Talk is cheap

This little girl has found the telephone and will NOT get off! Ha! She has called Kylie, Abigail, and Christian so much this week. It has been so fun to hear her ask, " What are you doing? " a hundred times. And the giggles! They are precious. I remember my parents yelling at me to get off of the phone.

Today she asked to use my iPhone to FaceTime them. What?!?!? She is only 9. We had a good conversation about technology and it's dangers then. I know she is only 9, but she needs to understand some things now rather later.

I can't wait for her sleepover birthday party in February. It will be so much fun!

Saving app and coupons

Oh my, how groceries have gone upI  I went to Krogers today, and I spent $155.  My kids love fruit but spending $8 on apples was what I consider highway robbery.  Ha!  I only used $3.75 in coupons.  I normally use more, but not today.  I don't buy things just because I have a coupon.  We have to use the items I have coupons on.

On other blog, I saw the app Ibotta.  If you buy certain items and upload your receipt, you get money.  I tried it today.  Again, I went small.  I only bought some cereal, pop tarts, and Capri Sun drinks that we eat on a regular basis.  I uploaded my receipt and scanned my bar codes on the items I bought.  It is pending right now and it is only $1.75 that I will receive.  But I know every penny adds up.

The good thing about the app was that it wasn't hard to do.  I know I could save a lot more if I had more time to plan out my grocery shopping.  But with the ice storm, we had no food in the house.  Eric worked today so I took the kids with me.  Which they did fine, but my time is limited if I have them.

I, also, used Ebates.  I had heard from other blogs about it.  It was easy, and there are lots of stores to choose from.  Old Navy was having a sale, and I needed some kakies.  I am curious to see if I will really make any real money from my purchases.  But it is worth a try.  Does anyone else use Ibotta or Ebates.  Do you have any suggestions on how to use them better?

Happy Birthday Corbin

Corbin,

I can't believe 11 years ago, I was getting ready to go the hospital for my c-section. You were stubborn and were not dropping at all. You were also breech and could not move and turn yourself around.

When we arrived at the hospital, they were so ready for us. It had been a quiet night at the hospital. You were born quickly within 7 minutes of the c-section. You were perfect!

Daddy got to hold you and show you off while I recovered. The grandparents and aunts and uncles were in love with you. You were such a good baby.

You always had a great big smile on your face. I love to look back at pictures of you. We took a million of you. You were a great baby and toddler. You always slept good and ate good. You gave us no problems at all.

I am so God chose us to be your mom and dad. We are so blessed! You are a wonderful young man. We love you so much!

Love,
Mom

Bathroom organization help

I really need to redo Corbin and Allie's bathroom.  I have found it hard because they share the bathroom.  Allie wants something really girly - which would not fly with C dog.  Ha!  So I think I will go with neutral and concentrate on organization.  Organization is something they really need.  Which I just don't get.  I always wanted my stuff picked up and neat.  I wanted to be able to find what I wanted quickly.  My two kids could care less.  They have gotten grounded and had TV and video games taken away from them for messy rooms. It only works for a little while.   It is so frustrating!  Which I know in the big picture if that's the worst thing they are doing right now,  I should be grateful!

Here are a couple of ideas I found on Pinterest - where else?!

I figured this idea would help them stay organized.  I think once I organize it, I will take a picture for them to help them keep it this way.

I love the shelves about the toilet.  They don't have a huge bathroom, so this would help with storage.  

I love the look of these shelves too.  So clean and inviting and organized!  The small magazine rack is too cute!  Ha!

I love this sign.  They both loved to brush their teeth when they were little.  What happened?!?  They act like I am torturing them when I make them brush their teeth.  Preteens!

Coupons and Saving

I have found a hobby - couponing and I love it!  I saw on this blog, Just wait Til You Have Kids,
a great way to organize my coupons.  I was using the binder method, but it just didn't work for me.  Using the shoe box is so much more easier and helpful.  Since I incorporated the shoe box, I have been a saving machine!

Today we had a rain day from school.  So I decided to go to the grocery store and to Wendy's   I saved $10.89 at the grocery store.  I only buy things we need or will use.  We needed razors, shaving cream, toothpaste, etc.  Those things really add up a lot of money.  So I was glad to use my coupons.

One coupon the cashier scanned said it was expired.  I looked at the date - 2/15/13 and showed her.  She just manually entered it.  I will say that using coupons does help Corbin and Allie not to bug me in the grocery store.  I just give each of them a coupon and let them get the item.  They are old enough to get the correct item, and it really teaches them about saving money. 

After our grocery shopping, I took them to Wendy's   I got Allie a kids meal for $1.99 and Corbin a single cheeseburger for free because I ordered fries and a drink.    I saved $5.09 at Wendy's. 

But best of all, Allie was cleaning out her backpack and found $5.  I am sure that this was lunch money that she forgot she had.  Ha!  I love finding money!

Cousin Fun

We went to a small birthday party for Ava on Friday. Ava's big present is going to Disney World. I know they will have tons of fun!









Me and Emma!



Cousins!

The many hairstyles that I have had

Every time, I let my hair get a little length, then I want to cut it off.  I am trying my hardest to avoid the Hair Salon and not make any rush decisions.  I have trying to look at old pictures and see when I liked my hair the best.  Having crazy curly hair makes for some crazy hair days.  Some beauticians do not know how to cut curly hair.  I have left many salons crying my eyes out!  Here are some of the pictures I have been looking to help me make a decision.

This is Thanksgiving a couple of years ago.  I had let my hair grow out and straighten it.  I do like this look, but it is a lot of work.  Eric looks thrilled here, I know.

This is about how long my hair is now.  I still used a flat iron to loosen up the curls.

This is curly!  While it is easy to fix, it gets out of control later on in the day.  Ha!

This is two summers ago.  My hair was stacked in the back and super short in some places.  I loved this hair cut.  It was easy to fix curly or straight.  This is what I'm thinking I want to do.  Corbin and Allie look so young.  I loved Corbin's Mohawk! 

52 week saving money challenge

You have probably already seen this on the internet. We are going to do this with Corbin and Allie.

Thank you Lord

On Thursday, the nurse at my school came and got me. You know that's never a good sign. She said that Eric had called and had an accident at work and was in the emergency room.
He didn't want to alarm me, but a machine exploded and metal went into his shoulder. What?!?!?
When I called him, he said the doctor was going to get it out and he was fine. He told me not to leave work. When I called him 2 hours later, he was still in the hospital - but prepping for surgery.
The doctor couldn't get the metal out. It was too far in. So Eric had to have surgery to get the metal out.
I was concerned at this point. But God is good. The surgeon got it out and Eric is sore, but fine.
The metal could have hit his neck or his eyes. The metal was 1/8 inch from his shoulder blade. God is good.




Here is Eric and the kids right after he got home. The kids were so glad to see their daddy. Eric looks a little rough! Ha!
I felt so bad for him. Surgery is no fun for anyone! But he is on the mend and we are grateful!