What happens when you need EVERTHING?!

Well, it took some work, but I was able to get all our "big" ticket items and still save pretty much 50% on our grocery total! YAY!
I was dreading the shopping this week. We needed pull-ups, paper towels, laundry detergent, and garbage bags. Those four things alone would usually DO US IN for our groceries for the week! ha ha! BUT, I utilized my coupons and shopped at Walmart which usually has the best non-sale prices on those things. I was able to save $3 on the pull-ups, $1 on the garbage bags, and .50 on the laundry detergent. I am trying a new brand because it is cheap..able to get it for $2 at Walmart. It is called Sunburst. THEN I get to Kroger and see that they have started that brand this week so it is on special. They had it for $1.88 and they would have doubled my .50 coupon so I could have gotten in there for 88 cents! ARGH!
Oh well.
I already had shopped at Publix this week, spending $4.88 and saving $7.75. I got a bottle of Northland pomegranate blueberry juice, 2 boxes of Orville Popcorn and a loaf of Earthgrains bread. Not too bad.

On to Kroger. I spent $83.94 and SAVED $72.13. That is 47% according to the receipt.
Combing all my shopping from Publix, Walmart, and Kroger I spent about $92. I saved $84.38.
That is pretty encouraging. I was afraid I was going to have to totally blow the budget, but I didn't! And we are set for a few weeks on our major staples... now just for the super savings in the next couple of weeks!
YAY!

What we've been up to....

I don't know if you realized this, but I actually had a birthday this month.

Yesterday in fact... I actually turned 28 on the 28th of April.... oh... you already knew? Huh. I guess good news travels fast.

Last week I hosted a Thirty-One home show party for my friend, PJ, who just became a consultant. I combined it as a "birthday party" and I was able to meet a goal for orders and got to pick out $150 in FREE products for myself for my birthday!! That was an awesome gift, and I just have the best friends and family who helped me reach that goal. The company really does have cute products, so I have some really nice things coming that I will be sure to post when they arrive.

Hmmmm....well other than that... we have actually been very busy!!!!!!

Our latest breaking news is that Katie lost her FOURTH tooth on Monday night! That makes four teeth in 6 months...and two more loose even now! What a cutie!


I missed out on posting several things while I was in the midst of my self-promoting countdown. The biggest project was spring cleaning, which included a makeover for Katie's room. She now has storage room for all her "stuff" and a new reading/writing area under her princess curtain/tent. She loves it. This collage shows her in her reading nook right before bed and as soon as she woke up the next morning. It is really a big girl room now!


This past Saturday we actually went to the park and enjoyed some family time! Corey had just got back into town after being gone for ELEVEN days! So, we spent the day just hanging out together. You can click on any of these collages to see it BIG!


Noah also finished up his soccer class. We love these sports classes for 4 year olds. He will be too old for them soon. It teaches them the basics of different sports. He is taking the t-ball class now. Katie has declared this to be her last semester of ballet. She wants to take music lessons next..but here are some of her in class also. In the bottom left picture, the class teacher is actually holding Noah. It was the last class and they were playing a real "game" and no one else could get to the ball before Noah, so the teacher held him so the other kids could have a turn. He thought it was so funny and it really boosted his confidence of course!



Oh yeah...there was EASTER this month too! Here are some shots from Egg Hunts at the grandparents' houses. Katie got that sleeping mask in her basket from my parents, is it not too much? ha. They also got new Bibles from Corey and me in their baskets from us.



We started out April with an Egg Hunt with the homeschool group. It was a beautiful day, we got some cute pictures!


So, yeah, I have been doing more in April than sitting around writing my answer every day. ha ha. It has been fun. Looking forward to some fun times in May, including perhaps a trip to the Georgia Renaissance Festival...Corey's birthday...Mother's Day... FUN times ahead!

Bonus: Guess the reason for the music theme this month. Winner gets a song dedication prize of my choosing :)

Happy Un-Birthday To Two of YOU!

Happy Birthday to me, and Happy Un-birthday to everyone else, especially two very lucky people who are winners today in my birthday countdown contest!
I turn 28 years old today on the 28th, which is supposed to be something special I think....

The official contest "name drawers."

Today ends the birthday countdown,
and as a birthday gift to myself I am making today an easy one.
So today's question is:
"Who did you pick as the winners of your birthday drawings?"
I am SO GLAD you asked!!!!
Faithful readers, I am pleased to announce the winner of my two birthday drawings. The first drawing was from those who submitted questions on the first post request for questions for the next 28 days. I had 20 different people submit questions! I had my very reliable and impartial official pull a name and....

Jessica D. is the big winner! Jessica wins a $10 Target gift card!

Happy Un-Birthday Jessica!!!!!

update: I was trying to be fun and different by sending a different type of giftcertificate,
but giftcertificates.com charges a $3.45 fee for ONLINE delivery!
Totally ridiculous, you are getting a Target one instead! ha ha! Didn't think either of you would mind the change!

My next drawing was added after a few days of answering questions. I decided I would reward those who were faithfully commenting on the other days' questions. So, this drawing included an entry for each time someone commented on the birthday countdown posts. If you commented 5 times, then your name was in 5 times!
My other reliable and impartial official drew a name for this one and....

Bethany is the other winner! Bethany you win a $5 Target gift card!

These may not be super big prizes, but hey, it is a very modestly circulated blog and look at it this way.... it's more than you had before! Happy Tuesday, April 28th!

Also, Anniversary Greetings are due! Today marks my parents' 30th wedding anniversary! I was born on their 2nd anniversary...
Happy 30th Anniversary Mama and Daddy!

Congratulations to both of the big winners, and thanks to everyone for reading all these 28 days worth of questions and answers! I am looking forward to a fun day today and am happy to spread the birthday joy to you guys on your un-birthdays! Jessica please post the best email address for sending your certificate via the web!

Tune in tomorrow for NOTHING! I am taking a BREAK! ha ha!

Birthday Countdown: Day Twenty-seven

My mom asked:
"If you could meet and talk with anyone(dead or alive)
who would it be and what one question would you ask them?"

When I first considered this question I thought that it might make sense to pick someone who I would not have an eternity in heaven to get to know and talk to...I mean, makes sense right? ha. Well, that would require a whole lot of assuming on my end of the equation, so I guess I will just pick someone else.

So, here goes. As a mom, I think that I have a really good one.
I would love to talk to Mary, the mother of Jesus.
The one question I would ask her is: "Tell me about the babyhood/toddlerhood/childhood of Jesus. The Bible doesn't tell us anything at all about Jesus' childhood except that He grew "in wisdom and in favor" with God. But, wouldn't you like to know the details? Did she nurse and how long? Co-sleep? Spank????? Can you imagine spanking a child you knew was the son of GOD??! Did he EVER disobey? Was he constantly teaching THEM things? Did he ever get sick? Did he love animals particularly or dislike any foods? How did she handle that? Was he a popular child? Who was his best childhood friend? Any funny stories?
I think that would be a very interesting story to hear. And I wonder why more is not included?
Oh well...I guess it's something I'll never know in my lifetime. But, that is whom I would pick...
What about you?

Well, that is just about it for the questions. I will give everyone one more chance to submit and TOMORROW is the big day! The day I reveal the winner from all those who submitted questions at that first opportunity. AND a special bonus drawing! You won't want to miss it!!!!

Birthday Countdown: Day Twenty-six

Corey asked: "What was your favorite childhood cartoon?"

When you are discussing entertainment it is really difficult to pick one "favorite."
Here are some of my favorites:


Alvin and the Chipmunks (especially the movie with the Chipettes)

and

Garfield and Friends

I remember really enjoying both of these....they were funny, and I really like the songs in the Chipmunks. Another favorite of mine even as a teen was Animaniacs. That was one of the last really funny kids' cartoon shows! SO funny! I miss it!


So, there you go. Three favorites. Can't pick. So fun!

Tomorrow I will answer another one of my mom's questions: "If you could meet and talk with anyone(dead or alive) who would it be and what one question would you ask them?"

Birthday Countdown: Day Twenty-five

Corey asked: "And why...."

Because I can eat any kind of meat in the world
if it is on a piece of delicious, hearty, fresh baked bread!
It makes all the difference... Boar's Head or Land O' Frost.... it doesn't matter, neither will be good if it is slapped on a piece of store brand white bread! ha ha!!!!!

Something like this is what I always buy.....
Mmmmmmmm.......
not exactly fresh baked, but the next best thing....


If you are confused by this post, go back and read the yesterdays.....

Tomorrow I will answer yet another one of Corey's questions....
"What is your favorite childhood cartoon?"

Birthday Countdown: Day Twenty-four

Corey asked: "What is more important in a sandwich, the meat or the bread?"

Absolutely the BREAD!!!!!


Tomorrow, I will answer another of Corey's questions: "And why?" :)