Coupon Crazy

Special thanks to my SIL Angie for turning me on to http://moneysavingmom.com/.

I am always on the lookout for a deal while shopping at the grocery store and at Target. However, I have never clipped coupons before! Whoa, have my eyes have been opened.

I have gone a little coupon crazy over the weekend and am so excited about my potential finds this week. Who knew there were so many amazing deals out there?! And, some you can actually MAKE money on.

WHAT?! You all might be reading. Yes, it's true...there are a myriad of freebies out there and items you can make a buck or two on...just for spending a little time to hunt for them.

Here is a recap of my savings this weekend (I was just warming up):

20 boxes of diapers from Target *Saved $60 + free shipping
2 boxes of Special K * Purchased for $0.72 each (Regular $3.29 per box)
1 box of Post Raisin Bran * Purchased for $0.50 (Regular price $3.49 per box)

And, Meijer had their awesome 10 for $10 sale this weekend, with the 11th item free, so we stocked up on items like freezer bags that we go through so fast!

Time spent: 1 hour on http://moneysavingmom.com/ and http://meijer.com/.
Grand total savings: $75

Deals for today:

Desitin - Free at Target
Aveeno Baby Wash - Free at Target
2 bottles of contact solution - Free at Rite Aid with cash back
2 bottles of Dove Men's Body Wash - Free at Rite Aid with cash back

Grand total savings: $34 + $4 cash back
Time spent: 20 minutes on MSM blog and flipping through Target coupon mailer

How did I do it...using a combination of coupons I found online/received in the mail + utilizing Rite Aid's cash back program.

I did have concerns that I would be tempted to buy things that we don't normally purchase like soda and junk food, because it is on sale. Or, that we would have to switch brands each week to get the sale. However, I was pleased to find GREAT deals on things that we use every week and also, the brands that we normally use.

So, let the saving continue!

Pregnancy Update

I am 29 weeks and feeling amazing. I am enjoying this pregnancy every single day. I love being able to relish in all of the little moments that make being pregnant so wonderful...the polite strangers who rush to open doors, baby kicks that let me know someone is on his way, and compliments from the most unlikely people sharing that they think I look beautiful. (Who doesn't like to be told that?!)

I really don't have too many aches or pains, and my feet have been royally pampered by frequent pedicures and loving foot rubs from Jeff.

I am in the home stretch and I couldn't be more excited!

14 Months

Look at my big boy! He truly is the light of my life. Matthew brings Jeff and I so many smiles, giggles, and full out belly laughs every day. We love our little munchkin so much!

At 14 months, he loves to chatter in his own language and his favorite word, of course, is 'Dad.'
Here are a few more of his favorites...

Food: Bananas
Playtime: Building with blocks and reading
Song: Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
Book: I Love You Through and Through (His 'Matthew' Book)
Word: Dad

And, I can't leave out that when asked most anything...Matthew responds by nodding his head and saying 'Ya.' So cute!

Holiday Cheer!

Thought I would spread a little holiday cheer! We brought Matthew to see Santa last night. He was such a charmer. He was smiling and giggling at the girls in line behind us. Here is my first attempt at making 'Santa' cookies on my own. I think they turned out pretty darn cute! Saving them for my cookie swap will be a challenge.

Makeover!

Here is our house before... And after...with a new roof, shutters, and door. And, the beautiful rock wall Jeff built. However, I think the change of seasons/lack of landscaping in the front almost makes the after picture look worse than the before! Trust me...the house looks much better!

Better late than never!

I just got my memory card reader back! Here is a belated picture of Matthew as 'The Cowardly Lion.' He LOVED his costume and ran around the front yard while trick-or-treaters came to the front door. When it got too dark to play outside, every time a trick-or-treater would come to the door, Matthew would run to the door and peek through Jeff's legs as he passed out candy. Too cute!

How to Beat a Monday

Mondays often come way too fast. When I am at work, I do a few things to soften the day and make it a little more pleasant. Here are some things that I do on Mondays...or really any day when I need a little something to help me through my day. Whether you are at work or a stay-at-home-mom...sometimes you need a little something to start the week off right!

1. Grab a Starbucks or enjoy some flavored coffee from home. Smelling the amazing aroma of a pumpkin spice latte or Meijer hazelnut coffee makes my morning smell and feel like home when I am away.

2. Give myself a quick hand/arm massage with a scented lotion. The increased circulation and again, wonderful smell helps me to relax and focus on the tasks at hand.

3. Rub a small amount of Aveda Blue Oil on my temples. This amazing oil comes in a small vile with a roller on the end, perfect for your purse and for rubbing on pressure points. The oil cools the skin, which energizes, as well as relaxes.

4. Start the morning with some yoga. I cannot begin to tell you how much yoga has changed my life...with some simple stretching and breathing exercises, I am able to energize my body, feel refreshed, and start my day off right. A mere 5 - 10 minutes is all you need.

5. Take time to appreciate a picture that makes me happy. I have a few pictures in my office that make me smile every time I look at them. By taking a few moments to remember the day the photo was taken or think of the people in the photo, my spirits are immediately lifted.

6. Listen to relaxing music or a thunderstorm/rainstorm on CD. No, this does not make me sleepy. It makes me feel like I am outside enjoying the world, rather than inside working.

These are things that work for me. Everyone has a few things that would make their day a little more enjoyable. I encourage you to seek out these things and make them a part of your daily routine. Most of them just take a few moments or minutes and can impact your mood and day immensely...whether it be a Monday or any day!