Some Highlights :-)

Life is definitely getting busier, and every once in a while I get this urge to write something, but then I feel like it doesn't matter... odd :-) Anyway, Saturday we hit the parade, since the kiddy one is SO much easier than trying to do the big one... then we ran home and got changed for Jared and Jessica's wedding. Here's some fun pics to share!

Prego Bellies! Annie: 4 days overdue (and still counting :-) Me: 23 days out

(It's hard to believe I'm really that big...)

Melia, dressing her dolly up in rose petals.

Wiped Out... And in her happy place...

Like Father, Like Daughter.... (No, he didn't know she was doing this too- that's what made it sooo funny!)

Mommy and Melia

I am so blessed.

In Grandma Nae's arms....

Start the training early... ;-)

She can't wait for her little brother to get here...

Kiera, Wandering through the house...

"Purse, where are you? Purse? Purse, where are you?"

Safeway's Living Well Feeling Great Catalina Promo

While I am not super shopping like I have been (too tired), I still have my coupons so when something comes up at Safeway, Fred Meyer, or Albertson's, I am able to take advantage of it. Tonight Kiera and I visited Safeway to try out the Living Well Feeling Great promo, and we think it worked pretty good. I spent $35.01 oop, received $10 back, after using $10.60 in coupons and one left over $10 cat from the frozen food promo (Thanks Grandpa!). Total, spent $35, got $10 back, saved $56.84. Now I just need to catch up with my clipping and get in there again. (If I had planned this trip, I would have saved a lot more. But I realized that the cat I had expired tomorrow, so I needed to use it up. We just wandered the aisles and sorted through coupons to find what we had to work with tonight. I saw many things that I will plan on buying the next time through, once I've gathered all the new coupons together.)

For a list of best deals, see Moneywisemoms for many shared scenarios. This will also help you get started if you haven't tried to do a promo before.

Note: I know this is different from buying "what you need," or what is on your menu. It's these kind of deals that build up your stock pile, so when you are tired or low on cash, you still have lots of options :-) (Or when a baby comes...) It takes a while to "get it," but once you do, you'll get better at buying things that you know you will need and use in the future, instead of a bunch of junk food! Good luck!~

Edited to add: These totals included about $20 worth of items that we needed that were not part of the promo... frozen chicken breasts, lipton tea (good deal) and bagels... So that you get a better view of what I spent.

Prayer Request: Time Off

So... I know this is kinda my fault for having assumptions... and it might just work out all fine. But I am kinda stressing about it because I thought I was home free.

Because I do not work 25 hours a week, I do not qualify for FMLA. Because of this, I do not qualify to take extra time off work besides my "post-partum" 6 weeks. The problem was I forgot about this whole FMLA thing because with Kiera, we had a different manager, and he let me take a total of 3 months, as long as I used up my vacation. This time, it's currently looking like I can have my 6 weeks, then 4 additional weeks to use up my vacation, so 2 1/2 months.

I am bummed and all because of what I forgot, and I was planning on having 4 1/2 months- all the way through the summer. The way it is now would put me back to work the last week of July. And I know, I know, I only work two days. But still, I was really planning on not working at all for a while, and my heart is a little sad that I have to start back so soon.

So, my plan of action: I am going to talk to the manager, and make sure he knows that I would like to take more time, if it's ok with him. Just to verify that my intentions were not lost in translation- and if that doesn't change anything, I am going to ask if when I come back, I come back one day at first, and not a whole 8 hour day. That's my prayer request- I would like more time, and if I can't have it, then if I could work even less. And that I not come across as needy or begging- but that this is important to me. I just pray that God paves the way, and that I don't cry in front of my bosses.

Busy and Tired :-)

Yesterday was a very productive day! Hooray! I finished prepping the area we want to move our strawberry bed to; now all I need to do is add some potting soil, wet it down, and dig them up to move them! Gabe got the irrigation fixed (a very ongoing project, with stores not having parts, and then getting new pieces home to find them broken anyway!) and the lawnmower tires inflated. We planted two of our new fruit trees, and my garden boxes are on their way to being ready for my peppers and whatever else.

Problem is, I failed to be proactive, so I got a pretty decent sunburn on both my left arm and leg... sooo no real work going on outside today. But it's not like I don't have projects indoors as well, they just aren't quite as satisfying as seeing things come along outdoors. Maybe this evening I will get some done....

But I think our biggest achievement yesterday was mailing off our last credit card payment. We are now "balance-free," one month before little mister arrives. I haven't posted a financial update in a lloonnngg time, but we have slowly and surely been taking care of those pesky balances. Now all we have is the truck loan, the home equity, and the two mortgages. What a relief! Woo Hooo! Now we can watch the savings grow... as soon as we pay off the incoming hospital bills... ;-)

Poor Gabe- Stuff I put Him Through... Warning: TMI

You know those moments when suddenly you realize you made a bad decision? (Or didn't think enough about what you were doing in the first place?) Yea, I had one of those.

Last night, we were talking on our nightly phone call before I head to bed, and suddenly I had that moment. It went something like this:

Him: something, something, something....
Me: Oh no. OH my.
Him: What?
Me: OHhhh myyy..... (rolling out of bed, heading to the bathroom)
Him: Are you ok?
Me: Yes and No.
Him: Naye?
Me: I'll call you back.
Him: Ok.
Me: bblleeeeccchhhhhh (click.)

A few minutes later....

Him: Hello?
Me: Sorry, I didn't want to worry you, so I called back as fast as I could. Was that the grossest phone call you've ever been on?
Him: Probably at least the most unique.

What happened? I took four vitamins and then a tums, plus a big glass of water, but hadn't eaten anything in about 4 hours. For as much as I threw up, I wouldn't have called that an empty stomach.... Whoops. You'll have to ask him how he liked hearing his wife toss her cookies on the phone.... but at least it wasn't my water breaking ;-)

Hollyhock Babies

Today I was outside doing random yard stuff, and found several darling little hollyhock babies! I don't want to just pull them up, so I plan on starting at least a few. Let me know if you want one! But remember, these are my giant 5 foot beauties ;-) so be prepared!!!

Catch Up from the Weekend

So much to share! Last Friday, we took off as a family and headed over the mountains. Just an overnight trip- for Gabe's group meeting and a quick trip to IKEA to look at bunkbeds. I used Priceline.com again to book a hotel, this time in Bothell. And the girls loved playing with their friends during the meeting, while I tried to avoid being the huge, pampered pregnant lady...

IKEA was fun- I wish we lived closer so we could take more advantage of all the fun things they have for kids. We did find a "bunkbed;" it is more of a small "loft" style, not actually a bunk, but we are planning on putting Kiera's toddler mattress on the floor underneath, making it work. Even though all the new bunks have rails all the way around, we were still uncomfortable with the height, especially the corner ones we were planning on buying- they were all like 6 feet tall! This one is only maybe 3.5-4 ft. It was a hard decision- do we spend the money on a new one? Or make the "family one" work (Chelsea has one she is willing to clean off for us ;-), but which is taller also? I think the plan is to make this one work for now, then when the girls get older, they can transfer to the bigger one, and little man can have this one, since it's not really a bunk.

On our way out we took advantage of the cheap food- planning on dinner later, which didn't happen. The girls split a hot dog, I had a yogurt cone, and Gabe had a latte..... Dinner for $3. Not bad, since we just spent way more than that ;-)

We were very pleased with the hotel- our check-in lady was over-the-top nice. Apparently Priceline had booked us a king size, smoking room (choices you can't make, but I guess you can call the hotel and see if they will change it). She graciously fit us into a double queen, non-smoking, while the girls proceeded to dump each of their bags of toys out in the lobby, thinking this was where we were staying! Room was great, breakfast was fabulous (I packed the girls full of everything they would eat!). The only problems were that I am sick and coughing, so can't sleep good anyway; the alarm went off at midnight, thanks to little hands I am sure; and at 2am someone very loud and clunky checked into the room kitty-korner above us- I actually had to call the guest services to ask that they be requested to quiet down (didn't work either...). Not a fun night for me, but the girls slept great together (other than Kiera spins...) and we were comfortable. Perfectly acceptable for $50- less than 1/2 price!

Saturday- we "kinda" shopped for a car seat... I was looking for one with a sideways handle, which now we are looking for a triangle handle that Gabe likes even better. But we couldn't seem to find "just" the car seat... Everything is sold as a "travel system." Which is fine, but we do already have a double stroller, even though it's faded and needs a good hosing off... (umm. yea...sitting outside for 6+ months...it's big.) So we found one we liked, but it didn't come with the base to put in the car? Odd that this simple, necessary item has to be SO difficult to find. So, no car seat yet. But the girls and I did get new shoes- good sale :-) Did you know that I can wear size 5 childrens? Everything in women's was so - blech - fancy, nothing simple, then I figured out that I can shop in the childrens section- My life will never be the same!!!

And off to our meeting- we really enjoy meeting with these people. It's nice to discuss things with like-minded individuals. It's not "emergency situations/end of the world" stuff- this time I learned alot about how to make my home less burglar-friendly. Considering the news lately, this is pretty important, especially in our personal situation. The best thing we have going now is that our house is not the most attractive on the block ;-) HA- never thought I'd say I was happy about that!

All in all, my prayers were definitely answered- we had a safe, fun trip and were very blessed to spend time together just as our little family. Thank you Lord- I really needed it!

Good Deal...

I know, I haven't been on much. I have lots to share, but wanted to let my local friends/family in quick on a good clearance deal at Costco.

If you like the Glad Press'n'Seal wrap, Costco is clearing theirs out-- it's a 3 x 140 sq ft box unit for $6.97-- It will last for years ;-)

This is for the East Wenatchee Costco- you can check your local ones, but no guarantees...

Another First for Kiera and I...

Today, I put Kiera in panties. Again. She just doesn't bother going on the pot, so I am intending to motivate her a little. The difference today was that we had several errands to run, so I was really risking a bad mommy moment, but let's just say that my brain hadn't thought that far ahead yet... So we headed out at 10 am, picked Melia up at 11:30, went to the bank, then to Shopko. In the front of Shopko, I am looking through their Easter candy cause we need jelly beans. I'd just finished a minute conversation with another mom who said I was courageous to have #3 :-) I laughed.

Two-three minutes later I turn around to see Kiera baring her bottom to the world, because apparently she has to go NOW. She didn't bother to tell me, just pulled her pants down. :-) I swept her up, pulling her pants back up, and we took off for the restroom. The totally Amazing thing is that her panties were not wet! We made it dry and clean to the potty, and I lavished her with hugs and kisses and high fives :-) Then she got 3 (!) sweettart minis for saving Mommy's day...

Suggestions?

I'm not sure if I told you about my bread for the freezer part of prepping for baby. I made a normal batch of french bread, which you mix and let rise and punch down several times, then roll and let rise again before baking.

Here's my problem: I mixed it and let it rise for the first hour, then rolled it and wrapped in plastic wrap and froze it. It looked pretty funny, because for some reason, on each end, it pooped out a big glob of dough :-)

But yesterday I took one out to thaw and bake to eat w/ spaghetti last night. It thawed with no problem, but when I put it in a warm oven to rise, it just sat there. And sat there. And then kinda started to flatten out... Lost all it's oomph.

I don't know what happened? I thought this should work because you can buy dinner rolls in the freezer section that still have to rise, right? Any thoughts? Please? I was really hoping to have a quicker bread option in the freezer.... like for salad and pastas. We like our bread :-)

Where did it go?

This morning, I walked into Kiera's room looking for a new jug of juice. No, that's not where we keep them.

I asked the girls where my toothbrush was.... I was looking for my scissors.

My mind has left me...

Noticed? On a More Personal Note.

Have you noticed I haven't been very sharing any deep thoughts lately? Like relational, religious, and scriptural stuff... It's not because I haven't had any great and deep moments with God, but because I seem to have such a hard time putting my words together and having what is in my head come out here.

But today, during Sunday School at church, I was in tears over some wonderful validating thoughts being shared, so I have to share. The situation brought up was by a mother whose son is currently in Iraq, and (long story short) she's thankful and at peace that no matter what happens, he is in God's hands. Even if his life is taken, it is such that it will glorify God in whatever circumstance. Several people shared, and the resounding truth is that the safest place to be on earth is in His Will. We are not promised physical safety or health. We are promised eternal security. When and if we experience death, it is because it is His best. Hard to think of death as "best," isn't it? But if our purpose here is to glorify His Name, then to live in obedience to His will (even unto death) is best.

This all touched my heart deeply because this is the journey the Lord took me on prior to finding out that my dad does not carry the BRCA gene (our extended family's breast cancer mutation, to put it as simply as possible). Where He wanted me to be: obedient unto death. If this was my "lot," would I believe Him that this would be best for my life? If I died early, do I trust Him with my children? with my husband? Could I walk that road and still glorify Him? Could I praise Him through that storm? Could I walk through the fire, and instead of being delivered from cancer, be delivered into His arms? Do I really really trust Him for what is best for my life? Rarely is the answer as solid of a "yes" as I want it to be, but because of this journey, the answer is yes.
And what does this mean, now that I know that at least as far as breast cancer goes, I am not at such a high risk? I don't know- maybe there are future hurdles and mountains that I need this security to be able to withstand and endure while still glorifying Him. But I do know that He has a purpose in developing in us our relationship with Him, and I am thankful that He loves me enough to teach me such a valuable lesson. Because, like this mother at church, I need to live what I believe, and walk in obedience, even unto death. After all, for believers, that is the beginning of eternity with Him, and more than we can ever imagine...

Note: Please, please do not read this in regards to anyone except me. It is not meant to be a window to view anyone through but myself. This was my journey, and what God was teaching me at this point in my walk with Him. If you disagree with what I said, please, pray about it, and be open to what He has to teach you.

A little eye update...

I know I sound a little "out-there" with my oils and stuff, but I might as well share because they do seem to work!

Last night, Mom reminded me of my essential oils book, and I checked in there for what to do for conjunctivitis. It said to diffuse Purification (an oil blend) at night while sleeping, so I did. This morning, she woke up with some dried goop, but a fairly small amount, and no further weeping/goopiness this morning. The pinkness was reduced, but still there, so we went ahead into the walk-in. He prescribed some drops, but did agree that because she isn't bothered by it and doesn't have any more discharge, she is much less contagious... Still trying to decide about the shower.... Soooo, just passing on what I am learning... Which would be if I was not worried about the contagious factor and could stay home a few more days, I would just use the oils and tackle it that way. But starting tomorrow I work for 3 days straight, plus the shower today, so that changes things- we need to be non-infectious ASAP.

PS- Not sure where it came from, but interesting that I've been rubbing lavendar on Melia's forehead too, in addition to what we've been using for her cold, and she hasn't come down with it... Praying it stays that way!

Whatta week!

Boy- I am just beat. The good news is that we filled up Gabe's truck with boxes of stuff for the freesale, plus a few in my van... Over a dozen just with the girls' clothes and toys.

It was really difficult going through their clothes! Hard to think I may never have a baby girl again! Then getting past that, and realizing that I have a good sized yard sale here... and feeling a little greedy. I took it to Gabe, and he gave me good advice. We have been blessed, now bless others. Still difficult, but good to have his wisdom to encourage me. On that note, I am so thankful for the Lord's leading in becoming a good help meet and trusting my husband. I should not shoulder it all, especially when it is so much easier to say, "I need help with this," and submit to his advice. I never would have thought I would say that, but He has blessed me with this truth. Just like asking the Lord, and then submitting to His wisdom.

Tonight we went back for the church body's blessing night and picked up just a few things. Mainly, since the girls helped me pack up 6+ boxes of toys, I promised they could pick out a new toy for themselves. Melia chose a Bratz barbie which I asked her to switch for a less-made-up one (and she did very willingly! AMEN!) with a box of clothes, and Kiera picked out a large Polly Pocket house, with one of the Sleeping Beauty fairies and cat to live in it. Pretty cute, watching them decide. The funny thing is... I snuck a smaller Polly house into the boxes, and she managed to find a bigger one to bring home. :-) Ah well.

And another note- Please pray for Kiera's eyes. Wednesday she started getting weepy, then a bit mucousy in one eye. Last night it expanded to the other eye... I've been using the oils to keep the mucous at bay, which seem to be working well... But today her initial eye started to turn pink... Itchy or painful, they don't seem to be bothering her, except when I wipe them out. I've been praying it isn't pinkeye... But I will probably be taking her to the walk-in tomorrow morning unless they've cleared up. Bad timing, because tomorrow is Annie's baby shower... :-( Blech.