3... it's a magic number

because

2x3=6

3x6=18

and the 18th letter in the alphabet is.... R

we got three R's we're gonna talk about today....

Reduce

the amount of diet pepsi consumed

Reuse

the voluntary help of a very helpful toddler

Recycle

'cause it's the right thing to do

Gotta love Jack. :)

a mommy needs attention too, right?

because I can't always be here...

I've been cleaning out closets, drawers... getting rid of all of the excess. A fresh start for the new year, I suppose.

I've never been one for New Year's resolutions. But I have been thinking about some changes I want to make. So call it a resolution, if you must.

Every mom gets to a point where the focus shifts completely away from her, sometimes losing sight of who she is. And that's ok for a bit, I guess. But I don't think it's healthy for a long period of time.

My focus has been shifted for too long.

It's time to start taking care of myself too. And not feel bad about it.

All I have ever really wanted to do is stay at home, take care of my husband and babies. So this isn't a complaint. I wouldn't change what I'm doing for anything. It's just that this residency life hits from all directions. The stress, the loneliness, the frustration, seeing your husband exhausted beyond what he should be.  And I'm afraid that if there's not some sort of balance, there won't be much more of me left to give.

So, I'm thinking about ways to improve and really, just nourishment for my soul.

Efficiency is a big one. Time, how I spend money, keeping up with the house. I've started to watch how we spend money, knowing how much things cost, making smarter decisions. So empowering. More time with God, not just giving Him my leftover time, if there is any. Taking better care of my body. My skin. I just bought my first eyecream. :) My poor, neglected wardrobe (if you can even call it that) needs some attention... no more just looking in the children's section. More dates with my husband. More girls' nights out. More than two haircuts a year. More red wine... for ya know, a healthy heart and all. More time for reading. And maybe even a pedicure or two.

If I do these types of things, it's going to make me a better wife, a better mom. More fulfilled. Motivated. Encouraged. Happier. And we all know the phrase... if Mama ain't happy, ain't nobody happy.

 

view from up here

Sitting up in the fort, I see a boy who FINALLY was able to get outside, breathe some fresh air and play. What a pretty day!

I see a boy who is happy to hang out with his mom and wants to make her proud by showing her his cool Battleforce 5 tricks.

I see a boy who continues to amaze me with the things he knows. "We celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. because he broke the rules and taught the white people to love the black people." He has also informed Kyle and I that parting means to toot or burp. :)

I see a boy with a smile that will melt a girl's heart someday. Good thing he is going to be a "bachelor" when he grows up. That way I don't have to share him with another girl. :)

I see a boy who is quickly approaching six years of age. How does a mom come to terms with her babies just not staying babies for very long?

Love you Hayes. Had fun during our you and me time today.

wa-wa-wa-walgreen's

So, the whole Walgreens game has sucked me in. A few of you (Huh hmmm... Kyle, Courtney, Laura) think it is mildly entertaining that I am so wrapped up in it. :)

So this post is for your benefit friends...to see what the heck I have been talking about.

And how can I resist posting a loot picture? Seems to be the thing to do, right? :)

This is what I got during my trip tonight.

I handed over my coupons and paid $9.45 for everything. I didn't even have coupons for the cereal. They were just on sale for $1.75.

I then got these babies back.

Register rewards are coupons that spit out of the machine after your receipt. They are basically the same thing as cash. You earn these for buying certain items in the store.

So I came out a little ahead this week.

Thanks to the Loreal concealer.

It is regularly priced $9.49.
It's on sale for $6.49 this week.
I had a $3 manufacturer coupon from the paper.
I also had $5 in register rewards from last week.

So that means I earned $1.51 for buying it. Yay!

There are a ton of other great deals this week. I've just been sticking to stuff that we will actually use.

There are websites all over the internet matching up store sales with manufacturer coupons. My favorite is 918 Coupon Queen. However, the last couple weeks, I have been making myself go through the ads and match them up on my own so I can learn the system a little better.

I have to admit I had to push through the learning process at first. It was quite a lot to take in for a girl who has never really paid much attention to her spending. But it gets easier and dare I say, a little fun. :)

Now once that new CVS opens around the corner... I'm all over it.

baby alive

She eats, drinks, pees and poops.
What more could a little girl ask for? :)

christmas happenings

Looks like tomorrow will be a day of taking down the Christmas decorations. Didn't I just put them up? Another Christmas... come and gone.

It was beyond wonderful to have Daddy on vacation for a week. We did a lot of playing and watching movies. We went to see Alvin & the Chipmunks to make up for not being able to head back to see the grandparents on the day we planned. Tears turned to cheers as we loaded up in the car.

We had a wonderful time hanging out with family. I think it is safe to say that we are loved. :) We are truly blessed with all of the wonderful gifts we received. I am still trying to find homes for all of the Christmas loot. I can't decide if it's going to be stranded lego pieces or Nerf bullets that finally send me to an institution.

Just an observation from the two times we visited Santa this year... I'm contemplating wearing a Santa suit when I photograph my kids from now on... they always give him a sweet smile. No fair Santa!

This little guy didn't feel well for almost a week. He tried really hard to enjoy all of the Christmas festivities but his tummy had other plans. He turned a corner today and is back to being Happy Jack.

Anybody else feeling the cooped-up-ness and ready to get out of the house?

Psssst Kyle... see what a difference an eye lift would make? :)

What an interesting Christmas this has been. The snowy weather may have rearranged our plans a bit, but one thing remains the same.... a certain little baby laid in a manger many, many years ago. A certain little baby that came for you and me.

happy birthday jesus!

Luke 2:11

Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.