Taxes...I understand why they say "death by taxes"

Taxes...I sometimes think that I should have been an accountant.  I am really good at remembering numbers and well...sometimes I hate working in a "people person" job -- so by being an accountant I could be someone completely different from who I am now. 
Anyway, I digress...I usually do our taxes each year - not sure how it became my "thing" but I'm not sure it would ever get done if Michael had to do them :)  So, this year was particularly difficult -- we converted our home into a rental, we had a home tax credit that was to be repaid but we got the wonderful "forgiveness" ticket by having our family serve in the US military, we had stocks that we sold for a miserable price (thankfully, we're pretty bad at the stock market, otherwise we'd be in REAL trouble!) AND we moved across the country -- with all of our receipts, bills, documents, etc packed away in boxes.  I just hope that I found everything that is pertinent to this year's return.  This is the first year I've done itemized deductions...I really wish we could go back to the 1040 EZ... it was way simpler!!  I just hope that the IRS takes pity on me and decides NOT to audit my masterpiece...at this rate we are having a small return, which will be great considering I just got a letter stating that the home we are already paying out of pocket to have someone else live in, doesn't have an adequate escrow account...well crap.  I now wish that we had just sold it, taken the cut then instead of dragging out the process each month!  Anyone want a lovely home in a nice surburb slightly north of San Antonio??

ooh lots of good things happening today :)

Well, Jake decided that he wanted to walk last night...he has been walking with assistance for a while -- he'd hang onto one finger and walk along side Mike or I...but he'd never let go! Last night, he decided that walking to Daddy was what he wanted to do!  YAY Jakey!  And today I got a text from the sitter, he walked across her kitchen -- he'll be 14 months on Friday..it's about time!
The second awesome news...the new Bumbleride Indie Twin arrived!! I have partially put it together, but haven't gotten to test drive it yet.  I know that it is such a huge investment, but I hope that it will be motivating to get out when its time to get that baby weight off!  I can't wait to prove to Mike that it IS the best thing next to sliced bread :)

Okay, so its about time

I have finally gotten around to putting this blog together.  I've been horrible at maintaining the website that we purchased while we were overseas to update everyone about Cassidy and our European adventures. 

(And frankly, I don't want to pay for it anymore!)  Cassidy is growing up sooo fast and I'm not even sure how much of Jake actually made it to the old website!  He is so screwed as the middle child and he has a birthday the day after Christmas...doubly screwed! 

So, I'm trying to get this thing going while unpacking boxes yet again, getting kids into new childcare and trying to start new friendships and a new job...I love being a military wife!  It gives you the chance to start over and over again...and again!  We are finally starting to see some progress with the house...although we have yet to sled down the hill in the back yard.  Oh well, the kids are so young the don't even know how fun it can be...maybe next year!  We are looking forward to the Spring when we can see the rest of the yard -- not really sure what we bought at this point :)  We have been blessed with phenonmenal neighbors - who have 6 children, and aren't sure if they're done yet - you go girl!  I think that when Mr Will Ethan arrives ...we are DONE!! Being a L&D nurse, you see the reactions of people during their pregnancies & deliveries...and you get a sense of those that are "done", "maybe one more", and "I could do this again tomorrow" -- I'm definitely in the "DONE" category!  And I think Cassidy will appreciate only having two little annoying brothers :)

Well, I hope that you enjoy the rants & rambles of a woman who is surely going crazy day by day...that would be me...in a nut shell...but not in a pysch vest yet :)  I look forward to sharing my family,  our adventures in parenthood & our lives as a truly blessed family.