My struggles as a Momma

Our childcare this school year has been nuts.

My parents have been amazing helpers for us since Hayes was born.

Mawmaw and Pawpaw kept Hayes at their house every day until he started at the ELC.

Then Hayes went to BeBe & PaPa'se house once he started the ELC.

He basically spent the first 3 years of his life with his grandparents and some little friends.

Elizabeth started at the ELC this year as well.

She has stayed with all the same grandparents since I had to go back to work.

I loved that arrangement.

But Dad and Sheila (Maw & Paw) moved to the lake, an hour away, to prepare for retirement.

Mom and Jack (Be & Pa) got jobs.

The nerve.

Just kidding.

But seriously, that was the deal of a lifetime and I know it.

I miss it like something fierce.

We are blessed this year with my mother in law, Anette, and her ability to help us with the babies.

Tira, Daryk's cousin, also helps with the babies.

And a former student, who is also a neighbor, Jennifer, helps too.

Huge blessing, I recognize that. 

And my kids love the arrangement as well. 

I don't worry about them at all while they are there.

They get fed well, they take naps, they play.

I know all this.

But occasionally Anette gets sick.

Or Tira is out of town.

And then we have no one.

So I get stressed out about that.

Like, beyond normal people concerned stressed out.

It makes me a little on edge.

I've been in a panic trying to plan next semester.

Anette has been sick and unable to drive much here lately.

She also went out of town for a bit.

So that means a little more work for me and some additionaly planning on my part.

Please don't misunderstand, I'm grateful.

But not having consistency and a routine I can count on makes me kinda crazy.

I debated pulling them from the ELC and sending them to a daycare, for my own sanity.

I just can't handle the chaos anymore.

I think we have a good deal worked out now and I'm very grateful for that.

God knew I needed some gentle reminders that I was making good choices as a parent.

He put a huge post it note on my morning drive today.

I know it was Him--I could feel it in my heart.

If you've never felt that, you're missing out and I'd love to share it with you.

We were listening to Christmas music and there was a song about Santa.

Away in a Manger began to play next.

Hayes: "Momma, what's this song?"

Me:  "Away in a Manger.  It's about baby Jesus and his birthday."

Hayes:  "Baby Jesus was born at Christmas, right?"

At this point I'm teary eyed and blinking very hard.

Me:  "Yes he was.  That is why we celebrate Christmas."

Hayes:  "Christmas is coming!"
Me:  "Yes it is.  We're almost to school.  You ready to get out of the car?"

Hayes:  "No Momma!  I want to listen to some more songs about Jesus."

Thank you God for showing up today and reminding me that my kids are where they are supposed to be.

I needed that post it note more than every this morning.

The struggles I have are just that, my own and not necessary because God is taking care of it all.

A wee bit too excited...

This is happening Sunday night.

I love my girlfriends at school and we love the Bachelor & Bachelorette series on ABC.

We faithfully watch every season and offer our own commentary for every single episode.

Often we gather for the season premieres and finales and celebrate with our favorite snacks.

Usually we wear pajamas.

We have had a party or two that was themed.

I've seen Team Emily and Team Chanel t shirts.

We all know how well that went for Brad.

We also got together to watch Emily choose between Arie and Jef. 

Just one 'F'.

And that went so well for Emily. 

I believe we are excited to witness this happily ever after and hope that they make it the long haul.

There aren't very good odds for the couples who don't even make it to the altar.

But hopefully JP and Ashley can help curb the naysayers with their love.

The odds are definitely not in their favor...

Last Sunday with Santa

 We went to see Santa.

We waited a little over an hour in line to see the man in red.

They were champs.

They played with each other.

They played with their 'phones'... aka:  old ipods we bought just for them....

Old iPod saves my iPhone.

You can see that they both had smiles on their faces the majority of the time.

And baby girl surely has a cheesy grin for the camera.

 Just before you climb onto the giant green chair with Santa you go through a tunnel.

It plays music and it is surrounded with this giant tree.

Lights, garland, and those holly berries.

My children were fascinated.

 And.... Santa went much better this year than last year.

If you saw those pictures you know this is a huge improvement.

Praise Jesus for that.

Although, those pictures surely made for a GREAT story.

 I believe that Kitty has a segment of our Santa video that contains some booger picking.

Hayes opted to continue the tradition.

Elizabeth just marveled at the man.

She was quite taken by his beard and glasses.

I love these little guys.

So much.

Free Stuff Friday

Let me just preface this post by letting you know that I love coupons.

I love clipping them, but only when I plan to USE them.

I love the fact that I can save money, get stuff I need & use, and save money.

Wait, I already said that?

Crap.

Well, still... I love to save money.

I love being able to get food and misc other things that we need at a discount.

Here's my story of savings today... 

Scored these today at Publix. 

They are $6.99 each.

I have to shave.

I am a hairy beast.

Though I will not complain, because I will likely never be a bald adult lady.... praise Jesus.

I was actually at the end of the good part of the current razor I have.

I was waiting for a sale with coupons.

JACKPOT!

I had a Publix coupon from their sales flyers for $3 off 2 packs of razors.

I love I heart Publix for coupon deals at Publix.

I also found 2 manufacturer's coupons for $2 off 1 pack and $1 off 1 pack.

So, basically I got a free pack of razors today. 

4 razors for $.99.... deal.

And my husband will appreciate that I shave my armpits and legs!

I also planned a trip to Target.

I used Totally Target to coordinate my store and manufacturers coupons.

I also use that site to see what deals are offered with gift cards when you purchase goods!

So, the diapers are $34.99. 

I had a Target coupon for $2 off and Pampers coupon for $2 off.

Plus there was a $25 coupon booklet inside the box of diapers!

AND, Target was giving you a $5 gift card with each diaper purchase.

Score.

I knew Dunkin Donuts coffee was on sale, so I used $.75 off coupons for those too.

Got those for $6 each.  Expensive, yes.  But SO good.

Starbucks coffee was $7.99 each. 

I had 2 Starbucks coupons for $3 off 2 packs.

AND Target was giving you a $5 gift card with a purchase of 2 packs.

So.... I got 4 packs of Starbucks coffee for $26. 

AND I got 2 $5 gift cards. 

Hello, Christmas gifts for my cousins!

M&Ms... they were $2.79 a bag.

I had 2 coupons for a total of $2.50 off. 

Basically, free chocolate.  This is a no brainer.

Dark Knight Rises is a gift for the hubs for Christmas.  FREE with all my gift cards and coupons...

Oxi Clean wasn't on sale, but I had a Target coupon and an Oxi Clean coupon.

So I got 2 stain removers for $1.99.  Basically, 1.5 for FREE.

We needed the Target brand Pedialyte.

And the Huggies wipes.... on sale for $8.99.

I had a Target coupon and a Huggies coupon. 

I got wipes for $6.99.

Yippee!

OH! 

Target also had a coupon on their website and you got a $10 gift card if you spent $50.

Shoot, I got that done!

I saved a total of $47.15 with the various Target sales & coupons.

I got $25 in gift cards to use on another purchase later.

I spent $107.89.

Between my savings and the gift cards I got back I spent a total of $35.74.

That's just a smidge more than the diapers cost at the beginning of the whole trip.

So thank you Target & Totally Target for the massive savings today.

Frosty the Snowman

This is his finest karaoke moment. 

He came home from the lake with my parents about a month ago obsessed with Frosty the Snowman.

Except he called him Shawty the Showman for about a week.

We have since corrected the movie and song title so he says it the right way.

However, I do miss Shawty the Showman.

He was a hoot.

Either way, this in the car version was awesome.

And yes I was filming and driving.

I can multitask and hopefully not get a ticket.

I mean, if I can drive and use a breast pump I should be allowed to drive and film, right?

In other news

Weekend recap...

Saturday we didn't have anything to do.  Naturally, I wanted to pawn my children off and get some Christmas shopping done!  Thankfully Papa Jack agreed to host them that morning so I could get shopping done with ease and still maintain some sanity. 

I have a few last minute things to get for the family, but I'm basically done.  Most of what I have left consists of going to the bank and opening savings accounts for my kids, my niece, and nephew.  I need important documents for that... so I'll have to remember to ask their mommas for those and then go set it up! 

Yay for being DONE with Christmas shopping.  Now, who wants to come wrap all that crap?  If there is one thing I HATE about Christmas it is wrapping the effing presents.  Who wants to do that?!  My Aunt Patsy has always had beautiful gifts and bows.  I just assume shoving that mess in a bag and stapling it shut.  I hate wrapping.  Loathe.

Saturday afternoon we napped, well, they napped.  I cleaned and finished decorating the house.  I folded about 900 loads of laundry and put it all away.  Also another thing I hate--folding laundry.  Should be outlawed.  I firmly believe everything should be hung up.  Even the undies.  We had dinner, got baths, and went to bed.  Daryk was coaching and he didn't come home until around 12 ish. 

Sunday was a JAM PACKED family day.  Up early to go visit with our favorite Hess family members at the Cracker Barrell before heading to see Santa at Lenox.  After Santa we rode the Pink Pig and then went home.  I'll post those pics and the Santa saga tomorrow. 

Today I'm asking for prayers for my MIL.  She's in the hospital and isn't breathing well.  She has COPD and needs to wear her oxygen 24/7.  However, she is stubborn and chooses not to do so.  Thus we are in the hospital again.  Awesome. 

Hope y'all are having a GREAT Tuesday.

Kisses!

Pianos and Solos and Tears

Yesterday I was jamming to Christmas music on Pandora.  

My station had just wrapped up NSync's version of Merry Christmas/Happy Holiday.  

I had just revisited every Christmas event from all 4 years of high school and giggled a lot.  

Then I heard the very familiar beginning of one of the greatest songs ever.  

Amazing Grace.  

In piano solo.

Immediately tears crept into the corners of my eyes.  

And I smiled.

I listened to the resonating notes as the verses led into each other and I let the tears roll down my cheeks.  

It is such a simple song.  

Simple melody and nothing complicated lyrically.  

But it strikes a chord deep in my heart and soul and it makes me happy, 

but I cry tears at the same time.

And it makes me think only of my Papaw.

As the holidays approach I get a little bit more sad that my sweet Papaw isn't here anymore.  

I miss him a lot more often.

I wish he was here to see Hayes and Elizabeth in action.

More than anything, I'd love to call and hear his voice.

'Hey Sugar.'

Oh, how I long for the day when I'll see him again.