New Adventure

With a new month approaching there are quite a few changes in store for Keith!

1. We will be moving in with my parents for a period of time to help save money. GO WESTSIDE (sarcasm in tone)!

2. Keith and I have decided that instead of renting we are going to buy a home. We have just begun the process, meeting with a realtor to figure out the process and have to set up a meeting with the mortgage guy.

The next few weeks will be busy as we go through everything and pack up everything. I am not sure what to expect on this journey but am excited for what God will do!

To Mom

Happy birthday, Mom!

I am grateful for everything you have done and continue to do for me each day!

Today I did this!

At 11:00 a.m. today

At 1:45 p.m. today

Awesome Shopping Deals

In the past week, I had some amazing shopping experiences at Kroger and Meijer!

At Kroger (11.8.08)

All this for 42.56 (including tax)!

Kroger had an amazing deal, buy 10 participating items and receive $5.00 off. You were able to do 30 items per transaction. Participating items marked with a *.

Before all discounts my total was $95.13. According to my receipt I saved $91.74 on sales and coupons.

2 boxes Kix* ($2.00 each)

1 box Lucky* Charms ($2.00)

-$1.00 of 3 boxes cereal

Cereal: $5.00

2 boxes boxed potatoes* ($1.50 each=$3.00)-$0.70(x2)=$1.60

2 boxes Swiss Miss Chocolate ($1.00 each=$2.00)

2 Frostings* ($1.50 each=$3.00)

2 Cake Mixes ($1.00 each=$2.00)

-$1.00(x2) off frosting and cake mix

Frosting and cake mixes: $3.00

3 Crisco Vegetable Oils* ($3.00 each=$9.00)-$2.50 off 3=$6.50

2 Welch's Juices* ($4.19 each=$8.38)-$1.00(x2)=$6.38 (I thought these were on sale for $3.50)

2 Dial Handsoap* ($1.50 each=$3.00)-$0.60(x2)=$1.80

5 Scotch Brite Sponges* ($1.00 each=$5.00)-$1.00 off-$1.00/2=$3.00 (I forgot another $1.00/2)

4 Colgate Toothbrushes* ($1.50 each=$6.00)-$1.00/2(x2)=$4.00

2 Colgate Toothbrushes* ($1.50 each=$3.00)-$1.00(x2)=$1.00

2 Tylenol* ($2.50 each=$5.00)-$1.00(x2)=$3.00

1 Tylenol PM* ($2.50)-$2.00=$0.50

1 Nature Valley Bars ($3.19-$3.19)=FREE (I received this coupon for my Kroger Plus card)

1 Kroger Tomato Sauce $0.54

1 Kroger Buns $1.19-$0.25=$0.94

2 Kroger OJ ($1.25 each=$2.50)

2 Kroger Sour Cream ($1.24 each=$2.48)

3 Cinnamon Rolls ($2.50 each=$7.50)-$0.60(x3)=$5.70

3 Colored Bell Pepper ($1.00 each=$3.00)

1 Celery $1.48

-$1.00 off $4.00 fresh vegetables

1 Bag Salad ($2.00-$2.00)=FREE (I received this coupon for my Kroger Plus card)

Apples ($0.49)

2 Cottonelle Toilet Papers ($0.99 each=$1.98)-$0.50=$1.48 (I had another coupon and forgot to use)

1 Egg ($1.79-$1.79)=FREE (I received this coupon for my Kroger Plus card)

1 Pedigree Dog Treats ($3.73-FREE coupon)=FREE

1 Keebler Cookie ($2.99-$2.99)=FREE (I received this coupon for my Kroger Plus card)

-$15.00 for buying 30 participating items (this deal is equal to take an additional $0.50 off each participating item)

A great trip! See all the items I got for free after coupon and deals:

Pedigree Dog Treats (I gave these to my parents)

Eggs

Keebler Cookies

Nature Valley Bars

Tylenol PM

Colgate Toothbrushes

At Meijer (11.13.08)

All this equals $11.44 including tax!

7 Lysol Wipes ($1.24 each=$8.68 each)-$1.00(x3)-$1.00/2(x2)=$3.68 (an average of $0.53 each)

4 Warm Delights ($1.34 each=$5.34)-$1.00(x4)=$1.34 (an average of $0.34 each)

6 Tissues ($1.25 each=$7.50)-$1.00/3(x2)=$5.50

2 Lysol Cleaning Solutions ($1.62 each=$3.24)-$1.00(x2)=$1.24

1 Mr. Clean Extra Strength $1.44-$1.00=$0.44 (this was on the clearance rack because the box was ripped)

1 Extra Strength Duo $1.01-$1.00=$0.01 (this was on the clearance rack because the box was ripped)

AMAZING!

A diet/fast

So, Keith and I are going to do something so awesome for one of the cutest almost two year olds we know. We have friend whose little boy has severe allergies and on November 6 he is going in for testing to see the current levels of the allergies. In support of Wilson and the belief that we know he can be healed, Keith and I are going on "the Wilson diet." Since he has so many allergies, there are many foods he cannot eat, so from November 1-6 we will eat only what Wilson can.
This means:
NO SOY
NO NUTS/TREE NUTS
NO MILK/DAIRY
NO BEEF
NO EGGS
NO PEAS
NO BANANAS
We will be spending these days--and the days leading up--to pray for Wilson and the miracle that we believe will happen!
We love you Wilson!

Photo Shoot

My super cool baby sister took pictures of Keith and I yesterday and we had a blast!
Go to her photography blog to see the sneak peek!
http://www.saragdesigns.blogspot.com/

Also, if you love the photos she is available to take your pictures too!
Thanks, Sara! You are a great photographer and I actually had fun having my picture taken!

Vacation

We are back from vacation...safe and sound.
The pictures will have to wait, though because while on vacation, our hard drive CRASHED in the computer...so sad. Hopefully that can be fixed soon or a new one bought.
Vacation was fun, though a lot of rain...TROPICAL STORM FAY sucks...I honestly spent four straight days in rain and had to ride rollercoasters in the down pour, but it definitely created memories that won't be forgotten!

VACATION DAY 1 & 2

Vacation Day 1: Saturday, August 16, 2008

4:15 am-woke up

5:30 am-on the road to Orlando

7:30 pm-arrived at the hotel in Orlando

Not a bad trip, but a LONG DAY

Vacation Day 2: Sunday, August 17, 2008

First day to the park...today's destination: Universal Studios

The day started off a little interesting because what should have been a 5 minute drive was more like 30 minutes, because I got confused looking at the map...thank goodness for the IPhone and GPS which saved the day!

Keith got to meet Bart after we had ridden the ride!

One of Keith's dream cars!

Keith in front of the globe

Betsy in front of the globe

The picture of the picture we had taken at TGI Fridays...a pretty good one I think.

Be ready to be amazed....

...all this for $11.44 (tax included) at Kroger!!!!!!!!

Want to know how? Here is what was bought:

2 boxes of Raisan Bran cereal ($2.00/box)

2 boxes of Corn Pops Cereal ($2.00/box)

3 Keebler Fudge Stick Cookies ($2.00/pack)

1 Keebler Grashopper Cookies ($2.00/pack)

2 bottles Ranch Dressing ($2.00/bottle)

2 4 pack Cottonelle Toilet Paper ($0.99/pack)

3 Satin Care Shave Gel ($1.09/bottle)

1 pack hair clips ($1.00 on clearance)

Here is how I reduced the price:

$1.00 off 2 boxes Raisan Bran

$1.00 off 2 boxes Corn Pops

$1.00 off 2 Keebler Cookies

$1.00 off 2 Keebler Cookies

$1.00 off 1 Dressing

$1.00 off 1 Dressing

$0.25 off Toilet Paper (doubled to $0.50)

$0.25 off Toilet Paper (doubled to $0.50)

$0.55 of Shave Gel (doubled to $1.00)

$0.55 of Shave Gel (doubled to $1.00)

$0.55 of Shave Gel (doubled to $1.00)

$5.00 automatically off with the purchase of 10 participating products (text in green)

On my receipt it gave me a breakdown of my savings:

Coupon savings with doubling $15.00

Store Coupons and Sales $16.45

Total Savings $31.45

73% Savings

This has to be the best shopping trip ever!

CHA 2008

So this past weekend I spent in Chicago! I got to stay with Kalla, Chris and Caidan--with no other family! On Friday, Caidan officially turned one...so Auntie Betsy and Caidan hit the grocery store for donuts and the boy ate almost a WHOLE donut all by himself!
But my real reason for the trip was to attend the CHA Show 2008!
This show is where craft companies debut and showcase their new lines about to hit stores and I loved it. I got to see sneak peeks from all my favorite scrapbook companies, made some cool make-and-takes, got lots of freebies....and met ALI EDWARDS---the best scrapbooker!

Me and Ali....I was so excited!

Ali demoing these amazing alcohol inks which I have added to my must have list!

This frame in the middle is so cute and in my Christmas colors...don't be surprised if something similar is shown on my blog!

The paper line used in above project!

If I get really ambitious I may take on this project for Christmas!

My new loves....

Tupperware...but not the new stuff, it has to be the old stuff! Not only can I use it, but eventually I will be able to display it. The best place to find it...GOODWILL! Each piece below was $1.00.
This chair will be amazing when it is done. $0.99! at St. Vincent DePauls and Sara got an identical one...stay tuned to see the revamp!

This is how I spent my afternoon...

Yes, it's true...

I rear-ended someone and this is what my car looks like now :(
The other car--no damage.
My car is now at the body shop and I get to deal with the insurance company...who was not to helpful today, hopefully that will improve.

For all those girls out there...

I know you will understand!
So I was busy cleaning and organizing today and saw my wedding dress in the closet. I decided, "Why not?" and tried it on...and to my surprise...it still fit--2.5+ years later! I was ecstatic. I came down to show Keith and he just laughed, but I felt good knowing it fit!

Visit from Kalla and Caidan

This past weekend Kalla and Caidan came for a visit and we had so much fun! I had seen the little man a month ago, but boy had he grown! He was so much more mobile...hard to keep him still and so much more interactive. He is though weary of people he is not familiar with so it took a little time for him to get used to us, except for Keith...he liked him right away!

Sleeping in the car on the way to shopping...Gap Outlet!
Playing with the Solomon girls' toys...they were so nice to share.
Looking up at whatever his silly mom is doing!
Talking on Aunt Betsy's phone...now if only he would do this when I am on the other end!
With Uncle Keith...they got along quite well! Though Keith was unsure of what to do!

I sat in the back with Caidan on all of our adventures and did anything I could to keep him occupied...this time we were playing peek-a-boo!

Turning One!

Seth turned one on March 24, so we celebrated on Easter Sunday and did we have fun. The little guy was taking a few steps before his birthday but was a big show-off during his party. Since he was an Easter time baby this year I had to get him some bunny ears--he wasn't a big fan, but his big bro Zach seemed to enjoy them.

Keith and I got Seth a popper for his birthday. For those of you who do not know about a popper it is a pushing toy that when it moves these plastic balls jump inside and make noise (much like the center of the game in Trouble). My parents have told all of us that when we have kids we will each get one because they are so annoying, so I could not pass on the opportunity of annoying my parents!

The bunny ears--I think they are adorable!

The popper--he loved it and cried when we took it away so that he could open the rest of his presents.

Starting on his cupcake...

...After the cupcake!

Little Baby!

On Monday, March 17 one of the cutest babies I have ever seen was born! Elijah Brennan Dudley was born at 10:42 am and weighed 9.5 pounds! Keith and I went to visit him that night and I thoroughly enjoyed getting to hold him. (These pictures were taken by Keith.)

A couple weeks before Eli was born we had a party for Jill and I had made Eli one of these tag blankets. When she opened it, she commented that she would have to keep it from Justice. So using extra fabric and ribbon I made one for J. Such a fun and easy project!

One Year Older

Just a review of pics from the last year...
...goodbye 22, hello 23!

It's Official...

Seth Albert Green is all ours! The court date went great (under 5 minutes to declare him adopted). We are so happy that this adventure has come to this point. When we look back at last December when K'Liyah, K'Von, and KeAwn were taken away I don't think any of us could imagine standing here 14 months later and having this little guy!
Thank You God!

Happy Birthday, Keith!

I love you and I hope you have an amazing day turning 23!

31 Days

On January 1, I entered an online scrapbooking challenge...create a layout for each day of January and upload them to the message board. I am proud to say that I did it...31 pages in 31 days!
These are the pictures of each layout I did.