handyman friend Dale spent the week installing a window in our upstairs spare room that will eventually become Charlie's big boy bedroom. It's been a really slow process because working full-time with two toddlers doesn't lend itself well to getting projects accomplished, but as we're currently in a season of bed-sharing right now, I honestly don't think the boys are ready to sleep in their own rooms anyway. I'm hopeful that the timing will fall right into place. (This picture doesn't look like anything special, but just try to imagine what the side of our house looked like prior without the second story window):<br />
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<b>WORK</b></div>
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I think I've only mentioned it a few thousand times, but I spent basically all of the past year studying for two professional exams. I passed the first in December, and then sat for the second in May. I am so happy that I passed because let me tell you- all that cramming was <i>brutal</i>. This is the first summer since becoming a Mom in which I haven't had a job that requires me to work on Saturdays, so I have been relishing all of this free time to spend with my kiddos. I've been doing a lot more reading, trips to the farmers' market and church on Sundays these last few months. I will probably study to obtain a professional designation at the end of the year/beginning of next year. But for now, I'm giving myself a much-needed break!<br />
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<b>THE FAM</b><br />
I am absolutely delighting in my boys these days. While their physical energy leaves me in a perpetual state of exhaustion, they are still so much darn fun. Charlie is 4.5 and Crosby will be three in less than 2 months! Crosby is talking more and more and is honing his sense of humor. He is silly, still affectionate as ever, and copies every little thing his big brother does. Charlie is becoming a big boy before our eyes- he went to summer day camp for the first time this year and <i>loved </i>it. Although it rained the entire week, he didn't know the difference and was completely reluctant to leave every evening at pick-up. He starts Pre-K next year and is bursting to be able to ride the school bus and points out his new school every time we pass it. I adore his personality and just love spending time with him. They're both the very best and I couldn't possibly love them more.<br />
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<b>SUMMER</b></div>
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Our summer has been so much fun. It's been very laidback, but we've managed to fit in some stellar friend and family time. Chuck's brother was remarried in June and it was the boys' first wedding. They TORE UP the dance floor and we all had the time of our lives. The weekend of July 4th, my Mom came to visit on her three-wheeler. We had to be on "back door watch" because all these little toddlers wanted to do was go outside and sit on Grandma's motorcycle! We also took them to a friend's house for a July 4th party where Charlie proceeded to take up residence in the pond and basically had to be dragged out. He was a little wary last year, so I was so impressed by my eager little fishy! We don't have too much else planned for the summer except a Labor Day trip up to NY. Chuck and I will be attending a friend's wedding while the boys go camping with Grandma and Grandpa.<br />
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I think that about gets us up to speed on life with the Stuckerts! I haven't had much desire to blog lately because I was so burnt out from studying and wanted no part in anything that felt remotely like "work." But I have missed it. And even if it is a dying art, this blog has been with me for over a decade now and bears witness to the best moments of my life. I am in no hurry to say goodbye. So stay tuned, hopefully I'll be back with some more regular content- including some updates on our finances, the books I've been reading and loving and other beeautiful, mundane stuff!</div>
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<i><b>Since it's been awhile, I'd love to know who (if anyone) is still reading this blog. Leave a comment and tell me all about your summer!</b></i></div>
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Kaity B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11121029548598878286noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1269431956658509659.post-77859277916007908802019-04-26T06:00:00.000-04:002019-04-26T10:53:11.667-04:0032 BEFORE 32: One-Year Check-In<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Happy Birthday to me, Happy Birthday to meeeeee! Today is my 31st birthday and you can absolutely tell I am officially in my 30's by how I've chosen to spend my week. Since we're saving up for a minivan, we won't be taking a vacation this year. I decided the best use of my vacation time would be to take a birthday Stay-cation and do all of the house projects that I never have the time for.<br />
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So, all this week I've been dropping the boys off at daycare and returning home to clean out my basement and garage, scrub all my floors, do some painting, study for my upcoming test- all of the things that I never have the time to do as a full-time working mom. And let me tell you, it's been <i>glorious</i>.<br />
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I know that with young kids, you have to lower your expectations for the cleanliness level of your home, but the truth is- I <i>like</i> a clean house. A chaotic, messy house = a chaotic, messy mind for me. So while it probably doesn't sound very exciting to most- it's been a huge blessing to me!<br />
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Since today is the day I turn the big 3-1, I figured it was a good time to check in on my 32 Before 32 goals:<br />
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32 Before 32: A 2-Year Bucket List</h2>
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<b>1. Take an international trip</b><br />
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<b>2. Host a foreign exchange student</b><br />
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<b>3. Pay off a student loan</b><br />
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<strike style="font-weight: bold;">4. Return to work full-time</strike> | <i><b><span style="color: lime;">COMPLETE!</span></b> (June 4, 2018)</i><br />
<b><br /></b><b>5. Visit a new state</b><br />
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<b>6. Convert attic to a fourth bedroom </b>|<b> </b><span style="color: orange;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">IN PROGRESS!</i> </span>This is literally happening as we speak. Part of my Stay-cation goals were to have our handyman friend Dale finally install a window in our spare, attic room as a bedroom for Charlie. He finished all the exterior work, and is now working on the interior. I have such a cute vision for this space and I can't wait to share it when it's finished! You can see "before" pictures of the room <a href="http://www.beeautifulblessings.com/2017/02/boys-bedroom-remodel-inspiration.html">here</a>.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is what my driveway looked like on Monday!</td></tr>
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<b>7<strike>. Take an anniversary trip</strike> | </b><i><b><span style="color: lime;">COMPLETE!</span></b> (September 1, 2018)</i><br />
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<b>8. Adopt a four-legged friend </b><br />
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<b>9. Run a half marathon | </b><i style="color: orange; font-weight: bold;">IN PROGRESS!</i><span style="color: orange;"> </span>As you may or may not remember, I was supposed to run my first half marathon last summer. Due to circumstances outside of my control, I had to cancel the marathon in order to work at our local Farmers' Market. Thankfully, I was able to defer my registration until this year, so training has begun for my Half Marathon in July (and by training I mean I've gone out for <i>one</i> three-mile run. Wish me luck!)<br />
<span style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: 1px;"><br /></span><b><span style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: 1px;">10. </span>Replace our back porch</b><br />
<b><br /></b><b>11. Visit <a href="http://www.beeautifulblessings.com/2013/05/for-frankie.html">Frankie's</a> grave</b><br />
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<b>12. Attend a cooking class</b><br />
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<b>13. Pay off all credit cards (2/3)</b><span style="color: orange; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"> </span>| <span style="color: orange; font-style: italic; font-weight: 700;">IN PROGRESS </span>Our <i style="font-weight: bold;">last</i> credit card will be paid off next month, which means our family will have <b>ZERO DOLLARS</b> in credit card debt. This also may not seem like a big deal to some people, but this will be the first time this has happened in our married life and we have no desire to go back to our impulsive, debt-filled days!<br />
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<b>14. Renovate our kitchen</b><br />
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<b>15. Get a fourth tattoo</b><br />
<b><br /></b><b>16. Take a family camping trip </b><br />
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<b>17. Update my wardrobe | </b><span style="color: orange; font-style: italic; font-weight: 700;">IN PROGRESS </span>Since starting at my current job back in June, I've been slowly using <a href="https://www.stitchfix.com/invite/kaitystuckert">Stitch Fix</a> to upgrade my lacking professional wardrobe. I generally only get 1-2 new pieces per month so it's been a slow and steady journey to creating <a href="http://www.beeautifulblessings.com/2019/01/what-i-wore-on-marie-kondo-my-latest.html">a closet fit for a grown-up</a>!<br />
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<b><strike>18. Add a railing to our front porch</strike> </b>| <i><b><span style="color: lime;">COMPLETE!</span></b> (October 23, 2018) </i><br />
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<b>19. Try 10 new restaurants</b> <b>(2/10) <i><span style="color: orange;">IN PROGRESS</span> </i></b>| We really haven't done much eating out in the last year. I think there's things, especially house things, that we'd rather spend our money on.<br />
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<b><strike>20. Enroll Charlie in preschool</strike></b><i> </i>| <i><b><span style="color: lime;">COMPLETE!</span></b> (June 2018) </i>He graduates next month!<br />
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<b>21. Landscape our front yard</b><br />
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<b>22. Meet a blogging friend</b><br />
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<b><strike>23. Plan something for Chuck's 30th birthday</strike> </b>| <i><b><span style="color: lime;">COMPLETE!</span></b> (April 15, 2019) </i>Chuck celebrated his 30th birthday last week by taking a weekend trip to visit his sister in Kansas City, MO. It required very little planning on my part, but it was what he wanted, so we were both happy. On his actual birthday, I picked up a Chocolate Peanut Butter cake from a cute little bakery that recently opened in our town and had pizza delivered. It was a low-key, simple way to celebrate my low-key, simple man!<br />
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<b>24. Purchase a minivan | </b><b><i><span style="color: orange;">IN PROGRESS </span></i></b>Saving, saving, saving! We're nowhere near close to where we want to be, but we're working on it!<br />
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<b><strike>25. Take a photography class</strike> | </b><i><b><span style="color: lime;">COMPLETE!</span></b> (January 2019) </i>Our family photographer offered an Intro to Photography class and I was so excited to kick off the new year by completing an item on my bucket list. It wound up being just the two of us and I was so appreciative of the time we spent together. I haven't had much time to practice, but at the very least, I can now take pictures in manual mode!<br />
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<b>26. Pay off all medical bills from Crosby's birth (1/3) </b><span style="color: orange; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">IN PROGRESS </span>We are so stinkin' close to being paid off- just in time for Crosby's third birthday... *eyeroll*<br />
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<b>27. Run a race in 3 different states (0/3)</b><br />
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<b>28. Visit the <a href="https://www.americansignmuseum.org/">American Sign Museum</a></b><br />
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<b>29. Paint and finish decorating our master bedroom </b><b><i><span style="color: orange;">IN PROGRESS</span> </i></b>| It's pretty much done after I painted it last August, but it does need some new curtains. Once I get those hung up, I'll hopefully get around to sharing on the blog!<br />
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<b>30. Take the boys to an amusement park</b><br />
<b><br /></b><b>31. Visit Old Man's Cave in Hocking Hills</b><br />
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<b><strike>32. Attend a concert</strike> </b>| <i><b><span style="color: lime;">COMPLETE!</span></b> (July 13, 2018) </i><br />
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Honestly, I've accomplished more than I anticipated I would. Not a bad way to spend the first year of my 30's!</div>
Kaity B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11121029548598878286noreply@blogger.com0