Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Creative Shopping for Christmas

Money is really tight this year and I have been trying to do some Christmas shopping as sale and clearances arrive.
Here are some of my findings:
Brand New with tags Gap Men's Jeans $1.50 (garage sale)
Brand New with tags Levi's Men's Jeans $1.50 (garage sale)
Magic 8 Ball $1.62 (Kroger)
Hello Kitty Items 25 cents each (Target)
Travel Battle Ship Express $2.74 (Target)
Old Navy new with tag purse 50 cents (garage sale)
New Home Essentials 2 wick jar candle $1.00 (garage sale)
Nintendo DS with Mario Kart game $50 (garage sale)
Ben really wanted one and I thought we couldn't afford one this Christmas
Jane facial products gift set 50 cents (garage sale)
Aromatherapy Cucmber mint Candle gift set $1.00 (garage sale)

I think I am doing okay, it's exciting getting all these deals; while accomplishing what seemed like the impossible.

The problem?
I am not sure what to get my 2 year old daughter for Christmas. Any suggestions?

Thursday, September 11, 2008

God Always Has a Plan

We always think we know best. And when our plans blow-up in our face we ask God "Why?"
The last few days I have been shown several different times that God Always Has a Plan.
Today, we were eating lunch and I kept telling Ben faster, faster, we're going to miss the bus. He has a zip up hooded sleeveless sweatershirt with nothing underneath, and shorts. I thought it was too cold for today, therefore we still needed to change him before catching the bus.
I changed him, grabbed Anna and shoes and applied them while running to the bus stop.
Who knows what happened, but we waited for 5 minutes and no bus. So I wrote it off as a "missed bus".
We walked back to the house where Ben shut the front door, and locked us out. Great! I searched the garage for a hide-a-key (which seems to be hidden from me a lot). I eyes were welling with tears, me blood was starting to boil, and stress was rising. After searching for what felt like hours I found a key. Which door.... who cares as long as it works. BINGO, I was in.
I grabbed my purse and off we were to the school.
We arrived before all the busses (of course), and waited in the office (I was told we had too.) I heard a dog bark and me being nosy leaned over and saw Mrs. McAlpine (the principal) brings her cocker spaniel to work everyday. He was so cute, he is almost 1 year old. Petting this cute, soft puppy helped relief some stress. Soon after the teacher picked up Ben and Anna and mom were off.
I decided to stop at the week old garage sale down the road from the school and found a Nintendo DS for Ben. I purchased the system with house charger, car charger, and a game for $50. What a steal. It's a Christmas present, hopefully I can wait.
So today God has shown me that he has a plan and let me tell you his plan is much better than ours!!

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Motherhood is worth a Million

A quick posting....
This morning I heard Ben get out of bed and go into Anna's room. My bed is lined up just right I looked through the door and saw Ben sitting in her rocking chair with a book on his lap reading to his almost 2 year old sister who was listening. Remind you, both of the just woke up and neither were paid to do this.
This was a moment where motherhood is worth a million.

Now I can laugh about Saturday's mis-haps; Anna pouring red kool-aid all over the kitchen floor and Ben powdering everything in the bathroom. I was nearly in tears, but not like the tears that came this morning where reading time was enjoyable.

Saturday, September 6, 2008

Wipe those tears, and kiss him good-bye

My heart was breaking as I put my 5 year old son on the big yellow school bus. I know he is growing up, but this is a major milestone in life. Starting school. This is the beginning of a 13 (or longer) journey of life. He proudly climbed on the school bus without looking back to his gramma, sister, and mother. Was it hard? No, I was heading to the school to take a picture of him getting off the bus. (Don't make faces, I wasn't the only parent.) He was happy to see me, but still on a mission to get to his class. He has no fears, no questions; just lots of excitement.


When ask what he did at school the 1st day; "I ate sports cookies, they're going to help me play sports better." What a hoot. He already likes his teacher, as he gave her a great big hug on Open House night. I know he'll do great in school, but part of me misses him. Althought I am excited because he is.


I can't wait to help as a Room Mom, Field Trips, Snacks, Box Tops, Santas Workshop, Popcorn Nights, Family Nights, and all those other boxes I checked. he he





How do you feel about you kids going to school? (For some it maybe something already happening, for others a though for years to come)

Tuesday, September 2, 2008

School is starting, What shall I do?

School is starting and now it is just Anna and mom.
After having 4 kids all summer now I am down to one.
Ben is only going to school 1/2 day, everyday. So there goes the idea of getting a job. The main reason I stay home now it because we can't afford daycare for two kids. The school district decided to put Ben in 1/2 day, even though my request was for full-day. (What do I know I am just his mother, and they just meet him.)

So I am looking for ideas of ways I can make money while having Ben in school and Anna at home. Any input is greatly appreciated.