I have crossed over...

Well, according to my husband there is a coupon crazy subculture and I have officially crossed over and established residency. I have been "flirting" with couponing for over a year now. Pretty much ever since we got the internet. I started by always searching for discount codes online, using Ebates, reading Freebies 4 Mom, etc. But, up until this point I was still not willing to go to the store on a regular basis. ( I currently only go to the store every two weeks) But, Stephanie & Lindsay have officially inspired me to take it one step further. My story is pretty much similar to Stephanie's. I was a frugal person. Remember those Tight Wad Gazette books I read? Hysterical! I also shopped at Aldi, and used coupons occasionally on the very select few items I actually buy name brand. And don't get me wrong I am still committed to Aldi. (I mean when have you seen a coupon for produce?) 

However, I knew from talking to Stephanie & Lindsay it was possible to get stuff for cheap (yep, even cheaper than Aldi sometimes) or even free! So, I finally took the time to read enough blogs to figure out what coupon stacking, doing the drugstore thing, and all the other coupon lingo was talking about. And I have to say they have made a believer out of me. So, here is my bounty from my first trip to Walgreens. I got all the stuff in this picture for less than $40. 

So here is my pledge. I won't always share with you pictures of the stuff I'm buying. While I find this fascinating and very helpful on other people's blogs that isn't really the purpose of my blog. However, I LOVE a great deal so every once in awhile I will probably update you on how my savings are going. My goal is to save enough money to justify having cable/internet. The past year someone gave us this as a gift. It has been lovely. It was the first time we had cable ever, and the first time I've had internet access since we move to Hannibal. However, the year is over and I am really wanting to keep it. So, this is my answer to justifying keeping this added expense. (and I am so attached to blogging I'm afraid I might have to admit myself somewhere if I had to give it up completely) So, that means I will need to save at least $80 a month on my "house" budget. According to all these lovely blogging coupon crazy ladies this seems like an attainable goal. I'll keep you posted.

Coming soon a post about my other frugal endeavor, a container garden on my porch. Still working on that one. Now if I could only sew... (Nope, not happening! I'm sticking to Goodwill and Yardsales for the clothes.)

The Family Museum

(The closest thing I got to a picture of all five of them!)

On Friday the girls and I took a road trip to visit Nana. We were planning on going to the picnic at the hospital where she works for lunch. Then we were going to head to Wildlife Prairie Park. However, if you live in Illinois you know it POURED the entire day. So, instead we ate the cookout in the hospital cafeteria (probably actually easier with kidos). Then we headed to our rain location, The Family Museum, in Bettendorf. (So our trip included three states MO, IL, & IA) It was a lot of driving in the rain, but it was such fun that it was totally worth it.

We went with friends Carter & Ellie, Nana works with their mom Jessica. Caleb also came with his grandma, Jean, a family friend. We went to the Family Museum on our family vacation last fall. It was fun to see how much more the girls enjoyed this visit. Two sections were completely different then when we went so there was plenty of new things to explore. After the museum we went to eat chips & cheese (mexican) Grace's favorite and then spent the night with Nana. It was such a great adventure and I am really looking forward to scheduling our next play date!

Our Anniversary, Mother's Day, & This...

So one of my goals for this blog is to be real. I want the girls to be able to read it some day and learn from the challenges & joys that we have experienced as a family. This past weekend was a "big" weekend. Friday was Jeremy & I's five year anniversary. I wish I had pictures to post from the lovely date night we had planned to go on. But, it didn't happen. Earlier last week Jeremy told me that this weekend was when we would be trenching and installing drainage tile in our yard. He hinted around about machinery & big holes in the ground. I asked if he would rather I took the girls and went to visit my parents. We both decided this would be the best plan since the girls love to be with their daddy & grandpa when they are out in the yard. The next day Jeremy realized this weekend was our anniversary... I knew all along. But, we decided to go forward as planned. 

When the girls and I came back late Saturday night the yard was a big mess. Jeremy was very tired and we upset our neighbor because we messed up his flowers. The plan was that the yard would be finished and we would spend Mother's Day as a family. Jeremy would make dinner, we would take the kids to the park, and then watch a movie. Well, that didn't work out either. We ate Subway, spent the afternoon finishing the yard,  and I made dinner for & us and the family who came to help. And my children didn't exactly "rise up and call me blessed" either.  Grace made a lovely flower craft in her class (for Mother's Day) which she screamed and cried about when we tried to encourage her to actually give it to me. 

Have no doubt we live a real life, with real challenges. Challenges that make me want to throw a pity party, eat ice cream, and sometimes have a good cry! But, the good news is that God didn't leave me there. His work in my life is awesome. Here are some of the things He showed me.

- While I didn't have my anniversary date I went on an AMAZING trip to Mexico in December to celebrate early. We saved money, and missed the swine flu! And while we still wanted to at least have a date night on our anniversary it doesn't mean we have a stinky marriage. We actually have a awesome marriage, and I'd choose everyday bliss over once a year romance any day. I am more in love with my husband than the day I married him and part of the reason is all the challenges we have weathered together.

-When I got home there was a lovely Mother's Day card & surprise from Rick & Leeanne. A spa manicure gift certificate. They are so thoughtful.

-While my Mother's Day wasn't perfect it wasn't horrible either. While we were working on our yard my neighbor told me our family has inspired her to work on her faith & her family. God really touched my heart on that one!

-Grace may not have wanted to share the particular treasure she made in Sunday School but she has told me several times in the last month, "Your the best mommy ever."

- Yesterday I worked hard to fix our neighbor's flowers as best I could. They don't look like they did, but he did say he was thankful. I am praying my best efforts to go above and beyond what he asked will shine some light into his life.

This year I am reading through the Bible in chronological order. Currently I am reading through many of the Psalms. What perfect timing for the circumstances of our life. David is such an honest guy. He tells God when his life stinks, and then in the same breath says, "You rock God!" I can see God teaching me that is what deep faith looks like. It is realizing that even when life gets hard God hasn't changed. He is still awesome even if your life makes you want to eat ice cream.

"The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives."