Forever Young

Update!

2009-09-28T21:38:00.000-07:00

To My ~~Readers~~ Reader....you know, since I have probably lost all but one due to the lack of entertainment here!

I'm trying to update this blog! Here's a little bit of what's been going on the last few months!

I will update again when I have more time....have to get back to studying, writing care plans, and a lot more studying!

Doin’ it like the monkeys

2009-07-17T18:53:00.001-07:00

DISCLAIMER: Yes, I’m easily amused and YES, I purchased some at the store just to try it!

While I was waiting to harvest my farm (will explain later in the post!) last night, I came across this video!

I guess my whole life I’ve (and the majority of you out there) been doing it all wrong! I mean, it just doesn’t seem right to not open the banana at the top, but trust me…remember, I bought some today just to see if it really works…and yes, my friends, it does! Go to your kitchen and try it! I bet you will be amused too!!

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Are you still wondering about that farming thing I mentioned (or are you still in awe over the banana!) Ha Ha! If you have Facebook, you HAVE to try FarmTown. I have become addicted to this game! It’s so much fun! You basically build your farm, plow, plant, harvest, and sell your crops! Yeah, I didn’t think it sounded fun when I heard about it, but it is! Go check it out….but don’t blame me if you get hooked! Oh, I’ll be your neighbor if you join! Just look for me!

Have a great weekend!

I’m going garage-saleing tomorrow and hopefully will finish up my kitchen makeover! It’s taken us about 3 weeks, but it’s almost finished! Maybe I’ll get around to posting some before and afters!

He's a Big Kid Now!

2009-07-08T18:23:00.000-07:00

Let me tell ya...It has been a LONG seven days! Last week we decided it was time to get down and dirty and finally get Ethan potty-trained! We started trying back before Emma Kate was born and he wasn't ready so we gave him a few months and tried again- but, of course, with no luck!

So, last Tuesday we started by bagging up all his pull-ups and putting him in undies full-time. I knew it was going to be rough, but I wasn't quite prepared for it all! Seriously, from Tuesday to Saturday, we did nothing but beg him to use the potty and clean up accidents! We filled him up with liquids and attempted to sit him on the potty about every 15-30 minutes but he refused to go! He even had an accident IN Wal-Mart!!! Just imagine....we are standing in the toy isle and I look over and he has pee running down his leg! I freaked! We bribbed him with toys, new Thomas the Train underpants.....you name, we tried it! To say the least-it got old, quick! I was so close to giving up!

But then, we woke up Sunday morning and he was dry and when I asked him if he needed to go he said YES!! And he has been accident free for FOUR days now! It's great!!

Alright, that leaves one in diapers! I can see the light!

Disney Vacation 2009

2009-06-29T21:02:00.001-07:00

I know, I know…It’s been almost a month since our vacation and I am just now getting around to posting! Hey, it’s been a busy summer! Can you believe the summer is almost half-way over!!??

Day 1: Hollywood Studios

It was Star Wars weekend and the ~~kids~~ Alan just had to go there first! This was our first time ever going here. The kids had fun. I think it was a little too old for them this year-aimed towards older kids.

We did make it in time for the Star Wars parade!

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The girls got to meet different characters from Star Wars, too!

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Alan even got to be a storm trooper!

We also saw Indiana Jones, an awesome car race, and rode a few rides….Alan and I rode the Tower of Terror! Scary! But fun!

On to the next day!

Day 2: Magic Kingdom

This is my favorite part of Disneyworld! I just love it!

We rode the ferry boat over to the castle. Ethan being silly!

And Emma being precious as usual! Do you like their bows??! It’s hard to see them, but it’s Minnie! I found them here…Adorable!

We made it to the castle

Oh, some friends of ours went along with us….he had been planning to propose to her! And he did! By the wishing well at the castle! How romantic! Atleast I thought so!

The girls on our favorite ride….the teacups!

We stood in line FOREVER to meet the princesses! Oh, what we do for our kids! Emma just was in aww over Cinderella!

Not so much with Belle!

Ok…take a look at this moment of history. ALL SEVEN of us. In picture. Together. Smiling. Can you believe it??!!

We spent the entire day there and stayed until the fireworks and parade….very long and HOT day!

Day 3: Animal Kingdom

I have to start by saying I am always disappointed with Animal Kingdom. It is entirely too hot…too small…the lines to the rides are EXTREMELY long…they close early (like 5 pm early)…and in my opinion it’s not worth the money! We had not been since 2006 so we decided to try it again this year…big mistake. We will not be returning next trip! I didn’t even get many pictures, but here’s a few!

The safari ride is the only one we ended up riding. The animals are amazing, though!

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Nemo and Friends at the aquarium

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Playing in the shark’s mouth!

Day 4: Epcot

This was our first year taking the kids to Epcot. It was a little too old for them, too. They didn’t quite “get” the countries!

The only country they understood was America! Go figure!

They loved the a cappella singers and just had to get their picture with them! I guess they thought they were famous!

Well, that’s it! Finally posted! One to-do I can cross off my list!

Happy Birthday Ethan!

2009-06-24T22:15:00.001-07:00

3 years ago today, around midnight to be exact, I went into labor. June 25 was Ethan’s exact due date! Alan left for Biloxi the day before on a trip that I begged him not to go on because I just had that feeling I would be going into labor soon! He assured me everything was fine and he would be back the next day or sooner if need be…..and, of course, I made the call and he was here in less than 3 hours! Just in time for my epidural! And around 6 am (am I horrible because I can’t remember the exact time he was born??!!) Ethan Taylor made his debut in the world! He was beautiful! Which were my first words, followed by “He just peed on me” No lie! From the day he was born, he had the biggest blues eyes and the most gorgeous dimples ever!

Here he is enjoying his cake at his first birthday party!

It’s hard to believe my little man is growing up! Is he not the most handsome little boy!?

Do you like his new hair-do?? Yes, he fixes it himself! And, he insists on wearing his collar like that! I just love him…

… His silliness and all!!

Happy 3rd Birthday Sweet Boy!

We love you!!

Vacation- Week 1

2009-06-20T09:25:00.001-07:00

We weren’t planning on going to Disneyworld this year, but we had a week to use and I changed my mind about summer school….so we said what the heck and decided to go for TWO weeks!

We packed everything up and left about 10 at night on Sunday and drove straight through to Alan’s parents’ home for a week. Why drive at night you ask?? Have you ever tried driving with five kids? It’s tough doing it around town, let alone a 12 hour drive! The kids (and I!!) slept through the night and Alan drove…in peace and quiet! We wouldn’t do it any other way!

It rained the first few days…but it finally cleared up and the kids were able to swim. Emma Kate LOVES the water!

And of course…my child that hates to have his picture taken!

After another day of rain, it finally stopped and we took a trip to the Homosassa Springs Wildlife Park to see the famous manatees. The kids had a blast!

My happy baby! She knows just what to do when I put the camera in her face!

All five in the same picture!! I don’t get many of these!!

Yeah, they probably weren’t suppose to be playing in that!

The Manatees….They were HUGE!!

Ethan wasn’t quite sure about them!

She was feeding them sweet potatoes

My manatee children!

Some of the other wildlife exhibits…

This little guy wasn’t part of the exhibit, but he followed us for the longest time….wanting us to feed him I guess!

Disneyworld pictures up next….Stay tuned! Have a great Saturday!!

Las Vegas

2009-06-16T09:33:00.001-07:00

No, I didn't decide to stay in Vegas! (I'm sure you all were thinking that huh?!) It has been a crazy month!! After my trip to Vegas, I came home for a week, finished up some sewing, and we all left for Disneyworld! For TWO weeks! Great vacation, but just a little too long to be away from reality! Now that I'm back and rested up, it's about to catch up and start posting pictures! Yes, sorting through 600+ from Vegas and 1200+ from Disney has been overwhelming, to say the least!! Trying to pick out my favorites has been hard! I'm going to be doing several posts over the next few days so I don't overwhelm all of you! So here we go!!

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Vegas was fun! Would I ever go back?! Probably not! If I do, it would just be to see the different shows. I think we saw just about everything else! We went inside EVERY hotel! I was just amazed with the size of everything. I mean, when you see Vegas on t.v., the buildings don't look that big. But, let me tell you....It's not just a hop, skip, and jump from one hotel to the other. My advice for those who are going for the first time....Don't try to walk the whole strip! Especially on the first day! You will regret it because you will be aching the entire trip. You have a few options to get around the strip (we learned this after the first day!) You can take the monorail...don't waste your time. Not only do you have to find the stops to get on, the stops happen to be BEHIND the hotels and like I said above, the hotels are HUGE and trying to find the back is almost impossible! I think we walked just as much or more when we rode the monorail. The other option is a taxi...don't waste your money. I think they take the long way around just to make money!
So MY advice...ride the bus. It was about $7 for a 24-hr pass and there are stops in front of each hotel so hop on, ride to the next stop, and you're there! So easy! I wish someone would have told us this on the 1st day instead of the 3rd!

We stayed at Treasure Island which was actually really nice! In my opinion it's on the "nicer" end of the strip.

The pirate ship at our hotel. There's a show each evening...I can't tell you how it is because we waited until the last night to see it and the show was cancelled because of the wind! I heard it was good though!

Here are some of my favorite spots:

The Mirage was right next to us. In the evenings there is a volcano show that is really cool. Definitely a must see!

The Venetian Hotel was across from us. They have a gondola ride that goes through the hotel and around the outside. We didn’t do it, but it looked fun!

New York, New York Hotel

The Forum Shops at Caesar's Palace

The Eiffel Tower at Paris Hotel

Views from atop the Eiffel Tower

Jubilee at Bally’s is one of the shows we went to see. It was awesome! A typical Las Vegas showgirl show! It did take me a minute to get over the fact that the dancers lacked tops! We didn’t know that it was “that kind of show” LOL! We also went to see the Chippendales! Another awesome show!

M&M World is another great stop! It’s free!

Another must see…The Fountains at the Bellagio!

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I have to share my new favorite program! Windows Live Writer

It is so hard for me to upload photos in Blogger (another reason I had been dreading posting all of my vacation pictures), but it was so easy with Live Writer! I uploaded them all at once and created my post with ease! Highly recommended!!

UP NEXT…Disneyworld pictures! Keep checking back!

I'll be back...

2009-05-09T01:07:00.000-07:00

Heading out to Las Vegas in a few hours!! I'm so excited!!

I'm sure I'll have lots of pictures to post when we get back next Thursday! Hope everyone has a great Mother's Day!!

8 Things

2009-04-27T10:18:00.000-07:00

Melanie tagged everyone so I decided to participate!
I think this is my first blog tag!

8 Things I'm Looking Forward To:
1. My vacation to Las Vegas-We're leaving May 9!!
2. Thursday afternoon...my last clinical at the nursing home!
3. Graduation- Dec 2010....1 semester down, 3 to go!!
4. Geting a job at the hospital...wondering what position it will be!!
5. Staying out by the pool all summer long with the kids!
6. Garage sale this weekend...I want all of this stuff out of my dining room!
7. Our trip to Disneyworld this Thanksgiving!
8. Getting all of this laundry washed and put up!

8 Things I Did Yesterday:
1. Sleep late
2. Showered
3. Cleaned house
4. Did laundry
5. Cooked egg rolls
6. Stayed up too late
7. Painted the girls nails when the they came home from their dad's
8. Explained to two sad little girls why mommy and daddy don't live together (without getting too deep into it all!)

8 Things I Wish I Could Do:
1. Be a nurse. right now.
2. Not have to write my final paper for comp II
3. Lose 30 lbs!
4. Make my kiddos stay young...they grow up too fast!
5. Get a job in L&D after graduation
6. Leave for Vegas. Today.
7. Sew more..I love to do this put haven't pulled my machine out since Jan :(
8. Keep my house spic and span all the time...Ha! with 5 kids, I'll just keep wishing!

8 Shows I Watch:
1. Grey's Anatomy
2. NCIS
3. Law and Order SVU
4. Nancy Grace
5. The Drs.
6. Private Practice
7. Ellen
8. More NCIS...(I dvr all the shows...Alan says I'm addicted..maybe a little!)

Tag YOU'RE it!! Leave me a comment if you take me up on this offer!!
Happy Monday!

92.4

2009-04-25T11:35:00.000-07:00

I'm sure you're wondering what significance that number holds to me...

Well, my friends, that is my grade going into my nursing final. The grading scale at our school says an A is a 93-100...Talk about being so close. 1 tenth of a point away from that A!

What exactly does that mean right now? I HAVE to make a 93+ on the final! HAVE to! So, I can only miss SEVEN questions! AAGGHH!! Talk about a lot of pressure!

who stole the cookie apple...

2009-04-25T10:35:00.000-07:00

from ~~cookie jar~~ fruit bowl??? And put it back...half-eaten???

hmmm...I wonder who??!!

I bet it was my little sneaky two-year old! I have to say, atleast he didn't take a bite from all of them!!

***Now that I look at the pic posted, it looks like he bit a face into that apple!

Photo Overload

2009-04-14T19:44:00.000-07:00

Yes, I haven't posted in over a month and yes, I have TONS of pictures and updates! Enjoy!!

This was our first year to take the kids to the St. Paddy's Day Parade. They had so much fun!

Ethan's face said it all when he saw the Sweet Potato Queens! I agree with you! Some of the "wannabe's" were SHOCKING!!

Emma Kate wasn't quite into it...she used her time wisely....catching up on her sleep! (wish I could do that these days!)

The kids loved catching beads....although they stood way back and just held their hands up waiting for the beads to be thrown to them!

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On the 28th, one of my bestest friends from high school go married!! I am so excited for her!!

Lesley, the Beautiful Bride, Kristen, and me...I need to pull out my pictures from high school to compare! Oh, how we have all grown up! I do have to say, Kristen, you are the smartest of the three! Ha!( I know, my glasses make me look smart huh!!??)

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After the wedding, my mom and I headed to see Paula Deen!! Man, I just love her! She is hilarious!! I just wish she would have cooked! But I still had a blast! I thought this was as close as I was gonna get to her.....

Until we walked out at the end of the show and she passed RIGHT by me!! Yes, she was that close! So close I barely had time to zoom out as she whizzed by!! I was a little star struck!!

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A few weeks ago we "attempted" to take pictures for Easter cards. Needless to say, I could never get all the kids to sit still!!

Oh, well...I did get some funny outtakes! This picture cracks me up! Emma Kate grabbed onto Hannah's hair and wouldn't let go!

And check this out! Ethan let me take his picture! VERY rare moment!

I love this picture of Emma Kate! I just wish the color would have come out right! Oh, well....black and white never fails!

After the pictures, we let the kids feed the ducks. What? Oh, what ducks?!

They're there, somewhere....

See, I told ya!!

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One night a week I try to paint the girls' fingers and toes and this week we let Emma Kate join in! How cute is this!!??

And this!!??

Oh, she's pulling up on her own too!!

And she knows how to strike a pose!!

And make shadow puppets!!

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The Easter Bunny Visited!!

And brought lots of yummy treats and goodies!

Once again, an "attempt" to get a family picture!

At least I can get good individual ones!

Morgan

Bella

Hannah

Emily....Who's this you're asking?! No, we didn't gain another child! This is my sister! Yes, you heard me right! Instead of my dad buying a motorcycle during his mid-life crisis, he remarried and had another child! There's a 21 year difference between us!

Oh, Emma Kate's crawling too! At seven months! I bet by 9 months she will be walking! Oh how they grow up fast!

My babies, well, 3 of them!

Whew! Told ya I had a lot of updating! Hopefully I will be back sooner than later! I had my last lecture today and just 2 clinicals a week for the next 3 weeks and then the final! I can see the light!!
Up next?? Vegas baby!! Yes, I am taking a much needed vaca to Vegas the first weekend of May!! Then off a week and right back into summer school! 3 classes to be exact!!
Oh, and I get to start my summer job at the hospital! The fun never ends!! Have a good week!!

Please Pray!!

2009-03-25T12:02:00.000-07:00

This sweet baby boy needs your prayers...Please pray for God to heal his precious heart!!

Getting Older

2009-03-09T17:35:00.001-07:00

Morgan lost her tooth this weekend! It took her about 2 weeks, but it's out!

My sweet Hannah! It's hard to believe she's FIVE!! She had her shots for school a few weeks ago and asks me every morning if she gets to go to school that day!! I almost cry just thinking about her starting school!

6 Months

2009-03-09T15:01:00.000-07:00

Wow! I can't believe Emma Kate is already 6 months old! How the time flies! She's trying so hard to sit up by herself and gets on her hands and knees and rocks back and forth...you can see her determination and how she just can't wait to start running around the house with her brother and sisters!!

Here are a few more pictures I took of her this weekend! Too precious!

Southern Belle Autism T-Shirts

2009-03-06T20:24:00.001-08:00

If you missed out on the Autism Awareness shirts last time, don't worry! You have another chance to get yours! This shirt is not sold in stores so the only way to get it is to order it now!!

This is a fundraiser is for The Price's oldest daughter, Addison. All proceeds from the fundraiser will be used to purchase Addison a communication device because she is non-verbal.

Here is what the t-shirts will look like.

Available colors: Orange and Light Blue in adult and youth sizes

If you would like to purchase one the t-shirts, just email me and I will get the order form to you! My email address is bb71600 (at) yahoo (dot) com.

Thanks so much! The Price's appreciate every order!!!

Could it be??

2009-02-28T20:51:00.000-08:00

More snow?? Seriously??!!?? I swear, Friday, I dressed the kids in shorts and tanks and today I had to pull their winter coats back out! No need to worry, if it does happen to snow, it shouldn't last too long...looks like the temp will be close to 70 by Wednesday!

Oh, how I love Mississippi weather!

Another test. Another week. Another year older. Another favorite

2009-02-28T19:03:00.000-08:00

Another test.

I successfully passed another test! It may not seem important, but with only 5 tests the entire semester, there's no failing a test or it could ruin the whole semester!

Oh yeah, I made an A!!

Another week.

7 weeks down, 9 to go until the end of the semester! Time flies when you're having ~~fun~~ being forced to spend almost every waking minute with your head in a book studying!!

Next week: my first care plan

Another year older.

Yes, one year closer to thirty. I feel so old...and I have proof...

Went to get my eyes checked this week because my sight has been rapidly decreasing and I have migraines almost daily...I indeed needed glasses. to wear all the time. and my doc told me to give them a week or so to get adjusted to them and if I've still having problems to come back and he will change my prescription to a bifocal....WHAT! a bifocal...if that's not being told you're getting old, then I don't know what is!!

Another favorite.

I just love coffee. Caramel Macchiatos to be exact. Or so I thought....

I have become hooked on Caramel Frappuccinos all of a sudden! I was craving one tonight so I decided to google and make my own. I found this recipe and did a little tweaking...here's what I came up with...

Hazelnut Caramel Cream Frappucino

Prepare triple strength coffee. I filled my coffee maker to 10 with water and used 1 1/2 C of coffee. After it brews, you will need to chill it. About 30-45 minutes in the freezer works great if you're impatient like me!

Combine the following in the blender:

2 C ice
2/3 C triple strength coffee
2/3 C milk
1/3 C caramel sauce
1/3 C Hazelnut coffemate creamer (I like hazelnut so I added. Also could try french vanilla or mocha, yummy!)

Top with whipped cream and a little drizzle of caramel sauce! Tastes pretty darn good! Hope you enjoy it as much as I am right now!!

In case you were wondering...

2009-02-18T14:02:00.000-08:00

I'm still alive!! Stressed beyond belief, but here!

Nursing school is absolutely wonderful!! Ask me the same question during finals week and I may have a different answer!! No, really, it's going so good!

I have passed two tests (an A and a B), learned to do vitals, assessments, giving a bath, changing bed linens, and have read so much! I was told not to get behind on the reading and that is so true. With 2-4 chapters each lecture, it would be so easy to get behind and they don't stop for you...they will take off and leave you behind so I have learned to be prepared!

I started clinicals today. I have been dreading the first day of clinicals because this semester we are in a nursing home. I am not the best with smells and have been warned the nursing home has a very "unusual" smell. I prayed for my sense of smell to be decreased as I walked in the door this morning.

I found my group, we had orientation, and I got my patient assignment. As I got on the elevator to go to the third floor, I started to panic. I got off the elevator and suddenly forgot everything I had learned....what do I do first, what if my patient starts yelling at me, or what if he/she doesn't want me there....I seriously stood at the door, frozen, for what seemed like eternity. I had to go in; we only had 20 minutes to get everything done. So I knocked...

And suddenly, as I walked into the room, the fear and anxiety subsided and everything came back to me! I did what I needed to do and did it well, I thought. When I left the room, I was shocked how natural it came. I was relieved it was over, yet so excited I wanted to go back!!!

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The kids are doing great! Hannah turned 5 last month! Emma Kate is growing like a weed! Morgan and Bella are still enjoying school! And Ethan is still Ethan! Getting into everything and refusing to be potty-trained!

I will leave you with some pictures from the last few weeks...Pictures that I took with my new camera!!! I was so happy to finally get a new camera! Not that I have time to take a lot of pictures, but the ones I do take turn out so beautiful!!

Speaking of beautiful...isn't she just the cutest!!??

A day in the park! This is the only time Ethan will let me get pictures of him!

Bowling Fun!! The kids LOVE bowling!!

The picture on the left of Emma Kate...can you see how bad she wants to get out there and play with everyone! She will be crawling before we know it!

It's about time...

2009-01-07T19:28:00.000-08:00

Better late than never, huh! I finally took the time to sit down and go through our Christmas pictures! As you can tell from all of the pictures, the kids had a blast this year! Hope you enjoy!

The Family! This was at my mom's house the Friday after Christmas. Can you believe all 7 of us is in the picture....5 of the 7 looking at the camera and smiling! I will take that and be happy!

Christmas Eve was a little different for us this year. Morgan and Hannah went to their dad's and Bella to her mom's. This was the first year like this, so as you can guess, I was pretty sad. Didn't really feel like Christmas Eve without everyone home. But, there's always next year!

So it was just Alan and I, Ethan and Emma Kate, and Alan's parents for Christmas Eve. Can you tell Ethan had a BLAST opening all of his presents! And Emma Kate's! And mine! He just wanted to open them all!!!

Emma Kate just sat back and let everyone do it for her! She just calmly watched as Ethan ripped through all of her gifts!

Ethan woke up pretty early for Santa on Christmas morning! He loved all of his presents. Anything airplanes or dinosaurs and he's all for it!

I just LOVE this picture of him! He "flew" this dinosaur all over the house!

He had a fit over his Star Wars power wheels!

The girls didn't come home until Christmas Day at 2:00 so we had "Christmas Afternoon"! It just wasn't quite the same on Christmas morning. I didn't get too many pictures of the girls opening their presents. They had them all opened before we knew it!

Kickin' a bad habit

2009-01-06T20:15:00.000-08:00

I didn't make a lot of resolutions this year...just 3...

1. Pass my classes
2. Loss the baby weight
3. Stop biting my nails

I have been a nail biter for ALL of my life! I know, it's a bad habit! I've tried to stop so many times and have been unsuccessful. Usually if I get acrylic nails they will grow, but just as soon as the acrylic nails come off, my real nails are gone...I get bored, I bite them. I get stressed or nervous and I really bite them!

Well, with me starting school and not being able to wear acrylic nails anymore...I have to stop biting them! And besides, working in the environment, all the germs, the thought of it just grosses me out! Not that it didn't before, I've just become more aware of it!

I've told Alan or the kids, if they see me biting my nails, to slap me!! I will say, it's been two days and no slaps....Yet!!

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Oh, I gotta share some funny quotes from Hannah today!

We were getting ready for "Mommy and Me Day" and I was doing her hair....

"Mommy, I don't want pink-tails...can you do black-tails, I don't like pink!"

It's been raining for the past few days and we are all sick of it.
Here's Hannah's thoughts on it!

"God sure is taking a long shower...You think he will be done soon?!"

Getting back into the swing of things

2009-01-05T05:43:00.000-08:00

Anyone else, have a hard time getting their kids up for school this morning??!! Morgan DID NOT want to get up and she just cried and fought with me on everything...from what to wear, to what she wanted for lunch, and all the way to getting out of the car at school.

This is our first "back to school after Christmas Break" and boy was it tough. It was almost like the first day of school all over again.

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Speaking of first days of school...mine is Thursday! I am getting so nervous!

I've had to get shots (oh, like 5 of them!), a physical, a drug test, finger printing and a background check, uniforms, shoes, stethoscope, scissors, and books...

And speaking of books, 15 to be exact! $800 worth of books...But I paid no where near that much. How you ask??!! Ebay! And Amazon! I will never buy books from the school bookstore again!

So you wanna know how much I ended up paying for them all?? You will never guess! About $150.00!!!

Crazy, huh! Yes, some were used, but it perfect condition! And a few I found were even new, still in the wrapper! I think the cheapest one was like $2.00 and the most expensive was maybe $25.00! I was so excited! And so was our pocketbook!

Happy 2009!!

2009-01-01T19:28:00.000-08:00

Just wanted to wish everyone a HAPPY 2009!! We spent New Year's Eve and Day relaxing! A calm and peaceful way to start off the year on the right foot!

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Did you notice.....My blog got a makeover!! Thanks to Melanie at Sassy Chic Designs! She did a WONDERFUL job!! I LOVE it!! Go check her out! Get a new look for the new year!! Thanks again Mel!

Merry Christmas from The Youngs

2008-12-25T10:17:00.000-08:00

We hope everyone's Christmas is as wonderful as ours has been!! We have definitely has a lot of firsts this year!

Off to pick up the girls from their dad's/mom's and then come back home for Christmas at our house!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Ms. Emma Kate

2008-12-15T21:58:00.000-08:00

...she is just growing so fast...She weighed 12 lbs last week! She is finally off the breathing treatments for RSV and is doing so much better! Here are a few pictures I took of her this past week!

...In her bumbo seat...She loves this thing! I was letting her watch tv with the kids and I turn around and she is sound asleep! Precious!

...Being Stylish...Have you seen these little leg warmers for babies and kids??!! Well...you know me...el cheapo...I searched and searched for a tutorial on how to make them and I found one here! So easy to make...and a lot cheaper! Here she is modeling her Christmas pair!

...eating with a spoon...She's been going through a growth spurt the last few days. She's wanted to nurse every hour so we've been supplementing with formula a little more and now added cereal. She just loved it!

And the Winners are...

2008-12-13T09:37:00.000-08:00

I picked the winners this morning with Random.org and here they are!

The winner of the women's scarf is.....EMBER

And the winner of the kid's scarf is...TASHA

Congrats to both of you!!! Check your email so I can get all of your info and get the scarves out this week in time for Christmas!!!

THANK YOU to everyone that entered the giveaway!!

It's Snowing, It's Snowing

2008-12-11T10:50:00.000-08:00

Yes, the reports of snow were true! We woke up to sleet this morning and by early morning it began to snow and actually stick! We are expected to get 2-5 inches total! WOW!!

Schools let out early of course. Alan had already left for work and I had to go get Morgan with all of the kids...So I dressed Hannah, Ethan and Emma Kate and went out to start the car and realized that there was snow ALL over the truck! I start panicking because we don't have a snow scraper...So I start running around the house looking for something, anything to use to scrape the windshield. I finally find this thin, plastic cutting board that I bought at the dollar store the other day. Hey, it worked. Desperate times call for desperate measures!

I finally get on the road after loading the kids one by one in the truck. Let it be known that I have NEVER driven in anything like this....Needless say, by the time I got to the front of our neighborhood and after sliding on the road numerous times, I was starting to really panic....to the point I called Alan and was hyperventilating and crying! Yes, the thought of having all the kids in the truck and possibly wrecking caused a full blown panic attack!! Alan finally got me calmed down and explained to me that I needed to "pump" the brakes. I make it to the school (thank goodness it's only about 5 miles away!) and g0t back to the house safely! Whewww!

I let the kids out to play for a little bit when we got home....They had a blast!

Yes, you will notice they need hats....It normally doesn't snow so we aren't winter weather prepared!

Looks like I need to make them some scarves, too! Speaking of scarves....Have you signed up for my giveaways?? Go here and here to leave me a comment and get entered! Drawing ends Friday!

One Hundred!!

2008-12-09T21:30:00.000-08:00

So, ya know know if I did something special for post #99, I just HAVE to do something for #100, right??!!

ANOTHER GIVEAWAY!!!

Yes, a second prize for one of my readers, because I appreciate ya'll so much!!!

What will it be this time??!!

A Kid's Patchwork Scarf!!

Because she needs to be sylish and hip too!!

The striped fabric on the front is so adorable! I did an alternating patchwork design on the front. The back is a pink fleece and I will add one initial of your choice.

So, you wanna win it??!!

Just leave me a comment! Easy, right??! What a wonderful gift to give to that special little lady in your life!

You have until Friday at Midnight to leave a comment (with email address) and I will choose a winner Saturday morning with Random.org!!

If you have already added yourself as a follower for the other giveaway...You will automatically get a second entry. Post about BOTH giveaways and get an additional entry for EACH giveaway....And of course, if you order from my Website, you will get FIVE for EACH giveaway!

GOOD LUCK and HAPPY COMMENTING!!

***You don't have to have a blog to win...Just leave your name and email address in the comment and/or place an order and you will be entered!***

Happy Almost 100...

2008-12-09T16:26:00.000-08:00

It's almost my 100th Post Blogiversary!!

99 posts exactly! It's taken me since August 2007 , but I'm just about there!!

And how am I going to celebrate???!!!

With a

GIVEAWAY!!!

I am going to recreate a scarf like this

FOR ONE OF MY READERS!!

This scarf turned out so cute!! I LOVE the paisley fabric on the front!! It's backed with a soft, warm fleece. I will applique one initial of your choice.

So....what do you have to do to win it???!!!

Just leave me a comment! That's all you have to do and this could be YOURS! How easy is that?? Right in time for Christmas....Keep it for yourself or give it as a gift!

So you have until Friday at Midnight to leave a comment (with email address) and I will choose a winner Saturday morning with Random.org!!

Want extra entries?? Three ways:

1. Follow my blog and come back and leave another comment letting me know you're a follower an get an entry!

2. Post about it on your blog and come back and let me know you posted an get an entry!

3. Place any order through my Website and get FIVE entries!!

GOOD LUCK and HAPPY COMMENTING!!

***You don't have to have a blog to win...Just leave your name and email address in the comment and/or place an order and you will be entered!***

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Oh, I loved those comments thinking my "Special Announcement" was I was pregnant....Yeah, I ~~think~~ KNOW we are done!!

Gotta Love It

2008-12-09T05:36:00.000-08:00

Mississippi weather that is!

Yesterday: cool, breezy upper 60s

Today: high 72...possibility of tornados

Wednesday/Thurdsay: highs upper 40s, lows upper 20s.....possibilty of freezing rain/sleet/snow

I just ~~love~~ hate the fact that we can turn on the a/c and heater in the same day! That's Mississippi for ya!

Too bad it's not closer to Christmas! Wouldn't it be wonderful to have a white Christmas??!!

You know what?! I take that back...The thought of snow sends Mississippians into a panic...Run to Wal-Mart and stock up on water, non-perishable items just in case you can't leave the house for a few days....People here do not know how to drive in the snow...Nor need to because most end up on the side on the road.

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You MUST stay tuned!!! I have a special announcement to make later in the day!!! You DON'T wanna miss out!!

Not Me! Monday

2008-12-08T00:00:00.000-08:00

It's that time again!!! I had so much fun last week so I'm gonna play again!!

And away we go........

I did not have another fiasco in the kitchen this week! Nope, I am the best cook and I never have any problems! Especially not while making this wonderful fudge that I've made tons of times. I did not boil it too long and it did not set up like a brick. Seriously! It did not take pounding it on the counter to break it up! Oh, and I was not making it at midnight because I did not want a snack. Of, course not. I am on a diet.....

Yeah, I did not try to start a diet right here at the holidays. What wasn't I thinking??!! My diet was to consist of yogurt, rice cakes, water....you know, "diet" food. Please don't tell anyone, but I did not find myself eating rice cakes while I was not on the computer all day today and I did not look down and find like 6 gone from the package!!! Yeah, for some reason I really don't think I started my diet off on the right foot... I'm sure rice cakes, only in moderation, would constitute a diet!

And did I tell you how I am the best driver....I never get road rage and my children never hear me yell at other drivers....What kind of mom would do that??!! Oh, I am also great with directions! I never get lost. Not even on the way to my own house! None of this took place this week.....After picking Morgan up from school, I was not talking on the cellphone and did not forget to turn right instead of left, finding myself headed home instead of to the bank. I did not have to yell at the car behind me because he was kind enough to let me over after having my blinker on. So after getting headed in the right direction, (still not on the cellphone, of course) I finally made it to the bank.....only to not realize it was the wrong one!!!

Oh, I can't forget to tell you how nice I was to the lady in the photo department at Wal-Mart. See, I uploaded my Christmas cards to have them printed out on Tuesday, 1 hour of course, even though I knew it would it probably wouldn't be 'til the next day until I went to get them. I go Friday, knowing they definately were ready, only to find out they weren't....What didn't I do?? I very kindly thanked her and let her know how I grateful I was that I would have to make another trip to come back and pick them up....What wonderful service they have! Of course I was not rude....I mean, it is Christmas time ya know!!!

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So, do you have something you need to be honest about and get off your chest....

Go here to read the rules and join in the fun!

Happy Monday!

Remodel? Not Really

2008-12-07T20:47:00.000-08:00

After working on my blog pretty much all day...I think I finally have it fixed....I tried to do a little remodling, but, as you see, I reverted back to the original...with a few minor changes....This html coding is difficult! Yeah, it's my fault I'm an el-cheapo and won't pay someone to do it for me!

I lost my complete blogroll, so if I've left you off, please let me know!! Or if you're a reader and I didn't have you on the list, let me know also!! I will add you!

Oops...

2008-12-07T10:46:00.000-08:00

Is right!! No, I didn't delete all of my wonderful blog friends....I attempted to upload a new template and as you see it obviously didn't work.... So, please be patient with me as I update my blog!

Just one of those days weeks

2008-12-06T17:22:00.000-08:00

Four sick kids, two trips to the doctor, and lots and lots of medicine! That's what my week has been composed of...

It all started last Sunday with Morgan and Hannah having a little cold. I immediately started medicine...In our house, when one gets sick, we all get sick.....And this time was no different. By Monday night, Ethan and Emma Kate were stuffy and feverish, but the girls were better. After being up on and off all night, I decided to take them to our pedi to get medicine (Did you know OTC cough/cold medicine is not recommended to children under 4?? I did't)

So Ethan had an upper respiratory infection along with double ear infections. He was put on a decongestant and antibiotic. Emma Kate had a upper respiratory infection and was given a decongestant. Tuesday and Wednesday was rough. Medicine every 12 hours intermittent with Tylenol for fever. Ethan was feeling a little better by Friday, but Emma Kate's cough was getting worse and seemed like she was having difficulty breathing. I just had that "mom" feeling that she was worse and needed to go back to the pedi before the weekend. And my feeling was right. She now had a double ear infection. They also did a nasal swab and diagnosed her with RSV. Not only did she get an antibotic, but also a nebulizer for breathing treatments.

Oh, it doesn't end there...just gets better. Didn't leave the pedi's office until about 5 pm and we dropped the prescription off at CVS (2 hour wait to get it). Go back to pick it up only to find out they couldn't fill it because the pedi forgot to sign it and their office was already closed. Had to then call the after-hours clinic, wait for the nurse to call back, tell her what's going on, wait again to get on-call doc's approval. Finally, she calls it in to CVS, I go back to pick it up (keep in mind it's about 10 pm by this time) and find out that they are out of the nebulizer meds. They call around to about 4 different stores and finally found one that had it. Oh, and it was about a 25 minute drive away....I finally get home about midnight. Whewww, what a day! I give her the breathing treatment and Amoxil and we get in the bed about 1 am!

Wait....there's more!! We woke up about 7 this morning to find her with red splotches ALL over her body! She had an allergic reaction to the Amoxil. We call the pedi's office and immediately give her Benadryl. She was better about 30 minutes later.

I felt horrible! She's never had Amoxil, I should have waited a little before I put her to bed. I checked on her during the night, but didn't turn on the light. It was so late and we were tired, but I should have waited....Thankfully she didn't have the reaction I have to penicillin (swollen throat, difficulty breathing). So grateful for that!

Needless to say, we've enjoyed the low-key afternoon! Back to studying.....Finals next week and I've had to put school on the back-burner this week so I have a lot of catching up to do!!

Yo Gabba Gabba

2008-12-04T08:48:00.000-08:00

No, I didn't just make up those words! If you have kids, I'm sure you've heard about Yo Gabba Gabba on Nick Jr.

What could be better than 5 toy monsters named Muno, Foofa, Plex, Toodee and Brobee, along with DJ Lance, teaching about different issues all while singing and dancing? Nothing to my kids for that 30 minutes the show is on...They sit still and anything that makes Ethan still that long, I am all about!! Hey, I need just a little quiet time during the day, even if it's only 30 minutes!

Don't tell anyone, but I have a favorite song from the show (*blushing*) Actually, the song goes something like "Don't stop, don't give up", but my version (the way I swear it sounds like they are saying) goes, "Don't stop, donkey-butt" Much better version! And, I will admit, I find myself beboping around the house singing it...Great mental picture, huh?

5 Random Facts at Me

2008-12-03T10:34:00.000-08:00

1. I won a car about 5 years ago!! You'll never guess what I had to do in order to win it! I sat in the car for eleven days....Yes, I typed that right! ELEVEN days! Holy cow! That was eleven days without a shower, eleven days sleeping and eating in the car, and eleven days just sitting there waiting. Waiting for what you ask? For the other 5 people to get out of the car! It was a contest for a local radio station called "Live In It To Win It". 6 people started out. We were only allowed get out twice a day, 5 a.m. and 5 p.m., to go to the bathroom, brush our teeth, and stretch. Finally, about 10:30 p.m. on the eleventh day, the other guy decided to get out and go home....And I ~~walked~~ drove away with a brand-spanking new Chevy Impala-it had just 7 miles on it!!!

2. I went to Paris when I was 17. I was a cheerleader in high school and was chosen to be on the All-American team, along with 2 other girls from my squad. We had a choice to go to a few different places to perform and chose to go to Paris. We performed at Disneyland Paris and in front of the Eiffel Tower! It was so much fun! The only thing I regret was not being as interested as I should have been about the sights. We went to the Louve and saw the Mona Lisa, walked and shopped the Avenue des Champs-Eleysees, and took a boat tour down the Seine River. Paris is beautiful and I hope to visit again someday and appreciate what it has to offer.

3. Speaking of traveling, there are so many places I hope to have the opportunity to visit one day. Once the kids are grown and out of the house, my plans are to travel the world! Just a few places I want to go: France, Italy, Australia, and I would love to visit each state atleast once!

4. I lived in Montana and Seattle as a child. I remember Montana was too cold and Seattle was too rainy! And now I live in Mississippi where it's too humid!

5. I hate wearing socks, they make me feel claustrophobic!! It can be the dead of winter and I'm sockless. I even wear my boots without socks! The only, extremely rare, exception....the socks have to be really, really thin. And I wonder why my kids are like this!!

Merry Christmas!

2008-12-03T09:11:00.000-08:00

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I submitted our Christmas card into Tip Junkie's card contest.....

Hope I get picked...I wanna win some Chrismas goodies!!

Not Me Monday

2008-12-01T10:21:00.000-08:00

If you haven't checked out this chic's blog, you really need to! Her family is amazing, she's funny and witty, and not to mention, she's had over 2 MILLION visits! Wow, that's a lot! I have spent many a nights reading her posts from way back when to catch up!

Mondays are her "Not me Monday" posts which are so cute! She encourages everyone to participate, so here goes!

So the kids were out of school last week and they did not wake me up at 6 a.m. one morning. Nope and I did not tell them to go fix their own cereal. And they did not come back and tell me they had not made a mess. And, of course, I did not walk into my kitchen to a floor full of milk. What wasn't I thinking??!!

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This was not the first year I cooked Thanksgiving dinner, by myself. I did not take the easy way out and buy a turkey from Honey Baked Ham. I did not fix stuffing, mashed potatoes, mac n cheese, and gravy, all from boxes. Nope, I slaved all morning at the stove and I did not have my whole Thanksgiving dinner cook in under 30 minutes! (Rachel Ray would have been proud!)

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One last one....
It does not take a whole loaf of bread to feed my family grill cheese sandwiches. And while I was not using the whole loaf, I did not need a stick of butter, softened, to butter the bread. I did not think I could softened the butter in the microwave, for just a second. I did not put the stick of butter directly in the microwave. And it did not start flying sparks because of the metal wrapper. So I did not take it out, unwrap it, and put it back. And I most certainly did not open the microwave back up to find the entire stick, melted in the microwave, and I did not realize then I should have atleast put it on plate or in a bowl!

Nope, Not Me!!

Happy Thanksgiving!

2008-11-27T17:29:00.000-08:00

#1 and #2: Thankful for my Heavenly Father and my Family

Without #1 I would have no life and without #2 my life would not be as wonderful!

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Hope everyone's Thanksgiving was as great as ours! We spent the day, at home, just us seven. A very first for the Youngs. Usually Thanksgiving Day is full of driving and eating with different family members: my grandmother's for early lunch, Alan's parents, here at our house for late lunch, and then my mom's for dinner. This year we celebrated with my grandmother this past weekend (due to my aunt having surgery, which she made it through perfectly!), Alan's parents stayed in Florida, and my mom went to St. Louis.

I do have to say it was very relaxing, although I miss my grandmother's dressing, my MIL's mac & cheese and my mom's asparagus casserole...Oh, well, there's always Christmas!

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So, what's next for me? Well, making my list for Black Friday shopping and getting to bed early, of course! I'm not quite as enthused as I usually am because there just doesn't seem to be a lot on sale that I want to get. I'm sure while I'm standing it a line at 5 a.m., with a warm caramel macchiato, I will change my mind!

my thankfulness continues...4-3

2008-11-25T20:43:00.000-08:00

#3: Thankful for knowing that God is in control and he has a purpose for my life. Before He gave me life, He knew each and everything I would do. By believing in Him and letting Him lead me, He will guide me to where He wants me to go.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

#4: Thankful for my home and nice warm bed to sleep in each night...even if it only gets slept in a few hours each night. I have no idea what is wrong with me, but I cannot seem to go to bed at a reasonable time! You would think with 5 kids I would be pooped at the end of the day and just want to crawl into my bed...nope.

Holiday Pictures

2008-11-24T22:29:00.000-08:00

Wow, my kids have grown so much in just 1 year!

Not too mention we have added a new addition!

*******************************************************************

My bf Mel came over tonight to photograph the kids for our christmas cards. She took some wonderful pictures of the kids! Well...of the girls atleast. Ethan hates having his picture taken. Luckily, she was able to get just a few with him in the picture and he would not let her take any of him by himself. He's so hard-headed (I have no idea where he gets it from :O)

There were so many great pictures of Emma Kate! I just can't choose my favorite! She cooperated so well! I wish all my kids were like this!

Enjoy the pictures!

Thanks again Melanie for taking these pictures for me! And for letting me tinker with your camera...I so have to get one of those!

#16 - #5

2008-11-23T22:40:00.000-08:00

I've been really busy lately...but not too busy to get back to my challenge!!

5: Thankful for my family: brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews...Speaking of aunts...Please put my Aunt Cindy in your thoughts and prayers. She will be having surgery (she was diagnosed with breast cancer about 3 months ago) on Tuesday morning.

6: Thankful for having the opportunity to spend time with my grandmother before she passed away. She was the one that taught me to sew and I thank her all the time for it!

7: Thankful for good friends that make me laugh and let me cry

8: Thankful for a Caramel Macchiato...makes me happy and warm every time I drink it!

9: Thankful for my front loader washer and dryer...If I have to do laundry, I'd rather do it with these...half the time and it saves water..(which means saves some green)!

10: Thankful for the Internet....what else would I be doing in my free time??!!

11: Thankful for all the things that happened in the past that has gotten me to where I am today, whether it was bad or good...like that song.."Thank God for unanswered prayers"...

12: Thankful for my husband's random thoughtfulness (and his inability to keep secrets!) My Christmas present arrived early and he just couldn't keep it to himself so he gave it to me! Wait, wonder if that means I won't get anything on Christmas morning??!! Maybe I should give it back!

13: Thankful for my excellent health

14: Thankful for Thanksgiving break....I need a break from tests! I've had at least 3-4 a WEEK since October!!

15: Thankful for my crock pot! We wouldn't have a healthy dinner some nights if it weren't for it! One recipe I wanna try...crock pot lasagna...Wonder if it would be good???

16: Thankful for my decision to go back to school...I know it will be tough in so many ways for the next 2 years, but it will so be worth it!

Giveaway Galore!!

2008-11-11T09:15:00.000-08:00

In celebration of Christmas, Tip Junkie is holding "12 Days of Junkie" giveaways sponsored by the moms who are a part of the Mom-preneur Shop-a-thon hosted by Tip Junkie.

There will be 12 Days of Giveaways and TWO winners everyday!!

I sure hope my luck is up and I score some gifts!!!

If you haven't visited Tip Junkie before, DO IT NOW!!! Wonderful tips and ideas on just about everything!!! And be sure to visit all the Mom-preneurs and support their businesses this holiday season!!

#17

2008-11-11T09:03:00.000-08:00

Thankful for the men and women who fought

in order for us to have freedom.

Thank you to my husband, who is a Army Veteran, who fought and was injured while serving our country.

#18

2008-11-10T20:53:00.000-08:00

Thankful for the words "I Love You"

Ethan has started making two or three word sentences and it's just so sweet to hear him say "I love you, mommy". I walked out to go to class tonight and he started banging on the front door, crying and screaming for me. I walked back in to give him a hug and he said "Bye, mommy, love you!!!"

It just melted my heart!

#19

2008-11-09T11:35:00.000-08:00

Thankful for being woken up at 6 am by 2 little girls!

Why you ask? Because it just means that God has graciously blessed me, Alan, and my children with one more day on Earth.

After telling them to go watch t.v for a little bit, we slept for about another hour and they came back saying they were starving and needed food! So I made eggs, pancakes, and bacon. Oh, I bought the bacon at Mistletoe Marketplace on Saturday. The BEST bacon I've ever cooked! The company is Bear Creek Smokehouse out of Texas. Fairly reasonable prices for the amount you get. Oh, the jalapeno sausage is good, too! We had it in red beans and rice Saturday night.

Mistletoe Marketplace was fun this year! I was sorta disappointed with the decorations. I'm not a big fan of purple and gold. It just doesn't seem like Christmas without red and green! However, it did get me in the Christmas mood! I'm hoping to put up decorations this weekend! I've gotta get the house clean and do the floors! And furniture rearranging...I have no idea where the tree is going to go this year????

#20

2008-11-08T20:00:00.000-08:00

Thankful for moments like this...

#21

2008-11-07T22:34:00.000-08:00

Thankful for "mommy-daughter conversations" with my girls...

A.M. convo with Hannah while she was getting dressed...

Me: "Hannah, I just LOVE those leggings you pick out yesterday!"

Hannah (putting on leggings): "Me, too!

Me: "I sure wish I had a pair like that. Maybe you could let me borrow yours."

Hannah: " But I wear an extra small and you're like an extra big Mommy. These won't fit you!"

I just laughed it off! I didn't realize it, but she left the hanger they were on sitting on my bathroom counter...

P.M. convo with Morgan while we were getting ready to blow dry her hair before bedtime (she didn't hear our conversation earlier that day)...

Morgan (picking up the hanger): "Mommy, why is this hanger in here? It says extra small and you don't wear that size...You're like an extra big!"

Me: "Oh, I know, Hannah already let me know!"

Don't you just love how children just nonchalantly tell you the truth! I just wanted to say..."You know, Emma Kate is ONLY 8 weeks, I haven't lost all the baby weight just yet!!!

#22

2008-11-06T19:37:00.000-08:00

Thankful for my sanity

As a mother of a child going through his terrible twos, I am thankful for the fact that I haven't lost all of my sanity! I have finally figured out that Ethan just loves sitting in his time-out chair all day, everyday! I get on to him, send him to time-out, wait 2 minutes, make him apologize and we hug, and I kid-you-not, no more than 5 minutes later he's right back in!

Our catastrophes this week...

1. he broke the lid to the toilet tank

2. he took his diaper off and peed on his bedroom floor

3. found him standing ON the counter in the bathroom, elbow deep in the turtle tank trying to catch the turtles, while Spongebob is swimming in the tank

4. he learned how to unlock the deadbolt and open the door (thank goodness for the alarm!)

Don't let this sweet, innocent little face fool you!

**Did you notice that bruise on his forehead??!! Jumped from the top bunk and hit his head, along with a gash in the other side of it...I about flipped my lid! LOL!! And he tried to get back up there and do it again! Boys...where do they learn it from? I am convinced it's in the genes!

#23

2008-11-05T19:36:00.000-08:00

Just being thankful for it...You never know how long it will last! :)

#24

2008-11-04T20:37:00.000-08:00

Thankful that the election is FINALLY over!!

I am not one that talks politics, that's my husband's job! LOL! Nor have I really had any interest in politics. I registered to vote when I turned 18, but have never voted. I didn't pay attention enough in school to really know the major differences between the two parties.

Until this year. I know, I'm from Mississippi. A Republican state. My parents, grandparents, family, and friends are Republicans. So should I be a Republican, right? After doing hours of Googling and hearing it daily from Alan (who is from Pennsylvania, and is a die-heart Democrat), I learned about the parties and made my OWN decision. It's not easy to go against the norm. But everyone is allowed their own opinion and that's what is so great about this country.

Thankfully, the bad-mouthing, negative campaigning is over! But I'm sure I will still receive those emails of why Obama is not what God wants, as so on, and so forth! I will read them. It doesn't mean I don't think you should have your own opinion.

I just may not agree with it!

#25

2008-11-03T22:35:00.000-08:00

I am thankful for:

My parents and grandparents for my values and morals they instilled in my while I was growing up. I am taking Sociology class this semester and one thing we were discussing a few weeks ago was the breakdown of the family and how things have changed in the last 50 years. Alan and I both agree that teaching our children about respect and responsibility is important. We try as much as possible to eat dinner together and have family time. Although, at times, this is difficult to squeeze in with every one's activities, we try.

I also want my children to respect others, as well as themselves. In this day and age, it's very easy for children to be exposed to things we feel are wrong and immoral. Television, video games, and toys often send wrong messages and it is our responsibility as parents to be there to teach them the difference between right and wrong. Take this toy for example:

Am I the only one that thinks this is just totally wrong? I am not a big fan of Bratz dolls to begin with, but when I saw this at Wal-Mart the other day, I just couldn't believe the company's audacity to market this to children. Would you want your daughter to play with this "Nighty Night" doll, dressed in a slinky nightgown? Just look at the doll posing on the front of the box! I know Barbies are known for the provocative clothing also, but this just takes the cake! I just want my girls to stay young for as long as possible and enjoy their childhood.

Ok, I will get off my soapbox! Thank you again, Mom, Dad, Grandma, and PawPaw for teaching me all you did!!

#26

2008-11-02T23:16:00.000-08:00

Coupons!Before I started using coupons, we were easily spending $150 a week on groceries a week! That's a lot, even for a family of six at that time. After finding several, wonderful money saving websites, I started paying attention to sales and using coupons. I've learned to plan my menus by what's on sale and I try not to buy something unless I have a coupon. So now you're probably saying (just like I did), I don't buy the stuff from the coupons that come in the Sunday paper. Right? Well, here's a compilation of company websites with lots of coupons. They keep this list updated regularly. I've also learned you can't just go to the grocery store without planning. Sunday is my shopping day. I get the Sunday coupons, check all the sales, plan my menus for the week, and make my list of what I need. I've been price matching at Wal-Mart with sales from other stores, but I tried something different tonight. I had store coupons from Kroger and I decided to make a list for Wal-Mart and one for Kroger. I saved the most today than I have all year.

Wal-Mart: Before coupons-$52.78, After coupons: $36.93 SAVINGS: $15.85

Kroger: Before coupons: $72.21, After coupons: $41.27 SAVINGS: $30.94

Total savings of $46.79

$78.20 for the week for a family of 7!!!

Not too bad, but I'm not going to lie. It wasn't easy going to two places, but it was worth it in my book! My advice to those of you wanting to save, check out the websites below, save your coupons (don't forget to ask friends, family, and neighbors for the ones they don't use), and keep your coupons organized! I went about 4 weeks without cutting them out of the paper and filing them, and it was horrible! I spent Saturday night clipping and organizing them. What a FUN way to spend a Saturday night, huh!? I'm so cool! LOL!!

A few of my Favorite Money Saving Websites:

Common Sense with Money

Have a wonderful week!!!

Happy November! #27

2008-11-01T22:07:00.000-07:00

"Thanksgiving was never meant to be shut up in a single day." ~Robert Caspar Lintner

I am thankful everyday for what God has graciously blessed me with. In honor of Thanksgiving, I will be posting things I am most thankful for. Twenty-seven days til Thankgiving, twenty-seven things I am thankful for! My countdown to Turkey Day, so to speak!

**In no particular order, of course!**

#27

Daylight Savings Time-ending!!

Is it just me or was this the longest dailylight savings time ever? After babysitting this weekend, I am thankful for that extra hour of sleep I will be getting tonight!

By the Numbers

2008-10-31T21:26:00.000-07:00

Three shots for Emma Kate for her Eight week check-up

Three pounds gained in Four weeks. She's up to Ten lbs. Ten oz.

Every Four hours, a dose of Tylenol

Two babies under my supervision tonight. Emma Kate, of course, and I'm babysitting my nephew, Corbin until tomorrow night

Two dirty diapers changed in Ten minutes from child # One

One more diaper changed Five minutes later from child # Two

Four shirts I've had to change because of projectile vomiting, from child # One

Learned that trying to feed Two babies at One time by One person is just simply Impossible

One more night with less than Four hours of sleep

Mommy Duties

2008-10-30T21:43:00.001-07:00

Ok, so it's the night before Halloween and what am I doing? Making treat bags for 20 little Kindergarteners, of course! I volunteered to be Homeroom Mom for Morgan's class and have been busy the past two weeks assigning parents to various tasks and responsibilities.

I decided to do treat bags because that would be easy, right? Well, you know me, and I don't just take the easy way out and buy the plastic treat bags and tie 'em and go on...Nope, that's not me at all. I found these cute paper bags, filled each one with candy and spiders and fun stuff like that, then in order to close 'em, I decided to punch holes and tie 'em with curly ribbon! Time-consuming to say the least!

Oh, and because I needed just ONE more thing to do...chocolate covered pretzels with sprinkles! That have to be bagged and tied as well!

And it's midnight...4 bags down, 16 to go! Better get busy...Morgan's party is at 8:30 am!!! They have to be finished tonight!

From my Kitchen

2008-10-30T09:49:00.000-07:00

My family absolutely loves this recipe, so I thought I would share it! Very inexpensive, but super yummy!

Sausage Egg Rolls

Ingredients:
1 Roll of Sausage
1 Bag of Cabbage Mix (w/carrots)
1 Package of Egg Roll Wrappers (usually found in produce near the tofu)
1/4 Cup of Soy Sauce
Chinese Five Spice (I think I use about a teaspoon, just eyeball it)
Oil for frying (About an inch in the bottom of my pan is enough)
Soy Sauce for dipping

1. Cook sausage thoroughly until no longer pink. Drain.

2. I use my chopper to ground the sausage smaller (Optional)

3. Add Sausage, Cabbage Mix, Chinese Five Spice and Soy Sauce to a saucepan. Cover and cook until cabbage has steamed completely.

4. Drain and let cool. Prep to begin rolling the wrappers.

5. I use about 2 Tablespoons of mix in each wrapper. The directions are on the back of the package, but here are some pictures. (Was a little difficult to take a picture with one had and hold with the other! LOL)

***I use a little water to seal the final corner. If not sealed, they will open up when fried. And soy sauce and heat don't mix well!!

5. While wrapping the egg rolls, heat oil on medium heat. Make sure the oil it HOT! It should only take a few minutes on each side to brown lightly. If the oil isn't hot enough and they have to cook longer, they will be greasy! Trust me, I've had this happen a few times.

6. Enjoy with a little soy sauce for dipping!!!

She's growing...

2008-10-28T19:03:00.000-07:00

...way too fast!! Her 8 week check-up is Friday! We started her on cereal, just a few tablespoons in her bottle in the morning and before she goes to bed at night. I know, doctors say wait until they're a little older, but she wanted to eat ALL the time! All the time meaning, every hour or so! She's now sleeping about 5-6 hours at night! And holds her head up so good! And she just coos and smiles all the time!! So precious! We are truly blessed in so many ways!

My Great News!

2008-10-28T17:50:00.000-07:00

I have been so excited about this, but I completely forgot to post about it! I've been a nervous wreck all month long as I waited patiently each day for the mail to be delivered. Finally, last week my letter came! I am officially going to start nursing school in January!! Yay me! I have orientation in a few weeks, then it's Thanksgiving, then back to school for finals, then Christmas, and before I know it, it'll be January and time to start! I'm actually nervous! I've talked to a few people that have said getting through nursing school was the hardest thing they had ever done. It will totally be worth all the hard work when I finish!

Friday Favorites

2008-10-24T19:39:00.000-07:00

And these are a just few of my favorite things...

*I found this new website, PICNIK for picture editing...I love Picasa, but this has so many cool things! Like the collages, so many options...Not to mention, so much fun!!

*Lavender and Vanilla Scent- Oh.My.Goodness, this is the best smell (only second to baby) Not only can you wash your clothes in it, you can clean, freshen fabric and air, AND sweep and mop the floors with it! I LOVE it! I would bathe in if I could! HeHe!

*Holiday Shopping!!! Mistletoe Marketplace is an annual shopping event that's NOT to be missed! It's rapidly approaching and will be here before I know it! So ready! And of course, Black Friday shopping as well! I'm on the look-out for a digital camera this year...hmmm...may be standing in line a Best Buy? Or Wal-Mart...I wish stores weren't so prudish about their ads and would release them early...Oh, well, guess it's just part of the tradition staying up late on Thanksgiving night mapping out our gameplan so we know exactly what we want and what time to be where!

*Grey's Anatomy!! Seriously, this is the best show ever! Did you watch the show last night? Meredith dropped the KIDNEY!! LOL! I was cracking up! Unfortunately, I have class on Thursday nights right now, so THANK GOODNESS you can catch the episodes on the website!

Happy Friday! Here's to the weekend!

"DineSaurs" need naps, too!

2008-10-24T19:09:00.000-07:00

Ethan + quiet = I better go find him!

I searched his room, the bathroom (has a fascination with the water in the toilet, likes to "wash" his trucks!), and I finally found him...in my bed, fast asleep! This is his Halloween costume, which he hasn't wanted to take off since we bought it! Had to hide it so I didn't have to walk into Wal-Mart with a "DineSaur". Yes, that's what he calls himself, while he's Roaring around the house! And I'm reluctant about buying Halloween costumes because they aren't worth the price for wearing it one day! Thank you, my little "DineSaur", for putting that $19.99 to good use!

Can we keep her?

2008-10-16T20:50:00.000-07:00

This was Hannah's first question after she saw Emma Kate for the first time!

She absolutely LOVES Emma Kate! She is always wanting to hold her and kiss her! I should enjoy this while it lasts! It won't be too long and I will hearing how Emma Kate won't leave her stuff alone and get out of her room!

I haven't been taking enough pictures so we tried to get some good ones today. Emma Kate normally just sleeps and eats, but I was able to get some of her awake today! She is getting so big! Can you count her baby chins!! HeHe!

I'm Determined...

2008-10-04T09:29:00.001-07:00

...to get something accomplished this weekend! I have been slacking at cleaning, both inside and outside. I did so much cleaning before Emma Kate was born that we were able to go this long without really cleaning...I did manage to still do the day to day 'picking up', but I can't stand seeing dust balls in the corners anymore! Those last few weeks of my pregnancy I did laundry, cleaned baseboards, organized closets, and it paid off! Alas, 1 month later, and hardly nothing to wear, it's time to get up and be productive! LOL, I know this probably sounds bad, but the NUMERO UNO thing in this world that I hate doing is LAUNDRY! I wish I had one of these to make it all go away!!!! It's pretty sad when you can go this long without doing laundry and still have clothes to wear...I have an obsession with clothes, for me and the kids!

So, back to what I want to get done...no, what I WILL get done this weekend!

~CLEAN
~LAUNDRY
~CLEAN GARAGE
~WORK ON THE FLOWERBEDS (totally neglected ALL summer!)
~DECORATE FOR FALL (bought my mums, pumpkins, and scarcrow yesterday!)

I also have a few "extra projects" to work on...antique my kitchen cabinets, paint the kitchen, strip and polish the kitchen floors. We started on the cabinets last night and they look great! It's so easy too. I will post a before and after and a how-to...it's so easy!

I caught Alan off guard by my "list", but he knows me and I'm sure will go along with all my changing and re-arranging!

***Forgot to post about this....NO SURGERY FOR ETHAN!!...for right now atleast! The doctor wants to watch it for another year and hopes it will close up on its own. He said there's no need to worry because the hole is so small there's no change for his intestines to come through...Whew! With Hannah's stay in the hospital earlier this year and the pregnancy, it's nice to know we won't have another one in the hospital! Thanks for everyones' thoughts and prayers!

3 weeks old

2008-09-29T19:10:00.000-07:00

It's been almost a month since we were blessed with the birth of Emma Katherine! I can't believe it! She is absolutely wonderful! Such a great baby! She eats all the time and sleeps very good...and a little spoiled! Is it possible to spoil a baby??!! She just loves being held!

At her 2 week check-up she weighed 7 lbs. 10 oz. and was 21.5 in. long! She left the hospital weighing 6 lbs. 12 oz., so she gained back to her birth weight and some! Like I said, she eats all the time! Like a champ!

The kids are adjusting very well...well, the girls atleast. Ethan doesn't quite know what to think and when he does get near her, he is so rough! But I guess that's a boy for ya! The girls are very helpful and love "being big sisters".

So what's it like having FIVE children? Honestly, it's really not as hard as I thought it would be! We have a daily routine and things go very smooth. Trips are a little tough! Especially trying to figure out how to get all the kids in a cart, along with all the stuff! Two carts are a must...and it's even easier if we can get the ones with the cars on the front...it keeps them occupied for the majority of the time! Don't ask what I was thinking, but I took all five kids, by myself, to Kroger, for a VERY short trip on Saturday. I really just wanted to see if I could do and I did! I wish I had a dollar for every funny look I got! It's almost like there's a bubble over someone's head and you can see them counting..."1, 2, 3, 4, and 5!!" Hilarious! Needless to say it was a very short trip, cake mix, icing, and butter...for cupcakes for Morgan's birthday party. She turned 6 yesterday! They grow up so fast! Pictures to come from her party!

Also, Ethan has a dr. visit on Thursday with a pediatric surgeon about his umbilical hernia....surgery in the near future.

It's the end of August already?!

2008-08-26T20:08:00.000-07:00

Hi, my name is Brandi...

I am a blogger slacker...

It has been 56 days since my last post...

Yes, that's what I feel like right now! I have definitely let my blog go over the past month and a half. There have been major changes in our home during this time and I have had a lot of ajusting to do...and more change is yet to come!

Change #1: Stay at home mom: That's right. Shortly after we got back from vacation, the company I was working for downsized and I was out of a job. Just like that. I immediately had to do a role reversal and readjust to being at home with my children 24/7! I haven't had this opportunity since 2004 when I had to go back to work. Let me just say it was HARD at first! But I love every minute of it and I honestly don't want to go back to work! I missed out so much with Ethan when he was a baby and I regret it! So, besides going to school full time, I will be staying at home and enjoying the kids and the new baby!

Change #2: Mom to a school aged child: Morgan started to kindergarten August 8 and wow, what an emotionally challanging time. It seems like yesterday she was a baby! I just can't believe the last 5 1/2 years have gone by so quick! I am so proud, I didn't cry her first day! But, the second was a whole different story! The first week was hard, but each day gets better and better! She seems to have grown up so much already with being able to interact with so many new people. She loves school and I know this year is going to be great!

Change #3: Realizing I'm about to be a mom to FIVE children: Yep, Emma Kate will be here anyday and I am so excited, yet so nervous at the same time! Her room is complete, bags are packed, we are just waiting on her to decided to make her entrance into the world! This pregnancy has just gone by extremely fast! I am so emotional knowing this will be the last time I will ever experience this. I have definitely been trying to enjoy every last moment of it!

I found out at my doctor's appointment that I am 2 cent., so I will going back in on Friday and they will monitor me. My dr. said if he saw 2 contractions or if I was dialated anymore he will admit me. If not, I am scheduled to be induced next Wednesday!!! So exciting!!

Melanie took some pictures of my belly and the kids this past weekend! I do not have any pictures like this from when I pregnant with the other ones, so I wanted to make sure I got some this time! She did such a wonderful job taking the pictures! Thanks so much Mel!! Here are a few of my favorites!

I probably won't post again until Emma Kate is here so be watching for an update...Hopefully this weekend!!!

CVS Deals 6/29-7/5

2008-07-01T20:45:00.000-07:00

I was definately having CVS withdrawals after not doing ANY deals last week! Since we were on vacation, I didn't have enough time to put any deals together! BUT, I do have to inform you of something I discovered while in Florida!

MAGIC CVS COUPON MACHINES!!!

I have read about them on different sites and begged Alan to stopped at a CVS while we were there so I could see if they had one. And they did! You scan your card and out pops coupons! I was given some for CVS brand stuff and TWO $3/$15 coupons! These have been VERY rare lately...I had to contain myself in the store when I saw these print! I seriously was like a kid in a candy store! I HAVE to tell our store here they MUST get one of these!

I went Monday to get the Huggies Wash deal before June ended because I got a coupon in last Sundays paper. Oh, by the way...Sunday Papers in Florida had SO many more coupons than we get here! I am going to check and see if I can subscribe to another regoins paper because we don't get near the amount of coupons here in the South! Ok, on to Monday's deal:

Monday: Transaction #1

Bic Soleil Razor: $6.99
Bic Soleil Cartridge: $6.99
Huggies Baby Wash: $3.49
CVS Remover Pads: $2.99

Pre-Total: $20.46
$4.00 off Bic (from FL paper)
$2.00 off Bic printable
$1.00 off Huggies Wash (from FL paper)
$2.00 off CVS Skincare Product printable
$3/$15 Coupon
$6.00 ECBs

$2.46 OOP
$7.00 ECBs earned

So I started July 1 with $7.00 and then printed my quarterly ECBs which was $4.00! I noticed before we left (Yes, of course I had shop with my favorite CVS buddy!!!) that there was a HIDDEN money maker in the July ECB book! And boy was it a moneymaker!!! It is reported that the limit is 5. I have 1 more to buy so I will let you know when I go back tomorrow! Yes, I will be going back! My store was out of the swiffer refills and the Coppertone Sticks (which is also a moneymaker!) Hopefully I can find them tomorrow! Here's how I did tonight!

Tuesday Transaction #1

CVS 15 Ct Towelettes: $2.99
CVS 15 Ct Towelettes: $2.99 Sure Deodorant: $2.99
Sure Deodorant: $2.99
CVS Pantyliners: $.99
CVS Pantyliners: $.99
CVS Tampons: $1.49
CVS Tampons: $1.49

Pre-Total: $16.92

$3/$15 Coupon
(2) $2.00 CVS Skincare Product
(2) $1.00 Sure Deodorant printable (hit back button, print twice)
$7.00 ECBs

$.91 OOP
$12.96 ECBS earned: $1.98 (pantyliners), $2.00 (tampons), $3.00 (Sure), $5.98 (towelettes)

Transaction #2

Physicians Formula Mascara: $7.99
CVS Towelettes: $2.99

Pre-Total: $10.98

$2.00 CVS Beauty Product
$3.00 ECB
$5.98 ECB

$0 OOP
$10.98 ECBs earned: $7.99 (mascara) and $2.99 (towelettes)

Transaction #3

Maybelline Mascara: $4.99
Maybelline Mascara: $2.50 (marked b1g1 50% off!!)
CVS Towelettes: $2.99

Pre-Total: $10.48

$2.00 off CVS Skincare Product
$7.99 ECB

$.52 OOP
$6.99 ECBs earned: $4.00 (mascara) and $2.99 (towelettes)

WOW, BIG NIGHT!!! I have these ECBs left:

$4 Quarterly ECBs
$4 Maybelline
$2.99 Towelettes
$2.99 Towelettes
$2 Tampons (I will be calling 800# tomorrow, all didn't print, should have been $2.98, ($1.48 x2))
$1.98 Pantyliners

I think this is the best I have ever done!! Like I said, I will be going back tomorrow to pick up these deals:

Wednesday Transaction #1

Coppertone WaterBabies Stick $4.99
Coppertone WaterBabies Stick $4.99

Pre-Total: $9.98

$4 ECB
$4 ECB
$1.98 ECB

$0 OOP
$10 ECBs earned

Transaction #2

Swiffer Duster refill: $5.99
Swiffer Wet refill: $5.99
CVS Towelettes: $2.99

Pre-Total $13.97

$2 off CVS Skincare Product
$1 off Duster refills (go here to sign up for coupon book by mail...lots of GOOD stuff!)
$1 off Wet refills
$10 ECBs

$0 OOP
$7.99 ECBs earned: $5.00 (swiffer deal) and $2.99 (towelettes)

AND....that leaves me with $15.97 ECBs for next week!! What a wonderful week it will end up being! It's about time! Hopefully July will bring on good weekly deals! Thanks to MoneySavingMom for the advice and coupon match-ups!!

We're Back!

2008-06-29T21:40:00.000-07:00

We are home! Had so much fun, but it's nice to be back! Still resting and working on getting all of our pictures uploaded so I can share 'em! Keep checking back...here is a preview!

Welcome Baby!!

2008-06-26T06:29:00.000-07:00

We are still on vacation, having a blast!!

I wanted to post some pictures of my nephew!

Corbin Lee was born Tuesday, June 24 and weighed 7 lbs. 13 oz. and was 21 in. long! He is sooo cute! I can't wait to get home to see him!

Stay tuned for more pictures of the baby and the kids having so much fun in Orlando!!

I MUST be crazy!

2008-06-17T06:34:00.000-07:00

This week is extremely busy already! School, tests, Ethan's 2nd birthday party on Friday, and Saturday morning we leave for DISNEY!!!! All while I am handling the swelling and pains of being 27 weeks pregnant! I pray for strength to get me through this week and the next 7 days at Disney with 4 children!!!

But, the kids are excited and have been asking everyday if we are leaving today! They are going to have a blast this year! Maybe I will post some pictures while we are gone...if not I will see everyone when we get back!!

As Promised...

2008-06-17T06:28:00.000-07:00

Here is the sonogram picture I promised! I turned it sideways so you could get a good look at her face! She is so cute!!

98 turns into 91

2008-06-12T22:25:00.000-07:00

Doctor's visit was yesterday! She is doing great! We did another sonogram...I promise to get the pictures uploaded!! We have a few great ones of her face!

The doctor did move the due date up to September 12...7 days earlier! She weighs around 2 pounds 1 ounce!! AND she is breech right now! Actually she is sitting straight up and down and facing foward! So I have to go back in 3 weeks for another sonogram and the "yummy" glucose test!! The doctor didn't seem too alarmed that she was breech, but none of the others were ever sitting this way so it kinda freaks me out! Hopefuly she will turn on her own!

Wow...things seem to be flying by...only 91 days to go!

SO WEIRD!

2008-06-09T19:36:00.001-07:00

Ok, I have had 3 children, 1 more on the way and I have NEVER EVER seen anything like this before!!!! This has to be the weirdest thing ever! I thought Ethan kicked and flipped alot, but this baby has NOTHING on him!! Check this video out!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q0lIuOS423U#

Free Stuff by Mail

2008-06-07T19:46:00.000-07:00

I love getting FREE stuff in the mail! I am constanly signing up for stuff and a few weeks later I get samples in the mail AND there is usually a coupon along with it!! I will start posting links to what I find so you can take advantage of it, too!! Here are a few of the ones I have done recently!

Free Playtex Drop-In Bottle (coupon for the liners inside!)
Get 3 free On the Go Water samples (coupon, too!)
Free monthly spice blend sample
Free bottle of Uncle Bob's Sauce
Get a free Charmin Roll Extender
Free Pregnancy WristBands
Free Escada Moon Sparkle Fragrance
Free Emergen-C sample (click on "share the good")
Free DVD*R 10 Pack from Office Depot (coupon via e-mail, just go by and pick them up at the store)
Free True Lemon sample (coupon, too!)
Free Alaway Eye Drops (coupn, too!)
Free Parents Choice Formula sample
Free American Baby Subscription
Free Sippy Cup from Juicy Juice
Get 3 free Dove Hair/Body samples

Print Gerber Coupons

CVS Deals: 6/8-6/15

2008-06-07T18:12:00.000-07:00

Not too much going on at CVS this week. Here are a few deals that I plan on getting. I have $8.00 in ECBs to start with this week:

Buy $10 in select Dove products, receive $3 in ECBs (Limit 5)
*Possible Deal*
Dove Skinvitalizer: $9.99
Dove Body Wash: $3.99
Dove Body Wash: $3.99
Dove Beauty Bar: $2.50
Pre-Total: $20.47
$4/$20 Coupon
$3.50 off Skin Vitalizer here
(2) $2.00 off Dove Body Wash here
$.75 off Dove Beauty Bar (in 6/8 paper)
Total: $8.22
Use $6.00 ECBs
$2.22 after coupons and ECBs
Earn $6.00 in ECBs

Buy $20 in select General Mills Cereals (3/$10) or Folgers Coffee ($10), receive $10 in ECBs (Limit 1)
*Possible Deal*
(2) Boxes of Lucky Charms
(1) Box of Honey Nut Cheerios
(1) Box of Cheerios
(2) Boxes of Cinnamon Toast Crunch
Pre-Total: $20.00
$4/$20 Coupon
(1) $.60 Coupon on Honey Nut Cheerios (cereal coupons from here or here)
(1) $1.50 Coupon on Cheerios (found in specially marked Pampers bags)
(1) $1.00/2 Coupon on Lucky Charms (from 6/8 paper)
(2) $.55 Coupons on Cinnamon Toast Crunch
Total: $11.80
Use $8.00 ECBs
$3.80 after coupons and ECBs
Earn $10.00 in ECBs

**If cheerios are part of this deal, for those of you who bought Pampers last week, there is a $1.50 coupon in each pack!!! If this works, price would be much less**

**Update: Cheerios ARE on the list, so the $1.50 coupon will work in this deal. I updated my deal to work this in**

There is also a deal on cokes this week. Not a great deal. I may do this, but that would only leave me with $3 ECBs. I know I can earn more eventually and we need can drinks to take on vacation with us... Plus, $1.00 for 4-12 packs isn't bad...Maybe I should see what I haven't bought for the monthly deals and see if I can build my ECBs back up before I let too many go for this deal!!

Coke 12-Packs 4/$11, receive $3 in ECBs (Limit 1)

There are a few more good deals that I'm gonna pass on this week, but you can check them out at MoneySavingMom or here.

More CVS Deals!!

2008-06-03T16:54:00.000-07:00

Ok, I am officially addicted to CVS!!! I went back today just to buy more chex mix...yeah, like that really happened!!! I was able to print 6 more coupons for the chex mix (on sale for $1.00, used $1.00 coupon making it FREE!!) and I wanted to use one of the new $3 off $15 coupons that don't expire until 6/14 (found it courtesy of MoneySavingMom, Thanks!!), so I added a few more June Deals to my transaction. Well...I noticed that the Listerine and Oral-B Toothbrushes, which had a limit of 2 that I reached yesterday, magically didn't say it anymore!!! So, needless to say I had to make another trip, which lead to TWO more transactions, LOL, because the limit for me was 4, not 2 and the Aquafresh Deal from May was still active with a limit of 3!! Today's buys were UNBELIEVABLE!! HUGE savings....Check it out:

Transaction #1

6 Chex Mix: $6.00
Aquafresh Extreme Clean: $2.99
Cotton Swabs: $3.19
Brut Deodorant: $3.39

Pre-Total: $15.57
$6.00 Chex Coupons
$2.00 Aquafresh Coupon (printed on receipt yesterday)
$3 off $15 Coupon
$7.00 ECBs

Total OOP: $.57 ($1.03 w/tax)
ECBs Earned: $7.99: $2.99 (Aquafresh), $2.00 (Cotton Swabs), $3.00 (Brut)

Transaction #2

2 Dawn Dish Soaps: $2.00
Listerine: $3.49
Oral-B Toothbrushes: $6.99
Brut: $3.39

Pre-Total: $15.87
$1.00 Listerine Coupon
$3 off $15 Coupon
$10.99 ECBs

Total OOP: $.88 ($1.01 w/tax)
ECBs Earned: $14.48: $1.00 (Dawn), $3.49 (Listerine) $6.99 (Oral-B), $3.00 (Brut)

Transaction #3

2 Dawn Dish Soaps: $2.00
Aquafresh ExtremeClean: $2.99
Listerine: $3.49
Oral-B: $6.99

Pre-Total: $15.57
$3 off $15 Coupon
$12.47 ECBs

Total OOP: $0
ECBs Earned: $14.47: $1.00 (Dawn), $2.99 (ExtremeClean), $3.49 (Listerine), $6.99 (Oral-B)

Wow, total OOP for today was only $2.04 for $59.21 worth of stuff...and I have $18.47 in ECBs!!! I still have the Bounty/Charmin deal to do...Buy $20, earn $10 ECBs. Hopefully that transaction will go like this:

Bounty: $5.99
Bounty: $5.99
Charmin: $4.99
Charmin: $4.99

Pre-Total: $21.96
$4 off $20
(2) $.25 Bounty Coupons from 6/1 paper
(2) $.25 Charmin Coupons from 6/1 paper
$16.47 ECBs

Total OOP: $.49 ($.52 w/tax)
ECBs Earned: $10.00

And I will have $12.00 ECBs to start of next week with!!! WOW, what a week!! Toilet paper, Paper Towels, Diapers, Wipes...Oh, CVS, you knew EXACTLY what I needed this week!!!

More Babies!!!

2008-06-01T18:00:00.000-07:00

My younger sister, Farren, is also having a baby! She is due June 25, which happens to be Ethan's birthday!! It's a Boy!! They have decided on the name Corbin Lee. Her baby shower was this past Saturday and they received so much! I think the only thing they need now is the baby!!
We can't wait for Corbin to get here!

Farren, 36 weeks

Farren and Tai opening the gifts

Farren and my Mom

My niece, Katelyn, 5 Months Old...She is so sweet!

Morgan and Katelyn

Last Game & Party

2008-06-01T13:30:00.000-07:00

Morgan played her last softball game on Thursday. She played so well this year! All of the girls on her team learned so much and came so far this season! They all hit from a pitch the last inning! No More Tee!!! Great Job girls!!

Last Hit for this season:

Her First Softball Trophy! She was so proud!!

24 Down, 16 To Go

2008-06-01T13:19:00.000-07:00

Ok, I'm in week 24...over the half way mark! I am feeling the summer heat already and it's just June 1!! Emma Kate kicks and moves like crazy!! Especially when I lay down to go to bed! All is going well with the pregnancy minus the gallbladder problems, but I'm dealing with it! There is no way I can have my gallbladder removed right now because of possible pre-term labor. My doctor says the earliest he would do it would be 30 weeks but I wouldn't ever want to risk having her early just because I'm in a little pain. I will deal with it as long as possible to be sure she is perfect and healthy!

We have another sonogram on June 11! Hopefully we can get some good 4D pictures this time!

CVS Deals: 6/1-6/7

2008-06-01T11:08:00.000-07:00

It's SUNDAY JUNE 1!!! Which means....Coupons, sale papers, and June ECB Deals!!! I had my scenarios ready this morning thanks to Money Saving Mom so I've done my shopping already! I was having withdrawals since I didn't shop ANY last week at CVS!!! We needed diapers this week so the Pampers deal came in handy. I normally don't buy Pampers (usually Huggies), but for these savings, I wasn't going to be picky! Here's what I ended up getting:
Transaction #1

Listerine SmartRinse: $3.49

Dawn Dish Soap: $1.00

Pre-Total: $8.98

$1.00 SmartRinse Coupon from here

$1.00 SmartRinse Coupon

$.25 Dawn Coupon from 6/1 paper

$5.00 ECBs Used

Total OOP: $1.48

ECBs Earned: $7.98: $6.98 (SmartRinse) and $1.00 (Dawn)

Transaction #2

CVS 500 Ct. Cotton Swabs: $3.19

CVS 40 Ct. Bandages: $1.99

Dawn Dish Soap: $1.00

Brut Deodorant: $3.19

Pre-Total: $15.55

$3 Off $15 Coupon

$2 Off $10 CVS Coupon

$.25 Dawn Coupon from 6/1 paper

$1.00 ECBs from Trans #1

$6.98 ECBs from Trans #1

Total OOP: $2.07

ECBs Earned: $11.98: $1.00 (Dawn), $3.00 (Brut), $3.98 (Bandages), and $4.00 (Cotton Swabs)

Transaction #3

Pampers Diapers: $7.99

Pampers Wipes: $2.99

Chex Mix: $1.00

CVS Antibacterial Wipes: $1.59

Johnson's Baby Shampoo: $.99

Tide Detergent: $1.99

Pre-Total: $29.52

$.35 Tide Coupon from 6/1 paper

$1.00 Johnson's Baby Shampoo Coupon from here

$1.00 Johnson's Baby Shampoo Coupon

$1.00 Chex Mix Coupon from here

$1.00 Chex Mix Coupon

$1.59 CVS Wipes Coupon (emailed from CVS this week)

$2.00/2 Pampers Coupon from 6/1 paper

$4 Off $20 Coupon

$3.00 ECBs from Trans #2

$4.00 ECBs from Trans #2

$3.98 ECBs from Trans #2

$1.00 ECBs from Trans #2

Total OOP: $3.62

ECBs Earned: $5.00 ($20 in Pampers)

So I ended up getting $107.37 worth of stuff for only $7.17 OOP and earned $5.00 ECBs for next week! WOW!!! That's less than 1 pack of Pampers!!! And the Cotton Swabs I found at my store had a free travel size attached to it!

BTW, the June ECB book says there is a limit of 2 on the CVS bandages, but at the end of my receipt it didn't say "Offer Limit Reached". Has anyone tried to purchase more than 2 and still received the ECBs back??? If so, I may go back and do the cotton swabs and bandages transaction again! My kids go through bandages so quick for all of those "BooBoos"!!! And as long as I don't stock anymore toothpaste or toothbrushes, my hubby won't care!!!

May Projects Update-Girls' Bedroom

2008-05-01T19:04:00.000-07:00

Just a little update on my project list! After putting it all in a list, I have more than what I thought! BUT, it's the end of May 1, and I can already mark a few off. Although, the date the bed will be in has changed to May 9! A week early! So, I have postponed the garage sale. Really because the forecast says it will rain and I want it to be successful so it's off til further notice!

So painting will be this weekend instead of next. Here are bits and pieces of what will be going in the room. I think it's gonna look awesome when it's all finished.

First, here is my inspiration room from Better Homes and Gardens:
I am changing up the colors a little bit: Green on top and yellow on the bottom

Here is the bedding I picked out. Pink sheets for the top bunk and green for the bottom bunk.
And here is a sample picture the bunk bed. This is really similiar to the one coming in except for the color is white.

Also, a sneak peak at the toy box project. Right now they are white(with lots of crayon marks!). I am going to decoupage the front and two sides with the flower paper and turn the top into a lime green padded top for seating.

And the wall the 2 toy boxes on will have the circles you see below (as seen in the inspiration picture). Although this is probably not what they used, I found these and they were very inexpensive. Pssst...they are the inner cirles from a plastic hoop for crosstitching!

I have two words for the room: BRIGHT and CHEERY!! I can't wait to get it all put together!

Happy 5th Birthday

2008-05-01T18:53:00.001-07:00

I just uploaded all the pictures I had on my camera and just remembered I didn't post any pictures from Bella's birthday party.

We took the girls to Gattitown on Friday night and they had a blast! It was really alot of fun! We ended up with loads of tickets and the girls got to pick out a few toys in the end. We will definitely go back!

On Saturday we had Bella's party. The cake was too cute and she received lots of fun gifts!

Then on Sunday, we took the girls to Libby Lu for a makeover.
Look at Hannah's face in the picture at the very bottom below...It is priceless!!

We had a jammed pack weekend of fun!

Happy 5th Birthday Bella!

Nursery Projects

2008-04-28T17:47:00.000-07:00

After the initial shock of baby #5 news wore off, we had to start thinking about how we were going to handle the sleeping situation in our house. Right now, Ethan has his own room, Morgan has hers, and Hannah and Bella share a room. We decided to put the 3 older girls in the larger room and change Morgan's room to Emma Kate's nursery.

Next was the furniture. We had sold Ethan's crib just months before we found out (along with all of the other baby stuff!) so we had to figure out what we wanted. I also wanted to keep the shabby chic look I have going in Morgan's room, for 1)I don't want to paint again and 2)I really love the blue color. I searched store after store, Baby's R Us, Baby Depot, JC Penny, and online and I just wasn't finding what I was looking for.

So I started searching resell shops. Then I found it! A dresser with a mirror, chest, and crib.

You wanna know what I paid for it all??

Dresser, Mirror, Chest: $90 Crib: $25

WOW! What a steal! Add the cost of paint and I got it all for 1/2 of the cost of a crib!

Ok, will show you some pictures of it right now, but you REALLY have to use your imagination! The previous owners painted the furniture black and red crackle. OH IT IS HORRIBLE!!! The crib is yellow right now, not too bad just worn. Like I said...

Imagine the possiblities...

Dresser:

I am going to use this as the changing station by adding a changing pad to the top

Mirror:

Chest:

As you see, it needs paint, hardware, and lots of TLC

Here is the crib:

Very Shabby Chic. Now on to the bedding...I will keep you updated! Be sure to check out my May To Do List to the left. Lots of projects planned for Emma Kate's nursery and the older girls' room. Lets see how much I get completed in May. I am almost 20 weeks. It's all downhill from there! September 19 will be here before I know it! I can feel the clock ticking...

Quick Monday Deals

2008-04-28T16:47:00.000-07:00

I ran into Target today on my lunch break looking for a few things and I came across these great deals!

Huggies Clean Team Flushable wipes: $1.99 on sale
$3.00 Off on 2 Coupon from here

$1.99 x 2 - $3.00 = $.98 or $.49 each

I printed two coupons out the other day so I don't think there is a limit on these. (let me know if that's wrong) I may try to do this again before they go off sale.

O-Cell-O Expressions Sponges: $.98 on sale and $1.14 on sale
$1.00 Off from here EXPIRES 4/30/08

$.98 + $.98 + $1.14 - $3.00 = $.10

Too bad they only had 2 of the $.98 ones left at my Target! I could have gotten three for free plus a $.03 overage! BTW, when you go to print the coupons, you can enter in the number you want to print and they will all print on 1 page.

Other deals: I found two rugs (a red one for the foyer and a pink one I am going to use in Emma Kate's room) marked down to $.98! There were alot of things marked down, but I have to tell myself not to buy it just because it's on sale!

Today's Spending: $4.02 for 2 rugs, 4 boxes of wipes, and 3 sponges

CVS Sunday Deals

2008-04-27T21:11:00.000-07:00

After clipping coupons, going through the sunday paper, and of course checking out Money Saving Mom, I decided to get out (in the rain) and make a trip to CVS. I don't think I did too bad on my 2nd time at this! Check out everything I got! Well, worth the trip to me!

Transaction #1: Essence of Beauty(EOB) Money Maker-Buy 3, Get $5 in ECB's

Toe Divider: $.99
Toe Divider: $.99
Toe Divider: $.49 (rang up B1G1 50% off)
$2.00 ECB used

$.50 OOP
$5.00 ECB Earned

Transaction #2

Softsoap Body Wash: $5.49
Toe Divider: $.99
$1.00 Off Coupon from here
$5.00 ECB from Transaction #1

$.51 OOP
$5.49 ECB Earned

Transaction #3

Toe Divider: $.99
Toe Divider: $.49
Toe Divider: $.99
Toe Divder: $.49
Men's 24/7 Deodorant: $3.99
$5.49 ECB from Transaction #2
$1.00 Off Coupon from here for 24/7

$.49 OOP
$8.99 ECB Earned ($5 from EOB and $3.99 from Deodorant)

Transaction #4

Bic Soleil Razor: $5.99
Bic Soleil Refills: $5.99
Toe Divider: $.99
Toe Divider: $.49
Toe Divider: $.99
Toe Divider: $.49
$2.00 Coupon on Bic from here (printed twice)
$2.00 Coupon on Bic
$8.99 ECB from Transaction #3

$2.09 OOP
$16 ECB Earned ($10 from EOB, $3 from Bic Razor, $3 from Bic Refills)

Transaction #5 (I was able to get NEEDED items in this one)

Clorox Bleach: $.99
Softsoap: $.97
Softsoap: $.97
Softsoap: $.97
Softsoap: $.97
Softsoap: $.97
Softsoap: $.97
Colgate MaxFresh: $1.97
Palmolive: $1.59
Palmolive: B1G1 Free (1.59)
All Detergent: $6.49
All Detergent: B1G1 Free (6.49)
Men's Speedstick: 3.29
Lady's Speedstick: B1G1 Free (3.29)
L'Oreal Vive Pro Conditioner: $4.99
L'Oreal Studio Style Gel: B1G1 Free (4.99)
Tostitos Scoops: $3.79
Tostitos Salsa: B1G1 Free (3.29)
CVS GelCaps Pain Relief: $3.99
$.55 Coupon Tostitos (old coupon from paper)
$.75 Coupon Colgate (4/20 or 4/27 paper, can't remember)
$1.00 Coupon L'Oreal Vive Pro (4/27 paper)
$1.00 Coupon L'Oreal Studio (4/27 paper)
$1.00 Coupon All Detergent (4/20 or 4/27 paper, can't remember)
$1.00 Coupon Lady's Speedstick from here
$3.00 CVS Coupon from here
$16.00 ECB from Transaction #4

$3.91 OOP
$3.99 ECB Earned from Pain Relief

WHEW!!! The cashier didn't seem too happy with having to ring up 5 transactions, but OH WELL!! I spent $7.50 Total OOP for all transactions and earned $3.99 ECB to use for next time!!

All of the items would have been $94.96 and I only paid $7.50! That is crazy! Seriously you have to try this!!!

BTW, I have NO idea what I am going to do with all of the Toe Dividers :) But, hey, I ended up making $10.12!

Frugal Friday

2008-04-25T21:10:00.000-07:00

With the cost of fuel increasing rather than decreasing, we have had no choice but to lower costs in other areas. Rather than it be getting my nails done or hair done (which are the first things many websites say cut out first) I have decided to try to cut grocery expenses. For the last month I have been reading this blog and have gotten SO many tips on coupon clipping, ad watching, and CVS. More on CVS later, let's start with coupons and ads. And to add, the lady that writes Money Saving Mom spends only $35-40/week on groceries. OMG!! Last month we averaged $150 grocery trips at Wal-Mart A WEEK!!

There are TONS of sites to find coupons to print, not to mention the ones in the Sunday paper. Don't forget to ask friends, family or neighbors for theirs if they don't clip 'em. Now I will be the first to say there can be alot of coupons in the paper that you don't use, but I clip every one of them. You never know when you will come across something on sale and want to try it or someone you know could use it. Oh, and it seems to me that 2-4 weeks after the coupon comes out, you will start seeing it on sale. Now this may not be everytime, but I am just using coupons that I clipped from the 3/30 paper.

The next thing I did was find an organizer (happened to come across one in the Target $1 aisle). I organzied it in sections that would be easy to follow in the store.

Last but not least, the weekly ads for grocery stores come out in the Wednesday papers and the sales will run through the next Tuesday. CVS, Rite-Aid, Target, Etc. comes out on Sundays.

One vow I have made to myself is not to shop at Wal-Mart. I know, you are probably thinking what I did...Wal-Mart matches any stores prices. Right? But, how many of you can honestly say you were able to walk out of Wal-Mart without buying something that you didn't go into the store to get? I know I can never do it! So I have decided to not do grocery shopping at Wal-Mart UNLESS I know its cheaper and I have a coupon for something.

Kroger has been my store for the past month. There have been so many 10/$10 deals and I have been able to stock up on frozen veggies, canned veggies, cereals, and so much more!

So you wanna know how I did this month? I have not spent more than $100/week. Usually before coupons and Kroger sales, my totals have been about what we normally spend, $150. It's such a great feeling to watch that total steadily decrease when the cashier scans your Kroger card and coupons!!

My best week yet was this past week. I only spent $85!! Now I am nowhere near money saving mom, but I am getting there!

And the 2nd best thing about shopping at Kroger? For every $1 you spend, you get 1 point towards gas purchases. Earn 100 points and you will get $.10 off per gallon!!!

CVS 101:

(I am still learning CVS shopping and still have so much more to learn!!)

I have been researching CVS shopping through money saving mom and have learned that this is the best place to buy shampoo/conditioner, toothpaste, toothbrushes, and so on. From the paper you can find deals and which items will generate ECB's (Extra Care Bucks) that you can use towards future purchases. For more info on learning the CVS game, read here. It can seem complicated at first, but once you get it down, you can save LOTS of money!

I made my first trip tonight and this is what I came out with:

1st purchase:

2 Colgate 360 toothbrushes: $3.99 each and $3.99 ECB each
Total OOP (Out of Pocket): $8.54
Total ECB: $ 7.98

2nd purchase:

2 Airwick Oils refills: $2.99 each and Coupon for free plugin (.99 value) with purchase:
Herbal Essance Shampoo/Conditioner: $3.99 each and B1G1 Free and $3 off 2 Coupon
2 Oral B Power Toothbrushes: $5.99 each and $1 ECB each and 2/$1 off Coupons
2 Crest Toothpastes: $1.88 each and $1 off 2 Coupon
$7.98 ECB from 1st purchase
$2 ECB from old purchase during winter season
$3 off $15 purchase (this printed out when I bought milk a couple of weeks ago)
$4 off $20 purchase (signed up online to receive ads via email)
Total OOP: $2.92
Total ECB: $2.00

So I basically got about $45 worth of stuff for only $12!!! And we wont have to buy toothbrushes for the rest of the year! And maybe toothpaste too! Along with air fresheners that smell so good!! PLUS I got $2 in ECB to use next time!!! This bargain shopping is so much fun!!! You should try it!! Good Luck! Let me know how you do!

Prayers Needed

2008-04-24T17:22:00.001-07:00

Please add the Ginn Family to your prayer list. I grew up with this family and this is just a horrible thing that has happened. Mr. Ginn has not been seen since April 14 in Raymond/Clinton. He had open heart surgery on April 3. Mr. Ginn is the bank manager at Bank Plus, so the FBI was brought in to assist local police. His wife Regina and children, Matt, Marcus, and Marianne need all the prayers possible.

From the Clarion Ledger:

Missing Man's Family Makes New Plea

The family of a missing Raymond man is speaking out.

Mark Ginn, 52, has been missing since April 14. Family members made an appeal at the Hinds County Sheriff's Department in Jackson on Monday to ask anyone with information on Ginn's whereabouts to contact the sheriff's department.

Ginn's wife Regina said she's especially concerned about her husband's welfare because he had open heart surgery on April 3.

Sheriff Malcolm McMillin refused to answer any questions about the ongoing investigation. He also said he knew nothing about reports that Ginn was last seen in Clinton driving his 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee. He said Ginn was last seen at Ginn's home in Raymond.

Family members say they're just hoping the Hinds County School Board member returns home safely.

A $5,000 reward is being offered to anyone who can locate Ginn or his SUV.

Baby Update 18 weeks

2008-04-24T16:27:00.000-07:00

I haven't been doing well with blogging lately! I have been meaning to update everyone on the baby, but I have been sick and extremely busy, not to mention TIRED all the time!! We did find out the sex...I will make you wait til the end so keep reading...Boy or Girl???? What do you think??? Here is a picture of me this week. Maybe you can guess from the way I am carrying...
Any idea? What's your guess???

So, wanna know what we have been up to? T-Ball and Softball...2-3 nights a week we are at the fields with the girls. They both are doing so well this year! It's so fun to watch Hannah keep up with all the boys (she's the only girl on her team!) We have about a month left so I'm sure May will go by just as fast as this month has! I can't believe April is almost over. This pregnancy has seemed to go by so fast...I am almost half way there!

Back to the baby...here are a few pictures from the sonogram we had two weeks ago.

More Young Family news: I am going back to school!!! What!!?? That's probably what you are thinking. That was Alan's first reaction! I really have been thinking since I left my job at the apartments about what I really want to be when I "grow up" so to speak, and I came to the conclusion that I want to give back, really do something meaningful each and every day, and I have decided to go to nursing school. Well, back to it so to speak (I made it through 1 semester and ended up withdrawing in 2002.) I wasn't quite ready. Or maybe He had other plans for me at that time, I'm not really sure. I do know that this is where I am being led right now and I couldn't be happier! Of course I am going to have to work around the baby since I am due in September, but I will start on June 2 with an 8 week summer class of Human A & P I and lab. (I have to retake it because it has been over 5 years). Then College Algebra and Sociology the first 8 weeks of the Fall and Human A & P II and lab the last 8 weeks of the Fall. Which puts me at starting nursing school in the Spring! If I get accepted!! Hopefully I won't have anything to worry about!

Ok, enough with me, on to the baby right??!! Drumroll.....

IT'S A GIRL!!!

Another girl!! Poor Ethan! And Alan! We are very excited to be welcoming another child into our family! We have also decided on a name...

Emma Katherine, Emma Kate for short

So, the Young Family children will be:

Morgan Olivia, Anabella Corrine, Hannah Elise, Ethan Taylor, and Emma Katherine

Whew...did I miss anyone?! Hahaha! The kids are so excited it's a girl! They all agreed (me included!) we couldn't handle another Ethan!

Well...more updates to comes as the due date approaches!!

Picture Day

2008-03-31T19:44:00.000-07:00

I know I can't be the only mom that STRESSES out on picture day! I can't even describe how stressed out I get! It is VERY difficult to get 4 children, with 4 TOTALLY different moods, to look at the camera and smile! Heck, for that matter, to get all 4 of them to even look at the camera at the same time! I know everyone usually shares the "good" pictures, but I wanted to share what our family goes through everytime we try to do family photos...

Lots of these...if you notice, I do have Morgan "trained" LOL...she doesn't move when we say smile!!

Then there are lots of these...Ethan running away and Hannah trying not to chase after him! And of course, Bella, who just HATES taking pictures!! LOL

And every now and then I will get a good picture! Like I said, all 4 looking at the camera, not necessarily all smiling...but at least I got 3 of the 4!

And of course, my favorite ones...when everyone starts to get tired and the tears start flowing! Poor Ethan was tired!

But I was able to get this SWEET one of him smelling the flowers!And here is a good one of Morgan and Hannah...
But I wouldn't have it any other way!! Although...it would be nice to find someone that would just let me drop my kids off with them and let them do all the work and get those "PERFECT" pictures! I can only imagine what that would cost me! LOL!

My Sweet Baby Girl!!

I almost forgot...Thanks to Melanie for taking the pictures for us! And keeping me somewhat sane that day!!

The Easter Bunny Came...

2008-03-31T19:00:00.000-07:00

And he brought lots of goodies for us!! Ethan's 2nd Easter! "Cars" and candy! Yippee!!

He brought the girls all Hannah Montana barbie dolls and TONS of chocolate!! YUMMMY!!!

Happy Easter!

2008-03-23T08:06:00.000-07:00

Good Morning to all!! The Young Family would like to wish everyone a Happy Easter! We have lots of pictures to post, but here are a few to get things going! This is how we started our morning off...dyeing eggs!!

I will add more later this evening!

Happy Easter!

Make ya think twice...

2008-03-15T10:32:00.000-07:00

This just makes you go ewwww....I never once thought twice about ordering water with lemon on occasaions while out for lunch or dinner, but after this, I think I will steer clear. And to think we've even given the kids a lemon to see their funny face while waiting on our food....YUCK!

The Lemon in Your Drink Study

We are what??!!

2008-03-11T22:11:00.000-07:00

Lots of explaining to do...I know, I know!!! What a crazy yet wonderful month we have had!!!

Yes, you read that right...We are expecting!! You can only imagine the shock we have gone through over the last few weeks! At no point did we ever consider having another child. I mean, we have 4 already! But, He has other plans for us! Everything happens for a reason. One more child to love!! We are very excited!!

So I have an excuse for not blogging...I have been really sick, mainly at night. AND I started a new job last week. I am working in Sales for a local electrical company. It seems to be great, just totally different than what I have ever done. It's gonna take a little bit to get used to!

Kids are great..We started t-ball and softball this week. Hannah is so excited to get to play this year! She is really going to love it! Morgan on the other hand, I had to make her pinky promise me she wouldn't play in the dirt and she would actually pay attention this year!! It's going to be a great season!

So, back to the baby news...Due date right now is September 22. Although the baby was measuring about a week larger so we will see what he says at the sonogram on the 26th. I will try to posts some pictures of the belly....yep, it's already there!! I hope to keep better pictures and info about this pregnancy...since it will be our LAST!! And yes, we are going to make SURE it will be the last!!

I promise to get better at posting...no more excuses about not having anything to post about!!

Where have I been???

2008-02-26T20:03:00.000-08:00

I really don't even know....I looked up and it's ONE MONTH later! Seriously that is what it feels like...I have a lot to catch up on....but not tonight!!! I know everyone is just DYING to know what's been going on in the Young's house!!!

Hannah turned 4, I'm looking for a new job (yep, gotta find one by March 7!), and I have a birthday tomorrow EEEEKKK!!! Not even revealing my age (Let's just say my 'car insurance rates will lower hehehe!!)

So check back...I promise to update and post some pictures of the kids SOON! By the way...Morgan has her shots for school tomorrow :( Then it's off to register her for Kindergarten...OH MY!!

Back at Home!!

2008-01-20T19:18:00.000-08:00

First we want to say thank you to everyone for all of your thoughts and prayers for our family throughout this trying time. Hannah was released from the hospital yesterday afternoon. The doctors never officially diagnosed her, but they feel it was a combination of her tooth and an infection in her lymph nodes. She still has to take antibiotics for 7 days. She is so happy to be back home playing with her brother and sister! She missed them so much!! And of course it's great to have things back to normal. Back to work tomorrow!!

Oh, yeah... Hannah turns the big FOUR on Tuesday!!

Update & Snow

2008-01-19T06:08:00.000-08:00

Update: Hannah's temperature did not go up last night and her face looks SO much better today! She is definitely feeling better, too!! She is feeding herself breakfast after 4 days. I feel very confident her pediatrician will let us go home today!! YAY!!

Now...the "SNOW" part of the title!! I woke up to the nurse saying it was snowing outside!! I had to stop and ask myself if I were dreaming!! It hasn't snowed here in YEARS!! So long I can't even remember! But it really IS snowing!! It's not sticking, but, hey, it's Mississippi!

I will post an update later, from HOME hopefully!!!

Update on Hannah

2008-01-18T05:53:00.000-08:00

It's been a LONG week...Many of you may know our youngest daughter, Hannah, is in the hospital. I just realized last night I could bring the computer to the hospital (I have really been out there!) so I wanted to update everyone on what has been going on this week. Here is a timeline of everything:

Tuesday 1/15:

When I got home from work a little after 5, I saw the girls and went to help Alan finish dinner. About 5:30, we sat down to eat and I noticed Hannah's left cheek was big. I jokingly told her to stop holding food in her cheek like a chipmunk. She opened her mouth and was like, Mom there's nothing in there. So I started freaking out. The left side of her face was enlarged and all the lymph nodes were swollen. I immediately got her dressed and we headed to the ER. If you know where we live, you know the closest hospital to us. I would rather not mention the name because we will NEVER go back there. She had a temp of 102 when we got there. They even tried to give her two doses of Motrin because the time the first dose was given was written incorrectly in her chart. Needless to say they told us it could be one of several things: abscessed tooth, lymphadenitis, and the nurse said, "Oh, it looks like mumps". They gave us a prescription for Amoxil and said to follow up with our Pediatrician in 2 days and he could do bloodwork because they didn't feel the need to do it. I was so mad, but went home with those orders. He was a dr. right? Just to show you what we were dealing with, here is a picture of her face on Tuesday night.

Wednesday 1/16:

About 5 am I woke up to Hannah burning up with a temperature! I took her temp and it was around 103 and her face was double the size it was the night before. Our Pediatrician's office didn't open until 8 so those 3 hours were tough having to wait! He was able to see us a 8:30. Let's just say by 9:00, he had bloodwork done and was telling us we were headed to the hospital to be admitted. It was that serious! Her face had swollen so much he was worried it would start to block her airways and affect her breathing. He thought it could from her tooth but wasn't sure. We were admitted to the Children's Hospital at UMC because they have the dental clinic on the 6th floor if it was a dental issue and it could be taken care of while we were in the hospital. They started her on antibiotics and the dentist came in to see her. They came back a little later in the afternoon with like 4 doctors to look again and said it could be an abscessed tooth (her back molar) and it could be draining into the pocket under her chin. Ultimately her tooth was going to have to come out but they wanted to wait until the swelling went down a little bit. Hopefully Thursday, but no later than Friday. The entire time I just didn't think this was the problem. I have had an abscessed tooth and I remember the pain I was in. She hadn't been complaining about her tooth and she had still been eating on that side. But her tooth did look strange (it was split and looked like two separate teeth) so I just put my instincts to the side and let them make the decisions. Here is Hannah on Wednesday. You can see how much it swelled basically over night.

Thursday 1/17:

Her temp spiked at 104.4 early Thursday morning. There were no signs of the swelling decreasing so the dentist decided around 10 to take the tooth out to remove the source of infection. She went into surgery around 3 and lasted a lot longer than expected. Her tooth has some abnormalities (sorta like hooks on the roots holding it to the mouth) so they were confident it needed to be out, but they weren't sure it was the cause of the infection. An ENT would be called in to do a consult and we were going to continue antibiotics until they could determine what else might be going on.

Friday 1/18:

So today is Friday, we are still here at the hospital, waiting on the ENT to come by, waiting on another CVC (bloodwork), but the good news is the swelling has went down some. Her temp only got to 101.5 so that was good too. She slept most of the night and ate breakfast this morning. Hopefully we will know more this afternoon, but as of right now we probably won't be going home today. :(

Thanks to everyone for all of the prayers. It's difficult because no one really knows whats going on. We pray that the doctors find some answers and the swelling continues to go down as well as her temperature.

One thing I want to add...Everyone here at the Blair E. Batson Hospital has been wonderful! So helpful and understanding. They have playrooms with toys and even volunteers that come around and read stories. We are so thankful to have this hospital to come to. As you may know, it's the only hospital in Mississippi designed specifically for children. I've always heard radio-thons and different fundraisers for the hospital and never once thought we would ever be here so I didn't second guess not donating. But after this experience, we plan on changing that.

It's Finished!

2008-01-14T19:05:00.000-08:00

Thanks to my wonderful husband for finishing Ethan's room today!! And he managed to get it done all while taking care of THREE kids!! I love how the border came out...hard to get some good pictures but it is AWESOME in person!!

Another good picture of Ethan LOVIN his new bed!!

Baby Update!!

2008-01-14T18:41:00.000-08:00

May I introduce...Katelynn Marie

She is absolutely ADORABLE!! And no, I'm not just partial, she REALLY is!!!

Proud Daddy!

Ten little fingers, Ten little toes,
The sweetest of smiles and a cute little nose
All these add up To a very special thing...
A baby... The greatest of gifts
That life can bring.

My sister isn't feeling well...nauseated from the pain meds. Please keep her in your prayers! Thank You!!

Southern Belle T-Shirts

2008-01-14T13:29:00.000-08:00

This will be the 2nd order for the Southern Belle "Autism Awareness" T-shirts. I ordered one last time and they are adorable! And they are for a good cause! If you want one, mail the order form below by FEBRUARY 16, 2008.

The t-shirts will be available in youth and adult sizes, long and short sleeve. They will be chocolate and teal on a pink shirt! TOO CUTE!! Here's the back of the t-shirt:

Katelynn Marie is HERE!!

2008-01-14T13:13:00.000-08:00

After an emergency c-section (because Katelynn's arm was above her head & she couldn't be delivered naturally) she was born at 11:21 a.m. and was 5 lbs. 13 oz. and 18.5 inches long!

Please pray for my sister. I'm sure it's devastating when you plan a birth one way and unexpectedly things change. Within a 30 minute period she went from 5 centimeters to 9 centimeters and then the news of having to have a c-section was pretty overwhelming I'm sure.

I wasn't able to get a good picture, so I will post later this evening!

She is sooo cute and sooo little!!