Precious Birthday Blessings

Wow!

My children are growing way too fast.  I cannot believe my Kylie and Caylee will be celebrating another birthday tomorrow.  It still brings me back to when I was not sure that they both would be home with my husband, son and I.  What a tough few weeks for us it was.

Where do I begin?  After heading to the hospital a few times  because of bad contractions, the third time I stayed.  The staff did all they could to stop the contractions and make sure our babies would stay in my womb as long as they could.

I was very grateful to receive a blessing from my Father-in-law and brother Roberts.  I felt after tests and finding nothing regarding what was wrong, it was one of my only hopes into making sure things might turn out for the better.  Literally hours after, I was transferred to another hospital and they ran another test.

The doctor came in and told me we could not wait for our doctor and that he needed to deliver the babies right away.  It turned out I had severe preeclampsia and I immediately began to panic.  At the time I had no idea what he was talking about, my husband was at work and I missed our little Caleb.

Praying was all I had left in me for the moment in time and I was scared.  I wanted an epidural shot and did not get one and was very tired.  My husband was able to make it and our families as well.

One thing I still wish could have been different was seeing my baby girls after they were born.  My husband was able to see them, but they took them away to NICU as soon as they came into this world.  I still am sad about this today, but I cannot change this.

The girls were not able to come home right away, but the staff at Mercy San Juan were the best and I would not have changed that at all.  My girls were treated like the princesses they were and I am so very grateful for that.

One week later we brought home our daughter Caylee on my Mother's birthday!  We had given her my Mom's name as her middle name when she was born.

Two weeks later, we brought home our daughter Kylie on my Mother-in -laws birthday!  We had given her my Mom's (husband's mom) name as her middle name when she was born.

Truly gifts from Heavenly Father!

It was a difficult time dealing with Kylie's heart monitor, having twins and making sure I did my best with our son as well for the next few months.  It was not easy, but we managed.  

My heart grew bigger and I went from loving one child to three in an instant and it is a wonderful feeling.

Four years later tomorrow, we have been on this road and we are not stopping!

Sunday Always Sets The Tone For The Week To Come

When you read Leadership Education: The Phases Of Learning, you will come upon what is known as "Ingredients" and there are a total of 55.  That number can seem like quite a lot.  But, as parents we are the experts in our own home and know what is of importance, can work, will not work and so forth.  Since I have started my journey on TJED, I have fine tuned and found what works better for my family and what simply we can do without.  As the seasons change, obviously what works and is best for my family will change.  But, with the guidance from my Heavenly Father, I am not worried at all.

One thing for sure is Sundays are a must!

This day had already been of importance to me.  But, as I incorporated Ingredient #1: Sundays, it has become even more crucial to keep things the way they are now for my family.  With our FEC (Family Executive Committee) meeting in place on this day, it truly has set the tone for our week.  My husband and I are a team and we discuss what is going on during the week, how our time will be spent, discuss our children and with my seven year old son he let's me know what things he would like to work on and helps me in planning field trips.  My son and I also talk about his feelings, what is of importance to him in his learning and we talk about how his Core Phase is coming along and how he is growing.  He knows that before he will move on to LOL he must have the Core Phase Curriculum down. 

That's right on page 40 in the book, we know there is a simple curriculum which consists of:

right and wrong
good and bad
true and false
relationships
family values, especially spiritual culture
family identity, including family history and mission
family routines and responsibilities
accountability
the value and love of work and play

In this simple curriculum of Core Phase, a lot is covered and they are of great importance.  As an adult, I know we can always add to what we have learned and gained during this phase, but it is crucial to lay the foundation.

Yes, my children and I learn a lot each day and work on topics in many subjects, but my main focus is that my children understand that Core Phase is the basis for a great life.

Taking care of pets is an important job.  It is not just about playing with them.  Who says hard work cannot be fun?!

I have said it before and will say it again.  When we work hard, we can play hard and even enjoy it more!

Frugality Wins...Even on Mother's Day Weekend

A beautiful weekend it was!  Every single moment I treasured and it has been locked away in my memory jail, as my son puts it!  Memory jail is for those memories that you want to keep and do not want to let them go.  One thing for sure, was that even during this past Mother's Day weekend, my frugal thinking had to be turned on.  That's right.  No break and spending regular price.  That would be outrageous.  At least for me.  Everytime I need to buy something, there is a plan.  I know that when I make it to that finish line and leave the store, I will be glowing all over because of my savings!

I have embraced my frugal ways and have been refining them all of the time to master my skills more on a weekly basis.  This is one of my TALENTS!  Yes, you read that correctly.  I am mastering a talent of mine and am very proud.  I even read books on this subject matter that I pick up from my local library.

I have a post on the 99 Cent Only Stores on my blog, but I covered food.  There is another reason I stop into these stores.  I am able to get other items that would cost a lot more money at other stores, but these items will end up here.  I am talking about brand name items from stores like WalMart, Target, KMart, and many more.  I have been in need of new sunglasses, since my girls had messed mine up last summer.  But, I would not buy any because I wanted the best possible price.  I know that it can seem a little out of the ordinary, but I can't bring myself to pay full price.  It's not happening. 

Have you heard of Foster Grants?  Me too.  Well, I snagged two pairs of their sunglasses marked at $15 each.  That means I would have paid $30 regular price and I snagged them for $2.  A great deal in my book.  I must stress again that it is important you do not shop at these stores to fill up a cart with items just because they are $1.  I go to these stores with a plan.  I am only looking for amazing deals that I know I cannot get for a better price and are worth my $1.

This is the one store that I do not take my coupon bag inside.  But, with always having a plan, I am saving so much and spending very little.  Get to know your wokers at these stores.  I have enjoyed getting to know the workers at my local 99 Cent Only Store.  I talk to them all of the time and they enjoy my children giving them hugs and saying hello.  They have also gained some valuable tips.  I know when to scope out the store and I always feel comfortable asking them what other items have not been brought out from the back yet.  Very friendly staff and I truly appreciate all that they do.

Check out a store near you!

Let's Go To The Movies!

Movies can be fun with the family!  They can also be expensive.  But, with this mom it sure isn't.  That's right, I am also frugal when it comes to the movies.

My children enjoy going to the movies, but they know it is something that does not need to happen all of the time.  No, I am not depriving them.  Trust me, my kids sure do a lot!

Wouldn't it be great to see movies for free here and there, or go for a very inexpensive price?  Let's say for fifty cents or one dollar a person.  I know.  I must be crazy!  Sure am.  Crazy about my savings!

I am here to tell you that if you did not know this, it is true!  If you live in my area we actually have another free night at our local West Wind Drive Ins next Thursday. My children enjoy the free movie nights at the Drive Ins.  They always have live music, games and so much more, along with the movies.  We always bring our dinner and movie snacks with us as well for even more savings.  Cannot beat free double movie features!

Another great way to go see movies with your children are during the summer movie festivals.  These are made especially for kids!  Regal used to have free summer movies, but the past few years they have been one dollar.  Still a great price.  I am sure glad I have a gift card for Regal to use this summer!  More bang for my buck.  You will also find other movie theaters who do the same type of summer festival and they are at great prices as well.  Cinemark has a deal for ten movies for five dollars if you pay in advance and a dollar each movie at the door.  Either way, it is great.

Wherever you live check with your local movie theaters and find out what they have to offer.  You can also get rewards cards and earn free movies and much more.

We occasionaly see a movie that is not during one of these specials, but I still am frugal about it and it is not very often. Remember to stay frugal by thinking outside the box!  It is very rewarding to save money!

Using the 99 Cent Only Stores and Library for my Frugalness

If you are a family member or a friend, you know how frugal I am!  It's in my blood and I get so excited all day long about my savings.  I eat, sleep, and even dream savings!  I am sure my family and friends have heard enough or want to laugh at times, but I know they have seen how much I truly save.  I am good at what I do, only get what my family and I will use and I truly appreaciate the simplicity that has come along with my mindset. 

Coupons are amazing and my coupon binder is like gold to me.  I have my own special bag for my coupon binder and it always comes with me to the store.  Coupons are money and I treat them as such with tender care.  One thing I have noticed lately is many people stop at coupons.  Not this gal over here!  Coupons are only one aspect to the many that add up my savings.

You probably have a 99 Cent Only Store in your neighborhood or close by.  Well, many people shop at these stores, but are not saving money.  Here is the problem, they are buying so many items and think to themselves that because it is cheap they should just buy it.  Wrong!  You want to maximize your savings, right!?  I know I do!  Here is my saving tip for all of you readers, we want to only buy the high value saving items and shop in the store during their new shipment days.  Hey, I just shared with you two savings tips!  I went in today to grab those high value savings and totally scored with a huge jar of pickles and boxes of Kraft Fresh Takes with three flavors in a box.  A great deal!

Onto your local library.  I just love my local library branch and my family makes use out of it weekly!  We arre usually there twice a week.  They have programs for all ages there that are free to the community.  My children absolutely enjoy all of the programs that they get to go to there.  Being a homeschooling mother, I especially enjoy that they have such a variety for children. 

Get to know your librarians!  We have gotten to know most of our librarians very well and I am so grateful for the help, support and guidance they have shown me and still show me regarding many things when I have a question or need help with something.  They are always willing and wanting to help us and it is awesome.  I had known very early on about our Seed Library that our branch was starting, before they even finshed with having everything ready, up and running.  I was so excited and happy that our local branch had recieived a huge donation of seeds from a local garden store.  I am happy to say that we have seeds planted and doing well already and we have a few more to get started.  Savings on produce everyone!  Plus, gardening is a great project to work on with your children!

Now,  the library just has so much to offer, from language programs, free museum passes, books, movies and I can go on forever.  I think you get the point.  We actaully have a few shelves dedicated to our library checkouts and we enjoy it.

Go see what awesome stuff your library has to offer!


My Fitness Adventure for this Frugal Mom... Right Here!

Anyone who is a family member, friend, acquaintance, or simply reads my blog, knows that I am a frugal gal and I truly embrace it!  Just hearing the word makes me excited!  I enjoy saving money and still being able to live good and know that my family is very blessed on so many levels.

I am also someone who seems to always be on the go, all of the time!  I admit it.  I am a busy body and am fine with it.  The only issue was needing more energy when my husband and I went from one child to three.  There was a never ending need of more arms, literally.  Well, obviously that was only a dream and I totally decided to kick it in gear with my fitness for more energy and feel better about myself. 

I just had one issue.  I was not going to pay for a gym membership,  There is nothing wrong with that at all.  I have family and friends who do and I applaud them for it!  Remember that FRUGAL quality?  Well, I could not even get myself to pay the money, even though I knew it was for a great cause.  Call me cheap, but I just couldn't. 

So, I started by having a friend and I workout at my house with me, going to a friends house for a while, to working out solo.  Being solo by the way is awesome sometimes!   But, it is also great to be around others who are wanting to change their bodies for the better good of themselves and to feel great about themselves!  Yes, fitness is fun.  Then, I found the BEST Zumba instructor in the world! 
Say what you want.  But, I am very particular about how an instructor runs his/her class and Keri is the bomb and more!  Thankfully, she teaches a class three days a week for free.  Truly, so kind.  Two days are a location near where I live and have been going strong ever since I came across it and have been bringing others her way as well.

Another long time friend of mine had kicked her fitness routine into high gear and even offers a free bootcamp style workout one day a week and I was able to make it today and even brought someone with me.  Go Nikki!  My point is that the world is my playing field and I can workout whether I have a gym membership or not, and so can you.  My kids are included a lot with my workouts and sometimes I have to stop right in the middle to attend to them.  But, it does not stop me one bit!  I keep it moving and jump right back in. 

Between Zumba classes, Gilad videos, Suzanne Bowen videos,  walking, jogging, running, videos that I check out from the library such as the S.W.A.T videos, adding my new bootcamp class when I can attend, bike riding and so much more, I have not seen any reason of why I cannot workout.  Fitness has truly become a part of my daily life and I love it!  Without challenge, there is no change and that goes for fitness as well!!!

Find a workout buddy, group, or go solo!  There is nothing wrong with wanting to make yourself healthier both physically and mentally, and just plain feel better about yourself!

  I am going strong almost two years later!  Hooray!!!

Patience Leads To A Win

I just love having a family dinner every night!  Every night I have a vision that it will look like one of those Pillsbury commercials where everyone is laughing, having a grand time and the only minor argument is over who gets the last biscuit.  I know, can't a mom dream.  Don' t get me wrong, some dinners are awesome and I feel like Rocky.  But, there are also those dinners that are not as pleasant and that is when PATIENCE is everything and more.

My children enjoy eating fruits and vegetables, but when it comes to dinner time, you would think that they have never tried a vegetable in their life.  My children used to watch Yo Gabba Gabba and let me just say, there was an episode that made me want to laugh and be afraid at the same time.  It was all about eating those healthy foods, which is awesome.  But, they sang this song and the food started talking about going to the party in this character's stomach and it made me laugh.  Then, as my twins were two at the time and watching this with a scared look on their face, I thought how scary for a young child to watch their food talking to them.

Now my girls are three.  Yes, they will be four in May, but I do not do the whole my child is three in a quarter, three in a half, or three and three quarters.  Not that I have a problem with any parent who does, but I have been getting asked lately if they are almost to the next age.  Honestly, I am just trying my best to cherish each age and when my children have a birthday, then I am ready to move forward.  For now, they are just three and my son is just six!  It works for me.

 Now, onto dinner last night at my house.

My husband and I enjoyed dinner last night with our children.  At the beginning, not so much, but by the end I could hear angels singing, the drummer boy drumming and the Holy Spirit softly whisper in my ear!  Yes, it felt amazing and brightened my spirits tremendously. 

I tried a new chicken recipe called Crispy Ranch Chicken, which we had with fresh steamed broccoli, mashed potatoes and homemade buttermilk cheddar biscuits.  Very delicious!  But, sometiomes kids do not like the idea of something new and having patience was what I needed.  My husband, son and I ate our food, while the girls refused to try anything.  Instead they wanted a snack.  Poor girls.  In my house you can have a snack in the evening, only after you have eaten your dinner, not as a replacement.  Very calmly they each were taken to their room, because it would not be fair to take time away from our son and family conversation. 

Well, not to our surprise, the girls decided to come back to the table and eat their dinner with us.  See, it was not so bad and someone really liked the new tasty chicken recipe.

Patience is something needed not only during dinner time, but all of the time.  I know it sounds like a lot when as adults in this fast paced world, some cannot wait that extra five minutes at the grocery store, or drive the normal speed limit because they need to put the pedal to the metal, only to find themselves next to me again at the stop light.  It is true, we all could use more patience in a world of wanting everything to be done right now.  We just need to slow down and enjoy each moment. 

Everyday I find myself striving to be just a tad bit more patient and it is paying off. 

2 Peter 1:6
And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness

I'm trying to be like Jesus and be more christlike each and every day.  What great patience he had and how his love showed thru this.  That is what I am striving for.  Being a wife and mother has helped me along this journey and I would not change a thing.

Dinner tonight was amazing, as everyone loves nachos.  We did try a new chicken marinade that I named Fiesta Lime Chicken and it is one we will add to our recipe book!

My children enjoy family read aloud time before bed!