Flu

I believe but am not 100% certain that my entire family sans Uno has the flu.  Saturday night Dos started running a slight fever and we all stayed in yesterday except for Numero Uno, he had to work.  Dos complained of a headache and I worried about that symptom.  I also had a headache but I attributed mine to the fact that I'm back on the wagon and counting calories and trimming out caffeine and chocolate.  As of yet I'm uncertain if Tres has the flu or just a really nasty cold.  She has not ran a fever but has had a lot of nasal congestion.  By this morning Numero Uno and I had aches all over, headaches, and Dos ran a major temperature.  Thankfully Dos has not complained anymore about a headache and we all took a nap together.  I feel better since the nap but I can feel a headache coming on. 
On the bright side, this sickness will work well for my paring down of foods since I do not have an appetite.  We'll see how it goes.  My chest really hurts.

The Present

1.  How am I different now from this same time last year? Not sure how to answer that question.  I may be slightly more calm this year.  All the kids are older and more independent.  Tres is potty trained this year and that makes a big difference.  I understand what is going on in my body this year (well at least I have a name for my symptoms).  The knowledge of my syndrome makes me feel more hopeful than I did last year at this time.

2.  How can I integrate lessons from this past year?  I would say that I've picked up several tips from leading the Holiday Auction again this year.  I've learned more aspects of leading and dealings with people of all kinds of personalities.  I will take these lessons into the next year as I plan to direct the Auction in 2011. 

3.  Is there something in my life right now I'm trying to force into existence?  What would happen if I stopped?  I'm not certain there is anything I'm trying to force at this time.  My mind floats to the idea of being pregnant but I'm not so worried about getting pregnant anymore.  I'm more so concerned with getting healthy again.  I would still like to get pregnant but I'm not as crazy focused on that as I have been in the past.  How do I not force getting healthy?  I think at this point in my life I need to force health on to me because I'm not taking care of my body.  I want to find some ways to make good changes in my life.

Here I am ready for change: change in body, mind, finances. 

My Year End Review

Well most all our Christmas celebrations have come to an end.  We have opened our presents this morning.  It was fun.  I got it all on video but I do not know how to post video on my blog as of yet.  I'm sure I will learn at a later time. 
Now that the presents have been unwrapped (I received the serving set I wanted from Numero Uno) and family visited, I am itching to look forward to what lies ahead.  Isn't that what this time of year is for?  Before I make my resolutions which is inevitable, I will first look back at this year.

1.  How have I spent my time?  The first part of 2010 I spent my time planning.  Our first ever Disney trip was booked in February with all our specific dining and event plans booked in April.  I poured countless hours over travel guides and blogs.  Might I add that it was this year that I was introduced to Couponing to Disney blog which I love?

I also spent some of my time in sadness and worry.  We had a couple of conflicts with Uno's mom which always stress me out.  I do recognize that these issues are never something we will not make it through, they are simply uncomfortable growing and stretching times. 

My sadness this year came from not getting pregnant; however, I also recognize that I'm not sure how a baby would have played into our Disney trip.  I truly enjoyed every aspect of the trip because I was able to spend time with each of our kids in a fun way that would have been greatly limited had a pregnancy factored into the trip.
2.  What was I grateful for?  There has been a lot to be grateful for this year: my family, my family's health, our financial blessings, our big vacation, our camper which allowed us lots of great bonding time.  My heart overflows with all I'm grateful for.  We joined a church we love this year.  Our relationships with our extended family have grown deeper this year.  We love the small group we are in, the kids' schools are great.  I could go on and on on the areas of my life that I am grateful for.  One more and I will move on.  I am absolutely grateful for Numero Uno.  He is an amazing man of magnificent value.  God has designed us for one another.  Numero Uno is calm and kind, compassionate, faithful, hard working, and loving to each member of our family.  He makes me laugh and is a strong, stable force in my life.
3.  What were my sorrows and disappointments?  I already shared that my sorrow or disappointment was not getting pregnant.  I'm uncertain if the sorrow was not getting pregnant or being told that I have a syndrome that will make it difficult for me to become pregnant.  I think the biggest disappointment lies in the fact that a dream of mine was burst.  I envisioned myself being little Miss Betty Homemaker who could manage her house and spit babies out at will.  Life is never what you envision and I am learning to adjust. 
4.  What books, films, etc. moved me?  Crazy Love has moved me in the fact that I am uncomfortable with my current status in my relationship with God and I am moving toward Him not away with Hope.  I also liked Eat, Pray, Love but I mean it didn't change my life, I simply liked her quest to find meaning for her life and also I think I liked the fact that she could eat whatever she wanted and not blow up like a balloon ( I did remind myself that it was a movie and not real life - I will not look like Julia Roberts if I eat what was eaten in the movie). 

I also liked The Blessed Life which our small group did in the Spring semester.   

My year end review is a little lengthy.  To sum up:  it's been a good year!

My Family's Outta the House!

I have a moment all to myself!  Everyone is out to get a Christmas movie to watch.  Things are going really great for me right now.  This time of year is most enjoyable to me.  I get to pause and reflect and plan for the future all during this time.  One would think that this would be a stressful time but I don't feel that way at all.  My presents are purchased and wrapped.  We're together as a family.  No school obligations so I can focus on each task at hand plus plan for the upcoming new year.

I've been enjoying my December issue of Whole Living and there are some great topics I would like to post about.  There are also a couple of big issues in my life I would like to devote some posts to in the new year.  Whole Living poses some very good reflective questions to get me thinking about where I've been, where I am, and where I'm going.  Currently, I'm overall happy.  There are a couple of issues I'm unhappy with but have hope.  No hope is a bad place to be so with hope I can hang in there. 

We had Christmas today at Granny and Pawpaw's.  I can honestly say that as far as gifts go, this was the best year yet!  In the past I have received some doozy from the in-laws but the thought was nice.  I know that probably sounds pretty harsh but there were some things I've received that I just had no clue as to what to do with.  Maybe after seven years of marriage plus the two years of dating and engagement, my in-laws are familiar enough with my likes and dislikes.  I will give props to my mother-in-law for always getting me something practical that I would like to have but would not put the money into it (i.e. knife set, nice bed sheets, nonstick skillet). 

This year I got a complete set of Tupperware mixing bowls along with a complete set of lunch bowls with lids and cups with lids.  I tried to find a picture of the cups on the site but had no luck.  They really are great cups!  My kids feel like their big kids using them and I feel safe that they won't leak.  We also received half a cow!!  I'm very pumped about this:)  We will receive a minimum of 150 pounds of beef.  Do you know how much money that will save us over the course of the year?  Super excited about that!  Plus the biggie with the kids this year is they each got one big gift they wanted: Uno got a Bruder brand Catepillar Excevator; Dos received a portable DVD player (I stood in line at Target on Black Friday for this one); and Tres received a beautifully carved, sturdy wooden high chair for her baby dolls.  Granny and Pawpaw also gave them each a new set of pajamas (very cute and great gift).  It was a good day.

Holiday "To Do" List

I can not believe it is already the 17th of December!  We are down to the "crunch time" - the time that if you blink you will miss the entire Holiday season.  I did create an Advent Calendar for the kids and it has been a huge success.  The calendar does create an atmosphere of hope and expectation.  Through the calendar I've daily been able to direct and redirect focus on the true reason for this holiday celebration.

The kids have not been slack on reminding me each morning to pull off a new slip on their calendar and count down the days.  As far as my "To Do" list, I'm pretty much finished with gift shopping.  I have five gifts remaining and I already know what to get, it's just a matter of picking them up.  For Dos and Tres' classmate gifts:  I ended up buying large bags for each student to use to store their goodies from the class party.  Since that endeavor cost more than I originally intended to spend on classmate gifts, the bags replaced student gifts, "Ta da!"

I guess my list would look like this:
1.  Purchase remaining gifts.
2.  Clean my house for holiday entertaining.
3.  Make a list of any and all food items for upcoming gatherings.
4.  Make food items.

Finally, I'm really pumped about Numero Uno's gifts this year.  Normally, I do a poor job of finding him something and normally it's just one item.  But this year I got him three gifts.  Grant it, they are all small but I'm impressed with my planning.  I really think the Couponing to Disney blog has kept me on track.

Holiday Preparations

We have been busy, busy at my house.  Numero Uno has worked hard to get all my outdoor decorations up while I have worked on the trees inside plus I have already started wrapping presents.  With over 60 gifts to give, I have to start now.  My BFF will have a Wrapping Party in a couple of weeks but there's no way I would be able to get it all done.  I will admit I'm pretty pumped about being conservative on my spending for my decorations.  All three of my trees have been passed down from my mother-in-law and the ribbons and lights and ornaments have been collected over the years. 

Currently I am trying to make an Advent Calendar for the kiddies.  My biggest problem is I start looking at everyone else's ideas and over think what I'm going to do instead of just doing it.  Tip Junkie has a lot of great ideas.  However, I feel slightly overwhelmed when looking at the crafts that these ladies have made.  I am going to look in my scrapbook bag and see if there are any materials that I can use.

I head over to my mom's for the next couple of days to help her decorate her house.  I think I am actually ahead of schedule as far as where I was last year.  For some reason I didn't get my decorations up right after Thanksgiving last year. 

I still am looking for some more good deals for Christmas gifts.  I would like to find a couple of more gifts for Numero Uno plus I'm in need of gifts for his parents.  If any of you have any suggestions on good in-law's gifts, I'm all ears.

Couponing to Disney still seems to post the best and latest deals for me so far.  I got Dos and Tres suitcases from the Disney Store for only $12 a piece.  I got a couple of toys from Target the other day but I'm uncertain if I will say those are from Santa or use them as Great Granny's gifts.  Numero Uno's grandmother gives us money each year to buy the kids gifts, then we wrap them, bring them to her house, and let the kids open them in front of her.  It works out pretty well.  

I am so relieved to have the Auction behind me so that now I can focus on the Christmas holidays.  I think after Christmas my next major focus will be on Dave Ramsey.  I seriously need to incorporate some of his Baby Steps into my life!

Gearing Up

Okay, I'm sitting on ready making my final list of what to purchase tomorrow.  Unfortunately, I do not have a sitter for tomorrow but I do have a plan.  Early in the morning while Numero Uno and kiddies are asleep I'm hitting the Target sale then later in the day I'm taking kiddies with me to Wal-Mart.  Yes, that will be insane but a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do.  This trip will not be for the faint of heart:)  (Note to self: pack plenty of snacks)

So, I have purchased 21 gifts so far and I've done the count on how much I have spent thus far: $207.  I'm pretty pumped about that number considering 18 of the gifts I have left to purchase are little goody bags for Dos and Tres' classmates.  Plus I am making food treats for church and school teachers so a lot of my expensive gifts have already been purchased! 

By the way, thanks to my BFF I have found a good deal on Crabtree & Evelyn lotion.  I got five lotions for a little under $6 a piece that includes tax and shipping.  If you use it, enter promo code ebday1110.  Now I noticed that after I entered the code it said for November birthday.  Well I don't have a November birthday but somehow the code is out there floating around so I hope Crabtree & Evelyn doesn't mind that I used it:)  Shout out to my BFF for hooking me up!

My Mourning into Dancing

So, I have recently discovered I have PCOS.  I think overall if I do what I'm supposed to do then this will not be a big deal.  I believe the low down is all of my important hormone levels are off plus I am insulin resistant.  I am on medicine for the insulin and trying to lose weight.  There's the rub!  I'm always trying to lose weight.  The doctor says the medicine may help me. 

Anyway I have been feeling pretty low lately.  Like something is "off" in my spirit.  Feelings like I am doing the same things over and over, making the same mistakes, having the same results.  I have a subscription to Whole Living magazine and although a lot of its focus is on "mindfulness" which tends to lend itself to Buddhism, I can find the usefulness of applying it to my Christian beliefs.  The articles do have truth in them although they are slightly misdirected.  Plus the articles that are like this are limited.  Couple the magazine reads with this Thanksgiving season and I have purposely tried to surround myself with a mindfulness of gratitude to God.  A friend of mine and I like to swap magazines and she gives me Home Life.  At first I wasn't a fan of the read; however, the more I get them the better the biblical advice coming to me.  Last night, me and the kids learned the memory verse, "You've turned my mourning into dancing..."  Shifting my purposeful focus on God has helped me feel better.  Admittedly I have not focused a lot of attention on God lately because I felt like He would be too invasive in my life but I'm finding out over and over, I need Him.  I need Him.

Today is a new day, a holiday weekend.  So much hope and promise and I am excited about the time with family.

I Would Like To Think...

I would like to think that I am one of those moms that has it pretty much together.  I don't beat the kids, I'm not a hoarder, I spend daily one on one time with each of my kids.  I would like to think I'm doing okay.  Don't get me wrong, I do not simply want to do "okay" I want to excel but today I will settle for "okay".  My comfort lies in the fact that I can look at numerous other blogs written by mamas and their last post dates are similar to mine:  "4 weeks ago"; "2 months ago"; "13 days ago"; etc.  My list get so crazy - especially here lately - that blogging daily goes to the bottom. 

Let us take a moment to laugh at my attempts at weight loss.  Ha, ha, ha!  Yes, I would like to lose weight but more in the sense of it falling off my body without any effort on my part.  Guess the weight loss issue for now will live to die another day. 

The 2nd Annual Holiday Auction is over with for another year - yay!  And it was a success:)  Now comes the hard part: the follow through.  Now I have to get everything wrapped up before I move on to whatever is next on my "list".  I hate endings, much prefer the beginnings.  Aaahh, if one would like to pause and ponder that revelation you would have a window to A LOT of my issues. 

Would you like to know our crazy weekend?  We spent 10 hours on the road Friday to go to Auburn, AL which is a 3 hour drive, stayed the weekend, and spent 7 hours on the return trip Sunday which was to be a 3 hour drive.  On Sunday we sat in our vehicle for 4 and half hours only 12 miles from our home due to a truck fire.  Upon getting off at our exit we got a phone call from Numero Uno's mother informing us that Tres was sick.  Crazy weekend!  However, I still enjoyed it.  We took Uno to Auburn's homecoming game.  Although we are not Auburn fans (Uno is our only fan), we enjoyed every minute of it.  We couldn't even remember the last time we just spent time with just the three of us.  It will be a treasured memory for a LONG time. 

Day 3 - Crash and Burn

You guessed it - I failed miserably today. 
It all started at lunch time.  I went to my gynecologist today, my yearly check-up.  I had spoke with Numero Uno before about wanting to ask the doctor about why I have not gotten pregnant over the last three years since we don't do birth control.  I felt like me even asking that was pretty self-explanatory: I want to have another child.  He said yes ask about what's going on.  So today I asked the doctor and he wants to do lab work.  I relayed the message to Numero Uno and his response was not what I wanted.  He turned into a man.  He said he was happy with the age our kids are now and really didn't want to have anymore children.  My heart was crushed.  I found my comfort in the bottom of a Jack's fast food bag along with a tall Dr. Pepper.  That was just the start.  Two fun size Butterfingers, a Grapico, and three cookies later, my diet is not detoxed.
Numero Uno and I will resolve this issue, life will go on, we will be fine.  The unpleasant reality is we differ on something I hold dear to my heart.  He has since told me he would agree to one more.  My heart did not soar since I felt like we were reaching a business agreement instead of loving decisions to expand our family. 
Life will go on.  Tomorrow is Day 4.  I will start again.

Day 1 and 2

I can easily describe my first two days of weight loss:  ill, ill, and more ill.  I get so mad when I'm losing weight.  I realize I am doing my body good and that I will reap the benefits but all my mind hears is "yada, yada, yada." 
For today I had a small cup of coffee with cream but did not put my teaspoon of sugar in it.  I did have a small piece of cake at my son's b-day party today.  However, I was proud of myself for not saving a portion of the cake batter and eat it while the remaining batter baked.  Yay me!  Small victory.  I also chose to drink water instead of Grapico or tea like everyone else.  Yes, I am trying to make myself feel better for not being able to eat whatever I wanted. 

Committed

I'm about to make a statement that I DO NOT want to make - I am committing to losing weight for the next 28 days.  There I said it.  It's out in the open, if I turn back now I will look like a fool.  I actually found myself praying, "Lord, should I do this?"  As if there was anything to pray about.  My father has told me on numerous occasions that there are some things we do not have to pray over - such as "Lord, should I give 10% to the church?" or "Lord, should I stay in this marriage?"  Uh, yes to all of the above and yes, to mine!  I am 4' 10" and weigh 148.  Yes, you heard me correctly - 148 pounds.  TOO MUCH!  And yet I hesitate to lose weight.  Why?  Because it would mean I would have to exert self control.  Ah, there's the rub. 
So, what is my game plan?  Step 1: Detox my current diet.  I am at the point that I literally do not feel hungry anymore because I eat so often.  To those of you who are not like this you may find this hard to believe.  But for those of you who crave sweets, junk, Dr. Pepper, you know what I mean.  Step 2:  I will gauge my fitness level.  I realized today that it has been three months since I have been to the gym.  Three whole months!  How do I do this?  Why do I pay a monthly fee if I'm not going to take advantage of this wonderful facility?  Step 3:  Post in my journal daily.  This is where you come in.  I will post the good, the bad, and the ugly.  I want to see some measure of success in my life in regards to my weight.
For today - I am feeling apprehensive about this.  I am 31 years old and feel like I have NEVER had control of my weight.  So, how do I succeed now?  What will make the difference this time?  All I want to do right now is take a big swig of the Dr. Pepper I had at lunch as I pull up my granny panties from where my belly has forced them to roll down.  (Lovely mental image, right?)

Everything I Could Ever Hope or Dream For...

We're back and our trip was FANTASTIC!  Numero Uno and I couldn't get over how stress free this vacation was.  Especially considering I have never planned more for a trip or paid more for any other trip.  We had a ball.  It felt almost surreal being there and seeing the smiles, yes, smiles on everyone's faces.
One of the things that made my heart very happy was when all of my family (extended) told me "thank you for all the planning".  I was happy that everyone enjoyed my labor.  Another part that me and my man were shocked about is the fact that not once did our kids have a come apart.  I attribute that largely to scheduled daily down time - it saved us and gave us enough energy to go back out at night. 

We did so much: two days in Magic Kingdom, one day in Animal Kingdom which included a Grand Gathering Safari experience, one day in Hollywood Studios, plus a Not-So-Scary Halloween Party.
I scheduled Tres for the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique as well as took her to meet the princesses.  She loved it!  And I am so thankful for the experiences. 

Some of my friends said they would never take a vacation with extended family; however, in our case the grandparents and cousins were a big help.  Grandparents were great to help watch all the kids and served as our own rider swap while cousins were great playmates! 
I would love to go back again.  Disney does a great job on the details.  From riding wooden ponies around the Whispering Canyon restaurant to audience involvement at the Lion King to eagerness to meet our needs, they know their business.

Highly Recommended!

If you are ever in the mood (as I often am) to be surrounded by good country folk not to mention quite a few rednecks, then the Eva Frontier Days' annual hayride is THE place to be!  Loved it , loved it, loved it.  It was like a feast for the eyes.  Numero Uno wants to move out to the country and this wonderful event was a big nudge for me - I mean what's not to love?  You really don't need to be concerned with the latest fashion because the 80's perm is still highly popular in these parts.  Don't get me wrong, my intentions are not to be mean, I truly love it in this kind of environment.  There were 1300 people in attendance at last night's hayride.  Trucks, trailers, and even a semi participated in the ride.  My favorite was this Jason Aldean wanna be in a truck that was jacked up so high I could've walked right under it without bending over.  I expected him to break out in "Johnny Cash" or "My Big Green Tractor" at any moment.

The weather was nice and the kids really enjoyed the ride.  The light of the full moon led the way on the back road trails.  $4 for a family of four to enjoy a hayride, a hot dog, and a coke is money well spent.  Eva did an excellent job in putting this together.  I just hate we can't make it to Saturday's parade.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BABY!

Yesterday, my little boy, Dos, turned 5.  I love him so much and can't believe how quickly time has passed.  I remember when I found out I was pregnant with him.  I laughed, cried, and praised the Lord all at the same time then I immediately went out and bought ice cream, pickles, and a copy of What to Expect When You're Expecting.  I am still laughing, crying, and praising the Lord although they come at seperate intervals now:)  Here's to you, Dos.  Happy Birthday, baby.

A Little Imagination

My kids are hilarious.  A couple of evenings ago, Dos and Tres came out of the toy room decked out in an array of clothes from the Dress Up bin.  Numero Uno and I both had great fun watching them dance, play, and entertain. 
I am so blessed:)

Good Sticker Day

There are quite a few things that either I do not remember people telling me about adulthood or that I simply did not listen to.  Making my list of "Things to make certain to tell those entering adulthood":
1.  Reading books to my children, praying with them, and singing a song all at bedtime is one of the greatest things I will EVER do.  Watching my children's faces as they talk, feeling their soft hands as I sing to them, simply the fact that they want me to sing to them is a biggie at this point!  Our night time routing is AWESOME!  Anyone reading this who is not yet a parent, I'm telling you  this is great - do it and you will see these few moments before sleep are the best. 
2.  Never underestimate a child's power to make you laugh!  I tell my kids often, "you are the funniest kids I know" and it's the truth.  Dos and Tres are seen here as superheroes and I really hope you can tell Tres' facial expression because it is priceless - she is in the moment! 

3.  Don't feel guilty about your career decision.  I grew up wanting seven kids and a farm.  Although I have neither, I believe at the heart of the matter I wanted to be a stay-at-home mom.  Since all the kids are in school at least two days a week, people have started asking, "so what are you going to do now?"  I'm sorry, am I the only person who thinks there is still PLENTY to do at home for my family?  Not to mention all the stuff that now involves school?  For the record, I LOVE MY JOB!  I am in the rare position of being exactly where I want to be: a wife, mother, and homemaker.  Thank you God that I have this opportunity. 

So, for my title, "Good Sticker Day" - we now measure the extent of Dos' day by whether or not he received a good sticker (sun, flower, smile) or a bad sticker ( a lone red dot).  I try to convey to him that all of his character and personality is not summed up in the appearance of a sticker but I will say it does indicate what we need to praise the Lord for or work on.  My day was a good sticker day:  5 loads of laundry - washed, folded, and put away; one bill cubbie sorted and decluttered; auction e-mails sent; time spent outside with kids; and supper on the table.  Yep, it was a good sticker day:)

WHOLE LIVING

What does the phrase "whole living" mean to you?  When I think of those words I automatically want to inhale deeply and slow my pace.  To be whole, to live whole.  What more could one ask for?  I think of simple things - a smile, a laugh, a warm hug from a loved one (the good kind too, the ones you instantly sink in to).  I think of natural things - water, dirt, walking through dirt or squishing my toes in mud, cutting or picking produce from my garden.  The simplicity is what draws me in. 

Now don't get me wrong, I like the finer things.  In my mind my house is one of the finer things in life.  I would never have imagined us living in such a nice home.  Also, I look forward to possessing finer things.  In Sex and the City 2 they showcase Carrie's apartment and I gotta tell you I wanted it.  I mean everything about the place exuded elegance.  I would enjoy that but would I feel refreshed, relaxed in that environment?  Are you kidding me?  Have you been around my kids?  Relaxed would not be a descriptor of me if that living room was my own. 

Instead of the elegant apartment or even the nice home I currently reside in, I long for a simple farm.  I envision myself barefoot, pregnant, sitting on a front porch swing while watching my kids play in the woods.  A garden will be close by and a shop for my husband to piddle around in.  These are the things my dreams are made of.  Funny how each person has their own unique dreams and I guess in turn their own idea of "whole living".

In My Room

Why do I feel the need to name every blog title after a song?  Oh well, maybe it helps me remember what I want to blog about. 
I'm up because Tres came to bed with us then wet the bed.  I changed her and got her back settled in but I am left awake.  I was so looking forward to sleeping in today because we do not have to be anywhere this morning.  Maybe the kids will all come in my room and we can all sleep late together. 
I am up to my eyeballs in auction planning.  Already, I feel like this year's auction will be better than last year's.  The people that have agreed to serve on the committee are awesome.  It is extremely exciting to be working with enthusiastic, knowledgeable, and willing volunteers.  It makes all the difference in the world when you can lay out a vision and the workers just take the idea and run with it.  I am not a big fan of "hand holding" during a project.  You do your task, I'll do mine is more of my philosophy.
We're 34 days out from Disney World.  I am already praying that God will protect us all from sickness and accidents that will prevent us from traveling.  I still have quite a bit of ironing out the details plus we have about $1300 more to have raised to meet my personal goal of $5000 for this trip.  The good news is $5000 is an amount I thought would cover ALL our wants for this trip.  All of our needs have been covered: resort, dining, tickets, and airfare.  The remaining $1300 includes $400 on an existing bill but $900 would go toward extras like: tips, souviners (sp?), eating out, etc. 
Dos and Tres are doing well in school.  I will say that I am learning it is difficult being a parent and raising your children to interact appropriately with others.  When I taught, I couldn't stand the parents that thought their child could do no wrong.  Now, that I'm realizing my children are not saints (I know, I was shocked too!) it is hard to see them get in trouble but I know it will be for their good to receive correction now. 
Well, I must go back to bed!

Just Another Day

Sitting here with my mom watching Les Miserables, very upsetting movie. 
Also trying to get back into the swing of things by blogging.  The start back of school has been very beneficial to me for getting back on schedule.  The house is staying cleaner, I feel like a better mama by staying on task, and feel a sense of accomplishment.  Tres has also started preschool for a couple of days a week.  It's amazing the amount of work I can get done on those two days:) 

Look at how little Tres is in this pic.  I should take another pic to show how big she has gotten in just four months.

Now,why do I find it necessary to dissect why I want to blog?  Why is it such a big deal?  People all over the world blog, why must I analyze my reasoning? 

I found one of my most favorite blogs recently - mamabliss.blogspot.com  She used to be listed under homeschool mama but disappeared for a while but then I googled her again and found her.  This mama is amazing.  She used to homeschool but I'm not certain if she still does.  Not sure where she lives but her old blog would chronicle the little lessons she would do with her kids and it was amazing.   

Should I Even Dare?

Wow!  It has been so long, wondering if I should even bother to post.  I mean all of summer has passed and now school has begun.  However, I do have school to thank for having time to even write.  The routine of school has greatly influenced my time management:)  Dos and Tres are both going to preschool this year.  Tres only goes two days a week.  I will have to post their first day of school pics later. 
Disney is only TWO MONTHS away!  Very excited because I got some good deals and yes, I will share that later.
Off to get my "To Do" list completed:)
-The List Maker

Yay! More Money

So, are you not pumped about the major jump in our Disney fund?  I know I AM!  So, how did it happen?  Here's the low down:
$200.00 deposit to Disney for booking
  $18.52 my change collection
$1,600.00 profit from a business transaction

Total:  $1,818.52
Now I only need  $3,181.48 more to go.  We can do this!

Sweet Summertime!

No, I haven't dropped off the face of the earth just really busy enjoying our summer.  I have an amazing ability to set crazy goals for myself (walking both dogs daily). My latest craze:  do some activity away from my house with my kids each day of the summer.  So far, I'm doing it.  I want to compose a list of things to do on a tightwad budget but I don't have time to list it now. 

Four months until Disney and still trying to come up with a way to pay for it.  Think I'm going to swap from Park Hopper passes to regular passes due to the fact that we are only going to be in the parks for three days and I think each of those parks will take up all of our time for each day.  That should save us some money.

Auction planning is set to get started in July and I need to get some ducks in a row before July gets here.  By the way, I'm signing at church now!  Sunday will be my first day to sign the service.  Please pray that all will go well. 

Gotta Have Faith, a Faith a Faith...

Sing with me now!  So faith is definitely what I need right now if we're going to be going to Disney this year or if we are going to sell our house this year.  Faith, which dispells fear, is what I need.  How do I get it?  I am going to speak the positive and dive into God's Word.  I need to believe the positive not just for these things I want but for the fact that I want my children to know that I believe that God is interested in the things that interests me and that He enjoys being involved in our lives.

I'm in the process of creating a summer schedule for me and the kids.  Cullman has got some great summer activities planned and I hope to take advantage of them.  Right now I'm working on a Summer-Fun-on-a-Budget List.  We'll see what happens.

It was just me and Tres this evening. Uno is at his mom's and Dos spent the night with cousins.  So me and Little Miss had some fun just the two of us.  She is so amazing.  Her little face just lights up when she talks and she gets so into her topics of conversation.  She is very exact and intent on whatever task she is involved with.  Tonight she instructed me as to which marker was to be used during coloring time and while I was on the phone with a friend, I watched her take care of her baby doll.  She meticulously changed and re-changed the baby's diaper then loaded her diaper bag to take her "baby" shopping. 

Dos has started using the word hate and I dislike it.  Today he told a cousin he hated him.  I am trying to explain to him why we shouldn't use that word.  And with all of my children I am trying my best to explain why they should obey without guilting them into it.  I am finding that more often then not I am trying to turn them to the truth of we must fall on the grace and help of Christ to obey.  I think shock, shame, and guilt were used on me as a child and I don't think it worked.  All I ended up with was a guilt complex about everything it seems.  Not that one should not feel guilty for wrong doing. Guilt has its place.  But if all I do is react with shock and disgust at the sin in my children's hearts then that alone will not turn them to God.  I believe they will be left wondering "What is wrong with me?". 

When it rains...

Have been really trying to focus (intensely) on how we're going to pay for Disney.  Low and behold at a moment when I felt overwhelmed at bills and the total cost of the trip, my man's car breaks down.  In my true selfish nature, I want God to solve all of our problems right away - miraculously fix the car, sale our off-the-market house, pay our way to Disney, provide perfect weather, yada, yada, yada.  Why do I even stress about this stuff?  My life is GREAT!  My prayer requests aren't "Lord, heal my sick child" or "Lord, my man ain't got no job, please help us out".  No, we are not in that shape, praise God and I am well aware of the glorious blessings He has bestowed on me.  And yet I am still praying for the car-healing, house-selling, Disney-paying prayers.  Am I shallow?  Or is this really what He wants to hear about, my everyday desires? 

Discount! Discount! Discount!

Restaurant.com has a new code to get even deeper discounts on their coupons!  If you haven't heard already, the code is SAVOR.  You can use this code all the way up to 5/23/10 but the certificates are good until December ( I think).  There are some restrictions such as if you purchase a $25 gift certificate then you must spend $50 or if you purchase $50 you must spend $100.  Which is not a big deal for us because we've just been inviting friends out to eat with us and split the difference - everybody wins!  Today, I got a $25 certificate to Rojo's  in the Highlands area of Birmingham for $3.75.  Me and my man are having date night Sunday night and at most we will be out $25!

Cha-Ching!

I went to CVS yesterday and Publix today!  I am super pumped about these trips - I did very well:)  I'm pretty certian Numero Uno is tired of hearing about my savings but I can't keep quiet! 

So, I had $2 Extra Care Bucks (ECB) from a previous CVS trip and I purchased Herbal Essance Shampoo which is on sale plus I had a $1 coupon.  Also, I bought Col-gate Pro Clinical toothpaste on sale and had another $1 coupon.  Now each of these items gave me $2 ECB back.   Then I purchased the Scott Paper Towel mega rolls and the Crystal Renuzits which were both on sale and I had a $1 and $3 respectively coupon for these items (plus my just earned $4 ECB).  I walked out of there with $25 (not including tax) worth of product for $5.31 (including tax!).  Southern Savers is right, Sam's Club will become absolete for me:)


Now for today's Publix... I found I heart Publix online and enjoy looking at her info because she generally post Publix's weekly ads before Southern Savers.  Anyway, I made a list of what I wanted from I heart Publix and lined up all my corresponding coupons.  By the way, I want to give a BIG "Thank You!" to my BFF for hooking me up with all her leftover coupons - they were awesome!  Then this morning I looked on the Southern Saver website for any deals I might of missed and I'm glad I did because she noted several FREE items that I did not have on my list.  Unfortunately, three of the free items (Women's Nivea Body Wash, Hydro 3 razor, and Hydro 3 shave gel) are out of stock.  But I did get 3 packs of Carefree Liners for free!  You can't beat free, baby.  For my two weeks worth of groceries plus toiletries and teacher gifts, I walked out of there spending $161, which breaks down into $80 a week.  I haven't spent $80 a week on groceries from Wal-Mart in a LONG time.  My coupons and special store savings came to $85!  Therefore, I got $246 worth of groceries for $161! 


And by the way, I earned $4 in Amazon.com gift cards this week just by completing a couple of surveys.

Tell Me! Tuesday

Being the List Maker that I am, I know that most everyone else has a list of some kind; therefore, starting today I will have a "Tell Me! Tuesday" link.  Post what your list is for the day - what you have to get done or want to get done.  I am still tweeking the look of the blog so ideally the link would look cuter than what it does but I will try to get it changed in the future.  For now, it's a start.  So... enter you list, let me know what's going on! 

Also, I want to say Happy Birthday to Tres!  She is three today:)  I can not believe three years have passed so quickly.  I love you, my sweet and funny girl.