II met my husband in 2009 working together. He was a sheriff and I worked for probation at the time. We started dating in 2010 after we became friends for a while, got engaged and were married in November of 2012. We have been through so much and learned so much over the years. We had our first daughter February of 2016 and our second in March of 2019. 

I have learned so much over almost the last 7 years about being a mom. We don't get a manual on what to do and what to expect, we just have to go with it and hope for the best. My first born at two weeks old we found out my daughter had silent reflux, something me and my husband knew nothing about.

My daughter cried for the first 8 months non stop. So many people described it as colic not knowing about silent reflux. She had constant ear infections, tubes, so many doctor appointments. She was on ant-acid powder for several months. Then all of the sudden it disappeared shortly after she turned 8 months old. I didn't sleep for the first 8 weeks, and it was so physically and mentally draining. I came up with a plan that I had gotten from my manager at the time. For me and my husband to take turns every other night so I could get at least some sleep. We were both working parents so sleep was needed. It was without a doubt so hard and the thought of having a second child just didn't seem possible. I was sick through the whole pregnancy and on top of the silent reflux showed us how challenging being a parent can be.

But after 3 years our daughter was so fun and so amazing we decided to have our second child. The second was much easier as an infant and our daughters are so close even with the age difference. Our oldest is just amazing with our youngest even though our youngest is a handful.  She has been the best addition to our family. Once I became a parent of course all privacy goes out the window and alone time is very few and far between. The grocery store becomes a small vacation and you take on the role of not only mom; but a doctor, cook, server, tutor, therapist, and so much more. As a mom we were so many hats and it becomes overwhelming and very much like groundhogs day.

Once the pandemic hit and I was constantly having to take off work because my kids daycare was shut down or they had to be quarantined. I had no PTO left and I was exhausted trying to work and take care of the girls at the same time. My husband was forced to work over time so a lot was on my shoulders and became a very difficult time mentally. We sat down and went through our budget and decided we could live on less than what we make and I stay home with the girls for a while.

I'm a year and a half in and although it has been the hardest job I have ever done it's the best decision I could have made for me and my girls. We have learned it's not the material things and stuff we need it's time we can't get back with our kids. We decided time with the girls over the latest and greatest phones or driving the newest car. We didn't need it, being home with the girls and working that out with our finances was what mattered. I'm not saying its been easy with all the temptations, but if its time you want with your kids it is absolutely possible if you can control your spending on stuff you don't need. A big influences on how we have changed as a married couple and handling our house hold and finances is Dave Ramsey. He is a Financial specialist and is amazing. He has taught us the meaning of what is important and how to be successful and setting up your future for your family.

We started listening to his podcast all the time in the car anywhere we went and though we have never used credit cards and have always had the mindset if we don't have the money for it then we don't buy it. It has kept us out of debt and made life so much easier. I can't wait to share everything we have learned and hopefully help other families looking for someone to relate too and help see life can be more than living pay check to paycheck. And if being with your family is where you want to be it is possible.

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Janelle