Hannah Reese

My sweet Gracious, 4 months old already.

Thanksgiving Fun

Friday we had some Thanksgiving fun at a friends house. Several of our homeschooling friends brought their kids over and we made Indian hats, vests and necklaces. Here's a picture of Kendal stringing her noodles.

After all the crafts were done, they put on all their creations and each one of them told what they were thankful for. The older ones had written up some pretty impressive lists and shared it with the group. Austin volunteered to go first and was obviously a little confused about what we were doing. He thought he was supposed to be telling everyone a story and started into his recently thought up one titled, "The Chicken and the Snake." You can see how that one ends.

Here's Austin telling everyone what he is thankful for... Me!

Here's the group acting like Indians.

To end all the festivities, the kids gathered around and ate some Friendship Soup. Everyone brought a can of vegetables and we poured them all together and enjoyed with some cornbread. It surprisingly was very delicious.

Mondays (Yes, I know today is Tuesday)

Mondays are a little stressful for me lately. For whatever reason I like to go grocery shopping on that day. I find that if I have designated a day for that then I am less likely to go twice during the week and spend more money.

Yes, I actually enjoy going grocery shopping. I love Target. If you ask where I got something 99% of the time the answer will be Target. I can get EVERYTHING I need from there. Yummy food, they got it; cool toys, they got it; clothes for the whole family, that's right, they got it. We have a routine down there - I wear Hannah in the sling, Jacob rides in the cart, and Austin and Kendal each have their own side of the cart they ride on while eating the popcorn and drink we get from the cafe ($1.50 to have a peaceful trip, well worth every penny).

SO, I recently have been trying to save money on our groceries. I usually spend $100 a week there and that is if I am only getting food. My new goal is to only spend $50 a week and that means I have to break my Target addiction. (Yes, I am still having withdrawals.) So, last week I actually achieved my goal at Publix. I only spent $47! (This week was not as impressive.) HOWEVER, it was really stressful with all 4 kids. We are out of our routine. No popcorn, no drink. They enjoyed pulling the coupons out of all the little coupon machines a little too much. Then while putting the kids in the van, my cart makes a mad dash down the parking lot heading straight for a busy road with nothing to stop it. It's amazing what adrenaline will do for you.

After getting home and all the groceries up, I clean the house because its Small Group night and we have 10+ kids over with a babysitter while we go to that. Cleaning is easier said than done with all of them making messes faster than I can clean them. Last Monday Austin must have sensed I needed some help, little did he know that I needed the laugh more...

This is what happens when little boys play with little girls...

This is Princess Kendal of Fairytopia and Jacob the Island Princess.

Saturday Mornings

I love Saturday mornings. It is my only day to sleep in (which with 4 kids is a relative term) and be somewhat lazy. Right now I'm watching cartoons with the kids and getting ready to enjoy a big family breakfast. Today, Sarah is going up to the church for "coupon class" and I'm looking forward to chilling out with the kids and watching football. Life is Good!

One of Those Days...

Before I left home this morning, I just knew it was one of those days I needed to stay home. What I learned today:

Jacob can wear a size 2 diaper when needed.

When you have kids you should always bring an extra outfit. This doesn't always apply to the baby. Sometimes doesn't apply to you either. Sorry Corla!

Piddle Pads in the car seat ONLY work if they are actually UNDER their bottom!

Oak Mountain

On your mark.

Get set.

Go!

The kids participated in their first race today. They were strong contenders! We learned that racing on grass with training wheels is pretty difficult, make sure you are on the right trail, and that Kendal can run a whole mile! Although they didn't give out any medals, we left with 9 t-shirts, 5 water bottles, various coupons, and 2 bags of peanuts. Who wouldn't want peanuts after a duathalon? The food of champions...

CVS

All right here it is:

Transaction 1:

1 Crest Pro Health $3.49 get $3.49
-$.75 Crest Pro Health coupon
-$2 ECB from earlier today

Total: $.89 ($.74 + $15 tax)
Earned $3.49 ECB

Transaction 2:

2 Pampers on sale 2/$20 get $5 ECB
1 Crest Pro Health $3.49 get $3.49 ECB
1 Crest Whitening Expressions $2.75
-$1.00/2 Crest coupon
-$1.50 Pampers coupon
-$1.50 Pampers coupon
-$3.49 ECB from Transaction 1
-$5/25 coupon emailed
-$5 ECB from earlier today

Total: $10.75 ($8.75 + $2.00 tax)
Earned $8.49 ECB

Okay, so I spent a little more out of pocket than I would like, but I got 2 packs of diapers.

CVS

Here's what I got today for a grand total of $1.44! That's after tax, too! Plus I have $7 more ECBs (Extra Care Bucks) to spend on my next trip. I had more planned, but they were out of the toothpaste I was wanting to get. I'll try the other CVS since we plan on going to Walmart tonight. My sister will be proud of me...

Kid Quotes and The Election

On voting:

"Why can't they just put all the votes in two piles, and whoever's pile is the tallest wins."
~Austin 11-4-08

I am proud to say that I voted, with all 4 kids with me. The thought of bringing all of them stressed me out, then I thought more about it. They need to see me do this and feel like they were part of it. Praise the Lord, there was no line for L at all! They all proudly wore their "I Voted" stickers out of the courthouse.

Later that day while we are watching TV, Austin decides to become an Obama supporter (Austin doesn't like to lose). When we asked him why he likes Obama he tells us because he looks better. (He later explained that he liked his brown skin and short hair.) Okay, Barry likes Alabama, Austin announces he's an Auburn/Tennessee fan (I promise I didn't teach him to say that!); Barry likes the Cardinals, Austin roots for the Cubs. I see the trend here. It's kinda cute for him to form his opinion and in the process see Barry squirm. However, it is not so cute when he tells people he voted for Obama (people at Bible study!) I am very much against abortion and in no way would support someone who does not value life, even in the earliest stages.

After another evening of our little Obama supporter, it was getting old. Barry and I sat down with him and explained to him that we don't vote for someone based on how they look. We vote for the person that thinks most like us and will stand up for what the Bible says. After a few questions he states, "We can just give Obama a Bible so he can have better plans." I love it!

When I was praying with him last night he looked at me and reminded me to pray for Obama.

Halloween

The kids went to their Grammy and Grandaddy's church last Sunday for their Fall Festival, so I didn't feel guilty about not having them Trick or Treat on Halloween. However, I did have to get a picture of Jacob and Hannah wearing the same costumes that Austin and Kendal wore 4 years ago. My how time flies! Hannah looks alot like Kendal did...




So instead of all that normal Halloween stuff, we went camping at Grammy and Grandaddy's. By camping I mean that they, the boys, camped while I stayed inside in a warm bed with the girls and Jacob. We all had fun cooking hot dogs and smores over the campfire. You gotta love the outfits that Austin and Kendal dressed themselves in. They took layering to a whole new level.

Kid Quotes

"Did you pee your pants?"

"No, I just squeezed the juice out."
~Kendal
10-30-08