A whole lot of nothin'

O.K. I haven't posted in a while, but I have a really good excuse--nothing too exciting is happening here. So here is a random and scattered post for all those who care.

Avery is loving kindergarten. She isn't reading yet but is getting pretty close. Unfortunately she got sick and missed most of the week of school. She rides the bus every morning and evening and has an assigned seat by one of her best friends. I signed her up for school lunches but she insists on taking her own lunch because she likes to sit at the "peanut table" with all her friends.

Sarah is absolutely thriving with Avery at school. She loves to have access to all the toys and tv shows without having to share. She spends hours playing by herself. The rest of the time she hounds me for food. I hear "Momma, I'm hungry" at least 15 times a day. If I don't go get her a snack immediately, she just helps herself. I find bread, cereal, juice, etc. spread from one end of the house to the other.

I was sure Spencer would be walking by now but he's gotten scared. I predict he will be my latest walker. He is getting teeth like crazy so he's been feverish and drooly for the last few weeks. He is irresistibly cute and loves to look at light fixtures and say "WOOOOOOW!"

Mark's job finally and temporarily opened back up unlimited overtime. This is great! Buuut, I don't see him very much anymore. We had a contest to see who could keep from raising their voice at the children this week. Money was on the line and I was determined to win it. I had one slip up but I told Mark that since he was never home and I was always home, I should get a free pass. He agreed. I am looking forward to my shopping trip today.

Luvs Lovers

O.k. because I love you all and don't want you to miss out on a great deal, I'm letting all of you that use luvs know they are releasing a $5 off coupon here.

First Steps!

It's official. Spencer took his first steps on Friday, September 11, 2009. We are so proud of him. He is the first child we've ever had that finds walking funny. He laughs all the way from Mommy to Daddy.

O.K. I'm obsessed!

So, my latest obsession--coupons! I know--what a dork! I really do have a valid explanation...

Times are hard and we are all feeling the crunch in one way or another. Well, Mark and I have taken a few blows to our income this past year. We looked at the various ways we could cut back and get out of debt. Coupons became an obvious way for us to subsidize our grocery budget. Yes, it takes time clipping and sorting. Yes, I take longer at the grocery store. (The girls always ask me why I have to stop so much.) But it has honestly become exciting for me. Who doesn't love feeling like they got a really great deal? Well, now I get great deals ALL the time. I have discovered a ton of websites that teach you how and where to use coupons. They also give good estimations for how much you're going to pay out of pocket. They tell you lots of different ways to get coupons and freebies. Ok. So that's the last you shall hear about that. I enjoy it and would recommend it to anyone regardless of financial situation.

Avery's First Week of School.

I cannot believe Avery has already been in school for an entire week! It's funny because all my friends kept asking if I was sad, nervous, scared, etc. to see Avery starting school. Quite honestly, I wasn't even thinking about it until Monday rolled around. I had been so sick, I had to rush around at the last minute to make sure she had all of her clothes and supplies. Well, when Monday rolled around, I freaked out. I took her to the bus and watched my little baby girl get on the giant yellow school bus. I followed that bus to her school and waited for her to get off. Then I made sure she got to her class and met her teacher. I brought her school supplies in. I was trying to think of every reason to stay there. I was very sad to leave her but I knew she'd be ok. So, except for one minor freak out at the bus stop earlier this week, Avery is adjusting well to her new schedule. I miss her like crazy and look forward to picking her up at the bus stop every afternoon.

 

 

 

Unbelievable!

I have this son. I had no intention to quit nursing him and he had no desire to take a bottle. I started feeling a little off last Wednesday. I went to see the doctor about my sore throat on Thursday. The news was not good. I was diagnosed with Mono. I had already been a single mom for a month this past spring because Mark had mono and I always said that if I got it I was sure the world would come to an end. Well, I got it and the world did not end--thank heavens. Once I got the diagnosis I made the quick decision to quit nursing. I didn't think my body could handle the routine and I knew I was going to need to be apart from him for more than four hours at a time. It's funny but Spencer miraculously decided he liked the bottle and what was in it. It was the right decision, but now I was dealing with the pain of mono and the pain of not nursing. As if it couldn't get any worse mother nature made her monthly visit a few day later. I got progressively worse each day. Mark became a single father through the weekend and commented, "having a wife with mono is worse than having it." I was unable to talk or eat for several days. The doctor had recommended that I get plently of fluids. HA! I could not swallow because my tonsils completely closed my throat. Fortunately my sisters-in-law (the best people ever) alternated days taking the kids all day long. The ward fed my family every night without me even asking. So, one week after my diagnosis, I woke up and actually felt a little better. It's day two of the recovery now. My body feels like I just ran a marathon but I am finally able to swallow with little pain. I feel like I've been gone and finally come home. I really missed my family. Eventhough it sucked to go through all the pain at once, at least it is all coming to an end. Yay!

The Smokies

Upon hearing the name of this mountain range, Avery looked at the mountains and said, "OOOh! They really are smokey." We were only able to spend two days here but we managed to squeeze in a lot. The first night we went into Gatlinburg. This is where Mark and I went on our honeymoon almost seven years ago. I really did miss him as I walked through the streets reminiscing. We watched some street performers,


did some window shopping and got some candy,


watched the chairlifts go up the mountain--we were sad you had to be at least 11yrs old to ride,

said hi to Herbie,

got some dinner,


and had a great time.

The next day, we got up early and rode a horse-drawn carriage through the mountains.


We drove through Cades Cove and visited the old mill and houses.



We played put put in Pidgeon Forge.