Some of Our Summer Activities

So as I posted before, we've been busy.  I didn't even mention (as my friend Nancy pointed out! LOL) that I am finishing my Ed.S. and I'm in school this summer.  I have done homework, promise!!

Our summer began with the sweet wedding of my cousin.

We have done our fair share of time at Dollywood.

We've been to the playground.

We played in the fountains at The World's Fair Park and had a picnic afterward.

We've had fun in the backyard.

I've been trying my hand at canning and growing a small container garden.

 Mmmmm.  Strawberry jam!!  We even went and picked the strawberries!

 A bird got to our first red tomato, but I think another one is ready to pick!

 Blueberries....for the fun of it!

Peppers!  Yum!

And then there's game night!!!

 That leads us up to the Fourth of July!!

We made red, white, and blue chocolate covered popcorn!

And to think....we're not even going on vacation this year!!!

I hope you've had a fabulous summer, too!!!

Lazy Days of Summer My Foot!

I'm not sure who came up with that little quip, but I don't think I agree.  My last half day of work for the school year was June 1st.  Since then I've had two doctor's appointments (because I refuse to schedule those checkups during the school year and take time off), had to get estimates on the truck from where I was rear ended, had a huge yard sale, gone and worked in my classroom twice already, tried to organize the house (only to have to move everything out when we finally start getting storm damage repaired), gotten the roof replaced, gone to an inservice for the new math curriculum, been to Dollywood, and cleaned out part of the basement.  Oh, and I potty trained an almost 3 year old!!!  I need to relax!  Haha!

Actually, I wouldn't have things any other way.  I tend to overbook myself in summer, but I get to do so much more with Wheeler.  I took him to Dollywood with my sis and nephews.  We always have a ball and will go back a few more times this summer.  When the roofers were here it was a great learning experience for Wheeler.  He got to learn about the generator they use, and he got to see all the hard work.  When getting ready for the yard sale I talked to him about Dave Ramsey and how Dave says even the kids should be scared that they are for sale!!! LOL!!!   He goes shopping with me and holds the coupons (well, the ones I'm not using!) We talk about things we need and things we want.

We still have quite a bit more to do this summer, including celebrating the marriage of two different cousins, more Dollywood, more water time, we are going to the World's Fair Park for a picnic and to play, another yard sale, more days working in my classroom, more learning opportunities during shopping trips, and celebrating five years of marriage to an amazing man.

I'll take my busy overbooked summer any year!

Long TIme, No Blog

Didn't mean to be away so long, life got a hold of us here.  The last two months I've had big projects due for class, I've been practicing my cake decorating and cakeball making, and we've been trying to ready the house to be put on the market.  I've thought about the blog several times, and even sat down to write, but then an adorable little two year would come running up to me and say "Mommy, hold me!" (and I never let one of these moments pass me by!) or my bed would be calling for the night.

Actually as I sit here writing this, I am really only procrastinating as I have another big project due in two weeks and have barely begun work on it.  Truly I work best under pressure, though.  So I am not worried....yet.

I have had a little bit of time this week (even though the week has flown by, Spring Break tends to do that!) to reflect.  The storms Wednesday night were some of the scariest I have ever been in, even though I know it was nothing compared to the hell others endured.  We have had some damage to the house (so much for selling it anytime soon!) but we can still live here.  We still have a roof over our head.  None of us were hurt.  While it's already been slightly frustrating dealing with the insurance companies (the Sequoia has damage, too) we know there are those out there hurting more than us. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 says to give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.  This is what we will do.  This is His will.

While I have more I want to say, it is time to sign off to celebrate the 5th birthday of a little boy we prayed many years for.  Happy Birthday, Daniel!

Who poopy on that plate, mommy?

That is what my 2 year old asked as I was making cake balls today.  I had baked the cake, mixed it with frosting, and was about to put it in the refrigerator.  I couldn't help but laugh.  Out loud.  He didn't see the humor.

I have the best time cooking with him, though.  He mostly helps me mix and stir things right now, but he loves to be on his stool helping me in the kitchen  When I got the cake into balls, he was still insisting it was poop balls on the plate.

 Once we got them to this stage, and he could tell there was chocolate on them, he was convinced they could be eaten.  Then all I heard was "eat, mommy, eat!"  "I want chocolate!"  "gimme chocolate!"

We shared one, as they are soooo rich.  I made chocolate cake mixed with chocolate frosting, dipped in chocolate.

Now he is convinced mom wasn't making poop!

My First Month of Meal Planning

Well, the first month is over, and even though I went over budget each week, I consider it a success.  Overall, I spent about $575  for the month on food and household supplies.  That is about a $300 savings over previous months.  I am pleased for the first time doing this.  What I really loved about making the meal plan for the month was the ease of dinner!  I knew each night what we were having for dinner.  Also, if I forgot to set out something to thaw, John could look at the meal plan, and he could start prepping.  A few times we switched things around during one week, which worked well.  Usually this happened if we were running short on time and needed a quicker meal.  I did build in days for leftovers, however, there were a few nights there were no leftovers, so we had soup or sandwiches. 

I have a lot to learn about couponing to stock up.  That's where I would overspend each week.  When I found good deals on things I knew we would use the next month, I did stock up.  I am going to work on this and see how I can improve. 

I am proud to say that throughout the course of the month, using coupons and sales, I got these items FREE!:  deoderant, shampoo, 4 tubes of toothpaste, Huggies babywipes (the 184 count refill pack), several cans of soups, 3 or 4 boxes of cereal, and that's all I can remember off the top of my head.  I got Gain dryer sheets (80 count) for 12 cents (I can't make it for that!) 

I learned that if you are going to shop the CVS and Walgreens sales to do it early!  I never really got anything at either of these stores because I wasn't there on Sunday morning and they were out of what I was going for.

I did this months shopping and have started out spending $283.  We have a stockpile of biscuits, soups, chocolate chip cookie mixes, muffin mixes, meats (love the deep freeze!!), cereals, TP, paper towels, soap, canned veggies, and snacks.  The preishable list for each week isn't too bad.  I think I will try to limit it to $50 a week.  Remember this includes $10-$15 a week in milk depending on coupons. 

I learned that Valley Grove has a couponing class once a month.  I would like to attend this month, but since I am also taking a cake decorating class, I don't know if I will be able to make it. 

I learned that what I thought was coupon organization needs some tweaking.  I don't want to spend money to tweak it, so I will have to contemplate what needs to be done.

Ok, enough rambling.  I feel like the month was a success, for my first time out.  I loved seeing what deals I could find each week and I look forward to seeing what I can do with this month.

My Daddy

I am so blessed to tell you that this is my daddy.  He was the most wonderful, loving, caring, genuine man. Although I may have made some mistakes throughout my life, I think he raised me right (well, with help from my awesome momma!)  The hardest day of my life so far, was four years ago today, when he died.  While I know it was in God's plan, I don't like it, even to this day.  Valentine's Day will always be so bittersweet.  It's a day filled with love, for me it's a day filled with remembering my daddy's love.

There is so much that I wish he was here to experience with me.  I wish he was here to hold Wheeler, to play with him, to spoil him, as I know he would have.  I know he watches over us, though.  And Wheeler WILL know how awesome his Poppy was.  And one day, I will get to experience heaven with him.

I love you daddy, and I miss you.

Love these guys!

I love these guys.  I am so lucky to have the wonderful family I have.  The cousins get together about once a month for game night.  I cherish these nights.  We have so much fun, and I truly look forward to them each month.  I am so blessed.  We are all blessed.