Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Well Deserved Rewards

After many tears (mine) and trying EVERY trick ever to get girls fully potty trained....SUCCESS! We just took the pull ups at night away an POOF! No more pooping in the pants! Thanks to my DEAR friend Shelley and my Mom for their support and therapy!





The girls got to go to Toys R Us and pick out ANYTHING they wanted for proving they were DONE WITH DIAPERS!!! Here are shot of their new toys (not an everyday thing at our house!!)

My animal lover picked a kitten that purrs, meows,

takes a bottle, and kneads with it's paws!!


My little "wild thing" picked a princess guitar (believe me...

I tried to duck that one!)

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

3 year olds x 3

My girls had their little cousin from Michigan over for a sleepover, and then we went to the zoo for the day. It was really a terrific time!! We had beautiful weather. The girls had so much fun!



....and at this is what I felt like at the end of the day!



Tuesday, June 17, 2008

Long time, no post

So, we are just busy. Not much time for blogging or anything else lately. Work has got me running ragged with "extras" that I have to do every two years and summer is in full swing. The girls are out of school for the summer and BOY do I notice that lost 5 hours of productivity!!! Here are some great pics of my little ones from the past couple of weeks.

MY LITTLE GROCERY GAMERS



THE PREVIOUS PICS ARE MOMENTS OF SHEER JOY

I CAUGHT AT DRAKES CREEK PARK

Tuesday, May 27, 2008

My second born

My second born has always been a challenge for me. She is very inquisitive, sensitive, brilliant, beautiful, funny, and challenging....I believe the PC term is "spirited". So, here are a couple of cute shots taken just in the last week of my spirited child. One after she found some baby powder...and the other after her "cicada hunt". She has done a 180 from extreme FEAR of these nasty little bugs to letting the crawl on her....she's gonna do great things one day...mark my words!

Tuesday, May 6, 2008

Seeing Double: Zoo Trip

Here are some pics from our zoo trip last week. We went with my great friend Shelley and her twin daughters. It is so cute to see the girls all together.


Pretending to be lions.
One of our favorite exhibits.
Dr. Dolittle....boy does she LOVE animals.
My first born and stunt double....(wow, does she look like me!)


Monday, May 5, 2008

Sweet Delilah



In Loving Memory
TEXAS AGGIES SWEET DELILAH
April 28, 1998 - May 5, 2008




Saturday, April 12, 2008

New Haircuts

Not sure if it is the arrival of Spring, or my impending birthday...but, the other day me and the girls all went and got DRASTIC haircuts! I'm so happy I did! There is nothing better than a fresh, EASY new look!




The girls cute new "do's" in front of our unplanted garden plot!



I'm Back!


Sorry for the long absence if any of you noticed! We have had lots of visitors and Spring has sprung...so the work around here has been increasing by the day! During my absence, we had a visit from my Mom and Dad that was full of excitement!
During that week, I participated in the POTATO Spring Consignment Sale which is like CHRISTMAS for me!! I always find such neat stuff! All told, a group of MOM's raked in over $26,000 in a 24 hour period!!!
The week also was filled with torrential rains, overflowing toilets, escaped fugitives on my road, search dogs, the funeral of a dear patient of mine and much more drama....but, I will leave you with this darling picture of the visit!

The girls with Nana and Boonie snapping green beans....YUM!!

Wednesday, March 26, 2008

Idol this week

If David Cook doesn't win this....it's a mystery to me.

No more Guns....










So, last night after our flight home...we stopped and picked up some "buffalo wings" for supper. As we were eating, my second born who loves any animal living, DEAD, stuffed, etc.....notices the buffalo on the tub....



Thing 2: "Look....a buffalo!"



Dad: "Yeah...you want to go on a buffalo hunt with me?"



Thing 2 contemplates..... "No. No more guns, Daddy."



Dad: "No?"



Thing 2: "No more shooting animals with guns! No more."




THIS COULD GET INTERESTING


Easter in Michigan


This year was our first Easter to spend in Michigan with my husband's family. It coincided with his Mom's 60th birthday...so it was a weekend of celebration! We were not disappointed!

The girls flew for the first time since they were about 9 months old...so they had no memory of flying. They did great! Screamed "up...up...and away!!!!" as the plane took off!


My little travelers in front of the AWESOME fountain at the Detroit airport!




The birthday "girl" and her grandbabies...


EASTER in Michigan...we got 5-7 inches of SNOW!!! The pinwheels were actually part of Gramma's birthday, but they looked soooo pretty in the snow! Hiding the eggs was NO problem!





Thursday, March 20, 2008



Happy Early Easter! I won't be posting for a few days. My girls are so excited about Easter and have been immersed in it for about a week or so. They got a "Max and Ruby" Easter video from their Grandma and have watched it over and over. My second born (by one minute) is notoriously difficult to photograph HAPPY....but, she was thrilled to show off her "Easter Bonnet".

"It's just like Ruby's!"



Wednesday, March 19, 2008

Samantha Update

Thanks for all of your prayers. My cousin Samantha has come through the first surgery with flying colors. Please continue to pray for her and her family as she faces more surgery in the coming week. Please read the following email from my Mom:

Most of you have called or read Sam’s message posted on the Caring Bridge site last night. We asked all of you over the years to pray for Samantha and you have always come through. For this reason I am once again sending an update as of Wednesday after actually seeing Samantha. Some of you have called and many of you had posted requests for updates on our computers. Please feel free to forward to anyone I may have overlooked or to your extended family or prayer groups. Having spent yesterday in the Le Bonheur waiting room, I can tell you that the prayers were certainly felt. We witnessed several real answers to prayer………the doctors never stopped trying to come up with a better plan for accomplishing the ultimate for Samantha with the least invasion.
They finally decided rather than opening her chest, they would enter her side for the first stage of surgery. They were able to do so with minimal affect on the diaphragm and other organs. The doctors were able to remove cushioning in five different areas of her spinal column and found it very easy to manipulate. This was done in 2-2 ½ hours instead of the 5 or 6 they were forecasting. They were able to take her off the breathing tube in a very short time. What the doctor’s originally thought was to be a tough surgery, absolutely thrilled them in that optimal results in preparation for next week’s surgery were achieved.
I was able to visit Nicey and see Samantha in the ICU this morning for a few minutes. She was sleeping peacefully on painkillers as they are trying to keep her as free as possible from pain. She has already started breathing exercises. I don’t think Samantha really knew I was there this morning, but she was as beautiful as ever. As Sam stated on the Caring Bridge site, they look forward to moving into a private room as soon as one becomes available today.
The groundwork has now been laid for the lengthy second part of the surgery next Tuesday, March 25. Yesterday the doctors freed up Samantha’s spine so they could better work with it. Next Tuesday, they will have a much longer day as they open her back and re-align each vertebra. Once this is done, I understand a rod will be affixed to each side of the spinal column to stabilize it. The doctors are very pleased and optimistic that Samantha’s spine will be almost perfectly aligned after next week’s surgery. So…don’t stop praying for the healing from the initial surgery, giving praise for God’s answer to prayers and for strength and good health for Samantha’s family as they sit, stand, sleep and cope with all the wonderful world of the medical institution.
Remember this next surgery will be a long day for everyone involved and will need to be bathed in loving prayer and support like yesterday. Sam will keep the Caring Bridge site updated until Samantha takes it back over. You can imagine how full their days are with round-the-clock watch and care.
This email comes with love, hugs and many thanks for your continued prayers. May this Easter be a blessed one for each of you and your families. May we all remember that our God is a mighty God and He Lives!

Monday, March 17, 2008

Luck 'O the Irish to Ya'll!



Dan in Real Life

First... Steve Carrell is just the BEST. I watched "Dan in Real Life" the other night, and it just shows his genius even more. Here is a trailer that somebody remixed....kinda cute. Check out the movie, though!

Sunday, March 16, 2008

My Idol Picks

We'll see how good I am at picking the best on Idol this season. I love the whole idea of American Idol. I just wish they would take the judges OFF the show and let the real talent do the entertaining! ....and my picks are.....

Best Guy: David Cook


Best Girl: Brooke White

Thursday, March 13, 2008

This Week's GG Score

Make your own clipart like this @ www.TXT2PIC.com
So, I did really good this week. I just missed my budget of $100.00, but hubby's low carb diet is requiring some off-list purchases. Overall I am pleased with my performance...especially since I have had to fight the "system" with every shopping trip.
I skipped CVS altogether this week. Nothing I really needed.
Publix was awesome as usual.
Walgreens only gave me $17.00 of rebates on my gift card...even though I had confirmation for 21.00 (even that wasn't the full amount I had qualified for...just the amount they had figured they HAD to give me!) I am honestly sort of over Walgreen's. I used the entire amount of rebate on pull-ups and candy (for the girl's school Easter egg hunt).
Then I went to Kroger.
They had a deal where you buying 4 fruits snacks for $10.00 would get you $4.00 of at the register. I also had 4 coupons for $.50 off 2 (doubled to $1) which made them $1 per box. Well my girls LOVE them...so I stocked up. Having my sleep deprived children in tow after preschool today, I didn't check my receipt until I was home.
Only ONE $4 off the receipt!
Phone call to customer service: 20 minutes.
Trip to Kroger tommorrow for $4 refund.
This game can be tough.

Wednesday, March 12, 2008

The Strongest Girl I Know

When my cousin Samantha (the baby) was a little younger than my girls, she was diagnosed with a tumor that started at the base of her brain and wrapped around her spine like a hot dog. In her short life she has undergone multiple surgeries and chemotherapy. The treatments have left her spine weakened with severe and worsening scholiosis that now requires surgical intervention to allow her lungs the room they need. Despite the challenges she has faced, Samantha is the most positive, confident, strongest girl I know. Along with her family, they are a testament to true faith. Please read the following email penned by my mom. She is artful with words:
This is an update on our niece, Samantha, and a request for renewed prayer on
behalf of Samantha and her family as they face the upcoming surgery to
straighten her spine at Le Bonheur Children’s Medical Hospital in Memphis. We
received the medical decision yesterday that this will not be one surgery on
Tuesday, but that the complexity will call for breaking it into two parts about
one week apart. This Tuesday, March 18, four surgeons (The Great Physician
be the fifth surgeon in the operating room.) and their team will open Samantha’s
chest as they do for heart surgery and move her heart and other organs out of
the way to work on putting a rod in her upper spine. This is the area with the
most complexity and causing her worst problem. They will insert half a rod
during this lengthy procedure. Samantha will then be in ICU for several
days.

If all goes well, the second surgery will be the next Tuesday (all subject to
change) when they will go through her back to insert the rod and straighten
the lower spine.

We have been so grateful for so many of our friends
and church groups who have prayed for this amazing child and
family over the years. The doctors have told the family that this is more
complicated than any surgery of this type they have done and not without risk.
As they put it, “Samantha will be in God’s hands.”

We are asking each of you to lift up our precious family and Samantha in particular as
they face this newest hurdle. Their faith has been an inspiration to all of us
who know them and they’ve made sure the glory has been given to The Great
Physician at every turn. The family decided to develop a blog for all of us who
want to keep up. I am including that address at the bottom of the email.
You many send a note to Samantha and family should you wish and you can sign up
to be notified of any update.

There is no end to the prayer list these days for any of us as problems, illness and hurdles come into our lives. We ask that you add Samantha and her family to your list. Thank you for being our friends and family and prayer warriors. Sometimes the only thing we can do is wrap those we love in prayer. Please visit Samantha's Caring Bridge and leave her a message of strength and support. Thanks.


Below watch Samantha and her Dad perform Silent Night this past Christmas.



For those of you who don't know, I spent some time as an RN at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Samantha was a patient there during that time. There is no better charity to support. Please give if you can.
Ultimate Blog Party 2008
Click above and come join the Blog Party for WOMEN only! There are lots of great prizes, and you can "meet" other Mom bloggers along the way! Some of the prizes:
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Come join the party!

Monday, March 10, 2008

Remember when snow was fun?


This past weekend Nashville had a HUGE snowstorm. As a nurse at a major hospital under Yellow Alert, I had no choice about braving the weather to care for my patients Saturday morning.
I spent most of Friday trying to find a place to stay for the night closer to the hospital, because they do not clear or salt the rural roads where I live!
As I packed my family up to go to a hotel...I realized I am officially a grown up. I had no sense of wonder as the sleet mixed with snow pelted my car on the way downtown. I was simply worried about all of the idiots driving around me and my sweet girls in the back seat.
Saturday Nashville came to a beautiful, snow-covered screeching halt....except of course for those of us that have jobs that don't wait for the snow to melt. As I scraped 6 inch drifts of snow off my car windows at 5 am in a hotel parking lot,then drove to a short-staffed day of work on snow covered interstates at 25 mph....I realized what a real pain a winter storm is for "the grown ups."
I can tell you that my days of eagerly anticipated snowfalls are over....except for the joy it brings my girls....which was as pure as the snow itself.

Thursday, March 6, 2008

Little Sprouts

Our seedlings have taken off. The girls are thrilled with their progress. I am a little worried! I may not be able to plant them outside soon enough if they keep growing at this rate!!! I'm not sure hubby will appreciate waist high sunflowers in the kitchen!


I dug the perimeter of the garden today...and my wonderful parents are loaning us their tiller!!! I thought I was gonna have to do it the old fashioned way....What a blessing! Here is a darling picture of my little sprouts with their little sprouts!


This Week's GG Score

Make your own clipart like this @ www.TXT2PIC.com
This was a good shopping week. I spent a little more than I would like, but I got some great stuff and had some expensive medicines (poor me) thrown in there.
My challenge in coming weeks will be to LEAVE THE DEALS! I have a very difficult time leaving a REALLY good deal at the store. So next week I have set a budget of $100. Let's see if I can do it!

Tuesday, March 4, 2008

I am still alive.

Still under the weather. Pretty nasty cough today. Trying desperately to keep the illness to myself and away from the girls.

Our seeds have started to sprout! That is the excitement around our house. With lots of rain and dreary weather....we are all getting a little bit of cabin fever.

Sunday, March 2, 2008



Well, yesterday at work I came down with a fever...low grade, but anything over 99F puts me in the bed usually. I took some Nyquil last night and I am back at work today. Feeling ok until the fever starts to creep up again...thank goodness for Dayquil.



Hubby is on notice. Tommorrow Mama is sleeping in.





Friday, February 29, 2008

Getting Rich One Coupon at a Time

Anyone who knows me will tell you I am a junkie. On any given Sunday night, I can be found running from store to store to get my fix. The Sunday edition of the Tennessean and the precious COUPONS inside!!!!
About three months ago, my enlightened friend Shelley mentioned The Grocery Game exposing me to a high that keeps me clipping week after week.

The Grocery Game is a list for which members pay a small monthly fee. On the list is a top secret combination of store sales and coupons that combined can save you up to 80% on items that we normally buy....often they are even FREE! It requires a certain amount of organization and a new focus on stockpiling rather than buying for the week.

I am hooked. There is something about going to checkout and having your items ring up for less than HALF of retail! I will be keeping you updated on my savings coups from week to week, but due to the highly secretive nature of the list...I can't share many specifics! Keep an eye on my ticker and watch my savings grow!!!








Thursday, February 28, 2008

Spring Planting


So, today was spring planting at my house.

Last year my girls and I planted about 70 tomato seeds just to watch them grow. What started as a science experiment for two year olds yielded 70 tomato plants, which we quickly weeded down to 4 lucky plants that got to take up residence in a window box!

My mom (BIG green thumb) came for a visit about the time we moved out tomato plants out in the yard. Well, they turned yellow and she threatened to toss them...said "it hurt her to look at them!"
I swore she would not throw them out! If they died it would be by my hand in that pot! No thanks to me they found new life, and kept us in cherry tomatos until almost OCTOBER!
Seeing that I obviously missed my calling to agriculture...we have decided to plant a garden this year consisting of various herbs, cucumbers, two types of tomatos, Sunflowers, and Strawberries! I'll keep you posted!

New to Blogging

Hi everyone! I am new to this whole blogging thing, but I thought I would give it a shot. I am a wife and mother to three year old twin girls. I also work full time (inside and outside of the home)!
The purpose of this blog is as a personal journal to remind myself of my successes and the abundance I have in my life. I am blessed with a loving husband, children, and more financial security than the average American.

My entries will be a combination of my daily struggles and successes as we strive to live a life of "simple abundance." This term comes from a web community I belong to signs off...."Abundance does not cost as much as you think." I have found this to be true. We strive to live a debt free life, and have put financial peace principles in to action since the birth of our twins. We are getting there.

I do not profess to be a financial guru or perfect mom...just me. I am constantly looking for ways to improve my families quality of life. This blog will be my source of reflection and a forum to share philosophies and tools that work for me and my family.