Confessions

I am a big fan of Dave Ramsey.  Now let me clarify.  Being a big fan and applying his principles to my life are right now on opposite ends of the spectrum.  If you're not familiar with his radio program, he not only takes calls to answer financial questions but he takes calls to allow people to share their "Debt Free Scream" which is a time to share how much debt they have paid off and in what time.   I would LOVE to be a caller.  Now while I have yet to hear people proudly claim how much debt they are currently in, I do hear the joy of the callers when they get to share how much they have paid off.  Therefore, with embarrassment, I'm confessing I have $10,000 in debt to pay off.  It is a slow process, one that we have paid off and then got right back in.  There are things in my life that I could really be successful in if I could get a hold of self-control.
So here's my admission posted on my sidebar for all to see.  Hopefully, like admitting my waist size, this will be a motivation for moving in the right direction and paying off this debt. 

Way Excited!

Okay, so what makes me super excited may not do a thing for anyone else.  But today, I got to be in on two meetings to plan for upcoming events.  Loved it!  1.  I sat in on the procurement meeting for CCS' HOLIDAY Auction and it went really well.  We already have two vacation packages donated, a financial sponsor for a portion of the auction expenses, and two passes to the Biltmore Estate.  I think that is pretty darn good considering today was our first day to even start procuring items.  The volunteers that have signed up this year are awesome!!  2.  I met with Tres' teacher to determine which ways I can help her for the fall semester and I LOVE having my "To Do" lists ready.  Boy, let me tell you, do I have some lists going.  I get to touch base with all the PreK parents tonight.  This is SO right up my alley!!

For a bonus, this is what Tres dressed herself in when she came home today.  Check out the bumble bee headband that is not really on top of her head but more protruding from her forehead:)  Love that girl.

What's on my list?

Well besides the fact it has been far too long since my last post, I will offer no other excuses.  Today is the first day in I don't know how long that I slept in til 8:00 (it was so nice) and am sipping my coffee browsing the web.  I am such a reader when it comes to Facebook, not a participant:) 

Numero Uno and I were talking the other night and sharing how we wished someone would have sat us down at the beginning of the summer and told us, "your life will become exponentially busier from this moment on".  I would have liked that preparation.  Unfortunately, rarely do people get any notice for major life changes.  We are expecting Quattro!  I am 22 weeks along and will start my 23rd week Monday.  We are not finding out what this one is so it has been exciting.  Besides new baby, we have three in sports right now.  Uno is playing fall baseball while Dos and Tres are in AYSO soccer. 

So I guess my list would look something like this:
1. Plan for baby.
2. Keep all three kids on schedule with their sports.
3. Plan CCS' Holiday Auction.
4. Unload SD card so I can take pictures of all my kiddies in their sports.
5. Be Room Mom for Tres and assist with the other two classes as needed.
6. Keep lunches and suppers healthy and creative while not losing my mind. (Check out This Lunch Rox.)
7. Be a loving and kind wife and mother to my family.
8. Provide World Peace (figure that's a good one to add since some of my other list makers are just as challenging).

Switching Stitches

My number 4 on my "Summer List" was to provide my kids an exciting and educational summer.  Well, I'm not certain about educational but it has been exciting and busy!!
I am working on my college course.  It is going by quickly.
I'm also working on Switching Stitches, the children's seasonal consignment sale that will be held in August.  Right now, my biggest task is getting the word out and signing up interested workers and contributors.  As always I'm open to any suggestions.

My Summer List

Whenever I read other blogs it never fails that I come across one that reads, "Oh, I can't believe it's been so long since I've posted.  I will never let it happen again.  Yada, yada, yada."  Well, here I go...

It's been SO long since I've posted:)  I am at a point where I have to prioritize or I will sink.  Somehow with the end of the school year I got into a funk where I dreaded what I needed to do instead of jumping right in.  Well, today I sat down and started making my summer list.  Here it goes:

1.  Complete summer college course.
2.  Organize and pull off first kids' consignment sale named, Switching Stitches.
3.  Plan and prepare for The HOLIDAY Auction.
4.  Provide an exciting and educational summer for my kids.

These are just the biggies.  I still have all the little things of life - clean house, church participation, keep my love life strong, blah, blah, blah.  Well, here's to a good summer!

Donor Drive

In case you have noticed my Blog List I have added a link titled, "Donor Drive".  This link is the site for Dos and Tres' school annual Golf & Walk Event fundraiser.  Now, I'm not a golf fan but I am a HUGE fan of Cullman Christian School!  If you would like to help us out, then please click on the link and you will search for Mrs. McCormick's Cub Club. 
Our school goal is $40,000.  This money is used for the general fund of the school.  I wish I could convey what a great school CCS is.  CCS has a warm, friendly environment with a great curriculum program.  For example, Dos is only in the K4 program and he is reading!  It is a wonderful feeling to hear your child read.  Tres will be in K4 next year and I look forward to what she will learn. 

Grocery Day

Today was grocery day.  I did pretty good considering I spent about $10 the other day at Walgreens and today $130 at Publix.  This will last us two weeks.  I'm such a tight wad in the sense that I still think to myself, "I could've done better" but at $70 a week for a family of five is pretty good.  My best deals I think were:  at Walgreens this week they have $5 register rewards when you purchase one Almay cosmetic plus they have several Almay products at a 30% discount.  I matched these deals with a $2 store coupon and a $2 manufacturer's coupon to get a $4.19 eye makeup remover for $.19 plus $5 in register rewards.  Basically, I got paid to get some much needed eye makeup remover. At Publix I got a $10 Publix gift card for purchasing $15 worth of Conagra food products.  However, I really got more than $15 worth because all of the Conagra foods I purchased were buy one get one free (B1G1).  I've been really excited about the gift cards and rebates I've received recently.  I have the $10 gift card coming plus up to $17 in rebates headed my way.  I would have NEVER thought I would be getting paid to purchase high quality products.  Prior to couponing, I thought the only way to save on groceries was to buy store brand.
I recently read of a site called the 30 dollar weekly grocery challenge.  I am intrigued and need to read more because that would be pretty sweet to spend $30 a week however I'm not sure that's possible with a family of five.  Still my biggest challenge is buying meat at a good deal for two weeks at a time.  As a Christmas gift, my in-laws got us half a cow that will be slaughtered in April.  The cost for us to slaughter it will be $150 so I'm curious to see how much this will save us over the year.
I made it home in time to fold clothes and clean some before going to pick the kids up.  Plus, we got to ride bikes and play on the trampoline.  Pretty good day.