Blogger Blunder

Something weird is going on with Blogspot/Blogger.  For some reason those who follow my blog (few of you as there are) are not getting my most recent updates added to your list.  My cousin Jodie seems to be having the same problem.  I haven't noticed it happening with anyone else.  I kind of wondered when my few regular commenters hadn't commented on my last several posts.  I mentioned to Jodie that she was falling behind on updating her own blog.  She thought the same about me.  When we then went to each other's blogs, we discovered we were very behind on our reading.  So really this whole post is a test in and of itself.  Let me know if it shows up as my most recent post on your blog reading list.  Thanks! 

Updated: Sick Little Boys

Update: I learned tonight that Drake has passed away. Please pray for the Hall Family.

There are two little boys who could use your prayers today. One I know personally, one I do not. Their names are Drake and Stellan.

Drake is the 2 year old son of one of my high school classmates. He was born prematurely (at 25 weeks) and spent his entire first year of life in the hospital. The past year has been spent in and out of the hospital with various illnesses. Most recently, he was hospitalized with pneumonia and then contracted the flu while there. He is a very sick little boy and could really use your prayers. You can read more about him and leave a note of prayer and encouragement for his family here.

Stellan is one year old today, and I know him only through his mother's popular blog MckMama. He has a heart condition that makes his heart beat too fast. So today, instead of celebrating with birthday cake, sweet Stellan is lethargically lying in his mother's arms in a hospital PICU fighting for his life. I know his family covets your prayers as well.






Knowing and reading about these sweet baby boys makes me hold mine a little tighter, thank God a little more fervently for them, and long for the day when He returns!

Lovin' Leaves

On Thursday I suddenly had an overwhelming desire to head northeast, toward Fayetteville.

That is where Craig and I spent our first 4 years of marriage while I attended the University. I've always LOVED the campus in the Fall and this year was sure to be a hit!

I knew that Saturday was supposed to be gorgeous weather and so we went for it.

We enjoyed meeting up with family for a yummy lunch at AQ Chicken and then took a few pictures on campus. We struggled for a family photo, but hopefully Nana got some with her camera. Somehow, I find beauty even in this 'imperfect' one. It's so real!



The boys finally got turned loose to play in the leaves!


Pure bliss!


Soakin' it up!


Sweet brother Love

Fall Fun

The past two days have been absolutely gorgeous! What I wouldn't give to have the weather stay this nice indefinitely...

On Monday we took a field trip to the pumpkin patch. I didn't get to participate in all of the festivities since Nathan was napping.



We started out with ducky races and "milking the cow," then moved on to feed the goats and "race the pigs." After that Nathan and I stayed behind while the big boys went ahead with our friends for a hay ride, pony petting and a corn maze. We ended it with "punkin chunkin" and choosing a small pumpkin to take home. All in all...it was a fun day.




Then yesterday it was again beautiful and I couldn't pass up the chance for a few outdoor pictures...

We found this kitten at Grandma's house, so guess what we have now? Yes, Rogie has been replaced by Garfield. And no, we haven't checked to see if Garfield is a girl or boy. Craig named it and he said he didn't care what it was....it's name is GARFIELD!



Come back kitty!


It is becoming more apparent that Nathan is a lover of ball! He likes playing every chance he gets and has quite a good arm, if I do say so myself. Josh and Andrew had fun playing with him. Can't you just feel the warmth and breeze of the day when you look at these pictures? Love it!

Save This

This is...

...my story of saving by 'couponing.'

I'm hoping to have many more to come, and that they become more successful. The truth is...I'm going to have to get a lot better and more efficient at it, in order to keep doing it. But for now, I feel pretty pumped about my recent experience. Pumped enough, in fact, to break it down for you.

I've been reading a blog by the name of Sit a Spell in Hendrickville for quite some time. Heather (whom I do not know personally, but wish that I did) is the author. She writes about many things. Some are deeply spiritual, some funny, and some practical. Recently she's inspired me to, once again, try my hand at 'couponing.' The problem is...she's got Kroger and CVS. I don't have either. I've got Homeland and Walgreen's. I've not been too successful at Walgreen's yet, but I'm going to take it one store at a time.

And then....I was pointed to the 918 Coupon Queen by my wonderful Mother. I watched every online university class she has and, again, was inspired. The 918 Coupon Queen, Sarah Roe, has an amazing testimony and uses the scripture of Joel 2:26 to speak positively into her life and circumstances. It says "You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied, and praise the name of the Lord your God, who has dealt wondrously with you."

So...I'm giving it a go...and here are the steals deals I got Saturday at Homeland.

Okay now wait.

Before I show you...

You should know, this is not all that I bought. Nor is it all of the items I purchased with coupons.

These are ONLY the items I got that a.) I had a coupon for, and b.) were ALSO on sale. {Minus one item I forgot to place in the picture.} I do actually buy things other than processed foods...every once in a while anyway.

Okay, here it is..



And here's the break down..in no particular order. My favorite finds are highlighted.

The first is the original non-sale price and the second price is final. Remember this is a combo of sale price and doubled coupons. (Sidenote: Homeland doubled ALL of my coupons, even the ones that said not for doubling!)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
(2) Oscar Mayer Deli Creations $3.29 each / $1.49 each

Hiland Orange Juice (gallon) $4.19 / $1.89

Hiland Ice Cream square $4.39 / $1.79

(2) Tony's Pizza $1.59 each / $0.25 each

Freshetta PizzAmore' $7.69 / $2.99

(2) Kraft Natural Cheese (8 oz. block) $3.19 each / $0.99 each

Eggland's Best Eggs (1 dozen) $2.35 / $1.29

(2) Ronzoni Smart Taste Pasta $1.69 each / $0.25 each

(3) Knorr Sides $1.55 each / $032 each

(2) Kraft Deluxe Dinner $2.79 each / $1.00 each

(2) Kellogg's Special K Bars (6 count) $3.10 each / $1.50 each

(2) Nabisco Variety Pack Cookies $5.99 each / $2.99 each

General Foods International Coffee $4.19 / $1.00

(2) Lipton Tea bags (24 count) $2.89 each / $0.50 each

Lysol Disinfectant Spray $5.49 / $1.99

Playtex Living Gloves $3.45 / $1.29

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

So...you ask... How much did I save?

Total before sales/coupons = $85.64 + tax

Total after sales/coupons = $31.14 + tax

Total saved = $54.50

I've had a couple of people inquire about learning to do this too. I would highly recommend checking out the tutorials here. When you get inspired too, come back and tell me about it. We can learn together!

Come Back Sunshine!

Where did you go?

Could you please come back and stay for awhile?

We miss you...

....a lot!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Do you ever debate on getting a new hair style or cut and then once you make up your mind, you want it RIGHT THEN? That's how I'm feeling today. I'm thinking I'd like to get a bodywave perm so that I won't have to work so hard to get my curls. I know I like to wear my hair straightened a lot, but I think I'd enjoy the everyday curls for awhile. Plus, it'd be SO much easier and quicker. What do you think?? It's been awhile...

In other news....I'm still working on the couponing thing. I've discovered that the Proctor and Gamble coupons are in fact NOT being stolen out of my Momma's paper. That particular paper doesn't carry them anymore!! What?

I'm trying to remember if our local store down here in 'no man's land' doubles coupons everyday. If so, I'm thinking maybe I could manage a 'coupon-only' trip to the store. If I do...and it's successful.....I'll post about it. I'm waiting for the day when I can say I've cut my bill literally in half. If I've done my calculations correctly...it just might happen soon.

Stay tuned....

Fluffy, Clean Smellin' Towels

Recently I learned the secret to getting that nasty mildew smell out of bath towels.

Am I the only one with that problem?

So, apparently there are a million and one uses for distilled white vinegar. Who knew?

A lot of people, I'm sure.

But did you know that you can pour some in with your bath towels when they are on the rinse cycle and it will take that smell right out?

I'm not sure how much you are really supposed to use, but I've tried filling the detergent measuring cap full and that seems to work well. My problem is remembering to make it to the washer on time to catch the rinse cycle.

I've heard you can use one of those Downy fabric softener balls instead. Do they even still make those? I haven't seen them lately.

So there you have it....your homemaking tip of the day.

You're welcome.

:)

P.S. I'm still working on that menu.

Menu Planning

Grrr...I'm frustrated. And this is what I'd like to do about it...



Throw myself on the floor kicking and screaming.

But I won't.

I am needing to plan a menu and thus plan a grocery list.

I want to learn to be like the Coupon Queen and all these other bazillion moms out there who save their family tons of money each year. Now I'm no big spender....but I am overwhelmed and at a loss for making it work for me.

It's not like I've never made a menu before. Good grief...I had to do such things for my major in college.

Couponing, on the other hand, is relatively new territory for me. Although I've used them many times. But the art of it is something entirely different.

Seriously, if I'd had the opportunity to get a degree in homemaking. I SO would have done that. And really....I mean come on....talk about all inclusive, ready and educated for anything! Is there any other job out there with so many titles?

To my friends out there who are homemakers AND work outside the home.....you amaze and inspire me!

So here I am writing about how I need to make a menu plan.....instead of doing it.

{Sigh}

This seems oddly reminiscent of one of my recent posts....

OH YEAH!! "look at the tree Katie!"

Okay, I'm off to examine some bark or leaves or something like that....

Grabbin' the Cat by the Tail

I'd love to have somewhere clever to go with this...but I've got nothing....

Is this not hysterical though?

Unfortunately, Rogee (the cat) passed on to the other side recently.

Rogee is the stray who showed up begging at our door and tearing up our window screens to get in. The boys named him Roger, but he turned out to be a she, so we changed her name to Rogee.

I'm telling myself I didn't let her starve to death, but that she must have been sick. Leukemia no doubt....or something like that....

Anyway, the boys all thought she was pretty sweet and Nathan (as you can see) liked grabbing her up by the tail.

She was nice while she lasted....

Seems we've had our fair share of animal death as of late.

First Andrew's baby calf died, then Rogee, then Andrew's second baby calf.

Then miraculously, Andrew's calf was resurrected.

Either that, or someone pulled a fast one on us....I'm not sure which.

Farm Life....one of life's greatest teachers.

Morning Musing

I had typed up a whole post about how our morning went....which kind of made me laugh to myself...I was all ready to hit publish when I stopped and thought.....

Hmmm....maybe I shouldn't post that somewhat embarrassing (to my child) bit of info to the internet. And really without that part of the story, it's not really a story at all. So, to protect the innocent....I've deleted. You are welcome son! :)

So....I turned 32 on Tuesday! That just boggles my mind, really... No, I'm not afraid of numbers. In fact, I think it's great that I am growing older. The problem is...I'd like to say that I'm also growing wiser and I'm just not convinced of it yet! :)

I've done a lot of thinking lately and have come to the conclusion that even though I didn't first believe it....I'm a perfectionist. And my perfectionism paralyzes me. Since everything can't be perfect.....too many times, nothing gets done. It's all or nothing. I've got to change. Does anyone know where I can find a P.A. meeting?

Hello. My name is Katie and I'm a perfectionist...

That's the first step right?

~Sigh~

Anyway...I was telling Craig the other day....you know the saying, 'you can't see the forest for the trees' ? Well, I have the opposite problem. I can't see the trees for the forest. I tend to look at the big picture and see EVERYTHING I want done, now! Craig overheard me talking to myself the next day saying......"look at the tree, look at the tree!"

So that's what I'm going to try to do this year, my 32nd year. I'm going to try to focus on one tree at a time and make some progress toward being wiser and less of a perfectionist.

And because I feel every post needs at least one picture...here is one I thought was pretty good. Maybe I should super impose myself and we'd have a decent little family photo there.... :)



Have a Blessed day and find something to laugh about!

Birthday Boy

Of course, on the day when I had plenty of time for blogging, my internet wouldn't work...that frustrates me. Anyway...I don't have much time now because I can hear that Nathan is awake from his nap and probably hungry. But, I wanted to be sure and post some birthday pictures! Enjoy!



Big brothers enjoyed helping open gifts.


He wasn't too sure about digging into the cake until we gave him a spoon. Sidenote: His t-shirt says..."I won't remember any of this."


Peeking at a present.


Ended the party with clinging to Mama's leg, crying to be held.


Fun Day!

Happy 1st Birthday Baby

Nathan Luke



Born:
September 25, 2008
8:38 am
8 pounds 5.5 ounces
19 inches

It is hard to believe it has been a year since our baby boy joined the family! It is so cliche', but 'my how time flies.' What a sweet year it has been with our little Nate. {Known as Nathan; Nate; Nay; Nay Nay; Punkin; Punkin Head; and Punkin Seed.} We can't imagine our lives without his dimple faced smiles, curly locks, wide round eyes, and infectious giggle.

It is amazing the difference a year can make. As I type this, I am watching Nathan as he empties out our storage cabinet. Toilet paper, hand sanitizer, facial cleanser all strewn about...hand soap and toothpaste underfoot. But a year ago? A year ago I was cradling my sweet, helpless babe in my arms. Now he's helping himself to whatever catches his eye!

Parenthood. It is so incredibly bittersweet. How I long for those cuddly baby days to last....but it simply isn't meant to be. Babies are made to grow up. Babies are meant to mature.

I have several friends who have babies who have special needs and I am reminded.....babies are SUCH an incredible blessing, and I am so thankful to God for the health and wellness of mine.

Nathan is a doll! Today........he can walk very well. He can 'roll 'em up' for Patty Cake. He sticks his tongue out when asked "where's the snake?" He can make a mess that would compete with a tornado (mentioned above). He loves his blankie and his paci. He adores his brothers (and they likewise). He's crazy about ice cream and most any food he's given. His hair curls up when wet. He's constantly complimented on his BIG eyes. He hates to wear shoes. He squeals when he sees an animal. He dances when he hears music. He notices immediately when a door is left ajar, that he might go through. He calls himself "Nay Nay." He is spoiled (but not quite rotten) and loved immensely!

Happy 1st Birthday Sweet Baby Boy! We love you!

1 month


2 months


3 months


4 months


5 months




6 months


7 months


8 months


9 months


10 months


11 months


12 months


This last picture isn't exactly 12 months....closer to 11 months really, so hopefully I will get another one for an official 12 month picture!!

Cruisin' Time Again

I just discovered it's been well over a month since I even unloaded my camera.
Gee, do you think I'm behind?

No way....you're not behind....just jump in where you are.........Right?

Okay, so I'll start with the most recent, and no I won't bombard you with a month's worth of pictures all in one post. What's the fun in that anyway?

You've got to have something to look forward to. Because I know both of you are waiting on the edge of your seats. Okay, maybe the three of you are... :)

You may remember a post from a little over a year ago when I talked about a Redneck Cruise Night. It happens in our area twice a year and is cheap entertainment.



And entertainment it is....

I find it most humorous to see everything imaginable cruising down the street, from the finest street rod, to a beat up clunker, and everything in between. Even the town fire truck was out cruising. And let me tell ya.....

You better hope there isn't a fire or other emergency on cruise night cause it's bumper to bumper traffic. (The above picture was taken before it got crowded.) In fact, it really isn't a cruise at all. It's more like rush hour in NYC! Except no one really cares...

Well, that poor soul who forgot about cruise night, or heaven forbid didn't know about it, and only wanted to get across town for a gallon of milk......he/she might have cared...

Oh well, such is life.

So, this was Nathan's first cruisin' experience. When we went before, he was still cookin'. Am I starting to sound like a redneck? It was totally unintentional, I promise.

The boys had a grand time crawling all over their daddy's truck. Looks like Andrew's fighting in the turret.



Nathan was even caught escaping through the window.



And here are all my boys tailgating on the "cruise."

Farm Boy

You've always heard of those people who were just "born" to do something. From the time they could toddle they were fascinated with (fill in the blank). Sometimes I look at Josh, and wonder. I wonder what he will be when he grows up. I wonder if he's one of those blessed people who was born "knowing" exactly what he was put here to do. Not all of us are blessed in this way.

Josh's interests really are many, but if you were to ask him what he wants to be when he grows up....he'll tell you without hesitation, "a farmer."

His patience has been unwavering in waiting for the day he'd get to mount a tractor and ride it in motion. From the time he was an infant he "drove" the tractors just by sitting on them when parked. At a smidgen over eight years old, his day finally arrived this past Thursday. Grandpa let him go with him to spray weeds in the pasture. No, he's not driving the tractor all by himself yet, but he will eventually. Cause that's what farmers do.........

Park Playin'

One day last week I was debating on whether or not to start on up with school when my friend Amy called. She wanted to make an impromptu trip to the pool with our boys like we had the week before. She called the pool to make sure they were open and wouldn't you know....it was only open to cabin guests... OH well....

So instead, we met up at a local park. It was fun and the weather was nice. Here are a few pics from the day.

When I was a child, I played on this swing! It's old! Kids still love it though. It spins around.


Here's Josh 'flying' on the spinning swing. Look at those long legs!


Andrew feeding Nathan chocolate candy bits. I think he likes them!


Our friend, Noah, with a screaming Nathan.


Gibby giving kisses. Aww!


I am really sad to see summer go for some reason. I feel like we didn't get to do as much as I would have liked. I really would have liked to have made it to the pool more....but maybe next year.

On the other hand, I'm excited about Fall! It is my absolute favorite season. I only wish it lasted about 3 months longer than it does! Last year I felt like I kinda missed out on Fall with having a new baby. This year I'm already dreaming up crock pot soups, pumpkin cakes, crunching in leaves and pictures with pumpkins! Mmmmmm!

Today I have this overwhelming sense of gratitude and love...can't really describe it. But if I haven't told you lately......I LOVE YOU dear friends and family!

Let's get this PARTY started!

School TIME!

It's come......
And I'm so unprepared.....
But come it has, and it's time to get this party started!



I had fully intended to start school last week when the public schools started, but it just didn't happen. For one thing....we got invited on an impromptu playdate, which I hope to post a little more about soon. So....today is the day and would you believe????

We were all finished up by 11:30!

Woo Hoo!!

Josh is loving Switched on Schoolhouse this year for 3rd grade. It is a new curriculum for him that is self directed and computer based. I'm hoping this will mean fewer battles between us. Don't worry...he'll still be doing some reading out of "real" books and handwriting. As well as some hands on stuff. At the moment though, we're going to take a little time to focus on learning the ins and outs of the program.

Andrew is thrilled to start his first year schooling at home, in Kindergarten. This is all new for me too, since Josh and I didn't start until 1st grade. So it's different territory, but I look forward to being able to focus some time on Andrew. He really seems to be needing it these days anyway! :) {Think: middle child.} He is so fun to be with and I can't wait to watch his eyes light up as he learns this year.

As far as little Nate goes....let's just hope and pray that he continues to nap well, and that those multiple naps are required for a long time!

So here goes.........Happy Learning!

Stay Tuned.........

..........updates and changes coming soon to a blog near you!

13 Years and Counting

Today is the day I married my high school sweetheart!

Thirteen years ago.

We literally WERE kids!

18 and 19 years old

We've been through many ups and downs together.

Grown up in adulthood together

We still love each other deeply and are happy with the life we share together...

...are so in love with our 3 beautiful, rambunctious and healthy boys.

...so grateful for our lives and our health.

...not wanting to take a second for granted.

...amazed by God's grace in our lives.

Happy Anniversary to my sweet Craig! I love you! Let's age gracefully together!