I almost did it….I was almost able to beat myself at the coupon/money saving game this week….but ultimately I was not able to make it happen. I originally had $86 to spend this week for my family. I set a personal goal to only spend $80 but ended up with a grand total of $86.83. Not too shabby in hindsight since I planned an extra special meal and dessert for Valentine’s Day night and bought the “have to have” red sprinkles to decorate my son’s sugar cookies for his class for Valentine’s Day!
Wouldn’t we all be a little bit richer if items such as fruit, vegetables, dairy, and meats were ever able to be purchased with coupons? My haul this week included strawberries, asparagus, zucchini, green onions, a large bag of baby carrots, a dozen eggs, 1 quart buttermilk, shredded cheese, sour cream, 12 oz of cream cheese, and 1 ½ lbs of top round steak….all of which I had to pay full price for. Fortunately places like Publix usually have great deals on a “fruit of the week” and their meat selection is usually phenomenal…not to mention their awesome buy one get one free deals. I would imagine, even with the discounts I am able to score at Publix, these above mentioned items take up at least ½ of my total cost every single week.
This week I scored some Arnold Country Bread for BOGO and some Breyers Ice Cream as well (hubby will be happy about that!!!!) They did have some other very good BOGO deals but I am married to my budget so I did not deviate and stock my cart with anything extra this week. I was however VERY tempted to utilize my ALL Detergent coupon, which expires in 2 days, but since I am married to my budget I had to let this one go. (side note: for those that don’t know, I am a closet laundry detergent addict….just ask my husband…..we currently possess 12 bottles and I am DYING to add to that!!!!)
Overall this was a rather successful week. Besides the staples that I mentioned earlier and the BOGO deals, I was also able to score a few frozen lunches for myself, snuggle dryer sheets, large bleach, butter sticks, golden mushroom soup, rice, a small thing of merlot (for cooking), heavy whipping cream, spaghetti noodles, paper towels, powdered sugar, white baking chocolate, prosciutto, splenda, coconut, Lays BBQ chips (for FREE!!!), cherry pie filling, a 12 pack of sodas, and those special red decorating sprinkles for one SUPER little man!!!
Total saved this week was $23.00. Could have been better….have had better weeks in the past but with Valentine’s Day coming I focused more on making my little loved ones a really awesome Valentine’s Dinner complete with a Cherry Frosted Red Velvet 3-layer cake (homemade )
And now that my mission for this week is completed, I am off to enjoy a very quiet evening alone watching “Mommy” shows and relaxing!
Happy Couponing Everyone!!!!
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Thursday, January 12, 2012
For the love of Independence....
I have been tossing around this statement in my head for weeks now….”how do you encourage children to become more independent?” Seems like a simple enough question and one would think a simple solution could be found…however I am convinced that the “solution” is far more difficult than meets the eye. Perhaps there are other moms pondering the exact same question or dealing with some of the same issues so I thought someone might read this and provide insight. If not, then at least I am getting my thoughts out of my own head and on to paper….well sort of…
I have never met children with more toys, games, movies, puzzles, and knick knacks as my two. They even have a somewhat broad imagination that comes to life in the form of wrestling and chasing each other endlessly throughout my house. They are a great age difference apart and are very fortunate to have a live-in playmate at all times. With that said, why is that I cannot pee, do laundry, fix myself a glass of water, load or unload the dishwasher, handle feminine needs, shower, change clothes, brush my hair or teeth, complete my makeup, have a simple phone conversation, walk to another room for a brief second, kiss my husband, or pretty much ANYTHING else without having them attached to my hip, leg, or foot or without them endlessly screaming my name!?!?!
I simply am not that fascinating nor do I feel that I have the ability to be an endless source of entertainment for 2 or 5 year olds. I do understand a child’s need for attention, affection, etc….but mine get all of that and more. I often find myself wondering why they can’t simply be out of my site for more than 3-5 minutes at a time without sending out a search party. I never knew silence could be so loved, so appreciated, as I do now when I get the small brief moments to myself.
I do not wish for this time to pass quickly for I know that it already is. My son is 5, in pre-k, and changing everyday in front of my eyes. My daughter is potty trained, outgrowing all her clothing, and totally developing a mind of her own. People say all the time, “do not wish this time away for you will miss it…” and I could not agree more. However, just this once, for the sake of my privacy, my vanity, my make-up, my pitiful hair jobs, my “mommy” clothes, my not wanting to answer the question….”mommy what is that” (pointing to my private area)….just this once….I would like them to have some independence!!!!!!
I have never met children with more toys, games, movies, puzzles, and knick knacks as my two. They even have a somewhat broad imagination that comes to life in the form of wrestling and chasing each other endlessly throughout my house. They are a great age difference apart and are very fortunate to have a live-in playmate at all times. With that said, why is that I cannot pee, do laundry, fix myself a glass of water, load or unload the dishwasher, handle feminine needs, shower, change clothes, brush my hair or teeth, complete my makeup, have a simple phone conversation, walk to another room for a brief second, kiss my husband, or pretty much ANYTHING else without having them attached to my hip, leg, or foot or without them endlessly screaming my name!?!?!
I simply am not that fascinating nor do I feel that I have the ability to be an endless source of entertainment for 2 or 5 year olds. I do understand a child’s need for attention, affection, etc….but mine get all of that and more. I often find myself wondering why they can’t simply be out of my site for more than 3-5 minutes at a time without sending out a search party. I never knew silence could be so loved, so appreciated, as I do now when I get the small brief moments to myself.
I do not wish for this time to pass quickly for I know that it already is. My son is 5, in pre-k, and changing everyday in front of my eyes. My daughter is potty trained, outgrowing all her clothing, and totally developing a mind of her own. People say all the time, “do not wish this time away for you will miss it…” and I could not agree more. However, just this once, for the sake of my privacy, my vanity, my make-up, my pitiful hair jobs, my “mommy” clothes, my not wanting to answer the question….”mommy what is that” (pointing to my private area)….just this once….I would like them to have some independence!!!!!!
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
One Great Holiday
Where on earth has 2011 gone. Is that what happens when you find true happiness in your life….the days start to literally fly by. One year ago I was still in Savannah having just celebrated my first Christmas officially “out on my own.” I never would have guessed back then that I would be sitting here today…my life having done a complete 180.
We have truly been blessed this Christmas season. My husband and I are thoroughly enjoying married life, my children are happy and healthy, and God has provided for us immensely through this past year. We are still praying for some financial assistance for Ethan and his medical/therapy needs as they continue to mount and the need for additional services becomes evident as we near the crucial time of preparation for Kindergarten.
December completely flew by and before I could blink it was Christmas morning. We enjoyed many good moments in December, especially celebrating Ethan’s 5th birthday at the local bowling alley. The look of pure joy and excitement on his face was the highlight of the day. This was his first experience at bowling but it most definitely will not be his last. We also attended many Christmas events this season and were able to spend some true quality time with our families.
It has been such a joy this season to really just enjoy each other and our new little family. One of my favorite gifts this season was a precious ornament from my dear sister, Kristen, which symbolized our first Christmas together as a family. As we prepare for 2011 to come to an end, I am so excited about what lies ahead for me and my family in the New Year.
We have truly been blessed this Christmas season. My husband and I are thoroughly enjoying married life, my children are happy and healthy, and God has provided for us immensely through this past year. We are still praying for some financial assistance for Ethan and his medical/therapy needs as they continue to mount and the need for additional services becomes evident as we near the crucial time of preparation for Kindergarten.
December completely flew by and before I could blink it was Christmas morning. We enjoyed many good moments in December, especially celebrating Ethan’s 5th birthday at the local bowling alley. The look of pure joy and excitement on his face was the highlight of the day. This was his first experience at bowling but it most definitely will not be his last. We also attended many Christmas events this season and were able to spend some true quality time with our families.
It has been such a joy this season to really just enjoy each other and our new little family. One of my favorite gifts this season was a precious ornament from my dear sister, Kristen, which symbolized our first Christmas together as a family. As we prepare for 2011 to come to an end, I am so excited about what lies ahead for me and my family in the New Year.
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Random facts...compliments of Ethan and Ella Grace
Things that my children have taught me recently:
1) Girls actually CAN pee standing up like their Big Brothers do…although sometimes their socks end up wet.
2) If you eat too many grapes in one weekend you will actually poop out the grape skin
3) If you laugh like this…”AH HA HA” really deeply while swinging a baseball bat you are almost always successful.
4) There is nothing quite like waking up next to your 2-year old after they have crawled in your bed at 4am.
5) Children will scream out the names of every animal they see in a book while you try your best to read the story
6) No matter how young they are or old they get, telling a child that broccoli is a tree NEVER works
7) If you tell your daughter to stop bitching, she will proceed to walk around the house for the next five minutes saying “I bitch,” “I bitch…”
8) A stubborn little boy will still poop his pants and then sit sideways in his car seat to avoid having to feel it. ALL THIS because he refuses to poop in the potty. That’s determination right there…
9) No matter if you are going 5 hours or 5 feet, a child always wants to have a movie on in the car
10) When your daughter has a BAD diaper rash, squirting her off with the sink hose works just as well as wet wipes! So glad my creative fiancée` thought of that one!
1) Girls actually CAN pee standing up like their Big Brothers do…although sometimes their socks end up wet.
2) If you eat too many grapes in one weekend you will actually poop out the grape skin
3) If you laugh like this…”AH HA HA” really deeply while swinging a baseball bat you are almost always successful.
4) There is nothing quite like waking up next to your 2-year old after they have crawled in your bed at 4am.
5) Children will scream out the names of every animal they see in a book while you try your best to read the story
6) No matter how young they are or old they get, telling a child that broccoli is a tree NEVER works
7) If you tell your daughter to stop bitching, she will proceed to walk around the house for the next five minutes saying “I bitch,” “I bitch…”
8) A stubborn little boy will still poop his pants and then sit sideways in his car seat to avoid having to feel it. ALL THIS because he refuses to poop in the potty. That’s determination right there…
9) No matter if you are going 5 hours or 5 feet, a child always wants to have a movie on in the car
10) When your daughter has a BAD diaper rash, squirting her off with the sink hose works just as well as wet wipes! So glad my creative fiancée` thought of that one!
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Some things from this week....
Some things I have learned this week:
1) It is hard to watch your first born start his first day of PreK because you know that means that he is no longer your baby.
2) When you put on the PERFECT wedding dress your face lights up brighter than ever before.
3) I can throw together some darn good dinner with all the little “scrap” items lying around in my fridge and pantry.
4) A 4-year old can poop out things that look like bombs and smell like dead animals.
5) If you give children shampoo that comes out in a pump, they will GLADLY wash the walls of your tile shower with it.
6) Shoes are apparently very overrated when you are 2.
7) Jumping down 4-5 stairs at a time makes a child look like Superman….
8) Fly swatters that send electric shock to the fly when you hit it are BY FAR the coolest inventions ever.
9) A man who will shop with you 2-days in a row while you seek to find that perfect outfit is WORTH HIS WEIGHT IN GOLD!
10) A 2-year old is perfectly capable of sleep walking and freaking you out at 1:00am.
11) Hearing your child say “I love you” to your future spouse makes you overjoyed.
12) And lastly…from my sweet 2-year old daughter I have recently learned that Old McDonald has a bicycle, an Ethan, a cow and most importantly Chicken and French Fries!!!!
1) It is hard to watch your first born start his first day of PreK because you know that means that he is no longer your baby.
2) When you put on the PERFECT wedding dress your face lights up brighter than ever before.
3) I can throw together some darn good dinner with all the little “scrap” items lying around in my fridge and pantry.
4) A 4-year old can poop out things that look like bombs and smell like dead animals.
5) If you give children shampoo that comes out in a pump, they will GLADLY wash the walls of your tile shower with it.
6) Shoes are apparently very overrated when you are 2.
7) Jumping down 4-5 stairs at a time makes a child look like Superman….
8) Fly swatters that send electric shock to the fly when you hit it are BY FAR the coolest inventions ever.
9) A man who will shop with you 2-days in a row while you seek to find that perfect outfit is WORTH HIS WEIGHT IN GOLD!
10) A 2-year old is perfectly capable of sleep walking and freaking you out at 1:00am.
11) Hearing your child say “I love you” to your future spouse makes you overjoyed.
12) And lastly…from my sweet 2-year old daughter I have recently learned that Old McDonald has a bicycle, an Ethan, a cow and most importantly Chicken and French Fries!!!!
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
The "TWOS" have Hit Us!!!!
I love it when people ask how old my daughter is and I tell them “2” and they smile at me and say…”oh the TERRIFIC Twos….”
Well I decided that those people are crazy. Certifiably Crazy, Need to be Institutionalized Crazy, absolutely lost their marbles CRAZY!!!!!! My daughter is in the TERRIBLE twos and it is hitting me like a ton of bricks. My daughter came out of the womb having the terrible twos, or so I thought, until this past weekend rolled around. Suddenly my child who usually will sleep peacefully is now going through a stage where everything, AND I MEAN EVERYTHING, is a battle. For starters we no longer can allow anyone to do anything for her but Mommy. She wont nap without it being an hour long event just to soothe her to sleep and she wont sleep at night without being rocked and soothed until she is snoring. And don’t you dare leave the room before she is snoring because if you do, WWIII will ensue.
She has full-on tantrums about everything. When she wants something she tantrums, when she doesn’t want to do something she tantrums, when she wants you to do something she tantrums, when she wants you to stop doing something she tantrums, when she wants a toy she tantrums, when she is tired of playing with that toy she tantrums, when she wants juice she tantrums…because then she decides she wants milk…therefore ANOTHER tantrum. She will throw her food, her fork, her spoon, her cup, plastic bottles, her binky, whatever toy is close by, her blankie, and especially her shoes when she is upset with you.
Yesterday she was extremely defiant. She knows (for the most part) what is acceptable and what is not. For instance…peeing in the laundry room floor when she knows where her potty is = NOT ACCEPTABLE. Eating her butt cream/ointment and licking her lips while doing it = NOT ACCEPTABLE. Throwing her water bottle at Mommy in front of everyone at the pool = NOT ACCEPTABLE.
But she is cute…and she loves her Mommy…and when she holds my hand my heart melts completely. So I think she will probably live with me forever, because WHAT MAN would possibly tolerate all of that????
And there is my Ethan….who I think probably sits back, watches with pure delight as ALL the spankings and time outs are utilized on his sister. I think somewhere…in the back of his mind…he is grinning behind those sweet eyes
Well I decided that those people are crazy. Certifiably Crazy, Need to be Institutionalized Crazy, absolutely lost their marbles CRAZY!!!!!! My daughter is in the TERRIBLE twos and it is hitting me like a ton of bricks. My daughter came out of the womb having the terrible twos, or so I thought, until this past weekend rolled around. Suddenly my child who usually will sleep peacefully is now going through a stage where everything, AND I MEAN EVERYTHING, is a battle. For starters we no longer can allow anyone to do anything for her but Mommy. She wont nap without it being an hour long event just to soothe her to sleep and she wont sleep at night without being rocked and soothed until she is snoring. And don’t you dare leave the room before she is snoring because if you do, WWIII will ensue.
She has full-on tantrums about everything. When she wants something she tantrums, when she doesn’t want to do something she tantrums, when she wants you to do something she tantrums, when she wants you to stop doing something she tantrums, when she wants a toy she tantrums, when she is tired of playing with that toy she tantrums, when she wants juice she tantrums…because then she decides she wants milk…therefore ANOTHER tantrum. She will throw her food, her fork, her spoon, her cup, plastic bottles, her binky, whatever toy is close by, her blankie, and especially her shoes when she is upset with you.
Yesterday she was extremely defiant. She knows (for the most part) what is acceptable and what is not. For instance…peeing in the laundry room floor when she knows where her potty is = NOT ACCEPTABLE. Eating her butt cream/ointment and licking her lips while doing it = NOT ACCEPTABLE. Throwing her water bottle at Mommy in front of everyone at the pool = NOT ACCEPTABLE.
But she is cute…and she loves her Mommy…and when she holds my hand my heart melts completely. So I think she will probably live with me forever, because WHAT MAN would possibly tolerate all of that????
And there is my Ethan….who I think probably sits back, watches with pure delight as ALL the spankings and time outs are utilized on his sister. I think somewhere…in the back of his mind…he is grinning behind those sweet eyes
Monday, July 25, 2011
Random Thoughts...
Struggles….life is full of them right? I mean on the outside it may appear that everything in your life is rosy…but deep down there are struggles that exist. I think we all go through the valleys and the mountains in our lives and we must somehow find personal strength to hold on when it gets hard.
I myself have been in this valley lately. I can not really go in to explicit detail the exact reason, but it is there and it is not going away. One thing that fuels this “valley” is guilt. Guilt for working full-time and allowing a daycare to raise my children. Guilt for not being able to be there for every little thing because I am dealing with work related issues. Guilt because my job/financial status has forced me to pull my child from weekly therapy (which he needs) in favor of bi-weekly therapy because its more affordable. Guilt because I have yet to be able to start my son in behavioral counseling because my work schedule and the therapist schedule do not blend. Guilt because the child I have worked so hard to train, finally had his first pee pee and poo poo successes at the hands of a daycare instructor. Guilt because my daughter has come home from school on three occasions with bite marks embedded in her little arms from a peer. Need I go on?
I wrote a quote on my mirror the other day…as a small reminder to “start making a life.” We get so caught up in the “things” of this world that we forget what actually matters. Perhaps this is all hitting me now because as of yesterday my mother reminded me that my precious first-born is starting school (prek) in two short weeks. My mind has wanted to stretch it out longer and longer. I think I was convinced that if I said, “oh school starts in 5 weeks” that I might actually be prolonging the inevitable. Either way, Ethan is nicely decked out with his Lightning McQueen book bag which swallows his little back but is darn precious never-the-less and he enjoys carrying it around although I am quite sure he thinks it is merely a toy and nothing more.
I want to take the time to really, truly, enjoy each moment of their childhood. I hope they enjoy being carefree and frivolous because unfortunately it will pass all too soon.
I need to be better about uploading some funny candid shots that have been captured over the summer of my little rugrats. These are the most precious memories I can have.
And as for those struggles…well there is nothing quite like sitting on my back deck with my thoughts…and doing the best I can to let it go. What you can not control, you can not worry about (shout out to Mimi on that one….)
And as for what I can control….well changes are coming. I just mentally gotta reach that finish line….
I myself have been in this valley lately. I can not really go in to explicit detail the exact reason, but it is there and it is not going away. One thing that fuels this “valley” is guilt. Guilt for working full-time and allowing a daycare to raise my children. Guilt for not being able to be there for every little thing because I am dealing with work related issues. Guilt because my job/financial status has forced me to pull my child from weekly therapy (which he needs) in favor of bi-weekly therapy because its more affordable. Guilt because I have yet to be able to start my son in behavioral counseling because my work schedule and the therapist schedule do not blend. Guilt because the child I have worked so hard to train, finally had his first pee pee and poo poo successes at the hands of a daycare instructor. Guilt because my daughter has come home from school on three occasions with bite marks embedded in her little arms from a peer. Need I go on?
I wrote a quote on my mirror the other day…as a small reminder to “start making a life.” We get so caught up in the “things” of this world that we forget what actually matters. Perhaps this is all hitting me now because as of yesterday my mother reminded me that my precious first-born is starting school (prek) in two short weeks. My mind has wanted to stretch it out longer and longer. I think I was convinced that if I said, “oh school starts in 5 weeks” that I might actually be prolonging the inevitable. Either way, Ethan is nicely decked out with his Lightning McQueen book bag which swallows his little back but is darn precious never-the-less and he enjoys carrying it around although I am quite sure he thinks it is merely a toy and nothing more.
I want to take the time to really, truly, enjoy each moment of their childhood. I hope they enjoy being carefree and frivolous because unfortunately it will pass all too soon.
I need to be better about uploading some funny candid shots that have been captured over the summer of my little rugrats. These are the most precious memories I can have.
And as for those struggles…well there is nothing quite like sitting on my back deck with my thoughts…and doing the best I can to let it go. What you can not control, you can not worry about (shout out to Mimi on that one….)
And as for what I can control….well changes are coming. I just mentally gotta reach that finish line….
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