Tax Time

I LOVE tax time! Am I crazy, you wonder? I don't know, but there is just something about doing taxes that I really enjoy. Maybe it's the brain work involved (not that there's anything TOO complicated), but my brain doesn't get to do math-ish stuff very often. Maybe it's because I love figuring out how much $$$ we're getting back. Maybe it's because I love figuring out what to do with the $$$ we get back. Maybe I wouldn't love tax time if we owed rather than received. Who knows! I got the last of my needed tax documents today, and I'll be working on it this week--YIPPEE!!

PS I know some of you are thinking that it's not very good money sense to have so much withheld from your pay that you end up with a return, and you're right. BUT, I REALLY like getting a return, more than I would like breaking even, or worse--owing.

My Latest Projects

I've been sewing more lately. I'm working on a cute quilt for Skyler (designed by Angie and April, thank you!) I've also made myself a new church bag:

I just finished this apron. I'm excited to have an apron made from really cute fabrics, but one I'm not too worried to get dirty (I am SUCH a messy cook). I am going to make another before long that is SOOO cute, but it's like a dress and I don't think I could bear to cook in it. Did I mention that I really love sewing? :>)

Free at last....

Debt-free, that is! Yes, we FINALLY paid off our student loan this week! What a good feeling that is. (Now all we owe on is the house). Next: Dave Ramsey's baby step #3--build your emergency fund. I can't wait to see that savings account grow every month!!

Sparkle!

I wanted to add this photo to my post last week, but my computer wasn't cooperating. Can't you just see the sparkle inside this girl? She's positively oozing with it! Talk about joy--she's full of it, too! I Love you, Sarah! PS Have I mentioned that she once did 139 cartwheels in a row? Because if I haven't, Sarah will surely whisper in my ear that I need to mention it.

Seven Months Old!

Skyler turned 7 months old last week. What a joy! And where does the time go?

Sarah's new laugh!

Sarah has been doing this laugh for the past month. She does it all the time. I told her I hoped she wasn't driving her teacher crazy. She said, "She'll probably just get a kick out of it." That's probably true. Sarah is definitely the life of the party! She adds sparkle to our home! As much as she frequently drives me crazy, I couldn't live without her. (And, by the way, she is getting a little easier than she used to be).

Food, food, food....

Okay, so I thought I was done blogging for the day. But I can't stop thinking about food (yummy food, that is). Those of you who read this blog regularly might have noticed that I have a new feature on the side of links to other fun blogs. Mostly food blogs. I think it's because I'm on a diet that I can't stop thinking about the yummy things I've seen on these blogs. I've been off sugar (mostly) since the beginning of November and I have lost about 6 pounds. (It was closer to 8 but I took a break from my diet over Christmas and gained a couple back:>) Oh, well. I am allowing myself to have a "treat day" at least once a week. This is a day I can have whatever I want, in order to keep myself motivated to skip those treats on the other days. I now find myself planning my treats for that day. I need to go by some mints so I can make these yummy-looking andes mints cookies ("yummy-looking" just doesn't cut it, but it's late and my brain doesn't work well these days--especially when it comes to finding the right adjective):

Don't these just look divine? You can find the recipe on the Delightful Delicacies link, because I KNOW I'm not the only one who will want to make these. Check out these other mouthwatering pictures:

Oreo fudge from Stephanies Kitchen

And last, but not least, apple pie pizza also from Stephanies kitchen. And actually the andes mint cookies recipe can also be found at Stephanies kitchen.