Challenging, But Up.

When things seems too frustrating to handle, I try to look forward toward the future. For us, we have an opportunity to take some time and plan a brief and an inexpensive (I mean dirt cheap) mini-vacation this spring. Just the idea of taking some time to get away from the three needy dogs, the snow that never seems to stop this year, my husband's crazy work schedule, and weeks that seem to already plan themselves before you even get to them, sounds divine! I love the idea of taking some family time. Sometimes you don't even have to leave the house to feel like you have gone somewhere. As a family, little things like pitching a tent in the living room and pretending like you are camping with picnic food and games, while it snows outside, can do the trick. Or if you can, give the kids to grandma for the night and create a theme night for you and your spouse, with ethic food and movies.

We also have an opportunity to finally replace the car that was totalled in the November accident. Car buying can be hard on a family. There is usually a tight budget and the stamp on your forehead that says, "I have no idea about car shopping." This time we have done the research and we are very certain about the terms and agreements that we want to make. This is the first car buying experience where I will to be apart of the "negotiations committee." With God on our side, I hope to walk away from this month with a new car. (Darn it!) But my good mood started with the purchase of a shelving unit with a left over gift card. I didn't even pay for it, but it is helping to clean-up the craziness. So use those old gift cards and certificates. It's a ball.

And it has been a tantrum-free day. We have had some close calls, but no blown fuses yet. Things are looking up. Challenging, but up.