Money saving tips!

Kelly is hosting Show us your Life- Money saving tips. I don't have many ideas, but I'll tell you what works for us.


Aaron and I have been doing the Dave Ramsey method where we only use cash. We set up a budget and organize the money every two weeks. This really has worked, but it is easy to get off track. We have been off track since Christmas.

Using cash really makes you think about what you are buying and if it is really worth it. This is good for me because I can be quick to spend money and not give it a second look.

I am not a coupon clipper, I have no time as it is. Maybe one day when I have a little more time, this will happen one day right?


One thing we save a lot on is daipers. We love Target diapers and wipes and we save so much from it. A box of Target diapers are about 14.00, and that beats 20.00 any day. Plus every once and a while they put a coupon in the box, that is always great.


I am looking forward to getting some great tips and maybe some green tips too!

28 WEEKS!!!!!

So I have made it to the third trimester and it has gone by so fast. I am getting more and more excited as the days come and go.
I feel good for the most part. My body just aches much more than it ever has, but I am hoping it goes away after Alayna is born. My belly is getting bigger (along with everything else). Alyana is now the size of a Chinese cabbage: She is supposed to weigh about 2.25 pounds, so this means Alayna is probably 3 pounds since my children were always so big.
She loves to move, but never on command. Taylynn felt her the other day and was pretty excited, I could see the amazement in her expression. Preston isn't as patient to wait for movment like Taylynn is.

Here I am at 28 weeks. I had someone say to me yesterday, I looked like I was ready to pop. I am not that big yet! Who says that anyway? And no it wasn't a man :)


We had Bible study today, we were leaning about his resurrection and after I asked Taylynn what she learned and she said " I learned about Jesus." I said "what did you learn about him?" She said " His body, it went away. It flew up in the sky." How great is it seeing the miracles of God through your children's eyes.

Psalms 8:2
You have taught children and infants to tell of your strength, silencing your enemies and all who oppose you.

While you were out.............

Aaron this is a recording of the last few days without you, so you could see what we have been up to. Enjoy your flight home and we'll see you soon!



Day 1
I was telling Taylynn that this trip was going to be a long trip for you. Taylynn responded by saying "It's going to be a long trip for me" in a sad voice.

We spent the day looking for an airplane to fly over us so we could wave to you, but we didn't see any.

Bedtime was smooth. We prayed together in the hall before going to bed and we'll continue to pray for you while your gone. We love you!

Day 2
We saw an airplane! Ha!

We spent the morning with friends, had a wonderful brunch. We still missed you.
A Saturday doesn't quite feel like a Saturday with you gone. I have already gotten my days confused.

I still get the question "where is daddy?" I have the same answer, " he's on a trip, but he'll be back and he loves you very much."

We played outside, went on a bike ride. Then after dinner we watched Toy Story together, but we missed you!

Day 3

We went to church without you this morning, it was lonely, but I had some great friends to sit by. The kids and I went to La Roccos for lunch, we split a salad and some bread. It was fun until Preston spilled the Italian dressing on me :)

I mowed during nap time, just the front don't worry!
After naps we went to Sonic with Oma and let Taylynn and Preston play.

That night we went to life group, and once again I missed you.

Day 4

We did our grocery shopping today. And I got a lot done. I think I went into nesting mode today.
I cleaned and mopped the kitchen, spot cleaned the carpet in the living room, spot cleaned the carpet in the van and washed the van.
I am not sure where this energy came from, but I liked it!

Girls night was at our house, Taylynn enjoyed hanging with the girls. Lets just say she was up late with us.

Day 5

This was a rough day for all of us. My energy was shot and my patience was rare. We spent the morning at MOPS and I know that alone helped me get through the day.

We planted some plants outside before lunch, but that was the most productive thing we did today.

I worked on my labels during and even after naps, this became frustrating to Taylynn and Preston. By the time I finished we all wanted a little fun.

I look them to Old Chicago and made the mistake of saying "this is like the place daddy is" so basically they thought you were going to be there. It was neat those to show them the pictures of Chicago and tell them that's where you are.

We happen to go on the night where the kids get to make the pizza for themselves, this was perfect and fun for us.

We missed you, but we felt a little closer thinking we were eating Chicago pizza :)

The end of the night had a sweet ending when Taylynn went to Preston kiss and hugged him and said goodnight. It is so sweet to witness their love for each other. Wish you were here to see it.

Day 6

Today was a busy one. We had bible study this morning, which of course we were late for since I didn't wake up until 8am. So needless to say we were rushed.

After bible study we went to Wendy's or as Taylynn calls it Pippy Longstocking's. We then headed to the zoo, which was a last minute request and I thought was a good one. Most the animals were asleep, no surprise there.

We came home and I put Taylynn and Preston in bed while I prepared for youth Bible study.

Once they got up I decided to mow the rest of the yard. Finished that then decided to go to Walmart to get some pot stickers for the Bible lesson tonight.

I made eggs and pancakes for dinner, which as you know they LOVE!

I gave them a bath then headed to youth group.

The group missed you and prayed for you. We are lucky to have a great group of kids.


I am 27 weeks today. Alayna seems to be doing well, she moves what seems like non stop. She'll be excited to hear your voice again.

I have been sleeping in Preston's room in his big bed while he sleeps in the little one, but I had to stop because I didn't want him to get use to me being in there. By the way, his bed is so much more comfortable :) Let switch mattress' at least until I am no longer pregnant.

Only 5 more days to go!!!!


Day 7
Today we celebrated Ali's birthday and took her to lunch and had Ali, Riley and Abe over. Taylynn and Preston loved having friends over.

It has been raining here so we couldn't play outside. We cleaned and listened to music most the afternoon.

It was a pretty normal day. Lindsey came over to entertain me and she brought Thai food, it was wonderful!

I enjoyed talking with you tonight and I am glad to find out you'll be here one day sooner than I expected. Still not sure how I got so mixed up on the days.

Preston went to bed last night on time, Taylynn had a bit of trouble sleeping. She stayed up with me a bit longer and read baby Alayna three books (this was her idea). I told Taylynn to put her hand on my belly because Alayna was kicking, she said "ouch that would hurt". She did feel her kick, but she didn't react much, so I am not really sure she felt it. I am excited for them to be able to see Alayna move in my belly.

When I tucked Preston in bed, this is what I saw:
He had all his animals sleeping up with him on the pillow and his Bible, which he now calls his "Bible study".

We miss you and can't wait to see you!



Day 8

Today Mollie came into town and we spent the morning shopping at the mall and eating at Chick-fil-a. We got some new things for Baby Alyana and Mollie got some things for her baby boy.

Once we got home and Taylynn and Preston were in bed, Mollie and I went through Preston old clothes to see what would work for Mollie's baby. It was bitter sweet going through his clothes. Preston has grown so fast.

Oh......this morning I was walking Preston to his room to get him dressed and Taylynn said, "wait a minute, let's pray for daddy." So we sat down and prayed for you. You are very loved!

We went to CiCi's pizza for dinner then to the grocery store for a couple items. Taylynn got to push the little cart and loved it. She felt like she was the biggest thing. They both even helped me do the self checkout.

That evening Taylor and Rachel (two girls from our youth group) came over for a girls night. Taylynn and Preston did their usually show off dance and ran around singing So What. We tried to get the Wii to work, but we couldn't figure out. We need you!

I put in our wedding video to show the girls. Taylynn was excited until she saw you then she bawled asking for you saying "I want my dadda". She has really been missing you.

It was a late night. Sorry we did get to talk much or do our devotion together. I love you!

Day 9

Today we got up and went straight to McDonald's drive through, it was a great start to the morning :)
We went to Manhattan today to visit Mollie and also my mom and dad were in town. We didn't get to Manhattan until noon, it was a later start than planned. I always seem to have a later start than planned.

Manhattan was fun. We played with Mollie's cat Bentley and spent time together.
I headed back to Topeka around 5. For dinner we went to Ryan and Jilli's house, they were so sweet and had us over for dinner. We are lucky to have such great neighbors. Thank you Ryan and Jill, I appreciate you taking care of me :)

As of now they are in bed and I am relaxing. I am excited to see you tomorrow. I have never gone this long without you and I don't want to do it again.

You are a wonderful husband and dad. I am not sure how I got so blessed to be YOUR wife.

I am so ready to talk with you and do our devotions together IN PERSON! Just a little over 24 hours!!!!!!!

Day 10

You'll be home in 14 hours!!!! I have missed you so much.
Preston is still asleep and it's after 10am. We didn't go to church because today is going to be a busy day. I am trying to get everything back in order for you.

I am also helping with the youth event tonight, we are doing Fear Factor. I need to go to the store and buy live worms and yellow jello. Sounds good right?

Be safe coming home and we'll see you soon!

I love you.

Life

Life has been crazy the past few days and exhausting, I have been looking forward to nice weather for so long, that I forgot how much it can wear you out. We are always doing this, then that and it's not so easy when you are 27 week pregnant and feel like your 40 weeks.

We planted some plants this week. Taylynn and Preston really enjoyed playing in the dirt.




Today is my friend Ali's Birthday!


I am going to take her to lunch and just spend sometime hanging out. I'll try to take pictures :)

Farmers Market

A few of my friends and I are setting up a stand at the Topeka Farmers Market. We are selling baked goods, fashion wear, rice babies, other baby items and my labels. I am only doing the labels, that is enough to take on at once. I have been thinking about venturing out and doing address labels and stickers, but that's in another life when I actually have time. (Yes, I know I only have one life)

I am in charge of the signage and labels (of course) for the shop. I have designed the banner and all the labels for the products. I also made some cute signs for the stand to use when displaying our different products. They're not done, but when they are I'll take some pictures

Here is the banner, as of now:


We spent last saturday scoping out the market (I hadn't been in probably 10 years) then we had a brunch at my best friends house Lindsey. I was horrible at taking pictures.

Lindsey did such a great job cooking. We had quiche, fruit, biscottis, donuts, coffee, mimosas, it was wonderful. We got a lot accomplished and hopefully by May 1st we'll be ready!

Special Moments

Preston and I just shared a moment I will never forget.

I woke up to a little voice saying "mommy."

Preston had gotten out of bed and walked down the hall looking for me. I quietly said " Preston I am in bed, come here, honey."

It took him a while to find me, but when he did he crawled in bed with me, along with the three blankets trailing behind him.

We laid there for a while trying to fall back asleep. I peeked and he had his eyes closed, then he slowly peeked at me and we both smiled.

I gave him a kiss and just stared at him. I love the moments God gives me to just sit and be still. The blessings He has given me are overflowing, but I don't always take the time to notice.

As I am holding my sweet baby, he continues to lean up to my face and kiss me. He did this about 15 times and every time it filled my heart.

I could have laid there forever. Preston was done after about 30 minutes of just laying there. I walked away with a perfect start to the morning. I am thankful for everything God has given me, but as long as I have my family I am satisfied.

Psalm 46:10
Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.

Up in the Sycamore Tree

These were taken a while ago, so I needed to add them. We have been super busy here and I haven't had much time to take any pictures.





I am trying to spend the week reorganizing my walk with Christ. I have been so behind on my Bible studies I really need to remember what is most important to me. It's hard when you have a family to take care of, but I want to do this for my family.

Aaron and I have been spending the last few minutes before bed in a parent's devotion book called Night Light by Dr James Dobson. It has really put a new perspective on parenting for me.

I enjoy the time with Aaron too. Anytime we spend time with God together it brings us closer as husband and wife. This devotion has questions to ask each other after every devotion and it is a good easy way to talk about your parenthood perspective and to make sure you're on the same page.


We are only in the second week, but already my heart has changed and I am focusing more on becoming a better mom and wife.

This is one of the nightly verses and it reminds me that for these first few years my children will be learning about Jesus through my example.

Deuteronomy 4:9

Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them.

Show us your life- teacher gifts

Kelly is hosting show us your life and this
week we are doing teacher gifts.

My mom is a teacher at Central Park Elementary in Bentonville, AR. So she passed a long some good ideas to me.

This is one of her favorite gifts she has received
Back of the chair

Here are some other ideas from my mom:

Thoughtful notes with details about what a parent has appreciated about the teacher that year. I have a file that I labeled “Feel Good Notes” and I look at this from time to time and it always lifts me up

· A nicely decorated file for the notes with the note would be a neat idea

· Gift cards are nice especially for the older teachers as one can only use so many mugs and pencil holders

· A Gift card tree was compiled by the class one year and I really enjoyed that for months. It was decorated like a Christmas tree and had many different cards on it

· A scrapbook of the year is always a wonderful keepsake for the teacher. I have homemade ones and the ones made online.

· My decorated chair from the class has to be one of my favorites. I am very protective of it and wouldn’t even sit in it for years.

· I have had several trees planted in my honor at schools.

· Gifts where the class goes together are really nice. A name plate, a class rug, a special chair

Another idea I thought of was labels. Most teachers I know are very organized and would love to label things. So I have to mention these labels. Yes, they are dishwasher safe and teachers don't need to be washing any of the students items, but they could use them for baskets or folders or files. And I can put all the children's names on one order. It is just a thought and maybe something different.

Hope this helps!

Watermelon bugs

It is getting harder to take pictures of Taylynn and Preston, but I still enjoy it. We spent almost all yesterday outside we played before naps and after.
Taylynn just got her first bike with training wheels and yesterday was day three and she did great. She rode all the way to Aiden's house (a couple blocks away) with only a couple pushes to help her out. Today we need to go get a helmet for her.
I need to get some pictures of her and her new bike, she is so proud of it and I am so proud of her.

Not completly sure what I am doing here..............

So for those who know me, know I can't go too long with out doing a new crafting project. I decided to bring some spring into my life with some artifical flowers.
I am not partial to silk flowers, but it makes sense when I want something to use ever year.
So we loaded the car and took a trip to Hobby Lobby this morning. I didn't really know what was I getting, but I had a basket and I wanted to fill it with flowers.
My intention was to hang this decor on the outside of the door, just like a wreath, but I am pretty sure it is too thick with out the storm door. I am still going to work and see what I can do to make it work.
So here is my craft of the day:
BASKET OF SPRING

I had this basket from Easter, but didn't get eough use out of it, so I painted the Easter part black so I could use chalk to write anything I wanted.

Then I just threw in some flowers. I was happy with it.

Taylynn Update

Taylynn has been doing great. Thank you for all who prayed for her and thought about her during your busy days.
I am not sure what was wrong with her. The culture came back negative, so we were taken off the antibiotic, which was great because this meant we could go back outside. The bad part was we didn't have an answer. When the next morning came around she was a completely different girl. No fever, energy and she was eating again.

I have no clue what was going on, but I am glad it is gone.

I did have a scare the morning, she woke up feeling great. I was doing her hair and noticed the back of her scalp was yellow, as if I had dropped yellow food coloring on her head. At first I thought it was a bruise, but once I began to wipe it with a wet washcloth it was rubbing off. So what was this yellow stuff? Was it from the medicine, did she get into something, was something coming out of her scalp?
I had a million ideas going through my head, I was about to call the Dr and ask.

Yesterday I realized as Aaron and I were talking about pollen and how he thinks me might be allergic to it, we had flowers in the house. That yellow stuff on her head looks a lot like pollen after it has gotten on your skin.
Once I looked at the flowers which were partially leaning over the couch right where Taylynn sits with the back of her head almost touching the pollen on the flower, I realized, it was just pollen. I laughed, but was so relieved.

I am so thankful she is doing well. And thank you again for thinking of her.

Big Boy Bed

The bed is put together for the most part. I am still wanting the matching shams and some other decorative pillows, but I am happy with it and more importantly Preston is happy with it.

It doesn't sleep in it yet, I think he is intimidated, but that's ok, he'll be moving to Taylynn's room in about a month. Actually this morning Aaron found Preston in Taylynn's bed with her sleeping.
Aaron took this picture without a flash, so it is not the best, but you can still see what is going on.

I am not sure how long he was there, but it was so sweet.

Taylynn is actually pretty sick. I think she has a UTI. We haven't gotten the culture back, but one test showed she has too many white blood cells and protein in her urine, so she has been started on some medicine.
She has has a high fever, which at the moment is gone. Her skin has broken into a rash. and with this new medicine she can't be out in the sun, which is hard on a toddler who only wants to be outside.
I hope to get more question answered today, I am just praying she feels better soon.

Birthday Brunch

I just got home from a fun brunch at with my friend Kim, her mom Darci and Carter.
Kim had me over to celebrate my birthday, I love having great friends :)

She had the table set up so cute and the food displayed so nice. The food was so good to0. I wish I could have a birthday more than once a year.

Thank you Kim, the brunch was WONDERFUL and so sweet of you, you are a dear friend and I am lucky to have you!