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by Hope

God laughs. That has been so true for me the last week! I let the last couple of posts publish because I wanted to document how I thought my life was going to go. (I typically write about a week in advance.)

But let me tell you…that is NOT how life has gone!

Sea Cadet is Back in the House

First off, Sea Cadet is back. And it cost me $162 to get him here. Ugh!

His plans to move out fell apart a little over a week ago. He called the guy he had plans to move in with only to learn that his girlfriend and children had moved in so there was no more room available.  So he blew the money he had saved to move out, knowing he would just come home.

He didn’t have anything but the gas money to come home when his duties at camp ended and a paycheck due next week. And then as he attempted to leave, his car wouldn’t start. Thankfully, after a little while of panicking he did determine he just needed a new battery. (Which is what I told him when he called.)

I let him put the new battery on my credit card, all three of the kids are authorized users and have their own cards. He will be paying me back for the battery and his rent when his paycheck arrives this coming week. But ugh!

Gymnast has Moved In

Gymnast has decided to finish out his last three years of high school here. His dad and I left it up to him (for better or worse as we couldn’t agree on anything) to decide. (Broken families really suck, especially for the kids!) As a result, I had to buy another bed and a few bedroom accessories. (When Beauty moved in, she took his old bed. It had already been living in Princess’ room as we didn’t really have anywhere to store it.)

So several hundred dollars later, he has a bed and his room furnished. History Buff moved out of the little room and back into the living room with Sea Cadet. We just finished rearranging that room to make it a bedroom for the twins instead of a living room/Sea Cadet’s room. It’s a little crowded as most of the living room furniture had to remain as we have no where else to put it.

But our 1100 square foot house is now liveable for all 6 of us…seriously, it’s okay. I’m pleasantly surprised. And better yet, we are the most organized we have every been. I guess the five of us in a 2 bedroom, 2 bath, 900 square foot apartment was preparing us for the 6 of us in a 3 bedroom, 1 1/2 bath, 1100 square foot home. It truly isn’t terrible.

But moving on to what was the biggest shock to me and perhaps the one with the most financial repercussions.

Princess is Transferring Schools

Without a lot of forethought or even time to decide, Princess is returning to the public school she left. I left the decision up to her after some very heartfelt, tearful conversations. Taking into consideration what it would be on all fronts. She wants to return.

So Thursday afternoon of last week, I got her registered. For the first time ever, my two biological kids will attend the same school. And I think they are both a little excited about it, and frankly, I am too. Even though they are only a year apart in age, they are two grades apart due to Princess skipping a grade when she transitioned from homeschooling to public school. So this really is the only opportunity for this to happen.

There were some other factors which will remain private. But she is very happy with her decision and I have decided that no matter what my feelings or thoughts on it, I want her to have a successful and fun senior year. I believe she has made the right choice looking at the broader picture, especially in these uncertain times.

So all three of my high-schoolers return to school next week, as of today, at least. I spent about $10 on basic school supplies (paper, notebooks, pens and pencils,) bought about $300 worth of back to school clothes and do not have to think about car stuff as they will all be able to ride together! Woot, woot!

Now I am just waiting to hear about getting a refund on the tuition I have already paid. Per their policies, I should be able to get it all back. That’s $2,600 that I’ll have to go toward debt. (But I’m not sure how long that will take so just waiting to hear.)

Hope

Hope is a resourceful, solutions-driven online business manager with over two decades of experience helping clients streamline operations, manage projects, and grow their businesses through digital marketing and technology.

But life has a way of rewriting your plans.

A year ago, Hope made the decision to move in with her aging parents full time – a season she wouldn’t trade, even as it came with its own financial and emotional weight. Earlier this year, she lost her mother, and is now walking the tender, disorienting path of grief while learning what “forward” looks like from here.

Hope came to the Blogging Away Debt community in 2015 as a single mom raising five foster and adoptive children. She’s written through job changes, financial setbacks, and the bittersweet transition to an empty nest. Her kids are finding their footing in the world now – and so is she.

Rooted in faith and fueled by the same perseverance she’s brought to every hard season, Hope is ready to face her finances with fresh eyes and an honest pen. She believes that clarity, courage, and community can change the trajectory of anyone’s story including her own.

She lives in Austin, TX with her dad, loves adventures with her dog Addie, and is figuring out, one step at a time, what this next chapter is meant to be.