National Doughnut Day- June 1, 2012

Tomorrow~ June 1st~ is National Doughnut Day.  To celebrate, Krispy Kreme is giving away one free doughnut of your choice to each customer (no purchase necessary).  Go to the Krispy Kreme website to see if their is a location near you.

Unfotunately, there is no location near me.  But that may be a good thing.  I love Krispy Kreme doughnuts- YUMMMMM!!!  If there was a Krispy Kreme near me, I think my will power and waistline would suffer:)

The Big Declutter Challenge #12

Our big declutter challenge #12 is to look at our declutter paper:

Find room #3 and do what ever you wrote to do on the third line in this room.  We are in the laundry room and today's chore is to clear off my washer and dryer.  The washing machine I use quite often but the dryer, well that is a different story.  I think because we don't use it, it becomes a storage area.  Tomorrow when I post the picture you will see exactly what I am talking about:)

Let's get moving with today's declutter challenge.  Come back this evening and see how I did and let me know how you did:)

My Shopping Trip

Boy, was our day packed yesterday.  We had a doctors appointment for my husband- one more to go and we are done with his post op visits- YEA!!!!  Then off to the store went for some shopping fun:)

Here are the details of our shopping trip from yesterday:

Martins
$2.16- (4) loaves of bread

Dollar Tree
$1.00- (2) greeting cards
$2.00- (2) packs trashbags
$1.00- Freezer zip bags
$1.00- Zip gallon bags
$5.25- Total

Kroger
$7.86- box of baby wipes

CVS
$0.75- Dove dark chocolate
$6.99- CVS diapers
$2.99- Colgate 360 toothbrush
$10.73
-1.00 ECB
-2.00 ECB
$8.25- Total with tax and got back $4.75 ECBs

Walmart
$1.52- Carrots
$1.81- Bananas
$1.38- Lettuce
$2.32- Lunchmeat
$0.98- Frozen green beans
$0.98- Frozen green beans
$0.98- Frozen corn
$0.98- Frozen corn
$2.32- (4) oranges
$2.00- Shred Cheese
$1.48- Popcorn
$1.18- Crackers
$1.36- Tuna fish
$1.12- Pineapples
$21.98- Dog Food
$2.68- Apple Juice
$5.54- (2) gallons skim milk
$2.98- Raisin Bran
$1.68- Tortilla chips
$1.18- Cookies for Nathan's class picnic
$3.56- Cat Food
$4.00- Gummy vitamins
$2.00- Lightbulbs
$1.96- Planting pot
$0.97- Soil
$74.10- Total with tax

This shopping trip has been added to our May Monthly Spending post, where I keep track of what we spend for the month of May.

The Big Declutter Challenge #11 Update

Today's declutter challenge was in the laundry room.  My area was the 2 shelves above the washer and dryer.   Boy, did I have a lot of stuff that I no longer use or need.  Things get thrown on the shelves or the dryer we no longer use when we can't find a nice home for them.

I needed to get in there and get busy getting rid of things we can't use anymore.  It is so freeing seeing your very cluttered space become bigger and open up when you declutter.

You won't find a picture of this challenge as I thought I would take a before and after of my whole small laundry room instead of area by area.  So, on Friday, I will post the icky, cluttered laundry room before I attacked it and then I will post an after of the clean, nicely organized laundry room after our declutter challenges are complete for this room.

How did you do on your challenge today?

Free Stuff in your mailbox Wednesday

Each Wednesday I am going to put together a list of freebies that you can get mailed to you for FREE:)

I figured it would be easier to find them if they were all in one post rather than individual posts on my blog. Let me know what you think.

Here what I have for you this week:

Emergen-C sample- facebook

Pet 'N Shape dog treat sample

Tasters Choice coffee sample- facebook

Clear Men shampoo conditioner sample- facebook

Clear hair care shampoo conditioner sample- facebook

Finish Quantum sample- facebook

Tide Pod sample- Vocal Point

OB tampon sample pack- facebook

Sebamed face/body wash sample- facebook

Breathe Right nasal strip sample

Know of a great free sample you would like to share~ leave a comment. We all love to save money:)

Photo Credit

The Big Declutter Challenge #11

Did you have a great Memorial Day weekend?  We did.  It was nice to get away from life for a while and laugh and have a great time with family.

Hope you were able to rest up for this weeks declutter challenges:)  Yesterday, my plate was too full, so I didn't even have a chance to post the challenge let alone do it.  You got an extra rest day- YEA!!!!

Well, rest time is over and now back to business- our declutter project~

Today's declutter challenge is to look at your declutter paper:

Find area #3 and do the first thing you wrote.

According to my declutter paper, this is the week to attack my laundry room.  That is good, my laundry room is small.  Especially since this week has been cut to a short week with an extended holiday, doctor appointments and shopping.

Lets attack this area and see what we can do.  Ready??

Come back this evening and see how I did and let me know how you did.

Menu Plan for the week of 05/28/2012

Hope everyone had a nice and relaxing Memorial Day.  We had a great time even though my dad couldn't make it down.  It was nice catching up and seeing everyone.  It was great with no Internet and not much tv, just enjoying each other's company.

Here is our menu plan for this week:

Breakfast
Yogurt with cinnamon sugar toast
Strawberry Smoothies with PB toast
Banana Bread X2
Cereal X2- thanks to my inlaws for sending us home with cereal

Lunch
Sandwich, popcorn and carrots
Lettuce with juice from an orange sprayed on and a banana for me

Dinner
Sweet & Sour chicken and corn
Taco beans and rice served with tortilla chips and corn
Goulash and green beans
Pancakes with homemade syrup
Grilled cheese with fruit
Fish, rice and corn

What do you have planned to eat this week?

The Big Declutter Challenge for 05/25/2012

Since we are packing, well supposed to be packing~ I will get to packing once I get done this post, I promise:)

We are packing getting ready for our trip to spend with our inlaws and my dad.  I am so excited my dad is coming down after work today.  It will be so great for him to get out of the house and to laugh and have some fun.

Your Big Declutter Challenge for today is to relax.  Have fun.  Do something that makes you happy.  Rest up and get ready for our Big Declutter Challenge to resume on Tuesday:)

Have a great and safe Memorial Day weekend:)

Now I have to get off of here and start packing:)

The Big Decutter Challenge #9 & #10 Update

We had a surprise visitor come last night for dinner- Surprise!!  But it was OK- we enjoyed having him over.  For once, I wasn't embarrased with the way my living room and kitchen looked. 

Normally, I avoid having anyone over.  My house is usually a mess.  Now, that I have followed for the most part, my declutter plan, my house is starting to look good and look less messy.  That is the living room and the kitchen- the rest of my house is a work in progress.  But we will tackle the other areas of our home starting Tuesday of next week.

As you may recall, my declutter challenge took me 2 days to complete.  My area was the baking rack in my kitchen.  So many things on it, from old business supplies to pieces of old cookware we not longer used or needed.  It was hard parting with my old business supplies but I am on a new venture in my life so out with the old, in with the new:)

Here is the before picture:

Very messy. It was also plastic bag collection heaven- LOL:)

My after picture:

The pots, pans and containers still need some organization but I am happy about the rest of it. 

How have you guys done so far with your decluttering?

Lowes Build and Grow Clinic~ 05/26/2012

Lowes is hosting a Build & Grow Clinic for tomorrow, May 26, 2012

If you are looking for a great free activity that you can do with your kids- you should check out the Lowes Build & Grow Clinics. Michael and Nathan love them. They love being able to do hands on projects with our help.

This Saturday, the Lowes Build and Grow Clinic is to build an Ice Cream Truck.

To sign up for this Build & Grow Clinic simply go to the Lowes Build & Grow Clinic website, which they have redone to make it more user friendly. I am loving this new website. You register all your information. Then when you visit the website to sign up for an upcoming clinic, all you have to do is sign in and check which kids you are signing up. Don't forget to print and sign the waiver. And you and your child(ren) are ready for a really cool hands on project.

Once you and your child(ren) complete the project they will receive a neat patch to put on their Lowes Build & Grow apron. If this is your first clinic, your child(ren) will receive a free Lowes Build & Grow apron and goggles:) The more clinics you do, the more patches you get to put on your kids apron and they can show them off with pride:)

The Big Declutter Challenge #10

Or in my case- Challenge 9.5- LOL:)  Due to our oldest son throwing a wrench in my day, I was only able to accomplish half of my declutter challenge yesterday.  So today, my goal is to complete the other half, fold and put away the laundry Christopher so lovingly threw on the couch last night, pick up and vacuum the living room before Michael gets home.

I hope your declutter challenge for yesterday went alot better than mine did.  The important thing to remember is to have fun with this challenge.  If you get too frustrated or over worked, you may feel like quitting.  Just do what your day allows you to do and at the end we will work on everything we didn't have the time to accomplish.

Today's declutter challenge is to do another area on your list that was missed in the last 2 weeks.

Come back tonight and see if I was able to get my entire declutter challenge done for today and to let me know where you are in the challenge as well.

Free Stuff in your Mailbox Wednesdays

Each Wednesday I am going to put together a list of freebies that you can get mailed to you for FREE:)

I figured it would be easier to find them if they were all in one post rather than individual posts on my blog. Let me know what you think.

Here what I have for you this week:

Target Summer Beauty Bag- Facebook

Propel Sample- Facebook

Nordic Naturals Sample Kit

Miracle Whip 2 sample packets- facebook

Garnier Sleek & Shine sample- facebook

Organic Valley Welcome Kit

Free Nesting Birds poster- great homeschool resource plus live birdcam on their website

Purex Sample

Know of a great free sample you would like to share~ leave a comment. We all love to save money:)

Photo Credit

The Big Declutter Challenge #9

I am feeling much better today.  This week is going be a short week for our declutter challenge since we will be packing and leaving on Friday for a Memorial day weekend get together.

For the next 2 days, I thought we could get caught up on our missed declutter challenges.  If you have done all of your declutter challenges- Awesome:)  You get to rest, relax and do something fun until Monday.

For the rest of us who got behind, got sick or because life happened, we get to take the next 2 days to get as caught up much as we can.  I have 3 challenges I  missed but only 2 days.  So, I will pick 2 of the challenges off my declutter paper to complete for today and tomorrow.

Hmmm, now to pick which two I want to do out of the three I have left.  That is going to be a challenge.  I need and want to do all 3 but don't think I will have the time to do all 3 in the next 2 days.  But that is OK.  I will do as much as I can and we will do what we miss at the end.

Which area are you going to do today?

Come back tonight to see what area I choose to do and how it went.  Until this evening, have a great decluttering day:)

My Shopping Day :)

We went shopping on Monday, even though for some reason I felt so tired and wiped.  I figured I was tired from the weekend we had but evidentally, something was going through me.  And with the boys taking turns not feeling well, I knew I was bound to catch something :(

Here is our shopping trip details for this week:

Food Lion
$5.00- (5) boxes Capri Suns
$0.97- Lettuce
$6.12- Total with tax

Dollar Tree
$1.00- Hairspray
$1.00- zip sandwich bags
$2.10- Total with tax

Kroger
$1.89- Raisin Bran
$2.69- Whole Wheat White flour
$4.69- Total with tax

Martins
$1.08- (2) loaves bread

Walmart
$1.98- Frozen corn
$3.92- (4) bags frozen green beans
$2.32- Lunchmeat
$1.88- Ricotta Cheese
$1.42- Frozen OJ
$1.64- Frozen grape juice
$8.31- (3) gallons skim milk
$2.00- Shred Cheddar
$2.53- White American Cheese
$1.94- Cheese
$1.78- Brown Sugar
$1.38- Black beans
$2.98- Butter
$1.84- Evap milk
$1.33- Alfredo sauce
$2.98- Olive Oil Mayo
$1.08- Whole Wheat Rotini
$1.60- Tuna Fish
$0.84- Mustard
$2.96- Planters PB
$2.96- Planters PB
$1.01- Bananas
$1.16- Oranges
$3.24- Quick Oats
$2.98- Canola Oil
$5.44- Match game for little Michael
$66.27
-1.00 Planters PB cpn
-1.00 Planters PB cpn
$66.06- Total after tax

This shopping trip has been added to our May Monthly Spending post, where I keep track of what we spend for the month of May.

Menu Plan for the week of 05/21/12

This weekend was anything but calm.  We had 2 celebrations.  We celebrated our oldest son's 18th birthday on Friday and then on Saturday went to my mother's grave to celebrate her new life.  We laughed, we cried, we talked, we hugged. 

I was so exhausted yesterday after our shopping trip and now I sort of know why.  Today, I woke up like normal, excersized, got the boys up, ate breakfast, helped Nathan with his shoes and made a bee line for the bathroom where I spent a while throwing up.  And if that just wasn't enough, something was going through we as well- not a fun morning at all. 

Luckily, Michael was home this morning to take care of little Michael as I spent the entire morning between the couch and the bathroom.  Needless to say, our declutter challenge did not happen today.

Thankfully, I am feeling better this evening.  I am keeping my fingers crossed that I stay that way:)

Here is our menu plan for this week:

Breakfast
Raisin Bran & Fruit
Banana Bread X2
Baked Oatmeal with Apples X2

Lunch
Soup for me, since I wasn't feeling well
Salad for the rest of the week
For the boys:
Sandwich, popcorn, apple

Dinner
Leftover hamburgers, hotdogs, corn pudding, pink surprise, carrot sticks, celery, baked beans and corn from Christopher's birthday dinner
Lasagna with green beans
Bean & Rice tacos with corn
Waffles with homemade syrup

You may notice that this week is a short week for us.  We will be traveling and spending an extended weekend with my inlaws and my dad:)

A difficult year~

It has been 1 year to the date that my mom passed away.  My heart still aches.  It was really hard not only losing my mother but my best friend.

Sometimes, I feel so alone~ so invisible.  I need to remember it is these times that Jesus is carrying me and my mom is holding my hand.  As long as my mother is in my heart, I will never be alone.

Some people view death as an end.  I like to think of it as a beginning.  A beginning of a wonderful new life.  My mother always put the needs of others before her own.  I hope she is relaxing and enjoying her new life watching over us in Heaven.

Enjoy life~ Enjoy each other while you are still here.  No one knows when they will get called home. Tomorrow is never guaranteed.

One of the many things I have learned from my mother:  Live is short~ Enjoy it with those you love:)

A great picture of my mom and dad~ their love radiates through this picture

I love and miss you mom:)  I know that one day I will be called home and will see you again.  Until then, I will keep your memory alive in my heart and will continue to help the boys hold onto their memories of you.  I will continue to tell little Michael all about the wonderful and loving you are:)  I am so blessed you had the chance to meet him and love him.

The Big Declutter Challenge #8 Update~ sort of....

I hope you all did a better job on the declutter challenge #8 than I did.  I had mixed feelings about this area of our declutter challenge but was ready to tackle job.

Little Michael was really clingy and would not let me do anything yesterday.  All he wanted to do was cuddle.  This morning he is sneezing and has the sniffles.  I really hope he is not coming down with what Nathan and Michael had.

Then I realized yesterday that today was my son, Christopher's 18th birthday and I forgot to order one of his gifts- aw man.  So, I quickly ordered it and thanks to Swagbucks I had Amazon gift cards and used that to pay for his gift :)  I printed out a picture of his gift and put in into an envelope and will tell him it is on the way.

Chris having his best friend RJ , his "brother from another mother"- you would think he was one of ours anyways, so I guess that would make him our adopted son is going to spend the night and we will have a scavenger hunt for his presents:)  Tomorrow, Chris is getting up early and going to give blood then I am taking him and RJ to the movies. 

I have a million things to do, presents to wrap, clue to write, so I guess I better get off of here and get those done.

As far as the challenges go for this week, if you did your area #2 challenges~ great job~ give your self a nice big pat on your back:)  If you are like me and only managed to do 2 of them- that is OK.  Give yourself a break and we will pick up on the rest of our challenges next week

The Big Declutter Challenge #8

Today's declutter challenge is to look at your declutter paper and find area 2 and look for the third thing you wrote to do in that area and do it:)

This is going to be tough today.  My area is my baking rack in my kitchen.  I have wanted to do this for some time but never did it.  So, it looks like today is the day:)

My baking rack is a mess but not too terribly bad.  Just disorganized and going to have a hard time parting with a few items.  But it is time to let go and be uncluttered:)

Come back tonight and see how it went and if any tears were shed.  Plus you need to come back and let me know how you did with today's challenge.

Hope you have an amazing decluttering day:)

Free Stuff in your Mailbox Wednesdays

Each Wednesday I am going to put together a list of freebies that you can get mailed to you for FREE:)

I figured it would be easier to find them if they were all in one post rather than individual posts on my blog.  Let me know what you think.

Here what I have for you this week:

2 Sticks sample of Ovaltine- facebook

Presto Pizza Cutter- facebook

Clear Hair & Scalp shampoo & conditioner sample- facebook

4 sample packs of Mrs. Dash seasoning- facebook

Milk Bone trail mix sample for dogs- facebook

Milk Bone trail mix sample for dogs- Walmart

Garnier Pure Clean shampoo sample- facebook

Sundown Fish Oil sample 

Depends Real Fit or Silhouette sample or coupon

Gourmet Cupcake for dogs sample

Know of a great free sample you would like to share~ leave a comment.  We all love to save money:)

The Big Declutter Challenge #7 Update

I have no clue why I am so excited to declutter the kitchen.  It may be because when you walk in my front door the first areas you see are the living room and the kitchen.  My kitchen was in desperate need of help, I mean decluttering.

Today's challenge was to clean off my kitchen counters.  Here are the before pictures:

Not too bad just in need of decluttering and putting away.

And the after pictures:

Oh wow- look at those counters- clean and shiny.  It looks like the outside of my crockpot is in need of some scrubbing.

The things that are going away- either being sold, given away or thrown away:

1) A food mill I thought I needed when I first started canning but have never used it.  I have never even opened the box yet.
2) A mostly burned candle
3) A canning lid
4) A warmer tile- have never used it
5) A mortar and pestle I used a couple of times to crush rosemary
6) 4 candy lightsabers that got broke

How did you with your declutter challenge #7?  Rest up and get ready for challenge #8- LOL:)

The Big Declutter Challenge #7

Ready for today's declutter challenge?  I am:)

Today's Declutter Challenge is to look at your declutter paper and finding area 2 and doing to 2nd thing you wrote.

For me is my kitchen counters.  One of my counters is not too bad.  The other one is just cluttered and needs to find homes for all the stuff on the counter.

Ready, Set~ GO:)

Come back tonight, hopefully, and see how my counters are looking and to let me know how you did on your declutter challenge.

Have a great decluttering day:)

The Big Declutter Challenge #6 Update

Well, the update didn't happen as I had hoped last night.  Thanks to a certain little one who just couldn't quite get to sleep. I didn't get to bed until 12:15 this morning- ugggggg.  And back up at 5:30 am to get my day started.  I figured I would be way more tired than I am now.  But I will take it:)

My Declutter Challenge #6 was to clean off my kitchen table.  I am excited to move out of the living room and into the kitchen.

I don't have a before picture of my kitchen table- oops forgot to take that.  I was focused yesterday and ready to dive right into the mess my kids had left on the table. 

Here is the after picture of my nice clean kitchen table- YEA!!!!  I can start taking pictures of our shopping trips again:)

What area is your area 2?  How did you do today with your declutter challenge?

Oops- almost forgot to post about the stuff we are getting rid of:

We found all kind of things hiding on our kitchen table.  I think I counted around 30 items were were getting rid of.  Who doesn't need a broken wooden stick, a broken plastic fork, a teething ring, broken crayons, lego pieces, broken DS, among other various items on their kitchen table- LOL:)

My Shopping Day

Even though I was feeling quite icky, we still went to the store.  You would think my boys were starving to death if I hadn't gone shopping.  At least, that is what my 7 yr old, Nathan will tell you.  He comes home from school starving.   He has a snack while doing homework at 4 pm and whines how hungry he is until dinner is ready between 5pm and 6pm.  You would think I don't feed my boys- LOL:)

Here are the details of our shopping trip:

Walgreens

$1.78- (2) boxes DeerField raisins
$2.97- (3) tubes Aquafresh toothpaste
$1.25- Sunday paper
$6.00
-1.00- Aquafresh cpn
-1.00- Aquafresh cpn
-0.99- Aquafresh cpn
-1.00- RR
$2.26- Total after tax

Dollar Tree
$1.00- (2)pk forks
$1.00- Shampoo
$1.00- Bodywash for the boys
$3.15- Total after tax

Kroger

$2.76- Whole White Wheat flour

Martins

$0.99- Reduced Italian bread
$1.62- (3) loaves Reduced bread
$2.61- Total

Food Lion

$4.10- (2) bags Apples

Walmart
$2.00- Hotdogs
$0.98- Turkey bologna
$2.68- Ice Cream
$2.32- Lunchmeat
$0.98- Frozen green beans
$9.03- Pork Chops
$0.98- Whipped Cream
$2.72- Frozen Juice
$1.88- Cottage Cheese
$1.03- Bananas
$8.31- (3) gallons skim milk
$3.19- Whole milk
$1.36- Tuna fish
$1.08- WW Rotini
$1.18- Crackers
$1.74- Lemonade
$2.00- (2) pkgs hotdog buns
$2.00- (2) pkgs hamburger buns
$1.00- juice boxes
$0.98- Corn Chips
$1.50- Tortilla Chips
$50.16- Total after tax

Chicken Beef & More

$2.99- (24) pk water
$6.00- (20) lbs potatoes
$2.00- (2) dz eggs
$2.00- Fresh mushrooms
$13.33- Total after tax

This shopping trip has been added to our May Monthly Spending post, where I keep track of what we spend for the month of May.

The Big Declutter Challenge #6

No,  I didn't forget about Challenge #5.  It just never got done.  My plan was to do the declutter challenge #5 on Saturday but my plans got foiled:)  No biggie.

My goal is for us to enjoy this challenge and not to be so stressed that we quit our declutter challenge.  So, if you didn't do challenge #5, which would have been your last declutter space on area 1 that you wrote on your declutter paper, don't worry.  We will work in the ones we miss at the end.

Which brings us to today's declutter challenge #6 (which is a day late, thanks to me for not feeling well yesterday):

Today we are venturing into a new area- Area 2.  Are you excited?  How did you make out with area 1?

Today's Big Declutter Challenge is to look at your declutter paper and find area 2.  Now, look at the first thing you wrote in area 2 and do it:)

Come back tonight and see how it went for me and let me know how it went for you:)

Have a great decluttering day:)

Menu Plan for the week of 05/14/2012

How are you all doing with your Pantry Challenge?

I have found that with using items I already have to create meals, I have alot less groceries to buy.  Therefore, spending less.  Which is great.  We hope to be able to take our leftover grocery money and buy a weedeater.  Ours kind of fell apart literally. 

Here is our menu plan for this week:

Breakfast
Banana Bread X2
Baked Oatmeal with apples X2
Egg in bread
Homemade Yogurt with apple butter toast
Strawberry Smoothie with cinnamon sugar toast

Lunch
Sandwich, banana and popcorn

Dinner
Baked Pork Chops, Augratin potatoes and corn
Southwest skillet with green beans
Tuna Mushroom Casserole with corn
Pancakes with homemade syrup
Chicken Noodle soup with grilled cheese and fruit
Hamburgers, hot dogs, baked beans, corn pudding, pink surprise and corn for Christopher's birthday:)

Snacks
Carrot sticks
Celery with PB
Popcorn
Raisins
Apple slices

What do you have on your menu plan for this week?

Declutter Challenge Update

Well, this weekend proved to be more busy than I had anticipated.  I spent a great deal of the day at Amelia Day, which is a really neat craft type festival that the county I live in throws once a year. 

Both Chris and Kevin participated in the Air Force JRTOC casing of the colors ceremony.

On Sunday, Michael wasn't feeling well so he stayed home while we went to church.  And this morning, I woke up feeling icky, so the declutter challenge didn't happen today:(

I did promise you all pictures of my declutter challenge for days 3 & 4:

Declutter Challenge #3~ the area between the couches:

Oh my- what a mess

Much better:)

Declutter Challenge #4:

Caught in the act of piling up my couch

Oh wow- a couch you can sit on- YEA!!!!

My hopes is to be right back to the declutter challenge tomorrow. 

How have you all been doing with your declutter challenges?

Happy Mother's Day

I would love to wish all the mothers here on Earth as well as those who went to Heaven before us a very Happy Mother's Day:)

As many of you know, my mother passed away last year.  It has been a very hard year.

Why is it I can't remember what I was doing, let alone wearing last week?  But I can tell give you exact details on what I was doing when I learned my mother had passed away.  I can still remember the phone call from my dad.

Mother's Day should be such a happy day but for me, I can't get there just yet.  Mother's Day in 2011 was the last day I saw my mother alive.  We had lunch, talked, laughed and had homemade chocolate cupcakes with pink frosting (her favorite chocolate cupcakes and her favorite color icing).

If I had of known it would be the last time I would see my mother~ I would have stayed longer and talked more.  I would have hugged her a little tighter.  I have have told her I loved her an extra time.

There are so many things I wish for.  I know she is watching over my family.  Thank you mom for coming in my dreams and talking with me:)  Happy Mother's Day~ I love you mom:)

No one knows for sure when they are going to get called home to Heaven.  Hug someone a little tighter.  Love, live and laugh. 

Lowes Build & Grow Clinic~ 05/12/2012

Mark your calendars. Lowes is hosting a Build & Grow Clinic for May 12, 2012.

If you are looking for a great free activity that you can do with your kids- you should check out the Lowes Build & Grow Clinics. Michael and Nathan love them. They love being able to do hands on projects with our help.

This Saturday, the Lowes Build and Grow Clinic is to build a Picture Frame Planter.

To sign up for this Build & Grow Clinic simply go to the Lowes Build & Grow Clinic website, which they have redone to make it more user friendly. I am loving this new website. You register all your information. Then when you visit the website to sign up for an upcoming clinic, all you have to do is sign in and check which kids you are signing up. Don't forget to print and sign the waiver. And you and your child(ren) are ready for a really cool hands on project.

Once you and your child(ren) complete the project they will receive a neat patch to put on their Lowes Build & Grow apron. If this is your first clinic, your child(ren) will receive a free Lowes Build & Grow apron and goggles:) The more clinics you do, the more patches you get to put on your kids apron and they can show them off with pride:)

The Big Declutter Challenge #4

I haven't forgotten about the update for Challenge #3.  I just didn't have an opportunity to take a picture or blog about it last night.

As many of you know, Nathan has been sick all week.  Yesterday, he was finally feeling better- no fever and no running back and forth to the bathroom.  He had one heck of a nasty virus.  We spent yesterday evening outside and played since the younger ones have been cooped up in the house all week.

We discovered when we came in that Nathan had an animal report and shoebox habitat project due this morning. Oh NO!!!!  We did that last night so he could turn it in today when he went to school.  When we were done, it was time for little Michael to go to bed and I was beat. 

I will do Challenge #3 and #4 update combined tonight with pictures:)

So, who is ready for Declutter Challenge #4?  How have you guys been doing so far?

Today's challenge is to look at your declutter paper and do the 4th item listed in your first area.

My challenge today is the couch~ clean it off.  When the clothes come off the line, Chris make a big huge pile on the couch.  We try to fold and put away the clothes but a lot of the time that doesn't happen with our super busy schedule.  Then Michael comes home after being gone for a week and starts folding clothes.  He definately doesn't need to be doing that.  So, we are trying to make more of an effort to fold and put away the clothes that make it on the couch:)

What's on your plan for today?

The Big Declutter Challenge #3

Ready for declutter challenge #3?

Look at your declutter paper and do the 3rd thing you wrote down for your first area.

Today I am doing the area between my couches.  I am guilty for this one.  It started out being an area to store things that were being taken to the consingment sale.  But the area grew.  I started putting my work stuff over there as well as things for the next consingment sale.  And it took off from there.

I need to find a good place to store my work stuff and consignment items.  Today would be a great day to locate one:)

Ready for todays challenge?  I know I am~ I am getting so excited with the way my living room is looking and we have only done 2 challenges.  I can't wait to see what it looks like when I am finished with this area:)

The Big Declutter Challenge #2 Update

Oh wow- I get to update my declutter challenge this evening- YEA!!!!

Today was awesome.  My project today was the Entertainment Center.  The Entertainment Center seems to be the home to my husbands stapler and business cards as well as anything Kevin sticks up there.  Oh and if you don't know where to put that DVD back, don't ask anyone, just put it on the Entertainment Center.  The maid will come along and pick it up and put it away.

Well, it seems the maid hasn't made it in yet- LOL:) 

The Entertainment Center before:

And after I got to it:

Ahhhh- much better.  I even got inspired to get the crayon and stickers off the Entertainment Center and make it really shiny.  I am loving the way my Living Room is coming along and it is only day 2.

Declutter Challenge #2= Success:)

How did you do on day 2 of your declutter challenge?

The Big Declutter Challenge #2

Lets keep going and dive right into our 2nd declutter challenge. 

Look at your declutter challenge paper and look at the 2nd item you wrote down in the same area you did yesterday.

My area is the Living Room, since it is the first area you walk into when you walk into my house.  The next thing on my list is the Entertainment Center.

The Entertainment Center seem to be home to my hubby's and Kevin's stuff.  I will tackle that area today and report back this evening~ keep your fingers crossed that someone goes to bed nicely so I can update tonight:)

Ready, Set, GO!!!!!!

The Big Declutter Challenge #1 Update

By the time the little one finally got to sleep it was midnight.  I was so tired and went to bed.  I figured you all wouldn't be too upset with me for not updating the declutter challenge last night and instead going to bed~ right?

For the ones that did the first challenge~ did you have fun?

I can't say it was fun for me but now that I look at the area I did, I'm glad I did it.  It looks great.

The first room I wrote on my paper was the Living Room.  The first area I wrote down was the table behind the couch.  It seems to be a catch all for everything.  DVD's, books, clothes, legos, whatever get thrown up there.

Here is a before picture:

It might not look like much- but there is stuff under all that stuff.  I dove in and cleared it all out.  I put things away that needed to be put away.  I threw away anything that was broken or didn't know what it went to.  There are also a few things that will be donated and a few things that will be taken to the next consignment sale in September.

Here is the after picture:

Ahhhh- a nice clean table:)  Much better.

Here is our throw away, donate or sell pile:

The little head in the upper right corner does not go

Our get rid of, donate or sell pile consisted of 2 newspapers, various school papers, torn video game manual, 3 movies, a baby hat, a broken book, a pen top (not sure where the pen is), a Valentine's Day card, a torn Nerf dart, a broken laptop and a ferret tube.  Wow- that is 14 things that are going out of this house- YEA!!!!  Little Michael wanted to get in the picture- he was looking through the ferret tube.  Rest assured he is not going with the rest of the pile:)

How did you do with your first challenge?

Washington DC school trip pictures

Here are some pictures of our 2nd graders field trip to Washington DC.  We got there in the morning, it was foggy and cold.  But we still had fun.

Lincoln Memorial

Nathan rubbing a name for school

Nathan being tall:)

Nathan seeing how close he can get to the water at the Memorial Garden

 We then loaded up the 4 buses of 2nd graders and went to the zoo.  Thankfully, it had warmed up quite a bit.  We were disappointed that half of the exhibits were closed and the animals were not there.  Nathan has to write a report on a giraffe- well guess what animal was not there. Yup- you got it- a giraffe.  Nathan has to write a report on an animal not even at the zoo.  Thankfully, the internet is filled with all kinds of useful giraffe related information:)  Here are some of the pictures from the zoo:

Shrew

Can't remember what this animal is.  But the principal said that it looked like Chewbacca:)

Beautiful Butterfly Garden

Orangutan high in the sky

Elephant

Nathan on the way home

As you can tell, we had a great time.  Nathan wants to go back soon.  We are trying to convince daddy that we need to go back to Washington DC, maybe for our vacation this year:)

My Shopping Day:)

Here are the details from our shopping trip:

Kroger
$2.69- White Wheat Flour
$1.79- Kroger disinfecting wipes
$4.48
-1.00 Kroger disinfecting wipe cpn
$3.59 Total after tax

Martins
$1.34- Raisin Bread
$0.84- Honey Wheat Bread
$0.54- White Bread
$2.72- Total

Dollar Tree
$2.00- 2 pkgs toilet paper
$1.00- Sandwich bags
$1.00- Wrapping paper
$1.00- Card
$1.00- Tissues
$6.30- Total after tax

Walmart
$1.38- Celery
$1.52- Carrots
$0.98- Frozen green beans
$0.98- Frozen corn
$0.98- Frozen broccoli
$0.98- Frozen green beans
$0.98- Frozen green beans
$1.48- Frozen lima beans
$11.08- (4) gallons skim milk
$2.32- Lunchmeat
$2.28- Turkey Pepperoni
$1.66- Bananas
$2.92- Kids acetaminaphin
$0.97- Paper Towels
$2.84- Frozen OJ
$1.58- Nestea for Chris for helping out
$1.36- Tuna fish
$1.88- Spaghetti sauce
$6.67- Nose strips
$2.98- Baby wash
$4.24- Kids Ibuprofen
$3.56- Cat Food
$57.19- Total after tax

This shopping trip has been added to our May Monthly Spending post, where I keep track of what we spend for the month of May.

The Big Declutter Challenge #1

Day #1 of our Big Declutter Challenge is:

To look at our paper that we wrote down our rooms on.  Look at the first room you wrote down, which for me was Living Room.  The first area you wrote is what you are going to work on for today:)

Set your timer and get moving or don't set your timer and do what you can when you can.  Try to encourage yourself to get this 1 thing on your list done.  You will be so happy you did.

Come back this evening and see what area in my Living Room I chose to tackle and how it went.

The Big Declutter Challenge

I look at my house and know I NEED to declutter for my own sanity.  With 4 boys, we have a lot of stuff and not a lot of room to put it.  I plan to declutter so many times.  I sit down and make a list of all I want to accomplish.  The list is long.  I end up discouraged not knowing where to even begin.  So, I normally never even get started.

I have started reading Crystal's book, The Money Saving Mom's budget and am becoming encouraged.  She devotes a whole chapter to the need of decluttering for financial success.  At the end of Chapter 2 she instructs not to read any further until you declutter.  So, I am going to experiment with a different approach to decluttering.  We see how it goes. 

The first thing I want you to do, if you decide to join me on this decluttering journey is to get a piece of paper.  I want you to make a list of all the rooms in your home you wish/need to declutter.  Leave 5 spaces on your paper between each room.  Now walk through each room with your paper and jot down 5 areas in that room you need to work on.  Just 5- we are trying not to overwhelm ourselves, so we are going to start with just 5 areas per room. 

Crystal encourages her readers to start a timer for 30 minutes and start picking up and decluttering.  Unfortunately, I don't have a straight 30 minutes to devote to just decluttering.  So, I am going to attempt either (2) 15 minute decluttering sessions or (3) 10 minutes decluttering sessions.  It depends on how my day flows.  Do whatever works for you.  If working with a timer makes you nervous, then just pick up and declutter when you get a chance.  Just make sure you set aside a little time each day to get your 1 area done for that day.  Don't worry about real deep cleaning in your designated areas, we will do that later.  Right now, we are focusing on picking up and decluttering our homes.

Try to get rid of (throw away, give away, donate, sell) 5-10 items per day:)

Each day, I be sharing with you about the 1 area I chose and how it went for me.  I hope you join me in my decluttering journey and share your experiences and joys:)

Ready??

Menu Plan for the week of 05/07/2012

This month we are planning to make and eat as many meals as we can from what is in our freezer and pantry.  We shall see how it goes.

This is our menu plan for this week:

Breakfast
Banana Bread Baked Oatmeal X2- finally got an opportunity to make this
Raisin Toast with fruit
Banana muffins X2
Pancakes with homemade syrup X2

Lunch
Sandwich, popcorn and banana or carrot sticks

Dinner
Cheeseburger Macaroni with green beans
Shredded BBQ Chicken on buns, baked beans and corn
Mac & Cheese with tuna and brocolli
Griddle cakes
Homemade pizza
Pasta Bake with peas
Leftovers if we have them if not spaghetti with lima beans

Snacks
Celery with PB
Strawberries from the garden
PB crackers
Homemade Granola bars

Eating from the Freezer & Pantry Challenge

I was so excited when Crystal announced she was doing a 4 week to fill your freezer series.  That is until I opened my freezer and saw this:

A super duper full freezer.

So, I decided to do an eating from the freezer and pantry challenge.  Let's see how many meals I can get just from our freezer and pantry.

That doesn't mean I am not going grocery shopping.  I still need bread, milk, fruit and veggies.

Who wants to  join me in my eating from the pantry and freezer challenge?

If you have an empty freezer you want to stock up, I encourage you to go over to Crystal's blog and follow along with her.  If you are like me and have no possible room to put anything in your freezer, join me and lets get creative and see what we can make from what we already have. 

Who's in??

What a week~

I posted last week how busy my week looked.  I had no clue the emotional week I was about to enter.

On Monday, I was informed that a high school classmate and friend had passed away.  My heart was so sad to hear the news.  I wasn't super close to Shannel but we were friends in high school.  I had seen Shannel a few months ago at the doctors office and she told me of her health issues.  Even through all the doctor visits, she still smiled that Shannel smile that could light up a room.  She had a laugh that could make your darkest day brighter and had a hug that could make you feel special and loved.  I will miss seeing Shannel at the doctors office, seeing her smile and hearing her laugh.  Even through her health battles, she still smiled and laughed.  I was unable to go to her service but have heard how beautiful it was.  Shannel was beautiful both inside and out.  She will be missed greatly.  Much like my mom, Shannel is waiting for us to arrive in Heaven when it is our turn to go home.  Until we meet again:)

On Wednesday, I picked up my father and drove him to the hospital for a test.  He is having his own health battles, unfortunately no one is able to pin point exactly what is going on inside of him.  My mother and I joked before how my father had a knack for baffling the medical community:)  His test went well and the doctor said everything looked fine.  The doctor told me that he took some samples from my dad's stomach and will send them off to the lab.  So, we eagerly wait for the results.

On Thursday, I was a chaperone for a 2nd grade field trip to Washington DC.  Boy oh boy, I had no clue how many 2nd graders were at the school.  We had to take 4 charter buses to Washington DC.  That was fun- LOL:)  We had a great time visiting the Memorials and then heading over to the zoo.  Will post pictures of out trip tomorrow.

On Friday, the day went well until that evening.  Nathan was hit suddenly by a nasty high temperature.  He was so sick and laid on the couch for all of Saturday.  Sunday morning, his fever was gone.  We were so thrilled.  We went to church and had lunch with my dad and all was well. 

On Saturday, my friend Pam and her fiance got married.  I was excited when she asked if I would be her photographer for the wedding.  Her wedding was absolutely beautiful.  It was an outside wedding and the area was breathtaking.  There was a cute bridge and a lake with a spray.  I got there early and took pictures of lake before the ceremony.  I got home and downloaded all the 80 pictures I took at her wedding and I must say- I did good.  The pictures turned out amazing.  I think I may have a knack for wedding photography.  Hmmm- wonder if the Lord will lead me in that direction.

Today~ Nathan, my poor poor Nathan, woke up this morning with a temperature of 103.5- oh my.  So off to the doctor's we went.  She took some blood and discovered that whatever he has is viral. So, it has to work his way out of him. Tylenol, Motrin, chicken & rice soup and popsicles are his best friends right now.

Poor sick Nathan curled up with ET:)

With all that going on, I didn't get a chance to post my CVS and Walgreens deals- sorry :(

I hope and pray that your week will go smoothly and that this week will be an easy one for us:)

April 2012 Goals Update

Lets see how we did with our goals for the month of April:

Here are our 2012 Goals: (in no particular order)

1) To not eat out or at least to not pay out of pocket, with the exception of tips. If we want to treat the family to a meal out, we will make sure we have a gift card to cover all of us.
We did fabulous with this goal.

2) Pay off 2 credit cards
So excited, we paid off 1 credit card on 04/16/2012 and will have the 2nd credit card paid off in a few months:) ~ YEA!!!!!

3) Not to use any of our credit cards for 2012. To pay cash for everything.
We did great with this and used cash for our purchases in April.

4) To lower our grocery budget. Our current grocery budget is $400 month for our family of 6. Our goal is to lower that amount and to save the remainder.
We went over last month by about $0.88. We are working hard this month to stay below budget by having a pantry challenge.

5) To create a monthly meal plan for our family, to use leftovers more efficiently and to make use of everything in our pantry and freezer.
Doing great with this for April- use leftovers wisely and wasting less. With 4 boys, leftovers are not being left over as much.

6) Unclutter the house and become more organized:)
We will be blogging about a declutter challenge for this month.  Hopefully, that will help us declutter better.

7) Lose weight- I need to get motivated to lose this baby weight- my goal is to lose 20 lbs this year.
I have most motivation yet again.  Need to get into gear.

8) Morning devotions, prayer time and more bible reading
Doing great with this:)

9) Monthly date night with hubby- whether we go out or stay at home, pop popcorn and rent a movie
We did go out for dinner for our anniversary at Red Lobster.  It was yummy and we used a gift card to pay, so that the only cash we paid out of pocket was the tip:) 

10) To spend quality family time together. With everyones schedule and us running all over creation, I would love to spend more quality time together- no tv- us playing games, talking, enjoying each others company.
Not so great with this goal- will make more of an effort to make this happen.

11) Not to use our dryer to save on electricity and lower our electricity bill
Doing fabulous with this goal and when our electric bill came in it was $15 lower- YEA!!

12) To make a better effort to blog more regularly and to make a blogging schedule
Need to get better organized and actually make a blogging schedule and keep up with it.

13) To make much needed house repairs
Making a list of house repairs to do and hope to get started soon.

14) To fix the car that is sitting in our driveway so that whoever gets their drivers license first will have a car to drive or share if they both get their license at the same time
We are actually going to nix this goal as we are going to sell the car. My father is going to sell me my mom's van. It is too painful for him to have around the house, so we are not going to need the car after all. We soon will have 2 vans:)

15) To do 1 project a month and blog about it- will post the list of projects soon
We didn't get an opportunity to do our monthly project for April :(  We  hope to do it as well as May's project this month:)

How did you do with your goals last month?

My Shopping Day

Hubby and I went out for an anniversary lunch- we had a gift card to Panera.  We got to sit down and have a nice relaxing lunch.  Well, as much relaxing as you can have with a 2yr old.  He was good but was on a sugar rush- oops. 

We had gone to the mall to look for shoes and came out of the stores empty handed.  My husband reminded me that I owed him a cinnamon bun, so we went to Cinnamonster for a snack.  Oh my, the cinnamon bun was huge- luckily we split between the 3 of us.  Ohhh, it was so yummy.  Little Michael was on a interesting sugar rush for some time later and at lunch.

Here are the details of our shopping trip:

Martins
$2.16- (4) loaves of bread

CVS
$6.97- (2) Patene conditioners
$5.99- Colgate Spongebob power toothbrush
$12.96
-2.00- Colgate power toothbrush cpn
-3.48- Pantene cpn
-4 ECB
-1 ECB
-2 ECB
$1.08 Total and got back $3 ECB's

Walgreens
$2.49- Dentyne Ice
$4.00- (2) containers Country Time Lemonade
$6.49
-1.00 Dentyne cpn
-2 RR
-0.99 RR
$2.66 Total and got back $1 RR

Dollar Tree
$2.00- Trashbags
$1.00- zip sandwich bags
$1.00- zip qt bags
$1.00- zip gallon bags
$5.25 Total

Kroger
$2.69- Whole White Wheat flour
$1.75- Comforts baby wipes
$4.44
-1.75 Kroger free Comfort baby wipes cpn
$2.76 Total

Walmart
$5.58- (2) gallons skim milk
$2.72- Frozen Welch's Breeze juice
$2.00- Juice boxes
$2.32- Lunchmeat
$1.52- Carrots
$1.96- Frozen green beans
$1.00- Whole Wheat Rotini
$2.44- Ketchup
$1.00- Cinnamon
$2.53- Cheese slices
$0.97- Bottle
$1.48- Popcorn
$1.28- Brown rice
$1.04- Bananas
$3.38- Trix
$1.18- Crackers
$3.77- Popsicles
$37.10- Total

Food Lion
$1.93- Graham Cracker crust
$0.99- Marshmallows
$3.14- (2) 5lb bags sugar
$3.42- Whole Chicken
$3.31- Whole Chicken
$0.97- Whipped Cream
$1.69- Cream Cheese
$15.84- Total

This shopping trip has been added to our May Monthly Spending post, where I keep track of what we spend for the month of May.

Monthly Spending for May

Here is where I will keep a list of our spending for the month of May. Remember our monthly budget is $400 for everything for our family of 6 and 2 pets, not too mention our 2 bird feeders outside. We didn't do that bad last month. The money we don't spend out of our grocery budget gets put aside and saved. We were able to save $0 from last month (we kind of went a little over budget last month). Lets see how much under budget I can get for this month.

04/30/2012
$2.16- Martins
$2.76- Kroger
$1.08- CVS and got back $3 ECB's
$5.25- Dollar Tree
$2.66- Walgreens and got back $1 RR
$15.84- Food Lion
$37.10- Walmart

05/05/2012
$3.59- Kroger
$2.72- Martins
$6.30- Dollar Tree
$57.19- Walmart

05/14/2012
$2.26- Walgreens
$3.15- Dollar Tree
$2.76- Kroger
$2.61- Martins
$4.10- Food Lion
$50.16- Walmart
$13.33- Chicken Beef & More

05/21/2012
$6.12- Food Lion
$2.10- Dollar Tree
$4.69- Kroger
$1.08- Martins
$66.06- Walmart

05/29/2012
$74.10-Walmart
$8.25- CVS
$7.86- Kroger
$5.25- Dollar Tree
$2.16- Martins
$381.54- Running Total- YEA!!!  Finally got it under $400 barely.  We will put the $18.46 aside:)