Immigration Thoughts

I commend Arizona for their choice to start checking for green cards if they have pulled other someone they suspect to be here illegally.  I also think everyone has their right to their own opinion.  Just because these are my opinions doesn't mean they should be yours or that you agree with me.  That is just one reason we live in a great country.

Now, per listening to NBC news tonight they were talking about Arizona and how the Obama administration sued them because they thought they were crossing the line on illegal immigrants.  Okay, my thought right there is well do they really have rights considering they are here illegally?  I think everyone should be able to come to America..LEGALLY!! I can understand why people want to come here to start a new/better life..or at least that is why they say they want to come here.  However, I have a hard time understanding those that say that, then come illegally, then proceed to do illegal things.  Eventually you will get caught!  The thing is, the Obama administration says they are really only concerned with those that come illegally that commit crimes, does this mean serious crimes?  Because I thought it was a crime to come here illegally?  I found a link with some interesting statistics, check it out if you want.  I am in no way saying I think people shouldn't be allowed to come and live in our country, I just ask that they do it legally as we have laws for a reason.

I know this is a very hot topic right now.  I think, yes, there is probably some racial profiling and I think maybe we should ask everyone that gets pulled over or in trouble with the law to have to prove information for being legal.  We have drivers licenses, social security cards, income tax returns and more that each of us should be able to provide.  The down side to this, it's so easy to get a hold of fakes.  What would people suggest for catching those who come here illegally?  I think we have a bigger problem than people want to admit because they are scared of being called racist.  But, how do you think those who came here legally feel when those who they know came illegally are getting all of the same benefits?   Why should we reward people for breaking the law?  Again, I know there is no black and white on this there is always going to be a lot of grey, but I think that Arizona is trying to take a step in the right direction.


Love the Buchholz's!

Safety Freaks?!?

Okay, so an article came out today on the new recommendations for carseats.  I have to say in MY opinion we are getting a little carried away with all these new safety guidelines. Here is a link to the article if you want to read it/skim it.

I understand wanting to protect our children but at the same time we are hurting them.  We think by putting them in carseats longer will keep them from getting hurt in accidents.  Well lets think about 9 times out of 10 what is causing this accidents.  Hmm...trying to multi-task while driving comes to mind, whether that would be texting or talking on the phone, changing the radio, reading (yes, I have seen people reading while driving) eating..I'm sure there are other things we have seen people doing.  I think the real issue is what we are doing in the car rather than where and how our children on sitting.

We all get in our cars to get to another destination...maybe some still drive to "scoop the loop" I'm just assuming with gas prices most people gave that up :)  If we have so many other things we need to get done that we have to do it while we are in the car driving I think we can officially say we are extending ourselves.  Not one person can tell me that the money they are making or an appointment they are running late for is worth risking not only their own lives but others on the road.  Let me put it this way, if you never get to the destination well you obviously didn't make that money, and you completely missed the appointment/meeting!  I think we can all agree, "better late than never," is actually a very good thing to think about when driving.

If you are running late to work, CALL your boss and tell them, they are much more likely to be forgiving if you give them a heads up, running late for an appointment CALL them!  I'm telling you to call them because before we even get into our cars we know if we are going to make it on time to our destination by following the speed limit or not.  In the rare occasion there is an accident that you can't get past or another freak thing but 9/10 times you know, so before you sit your booty in your car, CALL!

What are your feelings on the carseat rules? (If you have kids or not!)

Is Carseat Safety Getting Out of Hand?

Yes! Depends on the situationNo, they have legit reasoning

pollcode.com free polls

Hope you all are enjoying the beautiful weather if you are in Iowa today, otherwise I hope it is beautiful wherever you may be today!

Love the Buchholz's

No Sleep, Mom!

Well, I believe we are officially a 5 month old! The doctor warned us that months 4 and 5 would be the hardest but once he was 6 months he would be content. Well, we thought we were going to get lucky as 4 months was pretty much a breeze. Well the last few days he has been kind of a bear. He no longer thinks long naps are great. I'm lucky to get 4o minutes total a day. Unless, of course I take him for a walk, then he sleeps like a champ! That's all fine and dandy I don't mind the exercise (and extra outside time) but my husband does like me to make dinner and clean the house every now and then. Yeah, I know, right?

I have no idea how this is going to end, usually it ends with me getting frustrated and letting him cry for a bit, only to go get him and he just gives me a big smile! WHAT?! No, that is not even fair, because he knows he can win me over every time. Yep, he has me wrapped around his little finger and I know that won't change...ever. It's all good, if I put him down and he doesn't go to sleep in the first 5 I have learned to just go for a walk, or pick him up and put him in his walker and he usually figures out on his own he is tired. Hopefully, I pray anyway, the rest of month 5 gets a little easier. With Dan working so much, the gym has become well, let's say I think the gym is a curse to me. I did my workout for a month, so I rewarded myself with a gym membership, and now I feel Dan has been so busy and by the time he gets home its time for Kypton to eat, bath, and down for the night, and Dan has to eat and get back to work sooo yeah that's it no gym for me, and since there are like NO naps anymore there is no working out while he is sleeping...so I do abs while playing with him on the floor and cardio is walking/jogging to get him to sleep. Just when I thought we were really getting into a routine.. Oh well I wouldn't have it any other way. He is such a blessing no matter how ornery he is (and he is ornery!)

It's only Monday?!? Holy Cow..please week speed up a little!

Hope you all have a great week!

Love the Buchholz's

Making it a Reality..

What a wonderful weekend we have had, it's only Sunday afternoon, but were going to relax (well, Kypton and I are) Dan has some work to get done. Church was great this morning, first time taking Kypton without his carseat and he was a champ. Didn't make a peep other than to giggle a little :)

Let me back up, Friday Kypton took a nap in his crib for the first time, usually I hold him during his naps as I rock him to sleep. He sleeps longer that way. We think he likes the feeling of being next to something and really warm, because in our bed he doesn't move but in his crib he rolls and turns to try and cuddle up to a railing, only to get a foot caught. So, since he can't have blankets yet I just hold him. Friday though, I put him in there because he was really crabby and just wouldn't sleep so I thought if I just put in in there he would calm down. Well, he went right to sleep so I got the casserole for dinner made and ready to put in the oven as soon as Dan said he was on his way home, and I got to do a little reading!

I started reading Dave Ramsey's My Total Money Makeover..again! I loved it the first time and it really got me thinking since then we have lost sight of our goal the last year or so. I thought I would read it again to give me more intensity to get back at it. So far so good, you can check out my Blog on our finances if you would like! The rest of Friday we stayed in and relaxed, watched TV and talked best night all week that is for sure :)

Saturday (FUN DAY!)--we started by getting ready early for the day, going to McDonalds for some breakfast (Blow Money) and then heading to my parents to show them how cute Kypton looked in his overalls :) We had an appointment with a realtor at 1:15 so we just hung out with my parents for the morning and then around 12:45 headed to our appointment. My parents went with. We looked at the house we plan to purchase. The house is not built and they won't start building until we are ready. We are thinking by next summer we will be ready to put our house up and sell it, it will take about 6 months for them to build the home key word here "thinking" were not really sure how things will all come together (as no body can be sure) but this is a little how it would look if we had our way--

First, have all of our consumer debt paid by next summer/fall. This would then leave us 2.5 student loans which are rather large. Second, sell the our house, move into a SUPER cheap place or ask my parents to live with them while the house is being built. This way we 1.Wouldn't be making a house payment and 2. Could use that money to payoff at least the .5 student loan before the house is finished if not 1.5. Then all the debt we would have when we move in would be the house and student loans which the student loans if we do things right will be all paid off by 2015 yep three years and a brand new house! Again, this is how we would like things to go but we know things could/probably will change :)

Either way, the house is amazing, I saw it about a year ago (the drafts) and fell in love with it. I thought okay I know how things like this work on paper it's great then you see it in person and it's nothing like the drafts. WRONG, on that! This house was everything I pictured and more! It was set up like I always wanted, has enough rooms for 4 kids and a master suite! I pray God will bless us with 3 more little ones! Plus a basement to finish to add a bedroom and bath for when we have family come visit! I can't wait for the day we have enough room to have friends and family over without feeling cramped or having to sit on the floor haha! We are blessed to be where we are at today and wouldn't have it any other way, we are excited to see where the next couple years take us!

After looking at the house in one part of town we went to another part of town to look at the land because the house we looked at wasn't a walk out and the one where they are going to build will be a walkout so the basement will be a little different. We then stopped by to see how my brothers place is coming along...we're so excited for him! After that we went to have some lunch with my parents, then headed back to my parents house, Dan went home to get some work done and Kypton took a nap and my Dad and I watched a movie. We spent the rest of the night hanging out with my parents watching a movie and relaxing. We typically spend either Friday or Saturday with my family (I LOVE IT!) I'm very blessed that I have a husband that loves to spend time with my family as much as I do :)

Going to show Grandma and Grandpa how cute I am in my overalls

then going to see my new house and pick my room :)

So, that was our weekend, life is good but God is amazing!!

I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend!!

Love the Buchholz's!

5 Months and Growing

Kypton is 5 months old today! We can't believe how fast time has gone. The other day Dan was looking through the birth photos and looked at some of my maternity photos and said thats so crazy that, that is you. The nice way of saying, "you were so big," haha! It's true though it's crazy and a blessing and just amazing!

Kypton is rolling every where these days, he loves to see how loud he can scream. He is sleeping with mom and dad these days and loves it! He loves to play in his walker and stand up with the help of anyone! We have tried baby cereal, hated it, carrots..they were okay, but green beans..now those were yummy! I even entertained my dad by spitting at him and laughing when mom said no :)

We don't have a 5 month check up but he weighs about 17 lbs. (up 2 since his 4 month). We're pretty good at sitting up and army scooting across the floor, it won't be long before we are crawling!

Here are my updated photos: (Happy 5 months to Me!!)

Smiles :P

Baby Blues

Are we done, yet?

This is my pillow, Mom.

Hmmm...what can I play with?

Want to play with my lamp

Singing :)

Playing in my walker from the Easter Bunny

Love the Buchholz's

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One Blessed Family..

Kypton and I got to spend time with my best friend and my "niece" this afternoon. Kypton just ate and is now taking a little snooze, so I am going to make this pretty quick. I am just sitting here, looking at my little guy and thinking about how truly blessed we really are. We have so much to be thankful for and have such amazing friends and family.

I was thinking about how much I need to do and what I can do to help with the finances from home and I got to thinking after listening to Dave on CDs this morning, that I need to get back to praying. I pray and go to church but I feel at this point they are just actions. I really need to pray and GO to church. Listening is a lot harder at church now that we have a little one and you just look at him and bounce him to keep him quiet (I'm not ready for the nursery!) Dave explains that prayer is what God wants, he wants us to come back to him and he will be happy not angry with the actions we have done, or the lack or responsibility we have had with the money he has provided, he will help us through this, he won't make it go away but he will walk with us.

So, as I sit here and realize how blessed we are to have the money that God provides that takes care of us I realize what I need to do to really help out with the finances..PRAY! Everything has been pointing in that direction, from listening to a country song on TV the other day, "Don't let your Praying knees get lazy," to listening to Dave, to talking with my best friend today, "pray" has come up in almost all the things I have been doing.

I am going to get back into reading and doing my daily devotions. Who was I to think that we could get out of debt in the next year without asking for help from God, and thanking him for what he has already done for us. This has always been a struggle for me, praying, going to church, and really living out my faith. I can do it in private but I have never been good at talking to others (other than my best friend) so here it goes, starting with my family. I pray for them but I think its time we start praying together!

Thank you Lord for allowing me to see that we need your help and for opening my heart to be able to ask you for help and put my pride aside!

Love,

The Buchholz's

New and Exciting...

I know I am a little behind on posting but really the last two weeks we have all been sick and I finally think we are all on the mend! Thursday Dan woke up about 2 am and thought he had a fever, so I felt him and he didn't feel warm but he was shivering like crazy the whole bed was shaking so I told him to put more clothes on. Then about 3 he woke me up and asked if I would get him some medicine, so I did. I also felt his head again and he was now burning up. Then right after I crawled into bed he jumps up and runs to the bathroom. I believe we now had the flu in our house :( So, we got him settled on the couch and I went back to bed and Kypton and I finished the night in there alone. Dan slept all day on Friday and Friday night I was past the point of exhaustion not to mention my cold wasn't getting any better since I had been up at night with a sick baby and now a sick husband. We asked my parents to watch Kypton for the night so we could sleep and I didn't want him catching the flu either. Now we are to Monday and Dan and I are still stuffed up but as least we can breathe and were not coughing every second, and Kypton is all better, a few fake coughs here and there for attention but it's cute :)

So over the weekend, Dan and I did some talking and I did a lot of praying about our finances and where we wanted to be in the next year. I did so much thinking that on Saturday night I couldn't sleep and finally got up and did some budgeting and snowballing on the computer until about 3 am and got a picture I really liked of where we could be in a year. Sunday we talked a little more Dan seemed to agree he liked what I came up with and we know things won't be exactly what I came up with but if we can even get close to it we would be extremely happy. I won't go into detail on this blog, but some fun news, I have started just a blog about our finances at LoveYourFinances.blogspot.com I would love for you to follow me. I talk about our "stupid taxes" and what we do to try to save money, it's a very real picture of our pitfalls and our journey to live debt free.

Another big thing...after talking with my mom and Dan I am going to start doing some in home daycare. I will take in three kids to have a total of four with Kypton. I will do it out of my parents basement (at least until we move) because they have a lot more room, and the basement hardly gets used. I am looking forward to being around more kids! It will also be great for Kypton to start socializing and learning to share Mommy time for when he has siblings :) It will be a great challenge and I am excited to see where it's going to take me and my family! Right now I think I have two tentative families so if you have anyone knows of a 3rd family that is looking for a place to send a little one feel free to send them my way. You can send them to my website at AllAboutTheGiggle.weebly.com . Wish us luck in this new adventure! :)

Last updates for today..workouts...yeah I haven't been to the gym in a week because I have been sick! I will start tonight on what I would have done last week though. I will be a week behind on doing updated photos so three weeks to get my act together to make those photos look even better! I must admit I had a rough weekend, as my body felt like it was STARVING no matter what I ate so I did eat a little on the not so healthy side this weekend. However, I am back at it today, started with a healthy breakfast, and a portioned lunch, and tonight will be a healthy dinner, and back to the gym as soon as Dan gets home...hopefully it's not as busy as it has been. I swear everyone belongs to Planet Fitness these days they are always packed!! I must give a shout out to my mom and Dad as well. Today they started their journey TOGETHER on getting fit. My Dad is doing the male version of Jamie Eason's workout/eating plan and my mom will be doing the workout but has another eating plan she is doing. I am excited to see their end results! Good Luck to them!!

Hope everyone has a wonderful week!

Love,

The Buchholz's

First Cold :(

I wrote this a few days ago and forgot to post it...so here ya go!

I have 10 minutes before I need to hop in the shower so I'm doing a quick update!

This past weekend we went to Sumner to visit family. It was great to see them and Kypton got quality time with them...

Good Night...

Hanging with Lil..

Peek a boo..

Rolling for them..

The weekend always goes so fast but it's always great to see them! On the way home we stopped by Dans' Mom's grave.  Kypton was a sleep when we got there but I know Dan and I both enjoy stopping by her grave when we go back, and it was nice to take Kypton there even though we know she is watching over him everyday :) As my mom said, "I'm sure she's giving him grandma kisses all the time!" she is so right!

We spend the rest of Sunday going to see my brothers place that he just bought I will have to get some photos up of it, he is having to install everything, but long story short the person that owned it took literally everything out of this new town home, so sucky but good because my brother like projects so it will be good for him!

Hope everyone has a great week!

Just Breathe...

Again wrote this and put it in the draft file to get photos uploaded so here ya' go, I will have another short post for you today as well with great news and new links to check out!

Ahhh, Well hopefully everyone had a good Easter weekend, our household all had colds so we weren't able to go to church or family lunch, as 1. we didn't want to get everyone else sick and 2. We were up all night the night before because Kypton couldn't breathe (Enter really sad mom and dad) as we couldn't help him! We took all weekend pretty much to rest. Needless today my workouts hit a wall for the weekend, and I was going to pick back up today however, my cough and nose are a mess! Dan called from work and said he felt like he was losing his voice so needless to say we are all super healthy right now haha. I will say I think Kypton is starting to feel better today because he is actually playing and well, screaming as loud as he can again just for fun :)

On Saturday we had Service Legends come and do an estimate and build a plan of attack for Central Air that would work in our house, we really liked the guy that came and did everything, and he told us about the company and we really liked what he had to say so we went ahead and gave them our business. Today they installed air so I no longer have to walk over a million fan cords, listen to my husband say, "OMG, it's so HOT in here!" and I can cook this summer without feeling like I just did an hour sprint workout because I am dripping sweat! I guess it's a win win for everyone because we won't have a crabby baby because he's hot either!

Sunday, literally we relaxed and did nothing, I slept most of the day while Dan held Kypton and watched the Masters, Kypton joined me in taking a nap, finally about 6:00 we showered for the day got Kypton in his Easter outfit just so we could go see grandpa and grandma and take some pictures, they aren't very good but I'm glad we got some just because it was his first Easter, I pray next year is A LOT better!!

Here are some photos from today and the weekend...

Love from Grandma since we didn't get to spend the day with her..

Opening Grandma and Great Grandma's Easter Bunny gifts..

My new ducky..

Not feeling well and want to put my PJs back on..

Going to see Grammy even though I Don't feel good..

Happy Easter!