So because personalized & monogrammed stuff can be pretty pricy I decided to make my own :) I ordered a letter "b" from Uppercase Living, one of my fave companies, & my friend Lyn sells. I got a $5 frame from Christmas Tree Shop & a piece of paper from Michael's for about $2. All in all a great deal, I made my own personal picture that is so pretty & made by me :)

Seriously...

Remember these? My daughter still loves them & Once in a while she even rocks them! She's so cool :)

Fridays Are Good For Pizza!

A Pinktastic Pinkalicious Party!

My daughter loves the Pinkalicious book series, she loves tutus, wands, & of course PINK! I was so very excited to do a Pinkalicious party for her! I got many ideas from here. I love everything she did! I decided to go into the cupcake thing too since Pinkalicious turns pink from eating too many pink cupcakes! Also Mia is a little baker & loves cupcakes. She plays Cupcake Wars with her brother all the time :) So I got cupcake & pink stuff & made the decorations myself! I made the cupcakes & frosting because I wanted to use natural colors for the pink. I think it all came out awesome :) I loved having little giggling sweet girls all dressed in pink running around with wands & candy! We had a sign to have your picture taken with a pink wig in front of a Pinkalicious poster! Even all the moms did it too! They had a big art table with hundreds of pink accessories to create whatever they wanted! Everyone made the birthday girl something sparkly & pretty! 2 of her older friends & then the birthday girl herself all read a Pinkalicious book. Of course they got to decorate cupcakes too :) She got wonderful presents too! What a great time, everyone stayed late & sipped pomagranate soda, had Boursin & crackers & chatted & played! Here are a few of the over 100 pics taken :)

Little Laundry Helpers!

My kids are such great little helpers around the house; give them each a Swiffer duster & they are thrilled to dust! ( Which is great because I very much dislike dusting & I think it's pointless). Mia loves to help vacuum & she has her own "jurisdictions" as well as Eli who also has a few simple small things they are responsible for around the house as a part of our family. Well each day we do at least one load of laundry. It's neverending, a forever cycle (pun intended lol) I always had like, 19 piles around the living room of kitchen, bathroom, Mommy, Daddy...and so on for each child. So I thought of a way to get the kids involved & would be a better system. I already had these cute little baskets so I found a new home for the outdoor toys & under cabinet stuff in each box, cleaned them out & gave one to each of the older ones. When I take up a load of clothes, they pick thru for their own things first, put it in their own kid laundry baskets, put it away, then come back to each take a room & help but those away, then I fill the blue with Daddy's & the purple with Mommy's & the 2 babies clothes get taken in the big basket t their room, since they always have a lot! Works great! When the other 2 are older, they will all have their own baskets & they will be responsible for all their own stuff. Gives them a sense of independace sorting & putting away their own stuff & it's great to have the extra hands! Quoting one of my best friends Abbey "There is no cure for laziness, but a large family helps!"

Walking Together Every Step Of The Way!

I love my family :) Look at those shoes! How cute are they?

Cute Way To Reuse & Reduce!!!

Well I have been consciously trying for quite some time to make small changes in our home to reduce waste &save money. With a large family, I find I have to constantly find better cost efficient ways to feed, clothe & care for my family. Swapped cloth napkins for paper, cut down on paper plate use, recycled all my plastic stuff & swapped it for glass or another safe product. I use facecloths to wipe up the kids' faces & hands that are not old enough to go in the bathroom & do so themselves. Little things here & there. Here's my new thing I'm lovin'! Reusable sandwich & snack bags! What an awesome idea that seems to be catching on; I saw some at a few stores around my area lately. I actually bought the fairy one from a local store that was made by a mom in my area but proven safe. The others were bought on Reusies.com & Amazon. I reccomend both brands! We love them all & they are super easy to clean & wicked cute to use! I even got a cute argyle one for my hubby! :) Try them out, build up your collection & save a lot of plastic & money!!!!!! * By the way they are all safe :)

Homemade Laundry Soap

I have been making my own laundry soap for probably about 3 years now. I follow the Duggar recipe. While on Pinterest one night I found a new recipe that looked great, supposedly smelled great, was super easy & reasonable! I always made a liquid laundry soap but this one was powder & I thought it was worth a try. So I pinned it & headed to a few stores to gather the supplies needed! First of all, I love, love Pinterest so I will be posting about it again, as I make some recipes & crafts & other awesome ideas I get from their site. Second, I love chalkboard paint; I am walking around the house with the "look" in my eye. You know the look, where nothing is exempt of the creative juices flowing, in this case, being chalked :) So I jazzed up the glass jar & I lurve the way it came out :) Yeah, I am loving pinning & playing! This is the original source. We love it! It smells fabulous I'll tell you! We estimate it should last about 8 months & it cost around $22! I had some ingredients on hand from the liquid gel laundry soap we make & I picked up this great glass jar for $10; it's the perfect size, & a 3 pack of scoops; the medium size does nicely. It cost a little extra because of the jar & scoops I bought to get started. Looks awesome & smells about the same! Why not give it a try? You can use any soap you want & may also add essential oil. It will save you so much money & you will know exactly what is in & on your clothes & it works great for sensitive skin! Try it & let me know what you think! :)

Gave This A Home For $3!!!!!!

What a beauty! First I saw the red rustic heavy plate. Then, gasp! A red clearance sign above it....Flipped it over & lo....saw a little red sticker that made smile....$3 orig $12. Sold! Took this awesome dish home & can't wait to fill it with homemade baked goodies!

Amazing Story From Beginning To End!

The past few years have been full of pregnancy & babies. I have struggled on & off with feeling inadequate & wanting to do & be more for God. I am home; cooking, cleaning, teaching, being a mommy & wifey. I have been praying that God could meet me where I am, & use me for His glory by using my life's lessons, trials, laughs, pain, experiences, tears & smiles to help someone else. I firmly believe we all go thru what we do for a reason, & I want to use my life to be a servant. Keeping my heart open & knowing God will equip me should He call & should I be needed, I wait. I have had the privilege to be able to connect with others & share in their struggles by revealing mine. I am learning to be content where He has me because where I am is right where I should be & my little family is so important to me. I am still learning, changing & growing & always will be. I am finding a peace in knowing as they grow I can help more & serve more as long as I am open to it. God will always use us, no matter the age, financial status, location or weaknesses. He will meet us where we are, provide & sustain & give us such joy in every day where we are, caring for our homes & families. God used Colin & I last week in an incredible way, a "chance" mistake encounter that changed us & the other person in many ways. She has impacted our life & blessed our hearts more than she could ever know.

Last week I was out with my sister for a few hours. I got a call from Colin shortly before I was heading home. He told me he got a text from a number that is in between our #'s. Right in the middle of the two of us! This has never happened before, it's also very rare his # & mine are only 2 digits off. We "met" the one who got the number in the middle the other night. It was 2 words; "I'm pregnant". He wrote back & said " I'm so very happy for you, but this is not who you were meaning to text, you have the wrong number". Minutes passed & then another text. "THIS NOT HAPPY". He immediately thought of me, since my passion is pregnant Mamas, specifically pregnant teens. He called & asked what he should say. I said; "God does not make mistakes". Wile I said goodbye to my sister & asked her to pray for this girl. She prayed the whole way home as I did in between texts from Colin. He started praying. The 3 of us lifted her name & this unique situation up to Him. She could have chosen to not respond or to write & say to leave her alone, or something of the like. Instead, we had an almost conversation going & we did not know how long it would last so we had to choose our words wisely & try to impact her somehow should it be our last connection. "I'm an atheist" comes in a couple of agonizing moments later. I am now nervous she will make a hasty painful decision & we feel instantly protective & drawn to this girl. So I coach Colin on the way home with what to say & they talk back & forth a couple of times. When I get home he says the last text was "do you have any children?" I say text her back & say yes we have 4 in Heaven & 4 on earth & how we would give anything to hold them again. She texts back which excites us that she is open to talking & responding with us. We are amazed at what is unfolding & praying for God to use us & help us know what to say. She says she is scared because of her age. At this point Colin hands it over to me as he is feeling it is inappropriate & he is feeling uncomfortable & knows this is "my thing". So I text & say we thought she might be because of how she was writing. Her & I then text back & forth & I start witnessing & ask a few questions. She starts to change her mind & the texts encourage me more & more. Then she says "You guys have been the most support I've gottenso I want to say thank you so much. It was God who made me text the wrong number & contact your husband" At this point I'm crying & write back & say among other things that she has made my night & she says "Thank you also, you have made more than my night". I ask how old she is & we chat about that, babies & pregnancy. She then writes "The world would be a better place if there were more people like you". She is so uplifting to me & has no idea! I tell her a bit of what to expect & the stages this will go thru with boyfriend, parents & such & offer my support, whether to get her to the dr, give her maternity clothes & books, pray, listen & just be here. THEN I GET THE BEST TEXT I HAVE EVER IN MY LIFE RECEIVED; "AWWWWW YOU HAVE CHANGED MY WHOLE VIEWPOINT ON THIS! MY BABY WILL BE LOVED"!!!!! I am so thrilled & teary & joyful, doing a little happy jig around my kitchen. (It was late & her & I had texted back & forth for over an hour). I tell her we should stay connected & to save my number should she ever need me I promise there is hope, that against all odds she will be fine & I will be there...She writes & says she has faith she will make it!!! She also says she saved my # & thanks me for being so kind.She tells me she won't forget me. I know we can't ever ever forget her. We talk a little longer than she says "You're an inspiration, I don't even personally know you but I'm hoping to be half the person/parent you are"....Wow. Seriously! First she is scared, not wanting this child & doesn't believe in God. Then she wants & loves this child & has courage & faith! How incredibly awesome to experience this. I felt so insignificant & wanting to make a differance & waiting to be used & do something for God. Struggling with feeling the monotony of wiping bums, faces & floors, with dishes, laundry, not sleeping, discipling, all the duties of a stay at home mom that are thankless. Then something like this happens & she has not even a clue of how much she blessed us, & encouraged me & just filled my heart with joy. Her name & number are in my phone & perhaps I won't hear from her again. We were there when we were supposed to be & she knows we are genuine & are here to support & love her no matter what. Just so she knows...

Good Changes!

Where have I been? (sighing) I know, I know! Would it be too obvious if I say life happens? Summer has flown by in a flurry of swim lessons, playdates, teaching the litle ones at church sunday mornings & wednesday nghts, catching up with family, going out for ice cream, taking picnics...It's been a lot of fun to be with the 3 of them, & we've really enjoyed Helena's first year so far!
We left our home church to follow a church plant, believing this was where God was leading our family. It's been a cool experience. We show up early, the kids help set up, play on the playground, & are a big part of what goes on there. They see how important it is to give your time & how blessed we have been being part of a small community there with friends. Our time to teach a class is over & a new teacher, a new semester of curriculum & a new schedule begins now.
Our family has made a big decision in the past couple of months. May I say on our closed Facebook prayer group I asked for prayer; this was the request I typed back in June; Needing prayer for a difficult situation that affects everyone & may force us to make a decision we never thought we'd have to consider & we're heartbroken & discouraged & just want His guidence in this important decision for our child, thank you. Well we had a lot of sisters praying & we were praying together as a couple. This was a decision we would not make without seeking His guidence. It was about homeschooling Mia this year. For many reasons I will not list all of, we were praying about a Christian school close to us, or homeschooling with a woman from our church that has already been a grandmother to Mia for years. Sheri & Steve, our best friend's mom/mother in law. She has been teaching in her home for many years & feels it is her ministry. Her children are all kids we know from church, including our family friends, Sheri& Steve's daughters, who are like cousins to my kids. When I asked evasively about her taking on more she remarked that she was full & had a list of people~she couldn't take everyone! So I said nothing. We kept praying & waiting & the school was going to be way out of our price range by far, so that door closed as well. I prepared to teach again & prayed for wisdom & patience, for Mia to be receptive & productive. Well I was mentioning some homeschool struggles to Charlotte one afternoon & she listened & went home & prayed. Then she asked me weeks later if she may have Mia attend her school & really pressed saying she was genuine & sincere & would love to have her! Mia did testing there with Grammy Charlotte & loved being at her house & learning with her,& did an awesome job! There was our answer! She already knew & loved the teacher & students! She would be in a loving, nurturing Christian enviroment! We chose to send her 3 days a week; I will work with her additionally at home. I will start preK with Eli & have Helena & Carly as well! I have lots of friends who chose to send their oldest, at least, for a year or so before then homeschooled again when they felt ready. Most people have the option to homeschool, public school or private/christian school. I'm so blessed to have this unique opportunity to send her here where we all feel so good about her being. You know what? It's a good thing, or should I say, the way everything worked out in His timimg, a God thing!!! We are praying about the cost of sending her + the cost of gas ( it's a half hour away, twice daily 3 days a week) & also about the transition ( we leave early to get her there, no matter the season, I will also have 4 to load up soon!). We are at peace with this & are feeling thankful! We got her her lunchbag & backpack & such & have been positive about this; she is excited too! Mia had a half day today to get aquainted, learn the rules, see her own place, look over her work...She was so thrilled! I let her pick a special place yesterday; she chose Pinkberry & I took her to get whatever she wanted. I had a homemade chocolate pop waiting at home for her today when we got home! We pray over her the night before & that morning, & she's good to go! I have a couple of friends who work there too & my friend Carla said today she fit right in & did so well! She was finishing her lunch, she cleaned her spot, got her stuff, came & hugged me & said "Hi Mommy! I love you!" with a huge smile!!!!!!!!!!!!! What a blessing! I'm happy we made this decision & it's ging to be a sacrifice but well worth it! Prayers appreciated for her & I too!!!

$0.87 for what?????

Got all this for $1.49!

My nifty thrifty handy dandy rockin green binder! It has pockets labeled for store coupons, baby items, food & non food items. The front holds ads & the back holds receipts Bought the haircolor at $1 off, used a $1.50 coupon & received $2 bucks back

Bought the toothpaste, though not my usual brand, for $1 off, used $1 coupon & recieved $2.77 bucks back which I used toward the rest of my items I wanted

So I got myself a green binder & sat down with a stack of coupons found in the mail, newspaper & magazines & a labelmaker & got down to business sorting & organizing. No I have not actually gtten into the show Extreme Couponing, it's a bit too, well you know, extreme for me. I do what works; sign up for coupons & free samples & "like" alot of great sites on Facebook which alert me to killer deals & of course I swag it up with Swagbucks. love it. I go on websites all the time of products I love & tell them so & they send me coupons~SCORE!!! I love a good deal & free stuff is the best! With #4 on the way I have to be frugal & know how to do it right! Last week I spent almost $50 at Target & saved $26. I go a couple free things & got great deals on others. I hold on to coupons & wait for a good sale to use them with & combine the two. I love CVS because they do the extra care bucks back which is wicked awesome! Today I went, of course armed with my obnoxious & dorky green folder full of savngs & ads, Mia got a carriage & we got busy looking for savings & matching sales with coupons. First we bought the stuff we were going to get bucks back with, the stuff was on sale, we used coupons, then took the bucks back & got the rest of what we wanted that was on sale & used coupons & the bucks & scored big! Everything came to $0.87 before tax, $1.49 after & look at what I got!!!!!! I saved a grand total of $18.59 between both transactions!

I actually ended up going back & buying 5 razors on sale, plus used $3 off coupon & got $3 bucks back which I used to get the Garnier conditioner, same kind for free! I also bought 3 boxes of cereal such as Cheerios & Honey Nut Cheerios that were on sale for $2.47 from $4.99 & used a coupon for those too! I bought 2 boxes of Nature's Valley granola bars that were also on sale, used a coupon, bought a few other things that were on sale & used coupons for that too yada yada, you get it! The 2nd trip I saved almost $20 & spent $13. Not too shabby! All in a day's work!!!