Payton: You did not start preschool this year although most of your peers did. At 3, we want you to enjoy being a child. I am working with you on letters and numbers. We also are given so many teaching opportunities that you are constantly learning about your world around you.
You did start gymnastics though and you will also do dance (starting later this week). You love to write the numbers 8 and 9 and make grocery lists for is constantly. At play time, you constantly want to play wedding and dance class.
Payton, you are the greatest little helper. We have had a lot going on lately (more on that later in this post) and you take it all in stride. You will do anything to help. Thank you for that. Now, don't forget to play. Work will always be there.
Riley bug: I've said it before and I'll say it again, God really knew what he was doing when he brought you into our lives. You spend most of your time with the bossiest women (mommy and sister) and you are so go with the flow. You love us so much and do what's expected of you, no question.
You started walking this month (13 months) and I'm mourning the loss of my baby. You are looking more like a toddler now. In the mornings, you love to play with sissy's toys that she won't let you play with when she's awake. You also love stirring spoons in bowls, your trucks, and drinking out of a sippy cup. Words are being added to your vocabulary daily and you already say 2 word sentences (hi daddy, thank you, what's this). You are naturally so smart and have so much figured out. We love watching you grow and explore your world!
As siblings: You two are pretty typical for siblings. You laugh, you fight, you love each other hard. It may not seem this way always, but giving you each other was the best gift I could ever have given either of you.
Other news: So, besides 2 kids growing too quickly, we have some other news. First, we have been sick. We may not have started school but the sickness making its rounds didn't miss us.
I've mentioned before that we have 1 rental. We decided it was time to grow this business and ended up buying 2 properties. One was planned and the other just ended up happening unplanned for us. One house needed a lot of work, which has meant a ton of juggling with our schedules. In any case, one is rented already and the other is already rented out as soon as we close on the house (it's move in ready).
This is huge news for us as we have been focusing on growing this business since we bought the first rental over 5 years ago. And it took 5 years. Good things come to those who wait.
Although we were mostly waiting for the right deal to come along for us, our rental purchases were timed at the perfect place financially for us. We have become personally debt free. That's HUGE! We did take on business debt to acquire our new properties, but this was always a part of our plan. As a big believer in the Dave Ramsey program, I know this isn't in line with his teachings. I do believe we each have to find our own paths though. Now, to get the business debt free.
My babies, I hope we are teaching you through our rental properties. There are many life lessons to learn when it comes to taking risks, putting hard work into something, and watching your business (or baby) grow.
