Another Year Older….

That’s right Today is my birthday! I am another year older. 40 is SLOWLY creeping up on me. Although, I still have a few years before I hit 40! YIKES!

Since it is my birthday. I wanted to share a few reason…why, I absolutely LOVE my birthday being on May 30th.

• I absolutley LOVE the month of May.  So I am so glad that my mom didn’t go over into June.  Thanks, Mom!
• My sister, grandmother, step-dad, grandpa, a few cousins, My Mother In Law’s and my best friends  birthday is also in the month of May.
• Mother’s Day is in May!  How neat that I get two days in one month that is all about ‘ME’.  Kind of greedy on my part, huh?
• I Love that I was born on my Parental Grandparents anniversary.  Although, no one but my sister, mom and dad acknowledged it.  To tell the truth, I don’t even know if my grandparents or extended family really even realized that it was also my birthday.  They NEVER made mention of it.  Oh well!  I love that I have that ‘connection’ with them.  Even if I am the only person (excluding the above mentioned) that knows it.
• This one is my favorite!  May 30th is Traditional Memorial Day.  I absolutely LOVE having my birthday on what should be one of the top Patriotic days of the year!  Maybe even ‘THE’ top.  I kind of wish that they would just set Memorial day to be on May 30th every year.  I love having the honor of being born on a day we should be remembering those who fought and still fight for our freedoms.  I could not have been born on a better day!
• I love the fact that on this day thirty —— years ago that I was given a name that is so rare it isn’t even in the baby books.  And I was named by the Best person on Earth.  My grandpa Coats!  He named me, Suprina.  I miss him dearly!

I love the month of May so much that I really tried to have David ON my birthday.  It almost worked out.  However, the sitter we had for our other 3 kids didn’t work out on that day.

We are not doing much today.  I think we are all going out to eat at Ryans.  I am unsure of anything else.

So far, I have been pretty pampered for my birthday.  I got 5 new shirts, a pair of new shorts and a pair of new capris.  My mom (sent money) but with that money I purchased a outside hanging plant.  And some smaller little plants for Aimee to grow.  I will get pictures of them soon.

I will leave you a picture of me when I was a little baby thirty some odd years ago…..

Have a Wonderful Day.

Take Care!

Day 1 of Jump Start….

For those of you that don’t know what “Jump Start” is.  It is three days set aside for entering 6th grade students to get familiar with their new school, teacher’s and surrounding.

They go for three days for about an hour at a time.  She loved it….I could just see the ‘wantingness’ of wanting to go ahead and get the year started in her eyes.  Even though they just finished up the school year.

They even received a free T-shirt.  Her’s is Hot Pink and adorable.  With the school name on it.

The school she is attending is expecting there to be close to 300-6th graders! WOW!

She got to see a few friends that she new in 4th and even in 3rd grade.  Gosh, these kids have great memories.

She got to meet ‘almost’ all the 6th grade teachers.  She had a tour of the school and what hall way she would be in.

Tomorrow, she will find out what ‘team’ she is on.  And get her locker and her class schedule for the fall.  Her class schedule will change every semester from here on out.

She has decided she is going to try out for Drama.  Drama is a after school type of deal.  We told her as long as she maintains her grades we are more than happy to let her take Drama.  She is kind of shy but boy, can that girl act…. 

The Drama teacher is also the music teacher.  She seems beyond thrilled.

Let’s see, I think that is it.  WE had a LOOOONG day.

I did save $102 on groceries today!  I even impressed myself with that.

Oh, I did post a pudding pop recipe on my recipe blog full of photo’s.  Go and check it out.  Let’s Get Cookin’

Take Care!

Memorial Day

Today, we honor our fallen soldiers, veterans and military families.  I take great pride in Memorial Day.

I am a wife of a veteran, the granddaughter of 2 veterans, the niece of  at least 4 veterans and the cousin of MANY veterans!

Lets remember that today is not about going out and shopping and hitting all those ’sales’.  It is about remembrance.  About being Thankful.

It is about the men and women still fighting for our freedoms at this very second.

We need to pray for our veterans of yesterday, today and tomorrow.  We need to pray for our soldiers as they defend us and our country.

We need to pray, and thank those military wives, daughters, husbands, sons, spouses, parents, and loved ones whom they leave behind.

We need to honor and remember those veterans we have lost.

As you are celebrating this memorial day weekend.  Please keep in mind….WHY you are celebrating.  Why you get that extra day off from work if you are so fortunate to.

To my husband, my grandfathers, my uncles, my cousins…..THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE!  I LOVE YOU ALL!

To EVERY military service member, veteran, and military families.  Thank you as well for all your hard work, dedication, and for all that you sacrifice for us.

Aimee’s 5th Grade Graduation…

WARNING PICTURE HEAVY!!!

And yes, I have pictures.  Although, my little camera DID act up while there.

There were 7-5th grade classes with a total of 160 students.  Aimee is in the top 10% of all classes combine!  I am SO proud of her!

After it was over.  Each class had there own little get together in there respective classrooms.

Aimee’s teacher pulled me aside and told me that Aimee was The BEST kid in the class….and the smartest.    So proud!

Here are the pictures…

Before she left for school

And of Course…I had to get a shot of the back of her hair….Do all mom’s do this????Or Am I just a weird mom??—Okay, don’t answer that!

Walking in….

And this is where my camera starting acting up….right when she was called up to get her Eagle pin, her certificate and a hug from her teacher….

Aimee and a few friends…

Aimee and Her Teacher Mrs. Allensworth….She loves her.  She is known as the hardest teacher at the school.  Aimee will miss her but is excited to move onto middle school.

Aimee and her friends Dameisha, and Sabrina (her Best friend).

And of course you have to get a silly faces shot in there too…..

And then some of the girls in her class…Look at how ‘filled’ out some of these girls are….and they are only in 5th grade!

Aimee at home in her End of the year Signature Eagle shirt. And her mini-graduation cake.–Kind of blurry!  The cake is in her school colors as well.

Congratulations Aimee Renee!!!!  YOU DID IT!  You are now in Middle school.  We are so proud of you!

I hope you all had a fantastic day!

Take care!

It does pay to use……

COUPONS!!!!!  Case in point!  My kids love my homemade brownies.  However, most of the time I start to late in making them for afterschool snacks.  Now, I really don’t care for pre-packaged food or cakes or brownies made from a box.

However, Phillsbury Brownies are okay for that quick afterschool snack or after dinner dessert.  My kids also like to put them in there ice cream….

My pantry is now stocked with this…

These have been on sale at our local Wal-Mart for $1.00 a box.  I am sure they will not be at this price very much longer.  I have a lot (I have about 13 left) of $1.00 off 2 boxes coupons.  Making them only $0.50 each!  I know it is a lot…but I am hoping it lasts us through Christmas.  If they have any left, I will probably pick up more boxes either Tomorrow or Sunday.

I know you all are probably getting tired of hearing about my coupons.  I think the savings is what is really blowing my mind.  Since March 16th, I have saved $551.91 on Groceries.  I have gotten $10.00 items for $0.99 cents!

I have had a lot of people online and in the grocery store ask me where I get my coupons.  I am thinking about doing a post about that.  It might take me a few days to get to it…since it is a busy time of year for us.  But I will get to it.

Have any of you turned on your air conditioners yet?  Here it is the middle of May and we haven’t even turned ours on.  I am so excited to see our electricity bill this month.

I hope you all have had a wonderful day.

Take Care!

End of School/Summer Fun

The end of the 08/09 school year is almost over!  This school year just FLEW by!

Yesterday, was my daughters day for the end of the school year activities known as field day.  Today, is Zachary’s turn.

The middle school students do something totally different for the end of school.  In middle school at the beginning of the year you are placed on ‘teams’.  You are on that team the entire year.  Daniels team is having a hot dog cookout and movie day early next week.

And of course Aimee’s 5th grade graduation is next week as well.  She is so excited to be wearing her dress.  She really does look adorably cute!  Was that redundant?

And then of course Summer starts…..We start of summer with a BANG!  Two birthday’s.  One of which is not as celebrated as the other.  **giggle** That is okay though.

My birthday is first and the least celebrated….**which is totally fine with me….I am not complaining in the least**

David’s 5th birthday is just two days after mine. (yes, I tried my hardest to get induced with David on my birthday and could have if baby sitters for my other kids would have worked out.)

And I can’t forget at the end of May Aimee has Middle School Jump Start where she gets to go and get her locker and her class schedule for next year.

Daniel has basketball camp the first week of June.  He is thrilled to be going.

There are several churches in our area that hold VBS.  I am going to get the younger two in at least 2 of them.  Daniel is now to old for VBS.  And Aimee is on the verge of it.  Some Vacation Bible schools allow 5th graders going into 6th while other’s don’t.

Eric is working and going to school this summer.  He graduates in a year!  So excited for him.  I think he is going to go straight into his Master degree program as well. While working/teaching of course.

I don’t think we will be doing anything on memorial day this year.  The 4th of July, I will probably make hot dogs and hamburgers, and watch fireworks being set off.

The first Saturday in June is our sub-divisions yard sale.  I think I might put a few things out….not much probably.  Aimee want’s to get rid of her little people dollhouse…and all the accessories that go along with it.

School starts back at the beginning of August.  And Aimee’s birthday is at the end of August. She really doesn’t like when her birthday is…but LOVES the day it falls on….Her grandpa’s birthday.

So far, that is our summer.  I am sure we will add little day activities along the way.  Do you have anything exciting planned for the summer?

UPDATE:I wanted to let you all know that as of today, I have saved $507.91 using coupons.  I have noticed that I save around 35% of my grocery bill each time I go grocery shopping.  I am shooting to get it to 50% of my grocery bill.

Take care,

Bargain Bin Friday #5

• Free Hormel Compleats Microwave meal-For Military ONLY!–They send a coupon that can ONLY be used in Military Commissaries.
• Free Farmer’s Market Recipe Booklet
• Free sample of Degree Women fine fragrance collection

I have had a very busy week.  David had a dental appointment yesterday.  Which was NOT fun.  He was in the denist chair for 2 hours!  Poor baby.  Thankgoodness for dental insurance.  The total bill was over $1,200!!!  Like I said, Thankgoodness for Insurance!

Zachary also had an appointment yesterday.  His meds are filled through the summer.  So if he doesn’t get sick, he will not have to go back to the doctor until right before school starts.  They did up his dose some….which he needed.

Zachary brought me home Mother’s day flowers today from school! This is just the BEST mother’s day gift.  Even though, I know all the kids got to take one to there mom’s.  I do know that he got to pick out the color and he picked Orange/red color. Awww, I just love this kid.  He is so sweet and caring.

Eric has until Monday off!  I am hoping to start deep cleaning my house tonight.

Baloo (the cat) is starting to feel better.  He has lost a little weight but is keeping down food.  I only feed him a small amount every hour.

Now, onto my savings….my savings from coupons are $461.43!!!!  That is since March 16th.

I hope you all have a fantasic weekend.

Take Care!

I need a MOM organizer!

Okay, Seriously! I need a mom organizer.
A planner that has a calendar.
That I can carry with me.
Yesterday, I called to make Zachary’s Doctor’s appointment to get his meds refilled. I knew David had an appointment because I had the dental card right in front of me so I wouldn’t make the appointment on the same date and time.
I called the Dr.’s Office and asked to schedule an appointment for Zachary with his Doctor. Surprisingly, they had an opening for Tomorrow. I looked down at David’s dentist card reminder for his appointment day. And it wasn’t tomorrow. So I happily scheduled Zach’s appointment.

A few hours later, I got to looking at the card. And Realized that the dental assistant made an error on the card. The date reads 5/10/09. Well, that is this Sunday and on Mother’s Day. So since the dentist office is closed on Friday. I knew it was either tomorrow (which is NOT good) or Monday.

I phoned the dentist this morning and wouldn’t you know it the appointment is TOMORROW! I asked to reschedule it however, the appointment HAD to be made withint the next week since David has started to complain about the tooth to be worked on. Nope, not a available appointment. The next open one was in OCTOBER! So no, we couldn’t wait. I told her we would be there tomorrow.

Thing is….Zachary also needs his appointment as well. So, I will take one kid and Eric will take one kid.

Eric will have to leave right after he is done with his final.  Which I hope he doesn’t have to rush through.

So see where I need a mommy organizer. I think I am going to get a mom agenda…

Because I really need something…..It seems EVERY time I make an appointment something happens.

And to top it all off I am dealing with a sick cat! GEEZ!

I hope you all are having a fantastic week.

Take Care!

Happy Birthday Sis!

Today, is my little sisters birthday! I just love her SO SO much! There is a pretty big age difference between us. ….8 years.

She is “THE” best sister EVER!   We don’t get to see each other.  Matter of fact, it has been a LONG time since I have seen her.  But that never takes away from the fact, that she is my little sister, she and her family are always on my mind, she is my only sibling, She is a awesome mother, wife (I am sure Jason can attest to that), daughter, grand-daughter, Aunt and Sister.

Have I told you how GORGEOUS she is?  Have I told you what a AWESOME voice she has?  She was always the little girl that made sure I didn’t get into trouble.  That spied on me.  Got into my make up….Oh Lordy, did she get into my make up….”Yeah, she was ALL up in my business….but that is what she was/is there for….and I love her for it!”  Looking back it is really cute, funny and just down right cute at how she acted.

God couldn’t have given me a better sister.  I am SO proud of the woman she has become.

Did I also mention…is was born on My grandma Coat’s birthday!  Our Grandma is the center of our family!  I just love her!  I learned my love of cooking and baking, and family from our grandma!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SHAWNA AND GRANDMA COATS! WE MISS YOU AND LOVE YOU!

Here is a picture of my sister (she I told you she was gorgeous)(and yes Shawna, I lifted it from your myspace.) And my stunning niece Dayona  (Shawna’s Daughter)!

**I would post a picture of  grandma, but I don’t have any of her on this computer.**

Have a wonderful Day Shawna and Grandma.  Your Tennessee family is thinking of you both!

Take Care!

Lots of Stuff…

It has been a VERY busy week. I can’t believe it is already MAY!  I did post a Bargain Bin Friday Yesterday.  For the simple fact that ‘real’ life got in the way.  I had things that NEEDED to get done.  And It took me ALL day!

The first thing that NEEDED to get accomplished was finding Aimee a Graduation dress.  All of the pink dresses in her size had been bought.  As well as the green in that same design.

So at Target she picked out the next best dress.  Which is cute….just not really what she wanted.  We purchased it (because it was the last on in her size), I told her to leave the tags on and if we find something better we will return it.

Soo…here is the red dress we bought…

It is REALLY long…has the tight gathering. And although it is REALLY cute…it makes her look like a stick! She is really tall and really skinny! Still cute on though.

She liked it, just wasn’t over the moon happy with it.  And I want her to have something she likes, feels good in and looks nice.  She deserves it.  This girl has NEVER received a ‘c’ on a report card.  She always maintain A’s and B’s and for the last few semesters has made straight A’s.  So she deserves to look beautiful on a day meant just for her and her achievements during elementary school.

Yesterday, as part of our errands.  Eric and I had to run to the Base to put gas in both of our cars (it is cheaper there than off post).  And to stop by the PX and see what they had, I also had to pick up printer ink.  I picked up David a couple of birthday gifts since his birthday is fast approaching.  We picked him up a Scooby-Doo Puzzle, and a Lego’s Car.  We also picked up Daniel some Basketball shorts.  Of Course we had to bring Zachary home a toy..so we picked up a Action figure for him.

As we were shopping for Daniel.  I spotted “THE” dress for Aimee.  They had a retro flower one and a pink polka dot.  Of course, Eric said, “Get the polka dot, I was thinking the retro looking one.”  Then I turned to David and asked him which one his sister would want (he isn’t even 5)

This is the one HE picked for his sister.

He picked the Retro Groovy Flower dress.  And Aimee was THRILLED with it.  We told her of the choice we had.  And she said, “I am glad you didn’t get the polka dots.  I don’t really care for polka dots on clothing.”

Here is the back.

The back is really pretty.  Plus, it will be cool for where the graduation will be held.  There are approx. 150 kids graduation from 5th grade.  Held in a small gym.

Plus, all the parents that come….etc.  So it will be packed and HOT!

And of course she had to have a new pair of shoes…

She didn’t want to have to fiddle with stockings.  Because she thought she would get hot.  So she picked out these cute little flip flops.  And they are dressy.  I tried to talk her into a silver pair…but she liked this one better.  It looks really cute together.

After that I went to the commissary to pick up a few things.  Then Last night, in the POURING rain I ran to Food Lion to pick up 11 box of Kelloggs cereal.  I only paid $0.50 a box for!!!!

I also went to Walmart twice yesterday.  David needed some new sneakers.  He was thrilled to get some batman sneakers that glow in the dark.  They were on sale for $11.00.

I guess, I should tell you how much I saved.  With Today (because I ran to walmart again to pick up some sale items that I had coupons for that wouldn’t be on sale tomorrow).  In Two days I have saved……drum roll please….

Within the last two days….

I have saved…

$110.00!!!!!

Bringing my total saved since March 16th to $401.56!!!!

Tomorrow, My house work is calling me so after I go and get my newspapers, I need to catch up on my house work.  And Laundry as usual.  Which is going right now and needs to be changed over.

I hope you all have had a fab Saturday!

Take Care!