End

Well, my unemployment benefits have come to an end. I have reached the end of my benefit year and will not be re-applying for benefits. I am glad to be done with the job-searches, meeting with WorkSource as to why I haven't found a full-time job (hello, I haven't worked full time in over 5 years!) and feeling like I've always got someone checking up on me.



I'm excited/nervous/scared as to how things will work out financially, but am thankful for the hours at The Good Book (you know, my boss there can be a total slave driver!! Love you mom!!) and I'm going to be watching our friends little boy one day a week and fill-in when needed, so there will be a little income coming in. I'm getting really creative with all sorts of things around the house to save money and we are relocating our garden beds to hopefully have a more fruitful garden! And I'm loving the time at home - I can never get this time back, so to be able to be at home with them is amazing! Yes, things would be easier if I was working and bringing home a bigger paycheck, but what is more important for my family, right now??

Marymere Falls

We are so lucky to live where we do. We have so many options for outdoor activities and it seems like they are all in our back yard! 2 weeks ago we packed up a picnic lunch and we out to Lake Crescent to do the 1.5 mile hike to Marymere Falls. The girls had a blast checking out the trees, river and the falls. I packed Harper and she did great until the end - she started screaming about the time we ate lunch and didn't stop until we were well on our way home!