My Bel

Today is My Beautiful K~Bel's

1st Birthday

Where does the time go?

Here are just a 'few'

Of the 156 photos I took on Saturday

At her party:)

 Having lunch before the crowd arrived

 Always drinking her water

Gift Time

 A Cookie Monster Cake

 Checking out the candle

 I can't believe you are eating MY cake

 Testing It Out

 What a Mess

 Now What

 Isn't she just the cutest

 Between my sister and I

We have 7 grandchildren at this point

They were all at K-Bel's Party

All of them are between 1 and 7 years

Only 1 Boy :(  Poor Z

Considering The Joy of Grandchildren,

Cindy

The Estate Part 3

Welcome to The Estate Part 3

Tonight we will talk about

The TRUST

A trust is not something you absolutely Must have

Yet, it is something that is extremely helpful

When you do face the unexpected

Mark and I decided on a Trust and Living Wills

about 12 or 13 years ago

It changed the way we handled our finances

And gave us a sense of peace

When it came to the management of our estate (ha)

If something ever happened to both of us

We also needed a trust due to the fact

That we have a disabled child who needed

A Supplemental Needs Trust

In place to take care of his needs after we are gone

(If you have a child with special needs, on SSI or SSDI

or who receives services from the state or government, you definitely

need a supplemental needs trust)

Our trust encompassed everything we needed

Which included our wills, powers of attorney and 'living' wills

I do believe it is important to have an attorney

Execute your trust because there is a lot to it

It can be a bit pricey

However, from the experience I have recently

Lived through, it is well worth every penny

The Most Important thing to remember when putting a trust together is:

Funding The Trust!!!!

I cannot stress enough the importance of this step

There is NO sense making a trust

If you are not going to fund it

When Mark passed away on Christmas Eve

I didn't have to do anything with our existing assets

Everything automatically became mine

BECAUSE

They were funded into the Trust

If they had not been I would have had to go to probate for them :(

IMPORTANT::::

Every state is different

In Arizona I did not have to file any paperwork when Mark passed

Although you do have to file a death certificate to Social Security

Check the regulations in your state!!!

I am more than willing to answer any questions you may have

Or get you in contact with someone who can help

Just email me directly

Next week we will finish this little series

With a few more important things to have at your finger tips

When the need arises.

Considering The Importance of Being Prepared,

Cindy

Busy Filling The Voids...NOT!!!

It was a busy weekend

Friday night I went with some friends from church

To 'Faith and Family Night'

At Chase Field

We took in a Diamond Back's Game

 D~Backs Won 5/0

Afterwards

There was a great fireworks show

The night ended with a

Toby Mac Concert

Awesome!!!

 After a full day of work

Getting home at 11:45 pm

Was a bit late but I had a great time

Saturday was also busy

With a party for my youngest Granddaughter's

1st Birthday

I took 156 photos and will

Share a few of them on Tuesday

Which is her actual Birth Date

Saturday evening I met a couple for

Frozen Yogurt at Orange Leaf

I can't believe we talked over yogurt

for 2 1/2 hours :)

Sunday morning was filled with

An Awesome Worship Service

 At Adventure Community Church

And then home to babysit

This sweet cutie

The kids stayed for a few hours

Had lunch and just relaxed a bit

I spent the next few hours

Cleaing up around the ol' place

And now a little while on this computer

Before I absolutely Crash!!

It was an absolutely 'filled' weekend

With wonderful friends and family

Yet at the end of the day

My heart is ever so lonely

And longs to be filled

Nothing can fill the void left by the loss of Mark

Nothing except for allowing the Lord into the quiet places

Allowing Him to be my husband

And friends...

To be totally honest

I'm not exactly sure how to do that

And it's a scary place for this woman to go

Considering Tonight,

Cindy 

I Don't Want to Scare You But....

Christmas is only 4 months away!!!

What happened to the year?

I remember these photos from this post last year

I had intended to go through all of my

Christmas decorations and only keep the best

 It was less than 2 weeks later that my

Sweet and precious hubby went to heaven

I'm not sure about the decorations for this year

Since  (in my months of numbness after his passing)

I decided to throw much of what I had away

I'm not even sure if I kept any lights

Maybe that is just as well

Time to start some new traditions

Have you done any shopping yet?

I have noticed that all of the 'hobby' stores

Are in full swing for the holidays

I'm sure I'll be spending some time here,

here and here 

and maybe even here 

(because they always have cool stuff at great prices)

Above all else

I will be spending lots of time here

Because

Without it

There would be No Christmas

No Peace for today and

No Hope for tomorrow

Considering Christmas With Bittersweet Memories,

Cindy

The one where she doesn't share her heart....

Today

Marks the 8 month point

Since my hubby went to see Jesus

But instead of sharing my broken heart with you

Tonight

I chose to do a little project

I got some 'Happy' mail today

These cool can organizers

So I went to work on my less than organized pantry

(oh how I wish it were larger)

 I have become a bit lazy in my caretaking responsibilities

Over the past 8 months

My cupboards have become quite a sight

At least now

I know what I have and what I need

I got some other happy mail today as well

See that cute lookin' chic sitting on the stairs ----->

She leads you to my 365 blog

Check out what else I got today :)

Now

I think I'll just spend some time

Thinking about how much I miss my Mark

Considering 8 Months a Long Time

Cindy



The Estate Part II

Welcome to The Estate Part II

Planning for the future nobody wants to acknowledge

Tonight I will share some MUSTS

That cost little or no money

However must be a part of your plan

But first I will recommend that you do make one purchase

Purchase a decent sized

Fire Proof, Combination Lock Safe

This is where you will keep all of the important

Papers which will become your Estate Plan

Now, on to the MUSTS

A WILL

You can purchase will kits at places like Barnes and Noble or on-line,

you can also prepare a simple will on sites such as Legal Zoom

Everything you own needs to be addressed in a will of some sort

Here are some of the items/accounts you need to address

Home/Mortgage

Autos/Recreational Vehicles

Checking Accounts

Saving Accounts

Money Market Accounts

CD's

Mutual Funds

IRA's

401k, 403b, Investment Accounts

Annuities

Income Property

Personal Belongings (especially those with a higher dollar value)

It is best if you have all important information related to each item

Name, Address, Phone number of Bank or Financial Institution

Account Numbers

Beneficiary Information

If everything is not going directly to the spouse

Have a list of specific items that are to be given to whom

Please make sure your parents and grown children have wills

It's a tough talk

Yet, it will save lots of hassle down the road

Answer the Question:

Who is going to care for our children

Should we both pass away???

POWER OF ATTORNEY

Another MUST

Is having power of attorney for each spouse

It is important to have both

Medical and Financial Power of Attorney

There are many occasions where these

Need to be in place even if someone has not passed away

If a spouse or parent become unable to make decisions

For any of a number of reasons

You may have to make some tough decisions in their place

Please take care of this Before it is needed

I believe I have given you enough information for tonight

I will be back next Monday with more including:

What important papers you Must have copies of and

Trusts and how to fund them

You are welcome to contact me if you have questions:)

Considering This Important For All of Us,

Cindy

A Day Filled With....

Enjoyed my morning

Worshiping at Adventure

I Always enjoy

Spending a couple hours with

Little K-Bel

After church so her mommy and daddy

Can enjoy Worship Service

(K-Bel)

Was able to spend a couple

Of hours with my mom

Went to lunch here

Here favorite because she LOVES breakfast

She also took home a

Beautiful looking Lemon Pie:)

(Mom)

Then I had the pleasure of taking

A meal to a friend/co-worker

Who had back surgery 2 weeks ago

I took a meal from here

It sure did smell delicious

But then...

(Susan) 

I got the sad news

From my dearest friend of over 30 years

That her sweet and precious momma

Met Jesus last night

Of course we rejoice in the knowledge

That Jean is with the Lord

Yet, I feel the deep sense of loss

Going through Susan's heart tonight

Considering A Trip To Texas May Be In Order,

Cindy

Sharing My Friends

Tonight I would just like to share a few of my friends with you.

They are each talented and gifted writer's whom I have grown to love and appreciate.

Each of them have their own bent in writing yet each speaks directly to the heart.

Leah Adams at The Point Minitries

From The Trash Pile to the Treasure Chest

Elaine Olsen at Peace For the Journey

Peace For The Journey

Amy Cliptson, Amish and Christian Fiction Writer

Gift of Grace, Life of Joy, Roadside Assistance, and more

Alene Snodgrass At Positively Alene

Dirty Laundry Secrets, I'm a Fixer Upper, as well as numerous articles

Lisa Whittle

Behind Those Eyes, The 7 Hardest Things God asks a Woman To Do, and soon to be released {W}hole

Lisa Buffaloe

Lisa has been featured on numerous radio programs and will soon be releasing a devotional of Joy and Laughter

http://www.consideringitalljoy.com

SomeDay :)






If you stop by any of these blogs/websites please tell them I sent you but I am in No way receiving any compensation for this post.  I truly believe that each of the women above have Godly wisdom and words to share for Life Today.

Considering It A Blessing To Know These Women,
Cindy

What are Your Thoughts?

Have you seen any of the newest

Reality TV shows

About Kids

Dance Moms

In this program

The mom's are a horrible example

Of proper relationship building

Toddlers and Tiaras

Really?

Would you do that to your child

Or grandchild just so they can win a crown?

Little Miss Perfect

This is very similar to Toddlers and Tiaras

The parents are rude

And again disgraceful

Examples of how to build relationships

And teach your children respect

Outrageous Kids Parties

Really?

Would you spend $32,000.00

On your child's birthday party?

I've popped in to a few of these

Shows recently

And I must say

I am shocked at how parents act

What they are willing to spend

And What they Say in front of their children

I definitely will NOT be

Allowing my granddaughter's to

Watch any of these programs

Of course,

These are just my opinions

What about you?

Am I the only ogre in the community?

Considering Some Reality TV

Not the kind of Reality

I want my family to Live,

Cindy

The Estate Part 1

Truth be told

I am very aware that this is a subject

That None of us wants to discuss

Yet, as I continue to walk through

The recent loss of my husband

I have found it more and more

Comforting to have taken the time

To have this discussion

And make plans for our future

Over the next several weeks

I would like to take you through a few

Decision making 'helps'

Which hubby and I used years ago

That have made this Huge transition

In my life

Much simpler

I encourage you to put your discomfort

Regarding this subject aside

And venture with me

Over the next few weeks

Homework for this week:

TeeHee :)

Write down every single financial account that you have

Individual or Joint

In Part 2

We will discover what information is important

To have at your fingertips

If the need ever arises

Also, on a side note

Thank you to those who commented on my last post

The letter has been written, prayed over

And is ready to mail :)

Considering Estate Planning,

Cindy

Tonight...I have a question

Short post tonight!

Just a question that I am seeking some answers to!

I have an acquaintance whom I have known for about 3 years.

Recently she did a job for me which I paid for.

I am extremely disappointed with the results.

Question:

How do I tell her?

I do not want to hurt her feelings yet I am very discouraged that I cannot use the final product.

I don't think she ever reads my blog but I would rather not mention what project she did for me here.

What would you do???

Really!  I want to be extra kind but I'm frustrated at the unprofessional results!

Thanks so much, Cindy

Attempting to Settle In

Hi Friends

I thought I would share

Just a few more photos

From my recent trip to California

Son #1 met his birth sister in 2005

She has become such a part of our family

It was so wonderful for her and her family

To meet us at my MIL house

For Mark's Memorial

 We spent a little time at Twin Lakes

One of hubby's favorite places

There were deer everywhere

These two were just having a little lunch

Down by the lake

 Here I am with all my granddaughters

They are so very silly

But I love them all

And Great Grandma

Who got to meet the youngest

       3 girls for the 1st time

This is Son #1

His birth Sister

And all of their girls

Son #2 with his little dog Sam

They are such great travelers

Now that the above mentioned trip is over

I am attempting to settle in

To this new life without Mark

There are great days

And very difficult days

Yet, each day I feel the presence and peace of the Lord

Thank you for sharing these last 7 months

With our family

As we have walked through

The worst season of our lives

We are stronger because of your prayers!

Considering It All Joy,

Cindy



I Think I Have The Rambles.......

I think I have a little case of the Rambles....

 Thursday night I met a few friends here

 We enjoyed some DeLish Frozen Yogurt

And a night of Laughter

Ahhh...some great medicine

Friday night I went here

With another friend

We had dinner at the Ko~Sin Restaurant

And ate the most wonderful

Dinner and

Fabulous Desert Ever!!!

Tonight

I am home enjoying some quiet time

Son #2 is spending the weekend

Somewhere NE Arizona

With a friends family at their cabin

Tonight

I am wondering WHY it is so difficult

To throw away my favorite sandals

They have worn out their welcome

And their worthiness

Yet, they have not made it into the trash

HELLOOOOO...

They need to GO!!!!!

I took this photo the other day

From my backyard

Nobody but our God could create

Such Beauty

And now

I will just continue to enjoy

Some much needed quiet

Considering Ramblings With Joy,

Cindy