Everyone is asking...

I am going to try not to get defensive here, but after some of the comments I have heard, or "suggestions" I have gotten in the last few weeks, it will be hard. So, here's the story, you spin it how you want.

Actually, the last month has been one thing or another. My mother-in-law says that is just life. First, Alex got a cold and wasn't feeling well. He missed almost a week of school. After being up with him for all that time, almost every night, I began to feel bad too. I lost my appetite and wasn't feeling real good. On the other hand, I couldn't say I had a cold either. Just when we thought he was getting better and would be returning to daycare, his fever went back up so we gave up and headed to the doc.

Ear infection and pink eye. The pink eye we knew 'cause its kind of hard not to hide. The ear infection I had guessed as well, but what is a mom to do. So another day or two out of daycare. Thank goodness Robert, my husband was not working and home during the day. Well, almost exactly one week later and only three days of him being back in school, little Mr. Alex was sent home with diarhea. Another week out of school. By this time, I am tired and feeling run down, but more importantly, I am beginning to feel nauseous and realize something is missing.

So, back to the doctor with Alex and off to the drug store for me. A special diet for Alex and a change in plans for me:). Alex is better. He has been back in school now for a little over a week and is doing ok. He was sent home Friday with a fever, but me thinks its 'cause he has two molars coming in this month. I am hoping we are done with his being sick. He has seriously only been in daycare about three full weeks of the last two months or so.

I, on the other hand, am still adjusting to my diagnosis. For anyone who has not guessed or got it yet, I am expecting another baby (9.5 weeks today)! And we can honestly say, we are excited! Stll to be honest, since we found out about two weeks before Robert was offered a job, it was a little scary at first. Now, though, I am just trying to keep down whatever food I can and take care of my little man. Thank goodness, I have a husband that is more than willing to take up the slack.

Now, for those of you wondering, yes we still live in a camper and no, we really don't have any immediate plans to change that. In fact, we are actually making plans to stay where we are for at least a few months after the baby gets here. And, no, we are not nuts as some have suggestied after hearing our news. I will not be leaving my husband, we will not be moving in with family and no to a gazillion other things as well. I have heard people's comments and suggestions on what would be best, but frankly, my husband and I made a choice to live like we do for a reason. We like it and it saves us money. And a new baby could change that, but for now, it won't for us.

Since Robert started working Monday, March 16th, full-time, our financial prospects have improved dramatically. But, having lived frugally, and rather contentedly, we now have new financial goals. So, for the next 7 to 10 months, we will continue to live frugally, spending money on the things we deem appropriate, but also paying off a LOT of debt. By the time this little one comes along, his or her folks will have the best financial footing we've ever had (Lord willing) and that will be true no matter how the economy goes. We now have the extra income so that if we need new tires or major car repairs, we can actually afford it without being placed in a bind. We have a savings account for the first time in over three years. We will have the option to pay off our vehicle, credit cards or even student loans. There aren't many people that can say that in today's economy. Praise the Lord. Our eggs may all be in the same basket, but its a pretty secure one at this point.

If we can continue to live this lifestyle, we will be in a great position to take advantage of some of the "negatives" coming from our economic instability (i.e. cheaper stock and home prices, lower interest rates, etc). People may think we are crazy or at least not making good decisions. But our son has an area that he can call his own room (so he'll have to share, big deal) and we have our own bed. We have a kitchen, bath and living area that seats us all, cooks anything we could want and cleans most of what we need (more on that later). In fact, our biggest problem has been finding enough room for the can goods and clothes. Otherwise, everything else if fitting just fine. When our new baby comes along, he/she may not have a nursery to come home to, but he/she will have a new bed and a family that loves him/her.

This is not the worst life anyone could imagine. I think it is all dependent on your circumstances and what you choose to call important. Think the Ingalls on Little House on the Prairie (our favorite tv show). For some, I guess, living in a camper with minimal space would seem like punishment. But, maybe because we made the choice from a place of prayer, it seems more like a blessing to us. I keep hearing about folks loosing their houses and cars and stuff, that to me is sad and unbearable. We stayed warm and dry all winter. Robert and I have learned a whole new level of communication and our relationship has improved.

We also have a whole new level of security now that Robert has a job as well. Even without that, though, we have learned how to rely on the Lord to be content in the smallest of spaces. We have learned to see ALL the possessions we have as blessings, and know only a few things are necessities. Furthermore, we are more willing to give and less willing to recieve (can't, no room:). This may not be the easiest life, but no life is. Every way of living has problems, inconveniences and issues. This is just the one we choose for us and our babies. Its generally peaceful even if we almost always have something going on. For me, for us, this IS the good life!