Family of Three Now a Family of Four! ;)

   Since my last post we have joyfully welcomed our second sweet little angel into the arms of our family. It's an overwhelming happiness and love that fills you beyond anything you can plan to expect. I'm sitting here right now watching them both as they nap with sweet peaceful little faces that light up my world! 

   You wonder all kinds of things as you find out you are expecting your second child... One of my main concerns (that was more of a pre-baby arrival concern) was a healthy pregnancy and safe arrival of our little guy. We have had some wonderful and special people around us go through some very tragic experiences. The weight of those experiences left a lot of fear in my heart and mind. I just wanted to be sure to do all I could to make baby healthy and myself healthy because my oldest needed me and our little one needed me to make sure I did my part to be healthy for him as well. I am beyond thankful God brought us both safely through. It was a healthy pregnancy with little issue except I throw up all 9 months with my boys! :) They are worth every bit of those minor issues though! The key in all of my worries is to trust and try to find calm in that we can only control we we can which are the daily choices of how we treat our body's while pregnant and if we are making every effort then let the worries and concerns go because those are harmful to you as well as the baby. Let go of your fears and let trust God has His arms around you. 

  One of my top concerns for after baby arrived was making sure my oldest felt included and still special along with making sure I loved on the second as well. I promised my oldest the entire pregnancy that if he was just patient I'd be back to normal soon and we could jump and play just like we always have. We also made sure to explain how much baby brother loved him and how he could hear him in my belly while I was pregnant even to encourage his feeling/knowing there was a special connection already between him and his brother. Since baby's arrival my oldest has had his moments of needing attention, but that's to be expected! However, he absolutely endlessly loves our littlest and just yesterday told his baby brother he was his best friend in the whole wide little world! So all is going extremely well on the new family member front!!!!! 

   My biggest thing to share and be thankful for is how I see our beautiful family growing and progressing. We are still adjusting to all of life's little changes since our newest addition, but we are ready and enjoying the ride! 

   I am just very thankful for all we have been blessed with and hoping to encourage others through our experiences. 

Lots of love from Momma Mia and family

Baby Brother Soon to be Here !

Big brother ❤️

Little brother ❤️

   In just a couple of weeks our new little addition will be arriving and my sweet little three year old baby will be promoted to Big Brother! We all are so excited and as it comes closer my whole hope and focus is to make my little one feel a special part of it all and my new little one transition and thrive happily! 

   It's funny how your thoughts change from the first blessing to the second. The first only makes you worry about everything being perfect still but in a very different way! With my first I wanted the nursery perfect, the clothes ready, toys and accessories for every need in place, and me to do the best I could taking care and chugging water to nurse him successfully. My whole focus was on one little angel coming home healthy and happy. 

   Well, as a side note, we were ready with supplies and accessories, but I had to have an emergency delivery due to preeclampsia with that little man so things went a little differently than planned. I did not nest, but instead my lovely mom did for me! Specifically she emergency nested in forty eight hours and throughout the night after I was put in the hospital! She was a huge blessing and the reason things were organized when we arrived home. I kept thinking I had time and surprise I did not! :) 

   Back to the things different for me this pregnancy, I am nesting and possibly not even the natural nesting, but more of the panic nesting in case something crazy happens! :) We have most of what we need so it's just special purchases for our new baby and special things for his brother. Most importantly though, my mental planning is so different. I want so much to make sure my oldest feels a part of everything and knows how special he is to us all while bringing our new little one home! I want our new little one to get all of the attention he needs as well! It's iust strange how from one to two little ones the planning for me mentally seems more intense. I just want the love to be felt from us abundantly and in a special way for both little angels in our family. :) 

   Currently my son is so excited and just keeps asking when his brother will be done growing? "Is he still growing, growing mommy?" He asks me often. Hehugs and kisses and talks to my belly often and his little brother responds to him like no one else! It's precious and I'm so excited to see when he gets to welcome him home! 

   Praying for a safe delivery and arrival home with a healthy happy new little angel. I am thankful for the blessing of another sweet little gift in our lives and just hoping and praying to do my very best at every moment for our family! 

   I just had to share an update and hope to be posting more often soon! This year just seems to have been so crazy, but I'm thankful for the crazy it has been too!!! 

Baby necessities: Newborn fishing hat ❤️ and precious little super soft baby accessories! 

Thank you for stopping in and continuing to follow!

Lots of Love

Momma Mia

Improving Your Credit Score ~ Steps and Guidance based on our PersonalExperiences

   Do you have a credit score that is less than satisfactory? Do you have financial choices you made when you were young (and maybe not so wise) still haunting your financial freedom? Most of us do or have and let me tell you do not let a low score discourage your family though!! There are so many opportunities out there now that are free and very useful resources guiding you each step of the way as you work to increase your credit score. 

   My husband and I, like so many others, have been working long and hard to fix ours and there are so many options to help you that I want to share as others have shared with me. 

    On a side note, back not terribly long ago credit scores were not released to us very easily. You had to jump through hoops it felt like to even know where you stood vaguely. So many things have changed and the opportunity to stay in tune with your score and who is reporting on it is so much more accessible these days as it should have always been! It's important to remember with these changes in rules comes opportunity to regularly review and effect change on your credit history and in your life. 

SITES TO HELP YOU IMPROVE YOUR SCORE

1) Credit Karma 

   is a well known FREE service that allows you to get regular updates on your score and advice as to how to constantly improve it. You can simulate alterations of your current finances to estimate impact on your score long term as well. Great tool!! There are even apps available for your phone that allow you access and updates on the go as well. The site has more detailed information and guidance than the app, but both are excellent and I use this site all of the time. 

2) AnnualCreditReport.com 

   is the standard once a year free (LEGITIMATE) site that will offer you full detail and accessibility to your credit history on all three credit bureaus once every year. You can download these in PDF form and save for review and records. The site also offers links to easily help you dispute inaccurate information effecting you negatively on your report as well. There are a lot of sites out there that claim to offer this, but this one is legitimate and FREE. 

   

3) iQualier.com

    is another credit improvement site that you pay a fee of $24 a month for their service which I'm not to crazy about however I did use it for a few months and gained some good advice and guidance. If you want to spend a little this site is a good one because it updates details every month showing how you are improving your score and what you need to do next to make the largest and most positive impact on your score. Again this site also has a credit score simulator, but this site offers more detailed suggestions which I learned a lot from. I again paid for this service for a few months and learned a lot, but then discontued the service. I don't see the need for a long term investment here as you are looking to learn and it teaches a lot right off the bat. So if you want to spend a little join this site and just download all of the advice and suggestions for future reference then cancel after a couple months of gained knowledge. 

NOTES FROM OUR PERSONAL EXPERIENCES 

1) Review your score regularly. Not only is this information you need to know, but it also reflects positively on your credit score details to show you review your own information regularly. (Once a year in annualcreditreport.com)

2) Set small, but steady goals. 

3) Don't get discouraged. :D 

4) Be consistent in your efforts to show positive and regular behavior in your credit details. 

    We've been working slowly on certain accounts for years. Our big primary accounts were kept in good order (car loans, student loans, and things of that sort that report to the credit bureaus), but there were medical bills and a few of my student loan accounts I just handled very inefficiently in past years and so my history there really hurt me. Therefore those were more a matter of time and effort to call and make them right. I called my student loans and BAM small improvements on my score in 30 days! 

   The next step we made was applying for a small basic credit card. Now remember cards are dangerous so do not let yourself get sucked in! I have made that mistake and you just have to train yourself to not use that card unless you have to actual money to back the purchase. Now, back to my point, this card wasn't anything awesome. The limit was small, there was an annual small fee, high interest, and minimal perks, but they approved me! Being approved was the first battle won! Then from there we chose to put small gas purchases only on there and to pay it every month to avoid interest and penalties. Two months later and my credit score jumped 14 points just from this type of positive activity and improved credit utilization (those last words are specifically what it said)!! 

   Moving into another option was debt consolidation... I don't mean paying one of the agencies to help you, I mean (if and this is dependent upon each of your personal situations) if this is an option you may prefer and be able to obtain without a heavy loan or risk then investigate small loans to consolidate some of those problem bills. In our case we had a slew of mismanaged medical bills... There just doesn't seem to be enough money to cover it all, but the key is don't just ignore it... Make an effort, any effort, and many times just the effort no matter how small is welcomed from the billing company and thereby avoids you being sent to collections or reported to the credit bureaus. I was able to get a small loan and consolidate most of the remaining debt regarding my medical bills thereby removing several accounts that were in bad standing on my credit report! Yippee!!!!!! 

   Tip: when calling medical bills keep in mind they offer settlements. They are taking a cut off these balances they bill you for either when your is insurance company pays them or when they make an agreement with you. REMEMBER they are more flexible than you think. I knew this vaguely, but then a very kind man that worked at a collection agency (a blessing for sharing his knowledge was what he was for my family) shared with me that often the best way to approach companies is to tell them how much you have to offer them. Meaning I have $200 that I have to put towards this bill. Will you allow this to settle the account balance? He said often companies will take .45 cents on the dollar to close these accounts. I dealt with a company that took $600.00 for a balance of over $1600.00. So just be honest and not intimidated by the figures you see on paper and ask. The worse that can be said is you are denied or receive a counter offer which is fine too because it's less than you would have owed before. If you can do it then take the ofer and if you cannot know they will work with you if you are firm and reliable! 

   I hope this article was encouraging and enlightening enough to help someone out there smile under there's circumstances and also know that there are options and they can improve their finances and credit score. My husband and I were able to improve my credit score by 75 points in six months with the above processes and efforts and I just hope the same for anyone else in this situation! 

   Do any of you have input or suggestions that have helped you in cases like this??? Please speak up and share and I pray this article and any comments left are a blessing to someone situation! 

Smile and know you are not alone! I'll be posting again soon and hope to hear about your experiences and successes!!! :) 

~~Momma Mia~~

Out of the Box Extra Income Ideas for You and Your Family

   As a mommy and an individual just wanting to improve their family's well being I have set out on a mission to find ways and options to make additional income out of the home and in other less traditional environments! I am working constantly to find, research, and make sure my finds are legitimate so that I can provide for my family and share with your family so that it may bless you too! 

   My drive is that I want to be with my babies and I want to provide for them in the best way my husband and I can. I know I am among many who feel this same way and I am hoping to be able to research and share things that will give us all an informed direction needed to make progress in these hopes. 

   If anyone reading this post or reading posts to follow related to this topic has options and suggestions that they are willing to share what a wonderful blessing that would be as well! 

   I am in the middle of studying many different possibilities so you will hear from me again soon as I continue to study and pray to be lead to opportunities that are blessings for my family and your families!! Excited about this project!!

A few things I have found so far:

1) Blogging

   What I am doing right now can provide extra income for your family! Blogging! If you enjoy writing and expressing your thoughts in a way that others can share, learn from, or maybe even just giggle at then this might be an option for you! Share your day to day activities, knowledge, ideas that inspire, mommy advice, event planning concepts, photos, travel experiences, recipes, and any other special thing unique to you that you are passionate about! Your passion shines through in your words and will inspire others as well. That alone is a big personal reward and source of enjoyment. 

   The energy you emit will not go unnoticed and will be viewed, shared, and repeat! You will gain a following and they will create a traffic and following for your blog. What is more wonderful than doing something you love that discuses things you hold dear to your heart and will help take care of your loved ones while doing it?!! WONDERFUL!!  

   Once you've established a blog you can apply for and activate accounts that advertise small and tasteful ads on your website. These ads generate income based on views, clicks, and other activity. As your traffic increases your income will increase. Blog consistently, make It quality content, and you cannot go wrong. There are many free hosted sites you can join to blog and establish ads with: Blogger, Word Press, HubPages to name a few. 

   Give it a shot! There is no reason not to right? :) 

2) Rental Car Customer Service Telecommute Jobs 

   Rental car companies, such as Enterprise and Hertz for examples, will outsource various jobs such as customer service positions to people with at home offices to work from. Example: a friend just became employed for one of these type companies at an hourly wage of $13.00 per hour. It's a customer service position with Monday-Friday hours! What a blessing. This was not a rare occurrence either. Upon finding out about this I wanted to know more! It turns out this is a common and possible job to have a chance at so check this out in your area. 

 

3) Web Based Self-Employed Business 

   If you have a talent or a passion and you are willing to invest the time to market it you can build your own business in the comfort of your home via a personalized website. This is an incredibly realistic and affordable way to build a business. There are many sites that offer already made or easily editable website layouts if you are not comfortable in this area. My only warning is to watch for those sites that offer layouts and then once you establish a website with them they own it and will never let you move it to another service for hosting. Your domain should be yours. 

   Go Daddy is an example of a site with layouts available and the option to purchase a domain name through them. You still have the flexibility to take you domain name to anyone else you want as well. 

4) Etsy, EBay, Amazon

   These sites all offer options to set up a business storefront with a grouping of products your company sells. There are fees, but you can control them and your audience is immediately all over the world! 

5) Local Sales 

   Don't forget free opportunities for extra income on a local level such as Craiglist, regular yards sales, and community gatherings. All of these are free possibilities to bring a talent to your local community and generate income. 

6) Large Companies Turn to Telecommute Jobs 

   Many companies are outsourcing for various positions including customer service, admin assistants, data entry, medical transcription, and personal assistants. Keep your eyes open and continually scan Craigslist and other job posting sites for possibilities! 

   I plan to research more, but hope this article gives some thoughts and possible direction to anyone looking for options and lost as to where to start!!! You will hear from again as I learn more and again if you have suggestions to share please comment and we all will help each other! 

Thank you for stopping in to read my posts!!

~~Momma Mia

Complete Surrender - I Surrender All

   This is more of a reflective and light bulb type of moment for me than my normals posts on my blog about crafts, my sweet little boy, and my family moments. This is a growing moment for me spiritually. 

   My family, like every family, has various situations that we struggle with from time to time, but lately there has been an echoing phrase that keeps coming to us in so many ways and I needed to share... "The strongest position you can be in is complete surrender". 

   This past Thursday a complete stranger by all aspects, but yet an instantly dear and precious support team said this to me and I noted it immediately as it is so true. 

   As I shared this talk with my parents my mom had tears well up in her eyes because just the day prior a sweet aquantance, but someone she really just came to know said the same to her, but related to a different current trial. 

   Over the last week my family and I have been brought into the path of strangers, friends, and family members saying this phrase to us word for word and some with different wording, but identical meaning...

   I was told "The strongest position you can be in is complete surrender" sounds like an oxymoron and they knew this, but it truly is the strongest place to be in your life because then God is in total control and he is guiding you. He is completely guiding you on a path that is of his intent. 

   I'm thankful for this truth, thankful for my wonderful family who are my dearest friends and supporters and I am thankful for the complete strangers as well that God puts in our paths as wonderful new friends and loud/clear constant reminders to us all that this place we are in right now is again as follows... "The strongest position you can be in is complete surrender".

   Where I am at now may be a turning point in my profession, but it is definitely a turning point in my faith and hopefully my ability to remember that God is in control ALWAYS. When we feel we have lost our handle on the wheel and are swirling out of control He IS steering us more accurately towards His plan for us than ever before. 

   I just wanted to share how these words keep coming up and from people totally unrelated to each other as clear reminders from God of how we should be viewing our trials and that we need to not be upsetting ourselves due to the lack of control, but instead excited to know God has control always and that is far better than our ability to handle any and all situations anyway. So in these moments of fear instead have faith and remember "This is the strongest place you can be in", pray, be at peace, and walk in the way He is leading you. 

   Though I know it seems silly because it is a prayer said for my audience without any of you actually being a part at the time I say it I still need to and just know when you read it I did pray this for my family and all of you. God Bless. Lots of Love From Mia :)

Dear Lord,

   I prayer you be with each and every one of us experiencing trials and moments of total confusion as to where our path is taking us next. I pray you allow us all to have the strength and peace to know that "The strongest position we can be in is complete surrender". Please give us the ability to walk as you are leading us and to know the steps you want us to take so that we are fully living Your plan for us and not our own. Please forgive our constant need to take control and help us let go so that we may rise to new levels of faith and success in our relationships with You. Bless and protect us all dear Lord and please put peace in our hearts as we go through these times of total blindness as to where we will end up. May we all know and realize though that this is exactly where we want to be and continue to be to reach our full potential for God and as examples and caretakers for our loved ones. Thank You for your many blessings and constant patience! 

Amen

"The strongest position you can be in is complete surrender"

   Thanks so much for reading this and being a part of my blog, but most importantly for taking this message to others as I hope it impacts and uplifts you all as it has me and my family.