I can thank Megan for this blog post. :) It's been a very very long time since I have posted, but hopefully I will be more purposeful to record all the things that are going on in our lives, as well as in Kaylie's, and our new little girl Reagan's. Speaking of Kaylie, I cannot believe she will be 3 in just 2 days! When did my little girl get so big?? I love her more and more with each day, she is such a fun, spunky, energetic goofball and she really brings so much joy to Bobby and I. And now we will be adding another little girl into the mix on August 16th!! I can't wait to see the differences and similarities between Kaylie and Reagan, I am just excited that Kaylie will have a sister. Bobby and I both decided we are gonna make it our mission to make sure they don't fight and compete with one another, but that they build a great friendship and love one another to death!
well right now life is spent just getting ready for our new daughter. In the past few weeks we have changed Kaylie's room into a big girl room, and are now slowly starting to get Reagan's room going. We took Kaylie to Disney World in March to have one last huge vacation with just her before the baby comes. And next month Bobby and I will be celebrating 5 years if marriage followed by our family beach trip, which if you know me, I am IMMENSLY looking forward to, no matter how big and pregnant I am. :)
We really are so blessed, and have so many exciting things to look forward to!
I will post new pics soon, I need to actually upload all the recent ones to my computer first. I am a slacker :)
Countdown till baby Reagan is here!
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Sunday, May 30, 2010
.My Favorites.
So I am doing this post mostly because of Megan. :) I am always talking about great things I find, or great bargains, so she told me to pass them along to you.
First are a few ways I have found to save money:
Buying Used Books
I have found a great used book store up here in Frederick. It is called Wonder Books and they also have a Gaithersburg locatin but it is smaller. As much as I love Barnes and Noble and Borders (which I still buy from) nothing can beat buying a used book that is in great condition for at least half the price. Mom's, getting kids books here is a must. I think the last time I went, I walked away with 7 new books for Kaylie and paid around $8. You can also find books in almost every category imaginable, and even some very old first editions. Check out their website at www.wonderbk.com (you can even order online)
Totswap
I am pretty sure I have told everyone about this at least twice. :) So basically, if you are a mom, know a mom, or plan to be a mom, you need to go to totswap. Or find something like it in your area. I have made a ton of money, and saved a ton of money from being involved in this!!! The next ones start in September so you better mark your calenders!! Visit www.totswap.net
Toys R Us/Babies R Us
It is well worth signing up for their rewards card. I constantly get coupons in the mail from them probably weekly, and the best part is, the coupons are for like $5 off diapers, $2 off wipes, and then they also accept multiple manufacturers coupons. I went this past week to stock up on diapers/wipes/genie refills and I saved about $15 off my bill just by coupons. It is well worth it to sign up for free!!
Now on to just some favorites:
Need a bathing suit? I just recently found this website and I am in love with the prints on these suits!! I ordered mine and just got it in the mail a few days ago. I absolutely LOVE this suit. I decided to just embrace the tankini all together, especialy ones that help hide the problem areas all you mommies are familiar with. :) The top is great because you can wear it 3 different ways: halter, criss cross, and tank top style. The bottoms are great, you can choose between regular bikin, boy shorts, skirts, and tummy tuck bottoms. As hard as it was to accept the fact that I no longer have the body of a teenager, I bought the Tummy Tuck bottoms. They are exactly what they sound like. Bikini bottoms that come up high enough to tuck in that little extra baby belly that never seemed to go away. :) Sure I had to pay more for this tankini than I would at Target, but it is worth every single penny! Everyone should check it out www.hapari.com
The also sell suits for little girls! :)
Border's Books
Ok so I always seem to end up in Barnes and Noble. Its right in the mall, they sell Starbucks, and they have a train table for the kiddos to play with. I probably am in a Barned and Noble at least once every few weeks. Yet I am not a member there, I actually am a member at Border's. I signed up for a rewards card there a little over a year ago. I heard that Barned and Noble charges a $25 a year fee to become a member and then you get member discounts. I have no idea how often they send coupons but I am sure they do sometimes. Well when I signed up at Border's I didn't pay a thing, and weekly I get emailed a coupon that is anywhere between 30-50% off one item. Sometimes I even get 2 coupons a week. What I have come to realize is that in about a year, I have never paid full price for anything at Border's. And 99% of the items I have bought have been in the bargain section.
Border's clearly has way more and better bargain books than Barnes and Noble does. The kids books that Border's has are in massive abundance and usually $7 or less. Then I just use my coupons on them. :) I have also gotten a few great cook books for only around $5. Sure B&N is just better marketed...but I feel like I have saved a lot more at Border's. If you are a B&N member then that is great! But you should sign up for Border's for free also and see what kind of deals you can get at both places. :)
Mays
I just have to write about Mays because I just went there for the first time and it was a blast. Up in Frederick, its a crab and seafood resteraunt. Not fancy at all just a super fun place to sit with some friends and pick crabs. There is a small inside eating area, or outdoors they have a huge tent that you eat under, on picnic tables. Soooooo good. Great place to go with a bunch of friends to just eat, drink, and get some great seafood.
Sugarboo Designs
The wesbite speaks for itself...but if you have never seen something Sugarboo, you are gonna be hooked. I saw my first Sugarboo photobox frame 4 years ago...and they still make me want to by every piece they make. Check out www.sugarboodesigns.com
Well thats all I have for now. Hopefully you can enjoy these things like I do! :)
First are a few ways I have found to save money:
Buying Used Books
I have found a great used book store up here in Frederick. It is called Wonder Books and they also have a Gaithersburg locatin but it is smaller. As much as I love Barnes and Noble and Borders (which I still buy from) nothing can beat buying a used book that is in great condition for at least half the price. Mom's, getting kids books here is a must. I think the last time I went, I walked away with 7 new books for Kaylie and paid around $8. You can also find books in almost every category imaginable, and even some very old first editions. Check out their website at www.wonderbk.com (you can even order online)
Totswap
I am pretty sure I have told everyone about this at least twice. :) So basically, if you are a mom, know a mom, or plan to be a mom, you need to go to totswap. Or find something like it in your area. I have made a ton of money, and saved a ton of money from being involved in this!!! The next ones start in September so you better mark your calenders!! Visit www.totswap.net
Toys R Us/Babies R Us
It is well worth signing up for their rewards card. I constantly get coupons in the mail from them probably weekly, and the best part is, the coupons are for like $5 off diapers, $2 off wipes, and then they also accept multiple manufacturers coupons. I went this past week to stock up on diapers/wipes/genie refills and I saved about $15 off my bill just by coupons. It is well worth it to sign up for free!!
Now on to just some favorites:
Need a bathing suit? I just recently found this website and I am in love with the prints on these suits!! I ordered mine and just got it in the mail a few days ago. I absolutely LOVE this suit. I decided to just embrace the tankini all together, especialy ones that help hide the problem areas all you mommies are familiar with. :) The top is great because you can wear it 3 different ways: halter, criss cross, and tank top style. The bottoms are great, you can choose between regular bikin, boy shorts, skirts, and tummy tuck bottoms. As hard as it was to accept the fact that I no longer have the body of a teenager, I bought the Tummy Tuck bottoms. They are exactly what they sound like. Bikini bottoms that come up high enough to tuck in that little extra baby belly that never seemed to go away. :) Sure I had to pay more for this tankini than I would at Target, but it is worth every single penny! Everyone should check it out www.hapari.com
The also sell suits for little girls! :)
Border's Books
Ok so I always seem to end up in Barnes and Noble. Its right in the mall, they sell Starbucks, and they have a train table for the kiddos to play with. I probably am in a Barned and Noble at least once every few weeks. Yet I am not a member there, I actually am a member at Border's. I signed up for a rewards card there a little over a year ago. I heard that Barned and Noble charges a $25 a year fee to become a member and then you get member discounts. I have no idea how often they send coupons but I am sure they do sometimes. Well when I signed up at Border's I didn't pay a thing, and weekly I get emailed a coupon that is anywhere between 30-50% off one item. Sometimes I even get 2 coupons a week. What I have come to realize is that in about a year, I have never paid full price for anything at Border's. And 99% of the items I have bought have been in the bargain section.
Border's clearly has way more and better bargain books than Barnes and Noble does. The kids books that Border's has are in massive abundance and usually $7 or less. Then I just use my coupons on them. :) I have also gotten a few great cook books for only around $5. Sure B&N is just better marketed...but I feel like I have saved a lot more at Border's. If you are a B&N member then that is great! But you should sign up for Border's for free also and see what kind of deals you can get at both places. :)
Mays
I just have to write about Mays because I just went there for the first time and it was a blast. Up in Frederick, its a crab and seafood resteraunt. Not fancy at all just a super fun place to sit with some friends and pick crabs. There is a small inside eating area, or outdoors they have a huge tent that you eat under, on picnic tables. Soooooo good. Great place to go with a bunch of friends to just eat, drink, and get some great seafood.
Sugarboo Designs
The wesbite speaks for itself...but if you have never seen something Sugarboo, you are gonna be hooked. I saw my first Sugarboo photobox frame 4 years ago...and they still make me want to by every piece they make. Check out www.sugarboodesigns.com
Well thats all I have for now. Hopefully you can enjoy these things like I do! :)
Monday, May 24, 2010
.Oh the wonderful number 2.
Kaylie girl turned 2 on May 5th. I can't believe that 2 years have gone by! She has become such a little girl. So much energy, running around everywhere, and keeping Mommy and Daddy busy with her spicy attitude. :)
I had so much fun planning her birthday this year. We went with a Barney theme because she had been in love with him for almost a year. :) She couldn't stop talking about the Barney cake she was going to have on her birthday. So when the day finally came, it turned out perfect. We had great weather, and had a cookout at Middletown park. Wonderful friends and family came, we even got to see Dave, Michelle, and Ava before they moved to Ohio! The party was so much fun, but one of the best parts was having Uncle Johnny call. We were able to enjoy Aunt Christian being there with us to celebrate, and Johnny called her right during the party from Afghanistan! He was able to sing happy birthday with everyone while on speaker phone. It was such a special memory!! Later on, she opened a present from him which was a DVD and books. Johnny had made a video of him reading the books to Kaylie! It was so much fun to watch and Kaylie really enjoyed watching him read to her. :)
The party was great and we were so blessed to have our friends and loved ones there!
Sweet Birthday girl
Decorations, Meg made the most adorable banner for Kaylie!
Ava blowing dandilion seeds
Daddy helping Kaylie doing it
Sweet Ava and Kaylie
Meggie playing with the girls
Cutie boy Ryder
Checkin out the bean bag toss game
Some of the crew
Me and Megs :)
Adorable Cake!
Singing Happy Birthday to the girlie
Going for presents
All the kiddo's haha!
Gran and Kaylie
Balloon girl!
Family shots
Checkin out some of the presents
Watching the video from Uncle Johnny!
Little Miss Chef
Well that was the birthday celebration! On her actual birthday we just had a low key day and took her to the Baltimore Aquarium for the first time. It was a blast and she loved it, but man was she everywhere it was hard to get good pics. I did get a few and I will share them on another post.
Still can't believe my precious girl is 2!!!!
I had so much fun planning her birthday this year. We went with a Barney theme because she had been in love with him for almost a year. :) She couldn't stop talking about the Barney cake she was going to have on her birthday. So when the day finally came, it turned out perfect. We had great weather, and had a cookout at Middletown park. Wonderful friends and family came, we even got to see Dave, Michelle, and Ava before they moved to Ohio! The party was so much fun, but one of the best parts was having Uncle Johnny call. We were able to enjoy Aunt Christian being there with us to celebrate, and Johnny called her right during the party from Afghanistan! He was able to sing happy birthday with everyone while on speaker phone. It was such a special memory!! Later on, she opened a present from him which was a DVD and books. Johnny had made a video of him reading the books to Kaylie! It was so much fun to watch and Kaylie really enjoyed watching him read to her. :)
The party was great and we were so blessed to have our friends and loved ones there!
Sweet Birthday girl
Decorations, Meg made the most adorable banner for Kaylie!
Ava blowing dandilion seeds
Daddy helping Kaylie doing it
Sweet Ava and Kaylie
Meggie playing with the girls
Cutie boy Ryder
Checkin out the bean bag toss game
Some of the crew
Me and Megs :)
Adorable Cake!
Singing Happy Birthday to the girlie
Going for presents
All the kiddo's haha!
Gran and Kaylie
Balloon girl!
Family shots
Checkin out some of the presents
Watching the video from Uncle Johnny!
Little Miss Chef
Well that was the birthday celebration! On her actual birthday we just had a low key day and took her to the Baltimore Aquarium for the first time. It was a blast and she loved it, but man was she everywhere it was hard to get good pics. I did get a few and I will share them on another post.
Still can't believe my precious girl is 2!!!!
Monday, April 26, 2010
.I'm Determined.
Yep, I am here again, that means I am determined to make the time to blog! For a lot of reasons, but one being that I want to be able to share what's going on with Bobby's brother Johnny, who is currently serving over in Afghanistan. He is Kaylie's most favorite Uncle Johnny and she misses him so! We pray for you JZ all the time!!
So this past month has been quite a fun one! Besides the weather getting warmer, we celebrated Daddy's birthday, and Easter! Bobby got a surprise trip camping with some friends for his birthday. I THOUGHT it was a great idea. I swear I have the worst luck when it comes to planning things for Bobby.
The first time I planned a trip away with Bobby for his birthday, I booked a room at a place on the eastern shore that was on the water and you could fish, paddleboat, lots of outdoor activities. I underestimated April. We got there that night as it was freezing cold, and over night it snowed. Boooooo for ruining the outdoor fun!
Now the camping trip. After a straight week of 70-80 degree weather, the day that the boys left, it was FREEZING, overcast, and of course I sent them to Pennsylvania. The highest point. They got there and it had been snowing. YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME!! So they were supposed to go river fishing at the state park I sent them to. Nope, fishing was closed for the week for restocking.
Let's just say I had some very bad luck planning that trip, and the boys pretty much froze. They toughed it out through the night though, but came home early the next day. :) Next birthday? INSIDE EVENTS ONLY!!! I am open to suggestions. :)
Well Easter was great this year. It was so much fun with Kaylie! We took her to an easter egg hunt that the rec council put on for the town of Middletown. I LOVE living in a tiny town, because you have events like these that bring the whole little community together. :) So we had that easter egg hunt on Saturday, and then Sunday we went to the Easter service. Miss Kaylie looked beautiful in her little Easter dress and she had a blast in Children's ministry, which she ASKS to go to now, there are no tears when I drop her off, she just gives me a kiss and says "Bye Mommy!" I tell ya, I never thought we would get to that place so soon! :) That late afternoon the whole family came over for Easter dinner to our house. We threw a little Easter egg hunt for Kaylie and her bff Sky, our friends that live next door. The girls had so muc fun looking for eggs! Kaylie was extremely blessed with many Easter baskets and we had such a nice meal together! It was such a wonderful beautiful day spending time with family and celebrating our savior's birth!!
Well now that we are at the end of April, I am spending all my time getting ready for Kaylie's second birthday! I CANNOT BELIEVE she is going to be 2!!!! Time does fly when you have little ones. I remember everyone telling me that it goes by so fast so cherish every little moment. They were all right. I think I may cry this year when she turns 2!
I cannot wait to celebrate with her, friends and family. We are having a Barney party for her, because she has been in love with him for the past year. Of course we have to remember her love for Barney. :) And on her actual birthday, which is a Wednesday, we are going to take her to the Baltimore Aquarium for the first time. I can't wait to see her face and see how she likes it!! :)
Here are some pics from Easter this year. Next time I post, it will be all about Kaylie turning 2!!! Ahhhh!!!
Dyeing easter eggs with Mommy!
Middletown Park Easter Egg hunt
Little girlie looking for her eggs
Opening Easter basket from Aunt Christian and Uncle Johnny
Easter Sunday having a Easter egg hunt for Kaylie and Sky!
So this past month has been quite a fun one! Besides the weather getting warmer, we celebrated Daddy's birthday, and Easter! Bobby got a surprise trip camping with some friends for his birthday. I THOUGHT it was a great idea. I swear I have the worst luck when it comes to planning things for Bobby.
The first time I planned a trip away with Bobby for his birthday, I booked a room at a place on the eastern shore that was on the water and you could fish, paddleboat, lots of outdoor activities. I underestimated April. We got there that night as it was freezing cold, and over night it snowed. Boooooo for ruining the outdoor fun!
Now the camping trip. After a straight week of 70-80 degree weather, the day that the boys left, it was FREEZING, overcast, and of course I sent them to Pennsylvania. The highest point. They got there and it had been snowing. YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME!! So they were supposed to go river fishing at the state park I sent them to. Nope, fishing was closed for the week for restocking.
Let's just say I had some very bad luck planning that trip, and the boys pretty much froze. They toughed it out through the night though, but came home early the next day. :) Next birthday? INSIDE EVENTS ONLY!!! I am open to suggestions. :)
Well Easter was great this year. It was so much fun with Kaylie! We took her to an easter egg hunt that the rec council put on for the town of Middletown. I LOVE living in a tiny town, because you have events like these that bring the whole little community together. :) So we had that easter egg hunt on Saturday, and then Sunday we went to the Easter service. Miss Kaylie looked beautiful in her little Easter dress and she had a blast in Children's ministry, which she ASKS to go to now, there are no tears when I drop her off, she just gives me a kiss and says "Bye Mommy!" I tell ya, I never thought we would get to that place so soon! :) That late afternoon the whole family came over for Easter dinner to our house. We threw a little Easter egg hunt for Kaylie and her bff Sky, our friends that live next door. The girls had so muc fun looking for eggs! Kaylie was extremely blessed with many Easter baskets and we had such a nice meal together! It was such a wonderful beautiful day spending time with family and celebrating our savior's birth!!
Well now that we are at the end of April, I am spending all my time getting ready for Kaylie's second birthday! I CANNOT BELIEVE she is going to be 2!!!! Time does fly when you have little ones. I remember everyone telling me that it goes by so fast so cherish every little moment. They were all right. I think I may cry this year when she turns 2!
I cannot wait to celebrate with her, friends and family. We are having a Barney party for her, because she has been in love with him for the past year. Of course we have to remember her love for Barney. :) And on her actual birthday, which is a Wednesday, we are going to take her to the Baltimore Aquarium for the first time. I can't wait to see her face and see how she likes it!! :)
Here are some pics from Easter this year. Next time I post, it will be all about Kaylie turning 2!!! Ahhhh!!!
Dyeing easter eggs with Mommy!
Middletown Park Easter Egg hunt
Little girlie looking for her eggs
Opening Easter basket from Aunt Christian and Uncle Johnny
Easter Sunday having a Easter egg hunt for Kaylie and Sky!
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