Yep, I’m still at it! Couponing, I spent $140.39 and I saved $169.78. Whoohoo!
I was in a huge rush and didn’t have time to lay everything out nicely this week. Lame, I know.
That night dinner was an easy one with lots of free food.
Author: Laurie
Time to Give
Now that the boys are getting older, I thought it would be a good idea to have them buy each other a Christmas gift. It was a brilliant idea I daydreamed one morning of 3 boys scouring Toys R Us with the exact gift in mind for their sibling. Shopping would be done in a matter of minutes and the hardest part would be checking out.
Well… things didn’t go that smoothly with the Turk boys. However, they each ended up with presents for one other. However, Davis was the only one who came in under budget. The other two were just too convinced that higher priced item was the best one.
Yes, I caved. I love toys!
We got home and they each wrapped their gifts (with the correct wrapping paper – each boy has their own) and put them under the tree.
It was a fun afternoon. Huge thanks to Lisa for her help in wrangling the boys and helping to hide the gifts at check out. They should all be surprised come Christmas morning.
Holy Moly
Well, I don’t know how it happened but I’ve been invited to be a speaker at Blissdom ’10 in Nashville, Tennessee February 4-6 th. I’ll be speaking on ‘connecting with your community of readers’. Who knew?!?
It’s an amazing opportunity and I’m humbled to be apart of such a fabulous group of women. {{squeal in delight}}
Happy Birthday Wendy
My dear friend Wendy had a birthday! Lisa and I felt that Wendy shouldn’t have to order her own cake, so Lisa made her one and I supplied the flower. I totally got the better end of that deal! HA!
Later that afternoon, Lisa brought over several chocolate covered strawberries for ME! Holymoly what a treat. They were seriously so yummy and completely brightened my day. Thanks Lisa!
Lisa and I got Wendy this beautiful FAITH stamped necklace from RHB Designs. She’s a Tip Junkie Mom-preneur and makes the most beautiful jewelry. Wendy loved it and it just suits her perfectly.
Several of us were finally able to get together and celebrate Wendy’s birthday together. I grabbed some treats from the Cheesecake Factory with Lisa (my sister) and met up at New Moon. It was such a fun girls night.
I feel so blessed to have Wendy in my life. Many days I feel completely selfish for monopolizing such an incredible person. She brings joy and hope into a world that can be very dark and completely disappointing.
Wendy is the most charitable person I know. Every week she’s watching someone’s kiddos or doing a quiet act of kindness for someone she knows. She’s the go-to-girl for many women in her life when things come up and they need a helping hand. She’s always there to help you out, before you realize you even need it.
Being a friend with Wendy is completely easy – no judgments, no competition, and no expectations. She’s the kind of person who sees you every day at your worst, but still remembers you at your best. She’s a treasure and completely delightful. She’s been a constant source of strength for me the past year. I honestly don’t know what I would do with out her in my life.
Thanks Wendy for being the kind of friend that I’ve always wanted to be. I value your example and just adore you! Yes, I’m totally praying that Drake marries cutie patootie Emily and we’ll be able to spend Thanksgivings together till the end of our days.
Thank you for being you!
Laurie
All in a Tuesday
Mom life is a bit hectic right now. My oldest is full force into adolescence which comes with many new experiences. I’ve been reading like a maniac (while in the carpool line and random places when I have a couple minutes) and trying to get a grasp on this new life.
Since Davis started Intermediate school, I have felt a huge disconnect in our relationship. Things have been stressful at home. Therefore, I decided to volunteer on Tuesdays in Davis’ classroom during the Science lab and then we go to lunch together.
I love being there on Tuesdays. It’s a GT class (gifted and talented) so they do the coolest labs! It’s been really fun to see Davis present his project that he’s made with his team.
Davis pretty much ignores me during class and lets me get my work done. (I kindly return the favor.) We usually get to leave first and walk hand in hand to the cafeteria. During that time I listen to all kinds of chatter as he tells me everything and anything that’s on his mind.
It’s been a relief to have this time to focus just on him.
Right after lunch with Davis, I swing through Sonic and grab lunch and 2 route 44 Diet Cokes, easy ice, with lime, for me and Christina (Dylan’s teacher). Then I head on over just in time to have lunch with Dylan.
I guess some might think it’s kind of silly to pay to have my youngest in pre-school so I can hang out with my older 2 boys. (Many days I do too.) However, with the stress of life and the constant work load that I have, it’s so nice to just hang out for 35 minutes and talk to their friends and really let them know that I am there. No matter what, every week.
After lunch, I only have about an hour before Drake gets home. This time, I got my eyebrows threaded. Finally! I was growing an intense uni-brow that has been somewhat embarrassing lately. I’ve been using a new chic and she HURTS. She uses a different technique and she’s really slow. It’s such a bummer. I’ve got to find out where the other “threader” girl is.
I ended last Tuesday at The Pioneer Woman’s book signing in Dallas with Erica and LeAnne. We were able to buy our cookbooks already signed.
We met up with Amy and had such a fun time. Sadly, we had to leave before we could actually meet Ree. I had a babysitter and had to get home. Amy didn’t get to meet her at 2 am. Holy Cow!
btw: I LOVE the cookbook! It’s set up just like a blog with step-by-step pictures and tutorials. She also cooks comfort food, which is my favorite. I just might actually have to cook something out of it one day. I mainly went to support a fellow blogger and congratulate her on her success. However, the book is so BEAUTIFUL it would make an amazing Christmas gift.
Christmas Decorating
The next morning, after returning home from Branson, it was time to decorate the house for Christmas.
My darling friend Emily was over to play with me and Drake and lent a helping hand with all the decor.
She took it really seriously and let me know when I moved something that she didn’t appreciate. HA! It was so cute. I had to convince her that this “wish” needed to be with the other silver stuff. She finally agreed.
Drake and Emily squealed in delight at the opening of every box. They finally settled on playing with all the Nativity sets. Sadly, I had to do the rest by myself.
Formal Dining
Tip Junkie is hosting a Holiday Viritual Tour of homes, so head on over to link up your decorating post as well as get some new ideas for next year. {{giddy}} Here’s my home all decked out for the season.
Most of my Christmas decor I either made or received as gifts. So they each have a special memory associated with them. It makes decorating more of a “blast from the past” experience for me.
Entry Way
Living/Kitchen
Living Room – back view
Living Room – front view
Entry Way
The house glows at night! (Man, I’m a bad photographer!) It really does glow. HA!
We also had our first snow fall last week.
The boys thought it was seriously so cool!
Hi Ho, Hi Ho, It’s Off to Branson We Go!
This year for Thanksgiving we joined our “vacation friends” and headed over to Branson, Missouri. We rented this huge cabin and the 4 families all stayed in it together. It made the vacation a real one since we were able to put the kiddos to bed and the adults stayed up and played games.
It’s seriously the ONLY way to have a family vacation. It has completely changed the way we travel. Friends for the kids and friends for me! {{brilliant!}} It’s also nice that we’re all together in a cabin because the kids are free to roam and explore together.
This was our view from the back porch.
Thanksgiving morning the boys had their Turkey Bowl.
Laurie & I (yes we have the same name) took the younger kiddos on a hike to the lake. Getting to the lake was a breeze – hiking up back to the cabin was a doozy. 🙂
I was in charge of Thanksgiving activities with the kiddos.
We made apple turkeys,
and Oreo turkeys.
This is the kids table with little Chippy.
The adult table.
Drake really got into it this year and found new friends. He had so much fun hangin’ out with these two darling boys.
There was impressive food (not cooked by me).
And the men cleaned up.
More games after dinner.
Then we took a drive to see the Festival of Lights.
The next morning the kids went on a gold rock hunt where we had a little store set up where they could buy candy with their gold rocks.
Drake thought that was really cool.
We had a little time to kill before our first show, so we went and hung out with Santa.
We watched this really cool outside water/fire show. It was short but impressive.
We went to the Duttons and the Island Fire shows. During the Dutton show all the kids were invited to come up on stage. Drake was chosen to sit on Santa’s lap. To my surprise he didn’t freak out and actually loved it. He told Santa he wanted a “Lighting McQueen Color Movie”. It was really cute.
We saw also the Hamner Barber Show.
It was a beautiful week in the mountains and with dear friends. This post doesn’t even seem to cover the memories and bonding times we had as a family. I truly feel so grateful and blessed.
Target Coupon Stacking
I tried the Target coupon stacking system from The Krazy Coupon Lady last week. I’ve lost my receipt but I saved a ton and it was a lot easier than I thought it would be.
Basically, Target accepts manufacturers coupons as well as their own (which you can print out). Every week The Krazy Coupon Lady posts the links to the coupons as well as the deals you can get.
Etsy Dallas Jingle Bash
I’ve had the Etsy Dallas Jingle Bash on my calendar ever since I was unable to go last year. I just love seeing so many women selling their handmade goods all in one place. Geeze the products were breathtaking.
Lisa, Chanda and I had several little adventures that day. I bought myself a little Christmas present that I just got in the mail. I wrapped it and put it under the tree. It’s fabulous and I can’t wait to show it off. {{Merry Christmas to me}}
It was packed full of fun people watching which kept Lisa busy and completely entertained.
My bad luck struck again and I got a parking ticket for parking on the grass. Who knew?!?
Next we headed over to West End and for dinner. This guy’s artwork was seriously so cool and turned out beautiful.
We had a short wait for dinner so Chanda challenged us to a game of the “Famin’ Finger”. Lisa lost.
I lost. Twice.
Chanda won. {{of course}} We are SO going go have to have a rematch.
Thanks for a fun day girls. I really needed the girl time as life is crazy insane with all the demands of Tip Junkie, the boys, the holidays, my weak body, yada yada yada.
It was a much needed distraction. {{hugs}}
New Moon Midnight Premier
Man, it’s been a crazy month {{again}}. I feel like I start every post this way. HA! At any rate, Jen, Lisa, and I went to the midnight premier of New Moon. {{when ever that was}}
We now have a tradition of grabbing cheesecake from the Cheesecake Factory and smuggling it in to help pass the time. It’s seriously the BEST way to wait for a movie.
It was yummy.
I’m referring to the cheesecake, of course! {{evil laugh}}
New Moon was my favorite book because I loved the villains. Victoria and the Voltry – yeah baby! I’m all about the action and this movie didn’t disappoint. {{two thumbs up}}
I’m glad they down-played Bella’s depression. That would have seriously been annoying to watch. My only compaint really was the make-up. Talk about yuck. I felt like their faces were too white and their eyes too gold. They would have stuck out – they looked completely alien. I didn’t like it.
Although, I think I just may have to switch and head on over to “Team Jacob”. Dude brought it which deserves some props for sure!
Dude.