How I Had Lost my Faith

These days I've been only able to blog late at night because of the busy, busy days.  Even with working a full day with very little breaks, I'll lay awake late at night not able to sleep.  I guess more in wonder lately.  Just thinking about the day.  Thinking about issues on my heart.

In the last couple of years my faith had really been shaken.  There were definitely some trials.  Several times God has proven to me that He is real and he does care about the big things AND the little things.  I feel like the Israelites in the desert going round and round and forgetting about each miracle.

My kids got to visit me one time but I don't remember much
of them being there.  They camped out for a few hours.

How I lost my faith?  A couple of years ago my husband had lost his career.  I had just found out I was pregnant with my 6th child.  I don't believe any forms of birth control except NFP (The truth about Birth Control).  So although I was surprised by that pregnancy, we knew it was bound to happen.  :)  On top of if, with no income, our house payments were just too much for us.  I lost some friends because they were angry I was having "yet another kid".  ("Don't make friends with someone who easily gets angry. Don't spend time with someone who has a bad temper. If you do, you may learn to be like him. Then you will be in real danger." Proverbs 22:24-35)


It just felt like a disaster at that time.  I went into a depression and didn't really let anyone know about it.  The worst thing I did was stop praying.  Maybe in the bitterness of things crumbling around me, I was blaming God.  Why?  I don't know.  I told my husband over and over I didn't care about the material stuff.  If we lost it all, so be it.  We'll move somewhere.  Anywhere.  I just wanted us to be together.  Then at 27 weeks, as I was getting ready to go somewhere with my family, I doubled over in pain.  It was like going from no pain at all to the pain equal to labor full force.  Except it wasn't labor.  It was my kidneys.  They had been going bad over the years the doctors said.  To top it off I had just had dental surgery a month before and had some bad complications.  I was rushed to the hospital where I was unconscious for 6 days.  I couldn't eat or barely drink. I didn't even know they put me in an ice machine from a very bad fever while I was out. To top it off, my new OB I found accused me of only coming to the hospital for drugs since I had no fever to prove an infection.  That night my fever soared dangerously and that was why they put me in the ice machine.  (Read about nightmare OB here)

3D Ultrasound of Caleb at 28 weeks

Through all of that, I had almost no family around me or friends for support.  It was just my husband and I so he couldn't be with me in the hospital.  My mom mercifully took care of me for a time after I was released.  She is always amazing when she takes over and I remember that about her when I was little.  Even though I was released, the pain in my kidneys was still bad and it puzzled the doctors.  They told me if I couldn't get off the pain killers, my baby would be born addicted to them.  I stopped using the medicine and just endured the pain till a miracle happened (will tell you below).  I wasn't gonna risk my baby.  Finally he was born healthy and we breathed a sigh of relief.  After months of not finding work, Charles was able to find a part time job to hold us up.  He had to look completely outside his line of work but we were just happy he found something.  Anything.  Charles is a very smart guy and it just happened to be that his field was one of the first to go when the economy fell.  When Caleb turned 1, I found out I needed surgery because I had endemetriosis.  It was to be scheduled within a week.

When I was 36 weeks pregnant with Caleb

I had reached an all time low in my spirit through it all.  I had no prayer in me.  No faith.  I just piled the load on my own shoulders and kept my lips silent to God.  Sure I believe in Him.  80% of America says they do.  I was forgetting all the miracles along the way just like the Israelites were in the desert.  Instead of going to the promise land, they went round and round.  God performed miracles right in front of them and they eventually forgot about them and would complain.  I had forgotten my miracles too.

*Sometimes when we lose a friend over something that is completely biblical you believe in, maybe a purging is needed of those types of friends.  (What is real forgiveness?)

*While in the hospital, when I was pregnant and having kidney trouble, the main doctor of the hospital found out of my OB's abuse and came to talk to me.  He said I needed to release her (get rid of her) and they assigned me one of the top notch OB's in the state.  She quickly took me in for the rest of my pregnancy and was just amazing.  I didn't know till later that she is a highly wanted OB but only certain cases she will take.

*God provided a job.  Maybe not in the way I expected but the one he was given happens to be one of the most stable out there and said to be for the future and has GREAT insurance plans.  

*Our house payment was lowered drastically and just so happens to be lowered to the exact amount needed to fit in our budget.  Only 2-3% of anyone who applied were able to get our new interest rate.  We were one of the lucky few.

*When one person stopped giving me their hand-me-downs out of anger of our 6th child, 5 more people stepped in their place.  Every time I've said, "We need to head to the store this week to get this person some pairs of pants", no kidding, someone in church will come up to me THAT week and hand me over the exact items I said to Charles we needed.  

*Caleb was born completely healthy when they said that I could of birthed him at 27 weeks because of kidney trouble.  They were able to get my contractions to stop.

*An evangelist called people forward one service who had kidney issues and THAT night my kidneys were healed.  THAT is a huge miracle for me since they said I would need surgery and if I didn't I would be on kidney dialysis.  (Story here of that night)

*The next night that same evangelist called women forward who had endemetriosis.  Man, God had my number. I went forward and that night my pain completely left. Surgery was cancelled.  God had healed me. 

*Even through all the financial crazy stuff that happened to us, somehow we've been able to make it. I know it's not just by some chance.  God made a promise to us back in 2002 that He was gonna provide and He has a blessing on families. He also made a promise to us in 2004 that if we just pray and ask Him, he will guide us in our important decisions.  He will put the right decision in our heart and just be patient.  We will start to see what God is going to do in our family.  

Baby Caleb safely arrives in September of 2009!

Even through all these miracles I was staying silent with doubt.  I was completely bearing the burden on my shoulders and I almost missed it.  Almost.  Finally, it was Michele Duggar's words in a testimony I recently showed on my blog that brought me to my knees. I was trying to bear it all on my own strength.  Sure we can do it for a little bit.  But it's not by might, nor by power but by My Spirit says the Lord.  I was keeping a smile on my face but my heart was aching to talk to Him again and really trust Him.  Why couldn't I?  I don't know.  I know my heart was discouraged.  IF ONLY I remembered all His miracles along the way.  Every time I even thought about going and just working at night to get that second income, the door would be shut on me.  Not just shut, it would SLAM shut.  Once again I was trying to do it my way rather than give it to God.  (I'm very, very traditional in my beliefs and believe that the man provides and the woman cares for her household)

My faith was here

This week I am studying Faith.  What is faith?

Faith vs. Presumption
Visualizing what God intends to do in a given situation and acting in harmony with it.  Hebrews 11:1


I'm sharing this in hopes that if anyone is going through trials, this post can be somewhat of an encouragement and a reminder. sometimes it can be hard to remember what God HAS done.  We can quickly forget and complain.  God doesn't promise to give us what we want but He does promise to meet our needs.  Speaking life into your family and situation is sooo important.  Words are very powerful.  Thank you, Marla, for dropping me a note of reminder.  :)  A real friend won't just tell you what you want to hear all the time.  Since sending my prayers up to Him and having that faith again, it's like the burden has been lifted.  I can't tell you how wonderful it is to even just be able to give my day to God and ask for peace and the joy through the day.  I need that because working for 15 hours with small breaks can wear on any person.  But when God puts Joy, Love, Peace, Contentment, Tolerance, Patience, Endurance your heart, it makes the daily tasks so much lighter.

Scott's Liquid Gold Wood Wipes Review

I mentioned Scott's Liquid Gold in my last blog about cleaning and how beautiful it smells when you use it on your wood.  Well, they sent me their convenient quick cloths and I was happy to try it since it's just a pull, use, and throw away.  Since today is Monday and I sanitize my kitchen, I was able to use them on all my cupboards in the kitchen.  It looks really good and it smells like almond!  Sniffff... ahhhhh.... But think about how fast it is to just grab this when company is coming over and you can't just break out your cleaning supplies and start going at it.  These are also great for a fast dust and shine.  Here is a picture of my pretty cupboards after using the wipes.  Very nice.  :)  This was much faster to use so it was convenient for sure.  

Wood Wipes
20 pre-moistened wipes

FREE U.S. SHIPPING for month of August
For quick dusting & light wood polishing. Disposable, durable, lint-free & wax-free. For use on all types of finished wood surfaces, vinyl & leather. Leaves no oily or dulling residue.

Product Description

Are you just too busy to clean? Trying to keep company from noticing that your furniture has an inch of dust and grime on it? Wishing there was some way to clean all the surfaces of your home without having to deal with the hassle of all different kinds of cleaners?

Try Wood Wipes from Scott’s Liquid Gold! Yes, they are called Wood Wipes but they work on ANY surface! Quick, easy and convenient, these pre-moistened cloths make upkeep on all surfaces super easy and mess free. Scott’s Liquid Gold Wood Wipes have the power to clean, polish and restore painted surfaces, plastic, laminates, all kinds of surfaces in every room in your home. Small and hassle-free, these wipe are the best way to get housework done FAST!  How many things can you find to use them on?

By the way! FREE SHIPPING 

for the entire month of August
Good on orders shipping to U.S. addresses
Shipment to Canadian addresses is only $10.00 (50% OFF)

You can also find Scott's Liquid Gold on Facebook and Twitter.

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I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

When the World is Screaming in Your Ear

Today I overheard Ivy having an important conversation with her little sister.

"No Ashley.  People go poopoo and doggies go doodoo.  There is a difference."

Ivy in 2005

Charles and I were silently laughing in the kitchen because we didn't want them to stop.  It was sooo cute!  We love sharing stories throughout the day about cute things we overhead.  Last night baby Caleb kept his brothers up because he wouldn't stop climbing all over them. Caleb is used to having his own room but since we moved him in with his big brothers he now thinks it's just a big party.

My firstborn Chaz (born in 2000)

I've had an attitude check recently.  Every now and then I let the world scream in my ear about how kids are a burden.  Kids are just too much work.  Materials things are more important.  Don't you need your sleep?  Aren't you sick of changing diapers?  Late the other night I repented about my attitude I was getting and asked that God would help me to love children again.  That they would be the most important "things" to me rather than all the material things I could ever gain.  Sure our finances have drastically changed.  But a friend gave me an attitude check and told me my words are important.  That I wasn't putting faith in God and was doing everything on my terms only.  I knew she was right but when you have the world screaming in your ears, it's hard to hear those whispers of truth.  The pressure of rejection is so high. 

My 3 boys born within 3 years of each other (2004)

I have a group on facebook called Yes, They're All Mine and I notice a common issue with many families on there.

REJECTION

From family, friends, neighbors, schools, etc.  I wasn't alone.  I mostly wanted that group so we could have a meeting place to encourage each other.  Lift each other up when we feel unsure about ourselves.  Or just questions about managing a large family. 

I'm amazed at how quickly God has changed my heart and rescued me from falling into a selfish pit again.  Thank God.  He is so good.  Sure kids make messes (tons, ahem) and I get less sleep.  I know I've been changing diapers nonstop since the year 2000 without any breaks in between kids.  It's just funny how those things aren't such a big deal anymore.  With my first 3 kids it was.  I hated sleep deprivation with a passion.  I got tired of all those diapers changes.  But now it's like it's just a part of life.  Last night I got up 4 times in the middle of the night for no reason at all. My body is just programmed that way.  Changing diapers is as common as making meals and all those other duties.  You just become less and less selfish with each one and it becomes more about serving others rather than serving yourself.  I notice that in doing those things, I learned how to care for others even beyond my family.  Hospitality in my home wasn't so hard anymore and even became a joy. 

Chaz (3), Ryan (2)

When your heart is in the right place, it's no problem at all to serve because God puts the joy in your heart.  You really can sing while working.  Add a kid to the mix and working side by side helps create a bond.  It's scary these days because of the world's view of children.  Instead of kids revolving around their parents, the parents are at command of their kids.  Or the belief that children should not have to work because you'll kill their childhood.  Then they grow up not learning any responsibilities or look at their bosses as their enemy because of the work. 

It's truly a joy to see kids the way God does.  It'll definitely change your perspective.  I've been in both seats and it's definitely easier when your heart is in the right place.  That might get challenged when your digging a toy out of the toilet but, hey, at least it doesn't happen every day.  Haha

Steps4Kids Multiplication Review

Step4Kids sent me this learning DVD to try for my kids.  It was easy for my kids to follow and they actually sat through it listening and answering the questions.  Looks a lot like flashcards but with more animation of coarse.  They do a good job of making it simple for the kids to help them learn their math.  If your kid needs some help in multiplication, this would be a good buy.  A good trick?  If you have a DVD player in your car, pop this in when you are driving places.  Hey, what a perfect time because they are all strapped in and can get some learning!  My kids were all shouting out the answers when they knew it so it does keep their attention.  They don't just have math but many other subjects to choose from!

Product Description
Offering approx. 80 minutes of help to those teaching or learning their times table, this 2011 Steps4Kids multiplication DVD offers engaging visuals, calm auditory instruction and support, and discussions about patterns and tips to help children remember their numbers.  

15 Tracks in all:  Track 1 - Information for teachers and parents, Track 2 - Introduction to math terms & properties (e.g. factors, identity property, associative property, etc.), and Tracks 3 - 15 teach the times table of numbers using vertical and horizontal presentations.  Each number track includes a practice test to help children with their rote memorization of the equations shown in the track.  Recently given the highest "All Star" endorsement by the Kids First! Coalition for Quality Children's Media.  

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I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Sponsored by Tomoson.com

Have You Ever Heard Michelle Duggar's Testimony?

I never have!  I'm seen a lot of clips of her family but never heard how she came to know Christ.

Last night I ran into this video on Youtube and was surprised to see Michelle Duggar at a speech giving her testimony.  I've always wanted to hear her testimony.  She takes you on her journey from growing up, to asking Jesus in her heart, meeting Jim Duggar, miscarrying her child after Josh, and trusting in God about having a large family.  She shares scriptures that God spoke to her and also how she prayed that God would give her a love for children.  They only wanted 2, maybe 3 kids.  Whoa!  Big difference from what they have now.  But a lot of things she says really hit home in my heart so I would love to share the video with you.

Back to School... Hmph!

I really enjoyed the summer with my kids even though we didn't get to do as much with them as we hoped.  We still had fun around the house playing and hanging out.  I dreaded hearing the word school and thinking about my kids going back to school and being gone ALL DAY.  (Do they have a part time school anywhere?)  So when the I started talking to the school about them coming back I cried.  Being gone from 7am-4pm is just a really long time.  Do they REALLY need the kids to be gone that long every day?  Just seems like overkill.  I don't know how many times I showed up and watched the kids have wasted time in the classroom.  BUT STILL, compared to other schools we've experienced, I really liked it.  So be it, my kids were having to go back even if I dreaded it.

Getting water balloon fight ready

The past school year (2010/2011) I was excited that I had found them a really good charter school that had a bus system.  I'm not able to choose any schools around me so my kids have to go farther to one.  As long as the it's not a long ride for them where there pick up tons of students or course.  Well, I had fully planned on them attending the same charter school this year and even had them register.  Then I found out that they got rid of one of the buses which meant Chaz's bus driver was going.  My heart sank.  She was the only one that understood Chaz and knew what he needed to help keep him calm on the bus.  That also meant they were gonna try to cram more kids on just one bus and one route.  So I called them several times in the summer to find out if they figured out the new bus schedule.  They kept putting it off and putting it off. Finally school was starting and they still didn't know.  I wasn't about to put my kids in school thinking they might have a decent bus schedule only to have to pull them a week later when I find out what it was.  Then finally a little birdie let me in on the schedule and I found out that even though school gets out at 3pm, my kids would not be home till 5pm.  NO way!

We took water balloons out front!  :D

I tried to see if I could get them back onto Switched on Schoolhouse which I really love because of the bible teaching all throughout it.  Being that it's around $370 per grade to purchase, I was not able to do it.  I will be saving and purchasing it for next year. In the meantime we are using K12. Their alarm gets them up at 8:30am (nice mommy) and they eat breakfast and start schooling at 9am.  So far we only have 2 computers but one more is coming provided by K12.  

The living room area was just way too loud with the dogs barking every time someone even made a tapping sound.  They always figure someone is at the door.  It can be really frustrating every time I have to get all three dogs to stop barking every 30 minutes throughout the day.  My husband was heading to the back room while we were discussing the noise level of the house.  He came out 15 minutes later and I had completely cleared Caleb's room and had the two tables set up with two computers.  He was so surprised. He said, "we were just discussing this 15 minutes ago and you just whipped it together".  Yep, I don't play around.

We haven't received the materials yet so the room is pretty bare.  They still have them printing materials and doing online work.  We are usually done between 6 or 7 hours with the four kids. We'll see how it is when the materials come in.  Then our days will be pretty heavy with work. I decided to keep Ivy on Compass Learning since she does well on it and K12 is requiring way too much of her.  I know how much she can handle.  

Anyway, so busy with that and very little time for cleaning, laundry, or other things.  Whenever there is a huge change in our routine, it takes me a bit to evaluate the need again and write out a new system.  I have some of it down but a lot more that has to be evaluated and changed.  Right now the house is just a mess from trying to figure it all out.  But my husband agrees that their schooling comes absolutely first.

*Thank God*

I'm off to nap with my little ones.  :)

Why My Family is Stocking Up

My mom and dad visited the other day
It was so nice having them!  My dad holding
Caleb with Kyle behind him.

Last night I took Ryan, my 10 year old, couponing at the store.  I had to avoid the store I normally go to because it's always a nightmare there using coupons.  So we went a couple more miles down the road to another.  Ryan really wanted to come but I told him I needed to focus.  I really do go into The Zone when I'm in there.  Finally I said yes but only if he only talked when I had a question or if I didn't need to concentrate.  He said it was no problem.  

So we get in the car 9 o'clock at night and it's dead quiet all the way to the store.  I wondered why he wasn't talking and then I realized he thought the no talking rule started immediately.  I said, "Ryan, we can talk on the way there."  He said, "Oh man, all that wasted time I couldn't been talking to you."  Haha.  So for the last 5 minutes of driving we chatted up a storm.

Caleb stacking cans

So we get there and I start to see what's on sale and go through the aisles having to pin point "fake sales" vs. really good deals.  The fake sales are the ones where they make big signs looking all important for that one product.  They'll even put it out in the open away from it's normal aisle.  But of course it doesn't show original price.  So then I would go to the aisle to see and, yep, sure enough it's not a sale at all.  OR, it's be only 2 cents off.  2 CENTS!  Sadly, you would see a whole shelf cleared because it always dupes people.  


I'm not an EXTREME shopper so of course I don't only pay $50 at the end. But I did only spend $200 for 4 carts of groceries. Yeah, Ryan and I had to keep taking stuff back to the car.  Back in the day, I would spend much more on one cart of groceries. It was just amazing the money I saved yesterday.  Around $600 savings.  So that's not bad at all.  I spent 6 hours cutting coupons yesterday and had the kids rotate in to help give me a break.  That was only cutting the food coupons since that's what I needed.  I haven't started on all the others. I was extremely exhausted with a bad headache but sales were ending so we had to go before midnight.

I have no space in any pantries, cupboards, in my second fridge or even in the hallway closet.  No where.  So we are trying to figure out a space today where to put it. 

 A friend asked me a fair question today,
"Why do you buy it if you don't have space for it? Wouldn't that save you even more money?"


I replied "Our plan is to have 3 months worth of food stocked up for emergencies. Every family should do that because we never know the future. Things are kind of crazy right now. That doesn't mean that I get a variety of things each trip. I get a bunch of one, two, or three different items that are on major sale. Then I use my coupons on top of it. But since I have overstock from last month, the month's stuff will make it more variety. It's just good to have a plan ahead of time".


Dacil, a fellow couponer I met at the store saved my bacon and sent me this video on saving time with couponing. I do this in some ways but this idea is even better.  Would love to share with you!  :D

Mom's Definition of Delegation

Ryan helping me cut coupons.  He helped me with 15
inserts, I have 40 more to go after they are in bed.  :)

Today I decided it was time to learn about delegation.  There is just not enough time in the day to accomplish everything on the list.  And that's just to have a normal running house.  Not a perfect one (by far).  After working in the home today and laying kids down, I went to look at my list and realized I crossed off nothing that was important to me on that list.  But... I did spend a good amount of time teaching the kids about delegation.  I'm LARGELY against telling the kids to work and then just sitting on my butt watching them.  I'm working right alongside them.

Learn to delegate.You are not a failure as a wife, mother, or employee if you delegate. This includes delegating to your husband and children. -Dr. Phil


Of course, the completely traditional wife I am, delegating to my husband means I just don't take out the trash, work on the yard, or other manly type stuff.  I don't ask him about doing anything unless something is broken I can't fix.  Even when my babies were drinking a bottle, I never asked him to feed them.  If he did it was because he wanted too.  :)  I'm the same about diaper changes. It's my job unless he volunteers.  I figure he has a good amount on his shoulders providing everything for us.  Without him there would be no home to enjoy and take care of.  If he goes out of his way to do any of these extras, I take it as a wonderful gift and always shows my gratitude.

Ashley and Ivy

So guess what I did today?  I made new schedules for the kids with more details to it.  I was almost doing EVERYTHING and I just couldn't do it.  These are just things added to their chores.  

• So Chaz now has a buddy to help care for.  Kyle is older but is very forgetful about certain tasks so Chaz is to remind him to brush his teeth morning and night,  make sure he gets dressed for bed and does his chores properly.  Chaz also lets the dogs out to potty at 5pm every afternoon.  He is to wash all boys' shirts every Friday and put away.

• Ryan's buddy is now Caleb and he brushes his teeth every morning and gets him dressed for the day.  He also wipes him off and cleans his high chair after every meal.  He lets the dogs out as soon as he wakes up every morning.  Ryan washes all boys pants every Friday.

• Kyle lets the dogs out at noon every day to potty.  Kyle washes all boys underwear, socks, and pj's every Friday.  So just one bin of clothes because that all goes in the same bin.

• Ivy's buddy is now Ashley and she makes sure that Ashley brushes her teeth properly every morning and night.  She also helps her get dressed in the morning and into her pj's at night. Ivy also helps me with the dishes for lunch and for dinner. :)  She hands me then dishes and I load them into the dishwasher. Then we wash pots and pans together.  Ivy has always loved doing this so it's nice to work together.

I made sure they are following their Meal Helpers plan at meal time so that my cleanup is not so huge for me.  (Chaz sets out food, Ryan sets out all plates, Kyle cups, Ivy beverages, Ashley silverwhere)  was SOOOO much work situating all this today and reminding everyone their new duties.  It was kind of hectic so I'm gonna have to have a time schedule written out on the door.  That way they can see for themselves.  It's always really hard for me when I change things around like this but as time moves on, kids get older and things have to be changed around to meet the need.  

Chores before new ones added

We have a lot of fun working together so I don't believe in the whole "you're gonna take their childhood away".  No, I'm raising adults, not kids.  I don't want them to be afraid of work like I was.  My mom was very, very hardworking and looking back she just had so much on her shoulders.  In working together, we bond in a different way.  Rather than only bond over video games or TV, we are bonding while being a team.  Many hands make light work.  Then playing is a reward rather than a RIGHT which they get through several breaks in the day of homeschooling.

Ryan cuddling Caleb to sleep

Learn to say no. The world will take what you give. As long as you keep giving and giving and refusing to say no, others will keep taking and taking. People do what works and you teach people how to treat you. Saying no when it's appropriate does not make you an evil person. Keep in mind that when you say yes to something that you have no time to do outside of the home, you are essentially saying no to your child.  -Dr. Phil

I've had to learn how to say NO to people that just demanded too much from me and didn't understand what it's like to care for a larger family.  My family comes absolutely first above all and I can't feel guilty.  I've had to train myself to not feel guilty.  Literally, not taking care of laundry for a day means somebody goes without their clothes being washed till the next week.  Or the kitchen has to go another week without being sanitized and mopped.  Every day is carefully planned out.  More like goals that need to be met.  Doesn't mean they always are but it's important to give it my best.  

Prayer is something I'm having to work towards harder
than ever these days.  BUT I KNOW its the MOST
important.

Character Quality Alert:

Orderliness vs. Disorganization 

Preparing myself and my surroundings so that I will achieve the greatest efficiency.  

1 Corinthians 14:40

Initiative vs. Unresponsiveness 

Recognizing and doing what needs to be done before I am asked to do it. Romans 12:21

Diligence vs. Slothfulness

Visualizing each task as a special assignment from the Lord and using all my energies to accomplish it. Colossians 3:23

Responsibility vs. Unreliability

Knowing and doing what both God and others are expecting me to do. 

Romans 14:12

French Toast School Uniforms Giveaway!

Wow, my kids look snazzy in their school uniform given by French Toast School Uniforms this last month.  As soon as I got them and put them up, my boys were quick to wear them.  I actually had to search for them in my massive amounts of laundry, wash, and find in the clean clothes just so I could take a picture of them in them.  Goodness.  They told me again today how comfortable the material is and I think they look really sharp.  There are just some uniforms that can look stiff or even some that are frumpy.  But these ones look really good on my boys. They really enjoyed modeling for you to see.  :D



Guess what?  They are giving away a uniform of your choice if you enter my contest. I'm gonna make it super easy. ALL YOU HAVE TO DO is visit www.frenchtoast.com and tell me uniform you would like for your son or daughter in my comments section. (US only) Contest ended.

Product info:

They have great girl school uniforms!

French Toast (www.frenchtoast.com) is the leading brand in school uniforms and clothing that insures compliance with your child's school dress code. French Toast offers style, quality and value for boys and girls from pre-school through high school. And the company gives back 5 percent cash back to your school with each order! 

The boys' school uniforms are quite comfortable too

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Big Families Love Kids Eat Free!

Yesterday we were so happy to go get a new tire so Charles took it into the shop.  Then he was grateful when he found out they were gonna replace it for free.  Yeehaw!  Right as he is talking to the guy the car died.  He then went to buy a $100 battery.  Goodness!  At first I was kinda bummed about having to spend the money on that right now but then realized I should be grateful that we had the money to fix it.  We were really hoping to be able to go to church the next day since we had to miss Wednesday because of the flat.  

After church we visited one of our favorite places because they have kids eat free through the whole month of August!  Yeahhhh, we were definitely gonna go there for Sunday lunch.  Heh heh.  Saved us 15 dollars.  

I could only check in 3 of the kids out of the 5 in the play area and Ryan was at a friends house.  I felt bad for Chaz because he hates shopping.  So he walked around with a corny little handheld game they provided.  Looked like it was from the 80's.  They probably had to do that so no kid would want to steal them.  Anyhow, it helped him bypass the torturous shopping.  

It feels soooo good to get out of the house at times because I see my home as my job.  Getting away helps me to actually relax and not look around for what needs to be done. Since so much ALWAYS needs to be done, I have to get out to stop thinking about it.  At least getting out once a week is really refreshing.  

I have to say though that although my home is my job, it's the most rewarding job I could ever, ever, ever imagine having.  I love every single day.  Even the ones where I'm hiding in the bathroom to make a phone call.  

Since the play area doesn't take diapers kids, it was kind of nice to see just Caleb and Chaz together.  

In reality, 90% of what IKEA sells I would not buy for my home. Some of the living room designs I absolutely hate but every now and then I run into a room that just jumps out at me.  Also, they have EXCELLENT organizational ideas.  Mostly that's what catches my eye.  Plus it's great exercise because the place is massive!  

They only let you put your children in the play area for 1 hour so it only lets us see a 1/4 of the store before we're called back.  But.... we still have fun just spending time together and getting away.  :D

I hope you have an IKEA near you because we really love it!  I mean, where else can you get mashed potatoes and meatballs in gravy for $3.99?  Yeah!  

Coupon Bullying at Target and Fry's Food Begins

My over flowing coupon book

The other day I thought I would visit Target to use my Tide coupons.  So I went to the Travel size section and picked out 10 of their Tide travel size packs for $1.  I had seen other professionals use the coupons for the same purpose and the coupon didn't say you couldn't use it for that size.  So I took it up to the register and the cashier refused to take the coupons for $1 off.  She said that is just not something they do there at Target.  So I said, "Is this Target exclusive about their rules?  Why is it okay at the other Targets?"  She still refused so I asked her her manager.  Then her manager also said she couldn't use them.  So then I asked for HER manager.  The whole time I was completely polite.  Didn't even get angry.  But they were treating me with contempt and even made me feel stupid by their tone of voice.  So then the store manager came and approved it right away.  She also said the coupons were completely valid.  Then she walked away so the cashier said my total was 90 cents after the coupons.  BUT she also said I can't just pay for tax.  That I need to buy something.  So I looked around and found a candy bar that I didn't even want in order to finish the 20 minute long (and only 10 item) transaction. She acted very irritated and of course since it was taking so long I had people watching and staring.  My problem isn't so much that every Target does not agree with their policies, but that the cashiers are treating couponers like idiots before really even knowing their own rules.

So then I immediately head over to Fry's where I know you can just pay the tax no problem.  BUT of course I buy ALL my groceries from Fry's.  I may save a lot but I still give them all my business and spend a good amount of money with them every month since I have a large family.  I go to the aisle to get my 11 Ivory body wash and then go to check out after I select a more items that I didn't even have coupons for.  I handed my coupons to the cashier and she gets very irritated with me and even stops talking to me!  In fact, she was so rude with me that I calmly said that I would just go to another lane.  What does she say back?  "Oh, then go!"  So I did.  Thankfully the other cashier was much nicer. Do you want to know where I am sending the small packs of Tide?  To someone I know that are missionaries in South Africa.  Often anything I have given away was either to help others or because people like the people in South Africa, absolutely miss American products and would just love a chance to use it again. I'm not out to hoard.  Just making things a bit easier for me and some around me.

That's not my only experience.  The other day I went to save money at Fry's again with my coupons but this time none of them were for free.  I was just using my coupons on sales.  After I get in the lane and it was getting pretty late (15 minutes to closing), I realize I was getting the girl in her 20's that just does not seem to like couponers but she was the only cashier.  She will pull every single thing out of the bag to check every coupon.  Not necessarily a bad thing except for that she rings the manager constantly about very obvious stuff that qualifies.  So the line gets so backed up.  She'll question and question me and I have to explain.  I feel like a criminal trying to get away something with all the intense questioning and mad dog looks.  It's almost like they think I'm trying to rip them off.  Unfortunately, the manager gave the same treatment every time he had to get called over. Sometimes her machine would automatically reject one of my coupons even though the exact same previous coupon worked. So instead of fixing it, she'll just say I can't use it.  In the end I had to pull out about 10 items from my bags and still pay for 10 other items I didn't want since she refused my coupons that were legit.  The reason?  They said it was getting late so I couldn't take the other stuff off my order.  They were getting so mad I thought they seriously were gonna ban me from the store.  

Check out more TEES and cool
coupon binders!

You have to know me.  I don't yell at people other.  I'm polite even in really intense situations.  I will make a stand for something that is right but I won't lose my temper and yell.  EVER.  That's why when a friend once accused me of yelling over the phone, I just laughed because even my husband knows I never yell.  He lives with me for goodness sake.  If anyone, your spouse knows you best.  So this kind of treatment was not only unwarranted but was so far from good customer service that I'm sure Kroger Co. would be shocked.  Hopefully.  Kroger is cheaper but is known to sacrifice it's customer service.  Unfortunately I can't afford to shop at Safeway which has great customer service so I'm stuck with disgruntled employees at Fry's.

Back to the story.  When I reminded the manager of their coupon policies and told him that the other manager at the SAME store said something different than him, he replied "Well, then he needs to be sat down and have counseling."  I said, "Whatever happened to good customer service and caring how you treat your customers?   He shrugged his shoulders and said, "That's just how we operate."  I'm sure Kroger is very proud.  

Customer Service: 5 stars
Price: 3 stars





Customer Service: 1 star
 Price: 5 stars



So I guess it just depends what matters to you.  My dad says he likes to shop Safeway because they treat their customers very well.  If it means he pays a little bit more then so be it.  People really do have an impact on your day.  Grocery shopping is already a chore.  Why make it something you dread?   I have six children and my husband's career type has drastically changed due to the economy.  I use couponing to survive and make sure my family is gonna be okay.  EVEN if I'm filling up a couple of pantries.  We are not guaranteed tomorrow or his job to last. We don't know.  It could last 20 years.  But you BET I'm gonna make some plans of survival which mean I'm gonna stock up.  Does that mean coupon bullying will make me want to stop?  No way.  Whenever I see people in need, I gladly help someone out with what I got.  In fact, I give about half of it away to someone I love in need.  Couponing people are not pathetic by any means.  They are smart. If something happens because of the economy, I'm sure its' the couponers that will have people knocking on their door.  Is it possible the cashiers are just jealous and can't fathom it?  Wish they could do it?  Often, we know the store policies more than them because we spend hours and hours planning.  You bet we're gonna go armed with information on how their policies work. Even more than coupon policies, but I think a good sitting down of customer service training would benefit stores like these the best.  Why argue over one coupon?  Why not save a customer?  

My 11th Anniversary of Mommyhood!

Holding my nephew just after I found
out I was pregnant with Chaz

Yesterday was my 11th anniversary of becoming a mother which means Chaz is 11!!!  Has it really been 11 years since that day he was placed on me by the doctor?  I remember that moment like it was yesterday.  I had the hardest time believing that he was actually mine.  I felt like I was in a dream or something.  It actually took several days for it to really sink in.  I don't know why, it just did.  I wanted to write this yesterday but didn't have a chance to get on the computer.

Chaz's 2nd birthday

Dear Chaz,

Thank you for being my son.  Thank you for your patience with me figuring it all out and how to do the simplest things.  Thank you for all the times you peed on me while I tried to figure out how to put the diaper on.  Haha!  Thank you for loving me even in my impatient moments or the times where I cried because I didn't know if I could be stretched anymore. And you were just my first! I've had fun playing with you, running around, buying you toys, games, teaching you.

I'm so grateful I even got to share your sorrows with you and issues on your heart.  Some times I wish I could go back and cuddle you as a tiny baby.  To truly appreciate how short that time was but it's gone forever.  All I can do now is love every single day left I have with you.  It took me awhile to figure out that I had to die to myself in order to truly love the gift God gave me.  I'm sorry I didn't get it from day one.  But I still remember your peanut face and tiny hands.  I remember what an amazing baby you were.  I had so many compliments about how content you were.  I love you so much I don't know how to write it completely.  But seeing you hurt makes my heart ache. Seeing you smile, makes my heart smile.  Happy 11th birthday!

Mommy

A post I wrote about Chaz on my 11th wedding anniversary.  :)

Who Forgets Their Own Children?

The oddest thing keeps happening to me.  I don't know whether it's because my memory is slipping or I just have too much to remember.  Yesterday we decided to take the kids to a small water park since they will all be closing soon.  I packed some sandwiches, Capri Suns, pickles, and chips.  Well, I made an assembly line for the kids and everything to have it all put together and then into the cooler.

We get to the park and later decide we are all hungry.  I pass out sandwiches and when I get to Ivy she has nothing.  NOTHING.  I had already scarfed mine down earlier.  I then asked who ate two.   Then it dawned on me that I had once again miscalculated the size of my family.  I made only 6 sandwiches which is short only one since baby Caleb was at my moms house.  But still!!!  I felt so bad because by the time I discovered this, everyone scarfed down their sandwiches.  

(Caleb had fun at my mom's house and got to visit with my dad when he got home from work.  It was a treat for Caleb.  When I brought him to the door and my mom opened it, Caleb opened his mouth and gasped he was so happy to see her.)

Later that night I thought it'd be a treat to break out the mini marshmallows and have hot cocoa.  Ivy even helped me to add the chocolate and I used my Keurig to fill them up with hot water quick.  When I started to pass them out I realized I was missing one cup of cocoa.  Yet again I had counted wrong.  We are not 7, we are 8!  What's wrong with me?  Poor kids.  Haha.  Caleb is almost 2 and I can't get this straight.  

Teaching the Boys How to Do Laundry

Chaz putting away a load of laundry

With having to do so much laundry every day I thought it might be time to teach my boys how to do their own laundry now that they are old enough.  I called each of them back to their room one at a time to talk with them about it.  Their laundry is super easy and since they have 3 bins, I made them each in charge of one bin.  Chaz only washes shirts, Ryan washes bottoms, and Kyle washes underwear and socks.

Ryan was soooo easy to teach.  To make it easy I basically told him to just divide them up in only two piles, darks and lights.  I made arrows on the washer and dryer with numbers on them so they would know which buttons to press first. It was so easy Ryan got it right away.  He was so excited to learn it all that he didn't even want me helping him after his first load.  (Not sure how long that'll last.  haha)

Then I told them that after it's done drying they need to put it right away.  Not leave it out anywhere.  Between the 3 boys they get all their clothes washed really fast.  Many hands make light work.  That leaves me to only wash linens, mine and Charles' clothes, and the girls.  That's still a lot but at least not as much as before!  lol.

Washer showing the stickers I made that are numbered 1-4

Chaz on the other hand was really, really hard to teach.  I thought it'd be fast and quick to teach him like Ryan.  But nooooooo.....  Right after I showed him out to sort I heard the dryer going.  I thought that was odd since he just went into the garage to throw the wash in only 5 minutes before. I asked him why the dirty clothes were drying.  He said, "Well, isn't that washing them?"  He even opened the dryer to show me how nice they looked. I was laughing so hard because he kept trying to convince me.  He said "They don't even smell!"  hahaha.  I explained it to him again but somehow he thought I meant to go get all the clothes already hanging up in his closet and wash them.  So next thing I know, the dirty clothes are still on the floor and all the clean clothes are in the washer!  Baby steps.  Baby steps.  

In our house when kids are helpers, they are called Hero Helpers.  Kids that are willing to pitch in with a smile on their face and a good attitude are my little heroes because they lessen my load just a little bit.  When every one does their part, it is huge for me.  :)