Coupon Deals and Steals

Here in the past few months I've really gotten into using coupons. I've used them since Garrett and I got married but just a few here and there. A couple of months ago I went to a gathering at my mom's church to hear a "coupon lady" speak about her expertise on using coupons.  She was really informative! When I left there I was geared up and ready to save save save!!!  I have a bunch of friends at church who are couponers as well and I learned alot of savings from them. The coupon lady informed us that you can stack and double your coupons at a few stores.  Stack meaning you can use more than one coupon on an item but has to be different ones( manufacturer coupon, Internet printed, store or Catalina) double meaning 2 of the same up to a certain cent.  She had some hand-outs of all the stores who take coupons and what they allow. Me a previous Wal-Mart shopper has turned into a Kroger only shopper. I love Kroger because of cheaper prices, better quality meats, and I can stack and double coupons there. Wal-Mart only lets me use one coupon per item. So after hearing the coupon speech we gals piled up and headed to the store and purchased a binder, labels, and baseball card holders.   The Coupon Lady organized her coupons in alphabet order by manufacturer which is a good idea but you can do yours anyway that is easy for you.  I have recently alphabetically done mine but previously did an accordion file with: baby, dogs, food, bath, house and misc. It worked well for me. Here is a picture of my personal binder.

My first trip I sat down and prepped. Picked  through all my coupons, scanned over the Kroger paper, circled what I needed, matched my coupons up and headed out shopping. I saved a total of $40.00!! You're talking about a happy shopper! If I didn't have a coupon then I had a discounted price with my Kroger Card.  I even stacked 2 coupons and got and Air wick Ribbon Candle for free!!! My next few trips were about the same savings. Various trips I was able to get another Air wick Candle FREE, Formula- FREE ($-0.11), Scope for $0.25. dog treats for $0.99 , Deodorant for $0.38, and Cover girl nail polish- FREE and that is just naming a few deals. I've done the Walgreen's savings once. I'm not a big Walgreen's shopper or CVS, but they will let you stack 1 coupon with a store coupon. So, if you find a good deal then its worth the trip I say. Another way to snag coupons it loading on your Kroger card and I've heard of Ecoupon (I've never done this ) Just an easier way to do it I guess!!

 

Another thing I have gotten big into is finding FREEBIES!!! Yes, I search freebie websites and request for free samples or coupons. Since getting into that I have gotten: Folgers, Kleenex, Extra Dessert Gum, Pantene, Head and Shoulders,Vaseline Lotion, etc all for FREE.  Almost every product was sent with coupon of some sort. Alot of products will just give you a printable coupon and you redeem your freebie at the store.  The other day I went to get the mail and this is what I received



I was one excited girl. ha ha I love getting free stuff and not to mention more coupons. I literally try to see what all I can stack just to get something free or little to nothing. I have heard from alot of people that they don't use coupons because they end up buying stuff they don't need or use it and end up wasting the money because they never used the product. I only use coupons on things we use. If we don't eat that product I don't use it. I do cut alot of coupons that we don't use just to share them with my mom or if I know someone else uses that product.  It's nice to have a buddy to coupon with that way you can share/swap coupons with, even go shopping with. That buddy might know of some deals you don't and it's a fun time to hang with each other. If you have any tips or input please feel free to share...you may have info I failed to mention or just didn't know!!  Have a great week!!

50 Free Shutterfly Holiday Cards

 I am really excited about the Holidays coming up!  Thanks to Shutterfly, I am even more excited we are going to have such adorable Christmas cards!   I always use Shutterfly for my prints, but you can also get Gift Tags, Calendars, and Invitations/Stationary for any occasion. This year, I recieved a code for a FREE photo book. With that code I am able to give Rylyn a photobook of her first year. I always love their awesome deals that they offer, especially when they are free!  We send out Christmas cards every year, so when I found out bloggers can get free holiday cards, I had to get in on this deal. So thank you, Shutterfly! Bloggers, here's where you can get this Free Holiday deal!  Bloggers get 50 free holiday cards from Shutterfly… learn more
I usually have a hard time making a decsion when I have so many choice of cute ideas.  Here is a list of my favorite 3 cards and why I like them so much!

1) Peppermint Bliss I love the bright green and red. These are my favorite Chritsmas colors this year. This card is simple and allows us to put 3 pictures up because of course I cant make a certain decison!

2)Sweet And Merry Another love...Snowmen.  I love Snowmen!! This is another simple card but I will just have to narrow down my pictures to choose from. This card is cute!

3)Sharing The Love Christmas I have to agree with the other girls. I love this one because you can include updates that have happend throughout the year. The colors are great together and its a mulitple photocard.

Thank you Shutterfly for such a great gift during this holiday season!!  I hope all of my reader/visitors get in on this great deal.

Trying My Hand At Sewing!

Recently I have taken up the love of sewing. I have always "wished" I knew how, wanted to make certain thing, but never took the time to step up to the plate and LEARN! I have my grandmother's sewing machine and thankfully I have a wonderful friend who knows how to sew.  So we took a day to just hang out and taught me just what I needed to know! 

Since that day, I have gotten familiar with my machine and tried my hand at the sewing gig! Here are 2 burp cloths that I have done and might I add that I am not a fan of Rick Rack...Boo!! I am so excited  that I have taken on this new hobby!  I cant wait to explore more and create new projects.....I have a few already in mind!!

HAPPY 9 MTHS BABY RY RY!!

MOMMY'S LITTLE TIGER!!!!

"Damaged Goods"

As I checked my email today I came across this one from a ministry I follow/read daily. This particular lesson really hit home today. I usually can relate to all of them but this one seemed like it was about me. She was writing about me. I wanted to share some of it with those of you who read my blog.


I walked down the aisle of the discount grocery looking for a bargain that I couldn't live without. It's always hit and miss in this store...and I had missed...again.

But, I passed by a bin that caught my eye. "Damaged Goods." It was filled with dented cans and missing labels...no real rhyme or reason, just random items that were not shelf worthy. And suddenly, I knew just how they felt.
Life sometimes delivers the unexpected. Lessons learned in the school of hard knocks bruise us, dent us and remove the label that defines who we are. We feel as if we have been tossed into a bin, no longer worthy of a place on the shelf. Some people substantiate the lie that we are second class failures and all hope is gone.
So, I leaned over and intentionally chose a dented can with no label from the bin. I got it home and placed it on the can opener with anxious anticipation. The whirr of the can opener finally penetrated the metal lid to reveal....peaches!!! I let out a school girl squeal! I love peaches!! What a treat to open this can and be greeted by one of my favorite fruits. The can was damaged but the contents were still good...and sweet.
God must have smiled...because at that moment the sunshine beamed in my kitchen window. I knew in my heart there was a lesson.
I have been damaged. We all have to some degree. I am not living the life that I dreamed about when I was a kid. However, the damage that I have suffered has made the contents of my heart so much sweeter, so much more compassionate, so much more in pursuit of Jesus. I have been looked down upon and judged by many who have seen my label missing and slapped on their own.

I've wanted to say, "Don't judge too quickly. My damage has not defined me...but, it is refining me." I may be at the bottom of the life's bin, but Jesus paid as high a price for those of us at the bottom as He did for those that are proudly displayed on the top shelf.

Look around you. Is there someone in your life, your family or your church that you consider "damaged goods"? You may not consider someone you know a "damaged good" , Maybe you feel like the damaged good.  Someone else may not feel like "Top Shelf" but just befriending them could make thier day.  How would you feel if you walked into a room full of people and no one spoke to you or introduced themselves?  

Don't miss an opportunity to reach out to them, to love them. You just might find a friendship that is good...and sweet.

Family Pictures

We had family pictures recently. Rylyn did so great and I loved our photographer. Now my problem is deciding out of 83 pics which ones I want and what sizes.  I know for sure I want one to hang in our living room in a large size.  All of  Rylyn's are really cute to me, I am sure I will overload on all of hers.  Here are a few of the photographers favorites.   Enjoy!

Father's Day 2010

Today was a great day. We went to church this morning. GiGi, Pappy, and Uncle Paden came. Bro Steve gave such great message about fathers. We really needed to hear this today. We had our usual Sunday lunch with the whole family. Then cooked out with Nonna, G-daddy and Uncle Brooks.

I am helping my daddy read my card to him.

It has been a great weekend, but we are sad its over already. Hopefully we can zoom through these next 2 weeks and enjoy The Fouth of July and the rest of our summer!

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY TO MY AWESOME DA-DA!

HAPPY 7 MTH BIRTHDAY OUR SWEET BABY GIRL!

Its hard to believe 30 wks ago you were entering this world. 

You keep us on our toes and smiles on our faces! You are still trying your best to crawl but its beyond crawling that you do. Im not sure what to call it, some times its a belly flop! You love to let us hear your voice. Nananana- mamamamam- dadadadadadada even a little bit of yayayayaya. You squeal, you yell, even do a motor sound.  Waving bye bye is also a new thing you have learned to do. Daddy is teaching you "Give daddy five." You have caught on quick to that one.  You are a smart girl and we are so proud of you. At 6 mths you decided to show us you can sit up alone!

You really love the sound of birds, Splashing in the tub, going swimming, The Wiggles, your sunday school songs CD, peekaboo,strolling, and swinging. You love seeing all the people at church. Its like a whole new world every Sunday. You really love playing peekaboo with the man behind us. ( he does not seem to mind playing either) :)

You are becoming such a big girl, I can not believe it's going by so quickly.  It has been an exciting journey watching you grow these last 7 mths.  We love you so much.  HAPPY 7 MTH BIRTHDAY!!

Crawling is just around the corner!

Six Month Milestone!

WAY TO GO RYLYN!
YOU ARE SUCH A BIG GIRL SITTING ALL BY YOURSELF NOW!!

May Update!

It has been a while since my last poste so, why not update with the whole month of May! haha Sorry if this is long!

Garrett had a birthday on May 3rd- the BIG 26. Can not believe we are creeping up on 30! I got him a blu-ray player, he loves it. We also celebrated our 3 month Anniversary on the 5th. It was such a romantic evening. We got to expierence The Melting Pot, a nice quiet fondue resturant. I had been a long time ago so it was like a new expierence all over again. And to finish our evening we went to a late movie. Which we got to watch all by ourselve because no one else came. NICE! This year I celebrated my first Mother's Day. How awesome to have a day to celebrate all the wonderful things about being a mom to my sweet little baby girl. We also celebrated with our mothers over lunch and a nice cookout too.
Rylyn turned 6 mths also this month. Boy how time flies. 6mths ago we were holding our little blessing for the first time, and now we are watching her learn to crawl. A week ago she sat up all by her self. I literally screamed for Garrett to run and see. He thought the world was coming to an end I was so histerical. But I was only screaming happy excited screams, I am just so proud of her. I cant thank God enough everyday for allowing us to be parents to the most beautiful girl. I just pray he gives us the wisdom to teach her to be a strong christian and life her life for him.
Sunday Rylyn went for her first swimming adventure. We went up to GiGi and Pappys pool with her new fish float and she splashed up a storm! I was so thankful she enjoyed it. I had the cutest watermelon swim suit I bought her a year ago, and she looked so so cute!!! Have you ever seen something so darlin??

Happy Birthday To Me....Im 4 Mths Old!!

A prayer answered!!

Okay Im getting my feet wet to this blogging! I just had to post this to show that prayers are answered. Garrett and I have been visiting churches this past year and have found the perfect fit for us.Only thing is; I didnt think they had classes for us to get involved in and meet new people. I have prayed and prayed for God to lead us to the right place, a place that is good for and to raise our daughter in.
First visit, we go in and on the row in front of us.... there sits my uncle! Wow,I believe that God sends you signs. There was sign number 1. As service goes on Im reading the bulletin and I skim over the prayer request....there is my grandfather name. He was dying from lung cancer that had spread to his brain and bones. This was sign number 2 to me. The service that day had a "Wizard of Oz" theme to it. The day before Garretts aunt and I were discussing how she LOVES Wizard of Oz, the Girls were gonna be Dorothy for Halloween. Sign number 3...Okay this was getting very creepy to me but I felt comforatble there. We left that day with a good feeling in our hearts and returned every sunday until I was placed on bedrest. The thought of not having classes bothered me but I still wanted to go. We have recently returned back to church and discovered that another aunt and uncle are members here. Awesome. In the past few days I have reached out to someone I went to school with. I have learned she is a member at the same church and they have just started new classes for our age group and we live in the same county! Im am so over excited that I can not go to bed now!! I had the urge to blog about this and Im so looking forward to going back to church and get into these classes!! God works in mysterious ways and has proven to me that he answers prayers. Im hope that this will be an exciting new direction for The Grays and new friendships for us all!!

Our Story Of Becoming Parents

Rylyn is going to be 4 mths Wednesday. She is jabbering up a storm these days and has just mastered rolling over on her own. Geez she is growing up right before our eyes quickly!!! tear... Its hard to believe that 4mths ago we were at the hospital getting my labor induced....

Novemeber was a rocky month. I was due Nov 21st but because I was swelling so badly and my blood pressure was never normal. Dr Crenshaw wanted to induce. So on Oct 23rd I was put on bed rest. I started going to the doctor 2ntimes a week by then. So I went in for my appt and my last US. The Sonographer and I had small chit chat then told us the baby was 9.3lbs!! I nearly fell off the chair. All that could come to mind was "Im deffinately not pushing a 9lb baby out. No Ma'am." Into the docs room we go. He was very hesitant to send me home but shy me never asked if we could go on in and induce. My hubby thinks he would have let me but I wanted my doc to deliver so I kept my mouth shut. We scheduled for the 17th and home we went to prop up my swolled big feet.

November 17th
39 wks and 3 days
5:00am
Wide awake and off to the shower I went. Shaved my stubbs, straightened my hair and put on my makeup ( when there are pictures there will be straight hair and make up) My toe were already painted; I did those the night before (and yes I did them.) Our bags were packed, as I walked out the door I took one last look at our quiet nest and smiled. We took our last picture of a family of two and drove off to the hosptial starving to death!

7:30am

I went straight back to my L&D room unable to bring my husband with me. Apparently they dont let them because of questions they ask that may pertain to him possibly beating or abusing the wife. But whatever, I was so anxious I was answering her before she could finish. Finally he could come back and I was getting my fluids started. Dr Crenshaw showed up around 8 or so and before I knew it he broke my water. Now I am a very modest person, so the whole time I was freaking out about this gushing water. My mother says it was all I talked about. "Oh gosh its alot this time, get the nurse I need these padded blankets changed." "Eww this is so gross!" LOL I thought it was never gonna stop. As my family showed up they allowed them 2 by 2 rotations to see us. Garrett was on cell phone duty. Im not so sure what time my contractions started but I know The Price is Right was on when they started getting a little strong. By 11 am I was ready for my epidural.I was so worried that it would wear off by the time I was ready to push. But the nurse said I can get it more thatn one time. So... EPIDURAL PLEASE!!

11:00am

The Epidural nurses came in, I answered the 1 million and 1 questions as my water is pouring in the floor.All I could think about is "how embarrassing is this" The Epidural nurse reminded me that there are 2 things I can throw out the window at this point 1: being modest 2: being clean. I was in so much pain by that time but somehow I managed to hold my comment of reminding him I had my shower this morning and I am pretty clean. The epidural made me very nervous, Im not fond of needles. This by far was the most pain I had ever felt. On top of that I was afraid of him messing up and I become paralyzed. Finally, it was all over and I could rest. Big smile on my face.

11:45

Another check for dialation. Not mentioned before, but I had not dialated more than 1.5cm. But this time I think I made it to two maybe 3. I had already gotten my cath by now not sure what time it was placed but my poor nurse must have been new because she needed help with everything she did. Cath, IV, she couldnt even give Dr the right instrument. But hey, its a learning process and I managed to stay pretty calm the whole time. (thanks to a lovely epidural) My mom and grandmother were hiding in the bathroom because no one is allowed in the room during routine checks. The doctor wanted to put in the internal monitors. As this was being done a silence came over the room. I on the other hand always turned my head away from the whole thing because someone in my personal space makes me uncomfortable. All I heard was "That cant be right." "Ok hook up the externals!" I at this point was in total silence looking at my Dr and husband. He told my husband "Its time to go" I was immediately surrounded by unfamilar faces no husband in sight. Hoses and gagets were being pulled and thrown. People were running. I was frozen with tears slowly rolling down my face. I could not even utter a word, I was so scared and afraid to ask. The fear of knowing my child was in danger sent a chill up my spine and all I could do was cry. My mother and Grandmother burst out of the bathroom yelling "What is going on?" My nurse said " The baby's HR has dropped tremendously we are doing an Emergency C-Section now. I lost my breath and began to pray.

11:56am
Rushing down the hall on my bed another nurse looks at me and says "Everything is going to be okay." All I could do is close my eyes. I prayed the whole way to the OR. I begged God if he was gonna take anyone to please take me. I looked up and saw the lights and wondered where my husband was. No one seemed to think to tell me where he was. More unfamiliar faced surrounded me and a few told me who they were. Stretched out on this cold hard table and I mean COLD I was shivering and shaking so bad I was unable to control it.The anasethia doctor told me I would feel a little tug and pull. Umm No, I was not completly numb....I screamed to the top of my lungs "AHHH I CAN FEEL IT, IT HURTS IT HURTS. I mean literaly I could feel him cut me and pull on my skin!!! So 10, 9, 8, 7, I was out like a light. From the time I was out til the time I went in to recovery was the weirest time. I could hear it all but could not place anything or open my eyes. From 11:56 am to 12:02pm I was wheeled, cut and a baby girl was delivered. Rylyn Greer Gray 9lbs 5oz and 21ins long @ 12:02pm

Garrett wasnt able to see Rylyn born, it was such a quick delivery that he was still in the other room putting on his scrubs. He came in as she was being put on the warming table kicking and screaming; I was being stitched,glued and whatever else they did. I remember waking up in recovery but not able to see clearly. Garrett said "Babe,can you see her?" I was like "I see three!" I could hear her grunting and hear her daddy talking to her. Garrett went out to the waiting room to announce the whole thing. I was finally getting to hold my sweet little miracle from God. Come to find out her cord had wrapped around her shoulder and her HR dropped to less than 42 by the time they unplugged us from the monitors. Thankfully she is 100% fine!!! God is so amazing!

2:00pm
We were wheeled into our new room and our family and friends were at the nursery window searching for her. The recovery nurse was sweet enough to let Garrett hold her all the way there. The family got a sneek peek on the way too the room and all you could see where flashes coming every direction. I so kindly asked the nurse to hold them off for a moment so Garrett and I could have a moment with our daughter. Sweet Bliss.
When we allowed family and friends they poured in. We had a house full. The nurse stressed for everyone to sanitize thier hand but wouldnt you know our room was out of sanitizer!! Luckily I had a bottle in my purse! She was passed from person to person and pics were taken. Next step, time to put on those adorable baby clothes I had gone so crazy buying!! As time dwindled down and visitors started fading out it was time to feed little miss Ry. I had retained so much fluid she wasnt very hungry.They call these juicy babies. For a few days they "throw up" fluid they retain from mommy because natural delivery somehow squeezes it out or something. I planned on breastfeeding and I was determined. We tried many times but she would not latch on. After trying for a while the nurse said we had to get some kind of nutrients in. We had to try formula, we didnt like the thought of that. The second she took that suckle I pulled the bottle from her mouth and stuck to her to my breast. Yes!! I was so relieved. She latched on and it was sucess from that day on.
That night the nurse encouraged for us to get our sleep and let the baby stay in the nursery. I insisted she stay with us, I was not letting her out of my sight and neither was her dayyd. After a C Section I highly recommend taking the nurses advice. It was probably a total of 2 hrs sleep for me. I had the hardest time getting her out of the bassinet when she cried. The beds are not tall enough and with a cut that long in that spot hurts. Not to mention a husband who sleeps like a rock and never hears anything. The next 2 nights she went to the nursery for her 4hr naps. I had an awesome nurse who I kind of knew, so that made for a comfortable stay.

November 19th

Doc came to see us and said I was healing well. If I wanted to stay one more day I could but I was ready to get home and start my journey as a new mommy! We took our new baby care class, had our car seat checked and ate our last hopspital meal. By 4pm we were on our way home as a family of 3!! We were welcomed home by Rylyns Gigi (garretts mom) Eli and Ellie. They were so happy to see us. I was worried on how they would react but they did so great. Eli is a little protector, Elli on the other had was so nervous she was sick the whole evening. It took her a little bit but she is loving life with Rylyn just as much as we are.

Now the weeks are flying by and she is growing right before our eyes. Cooing, smiling, and rolling over are just a few things our smart girl is doing now. She got to expierence her First Thanksgiving and Christmas in 2009. Before we know it she will be a yr old and I will be chasing her all over this house! Being a mom is such an amazing feeling. I could have the worst day, take one look at her big smile and she will warm my heart. I am so truly appreciative, thankful...words can not express how I feel that God chose me to be her mommy.