Diary of a tax return

This morning, Nick received a phone call from our CPA informing him of the size of our refund. It wasn't what we were hoping for - a thousand dollars less than last year because we've doubled our income, but still in the four figures. I'm not complaining!

For now, it will lie undisturbed in our savings account with which we have a few goals in mind: I'm determined to close 3 out of our 5 open debt accounts and begin the arduous task of saving for a down payment on a house. When we talked to a mortgage lender at our bank, she said we qualified for a particular loan that requires only a 3 percent down payment. This is much more attainable than a 20 percent down payment!

In March, I start my full-time job which means Landen will begin attending daycare full-time, to the tune of $800/month! In July, I intend to apply for a scholarship through the school and hope to knock down some of the cost that way.

And this summer, I'm hosting a huge rummage sale.

Meanwhile, I hope I can put all of Nick's overtime pay into our savings to help it grow. My debt reduction plan is going to take a lot of strategizing and sacrifice, but in the end it will be worth it. It's nice to see all of the cards in place! Now we just have to decide on our next move ...

Wishes

1. Sewing/embroidery machine ***
2. Egg white separator
3. Round tablecloths in variety of colors, seasonal themes, etc., with place mats to match
4. 6-8x10 black gallery frames for our photo-art
5. 6x6, 8x8 glass Pyrex pans
6. Cupcake caddy
7. Another muffin pan (have 1)
8. Breadbox, utensil holder, napkin holder, spoon rest (all match)
9. Cloth napkins (6) and wooden napkin rings
10. Green candles - 1 pillar, 2 taper
11. Bed risers
12. Bed skirt pins (bed bath + beyond)
13. Large clam shell bowl @ZGallerie
14. Jellyfish paperweight
15. Decorative mason jars (www.shabbychic.com)
16. 4 silver mercury glass candlesticks
17. Collage frames
18. King size bed with dark wood bedroom furniture
19. Slipcovers for dining chairs, loveseat + couch
20. Cable knit throw blanket + toss pillow
21. Calphalon gourmet cook set
22. Apothecary jars
23. 3-drawer filing cabinet
24. Storage: magazines, wrapping paper/ribbons, plates/stemware
25. Red wine stemware
26. Large padded ottoman
27. Storage bench
28. iPod speaker deck
29. Cylinder vase
30. 2 large Hurricane jars
31. Trivet
32. Tiered fruit stand at BBB
33. Icing spreader
34. Dirt devil
35. Tortilla warmer
36. Clothes, designer handbags
37. Shoes
38. New Columbia coat
39. New dress coat, peacoat
40. Bookends

41. A HOUSE

42. Breadmaker
43. "The Art of French Cooking" by Julia Child
44. New sheets (deep mattress)
45. Apple Macbook Pro (I may be confused on the name) lap top
46. Food processor
47. Food hydrator
48. Wine fridge
49. Ice cream scoop
50. Stainless steel ice bucket, tongs
51. Ladle
52. Meat tenderizer
53. Glass pitcher
54. Steel splatter screen at Bed Bath + Beyond
55. Cocktail stirrers
56. Potato masher
57. Funnel
58. Marble rolling pin
59. Apron with black damask pattern
60. Grater
61. Corn-on-the-cob holders
62. Chip-n-dip bowl
63. Travel jewelry case

Plus all the items I want from thrift + antique stores, but that is a post all in itself. I get waaaaaay too inspired. =)

N+L

Nick tried singing "London Bridge is Falling Down" to Landen, but I heard this instead:

"London bridge is falling down
Landen, Landen
Be a good boy
Knock that crap off!"

I fell to the floor in a fit of laughter! Landen was confused for a moment, but laughter is contagious in Casa de Sieberg and soon was emitting Toddler Belly Laughs that fueled our guffaws even more.

Colorado photos ... Randoms

Dear Colorado,
I count down the days until I can visit you again. Stay beautiful. And peaceful. And serene. And crisp. And untouched ...

Sincerely,
The Girl Who Should Have Been Born Here

{it is my non-professional opinion that DEN is the coolest airport on the planet!}

{One of my favorite views ... driving down I-70, and the mountains becoming closer within reach.}

{How Landen made it up the pass.}

{Views from our hotel room ...}

{Photos by Brianne Sieberg}

Colorado photos ... Swimming!

Landen thoroughly enjoyed swimming with Daddy in the hotel pool before the wedding!

{Photos by Brianne Sieberg}

The pursuit of happiness

Happiness.

It's a funny thing, really.

I've observed people who focus only on the destination. "I'll be happy when I have a big house on the lake," or "I'll be happy on my wedding day/when I'm married," or "I'll be happy when I'm debt-free/financially secure," or even "I'll be happy when I'm carrying a set of Louis Vuitton luggage onto a Net Jet I chartered to fly to St. Barth's for weekend."

We've all made such remarks, and there is nothing wrong with setting such goals. But to put a condition on happiness? That is what I'm struggling to comprehend right now. It's rubbish.

Even the Declaration of Independence calls the pursuit of happiness one of our inalienable rights. PURSUIT! As in, have some damn fun while pursuing those dreams. Even if you get stuck in a rut, smile and forge ahead. It will mean something later. What if "Miss I-Want-To-Be-Married," who is so focused on getting married, settles? Then, she wakes up beside her husband to discover it's a man who irritates the crap out of her + they spend the next 10 years being nice?

People are so focused on the destination that they neglect the journey.

In my mind, that's what life is about. Sure - I want a nice house with a white picket fence and two children, two nice cars parked in our driveway and a closet full of pretty clothes and accessories. But at press time, I have four of my lifelong goals accomplished ... I'm married to my true love and we have a son we adore. I have a degree and an emerging career in printing. I changed my career focus when I realized I wasn't happy in media. We struggled for a year and a half. I felt unfavorable emotions, but I am so happy now I could sing from the rooftops. I don't have a house. Or fancy cars. And we're still controlled by our student loans. I have yet to go to Europe. But you know what? It's been an amazing journey, and I know there's more in store for me.

The pursuit of happiness ... sometimes, the best part about not having it all is not wanting it all. I'm wealthy in many other ways.

Pursue your happiness.

And ENJOY the journey.

Colorado photos ... The Wedding

Here are a few photos I took of P+E's wedding on 1/23 in Winter Park, CO -

{Photos by Brianne Sieberg}