Couponing

Have you seen Extreme Couponing on TLC?  Holy moly!  I've only seen it once, but who knew you could MAKE money at the grocery store?!  Of course I do think it's kind of odd that a woman who has no children is stockpiling baby food and diapers, but I'm sure she didn't spend a penny (well, maybe one penny) on it.

My budget would LOVE for me to be an extreme couponer, but unfortunately I find even basic couponing overwhelming.  Do I really need this product?  Is this actually a better deal than what I normally buy?  Is this coupon worth the ink and paper I'll have to use to print it?

How about you, are you a couponer?  Do you go to the extreme or just clip/print something if it catches your eye?

Lasting Testimonies

In the last two years I lost the only three grandparents I ever knew.  With the anniversary of their passings coming up, I've been thinking about them a lot and am so thankful for their lasting testimonies.

My Papa Edwards was a tough man on the outside.  He fought a losing battle with his weight and because of this he couldn't quite find the happiness he had had in his youth.  Nevertheless, every time I was over at his house he'd have his Bible on the end table by his chair.  He read that thing cover to cover and back again.  What discipline, and oh how I wish I had it as well!

My Memaw Edwards was the sweetest lady you could ever meet.  She always had something nice to say about everyone, and her gift was words of encouragement.  She loved to send cards in envelopes that she had decorated with stickers.  These weren't just your obligatory birthday cards, instead she sent cards to let you know she was thinking of you and praying for you.  Whenever I was having a rough time, I knew without a doubt that my grandmother was praying for me, whether or not I asked for it.

My Papa Waddill was a funny old man.  He loved to laugh and make people laugh, and he loved his "lady friends."  His death was unexpected, but we do know that in those last minutes, before his health took a sudden turn for the worst, he was kneeling down on his 86 year old knees to say his nighttime prayer.  How reassuring is it to know that he went from talking to God to seeing His face shortly thereafter!

I miss my grandparents greatly.  My heart aches that Maddie never had the chance to meet them here on Earth, but I know that one day many years from now I'll have the chance to introduce them to their beautiful, redheaded great-granddaughter.  I can find comfort in that.

Free Christmas cards? Yes, please!

Eric and I have never been good at sending out Christmas cards, but now that we have Maddie we feel a little more pressure to mail them to our loved ones. After all, who doesn’t want Maddie’s sweet face hanging on their refrigerator door?  :)

When I heard that Shutterfly is giving 50 free Christmas cards to any blogger that creates a post about the deal they are offering this holiday season, I couldn’t resist. Knowing that we want to include a picture of our family on the card, I went straight to Shutterfly’s Christmas photo cards and began browsing. There are so many choices, but I think I’ve narrowed it down to two or three. Eric will have to make the final decision for me.

If you’re on the ball and have already sent out your Christmas cards, you might want to take a look at Shutterfly’s photo calendars. Talk about a great gift for parents and grandparents!

Before I left Shutterfly’s site I couldn’t resist looking at their birthday cards. Maddie’s birthday might not be for another eight months, but there’s no harm in getting a head start, right?  :)

One Year Ago Today

We had an exciting morning,

followed by an eventful evening.

What a day!

She Looks Like Me When I was a Baby!

As I drove by the school where I used to teach, I saw an old co-worker of mine at the playground.  I decided to stop for a quick visit since she hadn't seen Maddie in a while.  Several of the students who were outside having recess wanted to check out Maddie as well.  After taking a peek at her, one little black girl told her friend, "She looks like me when I was a baby!"  :)

In all seriousness though, here's a picture of me at 2 months as well as a picture of Maddie at 3 months.  At first I thought we looked identical, but now I'm not so sure. . . .

"Are you the one. . . ?"

My fourth grade class of 2009 just started middle school, which means Eric sees them on occasion.  Today he met two of my former students when he visited the Robotics teacher's classroom.  After realizing that Eric is Mr. T, one the boys innocently asked, "Are you the one who got Mrs. T pregnant?"  It was all Eric could do to not laugh, but he did manage to say, "Well, I am her husband."  Haha!  Sometimes I miss being around big kids and hearing the things they say.  :)

This is totally off topic, but I finally ordered the Kiley carrier from this post and it came in the other day.  Several of you recommended the Clarice, but it was out of stock.  I'm happy with the one I got though, and with a little more practice buckling Maddie in I'll be a confident baby wearing mama!

A Few of My Favorite Things

Sorry to all of you Facebookers for the repeat of pictures, but here are some things I've been loving lately:

I love how Maddie looks so peaceful when she sleeps.

I love her sleepy smiles. 

I love how she stretches her arms around my sides as if to give me a hug when she is asleep.

I love the alertness she shows with her big, beautiful eyes.

I love seeing how much Eric loves her.

I love the frown and pouty lip that she shows us when she is being dramatic.

I love how she lays in a cute little froggy position.

I love being her mommy.