Since when….

Since when did I become or feel so ‘old’??

I was looking at my facebook home page and this is what I have to the left of it…

Daniel-Jacob, 12 years
Aimee, 10 years
Zachary, 8 years
David, 5 years

Since when did my babies grow up.  How can I be the mom of a 12 year old and a 10 year old (she will be 11 in late August)?  I mean really?  Then I have Zachary and David who aren’t my babies anymore.

How can it be that it feel like just yesterday we were bringing home Daniel from the hospital….and now, he is a pre-teen?

He is rapidly changing into a young teen.  And wanting so much to act like an adult.  He is focusing more on school (at least it seems).  He does have an incentive this year….

He is very concerned with his appearance.  And wanting me to purchase all the right ‘products’ for him.  He wants to look his best.  Although, sometimes, he still needs mom’s help.  I swear sometimes, I think that kid is color blind.

Daniel is an amazing big brother….although, sometimes he get irritated at his little brother’s shenanigans.

And then Aimee…..Every milestone I go through with her is bittersweet.  Because she is my only daughter.  She has such great life plans.  Life plans that I truly pray work out for her.

She is A VERY VERY focused young lady.  She has her priorities straight.  I pray that is stays that way.  To her, everything must be in order.  She is going out for the Drama team next year in school.  She is set on maintaining straight A’s.

She is set on looking great and having a great attitude towards everything.  Her dreams, have become my dreams for her.  She is set on getting into Harvard.  She is set on becoming a trauma doctor.  She is set on having God lead her toward her goal with her parents help and guidance.

She always asks us of what we thing of this and what we expect of her. Aimee can not wait until the first of August when she is back in school.  She is truely one amazing child.

Zachary is what we lovingly call our “Wild Child”.  And that he is.  Sometimes, I wonder if in his sleep he plans his activities for the next day.  He loves routine.  Having a set routine is imperative to his day.  If something gets thrown off by an unexpected event.  Zachary will be done for the day.  Thankfully, that rarely happens anymore.

Zachary is such a caring, sweet little boy.  He is so loving….He is 8 years old and still yells, “I love you mom”, while running to the bus and in front of his friends.  He doesn’t hesitate to give you a big hug and kiss…even in front of his friends.

He doesn’t hesitate to tell his brothers and sister that he loves them.  He always things about his siblings when out and about.

He is a pretty awesome 8 year old kid.

Then David….

He is picking up on BIG words. He can make the funniest expressions.  He is just a silly monkey.  Monkeys and penguins are his favorite animals. He loves to talk to his Nanny on the phone.  He taught himself at 18 months old how to ride a BIG kid scooter.  We have pictures of him.

He loves to take his ‘3-wheeler’ outside and ride it as well.  I think this Christmas it is time to get him a tricycle.

Luckily, I get to have him home for one more year before he starts kindergarten.  I have some neat stuff planned for us during this next school year.  I will be posting more about those things as they happen.

Since when did my kids grow up????

Daniel graduates from high school 2015
Aimee graduates from high school 2016

When you think about it that isn’t very long at all!  Gosh, I feel old…and it puts there time with us here at home in greater perspective.

I hope you all have a marvelous Monday.

Take Care.

2 Years….

Yesterday, was my 2 year anniversary for blogging.  I can’t believe I have been blogging for 2 years.  I only wish, I had 730 blog posts!

A lot has changed in my life in the last 2 years.  And I love that I have a place to ‘mark’ it all down.  I not only blog because I enjoy it.  I blog because it lets me look back on my life.  I blog for my kids.  So they when they are older can look back and see what they were doing and how much Eric and I loved them.  And hopefully, they will see we did everything for them and because we love them.

I also blog because I get to ‘meet’ so many wonderful blogging people!

I love reading cooking, baking, crafting, and couponing/savings blogs.  I get so many wonderful ideas from them.

My blog has also become a way for my family that live in different states to get to see what is going on in our day to day lives.  And with 4 little kids, our daily life changes quite often.

So, I thought I would share some of my favorite blogs to go and read.

I do want to mention my sisters blog.  However, I will not post a link to it as I want to keep that as private as I can.  I read my sister’s blog every time she posts.  I love finding out what is going on with my niece.

I also think my mom should start her own blog.  I think she would be really good at it and she would have a lot to blog about since she has 5 grandchildren.

Jennifer @ A Sample of Jennifer’s Thoughts I have ‘known’ her since right before David was born when I joined a message board that she is apart of.  I can’t believe it has been 5 years since we ‘meet’.  She is the mother of 2 boys and 1 girl.  She homeschools and she loves to read and travel.  She also LOVES Sonic Drive In.

Amy @ Amy’s Random Thoughts.  She is such a thoughtful and caring person.  She and her husband just adopted a little girl from China.  And she is adorable!!!  I love reading her blog.  Although, I don’t get to comment as often as I like.

Tanya @ The Sunday Baker.  She posts some awesome recipes, crafts, and things about her everyday life.  She just also recently announced her pregnancy!  Congrats!

The Lazy Organizer–Gives lots of great tips.

With Enough Coffee I could Rule the World–I just recently found this blog.  I love the way she writes.  She blogs about her family and such.  I really cool blog.

Divine-Domesticity–This is another blog that I just recently found.  She posts recipes and such. I can’t wait to have time just to sit and go through the recipes she has posted.

Recipes—-just what it says….She (Gale) posts recipes.  I again, just found this blog last week.  I love recipes.  So this blog is right down my alley….

Real Mom Kitchen-Again more recipes!  Go check out her blog. I can’t wait to try out some of her recipes.

These recent blogs will be added to my sidebar very soon.

About my own recipe blog.  I have decided.  That through the summer, I will probably only post once a month…if that on it.  Because my kids are out of school for summer vacation.  And I want to spend as much time with them during there time off as possible.  However, once they go back to school, I hope to post at least 2 recipes a week.

I hope you all have a wonderful Sunday.

Take Care!

More hours in the day….

Why can’t there be just a few more hours in a day.  I have SO much I have got to get done.

I hope you all have more enjoyable day than I have ahead of me.

Take care!

A little something for my sister….

This is a little something made for my sister.  She has a blog, but I prefer not to mention the name of it.  I found this banner that you can customize for blogs.  I thought that she might like it.

In the pictures of my niece when she was a little thing.  My sister, Shawna and my Brother in law, Jason.  Be sure to click on it to get a larger view.

Shawna, I have it in a bigger image for you, so if you want it for your blog, just email me to get the better quality banner.

Isn’t my niece just a CUTIE!  I just love her SO Much!

My sister probably isn’t even aware that I have these pictures!

Take Care!

Monday, Monday…

What a Week!!!!!

I hope everyone had a Happy Father’s Day.

It seemed very busy for some reason.  Yet it really wasn’t.

Wednesday, when Eric was leaving for work….he heard one of our air conditioning units…humming loudly.  And the fan not turning.  Who knows how long it had been going like that.  We were without air conditioning for that Wednesday, Thursday and until 6:15 pm on Friday.

A few days before we had a huge electrical/Thunderstorm.  The repair man said, that just the static from the lighting can knock out a air conditioner.  And to turn the air conditioning units off at the breakers during any kind of heavy thunderstorm.  This is something I had never heard of.

Thank goodness, Eric knew this repairman through a friend at school.  If we didn’t find him…it would have cost us close to $400.00 to get it fixed.

I did get some AWESOME deals last week.

• 20-packets of Bumblebee Tuna for $.75 each. Had 20 $1.00/1 coupons.-$5.00 overage. (My commissary gives you the FULL amount of the coupon.)
• 30 rolls of Marcal Toilet paper-$.69.  Had 30 free coupons.  Total-FREE!
• Three boxes of Hefty OneZip storage bags.$1.79 each. Had 3, $1/1 coupons. Total for all 3 boxes-$2.37 or $.79 each.
• 4 Bottles of Hot sauce. $.79 each. Had 4, $1/1 coupons. $.84 Overage!
• 4 packages of Trident Gum. $.72 each. Had 2, $1/2 coupons. Total, after coupons. $.88 for 4.  Or $.22 each.
• Kraft BBQ sauce. $.89-Had a $1/1 coupon $.11 Overage!
• McCormick Seasoning Mix 3 packages. $.50 each. Had 2, $.75/1 and 1, $1/1. $1.00 Overage
• 2 Kraft Easy mac’s. $.74 each.  Had a $1.00/2 coupon. $.48 for both or $.24 each!
• 2 Velveeta shells and cheese. $.88 each. Had $1/2 coupon.  $.76 or $.38 each.
• 4 packages of Eggo Waffles. $1.95 each. Had 4 $1.00/1 coupons. $3.80 Total for all 4.
• 20 packages of Chinet napkins. $.90 each.  Had 20 $1/1 coupons. $2.00 Overage!

That is just some of my savings.  My total bill before coupons was $219. 92!  That is with the surcharge of $10.47. After coupons my bill was $111.66 with the surcharge.

The cashier was in training at the time and did not get 9 of my coupons and charged me double on several things.  This is being taken care of and I should be getting $16.08 back…still!

My total bill should have been $95.58!!!

Anyway, my coupon savings was $108.26 (That is 51% of my grocery bill). Before the mistakes were found when I got home.  I immediately called my commissary and notified them of the situation.  I also emailed them a complaint.  I should be getting a gift certificate mailed back to me in the amount of $16.08.

If you notify them within 24 hours of the mistake.  They will take action.  I notified them within 30 minutes.  PLUS!

Rule of thumb, always count your coupons before you use them ( I always do this.), never leave your groceries unattended while being checked out (yes, I stupidly did this), and if you still feel like you are owed a huge amount.  To me that amount is $5.00 or over.  Submit a complaint.

Almost forgot my Target Deal.

I bought 4 Dawn Pure Essentials Dish washing liquid.  They were onsale for $2.09 each.  Normally, they are $2.49 each.

However, I had 4 (I still have more of these coupons) $1.50/1 coupons. I paid $.59 EACH!!!!!!!

Total with tax was $3.15 (I hate TN tax…I believe it is either THE highest tax or the second highest sales tax in the states.)

Yes, I will use these since our dishwasher has been broke for the last 2 years.  It will cost more to fix it than to just purchase a new one.  We have other expenses first that we have to purchase as a dishwasher has taken a back seat. For the time being.

See, It DOES pay to use coupons.   It really pays off when you can hit a sale!

Since March 16, 2009-I have saved $1,016.99!!!!!!!!! I get better with each trip.  It does take time to learn everything.  I am STILL learning.

Stay cool on these hot days!

Take Care!

My Dad….

My dad is a very hard working man.  He always made sure my sister and I (and my mom when they were together), had a roof over our heads, food on the table and clothes on our backs.

My dad worked for years at 3M.  Making computer disks….and other neat things.  Because he worked there….they gave me the opportunity to work there as well (after graduation) during summer.  You just had to be going to college full time in the fall and spring.

I worked for 3M for two summers and loved it.  And I actually got to work with my dad a few times.  Most of the time I would see him, would be breaks or when he was coming to work and I was getting off work.

What was really neat was to sit with my dad and his good friend Larry during breaks.  I loved listening to the stories those two can tell.  I worked with Larry more than my dad and he always looked out for me for my dad.  And always insisted on purchasing my ‘lunch’ for me whenever he could.  My dad did this also.  I actually miss just hanging out with my dad and his good friend Larry.  Larry is a super nice person as well.

It was really neat to see what he did on a daily basis’ and even do it myself.

He loves football and hunting deer….

He and my Uncles used to go out deer hunting together all the time.  Yes, I got to see a LOT of dead Bambies….but it didn’t bother me in the least.  My uncle made awesome Deer jerky out of it….

Sad thing is….I haven’t spoke to my dad in over 9 years. My sister hardly talks to him either and they only live 20 minutes apart.—-Sad I know.

However, he is still my dad and my kids grandfather….even though none of them know him.

We do wish him a very happy father’s day this coming Sunday!

Take Care!

My Step-Dad Joe!

I am such a lucky lady to have not one but two dads–Two totally different dads in such good ways.  Today, I am going to focus on my “Step-Dad” Joe.

Calling him my “Step-Dad” sounds awful to me.  Because he is SO SO SO much more.

I like to call him “Daddy-Joe” but even that doesn’t cover it….

In a Nutshell, he is my dad!

Joe became my dad in my mid-twenties.  Even though he became my dad later on in my life doesn’t mean that he hasn’t had a huge impact on me, my husband and my children.

He treats my sister and myself as his own.  He loves his grand-babies.  In total he has 7!  And he treats everyone one of them like they were his blood.  Even though 5 of them are his “step” ( really HATE using this word when referring to him) grandchildren.

Joe is a protector.  He takes very good care of my mom. I don’t have to worry about my mom.  Because I know Joe makes sure her every need (and I am sure a few wants   ) are met.

He knows Taekwondo (hope I got that right). Which my boys think is just the coolest thing EVER!  He works in construction.  You should see some of the amazing work he has done.  And he puts up Wind turbines (hope I got that right!).

I have never felt unloved by Joe. Quite the opposite. He is always concerned about his grandchildren and what is going on in their little lives.  He truly loves them.

He is my dad in EVERY since of the word…..The only factor is we are not blood father and daughter.  That makes NO difference to me or my kids.

He is a BIG Hero to my kids.  My kids look up to him and Daniel thinks his papa Joe would defend him to anyone.  Which I am sure he would.

Last night, Zachary got really scared because we had HUGE terrible storms here last night.  All he wanted and cried for was his dad, his grandpa T, and his papa Joe.  That says something when your in a 8 year old top 3, when you get scared.

My kids know Joe AS there grandpa.  He is all they have ever known as a grandpa.  Daniel is still amazed at papas ability at nunchucks.  And he still tells his friends at how well papa can handle them.

Joe isn’t my “step-dad”—his IS my dad!

This is my mom and Joe on there recent trip to Las Vegas.This picture is of a Christmas Joe is on the left my uncle Freddie on the right.

Next we have Joe with Brand Newborn Baby Dayona!  He is such a proud papa.

This next picture is of Joe, my niece Dayona and My mom.  Of course, this is around Halloween as you can tell my nieces little pumpkin.

And Last a picture of my mom and Joe at the Grand Canyon.  This was taken this past May.  So, ignore the date.

That is my “step” (uggghhh that word) Dad in a nutshell.  I hope I did well describing him.

Happy Early Father’s Day Joe!  I wish I could be there this Sunday to give you a BIG HUGE hug and spend some time with you. The Kiddo’s and I   love you very much and miss you greatly!

Take Care!

My Brother In Law, Jason.

First off, Today is Jason’s Birthday!

So…

Happy Birthday Jason!

Jason is the guy that is lucky enough to have my sister as his wife.  Or maybe we are the lucky ones since he chose to marry into such a crazy family.

Either way, he is a keeper!

Jason and Shawna had a New Years Eve wedding.  Unfortunately, I was living in Germany, pregnant with David and couldn’t attend. My sister made the most beautiful bride.

He is a hands on kind of dad.

Jason is a all around “Good Ole Boy”.  You can tell he is from Oklahoma.  He is a loving husband, and awesome father to my one and only niece.

He is an Outdoor kind of guy.  He works as a Crane Operator. Which I know isn’t a easy job.  He enjoys hunting for deer (I am craving some deer meat, YUM!) and playing domino’s.

He actually went to a rival school of mine.  They were rivals in just about everything.  Basketball, and baseball….more of baseball to be exact. But that is all in the past since my old school has consolidated with another school.

He loves Football.  His favorite team?? The OU Sooners of course!

He is (from what I hear) a very easy going guy.  That wants nothing more than to take care of his girls.  And to catch a OU game every now and then.

Even though my kids don’t know there Uncle Jason Personally.  They do know of him.  Eric and I talk a lot about our extended families that live just to far away.

There Uncle Jason is tops to them.  They think it is so cool that he get to operate big huge cranes.  My little boy David who is 5, thinks that is just AWESOME (David’s word, not mine).

All My boys can’t wait to play football with their Uncle Jason.  And, Aimee thinks her Uncle Jason looks a lot like her own daddy.  She says she can’t wait until she can give him a HUGE hug! (Now that is a girl for ya!) 

Jason, I hope you have a very Happy Birthday.  We are very proud to have you as a part of our family!  I hope you also have a wonderful Father’s Day this Sunday.

Take Care!

Grandpa C….

I don’t think my grandpa C met a stranger…..

When you think of a Farmer.  You might think of John Deere Tractors, Irrigation equipment, and OshKosh Overalls…..

And if you think that….than you got my Grandpa C.  Everyone loved my grandpa c.

He was a Hard Working man.  Who loved his family, and friends.  It seemed like he was always on the go.  And if he was out visiting (other than the holidays) if he was ready to go….then you better be ready as well.

My grandpa was the one man that I KNEW without a shadow of a doubt loved me unconditionally…..no matter what I did.

You see, my parents thought I was a boy.  They had NO girl names picked out for me.  Imagine there shock….when not a boy was born…..but a girl! I was to be named Dewey Lewis…..(what a name huh?) If I had been a boy.

The person that named me was my Grandpa C.  Growing up….I really didn’t know of any other “Suprina’s”.  Now, I have found out that there are around 10 “Suprina’s”.

My grandpa would take my grandmother shopping every Thursday.  I got to go along on several and I do mean several of there grocery shopping trips.

I loved going grocery shopping with them.  I loved being about my grandpa and grandma C.  And even as I got older….into my mid-teens.  I still wanted to be around them.  I would drive just to go and visit with them.

My grandpa was also a coon hunter.  And a avid domino player.  I remember if my grandpa going to be gone for a while.. he would bring my grandma over for a long visit if he went to go to hunt Coon or play domino’s somewhere.

When I was around 15/16 years old.  My grandpa had a heart attack.  I remember my mom telling me about it.  I wanted to be right there by my grandpa all the time.

The next day after my grandpa’s heart attack….I should have went to school.  However, I went to be with my grandpa because he was having open heart surgery.  Like I said, I wanted to be as close to him as I could be.

I remember my mom very willingly letting me go…I am so glad that she did.  My little sister even went to.  She was our comic relief as we waited on the outcome of the surgery.

It was a long operation….

After he was done…he was put in ICU.  Only two people at a time were allowed to be with him.  my grandma went back with either my mom or one of my uncles.  I really can’t remember who went first.

No one could hardly stand being back there.  It was in a warm room with all different tubes running through him.

But who could stand it was me.  I remember holding his hand.  He would come and go out of consciousness.  In his delirious state of mind…due to all the drugs he was on….he told me that we were coon-hunting.  And then in an instant we were playing domino’s.  He even looked at my grandma and told her,”She’s a pretty good player.”

I didn’t want to leave him….but I knew he would be okay.  And he was.

My grandpa C.  Is every girl’s dream of a grandpa.  He was smart, funny, sometimes strict, loving, a great grandpa, a great father (my mom and uncles would attest to), he was a veteran, a farmer, a friend, a AWESOME husband to my grandma.

My grandpa C. passed away a little over 10 years ago.  When he did, he took a little of myself with him.  I can’t count how many times a day, I still think about him.

He made a enormous impact on my life. There hasn’t been another person that has made such an impact on my life other than him.  A close second would be my Grandma C and Mom.

God sure did know what he was doing when he was handing out my grandfathers to me.  I am so blessed.  To have two such amazing men as my grandfathers.

This picture was taken at my grandparents 50th wedding anniversary party.

This is one of my favorite pictures with my grandpa. It is because he is looking down at his grand-daughters. That is why I love it.
Pictured are from left to right, my cousin Jennifer (who I haven’t seen or talked to in over 20 years), Me (solid red dress) and my cousin Michael on the side. Of course my Grandpa in the middle.

I didn’t think it would be to hard emotionally on me to create this post.  I don’t know how many times I had to stop…and regroup. I still get sad sometimes, that he is not here.  Not able to see he great-grandchildren.  He didn’t even get to meet, Zachary, David or Dayona (my niece).

For those of you that still have your grandparents close by.  Hug them and tell them you love them every chance you get……

Take Care!

Pictures…

I knew my mom and sister would come through for me with pictures of my uncles….And boy did they ever come through!!!!!!

My Uncle Johnny…I don’t know who the baby is my Uncle is holding.  He loved kids.  I miss him SOOOOOO much!

This next picture is of my Uncle Dewey and My Uncle Freddie.  I miss them both so much.  Uncle Freddie is the one who throws the 4th of July get togethers.  And Uncle Dewey is the one that always used to tease me about my legs.

My Uncle David.  I don’t think my Uncle David realizes that he is my TOP favorite uncle.  Don’t get me wrong.  I love each and every one of my Uncles on my moms side.  They all have something very special and unique about them.  You just can’t get much better than my uncles.  I tell you…I am one lucky niece.

I told you my Uncle had a voice on him.  A voice so good that he had a band.  Here he is in a band photo.  He is second from the right as you are looking at it.

This has got to be at Christmas or Thanksgiving.  My Uncle David, my mom, and ME!  I can’t believe I was ever that skinny!

And Now….

My uncle Dewey with My niece Dayona…

My Uncle Freddie with my niece and his boat.

This is a REALLY fun picture.

My Uncle Freddie is driving the boat (he is just so cool), in the back is Dixie our adoptive grandma, Middle is my Uncle David, and then my Grandma Coats….They just look like they want to get into trouble!

I loved seeing these in my email this morning.  Thanks for sending them to me so fast!

This will actually be a two post day….(hopefully)

Take care!