Summertime oh summertime

So it's summertime... what am I doing? Going to SCHOOL!!! Isn't school out for the summer? Not for me! I am about to start week four of my 5.5 weeks of summer classes. THEN I am out till fall semester! Not to brag but I have almost pulled up my overall GPA to be in Pi Theta Kappa! About 8yrs ago I went to the same college there and had to leave in the middle of the semester. I dropped the classes but they didn't drop.... sooooo after I realized this... 6yrs later... it was too damn late to do anything about it... so I had two F's on my transcript. Nice... SOOOO I have been busting my butt to make sure I bring up my GPA. and I almost have! With any luck before I graduate I will do so. You have to have a 3.5 to get in, I have a 3.43 now. So long as I don't blow it I think it CAN be done! While I'm here busting my butt at school and work, my boys are with their Memaw and Poppa in GA. They went to camp with them this past week. Its a wildlife camp, they got to hold snakes (um glad it wasn't me!), shoot a bow, fish, and dozens of other fun stuff. On their last day of camp they got to do HUGE water blow-up water slides. My monkey man, he LOVED it! I saw some of the photos and he looked scared to death going down but mom said he keep saying "again again, more more" lol Step-bro Shane and Cowbo took him many times, so did my step-bro Blake. My oldest was so excited about the water slides he went to breakfast that morning with his swim suit on! They said monkey was the life of the "party". That one is too cute for his own good... and a con artist at that. On the first day, Memaw said he could have ONE cookie... every single time she turned around he had another one. All he had to say was "please" (if you can imagine a 2yr old's please) and they would give him one! lol What a stinker! THEN one night mom had to go to the ER she wasn't feeling well and had to leave them at camp (she is fine dr told her to go and get checked out). Well they were watching a movie in the bunk house and let him lay on the bottom bunk to watch the movie. At lights out he would get up and go turn them back on and giggle. They ended up having to put him in the pack in play so he would stay put! On his first morning at Memaw's and Poppa's he started to say "Pa want out" I know they are enjoying their time with my boys. But I sure do miss them! Here are a few pics from camp. Soon my babies... 10 more days... so for now that is all.....

Missing

My cousin Erica is missing. She hasn't contacted anyone in our family for about 6 weeks. We are very concerned about her. She lives in the Birmingham, AL area. If you have seen her, talked to her, please contact me. Erica if you are reading this, we all miss you and love you. Please let someone know that you are ok. Your family and son need you and love you.

DONE!

With my semester! WOO HOO! I survived! 13hrs was a bit much this semester, I am glad its behind me and I can be more focused on what really matters and to why I am in school in the first place: my kids. I am killing myself right now to make a better life for them and to be a better mommy. My eventual goal is to work from home. With the field I am going into, that is a total possibly. This semester was my heaviest load, I have to take 2 classes this summer, 3 (one which is clinicals) in the fall, and just clinicals in the Spring. I am ready for a life where I don't have to work nights, and don't have to work every weekend. Where I don't have to miss, karate or baseball, or anything else that is important in my kids life. Both of my boys are so super sweet, kind, loving, and compassionate. It hurts when my son asks me as I walking out the door after he gets home from school "are you going to work again mommy?" or when my 2yr old comes running after me on the way out and it breaks his little heart he can't go with me. Why would I want to miss moments like these?

How can I not do everything I am doing for them? Sometimes I wonder if I don't do enough, then I remember that I am NOT Super Mom. I am just a Mom, I try my best to be there and do everything I can, be supportive and to show them how much I love them every single day. Sure I am not perfect, but who is? I have to remember that, and you do too. Remember that yes, we sometimes miss things, yes we screw up, no we are not perfect, no our kids are not perfect little angels ALL the time. Just remember to try, that is all that matters. so for now that is all...

The experiment: Replacing butter with Filippo Olive Oil

The family experiment: So I received a sample of Filippo Olive Oil from Bzzagent.com. It was a nice size bottle too! So I thought I would try out switching the butter in my dinner tonight and the oil to cook my family's dinner and see if they noticed a difference. I used the butter to olive oil chart they gave me in my package to make the the mashed potatoes, replaced the veggie oil for the fried chicken pieces (nuggets), and used the oil in my steamed corn instead of butter. I made it for my 2 picky eating kids, also picky husband, and my VERY picky mother and father in law (not so picky). Not one person (including myself) could taste one bit of difference. Everything was so yummy! I find it very interesting that they did not notice, especially since my mother in law puts butter on everything! After we all finished dinner, I reveled my secret! They were all surprised and shocked they liked everything so much. I think that replacing the butter and regular veggie oil will be in our family's future from now on. What do you think? Should I venture into baking? I think so! so for now that is all...

Garnier Fructis

As most of you know I am a Bzzagent. I love trying out new things, especially when it is beneficial to my hair! I recently received a full size sample of the Garnier Fructis Sleek and Shine shampoo and conditioner. I have tried and liked some of their other products in the past and was super excited to try this one for sure. I have long, very thick hair, that tends to be super duper frizzy. In the past after I blow dry my hair I have had to use at least 2-3 products on my hair plus a flat iron. Let me tell you my morning time is super busy, and I hate when it takes me super long time to get ready. I have 2 little boys to get off to school along with myself off to school/work. The first few days I didn't notice much difference in my hair, still had to use same amount of product and time to do my hair. After about a week of daily use, I did notice that I didn't have to use 2-3 products plus the flat iron. I only need my mousse and a mild usage of my flat iron. I used to have to spend 10-15 minutes with the flat iron, only have to use it a few minutes now. Like a couple swipes to catch the fly aways and I'm done! I love the creaminess of the conditioner, they both smell great. I love when my hair smells good. When I shop for hair products, price, performance, and smell are what steers my decision to buy. So I would give this product two very big thumbs up in all 3 areas. So if you are going to try this product give it about a week to really notice a difference in your hair. and on that note that is all...

Semester almost done!

This past semester has been so crazy! Noah is in t-ball the season is almost over we have a 6-4-2 record! I am so proud of my little Astro! He has (as well as the other boys) improved a lot this season. We are going to have to work on him hitting from a pitched ball this summer for when he plays Coach pitch next year. He wants to play fall ball, this makes me sooooo happy! Because if you didn't know already I LOVE baseball!!!!

He also is in Karate and just earned his Orange Belt last week! This picture is from when he he won 2 metals at a tournament. Gold for bopper sparing and silver for Karate flags. He went up against camo belts (he was a yellow belt and that is 2 belts above him). We started a new cycle for Masters Class for the Bo Staff, he is super excited to start that!

As for me I can not WAIT for summer school to be done. I need a break. My Spring classes will be over Tuesday thank goodness (2 finals). I took my last lecture test, Lab final, a quiz, and my 1yr test on Tuesday... I'm all tested out! Then I get 2 weeks off before I start back to summer classes. I am glad that after this summer is over it's pretty much all downhill. YAY! My lil monkey man is getting so big and growing up! He is still totally 100% obsessed with Monster Trucks! He started potty training, and let me tell you. I did NOT want to start.... One thing I totally dislike, potty training. My goal is to have him trained before he goes with my mom in June.

I don't know what to do with myself, for 20 days my kids will be with my mom. Both kids. No kids. Um what do I do??? Noah went for a week with my in laws in CO last summer but we kept the baby. I am happy that they are going to spend time with my family, but sad because I will miss them so much. Well my headache meds are FINALLY kicking in, only had a headache EVERYDAY for the last 2 weeks. I walk outside and boom instant headache. So whatever is blooming can stop now! I take allergy meds but they don't do CRAP!So on that.... that is all...

French Toast Casserole

For my 6yr old's special day tomorrow I decided to make a French Toast Casserole. Its super easy and way yummo! I have a bread machine which making the bread a lot easier. I use Challah bread, normally I would take it out after the "rising" cycle finishes to take it out and braid the bread before baking. However since 1. I'm lazy and 2. Its going to be chopped into pieces, it doesn't really matter!

One loaf 1.5-2lb of Challah bread -chopped into squares
8 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/3 cup white sugar (optional)
1 cup brown sugar

After you make your bread and chop into squares as best as you can put it into a glass casserole dish and set aside.

Mix the rest of the ingredients in a bowl and whisk till well blended 1-2 mins.

After mixing, pour as evenly as you can over the bread. Cover with plastic wrap or tin foil. You may have to squish your bread down a bit(that's ok to do!).

Put in fridge overnight. I tend to do this after I get off work, bread made before so its ready to go when I get home about 9:30-10:00pm.

In the morning heat oven to 350 degrees and cook for 45mins to an hour. It depends on how thick your casserole is, larger dish = shorter cook time.

Let it cool for a few when you get it out. Cut, add syrup, and EAT!

You can find varying recipes on the internet. This is the one I use personally. I am 100% for making it your own. That is part of the joy in cooking! Make it, tweek it, love it!

So for now, that is all...

Smarterer

I'm a Bzzagent and I got a new Campaign! Smarterer test! This was pretty cool!

My BzzAgent.com score for today was 308 -Awesome - You've achieved the Familiar level in BzzAgent! Only 142 points from the next level Proficient!

This is what Smarterer is about:

I can take my Bzzagent test, earn my badge, then share with you guys! After that I can unlock new tests and take more to earn more badges related to blogging.

Blogger test
Facebook test
Flickr test
Twitter test
WordPress test
Tumblr Test
And many more!

I don't use Tumblr, WordPress, or Flicker, so I probably won't score well on those at all! lol but its worth a shot!

Some of the questions are rated VE = very easy and they go up to I believe Hard. I was happy with my score for today but think I will take it again to try to get a better score. What cha think? Go for the gusto? I think so!

that is all...

Children's Advil

Children's Advil: Thx #ChildrensAdvil for my free sample. $1 off coupon: http://bit.ly/yB9U8q. Like them on FB.

I got a Free sample of Children's Advil through www.smiley360.com a few weeks ago. I have tried other pain medications for my children but never tried the Advil before. No reason just haven't.

This sample came at a great time. The day after it came my 6yr had a migraine. Great time to try it out! It sure did help him! Plus he told me it wasn't yucky tasting, bonus!

Now Friday he came home from school with a fever, it came down within 15mins of giving him a dose of Advil.

Now last night Gabriel my 2yr old started feeling bad and running a fever. Gave him a dose an hour before bed and it seemed to perk him right back up after it kicked in. Kept him home today (Tuesday Valentines Day) from Mommies Day Out and it seemed to help him until his URI made him feel worse. That is the URI making him feel bad and not the fever. The Advil was doing its job of keeping his fever down, I sent him to bed not running a fever. Poor thing feels so bad. Thanks Advil for doing a great job and Smiley360.com for my free sample!

that is all...

Chronic Pain

Do you suffer from chronic pain?

Are you in a little bit or a lot?

Does your spine feel like if you ripped it our of your back you would feel better?

Chopped off your head to make your migraine go away?

This post just needed to be said. If you don't have some level of pain everyday you live with, you don't get it. You just don't. You may say you do, but you don't. If you have never wanted to shove hot pokers through your eyes to make the sun go away and into your ears to make the sound stop, you have never had a migraine.

I have had migraines since, like forever. Oh I have a headache is NOT a migraine. The pain is awful, you want to vomit, light stings, and sounds you thought you couldn't hear are like a marching band in your bedroom.

Since I turned 30 last year mine have been farther apart. However my husband suffers anywhere from 5-20 a month. Some lasting 2-7 days. YES SEVEN days. He has only had a few that have lasted that long before. He has suffered for the last 3 years from that kind of pain. He is a Disabled Vet, he may not look it from the outside but he is. He is 70% disabled-service connected. He got a virus that destroyed part of his CNS, which makes his resting heart-rate about 100-120, blood pressure is threw the roof and other very bad things. There are more things wrong with him but I am not going to go into that right now.

Even though he is in HUGE amounts of pain, i.e. a 5-8 on the pain scale, a lot of the time. This is something he has come to live with on a daily basis. He still goes to work, school, plays with his kids, etc. Because he HAS to! This is just something that chronic pain does to you, you just learn to live with it and deal most days.

Now my pain is from an accident from about 10 years ago that royally screwed my back up forever. When I was pregnant I was extremely uncomfortable and a lot of days I could barley walk I was in so much pain. During my second pregnancy my hips shifted and since then I have had issues with that pain too. Most days my pain is tolerable. About a 1-2 on the pain scale. Those days I don't take anything, just deal with the daily pain and go on with my day.

Some days however my pain gets so bad that I need a little something.

Wait... before I say ONE more word, let me get this out. I HATE pain pills. HATE HATE HATE HATE taking them. I usually only take half a pill because I hate them so much. I usually will try a heating pad or rest before I go and take that pill. Because sometimes I have just over done it and rest/heat will help and I can get on with my day. Also because of some family history with pain medication I am also not a fan of them.

The days I do have to take something, I take into consideration what I need to do that day before I will go to the meds cabinet and get one. I.E. take the kids places, work, school, etc. Most days I don't take a damn thing, maybe a Advil or something and that's it.

Well when I take something, if I take a whole one MY butt is IN bed and the kids are being watched. I would NEVER take anything and go anywhere or go to work or DRIVE. I ain't that stupid. AND yes it pisses me off when people think I take them all the time and that they assume shit that AIN'T TRUE.

I LIVE with daily pain, and so do MANY other people I know and love. So before you start in on me or them about what WE do with OUR lives and how we live them, SHUT your mouth. Because you DON'T know what you are talking about. I try my best not to judge before I know the truth. So please do me the same favor and do the same.

so on that note

that is all...

Do you or don't you?

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Karate

So on our adventure to find this game that Noah wants "Sonic Unleashed", he found it watching YouTube videos. He loves to watch those videos and learn how to play his games better. We went to Walmart and Gamestop over by it. Then we wanted to try one more by Kroger. I dropped Mike and Noah at Gamestop then took Gabe to the grocery store with me to grab a few things.

Well on their way back there is a Karate Academy. Noah saw the sign that there is a "Learn how to be a Jedi" class tonight. OF course he wants to go! That kid LOVES Star Wars. So last night there was a class he could go to for an evaluation from the instructor. He did pretty good. He was SO stinking excited to go to class. I can't take him tonight to the Jedi class, I have to work. BOO! I am sure he will have a great time in class tonight. I just wish I could go, but I get to take him to other classes because we signed him up go to twice a week. He starts on Saturday.

We are going to be super busy this semester. T-ball, Karate, school, and work. I might be a little bit of an insane person! So here'e hoping that I will survive this!

that is all...

What is it?

With moms and their birth stories? We all seem to have this diarrhea of the mouth when it comes to telling our birth stories!

When ever we get together we just have to retell every last detail we can regurgitate out of our mouths. Every pain, very last bloody detail. Like we are trying to out do each other that our labor was "so much worse" than yours. You had it easy! Ok I am just as guilty of this horrendous offence. I apologize if I have done this to you in the past and you had NO desire what so ever in the whole world to hear one damn word. So to honor this gross tradition I will replay my birth story for you of my eldest son :)

Noah Joyce 9lbs 8oz 10:45pm 10/2005

Since I was 5 days over due and had about 5 trips to the hospital for "false" labor. My Dr decided to induce my labor at my 40wk appointment. I went in about 5am for induction. Since my now ex-step mother was there she insisted that everyone (mom, inlaws, hubby, and her) all get up at the ass-crack of dawn and go with me and hubby. They started me on my drip and for awhile it was a cake walk.

Then about 1pm -ish my Dr broke my water (which by the way if you have a inverted uterus it is quite painful) I had only been poked by about 5 different nurses because only 1 of the 5 could reach and even see if was dilating. That's when the REAL labor started. OMG I had never felt anything like it before in my life! I commend the ladies that do it drug free, but that AIN'T for me! The nice nurse gave me something groovy to take the edge off till I could get the epidural. Boy did it ever work, so good that it knocked my ass out for like 3 hours!

I woke up in tears wanting my drugs! I was so dizzy that I couldn't open my eyes, because I knew if I did I would vomit on anyone close. My mother and ex-step mother(ESM) tried to help me work through the pain, but after about 10 mins of my ESM saying "visualize the dolphins in the ocean" I wanted to punch her lights out. I waved her off to shut up and thank goodness the REALLY nice nurse with the drugs came in soon after.

This part was kinda hazy to me so I was told what happened. My ESM was in the way of the nurses and was picked up and moved out of the way in order to do my epidural. I remember swinging my legs over the side of the bed and then back after a few mins. Then the pain was gone and out I went again!

Then about 5ish my mother in law had a chat that we both thought it was going to end in a c-section. It was a short conversation because I passed out again! lol

So when I woke up again I wasn't sure of the time but it was around shift change and it was dark outside. That's when my little man in my belly started to have late decells and they called the Dr and it was time to end my suffering and I was SOOO ready to have him out!

So I was prep'ed and carted to the operating room. They actually started the c-section before Mike even came in the room. He sat down next to my head and I was of course strapped to the table like a mental patient. When they went to pull him out, they say "OK you are going to feel some pressure."

PRESSURE MY ASS! My little 5ft nothing Dr was laying on my stomach and the other BIG HUGE linebacker Dr that was assisting, had one leg on the table and was trying to pull him out. He was stuck in my pelvis! OW OW OW OW OW, Mike was like it doesn't hurt it's just pressure. BULL CRAP it HURT! I am a little person, he was a MONSTER child!

They pulled him out and cleaned him up a bit before they brought him to me to see, while the Dr's put me back together. I was in love, my sweet little boy was finally here for me to see and touch. Oh wait my hands were strapped to the table so did I get to hold my baby first you ask? UM NO! Mike got to hold him for a bit and then they took him to the nursery. Then I "think" Mike left because I "surprise face' passed out again. When I woke up again, I was still in the Operating room. They saw I was awake and my Dr peeked over the blue cloth and said she was so sorry for not believing me when I told her my family history of having BIG MONSTER children in both families. Then they told me how much he weighted because ya know I was asleep when that happened. I quote "holy shit!"

When the next time I awoke I was in the recovery room. Everyone was standing around me, my sister in laws, brother in laws, friends were there to greet me and our new family member. Who was brought in a little while later after his first "bath."

I spent 3 days in the hospital. The day after I had him I swelled up like a balloon! I had no ankles! Just legs and feet. I was grateful to the nursing staff that helped me to and from the bathroom. I had to swallow my pride once and get the nurse to help me get out of the shower and dry off.

One thing everyone forgets to mention is the hormone crazy party fest in your body. One minute you are burning hot and the next you are freezing. It happens that fast.

I couldn't lay flat or stand straight up for like a month because I hurt so bad!

But ya know all that didn't make me not want to do it again. Because I knew I was the exception to the rule on that kind of birth. And all that pain and everything was 1000% worth it. Any mother will tell you the same damn thing. Everyday that my now 6yr old tells me that I am the best mommy ever makes it all worth it.


Everything I do to go to school and work, is all for my boys. I would go to the moon and back for them. and with that said

that is all... (sorta) :)

Comforts for Baby and Toddler, Bzzagent

I got my Bzzagent.com Comforts kit today! I am so excited about getting this kit from them! I knew that I was going to get a free pack of diapers but was unaware that I was going to get so much more! 2 sippy cups, a coupon for a free pack of diapers, 5 20% off coupons good for diapers, formula or wipes, and a full size box of wipes! Just what I need and use! My 2yr old will be very grateful (even if he doesn't know it!) for a clean bottom and new cups! And I will be great for trying out new things and getting such great products!

As I mentioned in my previous post that I already use and love comfort diapers! They are a wonderful product to use, especially if you are on a tight budget like we are in this house! I actually started to use them when they were a gift at my baby shower from a friend. I have tried many brands and they are just as good as the pricey name brands. I am a Kroger brand girl and will always be! Thanks again for the kit!

First day of Spring Semester

Soooooo, today was the first day of my first year in the Spring Semester of the HIT program at TCC.

We started with 17 students last semester, and have 17 again this semester. However we did lose one student and gained one from last year that had to drop out for personal reasons. The student we lost she will be missed, she also has dropped for personal reasons. I think being a mommy is a GREAT reason! She had her first son (her first baby at all) last week via c-section. Being that I have had 2 myself, that ain't no picnic to recover from and then jump right back into 13 or more hours of school! Plus I am 100% sure that little bundle of joy (BTW he is too cure for words! Yes she text another student a pic so we could see the little man) isn't sleeping all night and eats at least every 2 hours! I wish her all the luck with her new baby and look forward to see her again and soon.

We went over a few things, my Tuesday class that I have in the afternoon, we went over a bit of the first unit. This is a hybrid course, meaning that I will have to take about 49% of the lecture material at home and study the questions. Starting Feb 7th I will have a exam in that class almost every week till Finals. Only 2 weeks I won't: Spring Break and the week we have to present our Surgery Poster Project.

See my class (Class of 2013) is special you see. We are the first class going to be studying ICD-10 only. The second year students got mostly ICD-9 and some ICD-10. Because we are the "newbies" of this we HAVE to get new books. One of my books isn't even in print yet, not till next month. I have had to pre-order it. I got one of my CPT code books (ambulatory coding, TTh class), my pathology book, and I have a WONDERFUL classmate that has loaned me her pharmacology book. My IP (inpatient, aka ICD-10) book and my other CPT book will be here tomorrow. Well according to UPS anyways!

This semester is going to the be the heaviest load for me for the whole 2 year program. Thankfully I have all my other non-HIT classes out of the way other than the pharmacology class that is an online class this semester. So next fall I have ethics and clinicals, then in the spring JUST clinicals! WOO HOO! So I hope and pray I can get a HIM job and start working next year.

In my final semester we have a 2 year cumulative final to take. I will also be able to sit for my certification exam, the RHIT (registered health information technician). I get to have initials after my name! COOL!

So last semester I ended with a 4.0 for the semester (yes I am tooting my own horn on that one). One of my professors had us do a calendar project last semester where we had to answer a few questions about our schedules, i.e. what week did I have the most exams, etc... She added a note at the end when she handed it back to me. She said that she was proud I ended with all A's for the semester, but not to lose sight of what is really important like my kids and my health. Not to push myself so much and to hard and to know that a B in the class is perfectly A-OK.

This is also the same professor that emailed me and talked to me after class when she had learned of the passing of my Nana. She is a wonderful teacher and really cares for her students. Leading up to my Nana's passing I was asking her a lot of medical questions to make sure I was understanding them correctly (I was getting all my info 3rd hand) I was taking medical terminology last semester. I understand quite a lot of medical things, hubby's a nurse, mother in law retired nurse, and my sister in law is in the field I am going into. But you know when it comes to a loved one you want to make sure you understand what is going on and why. I was unable to go out there and get closer, so being able to talk about this with her was quite helpful.

WOW I have really gotten off topic here! Anyways, first day went well. I am sitting here writing this and afterwards I am going to get to my patho homework and start to answers the study questions and maybe some pharm too. Lets see what I can get done in a hour or so before putting the oldest to bed for the night. and on that note....

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Can not Stand IT!

OK I am one of those "to each his own" kinda gals. But when I hear on the radio about a Dj saying "hey it's celebrity "x" and he did "x said illegal thing", give him a break" Um no, that ain't ok in my book. You do something that is ILLEGAL and you get caught of course you have to pay the price. THATS WHY IT IS CALLED ILLEGAL IN THE FIRST PLACE!

What ever you do on your own time in your own home is your business and not mine. I don't care if that is what you want to do with your life. Like I JUST said its YOUR life not mine. So when I hear someone say crap like that, it really gets me going. Because it is saying that it is OK to do illegal things to our VERY impressionable youth of America.

I know I am probably going to get slack for this but ya know it really chaps my hide when I hear that on the radio. It is a BIG sign saying YES DO THIS ITS OK, when its not. Giving a celebrity a break or special treatment because they make a lot of money is not ok. Everyone else in the world has to follow the law and rules, doesn't make them anymore special than me or anyone else. So I know I might be over stepping a bit on this one but hey its MY blog and I write what I want to. You don't agree, then that sounds like a personal issue to me. so with that

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Wow that was so yummy!

I experimented with my dinner last night. I used a French onion soup mix from Kroger to marinate my steaks in for a few hours. I poked holes in them to make sure they soak up as much juice as possible since I wasn't doing it over night. I put them in the oven at 400 for about 35 mins, at which I checked them , poured off a bit of the juice, put a good amount of freshly shredded Swiss on top. Popped them back in till the cheese melted. O M G they were sooooooo yummy!

I cooked baked potatoes and green beans to go with. I wish I had some rolls to put with them, that would have made it perfect!

I love to try new things. Especially when the whole family cleans their plates!

Tonight I'm taking the night off from cooking. Going on a much needed date with my hubby. I am looking forward to it. We are going to Fuzzy's Taco Shop. YUM, if you live in the DFW area and like fish tacos. That is the place to get them. They are always good! I thought t might be weird with feta cheese but actually it's really good! If you haven't eaten there you need to!

Of course we are going to be back in time for kickoff of the National Championship, in time for my boys to beat some butt! ROLL TIDE!!!!!

That is all...

Comforts for Baby and Toddler

I am going to be receiving a FREE comforts package from www.Bzzagent.com! I am so excited to see what is going to be in my package! I actually already use these products from my local Kroger store. I have used their products on both my children.

I have a very high opinion of their diapers, I use the size 5 Comforts for Baby right now on my youngest child. I have used a variety of brands, from the pricey ones to the cheapest I could get my hands on. Being a "frugal" person you tend to try things out to see which is the best deal in the long run, which one works best, and compare your findings. Comforts is a good price, at least $10 less per package over the leading Name Brand. I haven't had issues with them leaking other than if someone (to be unnamed) doesn't change his diaper before bed and he wakes up wet on the sheets. And if this does happen (which is not often) it really isn't much on the sheets or him. This actually happened today. They are very durable and I trust their brand of products. I use the wipes too.

The wipes have a great smell or you can get unscented if your child has a allergy. There are other options like getting the sensitive wipes and such. JUST like the leading name brands. BONUS they are WAY cheaper! When your a mom of 2 going to college in her 30s, with a hubby in school and working too, you will see what you can do to have a balanced budget.

I also have used their Toddler products in the past as well. I have to say I am a Kroger brand kinda girl. I really honestly can not tell the difference in A LOT of their products. I highly recommend you give them a whirl! and on that note...

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Family, and more

SO I am sooo excited today! My bestie in OH is having a GIRL!!! YIPPPEEE!!!! You know me I can't pass up a great deal, I knew we had a bunch of mark downs at Old Navy. So of course today I scored, 8 oneies, 1 pair of shorts, and 1 pair of leggings (and a pair of clearance earrings for myself) for less than $9!!! WOOT SCORE!

I am so excited to send them to her. I love buying girl cloths, sometimes I wish they were for me, BUT I would NEVER trade my boys ever! They are so sweet and happy kids. So for now I am more than happy buying girl cloths for friends. I am no where near ready or evening thinking of any more. Frankly we are not even sure if we want anymore than two. With both of us in school, Noah in (possibly) two sports this year, a two year old that is into everything, and the in laws here. Its just not in the cards for us at this point. I am thankful that not to many people are on the "occupy my uterus" bandwagon.

So do you have people that have that issue with you? I know a good friend of mine just blogged about this the other day (sorry it just came to me I am not snagging I promise!)

See when I found out I was pregnant with Noah, my cousin "L" and "B" were both preggers at the same time. All boys that go around. Found out about Gabriel, again "L" and our cousin by marriage "S", 2 boys and a girl. So when "S" popped up preggers awhile back (she is a few months old now) "L" and I both freaked out and were like "you can stay away from me NO way I want another one right now!" It seemed to run in our family in 3's. With the addition of "S" that made 20 great-grandchildren in our family! WOW! I have 13 first cousins and 18 second cousins! I have quite a LARGE family! Other than 2 that are not of age of my first cousins, my cousin "P" just found out that his wife is expecting! Here comes #21! So he is the last of the "of age" crowd to have kiddos. They are still in grade school, so NO kiddos coming from them any time soon!

Well I was going to write more but my meds have kicked in for my shoulder. I have been in a lot of pain today which stinks!

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Holy catfish!

So Friday while at Old Navy I found a pair of jeans for $.97! Woo hoo! Then today I found 5 pairs of shoes, 1 jacket, and a nail polish for $9.05! Woooo hooooo!!! Super score for me and the boys!

While some of you know I work there (all things said in my blog are my own personal opinion not to be confused in any way with Gap, Inc.) I was lucky and found these great markdowns! Not an everyday thing! A few months ago a ton of girl boots got marked down to like less than $3 each. I purchased a few pairs for my nieces as gifts for later. I love when I find good deals and can put things away to give later. The shoes I got today are for summer some for this year and some for the next. For $1.47 or less I think I can splurge a smidge and get them a few pairs.

Before I started working there last summer I was shopping in the clearance section (my fav spot in any store) and found a pair of sandles without a tag. So I was like I will just see how much they are, they were from the season before and were $.47! Um yes I will take them! At the time I was shopping for more work shirts (black or white).

I'm super excited about the jacket. It was from last season and it's nice! I needed a nice jacket that looks more professional when I start my clinicals next year. Which I have to be on the look out for dress pants to go on sale too. I am in desperate need of bottoms for clinicals. I found out no leggings, no denim (duh), and no crop pants. Crap leaves me with 1 pair of pants and 1 skirt. I have 4 pairs of nice Express Stuido dress crop pants, but not allowed to wear them to clinicals. So I am going to have to expand my wardrobe a bit. I have enough tops to wear (maybe a few more if they are a good deal). So anyone find any super awesome deals lately?

I got 3 iPhone/iPod/iPad cables for $1 each from a websites flash sale one day. Sweet! Same place I got Noah a batman remote controlled car and a few other things.

Speaking of deals I need to call and see what the F is up with my mother in laws gift card. I ordered on 12/14/11 and I still don't have it. Called them several times. Need to call again in the morning and give them an earful.

Well my back is now saying its had enough and time to go to bed. Sooooo

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Pain Sucks!

Today is the second day that I'm stuck laying down because of back pain. So my in laws helped me by handing me all the Christmas stuff so I could put it all away. We love to look at it all but I'm sure happy to reclaim my house back.

While I was bringing in the boxes from the garage I meet one of our new neighbor's. They started to move in yesterday. They were having a good time last night. Hope it's not a habit and it was just for the New Year. The people behind us were shooting off fireworks last night and scaring the shit out of Molly. Poor dog she probably won't go outside at night for a month now (at night). She was either shivering next to me or hiding in the closet last night. After the 4th of July she wouldn't go outside at night for a month. She was too scared. Don't blame her one bit. My poor sweet baby girl.

As I type my mother in law in helping me clean the house by vacuuming. I so glad for her help the last few days. Especially with the boys. I shouldn't be lifting up on Gabriel when my back is like this. That way I don't hurt myself more.

I'm going to take a nap now. So on that note

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