11.28.2011

Great Magazine Deal

http://www.discountmags.com/section/65/1/package-deals

If you are interested, Discount Magazines has a Cyber Monday special today for magazine packages.  You get a year long subscription to 2 different magazines for $6 total if you type in the coupon code CYBERMONDAY.  They offer combos like Natural Health and Whole Living, Taste of Home and Rachel Ray, or Men's Health and Men's Fitness.  It's a great deal!  You can gift the magazines and seperate the addresses (ex. you want to keep Taste of Home, but gift Rachel Ray to your friend...)

Day 332- Cinnamon roll waffles

I found this "recipe" on pinterest a week or two ago.  It looked fun, so Alan, Caleb, and I had Cinnamon Roll Waffles last Saturday morning.  It was super-easy (although not super healthy).  I guess you could make your own cinnamon roll dough for this as well.  We just used dough from the pop can, put it on the waffle iron for about 2 minutes, and voila!  Squirt icing on as desired, then enjoy!

11.27.2011

Day 331- Thanksgiving recap

We spent Thanksgiving with Alan's family this year, specifically, the Hunt side.  I love getting together with his family!  So many cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandparents.  The whole family actually gathers in a suburb of Kansas City at Al's aunt and uncle's house for Thanksgiving every year.  So, it was quite convenient for us this year.  We just drove across town for festivities on Wednesday night and all day Thursday.  Alan's mom and dad came over to our house on Friday to hang out until their flight left in the evening.  We just had a nice (not relaxing chasing a 1 year old around!!!!), sweet time of visiting.  It took Caleb about 10 minutes on Wednesday to warm up, then was the center of attention for the rest of the weekend.  I mean, what's not to love!  He was friendly and played with everyone.  Here are the only 3 pictures I have from the weekend!
Here's a pic with Great Grandpa and Grandma Hunt
One with the Great Grandparents, Alan, and Caleb
One with the Hunt girls (we've got to stick together!)

11.26.2011

Day 330- 14 months!

Caleb turned 14 months today!

Dear Caleb,
You just turned 14 months!  I can't believe how big you are getting!  New developments this month include: walking backwards, climbing up onto the couch, 2 molars, starting to use a fork/spoon on your own, putting all the puzzle pieces into your shapes puzzle, and your second Halloween/Thanksgiving!  Can't believe you're now moving to your "2nd" holidays.  You wear 12-24 month clothing and size 3 diapers.  You have 10 teeth with 2 on the way.  You love applesauce, yogurt, and string cheese, but will eat or try most food.  You drink 3 sippies of whole milk and sometimes one of juice or water each day.  We still have to supplement some with "baby" and "toddler" foods.  You ADORE your "buddy" and will start laughing and walk towards your room if I ask you if you want it.  You sleep pretty well (minus a few nights when you were teething) from around 8pm to 7:30 am, with a 2-3 hour nap around noon.  You love books, your popping ball toy, your puzzle, big legos, toy cars, electronics, and anything that we use (i.e. cell phone, pots/pans, wallet, pen, IPad, keys).  You also love to go to the park, look out our storm door and watch the street, and play "i'm gonna getcha".  You babble more and more, sometimes making the same sound of the object we are talking about.  You understand most simple 1 step commands and a ton of nouns.  You know several body parts (head, hair, ears, nose, eyes, feet, hands) and a couple articles of clothing (shoes and shirt).  I love that you giggle in excitement in anticipation for things you want (most of the time), rather than screaming or crying in impatience.  I have a lot to learn from you!  I pray with you every night before bed and am glad that you go to a daycare where you can learn about Jesus as well.  God created you with a special purpose in mind.  Thank you for all the JOY you bring to me and Daddy!
Love,
Mama

11.22.2011

Day 326- Yoga Today

I just revisited a site that I LOVE!  I had totally forgotten about yogatoday.com, until Monday, when I did their free session of the week.  Although I don't necessarily go for every yoga workout they give, I LOVED this week's.  It's called An Attitude of Gratitude, by my favorite teacher, Adi.  It's a really nice Vinyasa flow workout.  My should was killing me before I did the workout and it feels COMPLETELY better now.  I really need to re-start my yoga practice.  I always feel so much more peaceful, energized, and whole after completing yoga workouts.  I also use the time to focus on God and opening my heart to him. 

*You do have to sign up for a free account to have access to the workout of the week

11.21.2011

Day 325- My first couponing attempt

Okay, so I thought I would document my first, small, feeble attempt at couponing.

I found a link on one of the websites I look at (can't remember which one or I would credit them, sorry!) for a money-maker on this Cranberry Naturals Juice at Hy-Vee.  The coupon is still available at facebook on the Hy-Vee page.  You just have to "like" Hy-Vee, then you can print 2 per account by hitting the back button.  The coupon is for $2 off 1 bottle of Cranberry Naturals, which are on sale at Hy-Vee for $1.77.  Theoretically, you should make $0.23 off each bottle.  However, when I actually got to the store, the register would only ring up the coupon for $1.77.  I'm not sure if that's because it was kind of like a store coupon, since it was a deal between Hy-Vee and Old Orchard, or because the lady doing the register didn't really understand the way it was supposed to work.  Oh well.  I guess I need to read the coupon policy at Hy-Vee before I go again for a money-maker.  I won't complain, however, because I got 4 bottles of this juice for free!

Day 325- Monday Meditation

Isaiah 55

Invitation to the Thirsty
1 “Come, all you who are thirsty,
come to the waters;
and you who have no money,
come, buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk
without money and without cost.
2 Why spend money on what is not bread,
and your labor on what does not satisfy?
Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good,
and you will delight in the richest of fare.
3 Give ear and come to me;
listen, that you may live.
I will make an everlasting covenant with you,
my faithful love promised to David.
4 See, I have made him a witness to the peoples,
a ruler and commander of the peoples.
5 Surely you will summon nations you know not,
and nations you do not know will come running to you,
because of the LORD your God,
the Holy One of Israel,
for he has endowed you with splendor.”
6 Seek the LORD while he may be found;
call on him while he is near.
7 Let the wicked forsake their ways
and the unrighteous their thoughts.
Let them turn to the LORD, and he will have mercy on them,
and to our God, for he will freely pardon.
8 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the LORD.
9 “As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.
10 As the rain and the snow
come down from heaven,
and do not return to it
without watering the earth
and making it bud and flourish,
so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,
11 so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
12 You will go out in joy
and be led forth in peace;
the mountains and hills
will burst into song before you,
and all the trees of the field
will clap their hands.
13 Instead of the thornbush will grow the juniper,
and instead of briers the myrtle will grow.
This will be for the LORD’s renown,
for an everlasting sign,
that will endure forever.”

Thankful for the Lord's provision both materially and spiritually.  His burden is easy and his yoke is light.

11.19.2011

Day 323- Low Maintenance Couponing

So, have you ever watched the show, Extreme Couponing? You know, the one where these women spend 30+ hours each week, but then only spend $2 on a $885 transaction. Then you feel guilty because you just spent $95 at the grocery store! Alas, you too could have purchased 300 disposable razors, 700 free bottles of Gatorade, 450 packages of spaghetti noodles, 250 bottles of ketchup, and 40 crest whitening strips. Haha. I know, I'm just jealous.

But, really, that's just NOT what I'm looking to accomplish. I just want to save some dough on my family's grocery bill. I'm just not up for clipping thousands of coupons, then matching them to store sales each week. This coupon binder is the opposite of what I have time and energy for...


But, apparently, there is a way to do this more simply!!!! *insert hallelujah chorus here* The simplest way to coupon is to file your coupons (mainly the big coupon packs that come in the sunday paper) based on the week they came in the paper (still not sure what to do with non-newspaper coupons- I'll get back to you). Then you just peruse some couponing website for the deals each week. There are women out there with websites that have already done all the work, people! The bottom half of my "resource blogs" are all couponing websites. I really like Kansascitymamas.com for this area because she has all the local deals broken up by store. She highlights the best deals, then gives links for all the other deals.



11.17.2011

Day 321- Couponing baby steps

So, I went to a couponing talk at Bethany's church last Saturday.  I came away encouraged, but still slightly skeptical I can pull this off.  Here are some baby steps that the speaker recommended...

1. Start a shopping fast and eat only items in your pantry (to see what you really need/use).
2. Spend time looking at some couponing blogs (moneysavingmom.com, kansascitymamas.com, pennypinchinmom.com, etc), I've added more of these to my blog resource list.
3. Get a spam email address.
4. Start signing up for free samples.
5. Choose 1 store to start at.
6. Get to know the coupon policy at that store.
7. Start buying 2 or 4 Sunday papers (because deals are better in 2's).
8. Make a list of your top 25 items and how much you normally pay or get them on sale for.

So, I guess I have a start.  I won free shampoo, razors, vitamins, and toothpaste at the workshop, so I'm at least ahead there!  I'm planning to keep you all updated as I start this journey. *hopefully it will go somewhere and be productive*

11.16.2011

Day 320- Bronco's Game!

We went to the Bronco's/Chief's game this past Sunday!  I have a growing love of football, since marrying my husband 5 years ago.  I now can name all the pro teams (or I think I could come close) and quite a few players.  I still get confused frequently and forget things, but I sometimes even turn a game on at home when Alan isn't there.  Needless to say, I was so excited to have this outing with friends.  Many thanks to Bethany, her mom, and her sister for babysitting Caleb!  Plus, the Broncos won!!!!
The crew
Me and my football connoisseur
Our view for half the game.  Gotta love completely drunk Chief's fans.
Love the view of the stadium!  Just isn't the same at home!
 Thankfuls...
346. enjoying a BEAUTIFUL fall Sunday at the Bronco's game
347. the things God is teaching me about contentment and peace
348. the joy of watching my son grow
349. Thanksgiving is next week!
350. watching the sunset out the window at the pool on workdays

11.11.2011

Day 315- Fav of the Week

Trader Joe's Pizza Dough

Bethany and I ventured out to Trader Joe's a few days ago.  We'd both been meaning to go, since the grand-opening crowds have died down a bit.  While I'm still not totally sold on Trader Joe's being the "best store ever," there were several things that would bring me back. 

#1- Their commitment to using good, natural ingredients
#2- Fav of the Week- their refridgerated pizza dough.  Comes ready to roll out and bake.  All for $1, which is more than Add Water mixes, but they come in flavors like Garlic and Herb or Honey Whole Wheat.  Yum!
#3- $1 Greek Yogurt (same as Yoplait or Dannon at regular grocery stores, but it's all natural)
#4- Two Buck Chuck- Al and I have been enjoying a glass of wine with our meals lately
#5- Organic milk- $6 for a gallon of Organic milk- yes, expensive, but slightly cheaper than the price at Sam's

I'm still not totally sold on Trader Joe's.  I need to stop by Whole Foods/Walmart/Aldi and do some price comparison.  Anyone who shops regularly at Trader Joe's, what do you buy?  I need your food secrets!

11.10.2011

Photo Book


I love Shutterfly baby photo books.   I use Shutterfly now instead of printing out a ton of pictures for albums.  I guess I've joined the digital age!

Day 314- Coloring

Caleb is growing up!  We had "art time" today and colored on some paper.  I know he gets art time at school because he comes home with a ton of crafts every week, but we haven't done much at home so far.  I need to run to the Dollar Tree and pick up some coloring books, construction paper, and crayons/markers.  He loved it, though most of the scribbles are mine :).  His hands aren't quite strong enough to make very dark marks.  I'm LOVING my days off lately.  Caleb is just getting too cute for words.  He did have one of his first acts of defiance today though.  He stuck a pen in his ear and I scolded him.  He looked straight at me, walked into the kitchen (so he thought I couldn't see him), and stuck it in his ear again.  Bye, bye pen!  Oh man, I have so much to learn in the way of discipline and teaching right from wrong!   Here are some pics from this morning!
My baby is growing up!
He's so excited to show his "colors"
Beautiful baby smile :)
Love this kid!

11.06.2011

Day 310- City Market

Bethany and i ventured out to City Market on Saturday morning. I can't believe I've waited this long to go to the downtown city market in KC! There are tons of fruit/veggie vendors, spice stores, fresh mediterranean shops, and any other type of vendor you would expect at a farmer's market. I bought 6 bell peppers to slice and freeze for fajitas (for $1!), 2 lbs of strawberries ($2), and a 1/2 cup curry powder ($1). I'm trying to increase my fruit/veggies intake, after a slump of poor eating choices. Cheap, fresh produce certainly helps with motivation!



11.05.2011

Day 309- XOXOXO

My dear husband brought these home on Thursday, in addition to new hubcaps (which I'd been asking for since 2 of mine fell off/were stolen in ghetto Aurora) and peanut butter Oreos. Alan knows me too well. I love him so much, and not just because he knows I love flowers, chocolate, and hubcaps. He is a stable, loving, light-hearted, and hard-working pillar in my life. I'm so thankful for him!


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

11.04.2011

Day 308- Fav of the week...

Pinterest...
Yes. I'm addicted. I have a love/hate relationship with social media.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

11.03.2011

Day 307- Caleb's favorite game



Sorry it's sideways. It's still cute! (if anyone has advice for how to flip videos or good, free video editing programs, I'd love to hear about it).

11.02.2011

Day 306- a lot about attitude

I've been trying to focus on my attitude a lot lately. I mean, regardless of my circumstances (which are really pretty good, by the way), I have a choice to make about how I respond. I can either choose to trust God with my day to day or believe that the weight rests on me (or the chaotic world).

Our church is doing a series on Job. Not a super-popular book. It's all about how the wise person responds to suffering. It's kick-butt hard, but Job responds to tremendous suffering by worshipping God and blessing Him.

I want to have a faith so deep that I can truly say, "The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord." Job 1:21

Not quite there yet. Thankful for grace and so many other blessings.

11.01.2011

Day 305- The park

Caleb and I LOVE going to South Lake Park. This chilly morning a few days ago, we just so happened to be the only people at the park.I love fall.