Happy Birthday Sister

Today is a day I have been dreading for awhile... Why? Today is my sister's birthday. The very first one we have had to "celebrate" with out her. :(

In case you haven't gathered from my posts so far my family is REALLY close. My relationship with my sister Janet was no exception. Janet and I were 13 years apart so when I was young she was more like a 2nd mom to me. I actually ended up living with her for a few years and she treated me like I was her own. As an adult, we became best friends our families would get together every weekend. I can not count the amount of hours that we spent hanging out in Janet's living room watching endless hours of Lifetime. "Come over Sophia it's Murder Saturday!" Yeah, I know it's probably not normal but that is the way we bonded. We would sit and laugh, and talk about everything- she was the best friend I could ask for.

September 12th my sister unexpectedly passed away. Why God chose that day- I wont know until we meet again, and then as I told my mom, I will probably be so happy I will forget to ask. A few things I do know for sure are; I know that she loved God and I know she is in heaven. I know the angels rejoiced that day and I know she is happier than she could ever be here.

As today approached I knew I would have to be the "strong" one. I have been making sure my mom is ok emotionally and that is no easy job. Also, I have Cecelia and I knew today would be especially hard on her.  Some of my family had planned to go to the cemetery today, I am not the kind of person that finds comfort going to the cemetery. If you are then this is in no disrespect to you, it is simply easier for me this way. Anyways, my task for today was simply to keep my mom as happy as I could.

I woke up as normal got dressed. Somewhere during this point it crossed my mind that this day had arrived but I was ok, I might get through this. I walked down stairs and  popped in my mom's favorite cd. I actually can't stand this cd but it always lifts her mood so I thought it would be good for her. As I went in to her room she said a few words and then burst into tears. Now, I am pretty strong but my mom crying can break my heart in a second. I held her as she regained composure and I asked if she would be ok. It is my Sunday to do worship so I had to leave for a little while. She said she would be fine but as I left I felt it- a huge knot that remained in my throat most of the day. I got to church and I was okay that is until it was time to pray. There is something about prayer, something about casting all of your cares on Him. I LOST it. I pulled my self together enough to worship, I actually felt bad that I had fell apart that way but I think I knew it was the only place I could. I came home got the kids dressed, and realized my family was all doing emotionally better than I was (so much for being the strong one)  After church (2nd service) my mom broke down so my sister Eileen and I decided to take her shopping. This may not make sense to you but we are a family of "therapeutic" shoppers. All in all, it went pretty well with my mom only having one major break down. So that pretty much concluded my day. My mom went to sleep really early, I'm pretty sure she was emotionally exhausted. But the most important thing was that we survived today.

 As I miss my sister today I can't stop thinking WOW, what better way to celebrate than with your maker? I imagine the angels dancing all around. I am sure it is a BEAUTIFUL sight. One day we will get to celebrate it together again for now I'll remember the wonderful memories we share. I love you big sister, I am sure your birthday was WONDERFUL! :)

My Little Harvest!

I have always wanted my own garden. I don't mean the little kind- I want the full BIG garden that takes over your entire yard kind of garden! Growing up we had the saddest looking back yard and I always knew "when I grow up" that's one thing I am going to have...

Fast forward 20 years- not so easy! Now I know why my mom gave up on the back yard!
I initially put in my landscaping thinking I will have a flower garden that wraps around the yard. I made this decision so that I could have ample space to plant enough plants, trees, flowers, veggies, basically whatever I wanted in the same space. So I got to work, I planted seeds in any space possible and marked them all.

Well there were some problems with this method of mine...
1. First of all I have a drip system and most of the time I would not tell Kiohud where I had planted what (he makes new drips where ever I need them) so half of what I planted did not get enough water.
 2. Most things were to close together, (I was trying to get them all to share water so we didn't need so many drips) nothing had room to grow.
 3. I was planting things too late in the season.
 4. I did end up with a few things growing in but it was usually that awkward- oh shoot that's not a weed! Did I mention most of my markers would get blown away or eaten by Roxy (my golden retriever)?

 It only took a few of these failures to come to the conclusion that my veggies needed a place of their own! With just a little research I found out that it wasn't hard for Kiohud to do! http://www.diynetwork.com/how-to/how-to-build-a-raised-vegetable-bed/index.html  Kiohud had it built a few days later and it was time to get started. I went to my local nursery http://www.elginnursery.com/ and asked every question I could think of- this time I would not fail!

We planted a few different kinds of veggies- I asked for anything "Sophia proof"! We ended up with lettuce, peas, tomatoes, peppers, cilantro, eggplant and basil. I had the kids plant everything- they LOVE to garden. This also works well because they are most likely to try it if they planted it themselves. :)

A few months later I am happy to report that we have a little harvest! Pictured is a very small portion- we have about 100 tomatoes that will be ripe in a few weeks. I LOVE the ability to send the kids out to the garden to grab basil, cilantro, or peppers for dinner! The best part? Now that I know I have a green thumb we can expand! I am hoping for at least a few beds next season with one dedicated to all herbs and peppers (I have found those the most useful by far).

 So this is how my love of gardening began- one day "God willing" I will be able to perfect this love and get the yard and garden of my dreams but for now I am feeling pretty accomplished that things are living!

Money, Money- EVERYWHERE!

I have had many emails asking if I know any ways to make extra money in this economy. To all of you who are struggling financially or would just like to get ahead I'll tell you- money is everywhere we just need to find it! I know, in this economy that we are going through you may find that hard to believe but there are still ways to make money out there and help your family get ahead!  Here are just a few ways...

1. Check Your Credit Card Statements: Did you sign up for something 3 years ago and never cancel it? Are there any fees you are unaware of? Something as simple as checking your statements can end up saving you some much needed cash!

2: Call Your Billing Companies: Pick up the phone! Your insurance company isn't going to call you to tell you that you qualify for a new deduction! Calling your insurance, credit cards, and other bills may lead you to some newly available discounts!

3. Clean out your closets: Out grow those clothes? Tired of those shoes? Stores like My Sister's Closet, Buffalo Exchange, Once Upon A Child, and Other Mothers will actually pay you for them! Many of these stores also offer payment via store credit so you can buy new things. (I actually just sold some of Hannah's old clothes for over $150!)

4. Yard Sale: Tired of parking your car in the street because your garage is holding all of that stuff that let's face it- you DON'T need? Kill two birds with one stone, get rid of old clutter and hold a good old fashioned yard sale! Let the kids help out by putting out old toys or having a lemonade stand.

5. Search for treasures: See a great deal but it's not for you? It may be for someone else! Deals that are too great to pass up can be a great opportunity at extra cash. Take advantage of that 90% off item and resell on Ebay or Craigslist for a profit.

6. Use Your Talents: Are you an amazing photographer? Do you love to bake? Turn those hobbies into a part time job! Remember the saying- "Do what you love and it will never feel like work"!

7. Part time job: I know you are pressed for time as it is but a part time job maybe enough to get you through this tough time.

8. Start a Blog!: No, I am not making money blogging but there are people who do! I came across this article with some great information on how to get started. http://christianpf.com/how-to-make-money-with-a-blog/

9. Invest: Use that tax refund or bonus to invest in something! You may not yield a profit right away but a smart person invests in his future!

10. Downsize: No need to "keep up with the Jones's"! Downsizing everything from your home to your cable bill can help you save thousands! Live within your means, your wallet (and relationships) will thank you!

Hope these ideas help you prosper! Just remember to think "outside of the box", there is money everywhere you just need to find it! :)

Emily's Path- Our Journey With School Selections

As I sat and waited for Emily to test and audition for Arizona School for the Arts, I was reminded of all that we have gone through in such a short time...

Emily has always been "ahead". At birth she came in 2 hours- as I yelled she is coming- the nurses laughed and said "Oh, these 1st time moms- they always think it's that fast", a few minutes later I had a new baby girl. At age 3, she picked up her first book and started reading, and discovered her love for science. When we decided to put Emily in school at age 4, it was because she lacked social skills. She would hang on to my leg and never say a word to anyone. If you got a "hi" out of Emily- it was a pretty big deal. (She is still pretty shy.)

                                                                                         
How We Found Faith North
I  began my search for a school that Emily would fit in at. I researched local schools and realized how crowded our school system was. A class with 30-40 students- I couldn't imagine Emily here since she rarely spoke to anyone. During my search I must have sat in at least 10 schools before I found it- Faith North Montessori, http://phxschools.org/faith_north/  a little school downtown. As I walked in I could see this was a different enviornment- the first thing I noticed was the garden. Plants, animals, vegetable gardens, all taken care of by the children. As I walked towards the classroom the teacher explained to me that this was not your "typical" school. Every class room had a few grades in it; preschool and kindergarten; 1st, 2nd, and 3rd; 4th 5th and 6th; and last 7th and 8th. The reason they did this was to accommodate every child's need so if you have a 1st grader that can do 3rd grade work he just sits in on those lessons and doesn't feel like an "outcast" because he is among his classmates, or if he needs to work on something a little longer he can do so without feeling bad for being "behind".  Last but not least- every class only had about 6 kids of the same grade in the class. This was perfect for Emily! A place where she wouldn't get lost, and be able to be herself!

A New Search
After 6 years my Emily has changed. She has found a love for music, which her school offers very little of.  She can pick up pretty much any instrument and understand it. She is currently playing the clarinet, piano, and most recently guitar- and let's not forget her love of singing! At Faith North they offer very little in terms of music education so we made the very hard decision that it was time to start a new search.

Arizona School For The Arts
One of the first schools that came up on my search was Arizona School For The Arts http://goasa.org/ (which I will now refer to as ASA). It is a school (grades 5-12) that pretty much takes out all other electives and focuses primarily on the arts (dance, voice, music, theater). Rated one of the top schools in Arizona and no tuition make it one of the hardest schools to get in to. The admission process goes as follows; wait list 1 year, application, interview, test, audition, and finally if you are able to jump through all of these hoops you are fortunate enough to get into -the lottery! The lottery is the final step and is pretty much a 50-50 chance.

        
                                                                                       
Emily's Chance-
Upon arrival we noticed that there were already about 500 people there, my first thought- I'm going to be here ALL day! Thank God, I was wrong. The process was very organized. They took all of the soon to be 5th graders  and separated them by last name alphabetically and divided them into separate classrooms. We, the parents were instructed to leave our children and return in 3 hours. I arrived back a little early which was a good thing since Emily was just walking out. We then went on to the next room where she would have her audition. We were very nervous because Emily's clarinet had decided to malfunction the night before- some notes would stick, the keys were hard to push down on, and it took twice the amount of breath to get any sound out of the thing. As we walked into the room I was surprised to see very few kids waiting. (I later learned that this was because Emily was early) I asked if they had another clarinet she could borrow and they said sorry we do not but we will see how she does with this one. We sat and waited and could hear the other auditions, I felt bad for the children who were coming out- I heard one say "Mom, I'm sorry, I was so nervous I couldn't stop squeaking!" And then from the hall I heard,  "Emily Sanderson"- it was her turn, as she walked in I felt nervous for her. I began to pray that God would be with her and her instrument and that He would give her favor. As she began to do her scales she would stop and say- "I'm sorry that's where it sticks". The teacher then asked her to play her favorite piece she played Morning by Griege, then she said now do another this time she did Ode to Joy. As she walked out the teacher said "Emily, If you can make a broken instrument sound that good I can't wait to see what you can do with one that is not broken. I really hope you get into this school, I will cross my fingers for you." At this moment I noticed something about Emily that hasn't changed, that uncontainable and undeniable look of accomplishment on her face. I love that proud face that Emily walked out with, it will be in my heart forever. "How do you feel about today?" I asked on the way home. Emily answered "Mom, I know I am supposed to be humble, but I am really proud of myself". I told her I was pretty proud of her too and that it's ok to feel good about yourself.

Waiting Game
As we wait for the lottery I know that either way I will be happy with the out come. On one hand we still love Faith North, I actually have Jacob and Hannah scheduled to start there in the fall. (If you are interested in this school sign up soon, there is now a 3 year wait list!) On the other hand, I know ASA is where Emily and her love of music belong. So for now we wait, and know that it is in God's hands and He will do what is best for her! :)

Help to Fix your Credit NOW!!!

If you read one of my last posts "All About Credit Scores" and your credit score wasn't quite where you wanted it- Don't Stress! There are ways to get the credit score you have always wanted. Here are some things you can do to get your credit on track:

1. Know Your Credit Report: This isn't one of those if I don't look, it will go away deals! Knowing your credit report (as scary as that may seem) is the first step to getting it where you need it to be. By getting a copy of your report you will be able to identify what actually is wrong with your credit and it may not be as bad as you think! I would suggest getting a report from all three credit reporting agencies; Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. If you go to http://annualcreditreport.com the federal government has made it possible to obtain a report from all three of these agencies once a year for free. Please note: there is a small fee if you want to get your credit score (The credit report only outlines your credit history).

2. Identify your problem area(s): Your credit report will show any collections, judgments, liens, and past due accounts. Current accounts will be marked with a C, 30 days delinquent with a 30, 60 days delinquent with a 60, and so forth. For Example:

Macy's 1/99                                        30CCC6030CCCC90   (DON'T BE INTIMIDATED, read below)

This shows that your Macy's account that you opened January of 1999 is currently passed due 30 days (Left is most recent credit history). It shows you have made the payment on time 7 times, it also has been 30 days delinquent twice (including this time), 60 days delinquent once and 90 days delinquent once.

3. Get Current: I know times are tough for a lot of people, but one of the worst things for your credit is currently being passed due on your accounts. Try to get current if possible and go for the bigger things first- 1. Mortgage(s), 2.Auto loan(s), 3. Personal Loans 4. Credit Cards. Bringing your accounts up to date is like putting a Band-Aid on your credit score- the wound will still be there but it will start the healing process.

4. Check Your Revolving Debt Percentage: Simply put, Revolving Debt is credit card debt. To check your revolving debt percentage add up all of your credit card limits (with or without a balance) now add up all of your balances and subtract this number (it should be under 50%). If it is more than 50%, this will bring your credit score down as it looks like you "rely too heavily on your credit".


Credit Card                                         Limit                                   Balance
Sears                                                      2000                                     1000
Walmart                                                    500                                          0
Chase                                                      2500                                      2500
                                                          
Total                                                     5000                                      3500
Revolving Debt Percentage =               70%  difference is 1500


5. Pay Down Your Credit Cards: Strive for the under 50%.  If at all possible I would work toward paying them off ccompletely! I will do another blog to show you the "evils" of revolving credit but for now just know it's not good.  Please note: I am not against credit cards just the revolving interest rates. There are many advantages to having a good "rewards card". We can discuss in detail another day...

6. Stop Applying For Credit: Did you know that every time you apply for credit it drops your score a few points? Some lenders will deny this- but I have seen it first hand. The 15% that you are saving to apply for that credit card at your local store will ultimately cost you at least that much in points!

7. Don't Close You Credit Cards: Yes, you just read that correctly. This does not mean keep using them, but by keeping them open, this will help you keep that revolving percentage rate down. 

8. Is it yours?: Errors sometimes happen on credit reports! Check for fraudulent accounts or errors and dispute them with your credit reporting company. To dispute any items you must write to your credit reporting agency include the nature of your dispute and copies of any information that may be relevant. Send your letter via certified mail and be sure to "return receipt requested". Your agency has 30 days to investigate and forward any information you provided to the company that provided the information. If they find that they reported in error they will remove it from your credit.

9. Be Patient!: This is a time consuming and some times frustrating process. It will all be worth it in the end!

I hope this information helps you get back on track. If you have any questions feel free to message me via email or facebook and I will try my best to help!

Good Luck! :)

A Day In The Life Of Sophia Sandeson

                                                                            
In getting better acquainted, I thought I'd share what actually makes up my day.

 A day in my life is no easy feat- as probably is the case for most mothers. I also have to say that I have a special appreciation to all of you moms that work a "real" job all day. Having done that before, it now seems totally impossible.

6:30- Wake up- ok,  I am lying. I am supposed to wake up at 6:30 I actually do not wake up until about 6:45- and roll frantically out of bed at 6:50. I pride my self on being able to to get dressed in 20 minutes- no that doesn't mean "slap myself together" 20 minutes= hair, makeup, the whole bit.
Emily can get herself dressed and it takes me about 10 minutes for Jacob and Hannah.

7:30- pack up breakfast- get everyone in car.

8:15- Emily arrives at school. We drive across town so the commute is about 30-45 minutes depending on traffic.

8:30- This is the calm point in my day. I usually take the kids to McDonald's or somewhere they can play (mine are the only kids that eat their pre-packaged breakfast). They can play, meet new kids and I can sit and read. Currently, I am reading The One Minute Millionaire by Mark Hanson, I was Broke But Now I'm Not (again) by Joe Sangel and Bringing Up Girls by Dr. James Dobson. I have to admit that I am currently looking for a new place to "hang out" because I am finding more and more creepy people here...

11:30 Arrive home. No, I do not hang out for that whole time. I do some shopping or meet with vendors- for the business. Also, during that time I grocery shop or pick up anything else I need for home. Anyways, at 11:30 my work day begins. I open up my computer which is usually located on my kitchen table. I do have a home office but I prefer working where I have a full view to everyone whatever they happen to be getting into. I work until 2:30, keep in mind I am interrupted about 50 times during this period (one of the only things I miss about a real job is being able to work interrupted).

2:30- This varies depending on whether Kiohud is home or not. If he is home, I get to clean and start dinner. Today he is gone so I get to pick up Emily and her carpool buddy and am home at about 4:15. I then get to clean and start dinner. If Kiohud is at work I get to cheat and make something "easy" but if he is home I usually make an actual meal.

4:15 Homework time.  Luckily Emily doesn't get too much homework, although she complains about it as though it were a lot more!

4:30-5- Is usually when dinner is served. Dinner time is one of my favorite times of day.  Dinner time is where we have all finally get to unwind from our day, I have finally put my computer away and the table is no longer my desk. I can enjoy it! I have read numerous statistics of the importance of a normal family dinner so I try to make this our "family time". It is here we get to hear about what went on in school and Jacob gives his "silly faces" to draw attention away from the fact that he doesn't want whatever we are eating- it never works).  I love this time with my family.

6 pm- I get to clean the house- again! If you have children you know that this is a never ending cycle! I clean the house a lot more- but i couldn't include it after every hour! After that if I feel like it I go for a run. (about 3-4 times a week) I usually take Jacob and Hannah in the double stroller and hope that Hannah falls asleep! (usually that is my incentive to run) ha ha

7:00- bath, story, and prayer time.

8:30 Light's out! For the kids anyways. All is peaceful in the Sanderson home! Now, I get to answer any emails I didn't get to and finish up any anything else I didn't do. This is also where I get to sit in my room in total quiet and have my devotional. I love this quiet time. If Kiohud is at work, I will watch the news and then go to sleep and if he is home this is finally where we can talk and usually end the night watching a movie.

That's about a normal day for me assuming there are no other activities the kids are involved in that day. Also, unaccounted for is all the normal things that go on- attempting at potty training, keeping track of our dogs (Roxy a golden retriever and Buttercup our puppy teacup poodle). Welcome to my chaotically , wonderful  life! :)

All About Credit Scores!

One of the biggest financial responsibilities and sometimes most intimidating things in your financial life will be your credit score. It's not as complicated as you think! Here are the basics on credit:

Range- Credit scores range from about 300-850 depending on which credit reporting company you go through. The three major credit reporting companies are Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.
 
580-below- These scores are not good to put it bluntly. People in this bracket have recent (or most likely current) delinquency and will most likely be turned down for any loan. If you do qualify and your score is in this range, you may want to put the pen down! Interest rates for any loans in these scores will most likely be ridiculously high.

580-620- These scores are getting a little better but honestly not much. People in this area generally have had some recent past due accounts. When applying for a loan, they will generally be turned down by "regular lenders" (local bank) and may have to venture in to the sub prime loan department. Having worked in this department for many years, I can now honestly say that if it isn't an emergency don't do it! These rates are typically not very good and will most likely cause more harm than good.

621-680- These scores are considered "acceptable". People that fall into this category are considered trustworthy, and usually have either no past due accounts or are new credit holders. If you fall into this category and have had credit for awhile it may be that you have a high credit card usage or too much debt. Credit scores in this area will most likely get you an approval but usually not a prime interest rate.

681-720- This is considered good credit. People with these scores will usually qualify for what ever loan they are looking for. Interest rates at this point will be acceptable but not as great as people with excellent credit scores.

721-799- Only 27% of the population has credit scores within this range. This is great credit. Customers in this category usually qualify for prime rates. They are considered trust-worthy and usually have never had a late payment.

800-+- It is estimated that only about 13% of people have scores in this range. These are customers who have never had a delinquency, and have little to no revolving debt. Customers in this bracket will get the best rates on anything and everything from mortgages to credit cards.


It is wise to check all three reports at least once a year (all will vary a little).The federal government passed a law a few years ago and you can now see all of your reports for free at http://annualcreditreport.com/ Knowing your credit history will make it easier to prevent credit fraud and also know where you stand financially. If you are in the top portion of the credit scores congratulations! Hard work pays off!  If you are in some of the bottom scores- stay tuned I will show you the steps to get your credit back on track! It is possible! :)

Hello, I'm Sophia!

Welcome to my very first blog! So here we go- My name is Sophia. I am a 29 year old Christian mother of 3. I have been married to my awesome husband for 10 years- I'll introduce my family to you a little further on...

 As for me, I am a stay at home mom who runs a small fashion marketing/sales business out of my home. I have worked in finance for over 10 years- real estate, credit, insurance, and investments. I  love dealing with anything financial. Clothes and fashion are my hobby, but what I love most is my wonderful family!

Let me introduce you to the members of my family:

Kiohud- my hubby (no, he is not Japanese) Kiohud and I have been married for almost 11 years. Yes, if you are doing the math we got married at 19!!! Being married this young isn't exactly the easiest way to do things- but to me, it is proof that God honors commitment and being faithful to Him. Kiohud is a Fire Engineer, and musician. He is my best friend!

Amazing Emily!-Emily is 10 years old and will always be my baby girl! 
She is one of the smartest kids I will ever meet. She amazes me every day, with her witty responses and her sharp quirky comebacks to anything I say. Don't let her shy exterior fool you- she really is a funny kid!

Funny Jacob- I am convinced that God gave me Jacob so that I could laugh every day! Jacob is 4, but has a personality that is much bigger than him. Dinner time in the Sanderson home is usually spent laughing at something silly Jacob is doing. Anyone that knows Jacob knows that he loves a: batman and b: skeletons (don't ask, I still have no idea why)! I am sure I will have TONS of Jacob quotes on here...

HANNAH!- Hannah is only 2 years old but so far is the loudest and toughest child I have! She's far more bold than Emily and Jacob put together and she loves to explore and play. Most of all she loves to pick on her big brother! The sentence I hear most during the day is "MOM- Hannah is being mean!"  

Nana- My mom lives with us. While most of you might think that is crazy- I love it! She is always here to lend a helping hand, with the kids or around the house. With Kiohud's schedule (24 hour shifts) and the business, there is no way we could function without her- I love my mama!

CeeCee!- My  15 year old niece Cecelia and I have always been very close. This year when my sister Janet unexpectedly passed away there was no question- she was going to stay with us! Cecelia hasn't had the easiest life in her short 15 years but she is no doubt one of the strongest kids I have ever encountered. When I look at her I know God has something huge waiting for her because of all that she has been able to overcome. She has become like one of my own, and while I know I will never fill her mother's shoes- I will do my best!

This is my family!

So why would a mom with no time to think write a blog? Well, working from home I lack human interaction! I have so much to offer and I want to help people with finances, fashion and life. What better way  to reach out to people than secluded in my own home?!