Lost and Found.

LOST: Nothing triggers my self diagnosed OCD or gets my rear in gear like realizing I've lost something. It occurred to me this week that I haven't seen the Minis' swim suits in quite some time so I cleaned their closets. Finished their laundry. Searched my closet. Finished my laundry. Looked behind the dryer (Many things are found by looking behind the dryer). Searched through the luggage and even called The Great Wolf Lodge. I DON'T LIKE a missing mystery!
The final conclusion: we left them at the hotel.
Missing swimsuit #1

Missing swimsuit #2:



I suppose it's best that we remembered the kids and forgot the suits. HA!

FOUND: My desire to run again. I've been on several enjoyable run/walks over the past few weeks that have become evening outlets from the frustrations of work and chaos of home. I can't believe it has taken me this long to figure out the benefits of relieving stress through exercise. I mapped my route tonight and it was 1.44 miles. Now I've got to figure out a weekly meal plan because we've been eating a lot of sandwiches and quick meals for dinner to avoid cooking. I tried setting my alarm to get up earlier, but instead I hit snooze and enjoyed my extra 30 minutes of sleep. :)

Six Years.

Six years seems like a long time to work for the same company. I've been at the same hospital where my kids were born for over 7 years which seems like an eternity, but six years seems like a flash when it refers to Mini #1's birthday.
As I was thinking about the past six years today, a few things came to mind that really stick out the most. Six years ago I asked the child birth instructor if I could sign up for the class since I was due in a few weeks. She told me it was offered months ago and laughed as she handed me a book to speed read. A few days later our first Mini arrived. I was a nervous wreck and clueless! I had missed the class after all, but fortunately for us he was the easiest baby!

DEAR RAB,

We were SO VERY LUCKY to be where we were when you were born. I was the only person in my department so my director and administrator were very accommodating.
I took you in a pack n play on some days. The hours were 8:00-2:00, Monday-Friday..REALLY! As you got bigger and the Commander left for Iraq, I would push you through the hospital on the medication cart. You were always a hit with the nurses. You liked to look in the nursery windows to see the babies. You carried me through that time. Since then the hospital has added more beds, a neonatal ICU, extended the pharmacy hours and increased staffing to a department of four. We were so lucky to have that flexibility right when we needed it.
You are a sweet, sensitive, and caring child. It carries over to preschool and sports. We talk to you about hustling after the ball. If you and another child are running towards the ball then you will stop to allow someone else to get it.

Some comments from your teacher this year have stated:

RAB is a sweet child. How can I let him go to kindergarten?
Can RAB stay in my class until he's 10?
RAB says the funniest things.
He asked to call me Mrs Lu (short for Mrs. Luann)
"I only like to eat my mom's chicken soup".
RAB works hard on his projects.

I wish I would have saved more of these. You've only had one "bad" comment in two years and even it wasn't THAT BAD. You come by your desire to talk too much honestly. :)
I think it's funny when you say you need something to "feel you better" when you are sick. You have such enthusiasm for the opportunities ahead of you.
You were excited to start preschool. You were eager to go back again. This year you've stated "I can't stay with you forever Mrs. Lu, it's time for me to go to kindergarten." You can't wait to take your own lunch.
The ONE thing that gets me every.single.time: Not a day goes by without you saying Hugs and kisses before bedtime or as I drop you off somewhere.
Hugs and kisses, Mini!
I love you to the moon and back!
Happy Birthday to my sweet SIX year old!

Busy.

*Busy getting ready for a birthday party.
*Busy playing T'ball
*Busy helping out in South Arkansas with the flooding.
*Busy at work.
*Busy getting into trouble.
*Staying busy inside...it's been COLD and RAINY.


So..Yesterday we all rested (or collapsed).

Weekly Deals and Couponing

I have a new obsession/hobby, ya'll. It's couponing! I've always used a few here and there, but now I'm hooked after watching Exteme Couponing. Does anyone else watch it? It's on Wednesday nights on TLC. They could also call this show Extreme Hoarding! It's crazy how much these people are buying to stockpile for next to nothing. I don't know about you, but I'm overwhelmed by the stuff in my house as it is so I won't be converting my garage into a stock pile area.
We don't have many stores in our area that double/triple coupons or offer preferred shopper savings like are used on the show anyway.
I thought I'd post some of my favorite websites and weekly deals every so often here on the blog. You can find MANY more detailed savings on some of the websites listed below.
Www.passionforsavings.com-lists local deals for all the stores in my area. Explains what coupons to use to get the best prices. She also provides all sorts of good information on using coupons.

Www.thekrazycouponlady.com
This is my favorite couponing website. She was featured on the show and I REALLY liked her. Click on beginners where she explains how to stack coupons and create an organized coupon binder. Lots of other good info here including an alphabetized listing of printable coupons.

Www.iheartwags.com--lists Walgreen's ad for the month. I've never really shopped Walgreen's until I got into this, but you can get some of the best deals here.
*Walgreen's offers register rewards on different items each week. This is basically a manufacturer coupon that can be used on almost anything in the store.

Target.com-- can print target coupons which can be stacked w/ a manufacturer coupon plus an ecoupon. (sign up to receive monthly or weekly texts) I did this for the first time last week and got Colgate toothpaste for $0.24. It was on sale for $1.99 then I had a $0.75/1 Mfr coupon plus a $1.00/1 ecoupon. You simply show the cashier the coupon on your phone. It can only be used once.

Here's a few of my favorite deals from this week at Walgreen's:
*Softsoft body wash 2/$6 receive $4 register rewards: like paying 2/$2
*Oscar Mayer Lunchables 2/$3 receive $1 register reward, plus use 2/$1 coupons from today's paper: like paying $1/2
*Buy 1 get 2 free Scotch tape--print Scotch tape coupon from

like getting 3/free
Gillette or Old Spice body wash $3/10 get $3 register rewards.
Use two B1G1 free Old Spice or Gillette body wash
Use $1/2 Old Spice body washes
Like paying $0.78/each
Colgate clinical toothpaste 2/$6 get $4 register rewards.
Use two 0.75/1 coupons like paying 0.50 each
Activ On medicated rub: $7.99
rebate prints at the register for $7.99=Free
This is a good time to stock up on Diapers and swim diapers at Walgreen's since they are on sale. You can print store coupons from www.walgreens.com and look for printable manufacturer coupons at www.thekrazycouponlady.com for additional savings if you don't have any from the Sunday coupon inserts.

Happy Mother's Day.

My favorite times of the day are first thing in the morning when Mini #1 wakes me up to say "Good Mornin' Momma, I slept." and right before bed time when the Wild Thing undergoes a metamorphic change into a cuddle bug. All wrongs are made right during these precious moments (and there have been some wrongs over the past few days like bleached carpet, broken toys, and dumped shampoo). Some mornings come VERY EARLY, but I wouldn't change a thing. I know it will come all too soon when they are both teenagers involved in their own activities and sleeping until noon. My parents had to remind me this week during a moment of frustration that I carved my name in their furniture and wrote on the walls. We laugh about it now so I'm sure one day I will look back and laugh at the Wild Thing's daily shenanigans.
Happy Mother's Day to all of you wonderful moms and grandmothers.

Home Run.

Our entertainment lately has come in the form of watching 5-6 year olds playing T'ball. It.is.hilarious!
Here's a play by play of the last practice.

Mini #1 hits the ball after several missed attempts. He's instructed by the coach to run to first base. I'd show you a picture of him batting, but this guy took off onto the field so I found myself on a chase right in the middle of the game instead of having my camera ready like I'd planned.


Once he gets to first base, Mini #1 gets distracted and asks the coach what to do with his helmet.

He has a little help and instruction from the Commander to stay on first base.



Kid #2 successfully hits his ball so Mini #1 makes it to second base.



Kid #3 hits the ball past second base so all the kids chase it to the outfield. Mini #1 leaves second base to join the excitement and look at him. He's in the lead!



His Coach reminds him to run to third base, not after the ball.
When he gets to third base the little boy in the orange shorts exclaims "I WAS HERE FIRST!".
The extremely patient coach steps in yet again for some explanation.


Finally, Kid #4 hits the ball so Mini #1 gets to run home! Half way there he gets distracted once again and takes off to the dug out instead of the home plate, but he's sent back to touch the base. Before I knew it the hour was up and Mini #1 scored a point! WAHOO!