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Thursday, September 30, 2010

Birthday Freebies

Day 11

OK, today for my self..
I planned ahead..
a few months ahead

for my birthday!!!
Did you know on your birthday you can get a TON of free stuff :)
you can go to different companies websites and sign up for their birthday clubs..

So far this is how my day is planned:

I will start my day with a free coffee from Caribou Coffee



then head to Aveda for my free 3 piece sample pack of the
Smooth Infusion Shampoo, Conditioner, and Style Prep-Smoother 



then lunch at  Uno's for a free personal pizza



maybe swing by Applebees for a free dessert 



in the afternoon stop at Starbucks for another free coffee

and maybe 

free ice cream at Baskin Robbins


and then off to dinner 
(which I have not figured out how to get free yet but I would love to eat
at my favorite restaurant Buca's
where I could score a free dessert

Its GENIUS! 


Day 12

Today I bought a new winter coat..
every year with my mom's birthday money she sends me
I buy a new winter coat or jacket
(which I have not actually got yet since my birthday is in December
but in the spirit of planning ahead..)
Thanks Mom!


This year I bought a fabulous one..
with a fabulous price tag! 
Boston Store already 30% off and I had a 20% off coupon


I feel like grey is the new black
and it will hide the spit up and drool well :)

Tomorrow and Sat I am off to the Women of Faith conference
and I could NOT be more excited! 

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Oh life..

Day 8

Today I worked on a little purse that I have been wanting to embellish
and I love how it turned out! 
its just a little ribbon and a little fabric..




Day 9
I finally went to the gym and put in a long hard work out tonight.
I was going pretty regularly..
then life happened..
sick babies, two vacations in one month, work, etc
and  I took a month some time off from the gym
so today..back at it! 
and it feels great. Its the perfect stress reliever after a long day
I go after the girls are in bed which works out perfectly
since I don't have any reason to rush 
 I come home and take a long hot shower 
and go to bed with a clear head! 

Day 10

Today I took a long walk with the girls
 it was close to 60 and that smell of fall leaves was in the air
We normally walk to a park by our house and its about an hour there and back
the girls swing and I listen to Beth
right now I am listening to the Esther study

and its life changing
the subtitle
"It's Tough Being a Woman" 
isn't  that the truth! 

and speaking of Woman
here are my "little women" enjoying the fall weather


my little Elise (who LOVES to swing)
and her sister Lilly..who is really not a big fan
of swings or socks





Saturday, September 25, 2010

Bubble Bath

Bubble Bath from OPI
my favorite color
the perfect neutral
Day 5
I gave myself a manicure at home

Day 6 
I gave myself a pedicure at home

Day 7
I took a nap.
for a glorious hour
AHHHH! Life is good

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Coupon Don

I really used to know someone that we nicknamed Coupon Don, 
but this really has nothing to do with him
and everything to do with coupons.

Since I drink at least a pot cup of coffee each day
Day 3 challenge was to actually bring my $5.00 coupon to Walmart 
and pick up some teeth whitening strips.
they do make your teeth a little sensitive so I am going to use them 
every other day. Nothing feels better than a fresh white smile! 

and Day 4
another coupon redeemed at Walmart 
and I can't say enough about how AWESOME this works.
Garnier does not pay me to endorse them
but they should...


Wisconsin will suck the life moisture out of your skin
and for under $7.00 (with $1.00 off coupon available online) 
you can fix it! 
This stuff works great, my skin feels soft and moisturized
and the best part. Even though this is a gel, its oil free. 

Its amazing how the little things add up when you are just taking 
a few minutes each day to do something for yourself! 






Monday, September 20, 2010

Scrappy Necklace

made from fabric scraps..
I get so busy making gifts that sometimes I 
don't take time to just make something fun that I have been wanting to try out..
so my "Day 2" time for me was spent being crafty..and scrappy..








Sunday, September 19, 2010

Day 1

Sundays are by far my favorite day of the week.
It seemed like the perfect day to start something new in my life.
Since I work every other Sat and Russ works Mon-Fri
Sundays are really our only day of rest and relaxation.

Yesterday I made a list of some ideas of things that I could do for myself
So, that in the business of the day I don't have the excuse of
"I can't think of anything"

One of the things on my list is mediation and prayer
So, today today during the girls short morning nap
I ignored the piles of dishes, dirty bottles, unfolded laundry
and hopped in bed with a book I have been trying to read for months
Jesus the One and Only

If you know Beth Moore you love her
I am also listening to her Esther series while I walk 
(more on that later)

But this particular part of the book spoke to me today
Chapter 7 The Lord's Christ

"Now the incarnate Christ is only a few days old. Picture Him with me. The infant Christ. Tiny. Deep olive skin. Ebony eyes. Soft, fuzzy hair, probably black as pitch. Fitting in one of Mary's small, young arms. No doubt she rubbed His soft, little head with her cheek, just as every mother nestles her infant. 

Few things are sweeter than a new mom with her baby. Just a few days ago, I leaned over to peek at a total stranger's new born in a stroller, and I looked back up at the mother and said, "Oh, how precious she is!" Tears welled in her eyes, and she couldn't even respond. I embraced this darling mom and said, " I so remember how easily the tears come after the birth of a child." I think we are safe to picture Mary the same way. Not only had she experienced the miracle of childbirth with all of the physiological changes that make a new mother so emotional, but she was also a virgin giving birth to the Messiah. Can you imagine being Mary-assigned to care for the Son of God? Every new mom battles fear and insecurity. Multiply those emotions tenfold. After all, this days old infant was God's only Son. Don't you imagine she felt pressure to get it right? An imperfect mom with a perfect child. "


Beth bring the Bible to life in a way that I can relate to
and in relating I learn and grow.

Saturday, September 18, 2010

Am I In There???

Me..
I am trying to find her. She is buried under diapers, wipes, baby food,
naps, toys, dinners, cleaning, organizing...

When I made the choice to stay home with the girls I knew that the
"glamour" would be lost..but I had no idea how "unglamourous"
diapers of poo, spit up stained shirts, and under eye circles would be.
And I am not complaining..just coming to a realization..
That you make a trade when you stay home
and I would not trade it for the world
I feel extremely blessed that Russ has worked hard to
get the job that he has, and loves, and excels at daily.
That I marred someone who is on the same page as me as far as what we feel
is important in our girls lives.

but some days its really really really hard.
Its hard to see the bigger picture, the lives I have the privilege of shaping
the lives I am building into every day
shaping them to be the little ladies that I dream about them becoming.

There comes a point, when to be a good wife, mother, and friend
you need to stop
and take a little me time.

Mothers are so trained in selflessness
because that is what it takes to get up at 1 am and 3 am and 5 am
that sometimes they lose themselves in the process.
and forget that its OK to take some time
some energy
for yourself

I am seeing that for an entire year (yeah!!! :)..in two weeks..)
I put myself on the back burner
which is where God needed me to give me the ability to take care of
two infants.
Ecclesiastes 3
"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven"

I feel like now is my time to regroup...to rejuvenate..
to make time for myself
EVERY DAY..

Obviously, I will still be a wife..still be a mother
still have the demands of a busy life. But hopefully in this I can learn to slow down..
find time..learn..grow..

This is my challenge for myself
to do at least one small thing for myself daily
for 30 days.
spiritually, emotionally, physically, mentally

Tomorrow is Day One
blogging about it will help keep me accountable


Friday, September 17, 2010

Fifty Dollar Friday

Photo Holder TJ Maxx (clearance section) $5.00







Pumpkin Hand Soap TJ Maxx $5.00
Martha Stewart Corner Rounder (1/2 off) Walmart $6.00
Wreath Pins Joann Fabrics $2.00
Bag of Assorted Ribbon Garage Sale $1.50
3 NWT Carters Outfits Garage Sale for $5.00

Pottery Barn Numbered Napkin Rings Garage Sale $3.00

Target Picture Frame 5x7 Garage Sale $1.00

Wire Basket Garage Sale $2.00

5 Mini Picture Frames Garage Sale $1.00
Black and White Gloss Spray Paint Walmart  $2.00
Stuffed Owl Garage Sale $1.00
7 Glass Jars Garage Sale (.20 each) $1.40
 Chocolate Shake, Burger, Small Fries McDonalds $4.88
Wreath Form Dollar Store $1.00
Iced Mocha Starbucks $2.89
New Salted Caramel Mocha Starbucks $3.59

Star Shaped Plate Garage Sale $1.00

TOTAL
$49.26


Tuesday, September 14, 2010

$3.00 Fall Wreath

Seriously..$3.00
or less if you already have brown coffee filters

So, I followed a tutorial on The Little Brown House

and modified it a little. 
Instead of safety pins I used floral pins
(Joann's with 40% coupon around $1.00)
and honestly I just pushed 4-6 crumpled filters in each pin and stuck them in
it took a total of under 30 minutes to make this.






My only other tip is to add a ribbon to hang it prior to 
attaching all of the coffee filters







Monday, September 13, 2010

Pregnancy Gift Basket

When you have endured gone through pregnancy
you have a new empathy for friends in that first trimester sick phase

I put together this gift basket for a VERY sick pregnant friend
who also had to spend alot of time traveling..

This is what helped me survive pregnancy

herbal tea
Sprite

Lavender Candles
What to Expect When You're Expecting
(this eases a little of the WHAT is happening to my body)
Baby Wipes
(you can't have enough of the practical stuff)

and last but not least
a handmade heating/cold pack

Very easy to make:  cut two rectangles of fabric, sew wrong sides together
except for one shorter side, fill with rice, flax seed, and essential oil
sew up last side with edges tucked under
I include a small water bottle to mist before heating which makes it last longer


throw some tissue paper and a bow on it..





Sunday, September 12, 2010

Acorns

I am always on the lookout for thrifty crafts..
and I LOVE fall decor
When the girls and I were out walking I found piles of  acorns

Normally I would just pile them in a vase 
but this year I wanted a little more color
I saw this tutorial and fell in love

I modified it a little by using cotton balls instead of batting
because that is what I had on hand.







perfect! 
I am going to make more and add in some other colors

Saturday, September 11, 2010

Tiny Car

My mom found this tiny car for the girls..
and they LOVE it..
Except Lilly will not push Elise, she only wants to ride
and have Elise push her around the house..
It makes me laugh every day..












Friday, September 10, 2010

Be still

my garage saling heart.
I have scored some great deals the last couple weeks

Pottery Barn Napkin Rings $3.00




Carters Outfits (all NWT for $5.00 total)




Baby Gap Shoes $4.00



yes..they really are that pink! 

Stuffed Owl $1.00
(my mom found the other one earlier for the girls party)


Wire Basket $2.00

Black Entertainment Center $75.00
it could be another post of how I managed to get this thing home..





there is nothing that will not fit in here..