Today is an "Auntie" day! This is when Wayne, Weston, and Wyatt get to come play while their mommy and daddy are at work. We don't like to call it day care because it's a play date for the big boys and I get lots of snuggles with Wyatt!
Our morning started out with the big boys at the piano. I knew this meant LOUD but hey, they were happy! The "noise" stopped and I began to listen to Wayne and Ethan as they were talking.
Ethan: "Wayne, I'm going to play a song for Jesus now."
Wayne: "But Ethan, I want to play a song for God. We just need to play our songs together."
Ethan: "Wayne, Jesus and God are the same person."
Wayne: "Huh?" (the music continued.......)
I love it! I love that the boys want to do things for Jesus! I love that they, already at this young age, are wanting to do things that please him. At this point, I was not going to stop the "music". I wanted them to be proud of that "joyful" noise they were making for their Jesus, their God!!
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Thursday, February 10, 2011
The final goodbye
This morning we said our final goodbye to the van. It is being hauled away as we speak and never to be seen again. Ethan is pretty sad that the van will be smashed. He wasn't thrilled that Wayne's grandpa was going to smash our van...at least that's what Wayne kept telling him as they watched the van being loaded. I had to sit the boys down to explain that Wayne's grandpa would not be smashing the van that he was just taking it to it's "new home". That seemed to stop the debate and I now have a happier 5 year old.
I think the weirdest part for me was driving it up on to the ramp of the truck. I didn't think I would have to be involved with this process, or was hoping I wouldn't have to be. However, there was nobody else around to help so I had to do the job.
As I was getting ready to start the van, I began to question our decision. However, once the van was started and I was listening to it run I quickly realized that it did not sound "healthy". We have been babying this van along for a couple of years and it really is time to stop pouring money into something that is going to have continual problems.
The replacement search has started but nothing has been found up to this point. We are grateful for the vehicle that is being loaned to us to use until we find a replacement. God's timing really is perfect! We could not have planned things to happen as they did. So many people have stepped up to help in any way possible. They will never know how much their help means to us. There are no words that express how we feel. We are completely overwhelmed with the love that has been shown to our family.
Here are a couple of pictures of this morning's event.
Being chained down for the ride it is about to take down the Guide Meridian.
Final safety check happening...I think it's funny that the Lynden Security guys were driving by in their LPD car. As if they knew this was going to be happening and needed to make sure things were going as they should. HA!
I think the weirdest part for me was driving it up on to the ramp of the truck. I didn't think I would have to be involved with this process, or was hoping I wouldn't have to be. However, there was nobody else around to help so I had to do the job.
As I was getting ready to start the van, I began to question our decision. However, once the van was started and I was listening to it run I quickly realized that it did not sound "healthy". We have been babying this van along for a couple of years and it really is time to stop pouring money into something that is going to have continual problems.
The replacement search has started but nothing has been found up to this point. We are grateful for the vehicle that is being loaned to us to use until we find a replacement. God's timing really is perfect! We could not have planned things to happen as they did. So many people have stepped up to help in any way possible. They will never know how much their help means to us. There are no words that express how we feel. We are completely overwhelmed with the love that has been shown to our family.
Here are a couple of pictures of this morning's event.
Sunday, January 30, 2011
A Rite Aid run to share!
Here's the break down of this amazing purchase!
Transaction #1:
4 - 1.5 qt. Dreyer's Ice Cream...reg. price $5.99, on sale for $2.99, receive $2.00 ups for each
2 - Colgate Total Adv. White Toothpaste...reg. price $3.69, on sale for $2.99, receive $2.00 ups for each
...just noticed that my toothpaste actually rang up for $2.95 each...not sure why but I'll take it!
Used $1.75 in coupons for the toothpaste and 6 - $1.99 ups rewards from lightbulb purchase last week.
(coupons were from smartsource...1 - $1.00 off one and 1 - $0.75 off one.)
Total out of pocket - $4.67 (inc. $0.50 tax) and received 6 - $2.00 ups rewards to be used on my next purchase.
Transaction #2:
4 - Lays Stax...reg. price $1.79, on sale for 2/$2 = $1.00 each, receive $1.00 ups for each (unadvertised)
4 - Chex Mix...reg. price $2.99, on sale for 2/$3 = $1.50 each, receive $1.00 ups for each (unadvertised)
6 - Pringles Super Stax...reg. price $2.29, on sale for 2/$3 = $1.50 each
Used $7.50 in coupons for pringles and chex mix and 5 - $2.00 ups rewards from transaction #1.
(coupons for pringles...$1 off two...were from this weeks P&G insert and coupons for chex mix were from Safeway's Joy of Football coupon book...$1 off one...and one was a Rite Aid Video Value...$0.50 off one)
Total out of pocket - $1.50 and received 8 - $1.00 ups reward and a $5 ups rewards for purchasing $15 of participating products...all from from the grocery aisle.
**I tried to be very clear on the coupons used and sales they were applied to from today's shopping trip. Let me know if you have any questions on how I did it.
We were thrilled with how stocked Rite Aid was today. You can tell that their store manager is really working hard on getting a good amount of stock in for us serious couponers!! Now...get out there and save! My husband was thrilled that I profited $11 on today's purchase. Yes, that is all in Ups Rewards for Rite Aid but no doubt that I will be back there for more product! It's my number 1 store that I shop at these days.
Happy Shopping!
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Saying goodbye & a week of blessings
On Tuesday, we said good-bye to our van. We had driven it for the last time. We had been having issues with it and took it in to the shop only to find that fixing it would be more than the van was worth. After having a few consults on the situation we decided that we were better off getting rid of it. We didn't have the money to fix it, we don't have the money to replace it, but we know that God has a plan for this.
So, once Jason got home from work on Tuesday, we headed to the shop to get everything out of the van. The kids had been sad at different times on Monday and Tuesday...Ethan was crying while we were talking to the shop owner. Of course, he chose Tuesday to name the van...bad timing!
We had the kids join in on the clean-out. They had seat pockets to empty...lots of little treasures to be found. It took us about 20 minutes to go through and to make sure we had everything. This would be the last time the kids would be in the van.
We took one last picture before pulling away.
As much of a tragedy as this has been, we have experienced a week of blessings! We have a very dear couple in our Christ Group who has loaned us their car for two weeks. (I'm scared to death to have the kids in it because it is a very new car to them and has more bells and whistles than I would ever dream of in a car. This leads to much curiosity for the kids and I am constantly reminding them to not touch any of the buttons.)
Today was filled with another blessing, we were blessed with a very special gift and feel very loved! We also got some encouraging news on replacing the van. I don't want to go into any details but I know one thing...THIS IS ALL A GOD THING!
This past week has been nothing but a great week of teaching tools for the kids. Yes, I had my moments of tears over the van but I assured the kids that I 100% trust that God is going to provide for us. What mom wouldn't be upset over losing her wheels for getting the kiddos to and from school, after school activities, etc. Yes, I've been able to borrow a car this week but it's just not the same.
I'm just so thankful for the people that we have in our life and that they love us enough to want to help in the tough times. I'm thankful for a Lord and Savior who has promised to take care of us and is doing so as I type. I'm not sure why we are having to go through these tough times but I do know that they are making us stronger.
I would ask that you continue to pray for us as we are going through this "stuff". We just made our first mortgage payment for the modification process. We continue to try to put together a budget that is going to work. A little tough to do with fluctuating work right now. We did list the van on CraigsList in hopes to get a little more for it than what the scrap yard has to offer so pray that it sells quickly. And, as we begin the search for a "new", to us, van. We want our attitudes to remain positive and be reasonable in what we look for. We don't need all the bells and whistles but yet have some requirements for seating, etc. It's a hard thing to balance.
We will keep you posted on our journey!
So, once Jason got home from work on Tuesday, we headed to the shop to get everything out of the van. The kids had been sad at different times on Monday and Tuesday...Ethan was crying while we were talking to the shop owner. Of course, he chose Tuesday to name the van...bad timing!
We took one last picture before pulling away.
Today was filled with another blessing, we were blessed with a very special gift and feel very loved! We also got some encouraging news on replacing the van. I don't want to go into any details but I know one thing...THIS IS ALL A GOD THING!
This past week has been nothing but a great week of teaching tools for the kids. Yes, I had my moments of tears over the van but I assured the kids that I 100% trust that God is going to provide for us. What mom wouldn't be upset over losing her wheels for getting the kiddos to and from school, after school activities, etc. Yes, I've been able to borrow a car this week but it's just not the same.
I'm just so thankful for the people that we have in our life and that they love us enough to want to help in the tough times. I'm thankful for a Lord and Savior who has promised to take care of us and is doing so as I type. I'm not sure why we are having to go through these tough times but I do know that they are making us stronger.
I would ask that you continue to pray for us as we are going through this "stuff". We just made our first mortgage payment for the modification process. We continue to try to put together a budget that is going to work. A little tough to do with fluctuating work right now. We did list the van on CraigsList in hopes to get a little more for it than what the scrap yard has to offer so pray that it sells quickly. And, as we begin the search for a "new", to us, van. We want our attitudes to remain positive and be reasonable in what we look for. We don't need all the bells and whistles but yet have some requirements for seating, etc. It's a hard thing to balance.
We will keep you posted on our journey!
Sunday, January 16, 2011
FINALLY! Some good news!
Yesterday afternoon, we were out running errands, etc. I mentioned to Jason that I had yet to get the mail for the day. So, before pulling into the driveway, Jason pulled up to the mailboxes. He stood out in the rain going through the mail piece-by-piece. He handed me a pile of mail but I noticed that he had kept a piece of mail. He informed me that it was from GMAC and that he would let me know what it was about after he had read it. In other words, he wanted to be prepared in case he was having to give me bad news.
Well, it definitely was not bad news. Just the opposite! OUR LOAN MODIFICATION HAS STARTED! Nothing is final as we have guidelines to meet over the next three months but we are at least on the right path! This was such a relief to us. It has been a long 4 years. However, we know that this waiting is all a part of God's plan and we continue to trust Him through this process.
We would ask that you continue to pray with us through this "trial period" and that things continue to move forward smoothly. We love our home and would love to be able to keep it. This loan modification will be the only thing that will make that possible.
Thanks to those of you who have already been praying with us through this process.
Well, it definitely was not bad news. Just the opposite! OUR LOAN MODIFICATION HAS STARTED! Nothing is final as we have guidelines to meet over the next three months but we are at least on the right path! This was such a relief to us. It has been a long 4 years. However, we know that this waiting is all a part of God's plan and we continue to trust Him through this process.
We would ask that you continue to pray with us through this "trial period" and that things continue to move forward smoothly. We love our home and would love to be able to keep it. This loan modification will be the only thing that will make that possible.
Thanks to those of you who have already been praying with us through this process.
Monday, January 10, 2011
More deals to come but for now....
You are invited to a coupon class! This class is FREE and you will learn exactly how myself and a few others have started to save, save, save! Let me know if you are wanting to join us on Thursday, January 20th!
Sunday, January 9, 2011
$.09 Fruit Snacks and more!!!
These past couple of months I have been discovering the world of couponing. This has been huge for our family budget.
My sister-in-law and I made a trip to Safeway on January 3rd for an AMAZING deal on Betty Crocker Fruit Snacks and Nature Valley Granola Bars. We were a "well oiled machine" going through check-out. In fact, when we got to the check out lanes, they had a gal "directing traffic" and we told her that we each had multiple transactions and we were profiling our cashier! Profiling your cashiers while using coupons is very important!! You do not want anyone up-tight and unwilling to work with multiple transactions. She called for the asst. manager to open up a lane just for us! WooHoo!
Tanya and I had planned our transactions ahead of time and had our coupons bundled together "by transaction". It really did go smoothly and we paid very little for what we got! Here's a picture of my purhcase...
Transaction #1:
5-Betty Crocker Fruit Snack/Roll-Up items ($0.99 each)
5-Nature Valley Granola Bars ($1.77 each with store coupon)
...club card savings = $16.60, coupon savings = $4.00, out of pocket = $9.80!!
I also received a $3.50 Catalina for the 5 granola bars and a $3.00 Catalina for the BC fruit snacks/roll-ups.
Transaction #2:
5-Betty Crocker Fruit Snack/Roll-Up ($0.99 each)
5-Nature Valley Granola Bars ($1.77 each with store coupon)
...club card savings = $16.60, coupon savings = $4.00, Catalinas used (from previous purchase) = $6.50, out of pocket = $3.30!!
I also received a $3.50 Catlaina for the 5 granola bars and a $3.00 Catalina for the BC fruit snacks/roll-ups.
Transaction #3:
5-Betty Crocker Fruit Snack/Roll-Up ($0.99 each)
...club card savings = $9.00, coupon savings = $1.50, Catalina used (from previous purchase) = $3.00, out of pocket = $.45!!
I also received a $3.00 Catalina for the 5 BC fruit snacks/roll-ups.
Transaction #4:
5-Betty Crocker Fruit Snack/Roll-Up ($0.99 each)
4-Mission brand tortilla chips ($1.49 each)
4-Totino's Pizza Rolls (2/$2.99)
Simply OJ ($2.49)
16-Yoplait Yogurts (10/$5.00)
2-Johnsonville Sausage Patties ($3.99 each...BOGO), buy one get one
2-Johnsonville Sausage Links ($3.99 each...BOGO)
...club card savings $31.99, coupon savings $6.70, Catalinas used (from previous purchase) = $6.50, out of pocket = $25.63!!
I also received a $3.00 Catalina for the 5 BC fruit snacks/roll-ups
Later that day, I went to Rite Aid. I had a few things I wanted to get.
Transaction #1:
2 Frosted Mini Wheats (2/$5.00)...used mfr. cpn.
2 Rite Aid brand cotton balls ($1.29 each)
2 Zicam ($12.99 each...these were a BOGO item and I had a mfr. cpn for additional off)
2 Scunci hair items (BOGO 50% off)
Wellness Card Savings = $19.07; Coupon Savings (this includes any UPs Rewards that I had from a previous purchase) = $25.00; Total Out of Pocket = $1.30. My subtotal before tax was $.05!!
Transaction #2:
2-Lysol Wipes (2/$4.00)...used mfr. cpn.
1-Garnier Shampoo ($4.99)...used mfr. cpn.
Wellness Card Savings = $5.48; Coupons Savings (this includes any UPs Rewards that I had from a previous purchase) = $8.00; Total Out of Pocket = $1.67. My subtotal before tax was $0.99
**The only information I'm missing here is exactly how many UPs Rewards I received for each purchase. I'll try to get better at that but can't promise anything.
My sister-in-law and I made a trip to Safeway on January 3rd for an AMAZING deal on Betty Crocker Fruit Snacks and Nature Valley Granola Bars. We were a "well oiled machine" going through check-out. In fact, when we got to the check out lanes, they had a gal "directing traffic" and we told her that we each had multiple transactions and we were profiling our cashier! Profiling your cashiers while using coupons is very important!! You do not want anyone up-tight and unwilling to work with multiple transactions. She called for the asst. manager to open up a lane just for us! WooHoo!
Tanya and I had planned our transactions ahead of time and had our coupons bundled together "by transaction". It really did go smoothly and we paid very little for what we got! Here's a picture of my purhcase...
5-Betty Crocker Fruit Snack/Roll-Up items ($0.99 each)
5-Nature Valley Granola Bars ($1.77 each with store coupon)
...club card savings = $16.60, coupon savings = $4.00, out of pocket = $9.80!!
I also received a $3.50 Catalina for the 5 granola bars and a $3.00 Catalina for the BC fruit snacks/roll-ups.
Transaction #2:
5-Betty Crocker Fruit Snack/Roll-Up ($0.99 each)
5-Nature Valley Granola Bars ($1.77 each with store coupon)
...club card savings = $16.60, coupon savings = $4.00, Catalinas used (from previous purchase) = $6.50, out of pocket = $3.30!!
I also received a $3.50 Catlaina for the 5 granola bars and a $3.00 Catalina for the BC fruit snacks/roll-ups.
Transaction #3:
5-Betty Crocker Fruit Snack/Roll-Up ($0.99 each)
...club card savings = $9.00, coupon savings = $1.50, Catalina used (from previous purchase) = $3.00, out of pocket = $.45!!
I also received a $3.00 Catalina for the 5 BC fruit snacks/roll-ups.
Transaction #4:
5-Betty Crocker Fruit Snack/Roll-Up ($0.99 each)
4-Mission brand tortilla chips ($1.49 each)
4-Totino's Pizza Rolls (2/$2.99)
Simply OJ ($2.49)
16-Yoplait Yogurts (10/$5.00)
2-Johnsonville Sausage Patties ($3.99 each...BOGO), buy one get one
2-Johnsonville Sausage Links ($3.99 each...BOGO)
...club card savings $31.99, coupon savings $6.70, Catalinas used (from previous purchase) = $6.50, out of pocket = $25.63!!
I also received a $3.00 Catalina for the 5 BC fruit snacks/roll-ups
Later that day, I went to Rite Aid. I had a few things I wanted to get.
2 Frosted Mini Wheats (2/$5.00)...used mfr. cpn.
2 Rite Aid brand cotton balls ($1.29 each)
2 Zicam ($12.99 each...these were a BOGO item and I had a mfr. cpn for additional off)
2 Scunci hair items (BOGO 50% off)
Wellness Card Savings = $19.07; Coupon Savings (this includes any UPs Rewards that I had from a previous purchase) = $25.00; Total Out of Pocket = $1.30. My subtotal before tax was $.05!!
Transaction #2:
2-Lysol Wipes (2/$4.00)...used mfr. cpn.
1-Garnier Shampoo ($4.99)...used mfr. cpn.
Wellness Card Savings = $5.48; Coupons Savings (this includes any UPs Rewards that I had from a previous purchase) = $8.00; Total Out of Pocket = $1.67. My subtotal before tax was $0.99
**The only information I'm missing here is exactly how many UPs Rewards I received for each purchase. I'll try to get better at that but can't promise anything.
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