Our Christmas

We had a lovely Christmas!

David's mom joined us from western Kentucky and arrived on Christmas Eve. We gathered alongside Apostles Anglican Church (which is where The Point Community Church: LEX gathers) for a candlelight Christmas Eve service. I thoroughly enjoyed the service. It was very different in that much of the service was liturgical. It was very refreshing, indeed!

All dressed up and ready to go:

 

On Christmas morning, we began with opening gifts. We started out with only the 3 big boys and Kaedmon and Clara joined us later on in the morning (those two love their sleep).

Next we celebrated with a big yummy breakfast of bread pudding (with sprinkles, of course) and casserole!

And then, we played. All. day. long.

The evening brought a delicious dinner and a reading of the Christmas story. It was quite entertaining and it's always rewarding to learn how much your children do, in fact, "get" in regard to the meaning of Christmas (although you rarely get a glimpse of it on Christmas morning as wrapping paper is flying).

Merry Christmas!

Meijer Deals this week!

Best of my Meijer trip this week!

Fruit Chillers= $1.99
Use $1/1 coupon
.99 each!

Orville Red. popcorn= B1G1 FREE!
Buy 2 @ $2.99 (second one will ring up free)
Use 2 .40/1 coupons (which will double to .80)
.70 each!

Betty Crockers Sweet Moments= 2/$4
Used $1/1 coupon
$1 each (these are delicious, but dangerous =))

16 count Bagel Bites= $2
Use $1/1 coupon
$1 each!

Wishbone salad dressing= $1.99
Use .75/1 coupon
$1.24 each!

I believe the Kraft catalina may still be going on. If so look for some $1/1 coupons to get some free Kraft cheese!

Walgreens

My Walgreens didn't carry the Dial Nutriskin. Big bummer.

1st transaction:

Secret soothing effects deodorant= 1 @ $2.29= $2.29
Received $3 RR

2nd transaction:



Pilot V5 pens (2 pack)= 1 @ $1.99
Used $1/1 manu. coupon
Used $1/1 coupon from Aug. coupon booklet=

FREE!

2 Nivea bodywashes= B1 @ $5.99, G1 FREE
1 Nivea for men bodywashes= 1 @ $4.99
Used $4/2 manu. coupon
Used B2G1 free coupon=
3 bodywashes for $2!

2 Lysol toilet bowl cleaners= B1G1 FREE @ $2.99
Used $1/2 manu. coupon=
2 for $2

2 Kotex U @ 2/$7
Used 2 $1/1 manu. coupons
Used $2/1 coupon from August coupon booklet (deducts $4)=
2 for $1

Used $3 RR

Total= $4.94
Total savings= $41.94

We paid cash!

My "We Paid Cash!" story was recently featured on Money Saving Mom. How exciting!

Soul Sister

Night night

Target Deals (and a minor coupon rant)

Total before coupons= ~$100
Total after coupons= ~40

The highlight should have been this.

Instead my 2nd Bear Naked granola (which should have been free) rang in as $0 and neither I nor the cashier noticed it. That being said, I PAID $3.00 FOR A BAG OF GRANOLA!!! There- I feel better. Just goes to show, you have to watch EVERY coupon be entered.

Some other highlights:

• Juicy Juice boxes .49
• Kashi cereal, crackers, and cookies for ~$1.25 each
• FREE Sobe water
• FREE Chef Boyardee
• Ocean Spray .98
• Wonka chocolate bags .49
• Bagel Bites .28

For a full list of deals look here.

From the mouths of my children

Sammy (after being sent to his room to clean): "We can't leave our room until it's clean! By the time we leave, it'll be time to go to heaven."

Simon (shocked): "And die on the cross?"

Sammy (snaps back): "No! Only Jesus died on the cross..."

Both: Extended screaming and crying.

Zac Smith on cancer

Zac Smith on cancer being "the best thing that ever happened to me." Watch it here.

Andrew Peterson: Dancing in the Minefields

Andrew Peterson on the joys and trials of marriage. So beautiful! Find it here.

Elliana's Song

Each time I have been pregnant, I have thought about this song when I have thought about the possibility of having a daughter. I think it is such a beautiful song. For the first time a few days ago, I listened to it with Clara in my arms. I cried and thanked God, all the while praising Him for entrusting me with the enormous responsibility of raising a daughter.

The lyrics:

Baby woman, tiny in stature now
But your heart is a treasure
Little princess come follow behind me now
I am reaching for you

Elliana, God has answered my prayers
Elliana, God will conquer my fears
To mother a daughter, to look you in the eye
To know that I had everything, to walk with you in life
To give you to Jesus that He would impart
The wisdom that I'm longing for to mother your heart
Elliana, God has answered my prayers

There will be others to lead and to guide you girl
But only one you'll call Mother, the honor is all mine
To show you what a woman's like
I'm so glad you're mine
 
Tenderness of God is twirling around
In our living room tonight
Lighten up your daddy's eyes
And know that he just wants to freeze you in time

Rite Aid 7/5/10

1st transaction:

2 Pampers @ $8.99= $17.98
1 Bounce dryer sheets @ $5.99= $5.99
1 Downy dryer sheets @ $5.99= $5.99
1 Crest toothpaste @ $2.49= $2.49

Used:

2 $3/1 Pampers manu. q
1 $1/1 Downy q
1 .75/1 Crest q
1 $5/25 q

Paid: 21.35

2nd transaction:

2 Clean & Clear @ $5.79= $11.58
2 Covergirl Lastblast Fusions (B1G1 50% off)= $14.98

Used:

2 $2/1 Clean and Clear in-ad q
2 $2/1 Clean and Clear manu. q
2 $2/1 Covergirl q
$7 off Wellness program coupon earned from 1st transaction

Paid: $9.15

Total: $30.50

Submit for $5 Covergirl rebate
Submit for $2 Pampers rebate

Total (after rebates): $23.50 (for all 9 items!)
Before coupons: $65.00!

New layout

I had thought about changing my layout for quite some time now, but had always hesitated. I really like a new look every once in a while, but I really liked the one I had. Until today. How can you resist a layout that's called "Clara?"Seriously.

Walgreens 6/14/10

1 Nivea Men's body wash= $5.99
Used $3/1 manu. coupon
Paid= $2.99

Received $6 in Register Rewards

Then bought:

2 Reach toothbrushes= .99 each
Used $2/2 manu. coupon
FREE

2 Oscar Mayer deli meats= 2/$5
Used $1/2 manu. coupon
Total= $4

1 Toy Story puzzle= $2.50

1 Toy Story coloring book= $2.50

After coupons and $6 RR, I paid: about $3 (I don't have my receipt in hand)

Walgreens treated me like a criminal- very unusual for Walgreens. I usually do fine there. To ask them to manually adjust the $2/2 reach coupon to $1.98 was like asking one of them for a kidney. Seriously.

Target 6/14/10

2 Johnson and Johnson Safety Swabs= $1.37 each
Used 2- $1/1 manu. coupons
Used 1- .75/2 Target coupon
Total= FREE! + .01 overage (Hey- any overage helps!)

2 Glade Fabric and Air sprays= $3.49 each
Used 2- $1/1 manu. coupons
Used 2- $2/1 Target coupons
Total= .49 each!

2 Eggos= $1.75 each
Used 2- $1/1 Target coupons
Total= .75 each!

2 Ziploc bags= $2.19 each
2 Ziploc containers= $2.50 each
I lost track of which coupons I used which each but there was a manu. for both a Target for both. They were about $1 each!

2 Tropicana Trop 50= $2.99 each
Used my FREE Tropicana coupon from Juicy Rewards
Used $1/2 coupon

Also got 1 dozen eggs FREE for buying two Tropicanas!

Total for 2 Tropicanas and 1 dozen eggs= $1.99

Total (before coupons)= $29.15
Total (after coupons)= $4.44

Walmart 6/14/10

I HATE coupon shopping at Walmart! The Walmart on Nicholasville Road has done nothing to improve their coupon policy and my cashier didn't even know the store had a coupon policy. It was painful but I had some great coupons. With 3 screaming kiddos in tow, I somehow survived.

4 Pampers wipes= $1.97 each
Used 4- $2/1 coupons, price adjusted of course, b/c Walmart would never allow an overage= FREE!

2 Schick (12 pack) disposible razors= $1.97 each
Used 2- $2/1 coupons= FREE!

3 Activia yogurts= $1.83 each
Used 3- $1/1 coupons= .83 each!

2 YoPlus yogurts= on rollback for $1.68 each
Used 2- $2/1 coupons= .68 each

4 Scotch Brite basic sponges= .84 each
Used 2- .75/2 coupons= .46 each!

I also got 9 pounds of reduced price LEAN (thank you, surgeon, who botched my gallbladder surgery and ensured I'd never digest fat well again) beef= $20! That was a little over $2/lb, which I will gladly pay for lean beef!

Unbelievable METHOD Deal!

Method products are on sale this week at Toy R Us & Babies R Us. When you buy $20 worth of products, you get $5 off your total. Lucky me had the coupons I needed in tow to make this a super deal!

I bought 2 Method detergents priced at $8.49. I bought a hand soap as a filler to reach the $20 mark. The total was $20.97. I immediately received $5 off, making my total $15.97. I applied 2- $2/1 manufacturers detergent coupons, taking me down to $11.97. Through 6/17, TRU/BRU has an online coupon for $3 off detergent. I applied one coupon and it took $3 off BOTH detergents, bringing my total for all three items to $5.97. For Method, that is one GREAT deal!

If you happen to still have a Method hand soap coupon from way back when (that hasn't expired) you would get all 3 for $2.97! WOW!

Meijer 6/7/10

I'm out of time. LOL. Spent $84.79. Saved $53.92. Free Betty Crocker cookies and Warm Delights. .75 Lysol. $1 aluminum foil (Reynolds!) .50 Red Baron pizza.

Target 6/7/10

The kiddos need me so this will be condensed:

2 Airwick i-Motions WAS $5.99. I paid $1.99.
1 Scrubbing Bubbles toilet brush wand starter WAS $6.24. I got it FREE!
1 Scrubbing Bubbles toilet gel WAS $3.94. I paid $1.50.
3 HUGE Heinz ketchups on price-cut for $1 each!
4 12 packs Ortega taco shells. WAS $6 for 4. I paid $4.50 for 4.
4 packs Rolaids. FREE!
1 Schick Hydro .99!
2 John Friedas $1.35 each!

Total was $50. I paid about $17!

Walgreens 6/7/10

4 Old Spice body washes- $4.49 each
2 Old Spice deodorants- $3.99 each

Used 2- $1/2 body wash coupons
Used 1- $1/2 deodorant coupon
Used 2 B1G1 free body wash coupons
Used 1 B1G1 free deodorant coupons

Was $26.
I paid $11.

Got back $10 in Register Rewards and got:

1 BIC Hybrid razor
2 Blue Diamond almonds
1 t shirt for Clara

All FREE!

Rite Aid

2 Clean and Clear cleansers- $5.49 each
2 Lubriderm lotions- $3.99 each

Used 4- $3/1 in-ad coupons
Used 2- $2/1 Clean and Clear coupons
Used 2- $2/1 Lubriderm coupons

Total= $1.38
Coupon savings= $18.00

CVS 6/7/10

4 Glade candles- $2.50 each
2 Johnsons bedtime bath (on clearance) $1.49 each
1 diet Pepsi (I needed a filler to hit $15 bucks!)= $1.69


Used 2- $1.50/2 Glade coupons
Used 2- $1.00/1 Johnsons coupons
Used $5 off any purchase of $15 CVS coupon
Used $2 ECBs (from a previous purchase)

Received $5 ECB and bought:

1 Tide detergent @ $5.96
Used $.35/1 coupon

Total= $4.10
Coupon savings= $32.31

I have the complete Hooked on Phonics set that I am not going to using. It is their Learn to Read set. All levels. Workbooks, flash cards, audio, and readers. It has 5 levels. I also have a lightly-used unit study curriculum for pre-K and K. It is Interlock by The Weaver by Alpha Omega. It's fabulous. Anyone interested? I am willing to let them go incredibly cheap. I also have a like-new "Teach Your Child to Read in 100 EZ Lessons."

CVS 6/1/10

1 organic Similac powder= $6.99 (75% clearance)
4 RTF Similac formulas= $4.99 (price adjusted from $6.49 because I had a raincheck)
Total= approximately $27

Used 2- $5/1 coupons
Used 1- $4/1 coupon
Used 1- $1/1 coupon
Used 2- $5 vouchers I received in the mail

Total= $1.95

Got back $10 in ECBs from a raincheck I had from a previous sale

Next transaction:

1 Mega pack Huggies= $4.49 (75% off)
Used $3/1 manu. coupon
Used $1/1 CVS Huggies coupon
Total= .49 (normally $17.99!)

1 Charmin 16 pack= $9.99

1 Pampers wipe refill= $1.99 (75% off)
Used $1/1 coupon
Total= .99 (normally $7.99!)

1 Orajel teething gel= on clearance for $1.50

2 Airwick scented oil refills= 2/$5
Used $1/2 coupon
Total= $4

2 Airwick scented oil warmer= $3.28
Used 2  buy one refill get one warmer free coupons
Total= FREE

Everything I bought came to a total of $8.40

Before clearance, sales, coupons, and ECBs, it was well over $100.

Noah

I'm 6, you know? And very responsible. I love making friends and being a good friend. That's very important to me. I recently became a first-grader, which means I will go to school all day and have lunch at school. And recess. I am 48 pounds. I still like Star Wars, though it's not as much an obsession anymore. I am currently employed by my Dad and am building my first fence.

Sammy

I'm 5 years old now. I weigh 45 pounds. I'm a recent preschool graduate. I still love Thomas the Train. And Team Umizoomi. And Penguins of Madagascar. And Max and Ruby. And Tom & Jerry. So I like TV. So what? I want to be a chef when I grow up. Where? McDonalds or Burger King, of course!

Simon

I am 3 now. I weigh 38 pounds. I still love Veggietales. I don't eat very well at all. I go to bed very late and get up very early. Mom says I'm in a tough stage.

Kaedmon

I am 16 months old. I weigh 28 pounds. My most recent accomplishment is giving up my bottle. I'm still not very happy about it. I love the outdoors and cell phones.

Clara

I'm 2 months old. I weigh 12 1/2 pounds. My most recent accomplishment is sleeping 8 hours in a row at night. My favorite things are milk and Mommy.

Target- 5/31/10

Transaction 1:

5 Fiber One cereals= $2.50/ea.
Used 5- .75/1 coupons
Total= $8.75
Received a $5 gift card

2 Olay cleansers= $3.69/ea.
Used 1- $1/1 coupon and 1- $2/1 coupon
Total=$4.38
Received $5 gift card

Transaction 1 total (before coupons): $19.88
Transaction 1 total (after coupons): $13.13

Transaction 2:

1 Scrubbing Bubbles Shower Power Sprayer= $8.64
1 Scrubbing Bubbles Power Sprayer refill= $3.94
Used 1- $5/1 manu. coupon
Used 1- $3/1 Target coupon
Used buy one power sprayer, get a refill for free coupon
Total=$.64 for both!!!!

1 Finish Quantumatic dishcleaner= on price cut for $5
Used 1- $3/1 coupon
Total= $2

1 Shout laundry product= $2.24
Used 1- .55/1 manu. coupon
Used 1- $1/1 Target coupon
Total= $.69

1 Tide detergent (travel size)= .97
Used $1/1 coupon
Total= FREE + .03 moneymaker!

1 Energizer AA 16-pack= on clearance for $6.98!
Used $1/1 manu. coupon
Used $1/1 Target coupon
Total= $4.98

2 Eggo waffles= $4.28
Used 2- $1/1 coupons
Total= $1.14 each

2 Dannon Activia= $3.32
Used 2- $1/1 coupons
Total= $.66 each

2 Dannon Danimals smoothies= $3.32
Used 2- $1/1 coupons
Total= $.66 each

2 GE Reveal light bulbs= $4
Used 2- $1.50/1 manu. coupons
Used 1- $1/2 Target coupons
Total= FREE!

2 Colgate MaxFresh (trial size)= $1.94
Used 2- .75/1 coupons
Total= .22 each

4 Kotex liners= $4.08
Used 2- $1.50/2 coupons
Total= $.27 each

2 John Frieda Frizz Ease heat protection sprays= $10.58
Used 2- $2.50/1 manu. coupons
Used 1- $3/2 Target coupon
Total= $1.29 each

Transaction 2 total (before coupons)= $59.29
Transaction 2 total (after coupons and 2 $5 giftcards)= $2.52

Transactions 1 & 2 combined (before coupons)= $79.17
Transactions 1 & 2 combined (after coupons)= $15.65

Love those boys...

I do NOT love a four-boy bath! Talk about a nightmare. The four-boy bath is a rarity these days, but I just wanted to share (as modestly as possible). I feel so blessed to be a mommy to four boys! How many mommies get to say that? I love them so much!

Year-end program

The siblings:

The graduates:

End of year blues

I am having a tough ol' time as Noah and Sammy finish up school for the year. I find myself in tears often. I'm really not sure why. My guesses?

1. I'm 2 months post partum. Enough said.
2. I have a 1st grader!
3. I haven't a clue what to do with 5 kids under the age of 6 for an entire summer.
4. The fear that our boys will not be able to return to Trinity next year (for lack of financial aid).

I guess each of these reasons make sense, but I wish I could kick the blues. Now is the time to enjoy them growing up. I don't want to look back 20 years down the road and wish I had enjoyed these times more.

Any thoughts?

My sweet Clara

Throwing Mama under the bus- Noah style...

Noah's kindergarten class made the mothers in their class a cookbook. Cute, eh? Wait.

The whole idea behind the cookbook was that each child would tell the teacher their favorite food that their Mom prepares for them- in their own words. Sounds easy enough, right?

Want some examples?

1. Turkey meatball heroes (Mommy cooks the turkey, mixes it with bread, shapes into balls. You get the point.)
2. Pasta (Mom boils the water, melts some butter, adds the pasta.)
3. Pizza (Mommy spread sauce onto a tortilla-looking thingy and adds yellow cheese and cooks it at 1000 degrees for 4 hours. Yeah- there were a few of those too.)

My son? Chocolate chip cookies. I was excited, I mean excited, to see what he would have to say about our cookie-making skills as a team. What did I find? You just look for yourself:

Yup. Plastic.

Are you kidding me???? Do I ever use prepackaged cookie dough? Yes. Is it often? Since Clara has been born? Yes. Since I started using coupons? Yes. However, this kid forgets 6 years of making cookies from scratch and condenses all his cookie-making memories with Mommy into one short period of time.

Arg. I really battled my pride on this one. I know it's not the biggest deal in the world. Like one of the other Moms said, however, I feel like I owe every other Mom in class a formal note to inform them that we do, in fact, make our own cookies. Isn't that ridiculous? Who cares what other Moms think? Unfortunately, me.

I know, I know. I'm working on it.

At least he made me a cute picture to go along with his deception =)

A Poem for Mother's Day

By John Piper

Where Was Mary?

“After singing a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.”

Where was Mary, Jesus’ mother
When he sang his final song?
Where was Mary on the evening
Of the world’s most wicked wrong?

Where was Mary at the moment
Jesus broke the tender bread?
Where was Mary when he blessed it
With his mercy and his dread?

Where was Mary in the darkness
When he poured the cup of wine?
When he spoke of blood and promise,
And he whispered, “This is mine”?

Where was Mary when the Sovereign
Put his garment to the side,
When he washed the feet of sinners
On his knees before he died?

Where was Mary on the night when
Jesus sang his final song?
Where was Mary on the evening
Of the world’s most wicked wrong?

* * *
She was in the lower chamber
By the window open wide;
She was list’ning; she was praying
On her knees before he died.

When she heard the word “remember”
She remembered everything:
How she quoted from the Psalter
And she taught him how to sing;

How the bread was baked in ovens
With a blazing fire below;
How the grapes were crushed and beaten
For the blood-red wine to flow.

Where was Mary Jesus’ mother
When he sang his final song
She was kneeling by the window
Where through tears she sang along.

Are we done?

That is a question I get asked at least a few times a week. The answer may come easy for many, but for me it does not.

I think the best answer we could give at this point is: maybe? Or better yet: most likely.

We used to see ourselves as the couple who wouldn't have minded a dozen kiddos. What changed? The answer is multi-faceted, to say the least.

1. I've had enough of labor. I wish this wasn't my number one reason but it is. Delivering a baby hurts. I know I could do it again. I just don't think I want to.
2. My body has taken a beating by five back-to-back pregnancies. I hurt. I am exhausted. I can't climb a flight of stairs without being winded. I know diet and exercise plays a huge role in this as well, but I know the toll of the pregnancies plays a big part too.
3. We want to be good stewards (so-to-speak) of the children that God has already entrusted to us. First of all, we want to reach a point where our plans as a family are not dictated by who needs a nap and whether or not I remembered the diaper bag and bottles. We also want our children to be able to enjoy their childhood. Our children are already limited by how many siblings they have. I cannot take them to a playground by myself for fear of losing one of them. An older child cannot attend a birthday party unless I have a sitter secured for the younger ones. This can be hard of them (and me) from time to time. I carry quite a bit of Mommy guilt.
4. We want to be good stewards of the gifts that God has given us. As long as I am bearing children, I am very limited in how God can use me. Do NOT get me wrong: my primary responsibility and role is my home and the people in it. Make no mistake about that. However, I am confident in saying that David and I have by all means "been fruitful and multiplied." No one could ever accuse us of refusing or preventing God's gift of children. That being said, God has given me other gifts as well. I have a passion for childbirth education and labor support. As long as I have infants and toddlers in my home, I cannot exercise those gifts in any kind of substantial way. I would also love the opportunity to work or volunteer in the school that our children attend. As of now, I cannot even take the class on a field trip as I see so many other moms do. I love the idea of being a few years out from getting to help with those activities and functions!

I love my children. I never say "never" to the idea of more children because I don't know what God's perfect plan is for our family. We do sense, however, that my years of child-bearing are coming to an end. If God has different plans, then we pray He reveals that to us and, of course, we would follow Him in obedience. We also believe that, as Christians who have been adopted, we should be open to God's possible call on our life to adopt as well. David is adopted, you know?

The ending of any season of life is bittersweet. On the one hand, it brings me to tears to imagine life without a newborn or the idea of a newborn in the future. On the other hand, I get excited thinking about moving on to a different season and watching my children grow. And that's okay. One message that has ministered to me immensely is Carolyn Mahaney's In Every Season of Life. I hope you'll take the time to listen to it.

I know this is all scatter-brained and I apologize. More than anything, I needed an avenue to communicate what I have been feeling (and wrestling with) since Clara has been born. These are emotions that I never expected to feel and they have been rather difficult to deal with. Thanks for reading =)

CVS 5/4/10

1. 1 Baked Lays. $2.50 down to $1.95.
2. 5 Cheerios. $5.00 down to .90.
3. 4 Betty Crocker Warm Delights. $4.00 down to $1.50.
4. 4 Sobe Lifewaters. FREE! (2 aren't pictures because we already drank them=))

After tax, before coupons: $23.59

After coupons: $4.43!

Target 5/4/10

1. 
   
   Kleenex handtowels. $2.99 down to .99.
2. 
   
   2 Special K bars. $4.78 down to $2.78.
3. 
   
   2 Right Guard (travel size). FREE!
4. 
   
   2 Degree for women. $4.28 down to $1.28.
5. 
   
   2 Degree for men. $4.28 down to $1.28.
6. 
   
   2 Right Guard clinical strength. $3.04 down to a .96 moneymaker!
7. 
   
   1 Gillette Satin Care shave gel. .99 down to .45.
8. 
   
   GE Reveal lightbulbs. $2.44 down to a .06 moneymaker!

With tax, before coupons: $29.78

After coupons: $8.38

P.S. No Nexcare bandaids or Old El Paso taco seasoning in my Target. BOO!

Kiddo Clearance

All of this was $85.87.

I got it on clearance, however, and paid $28.78. And I even paid full price for the bows.

If you can't tell, that's:

1. 3 Rompers
2. 10 packs tights
3. 3 school uniform polos for next year
4. 7 bows

for a little less than $29. Woo hoo.

Simon's backpack is here!

A long time ago, I posted a link on Facebook to Company Kids advertising a huge sale. I was able to get Simon a backback for preschool for about 12 bucks! I paid $6 for the pack itself and $6 for monogramming. The shipping was free. Anyway....Simon's bag arrived a few days ago and it is fabulous. I am so excited for him! He has spent a whole year wishing he could go to school like his brothers and now, at least until the fall, he'll at least have his own backpack!