Couponing Craze

I have always used coupons, but not necessarily to their full potential.
However, my eyes have been opened to a whole new world!  I recently went to a couponing seminar and learned a couple new tricks.  If you live in the Tampa area check these ladies out www.truecouponing.com/ However, my favorite web site is www.hip2save.com/

Gary and I decided we were going to watch a movie and we needed some peanut butter M&M's to put in the popcorn (thank you very much Lauren and Aundrea!).  I decided I would run up to CVS to get some, but I took a peek at the www.hip2save.com web site and printed out my list and some coupons.

$126.54 RETAIL later here is what I had 

Purex 3 in 1, 6 bottles of deodorant, 5 bottles of dish soap, 12 cans of nuts, 4 toothbrushes, 2 bags of M&M's 2 tubes of toothpaste, 3 packages of diapers, 1 fun pen, 2 SOBE waters, & baby shampoo

Don't fret, I did NOT pay $126.54, here's the break down:

after coupons and store sales $49.02 (I totally forgot $2. in coupons at home for my M&M's, which was the purpose of the trip HA!)

minus $25.00 for a Rx gift card 

minus $9 in Extra Care Bucks

and I received a bonus coupon for $5 of $15.

for a grand total of 

$10.02!!!! 
$20.02 
(Oops, I didn't realize I had $10. of Extra Care Bucks already calculated in my receipt. Oh well, still not to shabby!)

Woo Hoo!

sew, a needle pulling thread.........

My daughters newest dresses

sewn with love.
By yours truly.

Twins!!!

If you don't know, we have recently adopted twins

(you may not know this because we have YET to send out announcements).

Having a child brings the need for lots of stuff. Stuff to make them happy, you happy, the family happy, you happy.  

Well, with twins, the stuff really does multiply!  

Fortunately, for me, I have a pretty remarkable sister 

and some amazing friends.  

All of which totally ignored my protest of needing to have a shower (they all have multiple children and are far wiser than I am).

Lauren, Kathleen, & Aundrea ("Sisters in the Lord" who co-ordinated my shower)

They threw me the most beautiful girlie baby shower I could have imagined.

The girls were even able to come to the big event.

Lyla with Aunt Lee

Madison with Lauren

There were many gifts to open, the girls had a GREAT time with this part of the party.

 

 

Madison with Aundrea checking out her new baby doll

Lyla had to put on her new Converse that Tammy made her

Thank you to all the women in my life!  

My family is so blessed to have each and every one of you!

My Talented Sis

I am so fortunate to have such a talented sister!

Here are some of my favorite pictures from our last photo shoot.

Check her website out here!

5...4...3...2...1 BLAST OFF!!!!

A couple of months ago we booked our hotel room on the Space Coast, 

in hopes of getting tickets to see Space Shuttle Atlantis' final launch.  

As you all know we have added to our family since then. 

We contemplated not going, 

but hated to disappoint this cute little guy.

Sooooooooo we ventured out (and prayed ALOT).

(we did NOT have another child, that is Nick's "Space Shuttle" buddy Gabe)

Nick and Gabe in deep discussion about today's agenda.

Maddie and Lyla LOVE their new stroller (they became well acquainted on this trip)

 

Checking out the mock shuttle (this is where they keep the satellite)

The boys in the mini spacecraft (Gemini 7)

 

  

Closing the hatch

Waiting patiently

 The girls made it through with lots of snacks.

The Lortons

The Edwards

 

Us (the girls are still strapped loving their stroller)

Getting ready to count down!

Lift OFF!!!!

 

So happy!

We hung around Kennedy Space Center waiting for traffic to die down.  

It took us about an hour (a LONG hour) to get back to the hotel, 

but once we got there, ALL were happy!

 

A perfect end to a great day!