a whole lotta updates!

Just wanted to do a quick update on life right now on things we are loving, us, and our current favorites.  One day we want to look back and go, oh yeahhh we loved that show or season of life!

Living with B & G 

(or Boppa and Grandma as we've affectionaly dubbed them!)  ...is going great.  We could not have asked for a smoother transition.  Tucker loves the pieces out of Boppa and the feeling is mutual in return!  The other night Boppa had retured from being gone all day and they were both running towords each other with open arms & then hugged.  PRICELESS.  Our most asked question is ...how does it work?  I cook, clean & do laudndry for all five of us.  We buy roughly 85% of the grocerys. Which is working out great.  Then, every once in awhile Boppa will  make dinner and I don't have to cook!!! AMAZING! One other great advantage we are loving right now is leaving to go see a movie or grab ice cream after Tucker goes to bed @ 7:00.   We leave the monitor with B & G. DATE NIGHT! Its also been nice having muscles around, also known as Ryan, to help lift grandma off the ground (which happens more often than not these days) :-(  We are loving this stage of life right now & getting LOTS paid off all due to their generousity. Couple of fun facts we've learned since living here:

Once a farmer, ALWAYS a farmer.  After each rain we always ask how much rain we got because that'll make Boppa's day.

Dancing with the starts.  Oh boy.  Boppa is obsessed :-)  We really believe he thinks he is friends with all of them.  On Monday & Tuesdays night we constantly hear..."OH WOW!"  "grandma, did you see that!?!" 

So funny.

MOPS: 

 Last spring I joined the Story City chapter of MOPS.  It meets every other tuesday for 2 hours.  A fun time to get away with other moms, have a devotional, craft and the best part...time away for your kiddos! 

NCIS:

Ryan & I aren't big TV watchers so when we found one show we liked last winter we netflixed EVERY episode of NCIS.  We are what you call obsessed. :-)  Every Tuesday night like clockwork after we get back from small group you'll find us watching NCIS.  It is our little escape time

Facebook: 

 About a month ago I deactivated my facebook account.  It was either facebook or the blog.  And, lets face it, I love bloging.  It is such a good de-stresser for me.  A visutal scrapbook & ideas and family posts.  A number of months ago I read an article if you say "yes" to one thing, then you are saying "no" to another.  When I started Hickory Park I decided it needed to go.  I didn't want to be caught checking facebook when I had 5 loads of laundry that needed to be done! :-) So, for now I made the choice to simplify life a little.

Appraising:  

 HOLY Cow!  Is going great.  Ryan is roughly 15+ appraisals behind which is becoming very stressful, but we are completely in awe how God has built our business after starting it from scratch roughly 1.5 years ago. Go God, because it is SO because of HIM!  I've been helping drive alot (I'll drive while he works on his laptop) to get comp pictures or go to appointments.  And, tucker gets to come along as well.  Which means we still get some family time in there too.  Ryan is such a great worker for our little family!  There have been a few tears on my end of not getting much qt time with Ryan, so getting in a date night here and there {in the midst of this craziness} has been so beneficial to our marriage!

Hickory Park:

 is going great. Been working there about a month now and roughly working 15-22 hours a week.  The hardest part is not having any days off with Ryan, but we have been trying to sneak an hour or two of quality time in there! The hardest part is walking out the door.  By nature I am wired to be a full time Momma so I'll be glad when this season of life is over.  But, for now its been a HUGE blessing.  It has been awesome to have family right next door to help out with Tucker from time to time!

ISU FOOTBALL:

this fall we've had the opporunity to attend all the home football games courtsey of my Uncle & Aunt Rhoads.  (thanks aunt vickie!!) Its been alot of fun cheering on the cyclones!

LifeGroups:

Tuesday night we lead a small group @ church.  We really cherish all the friendhships we've made and the playdates as well through the weeks! We love our Tuesday nights to get refreshed and redirected to whats really important in life. 

and lastly...but not least TUCKER:  he is our never ending BALL of energy! It is SO fun to see him learn & grow with each month.  He loves to be outside, peek-a-boo, "catch", running after leaves and slides... and has a thing for paint brushes right now.  We love being parents to that kid!

okay, I'm going to stop there!  I just wanted a recap of all the things I've been meaning to post lately!  That is us in a nutshell right now, things are crazy busy, but we are loving this stage of life!

weekend plans {in pictures}

{movie night}

{work}

{Watchin' ISU Football Game}

{Church}

{work}

{pumpkin patch}

then ...

What are your weekend plans?!

October: The Most Critical Month of the Year

I AM:

I am a planner by nature. 

 For better or worse.

Last Saturday I budget planned all the "extra" expese we'd have this December/Christmas.

For Examples:

Christmas Cards & Postage

Extra Baking

Family Gift Budget & a few friends gift Budgets

Small Tenant Gifts & Baked Goods

Extra Eating Out

Toys for Tots

4 Family Members birthdays {including mine}

Cornerstone's Christmas Production

etc...

Then I read this article copied below.

 As I've mentioned numerous times before, we are working our tales off to become debt free and no longer be a slave to the lender.  After reading this article (by Dave Ramsey) I felt I was in the right directions. 

 Check it out. 

 Let me know what you think.

October: The Most Critical Month of the Year

Regardless of your financial standing, October is a critical month for determining how your bank account will look and affect your life over the next few months—and even next year (which, by the way, is less than 90 days away).


Marketers have realized that as we approach the last few months of the year, we tend to let our emotions influence our spending at a new level. What this really means is that they've been carefully studying our habits. They know the value of having thought-out and well-executed plans. Can the same be said of you? Are they ahead of you in their planning?



There are two options—plan or don't plan. The lack of planning in October can really set you back financially and cause stress through the holiday season. Therefore, have a reality check with your money and plan accordingly now before the temptation to overspend is here in full force ... times three. On the flip side, your diligent planning and focus will pay off and set you up for fun times with less money worries!



Even if you have already made Dave's advice work for you by writing down your goals and refocusing on your monthly budget, every month is different and requires your undivided attention once again. And when you throw a full holiday season in the mix, you better believe extra attention is vital!



Because, really, who wants to be paying for Christmas in April? No one.



So before Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas and all the little "emergencies" in between get here, sit down tonight, write down a separate plan for your holiday money, and pinky-swear, spit-shake or whatever you must do to establish that you and your family are committed to this plan. If you've already added this part to your regular monthly budget, good for you! Keep it up and stick to your plan. Don't let your guard down now so close to game time. Stay diligent so you can reap the rewards of your hard work!



Remember, it doesn't have to be complicated. Just a simple agreement of "We are going to spend X amount of dollars for gifts, X amount for potluck-gathering food and X amount for traveling" will be sufficient. But you must take care of all the ongoing necessities first before you budget these fun things.



Don't stress out if the amount you've set aside for these celebrations isn't as high as you want it to be. Gifts are fun to give and receive, but they definitely shouldn't make or break your enjoyment. So keep this in mind as you're working through your plan: Is it worth it to buy hundreds of dollars of stuff now, pay for it later, and still be in debt?



You know what Dave would say and do. But the decision and action is up to you!

source

a few changes.

Look out!

we are getting real serious, about getting out of debt, completely!

about a month ago we met with a financial planner Justin Bennett, owner of Strong Tower Consulting (who also happens to be a friend of ours.)

He was exactly what we needed.  {highly recommend him btw!}

The right mix of motivation and encouragement to get our brains working...in overtime! He went through all our financial records and took our goals and devised a plan.  

We had two options...

1.)  We could keep going like we're going and be debt free in 3.5 years.  Not too bad, BUT

{we did not like this plan for two reasons....things/expenses come up and would most likely loose our motivation}

2.) One of us find a part-time job and be debt free within 1-1.5 years. {hopefully by next Christmas}

We choose this plan #2.

As of three weeks ago I am back at Hickory Park serving 3-4 shifts a week! {roughly 15-22 hrs/wk}Since daycare was not an option we were willing to sacrifice on, this job won on so many levels.
 
flexible hours
 night & weekends {where Ryan can watch Tukcer}
great $$

It is amazing how God has blessed this decision SO much already!  We have been SO THANKFUL for our families helping out with Tucker from time to time as well.  WE COULD NOT DO THIS WITHOUT THEM!! 

So feeling like some bbq?
Come on in ask for Hickory Park's finest server...ASHLEY JO!
:-)

Student Loan Debt...LOOK OUT WE'RE COMING AFTER YOU!!

Our little dare devil!

This week Tucker discovered slides....enough said!!

my hubby made this cute video. 

{not gonna lie, mainly for the relatives!}

:-)

we have a {1} year old!

Holy smokes. 

We have a 1 year old!

...boy, did it go fast! 

We celebrated his birthday with going to the park and having a little birthday party. 

 For as much as I love all things crafty I detest planning parties.  Don't get me wrong, I love going to them, admiring them, but it goes back to spending a bunch of time {not to mention lots of $$}  for something thats just going to be used for a few hours then thrown away.  I'd much rather pour myself & my time into something that'll last longer.  With that being said I wanted to keep within a budget and not consume alot of time. 

We had a great time, stayed within my shoestring budget and had a very happy one year old!

enjoy the pictures of the weekend!

{birthday pictures}

Jennifer Boccella Photography!



This our family, beautifully captured by our friend and photographer, Jennifer Boccella Photography.

Jennifer is one of the most talented, kind & genuine  photographers with a passion for life. 

She is just getting her business off the ground.

 She is a senior at Iowa State and is truly one of their finest!

 Like her work? 

Check out her facebook page & her blog is almost up and running! 

{picture of jen!}

We loved our experience and highly reccomend her to anyone who would like to update their family photos. 

...you won't regret it!

jenn.boccella@gmail.com

state fair cookies

Growing up my sisters and i were obsessed with Rogers & Hammerstein's musicals.  

Classics.

Particularly State Fair, which was based off the Iowa State Fair.
we go every. single. year.  
we're kinda obsessed! :-)

This year my sister Carly & I decided to bake cookies for the State Fair.

It has been something on my bucket list for some time.

Here is a picture of us right before we took them to be judged. 

We went with the theme of "go big or go home".  We entered the most popular cookie category with first place winnings up to $300.00!  We didn't win, (but had a lot of fun in the process!)but next year we will try again! :-)

Although, I gotta shout out our friend Deb who entered and got 2nd in her division!  Way to go Deb!!

i don't want to forget this

This is why I love my husband.  This is what you need to know to appreciate this next part. 

1.  I come from a very musical family, he does not :-)

2.  we still try to impress/surprise each other (this one REALLY surprised me!)

3. my husband is so silly, but ohhh so lovable.  :-)

As I've mentioned in previous posts, we are living with my grandparents who happen to have a beautiful grand piano.  I took piano for 8 years, so naturally when I get the chance I love to hit the keys with Tucker on my lap. {although I am very rusty--playing the piano is not like riding a bike!!} When I get done Ryan usually heads over to the piano and hits a few keys, leaves a little let down because he can't play.   

{ENTER cutenes}

The other day I was making dinner and I heard the song Viva La Vida from Coldplay--it was my HUSBAND!!  He had watched the video below and taught himself how to play it to impress me.

HOW CUTE IT THAT?!

six years and counting

Six years with my stud muffin.

 

Three weeks ago was our six year wedding anniversary! Ryan &  I have been married for six years now, yikes!  Since we road tripped to Indiana (for my cousins wedding)  we had some time to reminisce about the first six years...this is what we came up with.  enjoy!  

6 Moves
4 Remodels
1,848 cans of dt.dew/mt. dew drunk
2,259 diapers changed
6 vehicles
1 Healthy, beautiful baby boy
1 moped
2 duplexes
32 nights apart
and ONE AMAZING MAN!

I am going to take a moment gush about my husband, who on all accounts is just the most amazing man I've even known.  He is kind, humble, smart, FUNNY, amazing at EVERY sport,  Godly and so much more.  And some way, he still puts up with me! :-)  For the life of me I can't figure out how he is still so smitten with me after all these years.  I thank God for answering my prayers for a husband like him every. single. day.    I am the luckiest girl in the world to call him my husband.  He is my best friend. 

Best Wedding Advice we received on our actual wedding day:  We loved two of them and have really put took them to heart.

1st:  Everyday give each other 100%, not just 50/50. 

2nd  Pray with each other daily.  

First Argument:  It was when we were unpacking all of our belongings I remember we had our fist big fight about which kitchen cabinet the glasses/plates would go it.  Something so silly, but for some reason we were adamant where we would put it.  It really was blending two families to become one. 

 

First Misunderstanding:  It was the first day back from our honeymoon and Ryan was supposed to be back from work @ 5:30.  I didn't work that day and was making this "awesome" dinner in the oven for my honey.  I was decked out ---had the table ready, apron on and pretty impressed with myself for preparing our first meal as husband and wife.  Well, 5:30 came and went, and he didn't get home til around 6:30.  Being a naive housewife I didn't think to turn down the oven, so supper was burnt, but the reason he was late was he wanted to bring flowers to me the first day he came home from work.  We ended up throwing the burnt supper away and going out for dinner! 

Nicknames: babycakes, pops, rino, sweetiepop .  Those are our current ones right now.  They are subject to change at any moment :-)


This coming Friday we are going to celebrate our anniversary by going to Des Monies and spending the night--all thanks for my siblings for the babysitting!! :-)  I think we have a little farmers market, prairie meadows & a movie planned! 

roomies

Let me introduce our roommates...

Dan (boppa) & Arlene Huhn...
(aka my grandparents)

some fun facts about 'em:

They have been married for 57 years
they have never lived more than 1/4 mile apart their entire lives
my boppa first liked my grandma's identical twin sister
if i don't cook breakfast boppa will eat 6 corn chips for breakfast (something about reminding him of his childhood)
my grandma has ice cream for dinner every night
my grandpa was a farmer and my grandma taught paino lessons
my boppa has nine lives--his angels are really watching out for him
they would do anything for their grandkids
my grandma was known for having one of the best gardens around the area
they only had two children --a boy & a girl--because it was important to him to pay their way through college (so honorable!)
to this day my grandpa prefers to mow the lawn on saturday (even if it needed it on thursday) to have his yard lookin' sharp for those sunday drivers
my grandma has Parkinson's disease--and confined to a wheelchair 98% of the time
any book or tv show my boppa reads or watches he acts like the characters are his friends in real life
they still have pillow talk every night
they are a perfect match--by nature my grandma is a worrier and my grandpa is an eternal optimist
my grandma goes to an adult day care center 4 days a week and calls is "her job" (so cute!)
my boppa can outwork any man half his age
i started calling him Boppa when i was little because i couldn't pronounce grandpa--- to this day (even though we tell him differently) he thinks we everyone calls him "papa!"
my boppa loves the pieces out of my grandma

since moving her we have dubbed them 'B & G'



For the most part moving here has been going really well.  Ryan & I were talking the other day how its weird it doesn't feel weird living here.  There have been a couple of times where its been a little stressful :my grandma will get back from the adult day care center & needing help going the bathroom, Tucker's crying cause he wants a bottle and I'm in the middle of cookin' supper------ but, for the most part its been pretty smooth transition.  

We have been busy helping them out around the house, cleaning, cooking, vaccuming, helping with my grandma when she falls, washing linens organizing the pantry, etc.  Everyday we try to tackel a small project and a bigger one on the weekends.

And, the best part they claim--Tucker! :-) 


They are two very special people!!

9 month Tucker Fix

okay, i'm not gonna lie, this is mostly for the relatives.  However, if you don't mind a couple fun facts about our little kiddo, please check 'em out!  

9 month Tucker Fix

28..5 Inches Tall
23 Pounds


Things he loves doing now:
crawling....everywhere!
climbing up on things
can climb up six steps by himself
loves cherrios
does not have an "off" switch to eating
loves to be where the "action" is--for example if I leave the living room and go to the kitchen...he is there within two feet of me in seconds.  i always have to on the lookout for little fingers & toes!
loves to go swimming
can say dada, baba, nana
he is a very happy little guy
wakes up @ 7:00a.m. on the dot every morning (no complaining here!!)
goes to bed around 7:30 p.m and sleeps through the night
loves to play with newspapers and paper bags (under supervison of course!)
doesn't know a stranger
loves facial hair
loves to be sung to
loves spending time with grandparents and great grandparents
takes 2 naps a day (one usually longer than the other)


Dislikes:
getting his clothes changed
interrupted naptime
when the food is gone :-)

4th of july idea

Dress up ice cream cones

To create these decorated ice cream cones just melt white chocolate chips in a microwave, then paint melted chocolate around tops of cones with a pastry brush. Then, dip cones in red, white and blue sprinkles. Place on a waxed-paper-lined tray. Freeze for 10 minutes.

thanks All You!

st.louis

 This past weekend we had our first kid-free getaway. It was amazing!!  We did miss our little one tons, but knowing he was in great care (aka grandma-land) make it THAT MUCH SWEETER. Here is some of the highlights of the weekend...

Friday:

10:00am.  Dropped our little kiddo off (with MANY hugs and kisses) and headed out!

12:00 Lunch--a cute little place in Pella called the Windmill Cafe--super good & quick service.  

12-5:30ish drove

5:30 arrived at Ryan's cousins' David & Tara's house.  They were fantastic hostesses by the way!!  We felt so spoiled by them that entire weekend. 

6:00 had our first grilled homemade pizza's!  They were so yummy!  

pictures below:

friday night we hung out on the patio and chatted and then went swimmin'...

Saturday:

the girls went shoppin' & got massages

  and the guys went to play golf.  

...that evening we had a birthday party for Tara (our hosts) and the boys grilled some mean bacon wrapped shrimp & bacon wrapped jalapenos.

my husband was really excited for this!! 

two of ryan's cousins

Sunday:

we headed out for breakfast to this adorable little mom & pops joint where they bought an old house and made it a cute little diner.  

we had a GREAT weekend ...however we were really excited to come back and see our little man!!!  

Thanks Dave & Tara!!

Rookie Mom

Today I met up with two girlfriends at Brookside park to go "swimming" with our little ones ----and let me tell you did I feel like a rookie mom.  You could tell they have definitely done this before!  They had their towels, granola bars, packed lunches, juice boxes, sunscreen etc.  I have so much to learn! They were so gracious in letting me soak up their experience and  towels! :-) 

Two things I learned today:

1.)  I need to have a "summertime" bag in the van at all times.  who knows when a fun opportunity like that will happen and I want to be better prepared. 

2.)  you need good girlfriends like that to share in the challenging and joys of parenthood.

Thank you Rachel & Jessica for helping out this rookie mom!! 

Completely random fact of the day.  My hubby proposed to me at Brookside park.   

bubbles & Clarence, Iowa

My sister is a music teacher in Clarence, Iowa.  We really wanted to see one of her concerts before the school year was over so we headed East to see a variety show.  Auntie Carly had bubbles and it is one of Tuckers newest favorite things! Here are a couple of pictures on the night.

Galena, IL

For a fun girls getaway my sisters, myself & my mom went to Galena IL for the day.  It was so much fun going to all the shops and exploring a new, cute little town.  We all enjoyed ourselves and took full advantage of the day!  My little guy stayed with my hubby for the weekend while we spent the night @ my sisters the night before.  Hopefully this will become a yearly tradition! ;-) (wink, wink!)

Granma Ann's birthday

fGrandma Ann's 90th Birthday Party

See this beautiful lady in the photo above?! This Ryan's grandma and in April she celebrated 90 years young.  We have a wonderful weekend with lots and lots of family in town for the event.  Here is a picture of almost all of us Houcksters! 

Ryan got some quality time in with his dad and uncles playing golf...

and some fun ones of Tucker by uncle Andrew...

one other cool thing of the weekend is we got a mini van!! We LOVE it.  My father-in-law Jon had found it for us and it was so fun going with Ryan's Dad, Uncle and brother in law to go check it out.  We were all over that thing checking everything out.  :-)  

It was a great weekend!