BRRRRRR

last night:


WOW, did the thermometer really say 17 this morning? That makes for a pretty cold morning! The sleet started last night just after my Acteen meeting was canceled for last night and my Bible study was canceled for this morning.(I am really kind of happy about that one though, I was going to have to miss it again since molly still has a runny nose and cough) I know it is dangerous, but it is also so pretty to see. I love to see the shine of the ice that looks like everything is covered in glass. Too bad we don't have any real trees around to see.

here is the side of the brick, notice the protected inner side and the exposed outer side:
the "glass grass"
our shrub brrrr, makes me feel cold to think of being covered in ice!
have no fear, it is suppose to be back to the mid 60's by Friday!! (this winter has really been crazy that is for sure!)

Freebie poll

Ok gang, I know, it seems like all I have been posting lately is how to get FREE stuff, but hey, I figure if it looks good/cool and is easy to do why not share with all of my friends right?! If you don't want to do it you don't have to, but it is there if you do right?! Guess that means you might want to check the site often as you never know what might be free out there today, or don't check it very often as you could care less about the freebies. All this to say.... I will be taking a poll to see what you are really thinking. Check out the poll on the right side of the blog and be sure to "make your voice be heard" (that means VOTE!!! :) )

FREE Diet DR PEPPER

Yes, yes yes, it is TRUE!! the people at the Dr Pepper site are actually going to give away coupons for a FREE diet DR Pepper. (maybe it is to make up for those of us who never got in for their promotion a while back) Anyway, I don't really care about the reason, I just want to take advantage of it. I just completed this and for now it is working but, I am not sure how long this one is good for, so I would hop on over here now if I were you. You can chose either a free 20 oz or 2 Liter. I bet you can use the coupon on any DP but not sure. will do my best to use it to buy my Diet Cherry Vanilla Dr. Pepper YUMMY!

Oh, I almost forgot... this freeby was discovered by my sweet hubby (he is always looking out for me :) )

free Starbucks

ok, all you volunteers out there. all you have to do is tell them that you pledge to volunteer 5 hours of your time for the organization of your choice and they will give you a free coffee. Click here to read the full article. Sorry just found this... it expires on SUNDAY

Poor Poor babies

This week our house has been hit by the common cold. For such a small little thing known as the "germ", it sure is mighty powerful !
Kirk initially had the lovely bug and then it passed to both of the kids. I knew Sam wasn't feeling very well because of this scenario:Those of you who know Sam know that he can't sit still for very long, so when he requested a blanket, I knew. All the boy wanted to do was lay on the couch and watch cartoons!
Little Miss molly seemed to have fared the worst. She had been utterly miserable. Unable to breathe through her nose (which is quite a tragedy for someone as addicted to her fooler as she is!) How are you suppose to soothe yourself when you can't suck on the pacifier? Since she never seemed to get better and she started "barking" like a dog I took her to the doctor. Croup was the verdict. hopefully she will be better in the next couple of days. We started her on some steroids to help as well.

now, I am just waiting for my turn. I have been dosing myself with orange juice and vitamins in hopes to avoid this nasty germ!--- but remember~ all you have to do to avoid the illness is wash those hands (it has nothing to do with those sweet little kisses from a germ infested 2 year old-- that HAVE to be planted squarely on the mouth!, or the sweet little sopping wet fingers that go from the baby's mouth straight into mine, or the coughing/sneezing/snotting that is all over my shirt, arms, legs, hands, face, or the breathing of a pathetic ,snoring infant who will only sleep if she is on my chest. naw, that has nothing to do with it... it is solely hand washing! :) right nurses?!

free Dr Pepper

Hey all you DP fans out there... here is an opportunity to get a free Dr pepper here
This one will be a WHOLE lot easier to get than the "Free DP from the actual DP site!!"
All you have to do is go to your closest ARBYS and use this coupon with any purchase thru 1-31. I am thinking a nice order of curly fries and FREE DP :) hmmm, krispy kreme yesterday, curly fries today.... no one needs to even ask me how my New year's resolutions are going!!

Signature collection item

click here to receive your free Signature collection item from Bath and Body Works. Receive your free item with coupon with any purchase in the store.

Free Krispy kreme donut TODAY

Today only (Tues 1-20) in honor of inauguration day krispy kreme is giving away a free doughnut just go to the store!

who me?!

look at what little miss "into everything" got into this week.
Yep, it is a bag of Sam's diapers. She pulled them all out of the of the bag, gnawed on a few of them then... When she realized she was busted, she looked at me with those sweet innocent eyes and started to suck on her thumb as though she had done nothing wrong. Little did she know that by continuing to hold onto the diaper it proved her quilt :)

all i want for Christmas... a little late

We all know the song... "all I want for Christmas is my 2 front teeth..." Molly asked for it (in her own baby language that no one understands) but apparently even Jolly Saint Nick couldn't understand it because this beauty didn't make it's appearance until 2 days after Christmas
only one tooth has come, but the second front one isn't too far behind.

auntie annes pretzel

Ok guys,
Anyone ever had an Auntie Anne's pretzel? You would know it if you had! They are yummy. Here is a way to get a coupon for a FREE pretzel, and from the looks of it you should get special stuff each month. Just sign up here and enjoy!!!

****UPDATE****I already got mine in my email box... have you?!-- hope so! hey, did anyone get their gum? I am STILL waiting for my pack.***

Free Suave shampoo

ok everyone out there... here is a free bottle of SUAVE shampoo. be sure to click here to see the details. This is for tomorrow WED JAN 14th ONLY so be sure to register!!!

Boys day out

While on vacation Kirk took Sam out for a special "Boys Only Day" They went to "pump it up". Kirk found out that they actually have one for kids under 3!! PERFECT, so that you don't have to worry about all those "big' kids bullying the little ones. Since it was boys only I made Kirk promise to take pictures :) I guess Sam was not as excited about it as we both thought he would be, bit after a while he warmed up to it and had a good time:


This sweet face says it all!Thanks Daddy for a super fun day! xoxo, SAM

Christmas recap

I am finally back up and running. No, my computer wasn't down, my brain was. We have enjoyed a great Christmas and New Year. Kirk has been off and there has been a lot of celebrating (birthday/Christmases/NY etc), eating, family, friends and fellowship. It is amazing to me how fast the vacation time flies by, but when it comes to neglected housework it seems like it was a very long time! ARGHHH!
We were able to spend some time visiting Kirk's parents the weekend before Christmas. no matter what we do, when we leave ,or how tired he is, Sam just will NOT sleep in the car. He is a good boy for most of the trip, just bad later on when he is whiny/tired and overly-energetic. Miss Molly is ok about sleeping in the car, she just doesn't ever want to sleep when we are there. She was better about it this time as compared to Thanksgiving, though for some reason she enjoys me holding her throughout the night. oh well, just makes for a very tired mommy (and daddy too)
I got (had) to work on Christmas Eve night. It was kind of sad being away from my family, but I reminded myself that I was fortunate enough to have healthy babies and did not have to spend Christmas IN the hospital, but I was able to go home and hug and kiss on my sweet babies. I couldn't imagine how difficult that must be to have a sick newborn in the hospital this time of year (any time of year actually) God has truly blessed our family.
Since we don't believe in or do the "santa' thing, I was able to come home after working a busy night and go to sleep. After I got up and showered we had our family Christmas.
On the 26th we went over to my parents house for Christmas. (yes, we managed to celebrate 1 day over the entire week :) ) Sam is really into this whole opening presents thing. He has really enjoyed opening all the wrapped presents (he was even nice enough to open Molly's for her too) and playing with whatever was wrapped (Molly on the other hand really enjoyed the "wrap")We found out how smart he really is as well. While opening gifts from my parents he refused to open the "clothes" shaped boxes, apparently he knew there wasn't fun stuff in any box that looked like that ha ha! After opening all of our gifts we put the kiddos down to bed and then c'puter pa and money ma hosted the FAMILY FEUD. (my dad created a game on his computer and projector) It was a lot of fun! __and we played for REAL cash!! kirk and I played against one another (originally my brother and family were suppose to be here for Christmas this year, but Rod started a new job about a month ago and did not have vacation time so they were unable to come.) It was too bad they couldn't come. We haven't been able to see each other for a while, in fact, they still have not been able to meet Molly yet. It would have been fun to play against them, but then again it was a lot of fun to beat Kirk :).

here are a couple of my favorite Christmas pictures of the kids:

Hope you all had a very Merry Christmas and enjoyed time with your families and friends!

Favorite Christmas

I know. I know... I have not posted in a while and what I have posted has not been of much interest to anyone. I guess that means that there is not a whole lot of excitement going on here, plus we are busy hustling and bustling to get all the stockings hung by the chimney with care. So, while I am on a small hiatus from the informative blogness I thought I would throw a question to all of you faithful readers (known and unknown) :

"What is your favorite Christmas memory"
just leave a comment and share

good deals

ok, more fun stuff:

Hallmark card deals: Sorry, these expire on 12/24 so you need to hurry
buy one get one FREE

free coffee

awesome coupon for Office Max... $10 off any $20 purchase in store. the coupon says valid on any items (clearance, promotions, regular priced)!

free wed movie

Free Redbox movie rental tomorrow (Wednesday) at any Walgreens Redbox locations. Use code: 9WAGS27.

Free Movie Sunday

don't forget about the free redbox movie code for today SUNDAY.

be sure to check back tomorrow--- I hope to have a free code for MONDAY only as well!

up up and AWAY

Well, Miss Molly has been quite the busy body lately. She has been crawling and pulling herself up on EVERYTHING for the past couple of weeks. Nothing is sacred. I was just taking some pictures of Molly pulling herself up on Sam's castle toy. Apparently he did not like the attention she was getting or the fact that she (yet again) was "touching" one of his toys. He instantly sat upon the toy, she fell off, but quickly popped back up (using him this time) When I took the pictures, I did not realize the events that I managed to capture until later...

1. Molly up on Sam and toy 2. molly touching the weeble holder atop the castle


3. Sam moving weeble holder out of her "way"
4. Sam decides to take it away from her (saying "mine")
Sweet Molly, oblivious of her brother's selfishness, just happy to be up and touching her favorite person in the whole world.

AWAY

And away she goes........

FREE STUFF WEDNESDAY

OK guys, here is the deal... instead of working on the things that I need to do (like clean the house) I have been reading (lurking) all around and finding cool and unusual deals. I will try to post the ones that I think look good.

Free panty:

THE JCPENNEY FLIRTITUDES GIVEAWAY (Dec/Jan Issue): Starting November 18, 2008, bring the December 2008/January 2009 cover of Seventeen or a printout of the seventeen.com home page to any JCPenney store to receive one (1) Flirtitude panty (approximate retail value: $7.50). Twenty-five thousand (25,000) will be given away. One per person. Giveaway ends January 6, 2009. While supplies last.

Free movie

FREE Redbox movie rentals every Sunday this month!!

I realize I didn't post this soon enough to get the first one, but there are 4 more weeks to go. Go here to find a Walmart Redbox near you.

• Week 1 – 11moms4uS (good Sunday 12/7 only)
• Week 2 – 11moms4uA (good Sunday 12/14 only)
• Week 3 – 11moms4uN (good Sunday 12/21 only)
• Week 4 – 11moms4uT (good Sunday 12/28 only)
• Week 5 – 11moms4uA (good Sunday 1/4 only)

just three simple steps to redeem your free rental code:

• Select “Rent with a Promo Code”. You’ll find this option on the opening touch screen in the lower left corner. Now enter your code, of course.
• Select your movie. Redbox always has a great variety of choices. You’re sure to find something appropriate for your family, and new releases are added every Tuesday. You can check out the current releases here.
• Complete your transaction. You’ll need to enter a credit card to check out, but you will not be charged unless you do not return your movie by 9:00 p.m. the following evening.

Speaking of returning movies, you can return them to any Redbox location! You need not return it to the specific location that you rented it from. They are always due back by the following evening at 9:00 p.m. The good news, however, is that you will never be charged a late fee. You will only be charged for another night’s rental at the rate of $1.

Free $5

Sign up for Sale Alerts on Kohls.com and get a $5 off $5 coupon via email. (note that it may take up to 10 days to receive this coupon in your inbox, so sign up soon.)

Free ARBYS sandwich

click here for a coupon for a free sandwich at ARBYS

FREE Cookie Cutter

click here to get a FREE cookie cutter from cookie cutter spirit.


*****UPDATE******
I guess this sight is no longer working (sorry)

just because

Look what I got:What a sweet, wonderful husband I have. When I asked why he brought me flowers he said... "just because".
Thanks honey, they are beautiful

FREE GUM

Here is an opportunity to get a free pack of gum. This is a fun promotion from Stride Gum (not like Dr. Pepper which I am still too angry with to even discuss!!) it is set up like a lawsuit called 'the people -vs- stride' -- you click on the "settle" or "sue" side and go from there! click HERE to get started... have fun!

send a card

This year when you send all of your Christmas cards, wouldn't it be nice to send an extra one to a soldier who works hard to help us keep the freedoms we have in America? In order to send some love go here to see the info on snopes. The address is:

Holiday Mail for Heroes
PO Box 5456
Capitol Heights, MD 20791-5456

Some things to remember:

• All cards must be postmarked no later than Dec 10, 2008
• No inserts of any kind including letters/notes
  
• Do not give any email or home addresses on the card (no pen pals)
• sign the card
  

I have also received this address in emails... I have not seen this address on snopes so I am not sure that it is a legit address

A Recovering American Soldier
c/o Walter Reed Army Medical Center
6900 Georgia Avenue,NW
Washington,D.C. 20307-5001

Silliness

I work with the Senior girl's ACTEENS at my church. It is a GREAT group of about 8 very energetic, life-lovin', open and willing Christian young ladies. Those of you who may not know, Acteens is a mission-minded group of JR High and HS girls focusing on helping those in need and showing the love of Jesus Christ. The girls have to individually complete 8 quests (big projects) throughout the year as well as other activities that involve the whole group. One project we are working on is a Christmas in August program. The girls are collecting toys/items to place in stockings to be sent to a group in Utah for boys and girls who will not receive presents at Christmas. Here we are working on cutting out all the felt stockings:

Oh yeah, did I mention we have fun doing everything?

baking bread?!

So I decided to try and be a "real" homemaker lately. Here is just a little bit of my results: FRESH made bread! (ok, so I used a bread machine to help, but hey, it's from scratch... not from a box.
What to go better with homemade bread than Chicken Paprikas of course. Yummy. yes, I also thought I could be clever and create sweet potatoes with butter, brown sugar and marshmallows. I think I should have melted the 'mallows somehow before serving... oh well, you can't be Betty (Crocker that is) over night...

FREE DR. PEPPER

OK guys, you know how I love to get anything for FREE... well, here you go, DR Pepper is giving away a FREE 20 oz pop for everyone who goes to their web site. Here is the story. To make it easier for you, here is a link to the DR pepper site. ENJOY!!!!

wow we've been busy!

To those who have asked: "Why didn't you blog for a while?" "What have you been doing?" I hope I adequately answered... (be aware.... a LONG post) here was our October:

Sam and his friend took an art class for toddlers (yeah, none of us were too impressed--mommies or kids) to be honest with you Sam does better stuff at "durchhh" (that's church to you and me)Sam and his pal Hanna got to go to the state fair. Some how he was taller at the fair than at his doctor's office, I was really excited thinking he had grown a whole 2 inches.... well, he has grown a little, but not 2 inches. (Guess the people at the fair want ALL the kiddos ~short and tall alike, to be able to ride the rides!!!) This worked out just fine though, Sam LOVED all of the rides (and if they were free I would have loved them a little more ha ha!)

Hanna wasn't so sure about the whole ride thing...

She did eventually enjoy it. (I mean, who wouldn't--- sitting on the gondola with the cute blond to the right of you)

new experiences, good and bad

And she is off.... need I say more?We attempted rice cereal it did not go over very well. She didn't hate it, but really didn't LIKE it. We've tried bananas as well, I thought they would have better flavor than cereal.. I think i was wrong... they did not go over very well either. I have several other flavors to try, hopefully she'll like them. Hope this is not a sign of things to come-- I don't think I can handle 2 picky eaters. At least Sam LOVED baby food initially.

we attempted

We tried going from these:


to this:


BUT~ apparently 1 of us wasn't quite as ready as we all thought and hoped. I kept seeing this:

yes, that is Sam "hiding" under the extra dining room chairs. This is where he ran when THE question was asked. He was very, very excited about the prospect of Bob the builder pull ups and even his spiderman big boy pants, but apparently not excited enough to give up his freedom in the "giker" (diaper) Oh well, better luck next time.

Molly likes something

We found something that makes Molly happy and SMILE

Friends

My parents' next door neighbors have 4 kids. They also have a wooden swing set. The kids have all outgrown the set and they were looking to get it out of their backyard. Perfect!! We are in need of a swing set. Pa took the whole thing apart, replaced the rotten and or splitting pieces, rebuilt it and brought it over to our yard where he re stained it. It is AWESOME and Sam absolutely LOVES it!! Thanks Pa for all of your hard work.
I thought it would be great to have when his little friends came over, apparently Sam agrees:
Let me just say that I am grateful for the above picture... I guess Sam needs to spend more time with his "people" friends. Sam has befriended the fly that decided to live for like a week in our house. He loved watching the fly go from here to there and follow us from room to room. it would sit on the tile for a few minutes and this was when Sam took it upon himself to talk to the fly. I guess since it never talked back Sam decided he would then read to the fly. So he would go and get a book and just read away. Lucky fly... because Sam enjoyed him so he got to live longer than any other pest. (unfortunately I recently purchased a fly swatter...)

Go Mavs

What a fun evening!! Kirk's boss gave him some AWESOME tickets to the Mavericks game the other night. It was a fun time to just have a date and watch a pro basketball game. We could not have had better seats either... we were so close to the court that we could watch the players sweat :)

Thanks to all those involved to allow us to have a fun night!

Who would have ever guessed?!

Never thought I'd see these numbers again!!!!

Free Bag

Hey guys,
Was looking around at different sites the other day and I came across this fun thing to do. It is a way to get a FREE Target retote bag. Apparently we were suppose to use the cover from the Oct 27 issue of People magazine. If you don't have that issue (or like me, any issue) of People magazine but still want to do it have no fear... all you have to do is use your own envelope to stuff your clean Target plastic bags in.
Gotta hurry though, the offer ends on 11/30!

update

Well, this is absolutely the LAST time I post how "good" baby girl is. She has had an awful time of it last night and ALL day today. Poor baby girl. Wish there was something I could do to help her so she doesn't have to scream so long and so hard. Hopefully tomorrow will be a better day... for all of us! :)

happy girl growing up too fast

Miss Molly has been simply PRECIOUS the past week and a half. Did I say precious? I mean sweet, adorable, happy, loving, giggling... the list could go on and on. I think she might actually like us now and maybe even like the world too (she has been so HATEFUL I was actually wondering if she would ever have a nice personality.) it is like a little switch turned off and happy-girl emerged. When Molly smiles her whole face disappears (much like Sam's) we are so blessed.

After the election night gathering, Molly stayed the night in our room. (for no other reason than my own laziness-- too lazy to break down the pack/play and replace it in the half bathroom) God knew I would be lazy, and used that opportunity to allow me to see THIS:


Molly has decided to start pulling up on things. Not only did she pull up, but she was leaning over as if to get out. I placed Molly in the pack n play so I could take a shower and not worry about what she was into--- yes, she is ALL over the place now. As I rinsed the shampoo out of my hair I saw Molly looking in my direction, then it hit me... she shouldn't be able to see me. Thankfully Kirk had not left for work yet, I was able to yell and he ran in to pick up the nosy baby. (she can't miss anything!) After seeing this and this I realized she needed to move out of the cradle. Now she has to move out of the top layer of the pack n play. Will someone please tell her to STOP acting so big so that she can stay my sweet little cuddly baby (after all, we have missed out on 3 whole months of sweet and cuddly!) I really can't believe how fast the past 5 months have FLOWN by.

Election night get together

I had a little get together to watch the election returns. I decided to have a little fun with it. On the menu was; "Palin Pizza", "Tax-cut tortellini', "render under Caesar what is Caesar's salad", "obama chips and dips into our pockets"," McCain munchies" and "Biden time for dessert".


Too bad they named the president elect before we even finished eating!