Did you know?

If you're anything like Cole and I, you're impatiently waiting for your tax return... after the layoffs at Parker Hannifin, we were fortunate that Cole got to keep his job, but with a required 10% pay cut and reduced bonuses. Ouch! So anyway, we're stockpiling any spare change we can, building our savings up. Just in case...

Our itty bitty Kansas return came mid-March, and I've been checking our account frequently to see when the Federal will arrive. Not that we're doing anything exciting with it - saving most and using some for our trip in April, a much-needed vacation to Texas for Mark and Becky's wedding! (Very little economic stimulation coming from the Eilders this year, sorry folks.) Long story short, did you know you can check for the exact day your Federal return will be electronically deposited, if you've selected that option?! Just enter these three things:

1) Your SSN.
2) How you filed. (Single, Jointly, HOH, etc.)
3) The dollar amount of your return.

And PRESTO! The exact date of your deposit appears. March 27th, in our case; I love Fridays! This may be the smartest thing our government has ever done. :) Only kidding. Click here to try it out!

Baby Beam!

The Beam baby is here! Parker Grace arrived on March 15th, and I can't wait to see her!!! I'll probably try to meet up with Leesa, Dusty and Parker next Monday when I'm in Wichita for work... Click here to see Parker Grace! :) Does she look more like Mom or Dad? I can't decide...

She said it best...

An old friend of mine from high school (who also happens to be a Premier Designs jeweler) recently used her business to help out her dear friends who lost their baby girl. What a beautiful thing she did - bringing together over 100 people to remember sweet Cora and support a playground in memory of her! Check out Amanda's blog here:

The Balzer Family's Blog

Parker Grace

My friends Leesa and Dusty are waiting for their new bundle of joy to arrive... Parker Grace should be here sometime in the next few weeks. (Isn't that a cute name?!) Here are the pictures from Leesa's baby shower that some friends and I threw. We had a great time making play-doh babies, watching Leesa open gifts, and chowing down on some yummy cake! I was especially proud of the clothes-line of onesies in the background. :) I can't take credit for that one, though... I think I found it online somewhere!