Crafty Creations!

So I am going crazy wanting to nest and since everything is in boxes and miles away in storage, I have nothing to work on for the baby. At this point during my first pregnancy the nursery had been decorated for weeks, if not months. Everything had been washed, folded, put in it's home, taken out, looked at, refolded, and placed in a new home countless times, furniture had been moved, numerous books and magazines had been read, and hours had been spent cleaning out the house to prepare for Grant's arrival. This time, I have gone to storage once, opened a small box marked "baby clothes", taken out about 5 outfits and 3 burp pads that I could find (of course everything else was buried), drove home, and washed the outfits. Hmmmm, ahhhhhhhhhhhh!

In an attempt to stay sane and save money, I have been working on a diaper bag and some accessories for our new baby boy! So far I've made the diaper bag, nursing cover, baby sling, some bibs, a burp pad, wipe holder and changing pad. I also made my own burp pads, and blanket using left over fabric and just designed these myself. Obviously, many places make/sell similar things but I couldn't imagine spending close to $225.00 for the items that I needed/wanted when I had found a fabric that I loved and could make it all for less than $35!!! I love this fabric, it is blue and brown, so just perfect for a little boy, but just has enough of a femine touch for the mom that loves girly girl things!

Again, I am really hoping that once I get my craft area set up in the basement at the new house that I can start making more things that the family needs and maybe some things that people will want to buy. I have made things for friends as gifts and some people have even paid me to make things that they wanted but didn't have the skills or creativity to make. I think that God gives us talents and that we should use them even if it is just to bless our own family, but it would be wonderful to make a small income off of something God has blessed me with.

Review of the New!

This past Monday, KFC launched it's new GRILLED CHICKEN at locations nationwide and gave away a free piece per person. Grant, Tommy, my dad, and I loaded up and headed to the Jenks KFC to get our 4 free pieces and head over to the park for a picnic and some play time. Luckily we beat the rain and had a great time!

Now, back to the chicken! It was DELICIOUS!!! It was moist, juicy, and very tender, not to mention how much healthier it is without all that oil and breading. Grant loves KFC's fried chicken and noodles, but he gobbled this up at the park like it was dessert! The pieces were huge, enough to fill up my 6'4" father and the bottomless pit who is my husband. I was so happy that they offered this free deal since KFC is normally something we don't eat often due to cost. Thanks KFC for the free dinner and for letting me out of cooking for one night!

On a separate note, Domino's was running a promotion this afternoon for it's new Pasta Bowls. There are 5 different kinds or you can customize one of your own. This was something that was happening all over the nation and we were excited for a FREE lunch! I called ahead to the 91st and Delaware Domino's over by Jenks and placed our order, I told them I had the flier stating there was no coupon needed and that it said one per customer, so we needed two, one for Tom and one for Grant, (it was a boys day out!). So the boys drove over to pick them up, showed them the flier, and the lovely employee said, "Uhm, those aren't real coupons, I don't appreciate you trying to scam us." Tom tried to explain that we had already talked to someone and they said the promotion didn't require a coupon. After a long drawn out conversation Tom called me and asked me to call a different location to see if they would honor the promotion and the wonderful location at 69th and Sheridan said they would. He told the first location that and they said, "Fine, if they will honor it, go there" -again acting like we were lying!!!

The bread bowls we received were absolutely DELICIOUS, the service at 69th and Sheridan was wonderful, a free lunch was most enjoyable, and I will not be giving any of my business to the location at 91st and Delaware anymore!!!

Thrifty and Nifty!

Hey everybody,

Just wanted to remind everyone that it is FREE MOVIE MONDAY! We love to watch movies but can't afford to go out to the theater or rent a $4 movie from well known companies. However, we do love REDBOX and now that they offer a free promotional code every Monday, we haven't paid to see a movie in a really long time!

You can use the code on any movie at the pick-up location and if you have multiple check cards/CC you can get 1 free movie per card. We each have a check card from our bank, so every week we usually pick out one movie for Grant and one grown-up movie! You don't have to return the movie until 9pm on Tuesday evening, so it's a great date night and we really look forward to it every week! This week, I think we are going to get The Tale of Despereaux and maybe Bedtime Stories. We will see how those turn out!

Here is this week's code - 4CW33N - Enjoy!

Also, if you haven't tried SWAGBUCKS yet, you should really give it a try! I only started a week ago using their search engine and am alread halfway to getting a $5 Starbucks card! There are plenty of prizes you can redeem for and they make great gifts or it's a fun way to treat yourself. Why not earn points for searching for things you already need!

Right now at JCPENNEY'S, get $10 off of a $10 or more purchase with online code MOMSGR8. You could end up getting $10 of free stuff! Shipping starts at $4.50 if you choose in-store pick up. Remember to shop through Ebates to get 4 % back on your purchase. I've been looking for a great deal on sheets for Grant's new bed at the new house, so I might just pick up some cheap bedding!

Country Fun!

We had some spare time this week, (uhm, yeah a LOT of free time, I'm going crazy bored), so we headed out to my sisters, Annie (AKA "A-nay-nay" to Grant) and brother-in-law's, Eric, house in the country. They live in Mannford, in the middle of nowhere, with their 40 acres, 3 cats and 8 horses about 45 minutes from us. My sister works for a big tax company here in Tulsa and Eric is an engineer for an airplane company and have been both working very hard lately due to tax season and all, and if your wife is gone all hours of the day, you might as well rack in some extra dough working overtime. So they have been needing to do some work around their property for some time, but have only now had time to get started. So we decided we would all head out to the country to help plant some flowers and do some yard work! We had a great time together and Grant loved running around their huge yard, seeing the animals, and digging in the dirt. He also loved watering the plants that we had just put in .....and everything else near by!Thanks for having us out guys, we will be back soon to help with more planting!

Thrifty and Nifty!

Anyone in need of a haircut?

Well, Amy's Hair Salon at 4904 S. Union Avenue, here in Tulsa, is doing their $2 Tuesday haircuts! I sent Tommy yesterday to get his hair cut and it turned out great! He looks so sexy! The promotion is running every Tuesday, now through the end of MAY! So don't miss out! Keep in mind they do not take CC, cash only, but hopefully everyone has 2 bucks on them! Check it out and let me know if you have a good experience too. I'm thinking of heading there next Tuesday to get my hair cut as well!

Crafty Creations!

Ready for my next fun project? This is an adorable note pad holder made from a metal CD case. I just took out the inside CD velvet holder thingy and it was an open metal shell. Then I used some scrapbook paper to cover the outside and inside. I made this one to match the new diaper bag I am making.......I will show you that very soon! For the inside I used more paper to first line the inside of both sides and then half the sheet to make a pocket on the left side. I used double sided tape to attach everything and cut a small piece of paper to roll and put inside my clear ink pen. To make the paper clip flower I just used a flower cutter then stuck the two pieces together using sticky foam mounting squares. Add a small notepad and you have a great place to make grocery lists, keep coupons or money as you head to the store, or a cute place to write down notes beside the phone! Enjoy!

Budget Fun!

Some friends have been asking what our budget looks like, so I thought I would post it! We have been so blessed so I want to thank the Lord for all He has given us! This obviously doesn't work for everyone, but it works for us.

This is the budget we will be living off of in Muskegon, it is a combination of amounts that we spend currently, amounts we have spent in the past, amounts we know we will owe in the future, and a little wiggle room to have fun everynow and then. Hope this helps the people who have asked, but like I always say, you have to find something that works for your family, no family is alike!

Groceries $200

House Taxes $138.40
Mortgage $ 250.88
Home Insurance $95
Car Insurance $120
Fuel $150
Electricity $110
Gas $120
Water $70
Cell Phone $76
Sewer/Garbage $15
MOPS $6
Fun $40
Medical/Dental $95
Tithe $312
Maintenance $100
Life Insurance $20
Vacation Fund $10
Health Insurance $360
Gift Fund $20
Student Loans $200
Clothes/supplies $30

(the balance goes all to savings now, but part will probably start going toward extra mortgage payments, med school loans, and home improvements)

Bunny Luv!

Have I mentioned lately that I love my wonderful husband?!?!? He has been so wonderful lately, not that he isn't super wonderful all the time, but since he has finished his schooling and we are just hanging out waiting for a closing date on our house and for graduation to roll around.....oh yes and a baby to come, we have had some wonderful free time together. We have never had this kind of free time....ever!

In college we always had classes over the summer and we were busy with RA duties and Floor President duties during the normal semester and summer as well. We got married and still stayed busy in our dorm for another year. Then we moved to Tulsa for medical school and I commuted back to Stillwater 3 times a week to finish my last semester and to be a TA there. I also started managing an apartment complex Tommy's family owned that semester to make some extra money. Then in January we moved into the corporate suites across the road from the apartment complex I managed and I took over being the property manager there as well! About a year later we added Grant to our family and that added a whole new definition to take your kid to work day......every day! Another year down the road and it was time to quit working, put everything in storage, and head onto the road for rotations! We had such fun moving around with Daddy, but it was very stressful as well, especially when you have to take your crazy Jack Russel Terrier with you, ahhhhhhhhh!

So here we are today, staying with my parents and just days away from starting to fix up our new home and moving to Muskegon and boy has it been a journey! The down time has been so refreshing and relaxing. I'm so thankful to have Tommy in my life, I can't imagine my life without him. God has really blessed us with some wonderful adventures that we never thought we would experience and we have grown closer along the way!

Thanks Bunny for always being there for me and Grant, for being the strong godly man of my dreams and for always being the kind, caring father to Grant. Thanks for changing tons of diapers already on this break (did I mention I haven't changed one since March 30th?)! Oh I love you Bunny! Thanks for being so excited about painting and installing new floors in our home, and running with me to Lowe's and Home Depot almost everyday to check out fun stuff we can do to our cute cape cod. Thanks for cooking dinner and letting me sleep in so that I will feel better during the day! I'm so thankful for you! Kissss!

Crafty Creations!

Here is my latest creation. I have been trying to stay busy, hehe, like I need help with that, and distracted, since all my baby stuff is in storage and I haven't been able to nest at all.

I made two towel wraps for Grant today, here is one I made out of a tan hand towel. It was very easy! Grant loves to shower with Daddy and when Tom get out of the shower he wraps his towel around his waist and walks around the house. Grant, of course, wants to be just like his daddy and ends up with a towel wrapped under his armpits like 6 times, dragging the floor, and usually trips, so I decided he needed a little wrap just his size!

All you need is a towel that is the appropriate size for who will be wearing it. The one I made was for a gent, so it only needed to be the right size for his waist. This same idea will work for ladies, obviously you need a towel long enough to go under their armpits to the correct length around knee level. You also need about 6 inches of Velcro, matching thread, and 2" wide elastic. If you would like complete directions I can email them to you. It is super easy! I'm going to get some appliques to sew onto Grants of animals or sports stuff to jazz it up a bit, but you could add ribbon, bows, or anything cute to add a special touch. Pair this with some slippers, a jar of bath salts, or lotion and you have a wonderful spa gift!

We Are Back!

So after only a short visit to Michigan of 10 days, including 5 days on the road, we are back in Oklahoma! The weather wasn't terrible up in Michigan so the house hunt wasn't terrible. We probably looked at 40-50 homes in 5 days. I hate to say this and hopefully I don't make anyone mad, but Michigan is stuck in the 70's, don't ya know! Almost every house we went into had light wood cabinets, orange or green carpet, paneling, and other outdated fixtures. Yuck!

We started at our pink dream house, and it was beautiful! However, the neighborhood was not the area I wanted to be alone in daylight or night time. So we said goodbye, ran to our cars, and drove quickly away. There were many beautiful, inexpensive homes in this area, but running to my car with gun drawn with two kids in tow didn't seem like something I wanted to do everyday! So, we moved on to other areas and homes at the top of our price range. I hated this, because I'm super frugal and did not want to spend this kind of money on a home that still needed updates, but knew that this might be our only option to be able to live in a safe neighborhood.

Our search continued, I went back through time, 90's, 80s, 70's homes and even older outdated homes were thrown into the mix. Nothing really stood out to us. It was very disappointing.....until, one afternoon, the realtor took us to Roosevelt Park! A beautiful town one square mile big in the middle of Muskegon. Homes were beautiful, yards were manicured, playgrounds and parks were in every block, and children and families on spring break were out walking and playing....now this was my kind of neighborhood!

We started to look at homes, most still in the disco era and at the top of our price range. Finally, we came to two wonderful cape cod homes that were to die for. All the updates had been done, we would still need to paint and change some minor things, but these homes were like dream homes compared to what we had seen over the past 5 days. The only problem was that they were really small and at the high end of our budget......could I overcome my thrifty-ness and put an offer in???? We said we would think about them, pray about them, but we still wanted to continue to look at other homes in the area.

So after looking at 6 other homes in this area, she finally took us to two repo homes that were the same style of cape cod homes that we really liked only 1 block away from the two we were praying about. These homes needed carpet, paint, and other minor improvements (like door handles, who takes door handles?) and were only $50,000 each. They were adorable, needed some love, and best of all, we could really, really afford these homes AND could afford to remodel them just how we wanted! One was brown and one was red brick with white siding and shutters. Our wonderful realtor called her office to get more info on the homes and was told that an offer had been put in on the brown sided home, but that the brick house was still available! It was closer to the large park and community center and had nicer homes around it, but they were both perfect.

We left the realtor and went to lunch to talk. We discussed all the homes, their prices, what they needed, and how much time we had. While it would have been nice to walk right into a home and only change paint colors, we didn't feel that that was the best use of the money God had blessed us with to buy our first home. While those homes were nice, they weren't $50,000 nicer or any bigger than these two homes and it wasn't going to take even $10,000 of repairs to make one of these homes our dream home.

So we put in an offer of $45,000 on the cute little red brick house.....and our offer was accepted!!
It has a large living room and dining room, two cute bedrooms on the main level, a huge basement that is half finished in, a huge area in the laundry room for me to have all my sewing and crafting supplies, and the top floor is a large master suite! And.....there is NO paneling, hehe!

So now we just have to wait for our paperwork to be finalized and to get our closing date and then we get to start the fun work!! I can't wait to watch Tom paint, lay flooring, and of course, put on new door handles, while I supervise from the pregnancy throne, hehe! There are many other small things we want to do over the next year to update everything for resale and with a super small mortgage payment every month, we can afford to take the balance of what we had budgeted toward it and put it toward improvements and savings!!

I think that we are most excited about having a home just how we want it while spending our money wisely. We really feel that God blessed us by giving us this wonderful home and hopefully everything will continue to go smoothly. Luckily being a property manager of apartments for the past 3 years has given me experience in many home improvement projects so there are many things we can do on our own and save even more money (isn't God great that He puts you in such learning experiences when you only think you are in a crappy job?). Well, sorry this was so long, but we are excited! I can't wait to post "after" pictures and show off our hard work! Keep us in your prayers!