One of the key quotes of Dave Ramsey is to "live like no one else so you can live like no one else" in the future. Which means...live a different way now, like living on a budget, and reap the long term blessings. A big part of our goals with living debt free is the freedom to give financially to others. We are excited to do that some day. In the meantime we are living an interesting life.
We have arrived at our first destination! I am expecting some cheering right now. We arrived yesterday and moved into our unfurnished apartment. Yes...I said unfurnished. So we had a slumber party as a family sleeping on the floor. Surprisingly we slept very well due to exhaustion, I think. Today we get our furniture. We have already learned to become quite resourceful in a new town. I talked the furniture lady into lending us her personal microwave for 13 weeks. And then I called the coordinator of the MOPS group in Porterville to borrow her pack and play for the traveling baby. I am liking the challenge of this experience. Today we found a local produce stand And were in Heaven with what is available here...mangos, cherries, oranges, strawberries, blueberries, apricots, peaches, apples, and plums...all locally grown. We have learned quickly the art of talking to the locals to learn about the hot spots in this area. Although the town is nothing special to look at, we are surrounded by great sites to explore. My new favorite for this town is the fact that you can make u-turns wherever and whenever you want. I find myself finding an excuse to make one just because it is so fun. All in all we are quite happy here. We keep looking at each other and say that despite any stress we are experiencing with moving, we feel at home here. Our apartment feels homey despite the outside.
Today i had to chuckle when i walked past the girls bedroom only to see dan passed out on the floor in the middle of their play area. Apparently he told them that they could use him as a mountain so they had all of their little trinket animals and people lined up on his head and down his back. The funny thing was that he was totally asleep while they played. It was hard not to laugh out loud.
Dan and I are doing very well with trying some new parenting techniques that we learned from our friends in Arizona. The biggest change has been eliminating raising our voices and threats to punish. It just doesn't happen anymore and not only are we happier but the kids are happier too. It is like they feel respected. We have seen the most change with Sara. As soon as she disobeys we walk slowly to her, bend down to her level, look in her eyes and tell her our expectations and/or deliver an immediate consequence. Wow, what a difference!
Off to bed for the night. On to more adventures for the weekend as we start to explore the area. Dan starts work on Monday.
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