Dave Ramsey and tender mercies...

So, Skyler and I are currently aspiring to become Dave Ramsey groupees. We have listened to most of his book and are on the same page basically. Which means that we are committed to try to get out of debt, and make it through unpaid maternity leave. Are are motivated for various reasons. One is that we need to make it through unpaid maternity leave. The second is that we really believe that debt is a type of bondage. Three we believe that delaying immediate gratification for a more lasting gratification is an eternal principal. With that said, we are currently living in a one-bedroom apartment in order to scale back our life and be more self-reliant. We are still yet to complete our new budget, but we are beginning to think seriously about what is a necessity and what is a want. We have never been so determined to think outside the box. And... we are getting better at it.

The biggest thing has been that we have seen tender mercies and blessings since we started on our journey. The Phoenix area cost of living is still a little higher than Provo. Since Skyler and I are both technically working part-time, we aren't making tons of dinero. So, we are trying to plan ahead and get things that will save money and space in the long-run. Our most frequent saving grace has been Goodwill's 50% off days. Skyler and I have made lists of things that we need, prayed in faith, and then found exactly what we needed. One great example is Eliza's future birthday present that is hiding in our storage unit. I will have to tell you that story on another day.

We have been slowly stocking up Baby Boy Bricker's wardrobe. I have felt it was a boy since October 2009... so I have sporadically gotten a few things on major clearance. But right now we are actually trying to fill in the holes. I told Skyler that I didn't mind having mostly second hand clothes, but I just really wanted a cute "coming home from the hospital" outfit and a cute blessing outfit. We will probably get a cute blessing outfit after Easter and everything is on clearance... but I have been keeping my eyes peel for the "coming home" outfit. When I saw this one, I think I heard singing in the background. It was and still is perfect. Skyler and I have really quite similar style in a lot of things, especially baby boy clothes. We like color, and even silliness. Baby girls are supposed to look pretty, but baby boy are cutest in something silly, well we think so. I think this is perfect because it is fun, it is definitely boy, it looks brand new, it says "I make Mommy happy" which is something I will want to be reminded of as I am exhausted, it is the right size, and we both like it.

So, miracles never cease. I know that this is not a life or death situation. There are definitely more important things going on in the world... but it reminded me that Heavenly Father loves me individually. He cares about things that I care about. And most importantly, when our family is trying to align our wills to His, we are ALWAYS blessed with what we need.