Happy Father's Day!

Happy father's day to all the fathers out there!  Hope you have had a fantastic day! 

A Break

I took a little break this weekend.  I do want to say that Mom and I found Levi's jeans on sale at Macy's as part of their 75% off sale - I got jeans for $6!

Baby is Here!

I apologize for not posting the past few days - I was a little busy HAVING MY SWEET BABY!

I'll be back to a more normal posting schedule soon - there was no internet at the hospital.  We are home now and doing well!

In honor of the occasion, I want to keep the giveaway open through Friday 5/21 at 8pm eastern time since I wasn't around to close the giveaway properly.  You can also gain an EXTRA entry by commenting on the post with something you love about babies!

First, I want to direct your attention to a great giveaway I have going over on PennyPinchingPenguin! You can win a 5-pack of custom hand-made greeting cards! You create the sentiments and occasions! Low entries! Also, snag a freebie if you order! Giveaway courtesy of Poppies and Petals - absolutely beautiful!

Deal Previews, New Coupons, Giveaway, MS, and more

Hi all!

I have a few places to direct your attention this blustery Saturday. 

First, take a few moments to peruse the "Stores" tab at the top of this page.  You will find links to bloggers who do deal match-ups.  Many have already posted deals for the week starting on 2/28.  You can learn how to stock up on coupons for these deals in my past post (which is also listed in my right hand sidebar).  Printable coupons often reset at the start of the month, so print yours now and check again on Monday!

Also, take a gander at the "Diapers" tab for the diaper deals going on this week. 

Remember, P&G is offering a great promotion where when you buy $50 worth of P&G products (before coupons are taken off), you  can submit receipts and get $100 in great coupons!  You can read all the details in my past post here.

Remember that you have until tomorrow evening to enter my coupon giveaway!  There will be at least 50 coupons per envelope!  I keep finding more, so expect some fantastic ones!  You can enter multiple times each day for a better chance to win!

There is a sweet gal that I taught years and years ago.  She was diagnosed with MS a few years back.  She is amazingly strong.  She needs our help right now.  She needs votes for her MS Awareness car.  Please click through and vote - you don't even need to leave an email address!  Vote each day so she can win!

Lastly, check the "Programs" tab at the top.  Sign up for some awesome programs and get free stuff and coupons to sweeten your deals!

Sunday Funny and Coupon Explanation

I wanted to apologize for the Children's Place coupon link not working.   I put the link in directly from an affiliate company shortly after they emailed me to let me know it was available.  Just a few hours later, the coupon was no longer on the affiliate site and no longer on my website.  I don't know what happened - if the print limit was reached or what.  Sorry!

Now, I know many of you have about had it with winter at this point.  I know I have!  We finally dug my van out of all the ice and now it won't start.  We may be stuck here for another few days until we get the van up and running.  Hopefully it will start in a little bit and I can get the battery checked tomorrow and replace if needed.  It hasn't been driven in over 8 days and has only been started up once.  Live and learn!

Now for a laugh.  You know you've had too much winter when you see this....

Help Haiti and Impact Products!

I just joined a great community and wanted to pass along this awesome opportunity to you as well.  By joining, you will help bring clean drinking water to children around the world - especially in Haiti right now.  The community is hosted by a very reputable brand that I am sure you will love!  Here is the message explaining it:

Do you know other moms who would enjoy the experience of sharing ideas about shopping and saving money? We’d love to have more moms just like you join us for this experience.

Simply send this link to your friends who may be interested: http://survey.confirmit.com/wix/p1101497948.aspx?xs=3

For every new member who joins, we will donate $2 to the Childrens Safe Drinking Water program (www.csdw.org). To date, the program has provided over 1.8 billion liters of clean, safe drinking water to families around the world.

And remember, members can receive rewards such as product samples, online gift cards and donations to your favorite charities as well as periodic discounts on life’s essentials!    

Thanks!

Good Links - Stockup Prices, CVS Coupon, Pepsi Rebates, Target Coupons, Silly Pregnancy Game

Ok - here are a few good links for the day!

• Melissa over at Melissa's Bargain Blog has created a list of what she will pay to stock items in her stockpile.  Remember that prices vary by region.  I found her list to be a super starting point.  I can watch the same items and make note of what the cheapest prices are in my stores.
• Here is a link to a coupon that will allow you to get double cash back (4% rather than 2%) on CVS brand items for this quarter.  Simply print and have it scanned!
• You can also enter the CVS double bucks information on your online account here.
• Here is a coupon for $5 off a $20 purchase at CVS - no restrictions on locations.
• Right around the superbowl each year, Pepsi has some great deals and rebates.  This year is no exception.  Here is a link to several rebates being offered.  Make sure to read all the details - some offers not good in all states.
• Glad trash bags are on sale at Target.  Pair this Target coupon with the $1 insert coupon many areas received and you have yourself a great deal.
• Print all Target coupons here.  Make sure to carry a copy of their coupon policy with you in case of problems.

Last night, I found a link for a silly pregnancy thing.  Supposedly, by entering some random information, this website will predict what your birth experience will be.  I got such a kick out of it!  Here's what mine said - I'd love to hear yours!

The day you deliver, outside will be overcast. Your baby will arrive in
the late morning.  After a labor lasting approximately 4 hours, your child, a boy, will be  born. Your baby will weigh about 13 pounds, 3 ounces, and will be 17inches long. This child will have light brown eyes and a lot of black hair.

Funny things - apparently I  am giving birth to a bowling ball.  Hubby and I both have bright blue eyes, so brown would DEFINITELY be a surprise!  I'm all for the 4 hours of labor thought!

Quick Update

Whew!  We've been traveling all over the country visiting family!  I had a few posts scheduled to come out while we were gone.  Just wanted to do a quick recap!

We are home safe and sound.  Our outgoing flight was interesting, but the return was fairly uneventful except for the poor gentleman who collapsed on the flight with a suspected stroke.  Thankfully, there were several doctors and nurses on board who gave the thumbs up shortly before landing.  Little Man did well.

We couldn't get our van up our hill, so we dragged our luggage up our big hill.  We came home to a wonderful house - with no water!

What an adventure!  With forecasted highs in the 20's or under for the next week, we may have some problems getting the pipes (outside ones, the inside ones are fine) unfrozen.  We'll see what's in store for us!

Happy new year all!

Merry Christmas Eve!

It is Christmas Eve!  I LOVE the Christmas holiday once I can push past the hurriedness and stress.  What an amazing thought that God loved us enough to send His Son to earth as a BABY so that later He could die for our sins.  Amazing.

Have safe travels and a very Merry Christmas!

Break From the Deals - Busy Day!

Well, I apologize that I have no deals to post.  I will say that you should check out my giveaway on my other blog for 2 great childrens Christmas books.  Enter daily until Sunday at 6pm!

Today was just too busy to search for deals.  My church (which I LOVE) is having their first Blessing Boutique Saturday morning.  The Blessing Boutique is a chance for parents to "shop" for clothes and toys for their children - all at no cost to them!  I am so excited about all the families that will be blessed by this boutique.

About a week ago, I started laundering donated clothing clothing.  I got so busy with Little Man that I didn't get things ironed or hung on hangers until yesterday.  I was up until about 1am ironing!  Talk about procrastination!  Early this morning, Hubby watched Little Man while I loaded the van with all the clothes PLUS a bunch of fun gifts for our MOPS Christmas party that was this morning!  Little Man and I got to church and had a great time at MOPS.  After MOPS, I fed Little Man and put him in the crib in the nursery at church in hopes that he would nap.  I went to help set up for the boutique. 

Little Man ended up napping for 2 hours!  Woohoo!  I was able to help until nearly 4pm (we got to church at 9am).  After getting home, we had dinner and got Little Man his bath (he had spaghetti for the first time).  I am just now able to sit down to get caught up online!

Don't you just love the feeling of accomplishment after a really busy day?  I know I do!  Well, it is off to an early bed for me!  Thank you to my friend, Missy, for the pictures of our Blessing Boutique set up!

A Confession Plus Freebies: Coffee, John Piper Audiobook, and more

I confess.  I have been struggling with a loss of excitement over couponing.  Don't get me wrong, I love me a good deal.  I just really haven't cared to pour over coupons and matchups lately.  I noticed this problem about a week ago and have been trying to figure out why I've been in bargain burn-out. 

• Our budget has been VERY tight and I haven't had the wiggle room to stock up on good deals - we've mainly been living out of our pantry and buying just the necessities. 
• We've been quite busy - Hubby has had a crazy work schedule lately with many late nights.
• I have been working a little bit - helping with childcare for our church's Dave Ramsey Financial Peace University plus I actually took out my French horn and helped fill out the section in the Wind Ensemble for the University where Hubby teaches.
• I'm exhausted - I'm 9 weeks pregnant with a toddler who just learned how to run.  Enough said.
• We're in the middle of refinancing our home.  In addition to the stress of finances in general and the stress of preparing for a refi (especially cleaning and decluttering for an appraisal - we had ours today!), we've discovered some property tax issues that were masked a bit when our mortgage company went bankrupt and sold our loan and created an absolute mess with the book keeping.  

I know I need to get back on the horse.  Our pantry is growing thin.  I am so thankful that we have had such a stockpile.  I am thankful for the gifts of meat that my mom randomly brings after she hits a fantastic sale.

With all that said, I want to share some deals and freebies!  Happy bargain hunting!

• Get a FREE temperature testing rubber ducky with the purchase of Johnsons product.
• FREE sample of Folgers Gourmet coffee
• FREE sample of Garnier Skin Renew
• FREE Christmas music sampler download from Amazon
• FREE audio book Desiring God by John Piper
• FREE ebook Thriving on Less
• Toy coupons for Target

Sleep Update

I have blogged in the past about how Baby has always been a poor sleeper.  Quite poor.  He is nearly a year old and, up until just recently, would wake 5 times or MORE a night!  I have been a chronically tired mommy!  Baby just couldn't put himself back to sleep.

A little background - Baby was a preemie born 4 weeks early.  He was a tiny 5lbs 2oz.  Due to all sorts of problems, he had a hard time growing until he was about 4 months old (was still just 8lbs 6oz at 4 months but then porked up).  I still worry about his growth.  Each time he is sick, his growth falters a little.  With this most recent batch of illnesses including a MRSA scare and 2 colds, I got quite concerned because he had not grown AT ALL in a month.

Also, I just am not comfortable with the cry-it-out method at all.  It's not just me not wanting to hear him cry.  I just don't feel sleep should be so stressful and traumatic.  I have avoided it for the most part.  Occasionally, I would let Baby cry awhile.  It always ended in everyone being miserable.  I know it works really well for many, it's just not for us.

We went on a sleep adventure this past weekend.  I had HAD IT and really needed a good night's sleep.  I caved and tried cry-it-out for a nap.  No way was I trying it for bedtime.  I endured 45 minutes of "rabid-animal" screaming.  Baby finally fell asleep, still sobbing.  He woke 20 minutes later with a horriffic diaper and a great fear of his crib.  I felt terrible as I realized he had been hungry because my milk supply had a big dip that day.  Hubby and I agreed we were not going back to crying.

We took out the book The No-Cry Sleep Solution: Gentle Ways to Help Your Baby Sleep Through the Night and re-read it.  I started right away with keeping the sleep journals.  I was amazed to realize how much activity we had for Henry within the hour before bed.  We made a few small changes in his routine.  We had one day where he was incredibly busy.  Since then, Baby has been able to put himself back to sleep during both night time and naps.  He has cut down his night wakings to just one feeding!  This morning, he even slept through the dog having a bark-fest!  I got to sleep in until nearly 8am!  Heaven!

Now, to see if this is going to last!  We are praying hard for his sleep!

Favorite Season

Deals will come a little later today - there should be some good ones!  I just wanted to revel in the beauty of my favorite season - Autumn.  Granted, as a new season approaches, I feel like THAT season is my favorite, but there is just something about fall.

Baby and I went on a "nature walk" yesterday.  We walked up and down our hill.  I got to take pictures of beautiful things.  He got to scratch tree trunks (I had him in my special backpack carrier).  It was so refreshing to be out with leaves starting their change even if it was 80 degrees.  Oh, the anticipation of hay rides and campfires.  Of wearing sweaters and drinking hot cocoa!

Here is the view from my front porch looking down our hill. We are only about 1/3 of the way up the hill.  My Nebraska friends, you would probably call this a mountain!

Here is the view from the house looking UP the hill.  The picture only shows half of the trek to the top.  This is the hill that caused my 29 weeks pregnant belly flop on concrete.  If you can see the telephone pole - that's where the tumble began!

Here's the view DOWN from halfway up.

Here's the view down from ALMOST the top.

And finally, the glorious summit!

 

  

And lastly, the pop of color that is emerging.  I am really looking forward to the full blaze of color of a West Virginia fall!

Reflections

Today has been very busy and I haven't had time to post much at all.  This post will be cross-posted on all blogs, but I feel it is important enough to be posted like that.

Eight years ago, our nation changed.  A horrific series of attacks changed the very core of who we are.  The sound of an airplane overhead has a whole different meaning.  Each anniversary, I am saddened at the memory.  It is so fresh - if hardly feels like eight years have passed.  

A few years before, I lived just miles from the Pennsylvania field as I was a camp cook and counselor.  I haven't gone back.  I don't think I can.  Just three years after the attack, we awoke to find a small plane had crash landed across the street from our home in Tennessee. 

Where were you on that fateful day?  I would love to hear your story.  Here's mine.

Hubby and I had just moved to Tennessee.  I had my first full-time teaching job in a middle school.  The day of the attack, I was welcoming my 8th grade choir.  They told me that we were under attack.  I thought they were pulling a prank on me.  What they said just sounded so unbelievable.  I was having a rocky year with this group and wouldn't be surprised by a prank, so we sang.  Class as usual.  Part way through class, the principal made an announcement and I turned on the tv to hear the news.  I honestly don't remember much after that.  I don't remember if we had an early dismissal.  I don't remember teaching any other classes.  I do remember going into my friend, Becky's, classroom to watch the news.  I remember an announcement asking us to turn off the tv's to help the kids cope better - I don't think anyone listened, we were all too frightened.  I know a lot of kids went home.  I remember watching the news all night, shaking.  For months after, news reports and rumors kept coming explaining how if there a nuclear attack, we would be high up on the list of probable targets due to our proximity to Oak Ridge labs.

I remember the panic.  I remember emergency kits being prepared for homes - grocery stores selling out of water and canned goods.  I remember the brave volunteers who traveled to New York and Pennsylvania to help.  I remember feeling panic each time the Air National Guard helecopters flew over en route to base.

I remember the flags hanging at every house.  I remember how America bonded and became stronger through the pain.  America has changed, but not all for the worse.  Remembering is painful, but we must Never Forget.

New Blog Spinoff

In light of how I have struggled to adjust to my new role as an at home wife and mother, I have "birthed" a new blog. You see, I am a teacher to the core. I am a terrible student. I was a bossy child. I was (and am) always right - just ask me! Anyway, I learn best through teaching. Weird, I know.

With all that in mind, I just couldn't NOT write this other blog. I still love my deals and coupons, but growing in my role as a godly wife and mother is of greater importance. God laid this blog on my heart. I will be posting deals here still - most likely daily. I will still post most link-ups here. I have too much to say that is making the Penny Pinching Penguin blog jumbled and not as effective as it could be.

Come join me on my new blog. If you desire to rediscover domesticity, come on over and take baby steps with me!

Labor

I saw this post on Rocks in My Dryer and thought it looked like fun! Join in if you'd like! Copy and paste and either leave as a comment or post on your blog. Leave a comment so I can read your post!

How long were your labors?

Just one so far - 13 hours

How did you know you were in labor?

Water broke just hours after clearing our weekend plans so we could have one last sleep-fest before Baby arrived. He was 4 weeks early. We haven't slept since.

Where did you deliver?

In the hospital. I had initially wanted a birthing center but was quite thankful for the hospital after some complications.

Drugs?

Became ok with an epidural by 6 months when I was tired of constant back spasms that kept getting worse. Waited to get epidural - couldn't wait very long after pitocin kicked in.

C-section?

No, although we came close. Baby's heart rate kept plummeting into the 60's. Turns out Baby's hand was up by his ear like he was on the telephone and I just couldn't push him out. Thank God for those nifty vacuums!

Who delivered?

My doc. She's great. I thought, however, that my mom would push her aside and take over! I am considering a different doctor and hospital for the next one though mainly because of hospital policies. I want to be able to walk around during labor, not be confined to the bed. I want the option of my baby rooming in with me. I will say that this was the best place for me to deliver this time since I was so freaked out with the early birth!

Sickness

What an end to the week! We ended up being without internet for 2 more days plus Baby got sick! I noticed Thursday that Baby seemed to be a bit warm. I was out of town and didn't get to take a non-tylenol-effected temp until late that night when Baby was up and really fussy. He was up to 101 F. Even more alarming than the fever (remember, I'm a first time mom) was a lesion on his leg. It started as a pimple-type thing and morphed into a welt of grossness the size of a silver dollar.

We spent the night sleeping fitfully in the recliner and called the doc first thing in the morning. I even canceled my first eye exam in 6 years. Our normal doc wasn't in but we were able to get in with her associate late Friday afternoon. It turns out, Baby has a type of staph infection, one that is more resistant to antibiotics, called MRSA. Thankfully, the doc explained it is the community variety rather than the much more dangerous hospital variety. We started baby on antibiotics and had one more fitful night (with no internet to research information on his illness at all) in the recliner but thankfully have had no fever since 10am! Also, we have internet again!

Here is what his leg looked like this morning after having antibiotics in his system for 12 hours. The doc had lanced it to drain it and it looks quite a bit smaller and less gross than the day before.

Quiet

I had a wonderful evening. It was quiet and I was alone - sort of.

We've been having a really rough two weeks with Baby teething. I spoke with the doctor today to make sure he didn't have an ear infection or something else that needed treatment. Doc said it is just teething. Watching Baby move his tongue around the top gums confirmed it - teething. Two weeks of waking every 45 mins to 2 hours all night long. Last night, he slept 4 one-hour stretches and then was up from 1 - 5am just writhing around in pain in my arms and then playing contentedly on the floor for a half hour (he even learned to brush my hair!). After that painful stretch, he had a couple more one-hour stretches. Hubby has been a great help by taking the morning shift and doing breakfast while I catch up on some sleep.

Anyway, during this rough patch, it has been rare for me to have any time of quiet rest - time to just pull away and listen. Listen for that still, small voice of God speaking to my heart.

Tonight I made a deal with Hubby. Baby was not going down for a nap for me. Hubby was staining the deck. I said "trade you!" He agreed! Baby slept over an hour and then played with Daddy. I got to do easy manual labor in a quiet backyard. It was good for my heart and good for my soul.

Have you had quiet lately?

We'll be out of town tomorrow. We're taking Baby to his first amusement park! We'll be driving about 2 hours - stopping at my parents' on the way to pick them up (and to drop off the dog) since we are going for my father's company picnic. I am excited to see a lot of childhood friends that I have not seen since leaving for college nearly 15 years ago! Pictures will be posted! Deals will resume quite soon!

Random Thoughts

I am filled to overflowing. I taught for 9 years. My students have always felt like my children. Due to the nature of my jobs, I would see the same students year after year and would get really close to them. My last job was teaching 6-12 vocal music. It was a rewarding and very trying job. Recently, thanks to Facebook, I have been in touch with one of my students who graduated a year ago. We had a rocky start together 4 years ago. He wasn't motivated in school and liked to make things difficult for me. He would not sing with any amount of volume and often would just not sing at all. Fast forward to his senior year. By the end of the year, he was singing solos for me at concerts and performing on guitar. Early this summer, I got a message from him thanking me. He thanked me for helping him have the courage to play guitar and sing on his own at a gig at a coffee house. He also let me know he was leaving for basic training the following day. I messaged him back to let him know I was proud of him. Today I saw pictures of him with his shaved head and spiffy uniform having just completed basic. Once again, I just had to let him know how proud I am of him. Is it possible to tell a teenager you are proud too often?




Completely different subject. Sleep. We don't get much of it here. Baby is still working on getting 4 teeth through and wants to let us know EVERY time he feels one move even a teeny bit. Last night I just gave up sleeping in my bed and moved to the recliner in the nursery. Thankfully, he is quite a happy camper anytime he is awake. He loves barking at the dog. Most children start speaking with dada and mama and things like that. Our son barks. No words, just barking.

We are in the process of rotating toys this week. We are nearly ready (sob sob) to store the exersaucer. We are running out of ways to safely contain baby when we need a moment. We still have the pack n play (which he plays in quite nicely for 15 minutes at a time). We just brought out a track with balls that almost contains him. We did find one thing that he likes and that contains him - our old dog crate! It's practically new - the dog figured out how to unzip the blasted thing the second night she slept in there and it hasn't been used since. We tried to sell it before moving, but had no takers. I couldn't see throwing away a $100 portable crate and thought it would make a fun tent or hiding spot for a little one someday. I was right! What good parents we are - putting our child in a dog crate to play. (just a note - we don't zip him in - he is able to come and go as he pleases and we leave all the "tent" flaps up for plenty of ventilation)

The Stand

Hubby and I have been re-watching Stephen King's miniseries "The Stand." It is quite an interesting movie. It definitely isn't a cinematic masterpiece. It is not a work of theological excellence. It does, however, make me think. One scene in particular sticks out in my mind.

The character, Nadine Cross, has made her pact with the Satan-figure, Randall Flagg. He has sent her on missions before taking her as his bride. After completing her mission, she is walking through the desert and hears him call to her. "Come here, Nadine." "Right over here." She follows the voice for quite awhile and finds Flagg after dark.

Why does this scene stand out in my head? I was struck with how clearly Nadine hears Flagg's voice. I want to hear God's voice like that. I was struck by how quickly she obeyed. I want to be as quick to obey God's will. I am sad to say I drag my feet too often. I close my ears to His soft, still voice.

God, open my ears to your Word. Incline my heart to Your will.