Trying to be like my husband

On Wed. of last week, we celebrated Ash Wednesday at church. As we began preparing our hearts and minds for the lent season, my husband asked what I would be giving up this year. Usually I look at my life and pick something that I could give up without too much physical/mental bearing. I've done pop, shopping (window shopping- great for staying frugal!), t.v., movies etc.

This year, in response to a book I am reading, I decided to give up more of myself... my Time. In looking at my day, I don't spend a lot of time watching t.v., shopping, drinking caffeine or doing anything that would really be considered a sacrifice. The one and only thing that stuck out to me that would affect me deeply (and physically) was my time sleeping. Sigh.

If any of you truly know me, you know that I LOVE TO SLEEP IN! LOVE IT, LOVE IT, LOVE IT! My husband is not a "sleep-in" kind of guy. He constantly gets up early to go to Panera, get ready for the day or to hang with Addie when she wakes up early. I cherish my sleep, love the fact that I am not working outside the home and therefore not bound by my alarm clock to wake up. Just bound by two little girls waking up on their own schedules.

Being pregnant, I absolutely need my sleep. So, instead of sleeping in in the morning I will typically go to bed earlier at night or take a short nap while the girls are napping.

So.. it's not just about "giving up" something. It's also about using that time that I would of otherwise spent sleeping-in to focus my mind, heart and life to prepare for Easter. So what have I been doing with the 1 1/2-2 hours that I sacrifice to get up early? A lot of reading (either the Shack that I am reading w/ my husband or the Purpose Driven Life I am reading w/ a few friends, drinking coffee (mainly decaf), getting ready for my day, visiting Panera twice a week to read (and visiting Wal-mart afterwards- 7:45 a.m. is the time to go to Wal-mart it is not busy at all!), spending time with Addie while Sophie still sleeps, making breakfast for the family (yummy bannana muffins!), get some of my computer "stuff" done (like checking e-mail, writing posts, doing research for my blog etc.) and writing my "to-do" list for the day.

Wow. I never thought I would say that I like getting up early, but I like it! I can get so much done and really prepare my heart/mind for the day. I always wanted to be like the Proverbs 31 woman, who gets up early before her family to prepare for her day, but I never thought it was possible especially while pregnant and having 2 little girls. So far I am on day 5 of my new discipline and I am realizing it is more possible than I thought. Granted, I still need to take care of my physical body by going to bed early and taking naps so that I don't turn into cranky mommy.

Pray for me that I can continue this new discipline at least through day 40... :<)

S is for Snow

The girls had fun today playing in the snow outside. It was a bit chilly and windy, so Addie and Ella only stayed outside for a short while, but they liked the little bit of freedom it offered!

Addie out in the cold! She would not keep that scarf around her face.

Addie and Ella on the front porch stomping away!

FREEDOM! It has been so long since we have been able to do any sort of "playing" outside. Addie was apprehensive at first about the snow, and towards the end she was absolutely done. She lasted about 20 minutes total. Not bad for a 2 1/2 year old.

Throwing snow is so much fun!

Sophie chilled in her Dora chair watching Elmo while I was on the front porch with the girls. She, of course, would not of liked the snow. Too cold!

Aunt Mary came over to pull the girls in the sled. Ella loved it, Addie cried the moment it started moving. Oh well, maybe next time she'll take a longer ride!

This is Addie in the aftermath. 20 minute of cold, 20 minutes of snow and 20 minutes of trying to keep that scarf off of her face and her rosy cheeks and tired eyes say it all!

Only a few hours of Christmas day left

Today was such a fun day. Starting at 7:20 the girls both got up ready to open presents. Chadwick and I looked at each other, both excited as well and got the camera rolling. We were both excited to see the girls open their presents and experience Sophie's first Christmas.

I realized a few things today:

1. This is our first and last Christmas with 2 children. Next year there will be 3!

2. Sophie could care less at this age about opening presents. She just wants to crawl all over the empty boxes and mounds of wrapping paper.

3. It is a hard thing to share new toys!

4. My husband bought me a more thoughtful gift than I expected. A thoughtful gift that took over a year of saving and planning for. I am very blessed! (P.s. It's a new green laptop!)

5. Sophie loved her "last minute" stocking gift the best out of all of them- "Mr. Giraffe"

Here is a picture of each girl and their "favorite gift" of the day.

Here is Sophie with Mr. Giraffe. She loved Mr. Giraffe. She carried it around ALL DAY! Seriously, she was crawling and pulling it along by a leg or a tail wherever she went. We would lose it admist all the wrapping paper and she would wind up finding it. She's also doing her tongue roll trick for the camera.
If you were to ask Addie what she wanted for Christmas she would always say "Baby Chou Chou!" Granted, hardly anyone could understand what she was trying to say, mommy and daddy knew what she wanted. This is not technically a "baby chou cou" doll, but I think it's even better. It talks, giggles, says words, drinks from a bottle (even makes the sounds) and cries. Chou Chou came with her own bed, diaper bag (with bottles, paci, clothes, diapers, spoon, food dish) and a pillow and blanket. Addie loves it! She even went to bed w/ Chou Chou tonight and fed her a bottle while she dozed off.

We had a great Christmas and were so thankful for all of our family and friends that we were able to spend it with. Whether on the phone or in person, thanks for taking the time to wish us a "Merry Christmas!"

And now... Merry Christmas to all, and to all a GOOD NIGHT!

Needing a bit of fresh summer air

A few days ago, a friend and I were discussing how were both are so tired of winter already! We grew to hate it even more when we realized that we still have about 3 months of winter to go. The snow, the cold temperatures, the ice sticking to your car, the gray sky and slippery ground makes me want to stay inside. How in the world, we asked each other, are we going to make it for 3 more months?! My friend, Katie, recently posted 10 things she would do to make it through winter successfully and joyfully. I felt the need to respond and create my own list.

I have 11 things :<)

1. Music- I just got 3 great new country albums from my sis- in law! Yes, country- I am trying a new genre! After all, I love country line dancing. :<) hey... that could be added to my list
2. Country Line dance in my kitchen- and teach Addie a few moves!
3. Play more music myself. I can play the piano and should play!
4. Definitely be caught with a good book. Maybe picking a book with a warm season going on would make me feel better.
5. Research and learn more about gardening, that way when spring does come around I will feel prepared!
6. Plan our family vacation for next spring/summer... wait,I will be 8 months pregnant then! Okay make that summer/fall vacation.
7. Speaking of being pregnant... Enjoy life with 2 kiddos! Try to venture out to the mall to let them play.
8. Plan my next decorating attack on our house. Will it be the living room? Bedroom? Kitchen? Or the Brabsons coming over to help us refinish our hardwood floors?
9. Absolutely take more video/pictures of the girls every day.
10. Scrapbook, scrapbook, scrapbook! I need to catch up, and love doing it. It's the perfect inside activity. :<)
11. Learn how to make the perfect cup of hot tea and find my favorite type of tea along the way. Speaking of cute pictures... Here are a few recent ones. Addie and Sophie playing with the nativity.

"Baby Jesus!"Addie loves to point out baby jesus whenever we drive by a nativity scene.

Sophie with a funny face.

Addie eating the icing instead of icing her Christmas cookie

Meal Planning Mommies

If you haven't checked out my Meal Planning Mommies blog yet, you absolutely have to!
I am a co-author w/ 2 other friends of mine: Alisha from Indiana and Katie from Springfield,IL.

Our blog is all about MEAL PLANNING! What is meal planning? Meal planning is basically just like is says- planning out your meals ahead of time. Meal planning is important if you are busy, but it even becomes more important when you have kids plus your busy schedule!

Here are some benefits of meal planning:

1. Stops your husband/kids from asking the annoying question over and over of:
"What's for dinner?!?"

2. Prevents you from looking in the freezer then the cabinet and back to the freezer again trying to put some kind of healthy meal together at 5 p.m. (dinner time in our house!)

3. Allows your family to eat healthier (b/c you plan it that way!)

4. You can eat on a budget b/c you know exactly what you need for each meal. You can base your meals around sales at your grocery store or coupons you have.

5. Prevents last minute spending at the grocery store.

6. Makes YOU happier! It takes away one more last minute decision and stress for the day!



On our blog not only can you learn how to meal plan, but EVEN BETTER we MEAL PLAN FOR YOU!

Each week we will post on Sunday a Meal plan and Grocery list for the week. Then each day we will post the specific recipe for dinner that night along with step by step pictures with each recipe.

If you haven't started meal planning, definitely check out meal planning mommies.
Better yet, add us to your blog roll (www.mealplanningmommies.blogspot.com)!

We've got some yummy things going on!

Thoughts from an organizer...

So, my sister-in-law, Cassie recently posted about a "color" test you can do online that is supposed to identify your career path and personality. This is what mine resulted in:

Based on the colors I chose I am described as:

• Key Words:

  Self-Control, Practical, Self-Contained, Orderly, Systematic, Precise, and Accurate

  These conservative appearing, plotting-types enjoy organizing, data systems, accounting, detail, and accuracy. They often enjoy mathematics and data management activities such as accounting and investment management. Persistence and patience allows them to do detailed paperwork, operate office machines, write business reports, and make charts and graphs.

  ORGANIZER CAREERS
  Suggested careers are Administrator, Secretary, Printer, Paralegal, Building Inspector, Bank Cashier, Private Secretary, Statistician, Operations Manager, Financial Analyst, Bookkeeper, Medical Records Technician, Developer of Business or Computer Systems, Clerical Worker, Proofreader, Accountant, Administrative Assistant, Banker, Certified Public Accountant, Credit Manager, Store Salesperson, Actuary, Dental Assistant, Business Education Teacher, Food Service Manager, IRS Agent, Budget Analyst, and Underwriter.

  ORGANIZER WORKPLACES
  Your very careful, conscientious, conservative nature gives others the confidence to trust you with handling money and material possessions. Structured organizations that have well-ordered chains of command work best for you.

  Suggested Organizer workplaces are large corporations, business offices, financial lending institutions, banks, insurance companies, accounting firms, and quality control and inspection departments.

• 2nd Best Occupational Category

  You're a DOER

  Key Words:

  Emotionally Stable, Reliable, High Energy, Practical, Thrifty, and Persistent These adventurous types prefer action-oriented, concrete problems rather than dealing with thought-provoking, ambiguous, abstract dilemmas. Fields of interest include mechanical, construction, and outdoor careers. They might also enjoy working with machines, tools, and equipment to repair or build something.

So, for those of you that know me well... I'd like to hear your thoughts. Do you think it identified me well?

The test only took about 3 minutes to complete. Try the test out for yourself!

Coupon Crazy at Walgreens

There are some incredible deals to be made at Walgreens this week. Check out all that I got for a whopping total of $7.37. No kidding. Here is the pic:




2 packs of diapers, 4 Oust Air and Surface Sanitizers, 3 Robitussin, 2 boxes of south beach High Protein Bars, 4 Heberts Fully loaded candy bars.

The total for all of these items rang up to be $50.98, I had coupons for every item plus double (wags and Man.) on some items.

I did 2 transactions: the robuitussin was first and you get $10 back in Register Rewards when you buy 3 robitussins at $3.99 each. I had $3 off coupons for each robitussin and then I got $10 back in R.Rewards.

Then I had 2 B1G1 coupons for Oust, plus 2 $1 off coupons for Oust and Walgreens had a coupon in their easy saver- making these FREE.

The Heberts chocolate bars were 2/$3. In the easysaver catalog there is a coupon for $3 off of 2- making these FREE. This is a deal everyone should be able to do. No prep work, just walk into Walgreens. Grab the coupon out of the easysaver (you only need 1 coupon... it will scan for all the candy bars you get) and how every many Heberts candy bars you want (at my walgreens they were at the front by the register). Needless to say, my husband says... "Let's go buy out the store!"

The South Beach Bars are on sale for $2.50 and online you can print off a coupon for $2.00 off each box. Making each box cost only 50 cents.

The diapers ended up costing me $2 for both packs b/c on the second transaction I used my $10 RR I earned on the 1st transaction.

Okay... I know that all sounds complicated, but it really isn't that hard! Go to moneysavingmom.com and click on her Walgreens deals. She has the links to all of the coupons you can print off to get close to the same deals I did!

Happy Shopping!

p.s. I AM GOING BACK FOR MORE FREE CHOCOLATE!