Son and daughters birthday

Two of my children's b-days are in December. My son turned 9 on December 16th and my daughter turned 4 on December 27th. Here are a few pics I would like to share. The top one is Brooklyn with her two brothers (the blond one and the one with glasses) and her two cousins. The bottom picture is of course my oldest son's 9th b-day.

Happy New Year's Eve 2009

2009 has been full of challenges but it also has been full of blessings. As we enter into 2010, my hope is to grow more in Christ and become a overall well rounded person who uses the time God has given me wisely and spend quality time with my family.

I praise God for putting another year under our belts. I know no matter what is around the corner for us God is one step ahead to clear out a path for us to take. It is up to us whether we choose to take it or not.

I am happy and blessed with a wonderful family and my health to which I owe to my savior. I am excited and happy to be able to spend this New Year's Eve with my family with some snacks, pizza, movies and games. I will treasure the memories we will share and the time to come.

Merry Christmas

Since it is the Eve of Christmas, I want to take a moment and reflect on the true meaning of the season. Tomorrow is the day of our saviors birth. I want to say Happy Birthday to Jesus! What an exciting time for followers of Christ.

Since I have children and have the privilege of making this a joyous occasion for them and get to teach them the meaning of it all. I feel blessed to be entrusted with 3 wonderful children whom I can tell the Christmas story too and share their excitement of giving.

I hope everyone can enjoy time with families and friends and remember and reflect on the true meaning of Christmas. Giving and receiving God's love and Jesus's sacrifice for us. "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son that whomever should believe in him should not perish but have everlasting life" John 3:16, This is one of my favorite scriptures.

Here are some tips on what you can do to share Jesus's b-day with your kids

Have a birthday party for Jesus, make a cake that says Happy birthday and sing Happy Birthday.

Read the Nativity story or watch a movie about Christ's birth.

Reflect on what Jesus means to you.

When you give your children their gifts tell them about the Magi and the best gift you could give Jesus (their hearts)

Discuss how everyday is about Jesus's love and how they can show his love to others.

The love of books and will I like the Twilight book?

Whispers of Bella's and Edward's love fill the air. Team Edward or Team Jacob does not matter to me. I watched the first movie before I had read the book and I am sure like so many other movies the book is probably better. Like My Sister's Keeper; book pretty good, movie all right. This time I actually read the book before the movie, usually it is the other way around. I was to put it mildly a bit disappointed in the movie's portrayal of the book.

I don't typically get so consumed by fictional books and their corresponding movie. But, I do love books and adore movies. I collect books and they are piled in my room just waiting to be perused. I especially look for the books that have been turned into movies. I attend a book club now and then as well. I search high and low at Goodwill and thrift stores for books that look like they are a good read. Yes, in this case I do judge a book by its cover.

Anyway back to Twilight. After countless fans raving over the book. I mulled over that maybe I would give it a chance. A while later I found New Moon at Goodwill for .59 cents. I could not believe it so I broke down and bought the first one to start with. I just picked up the first one today. I have not started reading it yet but I will start soon. All my books are begging to be read. Maybe I will write a little later on my opinion of it. I admit I was a V.C. Andrews fan back in the day, which tells me this is similar except it involves falling for vampires and werewolves instead of relatives and or married unavailable gentlemen. So, I am going to cozy up and start reading. Have a great night everyone and good reading.

Happy Thanksgiving to All!

I am thankful for all the bounties God has provided. The more I am thankful the better life is :) No matter how hard life can get there is always something to be thankful for.Through our struggles he always brings a rainbow of a promise. I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving filled with great memories. Again I wish you all a safe and Happy Thanksgiving and Happy Black Friday shopping.

My Goodwill adventure

Today I start a new adventure at my local Goodwill. I will be looking over clothing for defects and tagging them to go out on the rack for your perusal. I will miss my kiddies as I have been able to spend this summer and fall with them. I love working but I feel like I will be giving up valuable time that I can't make up.

The kids grow too fast, and can learn so much in one day.
Granted, I will take the part time shift 8am to noon. This seems to have come at a weird time. This first week I will be working 8am to 4 pm during my son's mini holiday break from school. I don't think we are open on Thanksgiving but I am not sure if people work in the back or not.

At first I was so excited then I started thinking of the things I will miss. MOPS meetings, making my kids breakfast, My oldest going off to school. Nolan (my youngest) coming to sit on my lap in the morning. If my daughter goes to preschool I will miss her first day.
I am sitting here contemplating whether I really even want to try. It seems like a nice enough job but it feels like I will be losing a lot in the process. I know sometimes you have to take risks in life to know what you like and learn but I am just here thinking of my babies who grow and learn everyday.

I know I am not going to say, "Gee I wish I would have worked more during their childhood." It sure is tough being a mom, I am not sure how the moms who have to work do it. I feel like I have to work at times because of society's standards and we are not well off but we are blessed. I suppose I will spend today praying and reflecting on what God wants for my family. I may start a new adventure but it does not have to be a lifelong one. I love to work with my hands and hard work is important to me I just don't want to give up something I can't get back in the process. Then again this could be for me to appreciate my kids a bit more and teach me to be a better person. I know God has a plan for everything in our lives.

Having a frugal swimming escapade tomorrow

This is actually my kiddos swimming at my mom's mobile home park pool this summer. My youngest at the top just got out of the pool.

Tomorrow my son has the day off of school for conferences. What to do..........................? Well besides hanging out with his preschool siblings, complaining about them getting out his stuff and bugging me to get on the computer countless times or play the XBOX.
Where does he get that from? He is really a sweet kid though he can't help that he is almost 9 and the oldest at our house LOL. What fun can we achieve on his wonderful day off? The possibilities may seem endless.

I found something frugal and fun to do later at our local indoor pool. Located at our town's Middle School, they are having a family swim for................ a mere $1 dollar per person for a 2 hour swim. The best part I actually have $4 dollars on me. Another great thing about it is that it is indoor so there is no need to mess with sunblock. Which my kids hate getting on them even if it is for their own good. Some may call it luck, I call it a great blessing.

The only problem is that it is from 6pm-8pm. Now if I can find something to do from about 9am until dinner time we are all set for the day. I also want to add; doesn't he look like a caring older brother to his sister? He really is a wonderful kid, maybe we can put our minds together and find other things to do the rest of the day. Then after being tired out from thinking, we will probably end up watching The Little Mermaid or Qubo all day. I must keep it honest but I should get an "A" for effort.

Nolan's Elmo Cake

This is Nolan's Elmo cake we made today. I think it turned out pretty cute. I got a nice picture of him blowing out his candle.

My baby turns 2 today!

A bittersweet moment for us. Our baby turns 2 today. He is getting so big and learning more and more words each day. He loves Elmo, Veggie Tales and Ninja Turtles. I am attempting to make an Elmo cake today. Hopefully it will turn out nice. I will post pictures if it does. All right I will post them regardless:)

I took down the high chair and put away a few toys that he has outgrown. He will be getting some new toys today that I am sure he will enjoy. I did get him some new Elmo sippy cups that he really did need:) He also got a big Fisher Price Little People dump truck and a Veggie Tales movie and some more little people. Daddy picked him up a little tool set, since he always tries to take off with ours. I am sad but excited at the same time. He has a great little personality and loves to put on hats and play with big brothers cars. He still loves to cuddle and give hugs and kisses.

He is getting old enough now to where big sister (she is almost 4 in December) loves to play with him and sometimes she gets a bit bossy and pushy. We are working on that. We hope to give our little guy a special birthday. He may not remember it but we will. Of course there will be some picture taking and singing Happy Birthday. He does know this song well. Well I better get started on that cake. I may post some pictures of my big boy later.

Still wondering what I will be when I grow up

I am a 28 year old momma, wife, sister, friend, daughter, housekeeper, personal shopper, and basic CEO of the functions of our household, including the top chef and occasional photographer. I love being a mom but I know I have more talents than that. I love to write and sing and I do enjoy having a job outside the home, frugal shopping is another hobby of mine that I am getting quite good at. I also write on my blog and post about my frugal finds.

When I was younger I remember wanting to be a writer, teacher, singer or vet. I used to love animals until I found out I am allergic to most. My love was toned down a bit but I still like to pet the occasional cat or dog as long as it is not mine :) I still love to write and I am starting to read more like I used to.

I go to a book club once a month but I even reading more then the book club book. I still figuring out my life and what to do with it. Of course one of the most important jobs is being a mom and helping to mold my children's minds with morals and knowledge.

The point of my rambling on is we all have a purpose given to us by God to fulfill. Even if it is being the best person and mom you could be. I realize he will guide us in the right direction and we will never be truly satisfied until we meet that purpose. We started going to a different church nearby our house. I hope to find my purpose there or maybe my purpose is to be a mom that is more involved in volunteering in the church or outside of the church.

Whatever is in store for me I must be satisfied with my current status in order to get more responsibilities. Although it seems I have plenty to do at the moment and should be busy around the clock. I am blessed that I am able to stay home with my kids at the moment and be a part of their world and day. My purpose could also be to watch them and learn from their childlike nature.

September 8th, 2009: Son's first day of school

My oldest son's first day of 3rd grade. Since his younger siblings are not in school yet I like to get a picture of them with him.

It is Wednesday and Fall Once again

Here is a picture of my silly boy, last school year :)



I can't believe we are in the middle of the week once again. My oldest son starts school next Tuesday, 3rd grade WOW! The years fly away. I am trying to hang on to my 3 year old (who turns 4 in December) and my baby who will be 2 in October. My daughter won't go to preschool until next fall.

I signed up for MOPS again, so it will keep us busy a couple of times a month. I may even join the Bible study this year. I am readjusting to being a stay at home mom again. I have a great Disney VHS collection going for the little ones. They had some newer ones on DVD, but my husband and I have been finding the classics at Goodwill and thrift shops. Snow White, Bambi, Cinderella, Pinocchio, Mary Poppins, Pete's Dragon, Bed knobs and Broomsticks newer ones we didn't have on DVD; Lilo and Stitch, Monsters Inc, Pocahontas and many more.

The kids love them and we can relieve our childhood with them. These are the wonderful times in life when you can go back in time with your kids. I love fall and what it has in store for us. We can take walks and enjoy the beautiful colors, have some cider, Chili for dinner and cooler nights curled up watching our Disney movies or reading a book. Now, I think it is time to see what deals I can find at CVS ;) Talk to you all soon. Happy Fall and let's not think about what comes after.

What is on my mind today

I feel like I have been slacking this week on my blog. I love doing it and it keeps me busy, entertained and inspired. Especially when I take a look at other blogs great deals and thoughts on life, motherhood, friendship and everything in between. I decided to write a little ditty on my thoughts this month. I can not believe school is starting soon for my oldest son, he will be in 3rd grade. Fall is fast approaching and the weather is already cooler. Fall is my favorite season and winter not so much, I like the holidays and family gatherings but the snow can go away. The kids love it though and want to play in the white cold flakes. At least they don't want to stay out all day like the summer months. We were able to go camping this year and we went to Hawk Island and a few various bike rides. I am happy to know that MOPS (mothers of preschoolers) will be starting and it definitely helps to keep my sanity in the months to come. I will go back on the hunt for bargains and deals and perhaps I will see what I can get at CVS, I have 4 ECBs burning a hole in my pocket.

My First VBS experience

We attend church every Sunday and enjoy it and love the opportunity to worship with other believers. At this time we don't attend Wednesday nights because they don't offer nursery services for our younger children. This week we have been going everyday because our church's vacation bible school is this week. This is the first time I have attended. Last year I had intentions and did not get around to it. I must say I was very impressed with the organization and effort our church volunteers and helpers did. The theme is Crocodile Dock and the children are split into groups based on age and rotated into different activities. My kids are 3, 1 and 8 and the first two are in a preschool group, while my oldest is at the elementary level. I praise God for this wonderful week and everyone that put this week together. The first day my kids were not sure about it but now they look forward to everyday. I would recommend anyone to try out their local church's vacation bible schools, it is fun for the kids and a great learning experience. It has been a great enjoyable learning experience for us all.

Sharing moments

My daughter got a gift for becoming completely potty trained. I gave her the Veggie Tales movie I got for $2.99. I was going to give it to my friends daughter for her birthday but I ended up getting something else. My daughter was so excited

Sharing moments

My youngest, Nolan likes wearing this baseball helmet around the house. He is always trying on daddy's, his oldest brother Kellan's or even sister Brooklyn's hats.

Camping until Tuesday July 21st

I won't be able to post much until we are back on Tuesday.
I will look forward to posting tips and freebies then.
I miss posting and will be back on track soon. I am going to skip the ad flyers this week since I will be a bit behind. I will get back on them at the end of this week. Thank you for your patience.

Vinegar the frugal and earthfriendly way to clean

Get a empty spray bottle and add equal parts vinegar to water.
This can be used to clean windows.
For all surface cleaner add a bit of liquid soap if you don't like the smell.
It can also be used to cut down detergent residue if you put some in your washer.
Get apple cider vinegar and use as a clarifying shampoo for your hair.
It smells a little better than white vinegar but your hair will smell different for a day or so but it will feel healthier.