Mama's Got Wings

Super Saturday? Maybe.

2010-02-27T06:30:00.000-08:00

So it's been a while since ya'll have heard from me, my house has been sick--countinually. First everyone had this bad cold that turned into upper respiratory infections. Then we all got better, thank GOD, and then we went to a fast food play place to go play and the next day starting with the 2 year old boy we all got the flu. It's been a week everyone but my DH has caught the flu, my DH came to bed last night and said "oh no, I really don't feel good." About 20 minutes later he was in the bathroom loosing his dinner. I feel so bad for him, I can't do anything to help him other then keep the kids from bugging him. There is a ton of stuff I wanted to do today, so I am left frustrated and confused as to if I should bother. GRR!!! Well either way here is my list:

Clip, toss, organize coupons (I have a small laundry basket full-it's needs to be used for laundry)
Meijer Shopping (now I get to take all 3 with me!!)
Clean my Office (I have been avoiding this all month)
Freezer Inventory (I really don't know what's in there anymore, and I need to make room)
Freezer Cooking Plan's (which is why I need to make room) Breakfast's/Chicken/Beef
Blog about my day!!

2010-02-25T17:00:00.001-08:00

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My Husband Rocks Friday... a day late!!

2010-02-20T10:02:00.001-08:00

My house is full of germs!! We have all had colds/upper respitory infections for two weeks. Well Thursday night my 2 year old DS got the flu!! It is now Saturday morning and we know the 4 year old DD has it and the baby might also have it. Well Friday before my husband went to work knowing I was going to have a rough day taking care of all three kids while one is very sick and needy, he went to the store to get me batteries for the baby's swing. The baby loves his swing he sleeps in it most of the day, without the swing he insists on being held 24/7 and with two other kids that is difficult plus one being sick. My sweet husband knew I was going to have a rough day and he also wasn't feeling good, but wanted to try to make my day a little easier went to the store and god batteries for me so I wouldn't have to suffer a crying baby all day (or drag out all three kids) My husband Rocks for thinking of all the little things to help me!!! He loves me so much, and is a very big help as a husband I am ever so blessed!!

Menu Planning Monday

2010-02-15T05:46:00.000-08:00

We had to skip last week because we have all been sick--we are still all sick. However I ended up eating out 3 times in the past week and we can't have that it's not healthy but it's also NOT in the budget.

Lunches
Monday: Grilled Cheese
Tuesday: PBJ
Wednesday: Mini Pizza's (on bagels with sauce and cheese)
Thursday: Fruit and Cheese
Friday: hot dogs and brocoli
Saturday: leftovers

Dinners
Monday: Steak, Salad, and sweet potato
Tuesday: Spagehetti Parmesan, bread, and salad
Wednesday: Pizza Roll (from macombmoneysavers.com site)
Thursday: Sausage in cresent's with mac and cheese
Friday: soup
Saturday: popcorn chicken and fries

Now I am sure if you read over my menu your thinking, and she was complaining about out to eat not being healthy?? But you know what nothing here is fried, everything is baked. So we still aren't eating the best but for us-for my family this is a vast improvement.

Freezer Cooking!!

2010-02-13T18:36:00.000-08:00

I am so excited to say that that I am freezer cooking!! I tried freezer cooking two years ago and it turned out really bad so I gave up on it. Well for several reason's our budget is very tight, stress on the very. Our family normally eats out several times a week, and we just can't afford it anymore. Plus I'm sure you already know from the presvous statement, our health isn't great and sadly that means we are teaching these habbits to our children-which we don't want to do. So I decided I really needed to give freezer cooking another try since I also can't afford to buy a million freezer meals from the store (which is fine cuz they are not healthy either.) Earlier this week I made 3 chicken pot pie's- one was for dinner and the other two are now in the freezer. Tonight I made six pounds of meat into 30 mini meatloaf's, individual portion size's that way they can be taken out and microwaved as needed. Next up I plan to make chicken, I bought 15lb's of chicken yesturday (and still have 5 in the freezer) I am trying to decide what I should make with all this chicken. Share any idea's if you have them. I'll post when I do the chicken and I'll also post as I use the frozen meals to let ya'll know how they turned out.

My Husband Rocks Friday!!

2010-02-12T06:05:00.000-08:00

My Husband Rocks Friday is a chance for me to share with the world yet another reason why my husband rocks! We (like most of the US right now) have been buried in snow this past week and all sick also, my lovely husband has not complained about having to go to work in this terrible weather or that he's been sick and miserable like the rest of us. He has even shoveled the drive way numerous times, and cleared off my mini van each morning in case I have to take the kids somewhere (ya know school, doctors, grocery store). And that is why my husband Rocks!!

Goals!!

2010-02-05T09:49:00.000-08:00

I am wonderful at setting goals, that being said I am terrible at follow through. Blame it on my A.D.D. (I do!) but I still have a lot of work to do to get myself where I want to be. I pray often for God to help me become a better Christian, wife, and mother: and God has helped me!! I can tell you I am a different person today then I was two years ago when I had my second child. Back then I wouldn't have cared that the laundry was slowly taking over the house, or that the dishes were starting to lean like that big tower in Italy, and when my daughter drew on the table I probably would have left it there for at least a week before bothering with cleaning it up. Well all that tell's you I am a terrible housekeeper- and boy am I just that much "better" at being organized. So I have been putting a few systems in order to get my house in shape.

1) Do the dishes every morning
2) Bring in mail and toss out junk mail immediately
3) Giant dry erase calendar in my kitchen that I keep all info on
4) Menu Planning

I really want/need to get more cleanliness and organization into my home so here are my goals for the day/week/month:
Today:
Fold and put away the three baskets of laundry hanging around the house
Wash all towels/bibs/rugs
Fold and put away all towels/bibs/rugs
Fold and put away all socks (giant basket full)

This Week (today til next Friday):
OAMC chicken -pot pie and cheesy rice casserole
Make Valentine projects with Kid's
-Necklace's
-Heart crayons
-Flower Bouquet
-Valentine's Cards
Post coupons for trade on AFC along with ISO list

This Month (Feb):
Organize/clean/de-clutter Scrapbook rm/office
Go through all kitchen cupboards and eliminate unused/wanted items
clean out bedroom closet
clip and organize all coupons

Org Junkie's 28 day Challenge

2010-02-04T14:01:00.000-08:00

I am excited to say I am joining in on Org Junkie's 28 day challenge I will be cleaning out my scrapbook room/office. IT is such a mess that at this point there is a small path to the door to my DH's office (my "room" is the large hallway to DH's office, it's a 12ft by 6ft room) As soon as I find my camera (yep that's right it's lost in the room) I will take a picture of it and post it up here. The great part about this challenge isn't just that you get to join in a group and report back as to how good you did, it's not just that you get to see just how bad other people's rooms are (okay maybe it's just me that likes that part lol) but Org Junkie will also be rewarding prize's to those with the best before and after pics, ya know if this was just on the before pic I think I could win!! Good luck to all the ladies joining up in the challenge I wish you all luck.

730/365 Challenge

2010-02-04T13:24:00.001-08:00

The Challenge: Get 2 items a day out of your house (2 x 365=730) this is an average you can work on once a day week or month whatever works for you the purpose of this challenge is to get some of the extra junk out of your house!!

So here is my January update
6 kids plates (not BPA free so they are out!)
4 picture frames
9 clothing
1 bath mat (we took it out of the tub well over a year ago)

So I've only tossed 20 items but being that this is an average i know I can make up for the 11 items I am missing later, more so I am going to challenge myself to get 100 items out of my house this month!!! BTW when I say toss this could be actually int he garbage, to a friend/relative, or to local thrift store. Check out amysfinerthings.com for more about the 730/365 challenge.

New ATM Cards means FREE REDBOX!!!

2010-02-01T11:11:00.000-08:00

I am so very excited since DH and I just switched over to a new bank, which means we just got new visa/debit cards. Now we will get to start all over again with all the Redbox codes that are available, because Redbox doesn't track the person it tracks the cards so you can use these free codes on each card. Check out Spectacular Savings she has all the codes listed.

Menu Plan Monday

2010-02-01T08:04:00.001-08:00

Here is my menu plan for the week Saturday I am hoping to get some extra meals made on Saturday so I don't have to cook every night or eat store bought freezer food so much.

Monday: Taco's
Tuesday: Chicken Potpie
Wednesday: Soup
Thursday: Spaghetti
Friday: Tyson Anytizer's with fries
Saturday: Chicken and Rice Casserole (make a couple so I can freeze some for later)
Sunday: Not sure either eat out or something in the crockpot.

For Hundred's of great menu plan's head over to Orgjunkie.com for her weekly roundup of menu plans.

Stockpiling

2010-01-16T06:20:00.000-08:00

Rules for Stockpiling:
Some may seem obvious but it took me a while to catch follow through with them

1) Only buy what you will use, if you hate blueberry poptarts it doesn't matter that they were .02 a box, you wasted two cents a box on something you won't eat.
2) Only buy what you can use before the expiration date, free/cheap pasta is awesome but most people don't go through 200 boxes of it before it expires.
3) Rotate your items, this is so they don't go bad
4) When/if you discover you have more than you can use but already have the item give to friends/family or donate some place.
5) You don't use it donate it, or give to family or friends. Often times stores will have deals that you can get free items or even make money off of buying certain things (such as CVS) but you have no use for them, do not stockpile these items as fast as they come into your house get them out of your house!!
6) Organization is key, you need to know what you have and be able to find it. This will stop you from having to go to the store and pay full price for spaghetti sauce because you couldn't find a jar in your stockpile.
7) Keep list's, keep a list of items that you regularly use and keep a list of your stockpile

Those are all i can think of for now, if I think of more I'll edit and add them.

My Price Points: this is the most I will pay for items

Shampoo $1/bottle
Toilet Paper .25cents a roll (up to .28 for Charmin)
Paper Towel .50 cents a roll (but I really hate to go over .30)
Cereal $1/box
Fruit Snacks .50/box
Toothpaste $1/tube (can usually find free)
Toothbrush $1/each (can usually get for less or free)
Diapers .17 per diaper
Pasta sauce $1/jar (this is for brand name stuff)
Pasta .25/box
Meat $2/lb (unless we are talking steak)
Popcorn $1/box
Milk $2 gallon
Macaroni and Cheese .50/box (Kraft brand)
Rice $1/bag
Frozen Veggies .25/bag (steamers)
Crescent rolls .50/tube

The three best things that I have learned from couponing/stockpiling
1) Organization is Key!! Without this all is lost
2) Menu Plan-this makes the most of the stockpile, keeps grocery bill low, stops you from feeling lost at dinner time or from wasting money on going out to eat.
3) The value of a Dollar!!

Let us Pray for Haiti

2010-01-15T05:32:00.000-08:00

When I was little (and clearly still learning about God) in the car on a drive someplace with my Aunt we passed a car accident- right then without thinking she interrupted our conversation and started praying for the people in the car accident and those involved in helping. I asked what she was doing and why, and she said that she was praying for God to be with all those people and help them. I didn't get it then but I get it now as an adult.

Let us all take time out of our day today, and for the next few days to pray for all these people -those that were in the earthquake and the people that are helping them (rescuer's, dr's, police officers etc.)

Where to find coupons??

2010-01-14T09:15:00.000-08:00

There are tons of great places to find coupons first (and my personal favorite) is the Sunday newspaper. Next up is all the great printable sites (I will list several at the bottom) but then there are in store coupons these come in many different shapes some can be peelie's that you find on a product, sometimes Q's can be found inside products, blinkie's are coupons found inside those machines at the store that blink, Q's can also be found in booklets that are by products or being handed out at stores-so always check what just look like annoying advertisement or recipee's often it will have recipie's for the product (which can be great too!) but at the end of the booklet there can be a handful of coupons and/or even rebates for buying those products. Recently I got a booklet that was with all the crackers in the main isle of meijer I beleive it was called "Jingle the hoildays" it had some cute ideas for recipie's in it and coupons and a rebate at the end. The rebate was $10 rebate when you buy (wyb) 10 products, well I got a coupon online for $2/2 ritz crackers so I got five of them bought ten box's @ $2.37 a box only $1.37 a box with coupon and once I get the rebate back I will have only spent $.37 cents a box (full size boxes) for ritz crackers. I was very excited as we go through a lot of these in our house, my kids think they are cookies :D Another great way to get coupons is to email (or post mail) a company to let them know what you think of their product for ex. Heinz ketchup I emailed to let them know that my family loves their ketchup, I've even had to stop my child from putting it on french toast and that we go through a bottle a month and thanked the company for making such a great product. If you have problems with a product you can also call the company if you prefer not to write. Sometimes you will get coupons and sometimes you won't but I would say that it is well worth your time to do this. I almost forgot about another type of coupons they are called Cat's (short for catalina, the name of the machine that spits them out) they come out of the little machine at the register at the time you check out these coupons can be for money off your next order or coupons towards products you bought but of a different brand. For example at meijer when I buy enfamil formula I usually get a coupon for BOGO (buy one get one free) or $8 off any can of similac formula. I obviously won't be swapping my kid's formula left and right due to coupons, but usually I can find another mom on afullcup.com and swap her coupons with mine for the type of formula we use.

Internet Coupons
www.smartsource.com
www.coupons.com
www.couponbug.com
www.redplum.com
Bricks Coupons I love this one lots of little tiny words add up to some big savings
Betty Crocker
Box Tops for Education
Pillsbury
Also there is a site called my points (if you want to sign up please lmk I'll email you my link to get credit) you can print coupons (usually the same ones from coupons.com) however when you print and use 10 a month you get 25 points, and points add up to gift cards to a lot of different places like CVS, Target, and there is also a bunch of restaurants on the list. So I like printing from here too just so I get the points.

www.shortcuts.com This site you register with but are able to add coupons to your Kroger Card

www.meijermealbox.com this site will allow you to print coupons that are meijer store coupons meaning you can use it with a manufacture coupon to get a maximum amount of savings, most of the coupons on this site usually go together with sales. Once you get to the site look to the right at the box that says meal box then click on the specials tab and then below that click on coupons.

Couponing and Savings Tracker

2010-01-13T15:58:00.000-08:00

I learned the art of couponing two years ago, I am really just starting to "get" how the whole system works and it has taken a long time. Not to say that I am an expert, because I don't think that I am. My Aunt told me about a website called thecouponproject and on the site there is a savings tracker that you can download (this was made and designed by the owner/operator of thecouponproject) at first this Excel program was very confusing to me, not just because I am not familiar with excel but also because I wasn't sure how to read my receipts and how all the savings was calculated on the receipt. First of all I went back to thecouponproject to see what she has been up to latly and I noticed that she now added a better explanation of how to use it. Sadly this is after I spent a couple hours today figuring it all out by myself lol.

Here are my directions:
Meijer: I use the terms which are found at the top of the receipt under Savings Today.
Shelf cost = promotions+coupons+discounts+total (what you actually paid)
Coupons = Promotions (which are meijer coupons)+Coupons
Discounts = non-coupon savings

Kroger: Your savings will be found at the bottom of the receipt, once again using the wording on the receipt.
Shelf cost = coupons+discounts+total (what you actually paid)
Coupons = MFG CPN savings
Discounts= STR CPN & KRO PLUS savings

If I will be using a receipt for a rebate I enter the amount under rebate, and at the end under comments I enter what rebate was for (i.e. Kraft, Nabisco, etc.) Also if I am going to be mailing away for something (coupons or items) I enter this info in at the end under comments. If you enter all the information correct the total should tally what you actually paid without you having to try to alter it. Also I will be adding Catalina's, Extra Care Bucks, and Register Rewards at the end under comments so that I can also track these "extra" savings, because I will be curious what my saving's from just those are however year long when spent they will be counted as coupons.

So far this year, ALL Twelve Days!! My total savings has been $427.69, 129.94 alone of just coupon savings!! I have only spent $205 total out of pocket (oop) For me this covers food, diapers, paper products, cleaning supplies, essentially anything that you would "normally" buy at the grocery store is what I include with my savings tracker. I may actually open another file under the savings tracker for all the other stuff that we buy out to eat, clothing, other house hold purchase's just to keep track of what we save there but also (possiblly more importantly) to see how much we spend on all these items.

Pre-Cut Mats

2009-12-15T21:27:00.000-08:00

I have wanted to do silhouette pictures of my kids for all the parents and grandparents for Christmas this year but i had no idea how to make this an affordable idea considering you need either photo frames, or canvas's which are also expensive I mean even when you buy dollar store frames times three kids times 8 gifts well that is just more then I can afford to spend (DH has been out of work for six months so gifts really need to be well thought out this year.) But I just found this website Pre Cut Mats and they have lots of different size's and prices to go with them lol they seem to be very fair priced. So I could be making these gifts for as little as .95 cents each maybe even less because that price would include a backing and bag which I might not need.

Menu Planning Monday

2009-11-30T17:52:00.000-08:00

Normally for this I would do a week's worth of meals but since I am having baby Jacob in 11 days!!! (I am very excited to see baby #3) plus the holiday and family plans I will be making a month long meal plan.

1- Sausage in Crescents with mac and cheese
2- Soup
3- Mini meatloaf with french fries and corn (making 3X normal for freezer)
4- Cheesy Chicken in Rice &veggies (make 3X normal sauce for freezer)
5- Turkey Dinner (will make pot pie's, and casserole's with leftovers for freezer)
6- EAT OUT
7- Taco's
8- Turkey pot pie
9- Chicken Alfredo
10- Freezer Food
11- Up to Daddy-Baby Jacob's Birthday
12- Mini meatloaf, corn, and fries (all will be in freezer)
13- Sandwiches
14- Soup
15- Spaghetti, salad/veggies, and bread
16- BBQ Chicken
17- Calizone's/Pastie's
18- Steak, salad, veggies, potatoes, and bread (my birthday dinner!!)
19- Sausage in Crescents
20- Sandwiches
21- Taco's
22- Cheesy Chicken and Rice (sauce in freezer)
23- Soup
24- Make your own pizza night (tradition started last year!!)
25- Ham dinner with cheesy potatoes, veggies, and bread
26- Turkey Casserole (from freezer)
27- Scalloped potatoes and Ham
28- Eat Out/leftovers
29- Freezer Food
30- Mini meatloaf, fries, and corn (all in freezer)
31- Appetizer Dinner (lots of fun snack foods)

There are several things/meals that I want to make extra of for the freezer this month but on top of all that I have some Christmas Baking that I would like to get done also:

Chex Mix (3 batches)
Surgar Cookie Cutouts (for parties and kids decorating, make TONS)
Breads (sesame seed, cranberry, Cinnamon, banana nut,)
Choc. Chip/Brownie Muffins
Hershey Kiss Cookies

So very much to do!!

2009-11-22T19:00:00.000-08:00

Nesting drive's people like me insane, because I have a mental will to do something and physically unable to (since the baby is on my nerve in my back and my pelvic bone!!) However thanks to Hubby I do have the crib set up in my room and his dresser, his idea and boy was it a good one. I have a mile long to do list (including a honey do list) that I just really want to get done and I don't have the energy.

Since being pregnant and having the baby on the nerve in my back certain things in my house have been lacking in cleanliness such as the kitchin floor (which appears to have a gray tint to it that doesn't belong there) and my bathrooms-the tub, floor, sinks, and mirrors- nothing really gets clean enough in these areas right now and I am praying I get the energy up to do so before I have the baby.
I need my husband to attach/put up the door on Johnathans room, yes we have lived here an entire year and we still do not have his door attached we just drag it back and forth to open and close it which is killing my back/pelvic bone. I also need/want him to replace the bathroom floor (or cover with carpet), put caulk around the kitchen sink and bathtub, fix the hole in my bathroom wall, and let me rest too lol. He does let me rest a lot, thank god for him being home to help this pregnancy has been very difficult. But I get frustrated when he does fix/work on things and I can't rest and have the kids all by myself. Which is truly kinda funny when you consider that as soon as he gets another job he will be back to work and I will have to do it by myself without whinning!!! I will pray for God to help me with this.
Also before the baby comes (december 10th) I would like to finish decorating for Christmas, have all Christmas shopping done and wrapped, and also have about 10-15 meals in the freezer for the nights that I do not want to cook.

Working on it....

2009-09-10T18:24:00.000-07:00

My husband has been out of work for six months now, two days before he lost his job I thought I might just be pregnant and I was right. We are now six months down the road, thank God for unemployment benifits, state health and food benifits, and loving people whom have blessed us!! My husband's unemployment will be up by the end of the month and I've been worried, God willing he will get an extension and/or a job. We've been living well off of our stockpile and grocery money and up til now I've not thought too much on where more will come from when needed. Two years ago I learned how to coupon, mass coupon-- as in make a stockpile in your house couponing!! This was and still is such a blessing to us, however it has come with some drawbacks, such as not always buying things that we "needed" or might not even use (16 jars of salsa for .30 cents is great, but not if only one person in the house eats it!!) I would like to develop a stockpile that is full time usable as in if something happens I don't have to go to the grocery store for a month unless I want to. I need/want to save money for the future to make sure that we can pay our bills-house payment, electric, gas, phone, and maybe have enough left to keep up tv and internet. I am having a really really hard time becoming a good and happy housewife. (I very much look up to the happyhousewife) I would love to be as good as her some day, which at least gives me a goal right? lol. I often feel very disappointed when DH doesn't appreciate something that I do or want to do, or if he has doubts. This also usually makes me feel very angry towards him, which is not a behavior that I am proud to admit. So I've been doing research and trying to come up with a viable plan for shopping my pantry til it's full and so I will use all these items before they go bad. I currently have a menu plan of 20 meals which was so very, very hard for me to come up with. I fight picky eaters that do not like veggies with my liking veggies and wanting my family to eat healthy. I have choosen these 20 (and very similar ingredients) meals and plan to try some new things that my family will enjoy and God willing be able to add more variety to our meal plan. So for now I am working on a pantry grocery list, and organizing my self and our home. Here are my goals

Goals:
1) menu plan and follow thru!!
2) pantry shop for useful items only
3) try new meals and add more to menu plan
4) organize kids birthday party's
5) organize mom2mom fundraiser for church
6) find other mom friends (maybe join MOPS)
7) plan Christmas
8) make Christmas presents list--and plan out how to complete
9) organize boys room
10) clean house!!

15 meals my whole family will Eat??!!

2009-08-20T14:33:00.000-07:00

This is the challenge handed out by the happy house wife so I am interested and decided to join in. Now I know that often you see menu plans on my blog, but that doesn't mean I always go by it manly because my whole family does always eat all of it... so here are my 15 meals:

1) Spaghetti
2) Chicken Alfredo
3) BBQ Chicken
4) Steak
5) Turkey Dinner
6) Crock Pot Pizza
7) Taco's
8) Sausage and Rice
9) Chicken Pot Pie
10) Monstocholli
11) Kick'n Chicken (same thing as chicken alfredo but with a spice added)
12) Fajitas
13) Breaded Chicken and Fries
14) Meatloaf Volcanoes (these are made in a cupcake pan as mini meatloaf with cheese in the middle)
15) Calizone

However my issue is usually that these meals don't all seem very healthy and I am not sure how to change them up into something more healthy. also there is a lot of ground meat which is something that they all eat but I will not....

Menu Planning Monday

2009-08-03T13:43:00.000-07:00

Now if you looked at my menu last week there are definitly a few repeats, some meals we just didn't make and as for breakfast being the same, lol it probably will be.

Monday- A good day of R&R
Breakfast: Cereal
Lunch: Chef Boy R D (we've got to eat up some of this stock pile)
Snack: Yogurt and Bear crackers
Dinner: Find something in the freezer

Tuesday- Mom's at the Dr.s today
Breakfast: Mini Pancakes with pineapple
Lunch: Soup
Snack: Pretzels, rasin's and peanut butter
Dinner: Spaghetti

Wednesday- Organize MY office (something that we put off for over a year)
Breakfast: peanut butter toast
Lunch: Chicken nuggets
Snack: Fruit Snack
Dinner:

Thursday- Cookie Baking Day/ SET UP mom to mom sale for church
Breakfast: Cereal
Lunch: Turkey Sandwiches
Snack: Fruit and yogurt
Dinner: Eat something out of the freezer, once again trying to eat up stock pile

Friday- Clean out Kids toy room.... and ELIMANATE
Breakfast: mini pancakes
Lunch: Hot Dogs
Snack: Cookies
Dinner: Steak and potatoes

Saturday- Art's and Craft's Fair
Breakfast: French Toast Sticks
Lunch: Chicken Nuggets
Snack: Gram Bears and yogurt
Dinner: BBQ Chicken

Sunday-Church Day
Breakfast: Cinnamon Eggo toast
Lunch: Picnic @ Park with family
Snack: Fruit Snack
Dinner: Pizza

Have you been thinking about Christmas? I Have!!

2009-07-28T11:25:00.001-07:00

Well I have been thinking about Christmas for a couple weeks now, both because I want to do more homemade gifts from the heart (and less on the wallet) and because baby #3 is due in the beginning of December and really I just don't want to have to worry about anything by that time. Also I want to simplify Christmas more this year and have it be less of a frett, I want to have time (and energy) to bake cookies with the kids, actually get Christmas pictures this year (which is important to me and husband,) make some crafts together, enjoy some movies together, read the kids Christmas books, and enjoy some fun events together.
Today I was reading Lifeasmom's Blog and really enjoyed all she had to share on the holidays this year including other websites to check out and several books that I want to get from the library. Also linked from her I found lots of great sites for ideas for some homemade Christmas gifts. Then there was also these two links, one to a true story that we shall not forget from last year and another about the reason of the season and taking the season to remember instead of a few days.
Here are some of the idea's that I liked so far:
Corn Heating Bags
Cloth Napkins-set's of four
12 great ideas all on one site
Personalized notebook
Botanical Prints (framed)
Fabric Notebooks
Event Calendar
Mini Album (6x6)
TONS MORE IDEAS

Creative Memories

2009-07-28T09:42:00.001-07:00

I am now a creative memories consultant and party hostess, in addition to all this I also have a store front (throught creative memories) that you can buy products from me and help support me so if you are a scrapbooker and love creative memories please check out my site and let me know if you want to have a party..

http://www.mycmsite.com/latamemories

Have a great Day!!

Cleaning HOUSE!!!

2009-07-27T10:05:00.000-07:00

So I am now pregnant with our third child, I am in the middle of the pregnancy and this has been a very rough pregnancy but thank God for getting us this far!! Today our goal is to clean our three bedrooms --the two kids and our room-- so far we are just about done with DD's room and about a quarter way through DS's room. Currently it's break time DD is playing donwstairs while watching t.v. (she likes having alone time once a day) DS is sleeping and I am bloging (I know, Duh!) doing some dinner prep work and getting ready to eat lunch. I will post pic's (hopefully) tonight.

Menu Plan Monday

2009-07-27T05:13:00.000-07:00

Today is Menu Planning Monday, planning out your weeks worth of food--AND following through is a great way to save money.

Monday- Clear out bedrooms Day
Breakfast: Cereal
Lunch: Chef Boy R D (we've got to eat up some of this stock pile)
Snack: Yogurt and Bear crackers
Dinner: Turkey Breast, mashed potatoes, and mixed veggies

Tuesday- Clear out Kitchen Day
Breakfast: Mini Pancakes with pineapple
Lunch: Turkey Sandwiches
Snack: Pretzels, rasin's and peanut butter
Dinner: Spaghetti

Wednesday- Dr.'s and then set up for Garage sale
Breakfast: peanut butter toast
Lunch: Chicken nuggets
Snack: Fruit Snack
Dinner: Roast Beef, red skin potatoes, and carrots (were going to toss this all in the crock pot)

Thursday- Cup Cake making Day and finish setting up for Garage Sale
Breakfast: Cereal
Lunch: Turkey Sandwiches
Snack: Fruit and yogurt
Dinner: Eat something out of the freezer, once again trying to eat up stock pile

Friday-Garage Sale Day
Breakfast: mini pancakes
Lunch: Hot Dogs
Snack: Cupcakes
Dinner: Leftovers

Saturday- Garage Sale Day
Breakfast: French Toast Sticks
Lunch: Chicken Nuggets
Snack: Gram Bears and yogurt
Dinner: Chinese (ordering out)

Sunday-Church Day
Breakfast: Cinnamon Eggo toast
Lunch: Picnic @ Park with family
Snack: Fruit Snack
Dinner: Hmmm???? Not sure yet

For other great meal Plans check out Orgjunkie's Meal Plan Monday for hundreds of more plans

How much do you Love McDonalds??

2009-06-29T05:04:00.000-07:00

Are you a McDonalds lover like me? I am not sure why, I think it's my parents fault (they started me early) but I have always had a love for McDonalds fast food. This morning I went over to The Finer Things in Life Blog she was sharing with everyone her Happy Meal Excitment that she found over on THIS site. Defintily go visit it and let me know what you think !!

Weekly Savings: My grocery's for the week...

2009-06-27T11:03:00.000-07:00

VG's Food Store (a local grocery store to me) is currently tripling coupons up to .99 cents til mid-July so here is what I got this week:
3- Mahatma Rice $1.25 tripled . 50 coupon making items free
2-Hormel Pepperoni 2.39 tripled .75 coupon item's cost .04 cents each
1-Velvetta shells and cheese individual 1.39 tripled .55 coupon making item free
2-Gerber Grad's snacks 2.19 each tripled .55/2 coupon making 1.37 (which is cheap for these)

Total Cost was $3.54

Meijer
30 Jello 6/$3 minus 10-1.25/3 coupons minus 3-1.50/10 store coupon makes them free plus overage
(did this deal 5 times)Koolaid 20/$2 get mac and cheese 5pk free with purchase used free capri sun coupon with purchase of 5 pk plus printed a catalina for free 5lb bag of sugar total cost $2
at the end I also had a $2 oyno and $4 oyno catalinas so total cost was $5

Shopping Bill for the week $8.54

I am excited for some of next weeks deals with coupons there will be free smart pasta at meijer.

Menu Planning Monday

2009-06-22T11:14:00.000-07:00

Here are my dinner plans for this week, for more great ideas of what to put on your table check out orgjunkie.com there are over 200 weekly participants in MPM.

Monday: Whatever is in the freezer... corn dogs, freezer meals, bosco sticks...
Tuesday: Sub sandwich with fruit and chips
Wednesday: Spaghetti with meatballs, bread, and salad
Thursday: baked chicken with mashed potatoes and mixed veggies
Friday: PIZZA @ fireworks
Saturday: we will be at a party so whatever they serve
Sunday: Steak and cheesy potatoes

Finer Things Friday: My Children, they make me smile

2009-06-19T05:21:00.000-07:00

As I type right now my 18 month old son is dancing (in his high chair) to the music from the news. The other day I had my children in their playroom and I was upstairs checking my email I heard my son gettting mad so I told my daughter to let him out of the play room upstairs he comes all dressed up in her dress up clothes and doll clothes. She had him in a white silk shirt, with a baby bonnet on, and a bib. He was not happy, but so cute I couldn't stop laughing. My childrens ability to make me smile is a finer thing.

Kid's Camp At Home!!!

2009-06-17T07:42:00.000-07:00

Weather your children are simply too young or shy to go to camp or you can't afford those pricy camps Blogger Life as Mom has written it all up for us. She has shared with us her weekly themes and what she will be doing with these themes, it's wonderful she gives great recommendations for books, crafts, and foods. I am planning to post what my family will be doing each week to go along with her camp, my plans will probably be posted friday or saturday the week before we begin. Here are the themed weeks:
6/15-Welcome to the Jungle
6/22-Camping and The Great Outdoors
6/29-USA/Patriotic
7/6- Digging for Dino's
7/13- Bugs and Creepy Crawlies
7/20- Good Ole Fashion Fun
7/27- Around the World
8/3- Outer Space
8/10- Transportation
8/17- Sports
8/24- Bon Appetit! Cooking with Kids
8/31- Boats and Waterways
9/7- Trains

My family missed the first two weeks, oceans of fun, and back on the farm so I will probably just as these on at the end of the summer.

Welcome to the Jungle

It's wednesday but we are going to head out to the library to get some books. We will also rent a DVD probably Jungle Book.

Crafts:
Jungle Binoculars
Make our own Book of Jungle Animals
Coloring Pages

Food:
Jungle Juice
Chocolate coverd Banana's (becuase they come from the jungle)

we are not sure what this weeks other activities will be just yet but we will keep ya posted.

Rollar Coaster Mommy

2009-06-11T13:44:00.000-07:00

I feel like a Rollar Coaster Mommy, because I am always up and down. I have fought depression for most of my life and being a mom makes it even harder. I find that some days I honestly don't know what to do with my kids. As I am typing this I am watching Oprah talking about going without t.v.'s and computers for a week... I can't say that I could do this. What would I do? What would my kids do? I feel very guilty because I am so very blessed with getting to stay home with my kids, and yet I don't take advantage of the time I could spend with my kids. I have a 3 year old and a 18 month old and am pregnant with number 3 all I can think now is what will I do with more?? I feel like the only way to make myself get up and go is to get out of the house. I have to socialize almost every day with other moms to mentally function. I often feel lost or lonely with my kids and I do love them and I do want to be home with them. But I haven't found my nitch as being a mom yet. I have gatherd ideas and helped others but not myself... So this is why I call myself Rollar Coaster Mommy...

Homeschooling Online

2009-04-07T10:11:00.000-07:00

Wandering around on the internet this morning I surfed over to youtube.com and found several alphabet songs for my daughter to watch/sing/dance with she enjoyed herself very much. One I found that I really liked and plan to buy the dvd to was Sound Piper it had a wonderful beat to it and she got very excited. My daughter is learning her letters and numbers still she does not recognize the symbol to the sound yet, nor does she always get things in the right order. But I have to give her credit as I haven't worked with her much on this and she is only 3, I try to let my kids be kids and not "force" learning on them as I know they do best learning naturally. So head on over to Sound Piper to check out the music, and enjoy.

I am sorry I've been missing, but I have something to tell you!!!

2009-04-05T18:38:00.000-07:00

I have been missing for a short while now but I come prepared to share news with ya'll.... I just found out why I have been so very tired... I am expecting baby number 3. I am so very excited an appreciate all the prayers we can get. I haven't told my husband yet because he just lost his job monday and I don't want to stress him anymore then he is. If anyone thinks that I am wrong in this please do share, I've told a few close friends and they said they also think it would be best for now. I have to go for the night but I will be coming back and regularly updating very soon.

Inbox Dollars

2009-03-22T08:47:00.000-07:00

I have added a button on the side for Inbox dollars, I have been told by several online friends that they have done this and also gotten paid from it. I decided that I would try and see how it goes and how easy (or hard) it will be to make money from Inbox Dollars. I decided for a free $5 sign up bonus it was worth the try. So if your up for it go check out Inbox Dollars on the sidebar.

Women's Day Kitchen Confidential

2009-03-21T19:55:00.000-07:00

I previously read Kitchen Confidential out of Woman's Day magazine and found the freezing part of the article particularly interesting and felt silly that I hadn't thought about writing about it before, while reading Macomb Money Savers Blog it occurred to me maybe I should share with others lol. Jolyn wrote:

Woman's Day Article: Kitchen Confidential

Top money-saving tips at the grocery store, in the kitchen and in the pantry
From the April 1, 2009 issue of Woman's Day Magazine
Kitchen Confidential

This chart was omitted from the online article, but I wanted to share from the print edition...

WHAT to FREEZE?
Bulk up on these items when they're on sale and freeze them for future use.

Butter
Frozen veggies
Bread
Nuts & seeds
Whole-wheat Flour
Whole grains (brown rice, buckwheat, quinoa)
Wheat germ
Coffee
Lower-fat milk (remove 1 cup before freezing; the package will expand)

Macomb Money Saver would add to that list:

Cheese, block and shredded
Meats
Bananas (peel and bag for baking)
Zucchini, shredded (for baking)
Berries (pick in summer, wash & flash-freeze on baking sheets, then package)
Bagels and buns (double-wrap by adding a freezer bag or foil)

Did she miss anything? What do you stockpile in your freezer?

I would simply like to say THANK GOD FOR FREEZERS!!!!

My Husband Rocks Friday!!

2009-03-21T15:26:00.000-07:00

Today I would like to say that my husband rocks because he works so very hard to support our family. He works his normal everyday 8-5 job, he also runs a side business fixing computers, and now he has bought a rental house and is busting his behind to get it all fixed up so it can be rented out (we already have a renter) by the 1st of April. My husband Rocks because he is an awesome Man that works as hard as he can at providing for our family. I would just like to thank God for bringing us together.

BTW, yes I do know that it is a day late... but better late then never!!!

Cleaning up the mess...

2009-03-20T15:01:00.000-07:00

Well so far I found the bed that was under that giant pile of clothing in the guest bedroom, which is wonderful and my brother in law is very happy to have that space to sleep in while he is staying with us, I have caught up the laundry to a point that just doing one load a day would keep me in the clear as to keeping me from becoming flooded with laundry again. Man I would love a laundry fairy, a fairy that took away all the dirty and replaced it with nice and clean stuff lol. My daughter's bedroom has nothing on the floor, except the giant stain that needs to be cleaned with a carpet cleaner which i need some help with from DH. The kitchen dish's have been almost caught up, currently I do need to go swap out loads once that is done dish's will be caught up. My floors and table are clear and clean. Only major thing left in the kitchen is to get rid of the whole mess of things cluttering up my counters, most of which will go into my office to be officially cleaned and declutterd after the rest of the house is caught up. The play room was cleaned up a few days ago, the guest room is useable, the bathrooms are clean and tidy. So now I need to finsih up the kitchen, laundry, DS and my bedrooms, and then the office's. I think we are about half way through the mess and after afterthing is done I will start "spring" cleaning everything.

What to send to a new Nephew far away??

2009-03-18T08:33:00.000-07:00

One of my little sister in law's is having a baby and she is due in may I want to send her some stuff but can't decide what since shipping cost's are so outrageous. But she is having a sweet little baby boy, so we will have our first nephew. We are very excited about another baby getting to join our family. So far I know it's a boy, and his room will be decorated in "cars" attire so I have bought him a "cars" christmas stocking this past year, and some other little filler things for the stocking. I can/could easily fill a giant box full of stuff for them so does anyone have any ideas on how to give/get them the most I can (because I want to) without spending a fortune on postage??

My Confession!!

2009-03-16T13:33:00.000-07:00

I have a confession to make and it's a BIG one, I have been keeping this a big secret. Deep down in me I am a messy, unorganized, pack-rat, and I am a lazy housekeeper. I love the idea of cooking dinner for my family but I hate cleaning up the mess so usually I just leave the mess in the sink, wipe down the table and call it a night. When my kid's make a mess in the play room I usually just shut off the light to the play room and forget about the mess for the night. I just forget about cleaning up the kid's rooms because they spend so little time in them, same with my room. I have a scrap booking area/room that I have never used for scrap booking in the six months I have lived here because it is a mess. I have even moved onto my DH's office and that too is now a mess. I hate doing laundry because I hate putting it away so usually I just use the guest bedroom and toss the laundry on the bed hang what needs to be hung and leave the rest there. Well I am tired of having a dirty house, and so it the rest of my family. My poor husband takes care of our family financially and works his butt off so that I can stay home with our children. He hates things being a mess and has a hard time relaxing in a messy environment becuase it drives him nuts. I am even tired of the mess, I know how much better I feel in the morning when I get up and my house looks nice. Currently I don't want to invite people over without advance notice, so I can hide my mess. Recently I heard on the radio that when you ask God for something you should be taking care of what you already have, the example given was if you ask God for a new car becuase your old one is wearing out then your old car better have been well maintained and cleaned up. Because if you can't show God you appriciate what you have by taking care of it, why should he grant you something else for you to not take care of or appriciate. Well this really hit home, how can my husband possible think that I appriciate all that he does if I can't take care of all he has given us. So last week I cleaned out my mini van, I took 2 grocery bags of garbage out and 1 grocery bag full of toys and whatnots in the house, then I took the van to the car wash vacumed out the entire van and then took it through the car wash. Now I need to get the house in order by cleaning everything up, simplifiing what we have, and eliminating clutter and other usless things. My goal is to make my husband happy and making him proud enough of our home to want to have people over and be able to relax after work.

Anyone who wants to share idea's as per anything they think will help me (no fly lady just doesn't do it for me) please do share.

My Confession, the pictures

2009-03-16T13:02:00.001-07:00

Starting with the top picture we have my DS's room he sleeps in a crib and there is my DD's old toddler bed for him when he is older or if a cousin sleeps over. What you don't see is all the clothing stacked on top of his dresser, the toddler bed is loaded with more of his laundry and a few of my old dress's. Second picture down is my DD's room this is "clean" she is terrible at cleaning but considering her role modle I can't be upset with her, she has clothin all over her floor/closet/dresser and toys are all over the floor/bed/closet. Third there is the kitchin which has things stacked all over the counters from dish's to breakfast items that were left out. My smiling DD is actually sick today but I bet you couldn't tell. As for the fourth picture this is the terrible laundry pile that I avoid daily, but that end's today. Last but not least is my side of the closet I have clothing all over the place some of it doesn't even fit me anymore but I just leave it in there also I have items stacked up on the floor as you can see these items are flowing out of the closet.

Free Bread Recipe Book

2009-03-16T11:28:00.000-07:00

Another thing I've added to my "to-do list" for this year is making bread. On Money Saving Mom she was sharing that you can go to this website and get a free recipe book when your enter your information!!

Menu Plan Monday

2009-03-16T06:51:00.001-07:00

Monday: Spaghetti, Salad, and rolls
Tuesday: Grilled Cheese and Soup
Wednesday: Baked Chicken with mashed potatoes
Thursday:Meatballs in BBQ with leftover rolls
Friday: Crock pot Pizza
Saturday: Taco's (that we did not have last week)
Sunday: Chicken Alfredo with salad and fresh made bread

Erin at $5 Dinners is hosting Menu Plan Monday today, where you can find hundereds of meal ideas.

Giving Thanks for the Future

2009-03-14T08:14:00.000-07:00

I was told by a friend of mine that had a terrible thing happen to her and went and spoke to her pastor about this. He told her to pray to God and when she does so that she should thank him for what he will be giving her in the future. So today I am going to Thank God for his help with my depression to be happier all the time with out medication, and to be a wonderful wife and mother.

Book Nook

2009-03-11T14:43:00.000-07:00

Over at Literacy Launchpad Amy has asked to see our Book Nook (our meaning everyone willing to share lol) the place that you read to your little ones and cuddle up with a good book and enjoy. So here it is,
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I know it's not very original but it works great for us, we love having special time in my bed (or daddy's bed as our daughter calls it.) This is when the kids are very cuddly and want lots of hugs kisses and enjoy story time, then it's off to bed. To all that are concerned this is an older picture so no my 3 year old does not use a pacy anymore.

Try me Tuesday

2009-03-10T18:15:00.000-07:00

Try-me tuesday will be every tuesday and it will be about something new that myself and/or my family will be trying. This week we are going to try to not eat out, for us this is a lot. It will mean planning ahead better and even packing some food for car rides to church, grocery store, friends house's, etc. We as a family eat out to much and DH and I have thought about this and decided that it is not healthy for our family and not teaching our children good eating habits. So this week no eating out, GOD WILLING, and if we do well we might just turn this try-me into a month try-me. That sounds very scary right now though, so this week we are simply going to try to not eat out and I guess also plan our schedule's better so that we don't have to eat out.

Pray for us!!

Fire Proof

2009-03-09T21:23:00.000-07:00

I just finished watching the movie fire proof with my husband and I am so glad that we did this is an awesome movie, even more so if you and your DH are having problems. DH and I found it very inspirational and even thought of a few people that we would like to give "the love dare" too. I wish I had a giveaway for this but I do not. However if you use a redbox code you could rent this movie for free to watch with your DH and decide if you want to take "the love dare" one or both of you.

http://www.fireproofmymarriage.com/index.php

Don't forget anything worth having, is worth fighting for!!

God Bless

Menu Planning Monday

2009-03-09T08:07:00.000-07:00

A long while ago I found a great website Orgjunkie.com she has everything you need to know (maybe more lol) about organization. She has helped me get myself and my home better organized one great thing she has shown is the value to menu planning. So Menu Plan Monday is on my blog menu every monday.

Monday: Baked Ziti with Salad and chessy garlic bread
Tuesday: Cheesy Chicken and Rice with biscuits
Wednesday: Taco's with mexican rice
Thursday: **MUSTGOES**
Friday: Make our own pizza
Saturday: Meat loaf Volcanoes with mashed potatoes (recipee below)
Sunday: Checken Alfredo, salad, and garlic bread

**mustgoes** is a family word that was made up by a cousin of mine a long time ago, he loved going to a certain aunt's hosue because she always had plenty of mustgoes... well I never knew what in the world they were when I ask him he said "mustgoes? mustgoes are everything leftover from other meals in the fridge that need to get atten before they go bad, i love leftovers" so it's still leftovers but we think it sounds better lol.

Meat Loaf Volcanoes

1lb ground meat
1/2 cup quick oatmeal
1 package meatloaf spices
1 egg
2tbs. velveeta cheese

Mix first 4 ingrediants together well, then put balls of mix into cupcake pan cups and once this is done go through and put your finger in the top to create a small hole and drop a small cube of velveeta cheese into the hole (the cheese creates the volcanoe look) Bake at 350 degrees for about 30 mins.

Coolest Diapers EVER!!!

2009-03-08T14:03:00.000-07:00

Ok I think I just found the coolest diapers ever Gdiapers!! These diapers are earth friendly similar to cloth diapers without the washing, there is a disposable sleeve inside the diaper that you can toss into your compost pile or flush down the toilet. In a landfill or your own compost these diapers will completely composted or disappeared. I am loving these because I have a very shy happy tree hugger side to me, but any product that is earth friendly and doesn't require much work I LOVE!!
Did you know that if you potty train your child by the time they are 2 1/2 you will have put well over 10,000 diapers into the trash which in turn will go to a landfill which in turn sit there for 500 years, that is simply crazy. I wish huggies and pampers were flushable like this but I am glad that I found a wonderful alternative to "normal" diapers and the best part I don't have to scrub poop out of cloth diapers!!! Please check out Gdiapers for more information.

This right here is why, if you potty train your child by the age of 2 you have put about 10,000 diapers into a landfill that won't disappear until your great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great.... grandchild, ok about five hundred until these diapers compost themself's. I love these diapers instead of cloth becuase I am grossed out by cleaning poop out of diapers and don't like to wash those ones (EWWW!!!) so I think these are the next best thing. I don't have to clean the poop out of the diaper and the diaper doesn't have to sit in the landfill for the next 10-15 generations of my family to enjoy. So please head on over to Gdiapers and check them out!!

Keeping it all together!!

2009-03-05T16:41:00.000-08:00

I simply don't think there are enough paperclips here to help me hold it (life) together and keep myself organized. I have given myself many task's that I want to do and accomplish, but more then accomplish I want to accomplish these things with flying colors. lol No I don't think I am crazy.... well either way that is another day and another blog lol. I am writing this blog, Mrs. Lata's Christmas Blog, and Frugal Michigan Blog. Mama's Got Wing's is intended to include most of what happends in our life's and share all of my great, yet random thoughts. Mrs. Lata's Christmas Blog will be about my year long devotion to creating a beautiful, stress free, and frugal Christmas. Frugal Michigan is going to be a blog based site advertising my being frugal and some classes that I intend to teach this year.

Also things that will be on my blog this year (God willing) will be the Camp Cousin camp I will be hosting at my house for all my little cousins (and my kids), any fun volunteer things our family comes across, our frugal family entertainment find's, begining homeschooling with our 3 year old, my gardening for the first year, and all the other fun things that come along with my learning to be a great homemaker (please note I am not calling myself great but stating that I am striving for great.) Then there will be the planned posting of blogs such as menu plan monday, try-me tuesday, and my husband rocks friday. Thanks for reading!!

Thank God for the weather, today!!

2009-03-04T16:36:00.000-08:00

Thank God the cold finally broke enough that I got the chance to take the kids, and myself, outside for some fresh air and relaxing play time. Playtime for them I picked up the sticks that the storms from this winter knocked all over my yard. It was adorable to see my son experience everything this spring for the first time. He is 14 months old so last spring he got to be outside but he did not get to play with the toys or fall in the mud (which he did about 15 times, and cried each time) he enjoyed getting to run free outdoors. So today there is so much I wanted to (but didn't) get done but at least I did get to enjoy God's glory with my children.

Mama's Wings

2009-03-02T18:04:00.000-08:00

Once upon a time a long, long, long time ago I dreamed up this beautiful wonderful picture of what life would be like being all grown up and having babies to take care of and tell what to do. It was a wonderful world in which money did not matter, my kids always listened, and my husband always said "yes, dear" and the house came with a maid. Well the little girl that had that dream grew up and made a complete mess of her life with very little outside help I was slowly partying myself to death. I did things that I can tell you I would yell at any other person for doing because of how stupied and dangerous and thoughtful they were, well that was me. I was a parent's worse nightmare. Three years later I am a happily married stay at home mother of two wonderful little angels. I call my children Angels because I trully bleave they were not just any gift from God, but my saving grace. For had my ways of life not changed, I think that I would have lost my life to my own foolishness. So to me my children are angel's sent from heaven to save me, THANK GOD, and therefore my children are this mama's wing's.