the *real* mccoys

Friday, May 25, 2012

food for finance: FULLY FUNDED!

(healthy) food for finance is a column where we talk about how fitness and finance correlate with each other. join us on our journey to be both physically and financially fit.

We hit another financial milestone by following Dave Ramsey's debt snow ball plan. As of February of this year, we now have a fully funded emergency fund! To re-cap: In February of 2011, we completed baby step 2 (no debt but our mortgage) with a $1,000 emergency fund (baby step 1).

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It took a little longer than we expected to build up the E-fund. We had things pop up that we had to pay for (replace the AC in my jeep, medical bills, etc.) So taking a year didn't bother me because we had to the cash to pay for major repairs and it was not at all stressful. Just more annoying that it would set us back a month or so. Dave Ramsey recommends 3-6 months of expendable income for an E-fund. Because I need to feel secure. we agreed to have a 6 month E-fund. We could live on the bare necessities for 6 months if something happened and we were not getting paid. Or if we needed to replace the heat in our home, or anything else that would break.

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I like that Kyle and I sat down and wrote our financial goals on paper. I remember it well. We were on the patio in October of 2010 and decided to attack this debt like no ones business! I've always been told that you're more likely to reach your goals if you write them down, make them measurable, and share them with others. So that is what we did! The whole world knows that we are committed to this! We need to revamp them and write a date down that we think we can pay off our mortgage by!

Our goals on the fridge

~~baby step 3~~ check!

We were actually ahead of schedule to complete baby step 3. But Kyle got a part-time job and I thought we'd move faster. Like I said, things happen and I am glad we had the funds to pay for it!

So what's next? We should start baby step 4, 5, and 6 at the same time but we not doing all of those. We want to save up cash for baby McBoy and a newer car. I'll keep you posted!

Just remember, this is HARD work! We have to say no to things that we want to buy or do. We have an end in sight and when we reach it, then we'll be out to play!

Sunday, May 20, 2012

be mine

I am so far behind on blogging because, lets face it, being pregnant makes me tired!

Valentine's day fell on a Tuesday and my baby's daddy works a part time job hosting trivia Tuesday and Wednesday nights. So after trivia, he called and asked me to meet him for dinner....at a bar....to watch the Mississippi State basketball game. WHAT?!

Well, since I was feeling like crud in February, I didn't mind meeting him at a bar because that meant I didn't have to get dressed up! I wasn't planning on going anywhere because all I wanted to do was lay on the couch. So I mustered up some energy and went. I didn't want my poor hubby watching the game by himself on Valentines!

Valentine's 2012...at a bar. We were the only couple there!

Later on that week, Kyle made me my annual Valentine's Day dinner.

Pesto Pizza!

Looking good!

I love my new camera!

It was a great meal as always!

Like every year, we made each other cards.

Kyle did amazing! He even put the positive pregnancy test on the card.

Mine was awful! I felt awful and that was my excuse! I really think that these cards should be switched! Kyle made the glitter card and I didn't?! Something is going on here!

Last year our cards revolved around money since we just paid off our last debt except the house. A year later, we both did a baby theme! Wonder what next year will be!

IBC

For Kyle's dirty thirty celebration, we went out to the International Blue Challenge. We didn't get to go last year so I was excited about going again!

Some of the girls out on Beale! Cindy, Betsy, me, Mariana, Steph.

I didn't get even get a picture with the birthday boy. We ate at the Blues City Cafe then hung out at B.B. Kings for a good part of the night. Every blues bar had great blues music. It is the best of the best from around the world. Besides BBQ fest, it is Kyle's favorite event in Memphis. All you do is buy a wrist band and it gets you in all the clubs. We always say we're going to get there aorund 4 and get a good seat and stay at the same blues bar but that never happens.

Later we went to the New Daisy for the jam sessions. AWESOME!

Since I was about 7 weeks pregnant, we were out by 11. And that was a late night for me! It was great fun. Kyle had a big birthday month. More pictures to come!

Saturday, May 19, 2012

when life gives you lemons

I debated about blogging about all the craziness Kyle have been through this past year. Then I decided that someone else might be going through the same type struggles and would need some encouragement that 'this too shall pass.'

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Last August, I had a miscarriage. We found out on July 5 that we were pregnant. We wanted to wait to tell our parents in a fun, special way but that did not happen. Instead I had to call and inform them that their 1st grandchild did not make it and that I had to have a D&C the very next day. I had the procedure when I should have been 10 weeks and I lost the baby around 5 weeks. I work in the medical field and I know how common miscarriages are. I just didn't think it'd happen to me since I am a health nut. But 1 in 4 pregnancies will end up in a miscarriage. The more I talk to people, the more I notice that this is a subject that is rarely talked about.

The week after Christmas, more bad news hit. I found out that my mom was diagnosed with bladder cancer and Kyle's Mimi was diagnosed with breast cancer. It was the worst week. I felt awful. Like my world was spinning and I wanted it to go back to normal. I am very blessed to have such supportive friends, bible study girls, and co-workers. They were my rock!

My mom had her tumors removed in January. While my mom was recovering at my house (on Martin Luther King day) I found out I was pregnant again. All I could think was "how in the world will this baby make it with all this stress?" We still had to wait to see what stage/grade cancer she had. So that week, I went to my OB-GYN to get my blood work checked to see if I'd had another miscarriage. My numbers were perfect!

That next weekend, we went to Meridian, MS to be with Mimi for her surgery. On the way, we called my parents to tell them the good news. We learned from the last time to let them in on the secret at the beginning. We told Kyle's parents that weekend too. But we told everyone to keep it a secret as we didn't know what would happen. Mimi's surgery went very well, especially for an 87 year old lady!

Aunt Elosie and Annlea the weekend of Mimi's surgery.

Mimi!

We took the dogs! They have it made!

A couple of weeks later, we found out that my mom's cancer was grade 1, stage 1. The best we could hope for! We also found out that Mimi's cancer was all removed!

In retrospect, I am not sure how I would've handled being 7 months pregnant and driving from city to city to be with family during the scariest time in their life. God works things out in His time. Our miscarriage was so sad, but telling our families that we were pregnant again during a very stressful time was so perfect. I am currently 22 weeks and I am still scared about having a healthy baby. I also know that none of that is in my control and I have to trust that God has everything worked out for me. All I need to do is get ready for my little baby McBoy. Please continue to pray for Kyle's Mimi and my mom. She'll find out Monday if any tumors have grown back. And of course, pray for my little sweet pea! Prayer is what has gotten us this far and it will continue to get us through the rest of this battle. Through all of this, Kyle has been amazing. I knew he would be in tough times but he went above and beyond. I am very thankful God chose him for me and to be my baby's daddy!

Sunday, May 13, 2012

regift: version 2011

Back in January, we had our annual ADPi regifting party. It was great! A great way to see old college friends and get rid of bad gifts! As they say, one woman's trash is another woman's treasure!

We had it in Jackson, Tn this year so more UT-Martin ADPi's could come!

Nicole, Holly, and Jennifer (she's a Chi-O but we let her in our party!)

The Amandas!

Steph, Christy, and Shelly (honorary ADPi!)

My new camera

the gifts!

the game being played

sometimes there are good gifts...like wine (Andrea brought it and doesn't like red wine)

then there are the bad gifts...

then O.K. gifts

and teacher gifts...

Friends, like I always say, get your teachers supplies for their rooms!

A big pile of teacher gifts.

A pooping reindeer

Ah....Christy got the only gift that is allowed to be brought back each year...the shawl!

One must always have mustache bandaids.

I ended up with the shaw. I didn't want the gift I brought and the only non-frozen gift was the shawl. I like this picture because to the left of me, Kristy has her mustache on and to the right of me, Amanda is playing with the pooping reindeer!

I miss the college days! So glad we can come together this time of the year and share bad gifts! Can't wait till next year! Here's hoping I'll get a bad gift or two!

Saturday, May 5, 2012

tag, you're it! 2011

At the end of every year, I like to go through my facebook tags and post them on my blog. So here is what I missed blogging about in 2011.

My friend at work Katherine had a baby (James) in 2010. Well, he was early and we didn't get to do a shower so we did a "Sip and See" in January.

Team 2 and James!

My manager graduated! Since she's my boss I HAD to go to her party *wink*!! Brownie points for me!

I even brought Kyle! Extra brownie points!

The saddest day in 2011 was in March. My very good friend, Kathryn Barkley Whalen, went be with Jesus. She lost her battle with cystic fibrosis but we gained an angel in heaven. She was my bible study leader while I was in my 20s and I take pride that I introduced her to her husband! Here are her bible study girls.

On to positive news...