Deals for the Week

Here are my freebies for the week....4 Johnson Buddy soaps, and a ton of candy!! Please know that I do need chocolate this week, but MOST of this will be set aside for rewards for the kids and gifts for other people. Since the week isn't over, I do plan on getting some more freebies today and stocking up some more, but I had to post what I have.

I take the kids over to the Cooley's tonight. Part of me is starting to get that guilty feeling. How could I dump my kids off? They are my responsibility, what if they get sick, what if they get hurt? So I really need to rid my mind of this and know that it is important for the kids to learn to stay with other people, and for them to see that mommy and daddy love each other and value their relationship enough to spend time alone together.....right? They will be in the best of hands. They love Travis and his parents, and Scott and Traci love my kids and will love and treat them like they were their own.

We plan on seeing a movie tonight and heading off tomorrow. I can't wait to go upside down, ride roller coasters, shop, shop shop, and enjoy our short time together!

Only 1 more day....

Tomorrow night the kids are going over to Traci's (and Travis) to spend a couple of nights!!! Yipee!! Traci can usually only watch our kids in the summer, and she has been so busy this summer that this is the only free time she had. Jack and I will have a night here to ourselves! We may even catch a movie! Friday morning we are getting up early and heading to Carowinds! I haven't been to an amusement park in about 8 years. I can't wait to ride those roller coasters! We are spending the night in Charlotte and on Saturday we are going to Concord Mills mall and any other stores. I LOVE that mall!! We hope to score big on tax free weekend. I heard that a lot of the stores are also slashing prices so if that happens it will be great. We'll come back Saturday night and pick up the kids. I am SO excited about getting away with Jack! We so need this time together ALONE....and it just doesn't happen. We don't exactly have volunteers lined up to take the kids. I am not sure I will know how to act! Can you tell I am very excited? I'll post tomorrow and then I'll wait to share any photos with you when we get home!

Catching Up

I need to catch up on my posts. Last week we went over to Lydia's for a couple of hours for a play date. Here is a picture of the girls playing. I think they were playing duck duck goose, but we got them still for a minute. I was really happy to see Jenna warm up a little bit and finally find some of "her friends". She really enjoyed it. We all did!!
I worked Sunday night at the Kids Exchange sale. I got paid to work and sort out everything that had not sold. That is a HUGE job. I worked from 5-9, but the good part is that I could bring my stuff home that night. I didn't come home with much. I brought one toy, one pair of shoes (out of 4 or 5) and 24 pieces of clothing (out of 145). I actually passed down tons of things too, or I could have sold more. I believe we have been blessed, so I like to pass down things as well. (I'm going to miss the lady that gave me these hand me downs...I won't see her anymore what will we do?) Now, I do have to clarify that my items are priced CHEAP....my goal is not to mark a pair of pants at $6. My goal is to NOT bring home the clothes!!! I don't want to store them, I want to get rid of them, so I price mine more than a yard sale, but enough to make a little too. Most of my items were around $2-$3, some lower, and a few higher. We'll see next week how well I did.

Free Box of Cheerios

Visit this website and get free cheerios plus $6 in coupons!

http://www.cheerios.com/promotions/challenge/EntryForm.aspx

Deals for the Week

CVS has been pretty slow for me the last couple of weeks, but the next few weeks the ads seem to be much better. I did manage to get two twelve packs of soft drinks for free, and two packs of this special trident gum for free, plus I made a $1 on it. The store had a by1g1f offer, and I had a coupon with byg1f too. So, the lady gave them both for free plus I got a $ 1 in extra care bucks. The gum runs about $1.49.
I didn't get much at the Kids Exchange Sale, but I hope to make some money! I couldn't find any long sleeve red, white or black polos for the boys, but I did get them each a pair of shorts, Joshua a pair of pants, and Jenna a jean dress. My prices were marked extremely low compared to others, but I try to get rid of my stuff, but make more than I would at a yard sale. We'll see tomorrow night how much I come home with.
On that note, if anyone finds cheap polos (long sleeve) in solid red, white or black, please let me know. I am sure the stores will carry them in a month or so. Don't forget tax free weekend next weekend. I have gotten a lot of the boys' school supplies, but I plan on getting their backpacks and shoes on tax free day....hey, any little bit helps!!! Have a great weekend!!!

Through a Child's Eyes....

My conversation this morning with Jenna....."Mommy, how old is daddy again, 86"? No, Jenna, daddy is 38. "Why are you older than daddy"?....(Good question honey...I swore I would never marry someone younger than me) "How come I'm not older than Jacob since my b-day is before Jacob's?" (obviously we don't understand the year concept yet) And this was my conversation just at breakfast!!!

Tuesday I made my creamy rosemary penne with chicken! Interesting night! Frankly, I LOVED it! It was really good, especially with the bread crumbs mixed with butter on top. Jacob ate the serving I gave him and nothing else. Jenna took her bite and was done, Joshua took one look at it and said "I don't like that". I told him it was going to be put on his plate and he said "well, don't put much on there". He took his half bite and was determined he didn't like it. So we won't be making this again. Oh, Jack liked it and he took more than one helping of it. Mom, for all those times you slaved making something new and I wouldn't try it or I said "yuck" I apologize!!!!

Happy Birthday, Jack!!

Someone in our house is turning 38 today!!! Happy Birthday, sweetheart! I love you very much and hope you have a wonderful birthday! Thank you for all you do for me and for our family and thank you for loving me! You are so wonderful and I just hope that you have a great day! We look forward to celebrating your day with you tonight!! I love you! Happy Birthday!!

A Hot, Hot Day

It is so hot today. I am thankful for AC. We have just become little hermits today! Wes and Wil came over to play with Jake and Josh. It went really well. They kept themselves entertained with Star Wars conversation and watching movies. I spent some time with Jenna and did some misc things. Last night I got my things taken over to the Kids Exchange. The kids were a HUGE help! I timed everything right. I got a perfect parking spot, was able to get a shopping cart to help and I made two trips in and we were done in 40 minutes. I am glad that is over with and I hope to make some money!!!

Here is my menu starting tomorrow:
Wed: poptarts, hotdogs, out to eat (someone is having a b-day tomorrow)
Thur: donuts, sandwich, baked potato with toppings and salad
Friday: waffles, pizza, tacos (what else would we have on Friday night?)
Saturday: cereal, sandwich, steak and potato
Sunday: sweet rolls, chicken casserole, sandwich
Monday: waffles, hot dogs, spaghetti and garlic bread
Tuesday: poptarts, chicken sandwich, chicken and rice casserole

There isn't much variety this week, and a lot of chicken! I'm not trying anything new this week either.

One of the Best Birthday Parties

Saturday we went to one of the best birthday parties we have been too....because we didn't have to pay for it!!! One of Jenna's friends had a birthday party. She is an only child. The mom said it was a family party so it was fine to bring the boys and Jack. I told them to stay back, but they were able to enjoy it as well. They got a shelter at Pullen Park and Jenna got two tickets. I bought some more so that everyone could ride the train and the merry go round. They had two princesses come visit the party, hot dogs, chips, crackers, drinks, cake and face painting. These people did an incredible job on the kids. I hated to wash it off! Who knows how much money went into this party....but it was enjoyable to us!! It ended up being a nice family activity for us to do. (and the boys loved playing on the playground)

Saturday

Stupid title for my post!!! I actually didn't go to yard sales today....something must be wrong with me!!! I haven't had much luck in the last few weeks, and I have been really tired lately, so I slept in. I also plan on going to Kids Exchange this week in hopes to find the boys some clothes for school. The only other plan is taking Jenna to her b-day party this afternoon and working around the house.

Friday Thoughts

It's been a slow week, I guess you can tell by my lack of posts. I was able to get out last night for dinner with Sara, Michelle, Michelle, Penne, Carmella, Olivia and Nancy. It was so fun to get out. I realized I was the only one that had never had a manicure, pedicure, facial or massage.....hmmm...what am I missing??? I am excited about this morning. Sara actually wants the boys to come over and play with her boys. How brave can she be? Thank you Sara! I think I will take Jenna and run some errands or come home and clean house. I am looking forward to it.
CVS hasn't had many good deals, so my only freebies this week was some Gain laundry detergent and some hand sanitizer. Next week looks pretty slow too, but the following Sunday looks a little better. Happy Friday!

Menu Planning Wednesday

This week is a little tricky. I have about three nights where Jack or I will be gone or where we won't be coming home until late, so I will keep things very simple and I'll give you only my dinner menus.......

Wednesday: chicken
Thursday: baked potato with toppings, salad
Friday: tacos
Saturday: birthday party (hot dogs I think)
Sunday: frozen pizza:
Monday: lasagne or cheeseburgers
Tuesday: creamy rosemary penne with chicken

Birthday Parties

It seems like we have been hit hard with birthday parties lately. Usually I just let my kids go to friends from church, or the ones that have come to my children's parties. You have to draw the line somewhere, or you go broke!!! I had one before our beach trip, and then when we got back, Jenna's friend, Hannah, had one at Build a Bear. She enjoyed that one. She has yet another one on Saturday. I try to find gifts that have been unopened at yard sales, or good deals at stores. Jacob went to one last night. Normally, I wouldn't have sent him but Jacob seems to get lost sometimes. I feel bad for him. He always seems to get left out. I never planned on having a middle child, and sometimes my heart breaks for him. I want him to have "his friends". I want so badly to have a "play date" with someone just for him. Joshua makes friends with everyone and plays great with people.

Family Fun Fest

We had a great time last night at family fun fest. I am very tired. Jenna fell asleep in my arms last night. Somehow, on Saturdays though the boys get up at 7:30 or before, no matter what time they went to bed!! I guess kids bounce back better than us old folks. Anyway, they had a great time on all the bouncy things, playing games, eating etc. I had a great time working in the food tent with Nicole, Betty, Jessie, and Rhonda. It is so much fun to work with people for 4 hours because you really can get to know them, and it was a blessing to me. Jack even came in and joined in the fun!! I admire him....working all day long, driving and hour or so in traffic, and still he can join in and serve, and I LOVE him for that!! We had over 1700 people come through (we prayed for 1200.).

Not much luck at yard sales today. I got a "late" start, and I was pretty tired! I also found a lady that I knew and ended up talking to her for over 45 minutes, so that really killed my morning!

Deals for the Week

My deals for the week included two free cans of pringles, 2 Johnson's Buddy soaps, two Dawn Dishwasher detergents, and some aloe vera gel. Those were all free. I also got all of this for 30 cents...it includes 20 folders, 6 packs of pencils and 4 hand sanitizers.

I am excited that we finally have a Saturday with no birthday parties. It just seems everyone is having one lately. (we have one Monday night and one next Saturday). I hope to go out to yard sales and take my time and work around the yard and get some misc. things done.

Don't I Look Pretty, Mommy????

Last night after her bath, I sent Jenna in to comb her hair. Jack and I started talking and I assumed she was still in there combing her hair. She comes in very quietly and sits down like she had done absolutely nothing! Jack and I look at her and she had decided to try out some of my makeup!!! Thankfully she didn't try any mascara! I guess it's time to get her some play makeup, although I know Jack hates that idea!! It was pretty funny, especially since she thought she would be sneaky about it and walk in so quietly!!! I sure hope this isn't what I look like when I go out!

Wed, poptarts, hotdogs, tator tot casserole (I found something they like)

Thur: donuts, sandwich, pork chops and corn on the cob

Fri: blueberry pancakes, mixture of things, family fun fest (hot dogs there)

Sat: cereal, sandwich, tacos

Sun, rolls, hot dogs, frozen pizza (I HATE cooking on Sundays)

Mon, French toast, cheese quesadillas, chicken casserole

Tue, bacon, movie day/lunch with friends, sweedish meatballs with rice/noodles

A few things got moved to this week as I had a couple of unexpected things come up last week.

Thoughts

So the muffin thing went well. In answer to Monica's question...no, they did not fight over things. Jacob and Jenna loved everything on it, Joshua is very picky! I had to double up on a couple because I knew Joshua would want more goldfish, and the muffin liner did not hold many oranges, so I made two of those.
Joshua went for his 6 month check up today....good news/bad news....the good news is no cavities once again. Bad news....his mouth is just way to small. Partly because of cleft palate, but mainly because God just made him with a small mouth. He needs two more teeth pulled in October to make room for the others. The dentist thinks that he will have to have 4 permanent teeth pulled just to make them all fit. Poor guy. I feel so bad for him.
Thanks goes out to Jack and mom for watching the kids last night! Mom watched them until Jack could get them. I was able to go out with Kim and Heather (friends from my old church). We had a wonderful time and it was great to see them again. We went to Outback (sorry honey) and then Kim and I went to Target to shop! I needed some time!

Muffin Tin Monday*****Revised

Today for lunch I am making it "muffin tin Monday". I am taking my muffin pan, putting in liners and for lunch I am filling each one with different things. I am going to put in carrots, ranch dressing, oranges, cheese, goldfish, chips, strawberries, and anything else I can find in my pantry. Friday I made smiley face chocolate chip pancakes. The kids liked them, but they didn't turn out as cute as I hoped. *****Here is the picture of the muffin tin Monday. I got the idea off a website, so I can't take credit!!!

Deals for the Week

Here are my 100% free items for the week: I got a pack of kids yogurt, two twelve pack of drinks, makeup removal wipes, two Johnsons buddy soaps, two pantyliner, some more baby wipes, and a package of safety pins (I needed these because I am getting ready for the Kids Exchange sale) Not too bad, but not my best of weeks!!!

Menu Planning Wednesday

I had to go to the grocery store last night. I couldn't wait any longer. After our beach trip, we were out of everything!! Joshua was amazed how much groceries cost me. I think he was a little concerned. It was more than I usually pay, however, I just had one of those weeks where I was out of everything, even the little things!! The kids and I tried this new recipe for frozen chocolate bananas! They were so good!!! Here is our menu for the week.
Wed
Poptarts
Movie/lunch with friends
Salad/Twice baked potato

Thur
Donuts
Swimming/pizza
Tator tot casserole

Friday
Funny face pancake
Chicken sandwich
Tacos

Saturday
Cereal
Sandwich
Spaghetti/garlic bread

Sunday
Biscuits
Hot dogs
Frozen pizza

Monday
French toast
Muffin Tin Monday
Sweedish meatballs with rice and noodles/green beans

Tuesday
cereal
Cheese quesadillas
Pork chops/corn on the cob

The Update

I had to run some errands to run and groceries to get an put away, so I never got a chance to post. I met with Jenene today. I won't get into all the details, but if you want to know, I will certainly tell you about them. I certainly know I could do this job. I don't doubt my abilities any more. I am fully capable and would do a great job. A chance like this may never come again, but right now, I do not think it is for me. I just want to stay where I am at. I believe God will still make a way for all 3 of the kids to attend school the following year. Thank you so much for all your support.