To Emma, Love Mom- First Day of Kindergarten

Last night, I was preparing Emma's lunch for our big milestone today and as I was attempting to cut the most perfect heart out of a sandwich with a cookie cutter, I began to think about my friend Julie….

A little over two years ago, Julie had a baby prematurely. Jaden was born 8 weeks early. Julie just happened to be visiting her mother near Pittsburgh when she started having complications. She called and said that they were moving her from the small town hospital in her hometown to a larger one with a NICU in Pittsburgh and that there was a possibility that a cesarean would have to be performed. I called the next morning and she seemed quite dazed and she reported that a c-section had been done and she had become a mother of two, significantly earlier than they had anticipated.

I am so happy to tell you that Jaden is now a very active, thriving two year old. But during the first days and then weeks after he was born, as a friend, I felt helpless as I listened to Julie’s feelings of helplessness. First, I will say that I marveled at how well she held it together so that she could do all that she could to help Jaden. She was strong but there was stress, and tears… lots of tears. She couldn’t hold him, she couldn’t feed him, but she could pump milk to be fed to him through an IV. So she clung to the one thing that she could do. She pumped and she took milk to the hospital for many, many days.

Later, she told me that she wrote on the milk bags, "To Jaden, Love Mom". She explained to me that all though nurses were taking care of him and she couldn’t, she needed them to know that she was his mother…. 

Now I am not trying to equate something that most mothers do (taking their children to Kindergarten) with something as traumatic as having a baby prematurely. But, last night, as I was preparing to send Emma off to Kindergarten, I found myself desperately trying to find a way to let these people know that I was not only leaving a student with them, but that they were also going to be taking care of someone’s heart; my heart. At that moment, I became all too aware that this is the beginning of letting her go. I feel like in many ways, this is the day I have been preparing for since the day she was born. I have always known that the day was going to come where she would spend more of her waking hours with someone else than she does with me. I pray that we’ve packed enough love and guidance in.. I pray that somehow in the best understanding that a five year old can have, she understands how proud I am to be her mother, that God trusted me with her. And, as she goes out into the world, that she remembers that even more importantly than belonging to her daddy and me, she belongs to God.

So, I fashioned a heart out of sandwich, and stuck in our family picture with a note that said, “We love you” in her lunch box. I questioned if I was giving her enough to eat and listened to Adam laugh as he told me she had never eaten that much food in one day much less one meal. I ironed her dress and fixed her hair. I took the pictures and walked her to her class. I made sure she looked me in the eyes as I told her she was not to leave that afternoon with anyone but me. She quickly got busy with a project that the teacher had given her. And after one last picture, I gave her a kiss and turned and walked out the door into the next chapter of our life. Adam and I said all the things that parents say… That time has gone so quickly. That we will blink and be sending her off to college and then with her husband. And, I know that the only thing I can do is ask God to help us guide her and try desperately to cherish each moment along the way.

Please excuse the drama. This is a very traumatic time for me. I’m not even going to go into how frightening it is to me to think of when Chloe goes off to school (I know it sounds like I’m talking about sending my kids off to college, I’m still talking about Kindergarten here) and I don’t have a child at all during the day but I guess there’s no sense in agonizing over that until we get to that point. Post on that coming sooner than I want to believe….

So now that you’ve patiently indulged me and read about my near emotional breakdown, I’ll tell you how it went.

Emma did great. Last night, I was teasing her and pretend crying and told her that I couldn’t do it and I thought we should keep her home for another year. She reassured me by telling me that she was excited but would miss me and that it wasn’t like she would never have a day off. There was a brief moment in the car where she told me that she was excited but a little scared. But we got to the school and she sported the confidence that she has become quite famous for and barely even noticed when I left. When I picked her up, she informed me that her card was on white all day and explained that that was where it was good to be. She exclaimed that she loved Kindergarten and that she thought it was going to be a wonderful year..

And I thanked God that this is only traumatic because I’m by nature a basket case and not because any actual trauma occurred.

Blessings,

Dana

I've Been Tagged

It's a couple of weeks late but I finally got around to doing the Tag that my friend Lu challenged me with. Though random should be easy, these things are always difficult to me because I want to make sure I use this opportunity wisely. I know, so much thought makes things un-random... So here we go...

Six random things you may not know about me

1. I am a sheet snob. If you know me at all you know that I hardly buy anything new. I'm thrifty, frugal, cheap, however you define it. If you want to be friends with me, I'll be friends with you. I don't care how much money you have or what you look like. I'm more interested in loyalty, compassion, encouragement.. that sort of thing when it comes to friendship. I think it would be very difficult to call me a snob. Except when it comes to sheets. Over 400 thread count 100% Egyptian cotton. The only way to go...

2. I have the same birthday as my husband

3. I was the Alabama state champion in high jump my senior year in high school.

4. I usually have anxiety when I go into a crowd.

5. I used to have this thing for Kenny Rogers. But now he's tried to reinvent himself which I'm pretty sure involved some plastic surgery and I know involved a leather jacket. An old man trying to act like a young one... Totally unappealing. Dennis Quaid.. He's my new old hot guy. If you're the same age as Dennis Quaid, focus more on the hot part and less on the old part.

6. I always choose an older celebrity that I think is attractive. It's always one that is either graying or is gray. Adam is undoubtedly heading there but that way instead of feeling like he's geting old, he can feel like he's grown into my idea of hot. And it's true. I find gray haired men dignified and attractive. Maybe it's because my dad is gray. I mean I wouldn't call my dad hot but he's most definitely a handsome man.

Okay, there you have it. I would have to say that those were pretty random.

Now, the six people I tag..

1. Julie

2. Ashley

3. Stephanie

4. Becky

5. Sandi

6. Anna

Welcome Lainey Wynn Lowery

Lainey Wynn was born at around 12:30 a.m. on July 30. Since no one would send us a picture, we decided to go get some ourselves. If you were there visiting the Lowery family and didn't take the time to send all of us that live a little further away a picture, no worries, if my children look a little malnourished the next time you see them, it's because I spent our grocery budget making a trip over there. For those Ellis family friends that have been waiting on pictures, just remember who came through for you.

And without further delay, what you all have been waiting for... Our latest little beauty, weighing in at a whopping 8 lbs. 10 ounces and 21 inches






She became jaundiced and had to be under the bili lights. The last I heard they were going home this evening but that hasn't been confirmed. But us trying to see her while she was under the lights and our crazy trip that should have taken 4 and a half hours but instead took 8 to get home will make an interesting post once I get an internet connection but for now, my internet is down and I'm sitting front of the neighborhood park (which aparently has the internet) so I have to make this quick.

If you are trying to get up with me, try more conventional methods for the next day or so.

Blessings,
Dana

Vote For Chloe!

I entered a picture of Chloe in a photo contest. Click here to vote for her. They will send you a confirmation e-mail that you have to click on link to confirm. You DO NOT have to sign up for the adds. Just click the link and then wait for it to confirm your vote. You can vote once a day for the month of August.

Blessings

Walgreens Coupon

I have a coupon for $5 a $20 or more purchase at Walgreens for tomorrow (31st) only.

There might be a way to post it on here but I don't know how. But, if you want it, send me your e-mail address and I can forward it to you.

Blessings

Sugar and Spice....Eleven Months

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Trying again... I liked these a lot better. I thought these captured her personality really well. She is so much fun. Sorry there are so many, I had a hard time choosing.

I'm sure that someone is about to get on my case about there being more pictures of Chloe than Emma... I was going to do pictures of Emma today but she wanted to wear the same outfit Chloe did... Not so cute on a five year old. But really, Chloe is showcased on here because Emma is showcased in life. The kid definitely loves the spotlight. So, this is a case of the second child seeking justice for the second child. Making sure Chloe doesn't fade into the wallpaper.

Wonder what Aunt Denise will say about this one :).

Blessings,

Dana

Wynn is coming soon!

Just got off the phone with Jan (Adam's sister for those of you that don't know her) and they are inducing her in the morning. They are thinking she might be having a 9lb. baby! We made a trip to Alabama last week and we were hoping to get to meet our first niece then. But, our little Wynn has taken her time. Don't worry Wynn I was a little nervous about joining this family too! We did enjoy spending a few minutes with her and her husband Clint and hope we get to do more of that in the future!

Anyway, as you can tell in the pictures, her belly is as big as a pregnant belly gets. She was just a couple days shy of 40 weeks. It's a beautiful belly and she's being a trooper and letting me post these pictures. Don't worry, I got permission. I wish we had had more time and had found a more creative spot but the moment is at least documented. And we'll have more time next time because we won't be living so far away. So anyway, Emma and Chloe should have a new baby cousin by this time tomorrow. \

Please keep them in your prayers! I'll update soon.

Blessings,
Dana

My New Obsession

I started this post a week or two ago and got it done and then hit one button and erased half of it and then when I started re-typing it, it was highlighted in yellow. So, I got frustrated and am just now picking it back up..


Okay, My New OBSESSION!

Coupon Clipping--- I am so addicted to coupon clipping

In West Virginia, we had an Aldi's. Aldi's is awesome! milk is 1.99 a gallon, eggs are .99 a dozen. They have these huge and fabulous frozen pizzas for 3.29. A bag of salad is .79. The produce is super cheap and super fresh.. you can go to www.aldifoods.com and find the nearest one to you. Awesome deals in the whole store. Seriously, if you have an Aldis, thank God for the blessing and GO THERE! I was visiting my mom this weekend and I went to her Aldi's and bought four gallons of milk and froze them to bring back with me. Yes, I go through great extremes to save a few bucks. And we will eventually have an Aldi's here because I am going to e-mail them mercilessly until they put one here.

So off the rant about Aldi's and back on to coupon clipping. So since we don't have an Aldis (did I mention that Aldis is awesome?) I had to find a way to stay within our grocery budget. So, I started clipping coupons. And let me tell you, I have been getting stuff for FREE.. That's right FREE! And then I found out that there was this girl at church that clips coupons. Tiffany is the coupon queen! She is my coupon clipping idol. One day, my coupon binder will be as thick as Tiffany's and I will have reached couponer stardom. So, I've been listening intently to Tiffanies guidance and happening across all of these websites and I'm learning more and more! I've already checked out the deals for tomorrow and I'm going to get more free stuff.
...


So in case my enthusiasm hasn't convinced you yet.., I'm going to share with you some of the deals that I've gotten since I started this new hobby about a month ago.


Herbal Esscence Shampoo and Conditoner FREE
Crest Toothpaste FREE
CVS Tampons FREE
CVS Panty Liners FREE
Infusium detangler FREE
Secret Platinum deodorant FREE
And this week, I made .50 on Crest toothpaste. How awesome is that. Sure, I'll let you pay me to use your toothpaste. I'm like a celebrity getting free shoes. I feel so important.

And there have been so many other deals. I got a large bottle of Hunts ketchup today for 60 cents.. I got a $7.99 electric toothbrush for $.99 and a $7.99 razor for $.99. I got eight boxes of general mills cereal for right at a dollar a box.

This week I'm going to get free band-aids and I'll report my other deals later.

So if I've sparked your interest..

Here are a few things that I've learned so far... If you are an experienced couponer and are looking at me thinking that I'm an amateur... Please, tell me more.. I want to learn!!! Coupon hints can be left here!

Go to www.couponmom.com. There is a free book you can download that will explain lots of stuff. They also have listings of the deals at Walmart, Target, Walgreens, Rite Aid, and CVS. They tell you what is on sale and what coupons to put with the sales to get it dirt cheap...
They also have a link to where you can get newspaper subscriptions at 75% off. I think I've already saved enough in one month to pay for my years subscriptions.
Also, www.iheartcvs.com and www.iheartriteaid.com are great websites too. CVS and Rite Aid seem to be the best places to get the freebies. And my friend Tangee e-mailed me with this cool site. www.ccherrypicker.blogspot.com. And, of course the one that I mentioned in the previous post was www.thecentsiblesawyer.blogspot.com

Kroger and Publix double coupons up to 50 cents.. Publix accepts competitors coupons
Store coupons and manufacturer coupons can be used together.

On Sunday mornings. I wake like a kid on Christmas morning and run out to get the paper then I spread it all out on the living room floor and study the thing like a text book and find out how much my paper is worth that day...

Just think how much I could save if I did coupons and had an Aldi's!

So please leave any thrifty hints you might have.. Coupons, energy savers, anything.. What do you do to save money? I'm all about stretching a dollar. Until next time, happy clipping!

Blessings,
Dana

Walmart Shoppers Go Here

The Centsible Sawyer

I'm still working on a post for all of you that have asked me about the information I've gathered on coupon clipping but I know that several of you only shop at Walmart and I just came across this site that tells you lots of Walmart deals along with printable coupons right there. Lots of stuff for Free! Don't forget that Walmart price matches. My sister was clever and took a stack of post it notes and wrote the price and the store it was at that price on separate post it notes and stuck it on the items as she was shopping. That way she didn't have to stand there and tell them about every item.

Please feel free to share you money saving tips!

How Having a Child Made Me Beautiful

On a serious note.. In considering last night's conversation with my friend I met in Rite Aid (see  "Calling All Crazies" below), I felt that it was time for me to write a post that's been brewing in my head.  First I will say that I have to confess that I had to fight the urge to start a diet and high energy exercise program. I'm glad that I was able to shake it off and laugh about it and call the girl crazy but I do want to clarify that would not have always been the case. I never had an eating disorder but, I did constantly obsess over the way I looked. There was always a new obsession. My nose is too big, my ears are too big, other parts of my body aren't big enough, my hair is too thin... and so on.

Well, after working with many girls in youth ministry, and watching many teenage girls with eating disorders and girls obsess over the same types of thing that I did, I came to believe that this is an issue that as Christian women, we need to put an end to. I became especially aware of the problem within myself after I had Emma. I really wanted to make sure that I taught her to be okay with herself and I knew to do that, I had to learn to be okay with myself. It's really quite ironic because instead of teaching her, she taught me..

When Emma was born, I was so taken by her that I couldn't take my eyes off her. The first night that I had her, I stayed awake all night long and watched her sleep just waiting for her to wake up and need me. I examined her every little part and declared her beautiful. I marveled at the fact that I had made something so perfect. I remember thinking that by becoming a mother I had become what God had always intended me to be.. It was truly a magical time. This was the point that I began to believe in love at first sight. I loved every part of her but there was one thing that really stood out to me. Her lips. She has the most beautiful lips. I continued to watch her as she grew always admiring her lips. I closely examined every relative on mine and Adam's side trying to figure out where this specific feature came from.. I looked through pictures, I watched Adam as he talked and then one morning, I walked by the mirror and caught a glimpse of Emma's lips... on me... Her lips came from me! It just took seeing them on someone that I love more than life itself to look past the things that I didn't like about myself to see the things that I did like about myself.

After this realization, I printed out this scripture: Psalm 139:14
"I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." I posted this scripture on my mirror and I wrote those words on my heart.

A few years later, Chloe came along and though it didn't surprise me that she was beautiful because I knew by then the beauty that I would see in my child, there were other features that she reflected from me. And I was amazed all over again. I'm sure that you've probably came to this conclusion on your own but I feel as if I would be remiss if I didn't mention that God's sees us as the same perfect beauty that we see our children.

Ok, so I didn't say all of this to say, so look at your children and find all the things that are pretty on them that they got from you so that you can feel good about yourself all though, that might not be a bad thing to do. But I do want to say that I don't think we can teach our children to see themselves as God sees them until we learn to see ourselves as God sees us.

I have made a commitment to not fret about my appearance in front of my girls.. And I'm working on not fretting about it at all. I'm not saying that we shouldn't teach our kids to be healthy. I think that eating healthy, exercising and taken care of ourselves is part of being a good steward of the things that God has blessed us with. But I also know that wrinkles and gaining weight is a part of aging and I truly want to embrace all of my life, even those parts. I don't think that God ever intended for us to pick his creation apart. I guess when the way we look becomes the sole motivation for the things that we do, there is a good chance, that motivation isn't from God.

I do want to tell you that once I dusted myself off and stopped calling her crazy as a defense mechanism, that poor girl last night has been on my heart. I've spent some time praying for her today. The things she said to me were not mean spirited at all. I think she was truly afraid that she wouldn't be able to live with herself if she gained 10 lbs and I feel so sad for her for that.

I guess that's pretty much it. Maybe she will find her way into your prayers tonight too.

And God please help me to help my girls see themselves and others as you do.

Blessings,
Dana