Publix Trip - 6/14/13

Spent $27.40 - Saved $36.57 (should have been $40, fish sticks didn't ring up buy one get one) 

Here is what I got:

No coupon items-

Mountain Dew for the ride home 

Gallon of milk

Salad mix

3 on the vine tomatoes

4 sticks of salted butter

Coupon items:

2 mrs Paul's fish sticks

4 bottles of juicy juice

2 lunchables

2 packs of armour pepperonis

2 packs of Perdue chicken nuggets

2 boxes of fruit snacks 

Not a bunch this week but still worth it :) 

Blessings! 

Feed Me Seymour!

Well that escalated quickly! :)

At least they shared!!! 

Happy Friday! 

Take me to the RIVER...

This past Tuesday the kids and I packed up to head to a cabin in the woods.

My mom rents this cabin every year and made it seem like it was going to be one of those cabins you see in scary movies. Its secluded she says, there is nothing nearby to shop at she says. Insert panic mode.

We decided, ok *I* decided this would be a great idea. To pack three kids, by myself, drive 2 hours north, and sit in a cabin and swim in a river - with fish - anyone who knows me, KNOWS I do NOT do fish... UGH!!

I am doing this for the kids - I am doing this for the kids - I am doing this for the kids!!!

So, after finding a sitter for our lovely pup, Jude - we headed out.

With my navigator AKA Skylar at my side we headed north.
We arrived 2 hours later to thee most beautiful cabin in the woods - after we passed a Walmart, Winn Dixie and a Dollar General... ( Nothing nearby? Psh)
We pulled up and it was breathtaking... trees dripping with Moss, A hammock next to the brick firepit by the beautifully clear river. Kayaks lined the shore by the dock. The inside decorate with tons and tons of ducks - the name of the cabin was Wood Duck Crossing. Yes, they name their cabins.

It was a beautiful full stocked 2 story home. 4 bedroom, 2 bath and an outside shower. Complete with board games - we played Monopoly, Skylar whipped us... and DVDs - we watched Little Miss Sunshine... and a nice kitchen... Momma made us Spaghetti for dinner, supplied us with tons of lunch meat and then made us Pancakes the next morning for breakfast. There was fresh fruit cut on the counter for walk-by snacking and drinks in the fridge. Yeah, we are kinda spoiled.  My 3 brothers even came down, it is rare to have us all together.

It was perfect! I learned to Kayak. Dakota swam all day, Eli loved throwing Pine Cones off the dock and Skylar took about 24 hours to warm up to the idea of being outdoors without her electronics, but she finally made it out and kayaked with Gramps. We only stayed one night. But it was great. It filled my heart meter back up and I SOOOO needed that. I have been feeling defeated lately.

We are now home and refreshed for what ever comes next...

Here are some photos from our trip...

View from the Porch

Skylar on the hammock

Dakota and Grandpa kayaking

Eli and Grammie on the big float

View from the deck

Homeschool: May Theme: Butterflies and Caterpillars

This month we took an extended time on our theme...

We studied caterpillars and butterflies and how God makes us a new creation!
We also threw in some Mothers Day fun and some beach time!



We learned about the life cycle of these amazing creatures!

We made a paper chain caterpillar with 10 loops and we counted the loops as we glued them...

And we made butterfly coffee filter paintings which didnt really look like butterflies ;)

We decorated our own butterflies learning that we are unique and different from each other...

We learned about the number six and how fun it was to write!!

The boys made me some Mothers Day pictures...

FEATURED!

Here is the back story -

For Mothers Day, I saw a local website asking for donations of items for a raffle. And since I am all about freebies, I offered up one of my items from Joyful Blessings.  When I emailed her, I explained what I did and why...

She replied back enthusiastic! Instead of throwing my item in with all the others she wanted to do a full page on my business!! I was so excited. She said she was busy for Mothers Day but to email her back after the holiday and she would do it. I never expected to hear form her again, but RIGHT AFTER Mothers Day - she emailed me!

I couldnt believe she actually wanted to feature me! I was beyond excited!
She asked if I had something I wanted to give away and she said she loved the capes... SO I whipped up a cape especially for the post for a give away...

Ane it posted today! Yay!!

Here is the link!

Macaroni Kid - Brandon

So go check em out and sign up to win a freebie!!

I am super over the moon about it and I hope it brings tons of awareness!

Blessings,

I Run For...

Recently in one of my many Down syndrome groups someone posted a listing.
It intrigued me...

It said...

Hello everyone, I'm Tim Boyle, Founder and Executive Director of a group called "I Run For..." We pair up runners and other athletes with children and adults with special needs and they do all of their workouts, exercising, and runs in their honor. Right now we have several runners on the waiting list hoping to be paired with someone special. If you are interested please check out the fb page. If you are interested in having your special someone paired up send me a message or comment on this post. Here is the link to the page...
www.facebook.com/groups/irunformichael

I thought, "What a great idea!"

So I joined the page and added Dakota's name to the list. We were paired up with a runner that very night.
I have to say, I had no idea what it was even about, but the thought of someone running for Dakota made my heart smile. Dakota is not a great runner, heck he doesnt even really run at all, he kind of does this weird skipping hopping thing. I know he will someday. And he is still fast, but someone who can run, like really run - run... Like marathons and not casual runs across the block runs was an awesome thought.

Our runner posts his runs and workouts in the group and tags us in them to motivate us to keep trying, and we in turn post things for him, to keep him motivated.

Awesome concept!

I just thought I would share. And if you know anyone who would like to sign up as a runner or as a person who is ran for, then the link is above.

Many blessings!!

Happy Mothers Day to my MOM!

Have you met my mom?

She is pretty incredible. She is my rock in a hard, difficult, sometimes overwhelming world.
My mom was a single mother for a long time.
Did I mention all the times she struggled just to feed me when I was little? But she never gave up. She went without so I could thrive.
She taught me so many lessons in life. Things to do and things not to do.
Did I mention she was a teenager when she had me? No not like 16 and pregnant or anything, but too young to understand what being a mom was.
 Did I mention her mom passed away when she was little? She didnt have a mom to show her how to be the woman she is. She just is. And that is incredible!
Did I mention she asked me what I thought when she became pregnant when I was 13? She genuinely wanted to know what I thought about being an older sister. Clearly, I was SUPER excited! I was so excited, she had two more after that! ;)
Did I mention she raised me to go against the grain? I feel like I have said this a lot lately. Because it is who I am. I am a rule-breaker. But not for the bad. I like to be the "exception" to the rule. Often.
Did I mention she fought for me and my rights? Like all the time. Even the smallest issue at school, she was there, on my behalf, on my side. No questions asked. And she still is. Forever. And a day.
Did I mention the time I moved to California? She didnt believe I would actually do it, until she saw my ticket. I think I heard her heart break. But she supported me. Even when I came running back home with a newborn a year later. She supported me.
Did I mention my "messy divorce" years? She supported me for the most part then too. When I was a mess and my life was a mess and I didnt know which way was up, she threw me a life-vest and said hold on tight. And I did. And she was there. Telling me I was going to survive. I was going to come to the top eventually and she would be there. And she was.
Did I mention the time I gave birth to the most perfect boy and he just happened to have Down syndrome? She was there, in the room watching stoic and secure. Never wavering. At least not in front of me. She was my calm in a crazy day. And she knew. She knew I was going to rock at being a special needs mom. Because she raised me that way. She just held my hand and said - we are in this together. And we are.
Did I mention that time I got married? No not that time, but the second time. She set it up so I could have the wedding at my step-dad's restaurant. A place that meant so much to me. She made my brothers, who were my bridesmen, dress nicely and had my step dad walk me down the "aisle". She made me the most beautiful wedding cake because we couldnt afford one. She made my day special.
Did I mention that time I got pregnant? Again. She held the most beautiful baby shower. Again. She always has a way of making me feel so special. She is special.
Did I mention that my mom made a huge life change for herself? She is now sober. SOBER! I never thought I would see the day! She thought she did it for her. But I know she did it for me, and my brothers and my children. She just doesnt know it. I am so proud of her. In fact I couldnt be more proud.
Did I mention she did so awesome in this life change that my step-dad made the same change? Yeah thats right... both SOBER!
Oh - and did I mention that my mom is my BESTEST friend, like, EVER. Like ever ever...
And I cant imagine my life without her. And she did an awesome job at being a mom even if she had no one to show her the ropes.
See, I have her. To show me how to be awesome. But she had, like, no one...
And she is amazing. And continues to be amazing. And now she is a grandma and she is amazing at that too!! There is no stopping this woman!

If I can only be HALF the woman my mother is, then I have accomplished something.
And you know what? She isnt done being spectacular. There are many things ahead of us that she will be there for me and my kids. I will need her again in some way shape or form and she will be there. No questions asked. Again. Like she always is. Because thats her. Thats how she rolls.
Did I ever tell you, my mom is my rock? Yeah, I think I might have. But ts worthy of saying again.

Happy Mothers Day, mom.  I know it is never said enough but you are appreciated more then I could ever express in this lifetime.

And if I got to do it over and pick another mom, 
I would still choose you. Forever. And a day.