Doing something right with your tax refund.

Its that time of year again and the interwebs will soon be teaming with people rejoicing (or mourning) over their tax refunds. Though free money is lots of fun I usually meet this season with a great deal of disdain.

I personally only pay bills, pay down debt, make repairs to my house/car and possibly if I am lucky enough to have anything left, will try to invest in something that will make our bills less expensive (we are hoping for a tank-less water heater this year).  But while I am off in my corner being responsible (AKA: totally lame), I notice many people who already have too much buying more.  Christmas just passed and despite the fact that their 5 year old already owns an ipad, ipod, and iphone, the family feels microsoft should get some love too and buys Jr. and xbox one.  (for example).

Every year I encourage people to use at least a small portion of their tax return to make a difference in someone's life.  Some things I like to give to are programs that repair cleft palates, programs digging wells in third world countries to provide people with access to clean water. I try to think of the people that still have nothing in this world and realize my bills can wait, student loans will be there for years to come, but somewhere a child is starving, or dying of a curable disease, or cold, or dehydrated.

I am not trying to be Debbie Downer here, but one of the most common excuses I hear for not giving to charities is that they don't have any extra money. Well, you will soon, so remember those little people whose parents are just struggling to feed them.

Don't like/trust charities?  Ok, so how about you buy that busy single mom a spa gift card and offer to watch her kids? Do you know someone with a special needs child? buy them a gas gift card. trips to the doctor, hospital, and various therapies add up! Go out and buy a few bouquets of brightly colored flowers and go to a nursing home. Sit and visit with each recipient for a few minutes. I promise you will be blessed!
Bless a random stranger. Pay for the coffee of the guy behind you. Be more than a selfish spending machine and do something worthwhile!

Happy Birthday, Little man!

My Little man is FOUR years old today! Unbelievable!!

He is running, talking, getting dressed on his own, potty trained, counting, saying his ABC's, spelling his name, and being a great big brother to his sister!

He is quite possibly one of the coolest little kids in the world.  He loves superheroes, vegetables, his family, and Jesus! He just loves going to church, he loves to sing, and to dance.
He is a great helper to mommy and her photography.  He is an awesome little poser for me ;)

I am super excited to see what the next year will bring for this gorgeous, hilarious, precious little man! We are so blessed. Love you buddy!! <3

Merry Christmas!

Calm down folks, I scheduled this post. There's no way I would have time to write a blog much less form a coherent thought on Christmas day.
Just wanted to make sure I did take the time to wish Jesus a happy birthday and share some of the blessings that have happened this year.

Greyson & Darcy are continuing to grow and thrive.  They are happy, healthy, hilarious little images of Jeremy and I and I love them to pieces.

No one had surgery this year.  Yay us.  I figured I should mention it since we both did last year and both kids had at least 1 trip to the ER as well. This year was (thankfully) uneventful health wise.  We continue to pray that Greyson will grow out of his nut allergy, because lets face it, a childhood without peanut butter and jelly sandwiches is no childhood at all!

Jeremy got a promotion.  It is well deserved and he is settling well into his new position.  I am very proud.

I started a business.  Saltwater Photography was a hobby turned business in spite of myself and it is thriving.  I love it and feel so blessed from all the support I have received.

Next year:
We plan to continue to eliminate debt (medical and student loans) in hopes to be prepared for the plans that God has for us.  We hope in the future we can both complete our dreams of adopting a child as well as going into full time Missions.  We are trusting God on this journey and know he has an awesome plan for all four of us!

Love to all & Merry Christmas!!