We're mechanics...ok..not really..

so, Toby's bike was not running up to par, well it wasn't even starting. It would turn over so we knew it was not the battery. So, we decided instead of letting the honda dealership tow it for $50 and pay for the cost to fix that we would try ourselves. We figured the spark plugs were a good place to start. So, two trips to two auto places later and darkness outside (had to use a flashlight) we finished. Toby started it up and guess what, it worked! We were so proud of ourselves. We also filled the coolant and put some seafoam in the gas tank. it is supposed to help clean out the bike. I have heard wonders about it. We took it out for a ride and it seemed to run a lot better tonight. We plan to not stop there and figure out how to fix just about everything on it. guess we'll see what comes next and how we make out then...but for now we are dubbing ourselves as mechanics to boost our confidence. :)

Our debt

Like most americans, we have consumer debt. Toby and I got fed up with the majority of our paycheck going to debt, mortgage, car loan, school loan and credit cards. If we didn't have these, we would barely have to work...so we made it our New Years resolution to become debt free. Our first tackle is the consumer debt. The way our economy is going we knew this had to be our first priority in case they raised our interest rates, fees, etc. We have each taken on second jobs working anywhere from 52 - 57 hrs a week (which really hasn't been all that bad). We thought we had about $12,000 in credit card debt but when we sat down to add it up we were shocked to find out that we were really $15,500 in debt! But, as of today I am very proud to say that we have paid off $5,750 to bring us down to owing $9,750. I am so glad to be under the 10,000 mark. It's perfect timing too b/c we were starting to lose our motivation and were feeling like we weren't making much progress. Just a few more months and it should be all paid off. Then we have the car loan to tackle but that should be a cinch once we won't be paying anything on credit cards. So....here's a big fat congratulations to us for sticking to our new years resolution!!!

Let's not forget our whole inspiration for becoming debt free, Waylon and Jesse. They have shown me how to enjoy the little things in life,my desire for a child and that being debt free means more than just money - it means having more time to spend with loved ones and friends, being able to see the world more and to be able to bring another baby into this world and the next time into my home.

Jesse & Waylon's lantern

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The boys lantern

Above are some pictures of the lantern that we sent up in the air for the boys. Our good friend Karen from Ireland sent them to us. We set it off at Toby's parents house and each of us wrote little messages to the boys and then sent it to them.

Happy Birthday Jesse & Waylon

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it's been one year

So, tomorrow (wed) it will have been one year since I held my sweet boys in my arms. I can't believe this day is here already.

We watched the movie Mr. Magorium's Magic Emporium the other night. Mr. Magorium made a comment about death that stuck in my head. He was talking about a shakespeare play and how he is such a great writer and yet when a character died in one of his plays he ended it with a modest "he died". Then he went on to say that it's not the words "he died" that get to us but it is the life that we knew before those words that bring us tears. I am very glad that I got to see my boys live their short life but I just wish I could have seen more. I can wonder and wish all I want but it won't bring them back. I have learned to accept that.

My friend from Ireland, Karen sent me some lanterns (like small hot air balloons) for the boys. We are going to send one up this weekend at Toby's parents. We are going there to celebrate their b-days with Josie's. I will post some pictures of it going up in the air.

Well I really don't know what else to say except that I am glad to have survived this first year. It was the hardest thing I have ever been through. If it hadn't been for Toby, I'm not sure where I would be.

Hopefully this next year will bring a new sister or brother to Jesse and Waylon.

Kendra

March of Dimes Walk

Hi,
I just wanted to let you all know that my mom and I are walking in the March of Dimes walk in May over Mother's Day weekend. It's the perfect way for me to celebrate being a mom of two angel boys for Mother's Day. I'm going back home and doing the walk in Clinton, Iowa, near where my parents live.



Kendra