Publix Savings

I LOVE saving money. I LOVE seeing other posts about what great deals they got at the store during the week. But I have never shared my deals...until today. I can't help it. I am pretty proud! I almost didn't go today. I didn't NEED anything. But there were some awesome deals! And awesome coupons to match the deals.

MY TOTAL SAVINGS:
Store Coupons: $9.93
Manf.Coupons: $5.50
In-Store Specs: $5.50
Advertised Savins: $22.35
TOTAL SAVINGS: $44.25

TOTAL BALANCE OOP: $58.85

I scored on some great BOGOs and some clearance items (the gum mainly). I don't drink sodas, my kids don't and I don't even buy them, so that's why Jody doesn't. But its was Dr Peppers. That's Jody's fav and the diet are for my parents because they love them.

If you have any specific q's about what coupons I had, just ask. Otherwise, I'll spare the the details.

Cool huh??

Posting Problem

Stacy, I had a good long post about how I have become a clutz late in this pregnancy. How I made banana pudding and didn't secure it in the fridge and it slid out, and the gallon of tea slid out and I had a HORRIBLE mess all over the kitchen floor, nastiness UNDER the fridge. (Jody cleaned most of it up, THANKS YOU WONDERFUL MAN WHO NEVER READS THIS BLOG ANYWAY!) How spilled his cereal. How I dropped a huge stack of coupons, that were organized by date all other the floor. How it is just so darn hard to bend down and clean up all these things (not to mention toys, books, clothes, etc) But, I lost it. And I'm not going to type it all up again.

I'll post twice today, just for you!

Pains of Pregnancy

And now for a little complaining....

My hips are KILLING me!

God's design for childbirth is truly amazing. I life growing inside another is fascinating. But then the details surrounding it are mind boggling. Like the organ (placenta) that just forms to sustain the baby. Then there's the preparation for delivery. Don't worry, I will bore you the gruesome details.

Here's the thing. This hormone is only produced during pregnancy, especially during the last trimester. The point of this hormone, called relaxin, it to make the pelvic bone flexible. WHAT?? Its so weird to think a bone can become flexible, but its true. Its so that the baby can come through.

But the problem is it HURTS. And apparently more so with subsequent pregnancies, according to my doctor. It makes me feel like a handicapped person. Walking is painful. Getting in and out of the car is torture, as well as getting up out the bed or couch. If I sit still in a comfortable balanced position, I'm fine. But come on...

So, tylenol seems to ease the pain some. And lazy Saturdays are pretty awesome too! But, now its time to get lunch on the table.

Thanks for the listening ear...or eyes...to my complaining!

Some Cool Sights

I've been getting a lot of cool samples in the mail! Here is a website that I have been checking regularly. Sometimes you have to sign up for stuff, but I haven't gotten any calls or unwanted emails, there is usually a box to check or not check for the newsletters.

This one has some very nice giveaways. I haven't won anything, but I'm hoping to!

I really like this sight. I have seen some great ideas. She has some wonderful Christmas ideas, gift ideas, party ideas...she doesn't post daily, but here and there.

Now this one is very intriguing. This gal made a new years resolution to do something in the crockpot everyday for a year. So there are some great recipes. I love using my crockpot!

Just wanted to share some of what I am wasting, I mean, spending my time on.

Good News

Here is some good news:

- We've started telling Luke that he needs to stay in his bed in the morning and wait until mommy or daddy come and get him. He should be happy too, no crying. Its WORKING!

- I'm in the single digits with weeks remaining in my pregnancy! I've got to get ready!

- We are planning a camping trip, in the popup, when it gets cooler.

- Silas can write his last name and ride a two-wheel great now!

- Hattie LOVES her ballet class

- Luke cannot stop talking...is that good? I guess it is for a 2 yr old, but it just makes for long days and occasional headaches.

What about you? Got any good news to share?

Our Daily Schedule

My college roommate Jill asked what our daily schedule was like. So, here it is:

6:45am - I wake up, get in the shower, get dressed and ready
7:05am - I get everyone else up. Everyone goes to the bathroom, gets pj's off and we meet in the living room to get dressed. (Jody's on his own downstairs)
7:20am - Eat breakfast, brush teeth
7:40am - Silas out the door (either Jody or I will drive him up to school and come back)
8-11:30 - various activities (grocery shopping, preschool, snack, YMCA, library, etc)
11:30am - Lunch
12:30pm - Luke down his nap
1:00pm - Hattie down for her nap/rest
1:15pm - I try and take a nap or catch up on dishes, bills, etc
2:15pm - Everyone UP, grab a snack
2:20pm - Out the door to pick up Silas
2:30pm - Silas out of school
3 - 5pm - Various things (can include 1 hr of TV time, visit Jody at the office, play outside, homework, errands)
5:15pm - (or so) supper, dishes, family time, get ready for school the next day (we pick out clothes, pack lunches, pack backpacks, sign any papers...)
6:15pm - Start bedtime routine : bath, pj's, brush teeth, read books (everyone gets to pick out one)
7:15pm - Kids in bed
10:00pm - I go to bed. Sometimes Jody comes to bed, sometimes he watches TV, does stuff on the computer or reads.

Whew! Makes me tired just typing it out! I'm glad today is Saturday!

A HUGE Blessing

Tonight our family was the recipient of an amazing blessing! My friend from church, Sandy Dunagan and her husband Fred, brought our family a delicious supper! Homemade chicken pot pie, fresh pole beans and bran-apple muffins.

We all enjoyed it! My kids ate great. And so did I!

Sandy just wanted give me a break and add some iron to my diet. (Did I mention in previous bogs that my OB discovered that I'm anemic? I can't remember. I'm taking extra iron supplements. ) It was so good!

What a great way to start the weekend!

Another One of Those Days

My day started out bad. I made Silas's oatmeal too mushy. No wait, it started before that when Luke woke up at like 6:20am. It all went downhill from there. I forgot to let the childcare know at Bible study that I was bringing my kids. Hattie threw a fit because I asked her to help clean up. La da da.

Don't feel sorry for me. I'm FINE. The kids went to bed great, early. So I've been veggin and thinking.

I love this verse:

Lamentations 3:22-23

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases. His mercies never come to an end. They are new every morning. Great is Your faithfulness.


I love that I get to start again tomorrow. And its Thursday. I have 3 whole hours to myself.

Sleeping Babies

I know that this is a weird subject and one that people either have strong opinions or don't really care. I am on the side of pretty strong opinions.

I read the Ezzo's Baby Wise before Silas was born. I liked the concept of parent directed feedings, but when the baby is a little older than the Ezzo's suggest. I firmly believe that each child is different. And circumstances are different.

One thing we took from the Ezzo's is that we wanted our kids to fall asleep on their own as early as we deemed possible. We have been pretty successful with this. It works well within our regular routine. But when something is different (being out of town, having visitors in your home, etc) its VERY hard to get the kids to sleep!

My sister sent me a book when we were overseas called Healthy Sleep Habits Happy Child. Its not an easy, straight thru read. Its more like an encyclopedia that I have used to help in different situations.

The main premise of that book is that we, as parents, need to allow our children to sleep. They need far more sleep than we typically allot them. One of the surprises that the author proposed is that putting your kids to bed early will not make them wake up earlier. I have found this to be relatively true.

Ok, now I have 2 situations going on that are new for us:

1. Hattie is starting to grow out of her nap. She is 3 1/2 yrs old, and that's normal. But she really needs a nap. Without a nap, by supper time she is unbearable. And if we have something to do, like today's ballet class...I panic! She has GOT to have a nap. I have discovered that if I lay down next to her and help her to be still and quiet, she will most likely fall asleep. (thankfully that's what happened this afternoon). Its so strange for me though. I have never laid down with my kids. But now that I'm desperate for rest myself, I don't even care, if it works!!

2. Luke is consistently waking up earlier than normal. Its been averaging 6:30am. Bedtime has been the same. And he's ready for bed when we lay everyone down. (We do lay them down at the same time, and its usually between 7-7:45pm) He is ready for his nap whenever I will let him lay down. But WHY is he waking up so early??? And he's in a regular bed, so he just gets up and comes to our room. I don't know how to rationalize with him to stay in his bed until 7am or so or to go back to sleep.

Maybe with all the change in schedule with school and stuff we will settle into our new routine. What do you think?

Walmart on a Saturday

Walmart on a Saturday is not a great idea. Big shocker, I know.

But I took my dad to the airport and I needed milk and few things...Jody had the kids, so I thought it wouldn't be a big deal. If I'd had the kids, I don't know that I would have recovered yet. But since I was alone, it wasn't THAT bad. I mean at least I didn't have kids with the gimmies during naptime, right??

Seriously...does pretty much everyone else in town go to Walmart on Saturday afternoon? I had to maneuver my cart around SO many people...it was very annoying.

I don't even like Walmart! And I'm not going there again on a Saturday.

Another First Day of School

It was a beautiful morning to start preschool here in Tigerville! Not only weather-wise too! We didn't have a tear or apprehension.

What did I do for 3 hours? I went to the grocery store ALONE, cleaned bathrooms, picked up toys, did some laundry...before I knew it, I had to rush to pick up Hattie and Luke on time. Then we went to my parents house. My sister's kids were still there and my mom was going to be gone. So I volunteered my services for meals, naps, bedtime, etc in assistance to Pa. I'm not sure if I was tons of help. Adding my kids and my pregnant/tired self to the mix is ify...but we tried AND survived.

I am already ready to go to be, but Jody's not home yet and I'm trying to wait up for him. Besides, its not even 9pm!

Post Labor Day

Our labor day was full of labor and I LOVE that!!!

Thanks to my in-laws and husband we straightened up the basement, put up a shelf for the detergents and found where a yucky smell was originating from. A wet corner in the basement was making some baskets and carpet moldy. Oh the sense of accomplish!!

The clan headed back to GA after a free lunch from Chick Fil A. (Wear any college logo and get a 3 count chicken strips -- which are FABULOUS!!) Silas especially was sad to see "the cousins" go. But it was a great visit.

Today Silas went back to school. He was very excited because "after labor day I get homework".

Holly's boys and my dad came over for lunch while my mom went to a meeting (Holly's out of state for a couple of days). We picked up Silas and his homework was reading a book together. So we just finished that. He can read SO many words now and is very proud!

I also got a call from my OB. The nurse said my iron is very low, "if you've been exhausted, this is why." Well GREAT! At least I have an explanation for needing a nap!! I just have to start taking iron...which I've had to do with each of the 4 pregnancies. Oh well.

So we are off to my parents so Silas can see Elijah and Graham. And we'll eat supper and curb some of that "fixing supper and cleaning up" exhaustion! :)