Love it when I save money!

A few months back our Bible Study group MOMS had a guest speaker to talk to us about how she spends $400 a month on groceries and paper products for a family of 9. Yes she only spends around $400. So she gave us all great tips and advice on how to get there as well. It doesn't happen over night, but can in about a year.
So it has been my goal and passion now to really save and see how God can make our money stretch for our family. She used the illustration of feeding the 5,000 and how God has given us this money and will bless it every week. So each week I pray that God will guide me to get the neccessary things for our family and to see God in all of it.
Well this week, I saved 140% on groceries and used the most coupons ever today.
I had $17.25 worth of coupons and with the special savings at Publix this week, I then saved $51.87 and only spent $35.43 of our own money. WOW I couldn't believe it. God is great. It makes me feel so good to see that I too can save big at the grocery store.

It is starting!

Just got back from the doctor's office with Parker. Well cleaning all my blinds and windows this week and washing the floors on my hands and knees has gotten things moving. Yippie. I am so relieved that things are starting to happen for Caleb to come into this world. The doctor said that he thought I shouldn't go past 38-1/2 weeks, so meaning we could have a baby by June 1st.
So now I am tryinig to figure out what else in the house needs to be cleaned or done to help with this process and to make sure the house is in order.
I have made several more meals this week and pigs-in-a-blanket and they are all frozen.
This week was Parker's first week at home with me and no school. So far we have had 2 playdates at our house and we are having another one tomorrow at a local park. I am trying to make sure he has fun with other children and not in front of the TV the whole time. It is so much fun for me to see him enjoy playing with other children. I truely enjoy staying home with him even though there are days when I am at my limit of patience. :)

Parker's last day of 2-year old preschool

Today was Parker's last day of 2-year old preschool. I can't believe this school year is over already. We now have 3-1/2 months off till they start back in September. It usually starts in the middle of August, just like the other schools around here, but the teachers wanted a longer time off this year. So this will give Parker and me some quality time together taking care of Caleb. Hopefully I won't go insane with having them hang on me all the time. I really enjoy my time away from Parker 3 days a week about 12 hours total. I am able to clean, pick up and run errands while he plays with his friends and learns so much stuff. We got a report card this year and he is doing really well for his age. So we are very proud of him for going to school and liking it so much. I have already set up a few play dates next week with his classmates and hope to do more of them this summer.
Mother's Day Picnic at School

Whenever he tells me "no not yet" or "stop", he will put up his hand to me

Having fun at his favorite park, on our way home from school. We will have to visit this place several times this summer

No progress yet!

Just got back from the OB doctor and nothing has progressed for Caleb to come. I am still showing that I am a week and half ahead, but the doctor I saw today said to not count on that meaning I will come early. He is the oldest doctor their and not my favorite, sure hope I don't have him when Caleb does decide to come. It will be just my luck to have him.
So next week I have another appointment on Wednesday at 1:00. Keep praying that I will go early with Caleb and not a day late like I was with Parker.
I am so ready for this to be over and I am sure that once he comes I will want him to go back in.
We are just so excited to finally be able to meet him and to see what he looks like. Parker is also anxious for him to come out that he was telling us this weekend that Caleb is about to pop out of mommy. Too funny with his response to my growing belly.

Parker's tent

Parker loves the 3 big boxes that I had from the foam for my cushions. So he has made them his tents. I am trying to decide when to start putting the in the recycling, since they take up so much room in the house.
I found Parker fast asleep in one tent after we had a fun day at the park. I guess he was worn out.

Having fun in his tent.

Too cute, the cheapest toy around a box. Gotta love that.

The new improved patio furniture

So here is the finised product of our antique rod iron furniture with the 10 cushions that
I made. We love to sit outside as a family and relax on them.
The tile on the floor will be coming up soon and we have an outdoor rug that will go down, but wanted to wait for the spring stuff to stop before putting it out.

Parker even enjoys laying on the sofa with the pillows and of course his famous blankets. I can't believe I waited 3 years to redo this furniture and I am so pleased with the outcome. Of course this week it has rained everyday, so the cushions are inside this week waiting to go back outside again.