Hurry while it last!

Right at Home is offering a free Fall Gift Pack that includes a free Ziploc Brand Vacuum Freezer System Starter Kit and $14.10 in coupons. It is available to the first 20,000 people that sign up. There is no way to tell if you have gotten to it in time, but it is worth a shot.

You can also get a free package of Zoe's Granola Bar. The store locater can be found here.

Shopping with kids....eeeek!

If you have kids, you know what a job shopping can be. Tonight, I am off to make a few stops and the girls will be joining me. Don't get me wrong, I love spending time with our children, but shopping is something I prefer to do alone. It's even is fun when I take either Macie or Zoa. I can get a few minutes of one on one time with them and they feel like they helped me shop. Having both of them though? They feed off each other and mom gets upset and we all know when happens when mom gets upset!

I found Today is Fun a few days ago via another blog (sorry I forgot which one) and it has so many ideas for parents on how to entertain their kids. Best of all, it rarely uses anything more than your mind and imagination.

Some ideas include: Backwards Breakfast, The Tip-Toe Game, The Table Captain, Using Your Phone as a Distraction and a simple conversation about What You Need to Get...

Maybe a few of these ideas will help me cope with shopping. Maybe not. We'll see.

I'll let you know tomorrow!

Speechless

Jess has been moved to ICU and is back on the ventilator. Please continue to pray - wisdom, strength and faith for everyone involved.

I am speechless.

If you need the back story on Jess, start here.

Sesame Street and K'Nex Building Sets: A Review and Giveaway

Remember Sesame Street? With Bert and Ernie, along with Elmo and the Cookie Monster, (just to name a few) how could we forget? Sesame Street has now teamed up with K'Nex to give us character building sets.

K'Nex is something I have just recently heard of. They specialize in building construction sets for children, which is great for challenging their little minds. Having girls, I thought they would not enjoy it as much as the traditional baby dolls. Boy was I wrong!

I have had the opportunity to review the Bert & Ernie Building Set. Both of my girls loved it! They are not tiny pieces so I know if I had a two year old, I would not worry about them choking on it. One thing I found neat was it includes three activity cards that have tiny bits of information to spark their curiosity. The recommended ages are from two-five year olds but Macie will be seven and she enjoyed it thoroughly.

Building is not just for boys anymore. Macie and Zoa had a blast assembling Bert and Ernie. I felt better knowing they were not watching television, but instead challenging their minds to create something or someone.

After reviewing the product, I bought one from Amazon for a birthday party. We were unable to make the party, but I am positive the birthday boy will enjoy it.

Want One?
You can purchase Sesame Street and K'Nex Building Sets on Amazon for $10.99-$31.99.

Win One!!
Sesame Street & K'Nex is giving one lucky reader a Bert & Ernie Building Set. To enter, just fill out this simple form. Be sure and make two separate entries if you blogged about this giveaway. Your information you submit will only be viewed by me for this contest. After the contest is over, it will be deleted.

The contest will end on October 10, 2008 at 5:00 pm. Due to shipping costs, this contest is only available to United States residents.

The Man's Take on Coupons

If you are a couponer, you have to read this guest post titled: I Married a Couponaholic at Frugal in Virginia. I stumbled on it and found it on accident, but I loved it!

I printed it out for Jeremy and he was cracking up!

If you need more razors...(and more)

Click here to get your free sample of Schick razor or Trimmer.

Free DelMonte coupons for signing up here.

Here is a free kids meal at Bob Evans.

Sleep Deprived and Leaning on God

This week has been a week of tossing and turning. I, like the rest of my family, has a lot of stuff on our plates.

After 28 years of marriage, my parents are separated. Legally? No. But does that little piece of paper really matter? This was something that was popped on us a few weeks ago. Labor Day weekend to be exact. I do not, by no means, agree with divorce. Up until the night before Jeremy and I got married, I told him if he wants out, get out now. No questions asked. Once we take that vow, that's it. That being said, I am very very very angry with my mom right now. This is something she chose. That's as far as I am going today. If I start in, I am afraid that I won't stop. Please pray for our strength the next few weeks. (Their grandchildren, our children, do not know. Please, if you see me out, remember that.)

As if that is not enough, Whitney's (my baby sister who is getting married in two weeks) maid of honor, Jessie, is back in the hospital. This time it's with pneumonia. It's a scary situation and with respect for her family, I am just going to ask for prayers for her. I won't post details but will keep you updated.

I know God will not give me anything I can't handle. I just
wish that He didn't trust me so much.
-Mother Teresa

Another Walgreen's Coupon

Walgreen's issued another $5/$20 coupon today. It is good for Friday and Saturday.

Jeremy and I will be hitting Walgreen's up Saturday during our date night. The girls that work there seem to not mind him wanting to do separate transactions. Me, on the other hand? I get 'the look' from them.

"We are really not supposed to be doing this." That's what they tell me.

For him, it's, "Sure, not a problem! How many do you need to do?".

And I am not exaggerating! Funny, heh?

It actually works out that they like him more. He goes for me on his lunch. That'll show 'em!

Dr. Oz Freebie - Could it get any better?

Rewards Gold is offering a free subscription to Prevention magazine.

Also, if you register with IGuard and then enter five e-mail addresses once you are logged in, you get a free book by Dr. Oz. (I love him!) and Michale Roizen titled You: The Smart Patient. A little FYI: I did this and if never asked for my shipping address. I contacted the company through e-mail and asked them what I should do. They took my information and said it will ship out today.

Twenty-four handbags!

HandbagPlanet is having their grand launch on October 15 and is giving away 24 handbags in 24 hours. I am in love with all of these handbags. (Jeremy=Hint=Christmas)

You can register for the contest and view all the purses here.

Good Luck!

Do you have one day?

Kristen at We are THAT Family has a great idea. It is so easy to get caught up in our everyday routine - kids, baths, laundry, cleaning, dishes, homework, husbands - so let's take one day and give back.

It does not matter if it is big or small. Maybe it's just a meal for the single mom down the street. Maybe you want to sell your Coach purse and donate it to charity. Whatever it is, it will make someone's day a little brighter.

I will be telling you all what our family did on Friday, October 17. I'm thinking hard on what we could do.

You can read more of Kristen's story, along with more details, here.

So, do you have one day?

How you doin'?

(Photo via.)

I must confess. I have Bloggers Block. As I listen to Zoa playing with her daddy, I try and try to think of something to write. I heart doing giveaways and contests and coupons and all that but that is not the reason why I started this blog.

Then again, I guess it could be a good thing that nothing too drastic is going on with my children that causes me to write something everyday. Or maybe there is and I am taking it for granted. Just the everyday things...

Who knows?!

My goals for the week? I know you are just dying to know. Besides staring at my computer screen thinking of something to write, I do have a home that needs to be clean. Surprisingly enough, my laundry is caught up. We will have two extra little bodies here on Friday (It's our turn to watch kids' for date night.) We have two birthday parties on Saturday and get this...they are both for boys named Brock. Ironic, right? I thought so.

We got invited for a Pre-Opening Community Dinner on Saturday night at a restaurant opening near us. (Locals - think N. Kingshighway) Dinner is provided free of charge and I have two free movie tickets from a long time ago so can you say "Free Date Night"? Hey! We are not cheap, just broke right now!

So, that's that. I lead an exciting and fulfilling life. I know.

I am thinking of hosting a Blogger's Block party! Who's in?

See...everyone is a winner here!

After scouring my house and trunk, I found an extra copy of the Precious Girls' Club book for the giveaway. I felt bad knowing their would be only one person that would not get a book. Since there were six people that entered and I have six copies now, everyone is a winner. I am also going to include something extra for your little one.

Bridget, April, Seesawstar, Ashley, GritsGirl, and Leah...you should have received either a comment or e-mail from me. Please e-mail me your addresses and they will be in the mail. My e-mail is over there on the right.

Congratulations and stay tuned for more giveaways!

Free Sub at Blimpie...

As part of a benefit for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Blimpie's will be giving away free 3" cold turkey subs tomorrow from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. I encourage you to not only get your free sub, but make a contribution to the Make-A-Wish Foundation while you are there. I personally know of someone who had a 'wish' fulfilled by this great organization.

As with any store event, I would call your Blimpie's to make sure they are participating.

(Thanks Money Saving Mom!)

Wednesday: In Detail

If one positive thing came from our trip to St. Louis Children's Hospital, it was that we learned that we can arrive somewhere we need to be on time. In fact, we can actually be early. Shocking, right?

We arrived about 20 minutes early to the sixth floor - Same Day Surgery. Jeremy and I alone had enough anxiety for all of us. We waited for a while. (Isn't that what you do when you go to a doctor?) The girls spent some quality time playing in the waiting room as we drank our coffee. Once we got called back, Jeremy and I had to meet with the surgeon's and the anesthesiologist to discuss what was about to happen. He mentioned the effects the anesthesia can have one her once she is coming off from it. He explained that she can either be a nice, lovable 'drunk' or a mean, irritable 'drunk'. Jeremy and I both agreed she would be the mean one. (If you knew Zoa, you would agree!) Zoa put on her dinosaur outfit and was set to go. After everyone gave her hugs, kisses, and "See you laters", they gave her a dose of Versed to prevent any separation anxiety she might have as they wheel her from us. As we sat there, we saw the glaze come over her eyes as the drug took effect. She started to yawn and say she was sleepy. About ten minutes after they gave her the medicine, they wheeled her off. Just like that.

And the clock started ticking. And ticking. And tocking. About an hour and a half later, Dr. Dillon walked in. Everything went fine. He said that everything was routine and it was just as he suspected and prepared for. Perfect.

One hour after the first update, Jeremy walked out to entertain our parent's. You see, we were told to stay in a room in the back. If we were needed for anything, this is where they would look for us. Everyone else had to wait in the general waiting room. Two minutes after Jeremy left, Dr. Molter walked in. He said she did have a Stage Two Bronchial Cleft Cyst, which in our terms means this little 'tube' inside her neck went all the way up to her tonsil. The next step would have been to remove the tonsil, which he felt was not necessary with this particular case. (Basically, the bronchial cleft is when she was being formed inside me, the 'tube' inside her neck that should have stopped at where it meets the skin, but cut off too soon. The excess tube is what caused the drainage. If you double click the picture to the left, you will see a small dot on her neck. That is what it looked like.)

After I went and got Jeremy, we went back in recovery to see her. It was so sad. She was so upset and so tired but could not sleep. She was extremely agitated at all the machines hooked up to her. All I wanted to do was crawl in bed with her and promise her everything will be okay but she would not have any of it. She was a mean drunk! We tried to make her as comfortable as possible (with the help of some morphine) and that seemed to do the trick.

We were told we would be admitted so we made our way to the tenth floor. Zoa slept peacefully which was all we wanted. Just let her sleep. But still, all I wanted to do was get up in that bed and cuddle with her.

We looked at her incisions and found this:
The most painful part for Zoa was her belly. Anytime she moved around, which meant used her abs, she whispered so softly, 'Ow.' It was so precious how sweet she was being about it all. Once she woke up, she was so hungry. A hamburger, some chicken tenders and french fries, topped off with a sundae later, I hopped right in bed with her and cuddled.

The next morning, as I was getting ready to leave, Nelly, a Dalmatian dressed up like a pirate, came in. She was a little shy towards her, but she did make her smile!

So all in all, everything went great. If this was boring and you lasted this long into the post, I congratulate you. I did this more for me, but tried to make it somewhat entertaining with some pictures!

As far as scars go, her neck should heal great as the stitches are internal. The belly button is the same way, but we are not able to take the bandages off for a few more days. We'll see!

But look at her now, she is happy as ever!

Free Subscription: Women&Cancer

I'm sure with all the freebies I have listed, this one may be the only lifesaver.

Get a free subscription to Women&Cancer magazine!

From their website:
"By covering all health and wellness issues with an emphasis on cancer prevention, early detection, management and survivorship, Women&Cancer empowers women with regard to their own health and recognizes the unique role of women in the overall health of their family and friends."

It gets better...for each subscription, The Cancer Treatment Centers of America will donate $5.00 to StandUp2Cancer to support research. Even you you don't think you might read the magazine, it is still worth subscribing to.

We're back...

We are finally home after a long couple of days. Zoa's surgery went well. The bronchial cleft was a stage II, meaning it did go all the way to her tonsil. She has an incision on her neck that is about and inch and a half. All of her stitches are internal and the is held together on the outside by Dermabond.

Her umbilical hernia repair went well also. That was causing her the most pain, as you use your ab muscles for everything. We have a a prescription for her pain to give her here at home in case it gets bad again.

They ended up admitting us for the night on Wednesday for her pain management. The little three year old was actually on morphine!

These are the main things. I want to post a story with pictures but for now, I have a house to clean and laundry to do!

Thanks for all your thoughts and well wishes!

Off to the hospital...

Within the next several hours, we will be headed to the hospital. I just received the phone call with all the details:

• Surgery time is 1:00 pm.
• She can eat breakfast before 7:00 am. Big relief!
• She will spend around 2 1/2 - 3 hours in surgery with another 2-3 hours in recovery.

Now I am off to go home and pack up our family.

Please remember Zoa in your prayers tomorrow...

Precious Girls Club Giveaway!

Isn't it great when you are able to give your child a book to read and not worry about what exactly it is that they are reading? The Precious Girls' Club is a new book and online community for girls. They "encourage character-based virtues: loving, caring, kindness, responsibility and helpfulness".

As described by the website,
Here, your daughter can learn and play in a safe, wholesome environment based on the values embraced by Precious Moments. On our website, Precious Girls Club (PGC) members create their own characters (or "avatars"), decorate their rooms, explore our town, socialize, play games and even shop "virtually" using the points they earn on the site. PGC games reinforce such virtues as helpfulness, kindness, responsibility, loving and caring. In addition to points, many activities award "virtual" virtue charms. And, it's all fun!

Macie has started reading hers and loves it! I am excited to be giving her a book that I know will not only help her practice reading, but teaches her values that we believe in. This is great for any girl between the ages of four and ten.

I have five copies of the first Precious Girls Club book titled, 'A Little Bit of Faith' to give away. In order to be qualified, leave a comment on this post telling me who this book would go to if you were to win it. Make sure I have a way of contacting you. Comments will be open until Monday, September 22 at 7:00 pm (CST).

If you would like a second entry, write about this giveaway on your own site, then leave a separate comment with a link to your post.

If you would like a third entry, subscribe to my blog. Please leave a separate comment telling me you have done so.

It is important to leave the separate comments as that will count as your extra entry. Only United States residents are eligible for this contest.

Good Luck!

Menu-Plan Monday

This is my menu for the rest of the month!

Monday - Leftovers

Tuesday - We will be headed to St. Louis

Wedensday - Zoa's surgery day.

Thursday - Turkey Mini-Meatloaves, Mashed Potatoes and Peas

Friday - Homemade Pizza Night (We will try Black Bean Nacho Pizza and another one.)


Saturday - Out to eat...

Sunday - Leftovers

Monday - Grilled Chicken Salad

Tuesday - Two-Bean Sloppy Joes


Wednesday - Stuff you put over toast.

Thursday - Vegetarian No Noodle Lasagna

Friday - Chicken and Rice in the crock pot. I add peas and carrots to this so it's a one-dish meal.

Saturday - Out to eat

Sunday - Leftovers

Monday - Jumbalya (Remember this recipe? We are going to elaborate on that.)

Tuesday - 40 Clove Garlic Chicken, Italian Mac and Cheese and asparagus. (Italian Mac and Cheese - Drizzle olive oil over cooked macaroni and top with Parmesan and mozzarella cheese.)

Wednesday - Mexican Hamburger (I plan on using Baked Doritos and Low Fat Cheese.) with a side.

Thursday - Burgers and Oven Baked Potatoes. (For the potatoes, Slice your pototoes, then take one package of French Onion Soup mix and put the potatoes and mix in a Zip-Lock bag. Drizzle with olive oil and shake it all up. Bake until done. )

Friday - Appetizer Night! Crab Cakes, Baked Mozzarella Cheese Sticks and BBQ Meatballs in the crock pot.


Saturday - Out to eat...

Sunday - Leftovers

Head on over to Laura at Organizing Junkie for more menu ideas.

Another coupon...

Walgreen's has issued another $10 off a $40 purchase coupon. This is valid Friday and Saturday. As always, this is great to use on free after rebate items. Be sure and read the fine print!

And some more magazines -

Get another two year subscription to Parent's magazine. This one is offered through Start Sampling.

This one is for Jeremy...a free subscription to Golfdom.

I remember...

(Photo via paulwestervelt's on Flickr and Wingett Photography)

School pictures and some randomness...

Today, Macie has her first grade pictures. Last night, like we have always done before any school picture, we went shopping for a new outfit. For picture day, they get a dress down day so they may wear whatever they want. Macie loves to dress up on her dress down day. We went to Kohl's and found the cutest dress. I actually wish they had it in my size! I cannot wait to see how the pictures turn out.

Tonight, we are headed to eat and chow down on all kinds of fair food the fair. We are going with some friends of ours so we should have a good time.

Way of subject and way too late, Kara has tagged me for a meme. I am supposed to list six random things about me. Here we go, in no particular order:

1. I eat my food one thing at a time. Say we are having chicken, asparagus and a roll. I will eat all my chicken, then all my asparagus and then my roll. I don't really plan it this way, but I always seem to do this.

2. I do not like cheeseburgers. My hamburgers must be plain with only salt and pepper. I like macaroni and cheese, grilled cheese, Cheez-Its and other cheese flavored things, but never really like cheese on my hamburgers. I am to the point now that I may very well like it, but why try now? It's extra calories in my book.

3. I am a night owl. I come home tired but get my second wind about 8:00 or 9:00. Every night, it never fails. That's when I decide to start my laundry, dishes...

4. I really really really want to be a stay at home mom. Enough said.

5. Sometimes, I tune my children out. I hear what they say, but it does not register. I don't mean to do it, but I am not sure how to fix it. Am I a bad mom?

6. I want to live. Jump out of an airplane? I would love to! Bungee jump? Count me in! I am all for adrenaline rushes.

Now, your turn. Anyone and everyone is invited to do this. Let me know if you decide to do it.

Freebies...

Free two-year subscription to Parent's magazine. (I love magazines!!)

Free Betty crocker samples: Warm Delights and Mashed Potatoes

Tell your story about why there is 'No-Nonsense' between you and your friend and recieve two free pairs of No Nonsense socks.

Free deodorant...

Get a free full sized sample of Secret Clinical Strength Sport! If you come back and do a review, you will also recieve five free music downloads.

Menu-Plan Monday

No menu this week, but it will be back next week.

A few freebies plus a Walgreen's money maker!

Get a coupon for a free Padlock at Sears Hardware Stores.

Get three free issues of O, The Oprah magazine.

Get a free sample of Fruit Roll-Ups.

Walgreen's has Robitussin for $3.99 this week. If you buy three, you get $10 in Register Rewards (RR). Buy three and use these $3.00 coupons.
Three Robitussin - $11.97
Three coupons - $9.00
Total - $2.97 plus $10 in RR
You can only use this deal one per transaction, so if they let you, do a few transactions.

Turning over a new leaf...

Fall is here and it is great. The windows are open with a cool breeze flowing through our home. Leaves will be turning soon if it stays this way. It's sweater and big sweatshirts season and I love it.

As for 'everything', all of your prayers that have been sent to the big Guy upstairs are greatly appreciated. We all continue to pray. We are not sure how things will end up, but I know God will not give me, us, anything more than we can handle. He must think we am pretty strong right now. And that is all I am going to say about that.

I just wanted to touch base with my blogger friends, real life and online friends, and let you know I am still alive. Not sure how, but I am nonetheless.

I do have a giveaway coming up. So keep checking back in.

(Photo via.)

Surgery is scheduled...

The surgeon's office called me yesterday afternoon. Zoa will be having her surgery on September 17. We are unsure of the time but someone will call me a few days prior to the 17th to let me know the details.

Thanks for everything...

(Almost) Wordless Wednesday: Bedtime Prayers

Years ago, after feeling a little scared to have our girls say the standard 'Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep', I started looking for other bedtime prayers that we could consistently say with our specific prayer requests. I found this one and love it...

Five little angles, watching over me
One for my head, one for my feet
One to sing, one to pray,
One to take my sins away.

For more Wordless Wednesday, visit 5 Minutes for Mom.