One-Word Epiphany

This year's Epiphany was a good deal harder to meet than last year's. Last year on January 15, Jon received the job offer that was to bring us into our new life in Pueblo. This year, we had to face up to the fact that our finances were in a fairly grave state. We have more debt than I would like, and less ability to make progress toward repayment than we need. Our month-to-month budget is simply not sustainable, as we've known for some time. It was a sobering few days, after Christmas, when we were beginning January at a significant deficit, when my meager paycheck was halved due to a clerical error (since fixed!) and we still had to come up with the necessary funds to live, and pay the babysitter. 

We took another (generous) family loan, but Jon and I also had to come together to form a plan. I have a job, but since we're paid monthly, it didn't help much with January. We've decided that January will be the crucible which forms our Plan to financial sustainability. I'm not going to say that we hope to become debt free, because our student loans are simply not going to go anywhere until either the government forgives them or our natural death, whichever happens first. But we do need to get our other forms of debt under control. 

I'm laying this all out here because I need to make the statement, for the sake of my own commitment. 2017 is the year of Focus; this is my one word for 2017. I made so many positive strides on my 2016 efforts toward "Health." I'm much healthier, mentally and physically, than I was last year.

For 2017, we have a Plan. The Plan begins with strengthening our communication about finances and parenting, which we think will also have the effect of strengthening our marriage. We have a budget which, if adhered to strictly, will get us through the next few months without having to use credit- or fall behind on payments. This budget is uncomfortable (very simple meals, absolutely no eating out, no alcohol, no non-essential entertainment at all), but so far, we are enacting it. The next stage of the Plan involves me getting a full-time teaching job. I've recently submitted my application for a Colorado license, so here's hoping that gets processed quickly. And if that teaching job does not pay in the summer, I'm going to need a summer job too. 

In the meantime, we are staying Focused and cultivating gratitude in ourselves and in the children. I worked four out of five school days last week, so I'm feeling encouraged on that front. But it's hard to tell your kids "no" so often, from school fundraisers to meals out to pleasure trips. We say daily "help, thanks, wow" prayers in which we always remember to thank God for our house, our dog, and our community. Our daily life really is filled with joy and light! We will stay Focused on the positives and on our gratitude, even as we live out our plan. 

There have been a couple of reasonably significant snowfalls this winter. The kids have been sledding three times already! We were hoping this weekend would be #4, but this system turns out to be mostly rain.... boo. But please enjoy some pictures from the last storm!

The color of these skies is just unearthly

The color of these skies is just unearthly

Koopa absolutely revels in snowy romps.

Koopa loooooves the snow. We've done a lot of off-leash walks lately, since I just cannot run in snow gear or breathe the cold air while I'm exercising.

 The kids are flourishing! Adele's potty training is improving vastly. Both kids are reading independently. They love their schools and both have made good friends there.

 

 Leah sent the kids a gift card to Barnes and Noble, which was just what we needed. Between that and the gift card from Dad to the Cinemark Theaters (we saw Star Wars and Moana and have at least one more outing we can take on that!!), we didn't feel like it was such a lean time after all. 

 

The kids used the gift card to get: Peter Pan, The Wizard of Oz, and Mary Engelbright's Fairy Tales. Miles has finished with Peter Pan, and Adele reads at least one fairy tale to herself each night.

 I really enjoy my job! There is a very positive culture at the School for Arts and Sciences. Students support each other and work together well. I've now worked with all levels except kindergarten. It's been an experience to substitute for first and second graders, but I'm finding lots to enjoy.

I haven't been back to Rochester since May, but Mike Brown has. My old high school (& beyond) friend was back at our alma mater for an RH Singers reunion event and took a picture backstage in the theater at the T. S. Eliot quote I'd painted there my graduation year. I felt like I still had a foot back home, when I saw that it still hasn't been painted over.

-->  We are still in the "exploring" phase.