Say goodbye to the crib :(

Maddie will be 3 in August and until just recently, she has never attempted to climb out of her crib. I have not been in a hurry to take her out of her crib, because I like the fact that she cannot go off exploring on her own if she wakes up before I do. However, due to her recent climbing expeditions, we finally went today and bought her a bed. I LOVE IT! We also bought the drawers with wheels so we can have more storage under her bed. The bed itself can be moved up and down so you can choose the height, and in the future if we decide to convert her bed into a bunk bed, they have all the matching stuff to do so!

This bed is currently an order only item, so it will be 2-3 weeks before we get it in. But thats ok, it's worth the wait.

As for Maddie's recent onset of Terrible Twos, here is what she did yesterday morning (of course while Josh was at work).

First- caught her with one leg over the rail of her crib trying to reach something off a shelf.

Second- She asked me for a banana, but I was feeding Kenzie, so I told her yes I would get her one as soon as Kenzie finished eating. Well, as I was on my way to change Kenzies diaper, Maddie walks into my room holding a steak knife ! AH! I asked her what she was doing with it, and she said she wanted a banana. So I followed her into the kitchen and she showed me a banana, that she had also got off the counter, that had a 1/3 of the peel cut off of it long ways. I wish I would have taken a picture, because I still cant believe she did all that cutting and avoided cutting herself in the process.

Thirdly- actually this happened before the banana incedent, but oh well. I was feeding Kenzie and Maddie had to potty, so she did the whole process by herself...Pottied, dumped the bowl, wiped her hiney, and flushed. Apparently, when you do it all by yourself you can get the reward all by yourself. So she helped herself to 2 skittles, lol.

Ok, so besides being armed with a steak knife, these are not major catastrophies, but still she is becoming VERY independent!

While Maddie is becoming a big girl and getting into a real bed, Kenzie is growing up and moving from our room (sleeping in her pack-n-play) into her room with Maddie. Last night she slept in her crib for the first night.

We are also doing quiet a bit of remodeling so when we make some progress I will show you the before and afters.

Kezies 4 month update...

Kenzie has been 4 months old for almost a week now, but our appointment wasn't until Monday the 21st (and we actually almost missed it...luckily they let us come in late).

Weight- 13 lbs. 7 ounces 45%
Height- 24.75" 67%
Head Size- 16" ?%

The pediatrician said we could go ahead and start rice and #1 foods, but I think we will just do rice for awhile. I wasn't able to make enough milk, so I used formula in the rice cereal for her first try. So it was her first taste of formula and food, she wasn't really impressed. She is still eating every 2 hours, but sleeps all night long.
She rolls over both ways without any trouble, and has started the scooting process. I have to lay out a big blanket now instead of putting her on her play mat, because she moves to much to stay on it. She drools quite a bit, and chews on anything she can get her hands on. I believe this is another way that Maddie and Kenzie are different because Maddie never put stuff in her mouth.
She is for the most part a very happy and smiley baby. I love the gummy smiles and her short little attempts at a laugh.

We went to Mallorys wedding this past weekend and it was a lot of fun. Everything went smoothly and we had a great time! Maddie was a flower girl and cried the first run through at rehearsal, but then did awesome the second go round. The day of the wedding, we were great and excited and right as I was fixing to walk out, one of the ring bearers started crying thus causing Maddie to start crying....it was over for her. She walked out the door and into Daddys lap (3rd row from the back) She told my dad she didn't want to do it because the music scared her. Oh well, at least she looked super cute for her pictures!


This is Maddie and Ady (2 of the 3 flower girls) the 3rd one is one the left throwing a fit in the chair.

Here is Maddie, Kenzie, and their wonderful, irreplaceable, sweet Daddy on Fathers Day 2010.

We got him a #1 Dad t-shirt, a 8x10 collage photo of the girls from Kodak, and a golf style Scentsy Warmer. I thought that the warmer wasnt much of a manly gift, but since he uses mine more than I do, he might like it. (and he did)

Big Hasel=Big Savings!

This was my first big money saver as a coupon user.
I purchased all the above items for $7.21 !!!!!!!!!! Can you believe that!?!

I will break it down for you-
Glade Air Freshner/Odor Eliminator-............ 3.49-1.00-2.00= 0.49
Scrubbing Bubbles Extend a Clean Sprayer- 6.99-3.00 = 3.99
Dove Deoderant 2 pack ....................................6.59-2.00-1.00= 3.59
Dove Body Spray ...............................................3.49-3.49 =FREE
2 boxes of Vanish Drops @ 2.14 each............. 4.28-2.14 =2.14
Scrubbing Bubbles toilet Gel............................3.94-3.94-FREE
Scrubbing Bubbles Starter Kit.........................6.29-6.29=FREE
Scrubbing Bubbles 12 pk refill..........................3.94-3.94=FREE

This totals out to 12.21 and I had a $5.00 gift card from buying somthing last week. So 12.21-5.00= 7.21

However, this isnt what will happen unless you get lucky like I did. (If thats what you want to call it) After I checked out the first time I was looking at my receipt and didnt think I saved as much as I thought I would. After checking it over I realized they didnt apply 2 of my coupons (big ones of course), so I went back to the cashier and tried to explain it to her and she tried to get it to work, but was unsuccessful so she called the mananger over to help. After trying to explain it to her she finally just had me pull the items back out of my basket so she could go back over it item by item. Once we were said and done she actually rescanned a coupon that went through in the first transaction, so I got that item free too.

The confusion was with the Scrubbing Bubbles...let me explain.
I had a target coupon that was buy one Scrubbing Bubbles toilet gel get a Free 12 pk refill
I had a manufacturers coupon that was buy one Scrubbing Bubbles toilet gel get a free Starter Kit or 12 pk refill.

So I bought a toilet gel for 3.94 and used the target coupong to get a free refill (3.94) and used the other coupon to get a free starter kit (6.29).

That was the plan....but the 6.29 coupon didnt go through.

So when the manager was doing it she reran both coupons again, even though the 3.94 coupon had worked the first time. So I got all 3 items for FREE!

It was a big hassel, but it was a big money saver!

Couponing and Houses

Well I have been using the diaper and wipie coupons on a regular basis since Maddie was born and got excited when I could throw in another coupon or two. However, after seeing Shyanne do such a good job couponing, she has inspired me to put a little more effort into it. (Thanks Shyanne!) As of now I am still using my little accordian coupon holder, but I am considering using the offical organizer (a notebook with sections). I also started reading some of her blogs that were related to couponing and I am starting to get really excited about this! I will make my first real coupon trip tomorrow. I will let you know how it goes!

Last week was Mallorys bacholerette party at her place on the river near Menard. We had a great time. I did get a sunburn, which bummed me out because that prevented me from going tanning for the week before her wedding (I know....its probobly to late anyway) and my back is itching like CRAZY! However, we did make another big step on the potty training with Maddie while there. She used a regular size toilet for the first time and continued to use it all weekend! Yes I have to let her hold onto my neck while she is sitting there because shes afraid to fall in, but thats better than toting that dang potty around everywhere we go.

Our appliances from Lowes came in so we will be picking them up and installing them tomorrow...no more pepto bismol pink oven and stove!

However, we found out today that another couple that Josh knows is moving back to Bronte and is looking at the same house we are looking at. I was upset at first because I didnt want to get outbid (even though she didnt except our offer, we had hopes that no one else would show any interest and she would come down). Then I just had to tell myself that it is all in God's hands, and if its meant to be, then it will happen. If not there is something better in the future.
I catch myself starting to pray that we get that house, then I have to stop and say...no scratch that...We really like the house and are excited to get to move to Bronte, please help me remember that when and where we move is in your hands and IF it is in your plan for us to have that house that you help us in our decisions for the process.

The rest of this week is a busy one, but we are very excited!
Tuesday- install new appliances in kitchen and go shopping with all my good coupons!
Wednesday- Kenzies 4 month pictures, getting my hair cut and a pedicure
Thursday- Josh works (nothing exciting about that)
Friday- go to Midland for Mallorys wedding rehersal
Saturday- Maddie is a flowergirl and I am the Matron of Honor at Mallorys Wedding! FUNFUN...there will be a dance afterwards, and I am super happy about that!
Sunday- Fathers Day. I love this day because nothing makes me happier than reminding Josh how much I appreciate all his help and reminding him that he is the best Daddy ever!
Monday- Kenzie's 4 month appointment (I am sad about the shots, but I love seeing her progress)

After that we will have some time to rest and relax, and in July Maddie and I will be doing swimming lessons at the YMCA! Good times!

Summer Fun

We finally got out the bathing suits and Maddie and I played in the sprinker while Kenzie watched. (She got to wear her bathing suit though). At first Maddie wasn't sure about it, but after about 20 minutes of touching the water with her hand, she finally ran through it.

I had my first workshop today. It was a GT workshop called Mosaic, and this is actually my second time to take it. I absoultely love it!! If you have ever drove by the museum and saw the mosaic slugbug, thats what we work on, except now there are 2 classic trucks. An artist draws the designs on the truck with chalk and we go in and tile it. Last year I worked on the front tire, and this year I worked on the hood. I worked for 4 hours straight and wasn't able to finish the whole roof, but I did finish the heart at least. These are supposed to be finished and set out on the river walk (I think towards Belle St) sometime this Fall. The truck I have worked on actually has a table in the back and the side of the truck bed is the seats, so you can eat in the back.

As far as us moving to Bronte goes.....it is not in the immediate future. The lady did not take our offer, but her house wont appraise for what she wants, so my thought is that sometime in the future we may get a call saying she will take our offer after all (no one in their right mind would pay what she is asking for that house.) If she doesnt come down, then it just wasn't meant to be and God has a better plan for us. The good news is I won't have to drive back and forth to work everyday and we are fixing our house the way we wanted to when we moved in. We put in the new door today (when I say "we" I actually mean Dusty).

Also my friends Amy and Dale went to the doctor today because her blood pressure was high (even though shes been on bedrest) so she will more than likely have baby Katelyn tomorrow! I am super excited.

A big start for the summer!

Josh and I have been looking at a house in Bronte, and we made an offer last week. However, they did not except (which was expected because we offered way lower than the asking price). The house is Josh's dream house, which means it has a huge back yard, a huge garage, a nice yard, and its brick. It's not necessarily my dream house per say, but I do like it alot, and with some work it could easily become my dream house. The reasons I like the house: huge garage, nice yard, brick, a bathroom in the master bedroom, storm cellar, large living room that is open to the kitchen and an office area. On the other hand here are my setbacks: small kitchen, paneling in the living room, kitchen, and hallways. Only a shower in the master bath (no tub), and no fence around the Huge backyard.

All of the things I mentioned that I do not like can be remedied fairly easy except maybe the size of the kitchen.
Another set back is that I will be driving back and forth to San Angelo for work because there are not any openings in the near future at Bronte for a K-4 teacher.
However, the biggest reason I am willing to make this move is for my children. Even though Maddie is still several years away from starting school, I want to make sure that when that time comes we are settled in a house we love and not forced to pick one because we have run out of time.

This may or may not work out, but I have faith that whatever happens is for the best. We are going to put in another offer tomorrow and see what happens.

In hopes that they accept our offer we decided to go ahead and fix all the things that we have put off in this house since we moved in. Since we moved in this house in 2006 we have fixed the shower and painted the back bathroom, replaced the carpet, and put on a new metal roof. Those were things that had to be done. The other things that I have wanted to change were not really necessary, but more cosmetic for the most part. However, I think that if we go ahead and fix them we can sell our house quicker and for a higher price if it comes to that.

Here is what we bought at Lowes yesterday: stove top, oven, shower head and faucets, sink faucet, front and back door, tile, paint, and many other items. The list of to do projects has already started, because I painted the front door and Josh replaced the sink faucet. Wednesday Dusty is coming over to take the old door off and put the new one up. The biggest project will be the bathroom, but I have to take down the wall paper and we have to take the tile off the wall, then we will replace the pipes, shower head, and faucet, then Dusty will come back and put the wall back up and tile it. Then I will give it a fresh new coat of paint. I bought a pretty blue color for the top half of the room. We are not putting the back door up until we move because our current door is equipped with a doggy door for Chief. The appliances had to be ordered so they will be installed in about 2 weeks. I also plan on painting the kitchen, hallway, and our bedroom.

So in conclusion, my summer has started off a very productive and expensive one! Josh is taking before and after pictures on his phone so I will show the final products as we go.

And the race is on!

Not litterally cause I havent ran in quite some time, lol.

The month of May is probobly the busiest month of the year for me. There is SO much stuff that has to be done at school, but alot of it cant be done till last minute. For instance, our school will be hosting summer school, so we have been told that unless we want people messing with our stuff that we should have everything packed up in boxes by the last day of school. Please explain to me how I can teach with my stuff all packed up. I guess since we have to go to work the Saturday after the last day of school for staff development from 8-12 I will spend the rest of that day cleaning my room and packing it up. We took the 1st grade to the Abilene Zoo today and that went pretty smoothly I would say. All 61 students were pretty excited and I would guess at least 1/2 of them had never been to a zoo. We also got to ride in the charter buses, which I know none of them have ever done, because our class was the first 1st grade to ever get to ride on them! As fun as it was I am glad that I can knock one more task off my list.


Here are the things at work I still have on my to do list

scan pictures and make them into a power point by Friday

finish summer school paperwork

plan End of Year party

meet with my new First Grade team tomorrow

make a school supply list for next year

clean, reorganize, and pack up my classroom

end of year report cards

get things ready for 1st grade awards ceremony

plus countless other little things that I cant even think about right now because I am so overwhelmed :)

all of these things must be done after school and on weekends because we are still teaching, hoping to get just a little bit more information in before they leave us.

But there is a light at the end of the tunnel and that is there is only 12 school days left until summer break!

Now onto my at home to do list for May:

• clean my house and my back yard as much as possible so we can build the cover to put over our deck as soon as possible.
• babyshower on Saturday
• Kenzies 3 month pictures and a birthday party on Sunday
• continue planning Mallorys bacholerette party and send out invitations
• get sizes for the other flower girls in Mallorys wedding to my Memaw ASAP
• hit up Childrens Place as soon as I get a chance to go to the mall since it opens tomorrow!!!
• celebrate Mothers Day with both families since on the actual day Josh was at work and we couldnt do it any other time until now.
• celebrate my 26th birthday (woo hoo, just so you know there is sarcasism in my voice)

So the fact that I have broke down crying twice in the past 2 weeks doesnt surprise me now that I think about it. Stress is not good for me, and I bundle it up till I explode, and then I take it out on Josh.

The good news is that I can scratch getting Kenzie's ears pierced off my list since we did that on Monday!

Here are the pics! Before, during, and After :)