Living within our means.

Justin is on a scout camp out tonight and I am letting Merilee stay up late to watch "The Little Mermaid: Part II". So, I have some time on my hands to write some things that have been on my mind. I can't take pictures of what is in my mind, so you'll just have to enjoy the read.

I took Cara to Physical Therapy yesterday to see if they could help her start walking. She actually started to take a few steps here and there, but nothing to get too excited about...until Tuesday night. We left the girls at the sitter and when I went to pick them up, Cara was a walking maniac!! She was walking across the room, back and forth. And then on Wednesday at church, she did the same thing. Why can't I get her to walk at home? Anyway, I will probably not be taking her back for a follow-up at the Physical Therapist. She still falls a lot and is real wobbly, but I think she will continue to improve. I wish I had never been told that she might have club foot as a baby. It put ideas in my head and undue concerns. I have probably been overly paranoid, but when I saw other babies 9 or 10 months old walking, I started to think Cara was behind.

Another thing on my mind is how to get Merilee started on some home preparation for schooling. I want her to be able to write her name and know her address, phone number, etc. before she starts school. I am also very lazy in this area and need easy ways to implement teaching tools. She is still having problems with her ears! I think I wrote about this in my last post.

I have been doing a lot of reading about stay-at-home moms who write about how they live frugally. As a necessity, we have been having to take this more seriously, and it is not easy. I have learned so much from these moms who "work" to save money at home so they don't have to "work" outside the home. I never hear about moms locally who are true "scrimpers". I don't know if ladies don't say much because they are embarrassed or if they just assume that everyone knows their "tricks", but I am all ears. I have learned so much from "mom-blogs"! We have committed to some of their ideas, such as not spending more than $40/week (for daily living expenses). It is not easy. I have taken a calculator to the store and write down the price next to everything on my list and I can't go over $40. It adds up fast!! So, since I have picked up some tips, here are some others that we do now:

• Wash out ziploc bags and reuse them.
• Make food from scratch (it's healthier too).
• ONLY SHOP ONCE A WEEK (learn to be creative when you run out of something). The less I am at the store, the less trendy items, decor, new foods, clearance items, and other things that "call my name" have to tempt me to buy them.
• Move current decorations around so that it feels like "new".
• For free entertainment, rent Redbox movies on Monday with their promo code.
• Look for coupons, why pay full price!! I even sent an email to "Tofutti" and asked for coupons for Cara's milk free food products and they said they would mail me some!!
• I have been requesting free samples from links on the blogs I read. I got the first one in the mail yesterday. I was so excited. It was a Walmart sample of Orville Redenbauckers 100 calorie smart cakes and an individual bag of popcorn, including a packet of $6 worth of coupons. I now eagerly check the mail for samples instead of bills.
• Of course, I buy used clothes for the girls 95% of the time. I believe in consignment, thrift stores, and garage sales!!
• The last thing I can think of right now is to keep the thermostat at 68 degrees (bundle up!).

What are your "tricks"?

Sorry this got kinda long and boring, but now maybe I can go to bed and not have to have this all running through my head. I do want to say how grateful for my family and friends. And above all, I have been richly blessed by my Savior for everything that I have and things that bring me true happiness.

Happy Birthday Merilee!

We celebrated Merilee's 4th birthday this last week. She turned four on the 14th and guess how we spent the day...at her well child check-up!! Boy did she love that;) When we went in for her 3 year check, she was so excited to get shots. Well, she remembered them this time and was pretty scared. Cara was crying in one arm and I held Merilee down with the other (fun times). Thankfully, they split up the amount and she only got three. Interestingly her stats are:

33 pounds 25-50th percentile

42 inches tall 90th percentile

BMI (body mass index) 13% (severely underweight category)

Her other issues include.......her ears and her hearing. We had a second set of tubes put in her ears in June and they were supposed to last for 2-3 years. That would hopefully be long enough for her to grow out of ear infections. Well guess what...the tubes have fallen out already and she is on her second ear infection in her left ear. She has hearing loss and has been referred to the Hearing Clinic for testing and to see what to do next. The poor girl constantly says, "what", "can you turn it up", "I can't hear you", or says nothing at all because she didn't hear/understand you.

Despite her tiny setback, she is healthy, beautiful, sweet, and smart. She has such a fun personality and a nurturing spirit. She loves dress-up, baby dolls, pretend cooking, stickers/crafts, books, and Cara. She says the funniest things. She was pulling out the paper from a Hershey's kiss and said it was a note that said, "dear chocolate, you may go in my mouth". She says, "Mommy you're right, good thinking!" "Yeah, I know it is. Isn't it wonderful!" She is very dramatic and loves to dance and act out scenes in movies. She is the best big sister and the older she gets, the more she helps me with my "responsibilities" around the house and with Cara. I am so glad I had her first because she is such a blessing to me and our family. Happy Birthday, Merilee!!

Showing her brownie in a cup with candles.

After pinning the tail on pony.

A Strawberry Shortcake puzzle.

Pants made by Grandma because Merilee is tall and skinny...and she needed pants.

Giving "thank you" hugs to cousin, Maren.

Riding her pony that she got for her birthday.

Coupon giveaway!

There is a great coupon giveaway over at www.frugallivingonline.blogspot.com
Head over there fast because it ends tomorrow!!

An Evening at the Lake

We decided that we would take dinner and cook it outdoors at a nearby lake/park. We had steak, french fries, and corn. Cara had steak, grilled cheese sandwich (tofutti cheese and earth balance butter on homemade bread) and wafer cookies. I set up the tent for the girls to play in and since Cara doesn't walk yet, it kept her out of the stickers. Justin did all the cooking and clean-up (except, I took down the tent). It was fun but got dark REALLY fast. We ended up shining the car lights on the table so we could see our food. It was fun and we will do it again, cause it is a free night out!!

As a side note...did you know that Redbox has free movie rentals on Monday night (with a promo code)? We just found this out and rented "Nancy Drew" for FHE yesterday. Can't beat a free movie. Let me know if you need to know how this is done, or maybe we are really behind in receiving this entertainment secret.

Merilee, Me and Cara hanging out in the tent while Daddy cooked for us.

Daddy doing his outdoor thing.

Playing in the tent.

Our outdoor dinner.

Halloween Pictures

Cara was a baby chick.
Merilee was a princess. She kept changing her mind about being Cinderella or a fairy princess, so we ended up with this...and yes I made the costume!!!

She was very upset because the sun was in her eyes, but I made her stand this way otherwise there was shadow on her face. I just could not win.

Merilee by 'Sammy' the witch. Merilee got to name her.