Having to Move With Four Children

As some of you may know, my husband has been unemployed for a year now. Finally yesterday we got word that he was hired. WOO HOO!!! But now we'll have to move. BOO!!

Being that we're both Marine Corps Veteran's, we're quite used to moving. Our 16 year old is as well but the other three kids not so much. Although I am used to moving, I don't particularly enjoy it and I have never had to move with four kids in tow.

I have also never had to sell a home and buy at the same time and let's just say I can feel my hair falling out just thinking about it.

We're not moving too far away, but it's definitely far enough to wreak havoc on my sanity...what's left of it that is.

One of our moves was a ten hour drive and our oldest daughter literally cried for all ten hours. Guess what? The new baby HATES the car! Loathes it. If she had the dexterity she would light a match and set the damn thing on fire.

 

 

 



We have been preparing our kids for months that there was a 99% chance of moving. But wouldn't you know the day after telling the kids the eldest daughter has decided that she doesn't want to move and we're the "worst people ever." I mean it's not like we provide her food, water, clothing, shelter, rides to and from her friends houses, electronics, books and toys or anything. Typical diva 'tude I tell ya. As if I needed that lunacy right now.

 

I have been working on becoming more organized in this chaos and have created a moving binder... ok it's a notebook. It has a list of supplies I need. It has tasks that need to get done. It has an overnight bag list for the night we move. Yes night. If you have ever heard "they just got up and moved in the middle of the night" it's probably because the people had a baby they were trying to keep asleep while moving to their new home. Anyway it has a list of what we're keeping and not keeping and it has a list by day what chores need to get done. I intend to purge, purge, purge in case we have to downsize our home. 

 

 I will also have to cancel then restart services and change addresses. I'm not sure I want my mail forwarded. I think the new owners should take on my bills LOL Just kidding but seriously.

 

I'm really starting to feel the stress of buying and selling. I keep hearing "you'll probably need to rent for a while." NOOOOOOOOO!!!!I can't even imagine moving these kids, cat and dogs more than once. Just the thought of it makes me want to jump in the minivan and get out of Dodge.

 

Anyone else ever had to deal with this? What advice would you give to a poor soul like me to make things go smooth as possible? Leave a comment below. I'm anxiously waiting.

 

 

 

 

 

 





 

I Am A Contest Freak!

Along with my love of frugality I loooooovvveeee me some contests! I will enter just about any contest I come across. It's such a thrill when I get an email, phone call or letter stating I won something. It's just so exciting.


People always ask if I really win and is it worthwhile. My response is always "HELL YEAH!"
I have won many prizes that otherwise would have been too expensive for me. I have won Lasik eye surgery(unfortunately I was not able to redeem because I had moved away), a diamond ring, a year supply of bacon, a year supply of cat food, purses, books, bracelets, perfume, cameras, earrings, sunglasses and many other things.

I have been entering contests daily for about seven years now. This year I am hoping to win a vehicle or large monetary prize. That would just be an amazing feat.

I'd like to share a few techniques to help you if you're thinking of becoming a contestant.

1. Enter every contest you come across. Whether it's at the mall or county fair, chances are most people are passing by and not entering because they think it's a waste of time and/or they won't win. 
2. Find websites online that specialize in compiling contests. There are many out there. You just need to find the ones that have layouts you prefer.
3. Set up autofill on your computer to make filling out forms easier.
4. Set up a separate email address for your contests. Your email will fill up quite quick from sponsors emails.
5. Never enter a contest you can't afford the taxes on. Some contests give a check to cover the taxes but in case they don't you could be stuck with a hefty tax bill.
6. Have fun!  

Make sure you subscribe to my site. I'll soon be launching a contest of my own! Please leave a comment and let me know what kind of prizes you'd like to win!

I Didn't Tell Anyone I Was Pregnant

I was almost thirty eight. I already had three kids. One was only two years from graduating high school. I was not trying for a fourth but not not trying if you get my drift.

I had found out at just about five months along and I found it very hard to tell anyone I was pregnant. I wasn't ashamed. I wasn't embarrassed. I just didn't want to hear anyone's shit.

My husband was recently unemployed and I didn't want to hear the "What are you going to do?"
I didn't want to hear the judgment about my age. I didn't want to hear about my husband or I "getting fixed." I didn't want people talking crap about possible names and I for sure didn't want to hear about how many children I already had or the fact I was considering homebirth.  I just wanted to be left alone.

But where is the rule I have to tell anyone anyway? Where is it set in stone?

I really struggled with how to tell anyone. I've never had a positive experience when I told people in the past and I just dreaded telling anyone this time around. I shared my angst with my midwife. She said "I didn't tell anyone I was pregnant until after the baby was born. They could either accept her or move on." That helped me feel so much better. I was no longer the only one who has ever dealt with this struggle. Although I didn't consciously say I wasn't going to tell anyone until after the baby's  arrival; it happened that way.

I've been fortunate no one has asked me why I didn't announce my pregnancy. I'm happy not to re-hash those emotions. I don't have the desire to get into it and explain how past reactions pushed me to this point. I wanted to enjoy my last pregnancy as much as possible and I just want to enjoy her now that she's here. I don't want anything ruining that with their unwelcome, negative comments.

I can't imagine ever saying the things to a pregnant woman that I've had said to me. I would never want them to have negative, unnecessary memories of their pregnancies and I hate there's people out there who actually think it's ok to behave in such a manner.

Some may say it's selfish I didn't tell anyone, I say it was maintaining sanity.

One thing is for sure though, now that she's here there's not one person who doesn't love her. She's spoiled rotten and I couldn't be happier.