Kroger Deal 3/31

So, I've been dragging my feet on getting diapers for a diaper cake that I'm making.  My coupons expired tonight so I had to go to Kroger to get them. Kroger is doing a deal, buy $25 in proctor & gamble baby stuff and get $5 off.  I also had 2- $2 off coupons and 1- $1.75 off. So, I paid $17 for 3 packs of diapers, making them $5.66 a pack.  Much better than the $8.99.

So....since I was there, I thought I'd grab some other coupon friendly items.  I did beat the Dollar Tree but did not do as well as my average of $0.66 per item a couple of weeks ago.

Here's a picture of my spoils:)  I had a coupon for everything except the grapes. They were $0.99 a lb.  My kids LOVE grapes.  So, 2 boxes of Honey Bunches of Oats cereal, 2 boxes of playtex tampons, 2 packages of Stayfree pantiliners, 1 package of wisp, 1 colgate sensitive, 1 bag of Kettle chips, 1 bag of Tostitos, 3 boxes of brown mix, 1 can of crossaints.  I always try to get the total before they scan my card.  I did the diapers in a separate transaction so he had my card.  My total was $31 before my coupons, after coupons it was $15.  Woohoo....

C Group

So my C group rocks!!  They amaze me.  I love their openness and vulnerability to share deep, personal things and feel super safe doing it.  Tonight, we talked about 1. being grateful for what we have , 2, being grateful that life is not fair, grace is not fair, God is not fair, and 3 living a life of generosity.

It really challenged me.  If I'm really honest, situations put me in a funk.  I get down and I worry.  One thing I LOVE about Levi is that he is level headed.  He prays for guidance and wisdom and does what he feels like is right even if it's not the most popular or easy choice.  He is good for me in that way.  I tend to be a coward and smile and agree even if I'm not agreeing on the inside.  So, our discussion tonight at C group really helped me.  In a different way, I had a realization that we have lots of friends who are going through major life and some major spiritual stuff.  They are growing and God is real in their lives. We are seeing change and God at work....it is awesome.  My mini epiphany tonight was that in the midst of seeing God doing all this cool stuff, I'm like the Israelites who saw miracles and still questioned God's power.  I've worried today about something I can't control.  I've let my joy be stolen.  I'M DONE!! I feel like using the next phrase on lots of other people but tonight I'm using on myself-  I'm pulling up my big girl pants and trusting that God is bigger than situations.  And knowing I'll always have situations as long as I'm alive, I need to deal with it.  I do not want to be distracted from the bigger picture.  I hear people say things like, "When God's working, the devil's going to be working hard too."  I've honestly kind of hated that because I do not want to give the devil any power.  BUT, in my experience, when "situations" occur, I'm distracted.  I lose focus of the good and concentrate on how powerless I am in the situation.  I give my own power away.  I want to trust God and know that when things aren't easy and when situations happen, I trust a God who is bigger than that.  I trust a God who has proven Himself.  I trust a God who loves me and the situations of my life and I give those to Him.  So tonight, I am glad that grace isn't fair, that life isn't fair, and that God isn't fair.  I am grateful for my friends!  And I truly want to live a life of generosity of not only possessions but also of my life, even when it puts me in situations.

QT

Got to spend some much needed time today with my friends Katy & Xuan. It took me back to our playgroup days and it was so nice!  Our conversation was MUCH different than a few years ago.

Traveling Pants

Random but I love those movies.  I love the friendships that are shared and I love that one pair of jeans fits all of those bodies...love it!!

This week I've connected with a lot of my friends, tried to connect with one in NC that I keep tagging to no avail and another from TN that keeps tagging me...to no avail.  It's felt good.  Monday I was able to catch up with Wendi and it has been WAY too long. I love that lady.  April also worked from home on Monday and we went to lunch. Oh my word, chatty Kathy she was and I belly laughed at the stories she shared with me.  Monday night we met as Fusion Band and shared a meal together.  It was so good to see Jono & Julie, again it's been way too long.  Tuesday night we shared a swanky meal with the Bloomers. I love them and I felt like I was 20 and carefree.  Today I met up with Meagan & Marilyn and shared breakfast with them. I miss my original accountability girls. It was so good just to catch up on life.  And tonight, I sat around a table with 20 of my closest friends, my small group (not so small).  It was so much fun laughing and eating and hearing joys & struggles in each other's lives.  I love having friends.  I need them.  I'm reminded of how the Body of Christ cannot function apart but only together.  I'm reminded that I NEED desperately community.  I'm also challenged to go beyond my community to always expand and grow it. I'm also reminded not to be satisfied with the interaction of only my community but that I also need to be interacting and engaging with the God who makes all of this possible.  I'm a lucky girl....feeling very thankful!

My K

Today started with a check up for K Man.  I knew he was going to have get a shot but didn't think it'd be 4.  That poor kid!  The nurse kind of did a sneak attach. I felt so bad when he looked at her and said, "You gave me a shot!"  Poor baby.  His legs have been really sore today.  It almost freaked me out.  I know there's lots of discussion about immunizations, etc. My kids have had low grade temps or have said the spot was sore but K was really complaining of his legs hurting.

It made me think about being a parent.  I do the best I can.  I am so not perfect and I fail a lot.  My kids trust me. They have an unconditional love for me and they forgive me so quickly.  I love that about them. I want to be more that way with them and with others, slow to anger and quick to forgive.  That's hard for me.  I am a score keeper and I build walls when I feel like I've been wronged or judged or if the relationship is too hard.  I'm working on it.

Okay, one more quick story.  We went out to eat with our small group tonight and it pays to know a Starbucks barista because after dinner (right next to a Sbux).  She ran over and got Levi a big ole' frap (low fat and decaf).  He split it with me but I drank it fast before we picked up our kids.  I was carrying K Man in and he gave me a kiss.  He stopped and got a weird look on his face and said, "Mommy, I smell a Starbucks drink in there."  SNAP, BUSTED!!  He's so stinkin' cute!!

VACAY

Hey friends!!  We just got back yesterday from our week in Utah. It was awesome. I can't even begin to describe the scenery. We had a blast with Aunt Connie & Uncle Everett.  I'll have to post pics and tell more about it later.  I just wanted to touch base.  We hit the ground running when we got back. Levi is officiating a wedding tonight and A is the flower girl so today is a busy day.  I'll write more later.  Hope y'all have had a great week!

Lent

Okay so I don't usually like to talk about Lent but I do want to share.  I am anticipating a great season of Lent.  I'm giving up coke for Lent....all soda actually.  I've definitely had caffeine headaches and I've wanted it. I realize it's not much of a sacrifice but it is a reminder for me to pray for others and to be thankful for Jesus dying on the cross.  But here's the other part for me...you know I have my YoYo girls.  There are 6 of us that have stayed in touch since college.  We meet every other year to vacation together and just enjoy a girl's weekend or week (Orlando this summer)!!  Anyway, one of those girls emailed last week and challenged us to take Lent to a different level. We all agreed and have committed to praying for each other.  So, I am anticipating God to work during this season of Lent in a different way. I am taking on prayer during this season, not just for my YoYo's but for a variety of things and people.  And already, I'm excited to see what God is going to do.  I've noticed my attitude changing and my focus shifting. Our c group is also doing some Lent sacrifice and that's been incredible for me to be apart of.  Wanted to share and blog while I had a second.

Vacation

I absolutely love vacation...who doesn't right?  Aunt Connie & Uncle Everett graciously invited us up to Utah for our spring break.  We have had an absolutely fabulous time.  It has been great to enjoy Levi and the kids as well as Connie & Everett.  They spoil us and it is so very fun!  And the scenery here...oh my gosh!!!  I've seen pictures of this part of the country but have never visited here. WOWSER!! It is crazy.  It's like someone has put a beautiful picture behind everywhere you look.  Remember the Coors beer commercials with the snow capped mountains? That's what we see everywhere we look.  We got out at TJ Maxx the other day and I got so tickled because we get out of the car and look out at these beautiful mountains...pumping gas, same thing.  It's breathtaking!!  So thankful to God for His creation.  It is amazing!!

We've stayed busy shopping, eating, playing!!  This week we're going to go to the zoo, Levi's going to ski, and we're going tubing!  It's been wonderful!!

dinner

It has been a crazy weekend but good too.  We sang at the district women's retreat and that went really well. I love hearing women sing together, it's beautiful.  Left there and headed to Marilyn's baby shower. I had to leave there super early because the daddy/daughter dance was rescheduled for tonight and I wanted to help get Addy ready.  It was crazy.  So, after they left, K man and I met the Wilsons for dinner.  Then we headed to McDs to let the kiddos play.

This week

has kicked my butt!!  Here's the low down or run down or a little of both:

Sunday- church, lunch, pot pie mass production, visited Xuan & Baby Sophia...so sweet!!

Monday- accountability (which turns into playdate with Katy & Jack), grocery shopping, wedding shower-fun!

Tuesday- work, dinner, soccer

Wednesday- errands, visit with Sheila (tonsils out-OUCH), organize all songs into hanging files, clean house, c group, planning/school work

Thursday- work, dinner, soccer, Scentsy party

Friday- cleaning, practice for ladies retreat, take food with Tiff to Sheila, CHILL at hotel

Saturday- Ladies Retreat, Mar's baby shower (YEAH!), Daddy/Daughter Dance

OH MY GOSH!!  Seriously this is ONE JAM PACKED week!!  it's crazy!  I'm tired and feeling  a bit overwhelmed and March is sneaking up on me....crazy!!

On a side note, we had a GREAT c group tonight.  Our sharing keeps going deeper and deeper. I love that all of my friends are being vulnerable and okay with that.  I LOVE IT!!!

Catch Up Pics

So the news this week:  Addy lost her second tooth.  She got her ears pierced.  Keegan is just plain silly:)