NXT For Beginners

I doubt any of you even know what LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT is, but if you know anybody who likes it, tell them about my new blog (actually it's not new, I made it before I made this one). It is nxtforbeginners.blogspot.com, or click on the link on the friends list to the right.

We're Debt Freeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We paid out last (ever) credit card bill this week. We have been working on this for two years, starting with about $35,000 in debt, most of which was credit cards.

We are starting our Emergency Fund now. We will start with a 3 month emergency fund, eventually building it up to 6 months. After that we will also be building our replacement car fund, with a goal of having the cash to buy a good used car when our old cars bite the dust.

The peace of mind we feel is just amazing! Jason is getting a bonus from work soon, and it is nice to know that the money is ours--we don't have to put "extra" or "found" money on stupid credit cards anymore. We can focus on our savings, getting the house paid off much sooner than the 26 years left on our mortgage, and building wealth.

We owe a big huge thanks to these two 2 people; my friend Shannon, who sent me a copy of the book The Total Money Makeover, and Dave Ramsey for writing the book, and guiding people daily through their own Total Money Makeovers. We highly reccommend this book to everyone! You can check it out a http://www.daveramsey.com/

birthday coverage

Alanna's birthday is in (drumroll please) 5 days. I will try to remember to take pictures so that I can post them. she will post the "story" though, as her first post.

my birthday

I haven't posted since the uneventful "Hello World" and I really need to post an update on my birthday. I only invited 3 people, and it was all day. sadly I have no pictures. however, as I got $100 from various sources(all my friends got me cash), I have decided to buy this.

Jason's TKD Belt Testing

Sheila, Christopher, and Alanna are all taking karate lessons. I decided it might be fun to join them, but I have to watch Matthew and Megan during class. The solution came to us while visiting some neighbors with whom the missionaries were working. I could take Taekwondo classes from this guy who lives down the street from me.

At first I was apprehensive about taking these classes, but fortunately there weren't many other people on the nights that I went. On occasion it was basically a private lesson and I started to develop confidence.

Saturday morning I went in for my first belt test and felt pretty good about how I did. I broke a board, did my forms, demonstrated kicks and blocks, and did some self-defense. Tuesday night I was awarded my yellow belt.

I was also told by Master Ron that the other judge said that I need to enter some tournaments as I have very good form and control for a beginner. Me, the awkward guy who stumbles over his own feet. :) Should I decide to enter any tournies, I will update the blog with my story...whether they be of success or humiliation.

Comment Moderation 2

I have now added Google account comment services. Everyone with a Google account will be able to post a moderated comment. Family members, this means you! If you do not already have a Google account you can sign up here

Comment Moderation

I'm thinking of letting anyone with a Google account post. However, I will need a moderator. They will need to be able to moderate posts at least once a day. I will be the moderator if I get enough "demand". Email me or comment to be "hired".

The weather here has been just terrible. Windy and cold! In the negatives every day. The good news is, I washed my filthy car today, so it is sure to warm up and get sloppy now! I added this picture because this was a hot summer day (in the 80's) last summer~and I can't wait for summertime! Only 4 more months or so. At least we have more daylight now.

Hello World

since the Ransoms have a blog, we decided to make one too!