a hostage situation

We were good this year with our tax preparations. On top of it. Probably more so than any year since Mrs. Blonde started her own company - Beauty by Crystal. I bribed my friend with food scheduled a meeting with our accountant before folks were even singing carols in 2009. Like I said...ON IT!

Come mid-February, as expected, we found out we were getting a serious sum of money back from the Feds. I really need to rearrange my withholdings! Of course, two kids doesn't hurt either. And, there will be FOUR for our 2010 taxes. Can you say FO-THOUSAND DOLLA! I digress. Serious sum within this context equates to just under 10% of my annual income. That's serious if you ask me. Thanks to the IRS's fancy website there's a nice little Where's My Refund feature. A few days after we filed April 6 became a very important day. And, not just because it was right on the tail of our 6 year anniversary.

Jump from mid-Feb to April 5 (ONE DAY before we're getting our money back): IRS notification comes in via snail mail.

Hello Mr. & Mrs. Blonde...blah blah blah...confusing mumbo jumbo...blah blah blah...Form ROYGBIV8329...blah blah blah...delayed...blah blah..

WAIT!

WHAT?!

DELAYED?!

What?!

(sighing / obscure profanity / disbelief / Why does God hate me? / etc)

Numerous phone calls and emails to my accountant and the IRS reveal that we filed everything 100% accurately but there seems to be a missing signature. Amidst the next phone call into the IRS:

"Well, that's interesting. It seems that particular form doesn't require a signature. You see, sir.," the agent continues, "The forms go through our mail room before they arrive to where they're supposed to go."

"Uh huh."

"Sometimes sections of returns can be misplaced."

"Alright. So how do we fix this," I inquire trying not to absolutely freak out on this chick.

"Complete the notification sent to you and you should have your refund within a couple weeks."

I step by step then walked through the notification with her to ensure I was doing exactly what they wanted.

"Mam, the form here says this could delay the refund 6 to 8 weeks instead of 2 as you mentioned."

She replies, "You should rely on what the notification says, sir."

"...ok..."

"Is there anything else I can help you with today?"

"No, mam"

In summary: The Federal government is holding on to our money a while longer because the IRS's dog ate my homework. Let's not forget, I'm (along with you) paying their salaries to make these sorts of errors. Oh, and, they're making interest on it while I wait (think they'll pay me that interest back?) AND, I never even got an apology! Not to sound quite so cynical I'm extremely thankful for the U.S. government and the freedoms we have. Public schools, transportation, roads, voting...all of it. But, how is it that I can get better customer service buying a pack of diapers at Target, ordering something through Etsy or winning an auction on eBay than I can from my own government?

-Mr. Blonde

how are things going?

"How are things going?" everyone asks.

I finally feel like myself again. After hearing Mr. Blonde tell me, he felt like he was "on a island." I thought, "Wow! I was totally out of it." (Mr. Blonde Editor's Note: To be fair I did say that, but it was within the context of having received a very kind supportive text message from Mrs. Blonde with regard to some difficult circumstances. I responded thanking her profusely for the note and that it was clear I wasn't feeling as alone as I had been without her support.) I don't think I have ever felt so tired and not present in my life. I no longer puking or feeling nauseous! Yeah! Crazy to think what in the world my hormones were doing during that time. It was hard not to be able to even talk to my husband because I was so nauseous and couldn't keep my eyes open. I cannot even begin to explain how I felt during those weeks. I am not about to tell you it was easy, but I can tell you that I was still able to find joy throughout the day.

I feel so blessed for the union that I have with my husband! He chooses to pursue me and love me in a ways I cannot explain. And, LA and Boatboy loved me SO well during those weeks. They were extra cuddly and loving with kisses and saying things like, "Momma, you are so pretty!" It's incredible even in my worst days they still view me as pretty and fun and want to take care of me. How can a mother of a 3.5-yr-old and Almost-2-yr-old ask for more? That innocent love of a child is something I desire in my own life. It's awesome what I can learn from God through my little guys.

I have been able to walk almost every day with the boys. And, dance! I am enjoying my growing bump. Embracing this will be my last pregnancy...I think! I am not allowing all the fears I could have invade my life like I was in the beginning. I am more thankful everyday for the life God has given me. God is strengthening my faith daily. That is my biggest prayer request for all you who are praying for me.

"...I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God's love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow; not even the powers of hell can separate us from God's love." -Romans 8:38 (NLT)

With the help of God I am not worrying about tomorrow. I'm trusting that God has each day planned and growing increasingly comfortable with having nothing figured out myself. It is so funny to me when I talk about nursing, delivering, sleeping, eating, schedules with the first two pregnancies...I kind of have things figured out and now thinking of having the twins...I am clueless. I am finding joy in trusting God with all of my worries (especially finances) and my unknowns. I so look forward to the ride that is ahead of us.

I am so thankful for the family and friends who REALLY know us and are on this journey with us. I don't know what I would do without each of you! Even through the hardest physical and emotional days I love the adventure God has me on and I embrace the beauty of our life. What a joy it is to share my heart with you as God paves my way.

We find out what we are having next Friday! I can't even wait to find out what these critters are!!!

The joys of my boys. Boatboy playing beautiful music and LA organizing Daddas wire nuts and anchors.