I am a FANATIC!!!

Ok...like most I have never been a coupon clipper. Didn't see any need for it...all the coupons that I saw was for other brands...not the ones I was use to using. I always just threw away the coupons and sale adds. I wanted to save money, I just didn't think that was going to be the way to do it. BUT now...

I AM A BELIEVER!!!

I have been collecting and sorting coupons for about a month now. My friend shared her strategies with me, how to organize, and how to really combined to save. And what a blessing it has been. I have started a little stock pile. I say little because I know some of you have a LARGE stock pile going on.

A lady in Krogers the other day questioned me about my notebook. When I started to tell her about what I was taught, she became excited. She was worried about the time that it took to get the notebook organized after all the clipping and searching for coupons. I told her this was my part time job. My husband is the major bread winner in our family so that I can stay home with the children. I feel as though I am contributing to our financial situation now. I do work parttime at CBC, but we are out for the summer and I was concerned on how we were going to make it through the summer months without my income...and now....no worries!!! I prayed that God would send some help...whatever form of help that would be. I am thankful for Him showing me that he has given us all that we need...I just need to be more frugal. I needed to be more aware of what I was spending and where. I believe that he sent me the help that I needed through friends who are trying to be good stewards of what the Lord gave to them. All the glory goes to God!!!

I am sure some of you are wondering...just how much you can save with coupons??? Let me tell you, some days are great saving days and some are not. My best shopping trips are at Krogers. The first time I really used what I had learned my saving were amazing !!!

Before sales and coupons

Total $299.00

After sales and coupons

Total $182.00

Savings $117.00 Almost 50% of my bill!!!! WooHoo!!!!!!

The other day my budget was limited...should I say very limited!!!! I only needed a few things to get to payday, but I wanted to try out a new plan!! I walked out of Krogers with 26 items and paid $26.00!! It was a savings of 55%!!! I had toothpaste, makeup, shampoo, conditioner, milk, cheese, lunch meat, deodorant, and other stuff as well!!! UNBELIEVABLE!! I am so happy!! But I have to tell you that it takes some serious time. I spend a lot of time clipping and organizing coupons from the newspaper. I spend a lot of time on the computer searching for deals. There are a lot of websites out there that will help lead you in the right direction. I am going to post some of the links soon!!

With the price on living constantly on the rise, especially gas prices, we all need to find ways to be more frugal. Be aware of what God has given you...He always supplies just what you need...then it is up to you on what you do with it!!!!!!

Thank you all for your help and thank you Lord for providing for your children :)

HOLLYWOOD!!

Oh, how I love this child!! We were at her sister's softball game, it was sunny, she was restless in the stroller, need entertainment...so I put my sunglasses on her. She loved it!! I took several pictures, this is one of my favorites. We call her "Hollywood" when she wears sunglasses...not sure where the expression came from but we think its cute. (No, we don't want her to join Hollywood one day...it's just an expression.) Just wanted to share this with everyone. She is growing so fast, sometimes I am afraid that I am going to miss something.

Mommy's Day

Mommy's Day...what is mommy's day anway?? It is a day that is set apart for familys to treat their mommy's like queens...right? Shouldn't we be treated that way every day??

Today was not a great day for me. I had no mommy to shower. No mommy to call. No mommy to hug. No mommy to say I love you to. I didn't even want to celebrate. Nothing special for me please. Just wanted to enjoy my family. After church we went to Trey's moms and gave her the presents we had for her. That was it. One trip. No where else to go. I didn't want to stay home either. Technically it was my day and I knew if I stayed home I would have to do some kind of cleaning...nope...we decided to run around instead. Not that, that was a good idea either...gas prices are too high just to be running around town. We went to the mall. Bath and Body was having this great sale on Anit-bacterial hand soap, so I picked some up for a friend and some more for me. We got the kids some new shoes, bought a part for the lawn mower, looked at the puppies, and yeah, that is about it. Left the mall, went to have dinner...my favorite...Johnny Carinos...LOVE IT!!! Then to blockbuster...rented PS I love you...then to CVS...wanted to cash is on some deals and earn some ECB's. Then home.

Yep that was my day.

Nothing exciting or special.

I don't feel like celebrating.

I miss my mommy!!!

So, Mommy in Heaven..............................

Happy Mother's Day! I wish you were here to hug. I love you vey much. I want to say thank you for all the wonderful things that you did in my life. I hope that I can be all that you were to me, to my children. You were amazing to me and I will try to live my life in a way that will make you proud. I know that you are having the greatest time in Heaven and knowing that you are there does bring my heart some peace. One day when I join you, we will hug again....until then...I love you!!!!





Happy Mother's Day to all my mommy friends!!

One Year Ago Today

One year ago today, I said good-bye to one of the greatest men I have ever known. I watched for 5 months as he wasted away to practically nothing. Begging daily for us to let him get up. Even so much as asking for a beer and cigarette (he had not smoked or drank beer in over 15 years). I watched as he lost the ability to do anything for himself...and I mean anything!!! He relied on mom and I for everything. We take for granted everyday all the simple things in life that we are able to do for our self....like getting a drink of water. I still hear him at night....water....I need water. The last days of his life was so hard. You know he is leaving. You know your time is limited. What do you say?? Do you talk about it?? Do you ask questions that you have had for years?? He made it clear that he loved me...I made it clear to him that it was ok for him to leave us here. He made it clear to Trey that he wanted Trey to take care of mom and I....Trey made it clear that he would do so lovingly. My dad was one of the strongest men that I know. He was 85 and up until a year and a half before he died he was still mowing the yard, fixing things, and was still able to do somethings that some 58 year old I know think they can't. Watching my dad pass from this life, into the next life was both horrible and wonderful. Knowing that he was meeting Jesus, being able to get out of the bed and walk, knowing that he was no longer in pain was a great feeling. BUT, on the other hand....knowing that I would not see him for a very long time, knowing I would not hear his voice again, knowing that he would not be able to see his new grandchild was almost unbearable. Would I have wanted to be anywhere else a year ago?? NO WAY!! My father took care of me from the time that I was born to the time that he died....And I was going to be there to take care of him...even if that meant that I would be taken away from my husband and children. I believe that God intended for us to take care of our parents. Some say that they would not be able to handle that, and yes I had family members said that they couldn't...I say " I can do ALL things in Christ, for which he gives me STRENGTH" Philippians 4:13 I miss my dad. It is hard to believe that it has been one year today....time flies...take advantage to the time that you have with your loved ones...stop...enjoy them....experience all that they have to offer, because one day they won't be here and you will wish you had!!!!

Drowning!!

I feel like I am drowning in a sea of dirty laundry, dirty dishes, a dirty house, softball, baseball, graduation invitations, work, youth group stuff, and sick kiddos!!!! Calgon....take me away!!!! I feel as though I will never catch up, and never be able to fully rest. Will the madness ever end?? HHHHHHHHEEEEEEELLLLLLLLPPPPPPPPP!!!!!!