Monday, May 23, 2011

Back into coupons!


One of the perks of living in Essex is being 20 minutes from the Detroit border crossing! And the states is BIG TIME into coupons!

Some of you might remember that last winter (2010), we were doing tons of couponing! And how it turned out was, we ended up doing lots of bargain shopping for about 3 months (and stocked up on tons of products we use regularly). Then we stopped coupon shopping for the following 9 months (as I was pregnant, and just not so much in the mood for it).

But it worked out well. In a whole year, we did not run out of shampoo, conditioner, soap, toothpaste, etc., at all! In fact, we still have enough to last us probably another 6 months. And the bonus was, we hardly paid anything for all the product..in fact, a good majority of it was free!

Well, the time has come for us to get back into couponing! It saves so much money.

But this time we are being strict about it. If you're not careful, you can end up spending more $$, because you are in stores more often, seeing items that you "might like to have".

So this time around, we are going with a grocery list of items, knowing exactly how much we will have to pay for each item. So we will be only shopping for those items on the list, as well as shopping with cash.

Yesterday, we went to the Detroit and saved $50 on diapers and wipes (both which we will definitely use). We stocked up ahead a few sizes..but might as well, especially when the sales are that good (combined with our coupons).

Have a blessed day!

Saturday, May 21, 2011

Braeya - 4 months old!

Sleepy baby in her crib.
Fell asleep in her swing!
Reading Dr. Seuss with Mama!
Happy girl!
"Oh Grammy..I wish I could hug you right through this phone!!!!"

Braeya - 4 months old!




Super baby!! This is what happens when she goes down for a nap with a bib on..she wakes up with her around her neck like a cape!

Friday, May 20, 2011

Thankfulness....

151) Waking up every morning to a beautiful baby girl, who brings so much joy to our lives! She is truly our little miracle!

152) New Menu Planner (thanks Joanne!)

153) Saving money simply from using a menu plan!

154) Relaxing nights, home snuggling my wee one.

155) Family - and an upcoming visit where the two cousins can play for the first time!

156) Portable phones - and great conversations.

157) Peace that surpasses all understanding.

158) Abundant life!

159) Friends who feel just like family.

160) Beautiful scenery in our backyard. Oh how I love Essex!

161) All the beautiful baby clothes I get to fold - Braeya has certainly been very, very blessed!

162) Cinnamon raisin toast being brought to me as I type!

163) All cooing that now fills our home!

164) My Saviour - where would I be!

165) Love

Thursday, May 19, 2011

Dinner is on..and it's only 3 PM!

Well, thanks to the inspiration from one of my best friends, I have started "menu planning!"

What a difference it has made already!

Maybe some of you can relate to what "used" to be Shaun and I.

He would come home for lunch...of course I had nothing already prepared...we would hum and haw about what we should have. And unfortunately, it always ended up being a toss between something quick - "kraft dinner?" "beans"? "tuna sandwiches?"

And of course the same scenario at supper time! Since I wasn't planning ahead, I never had any meat pulled out of the freezer in time to eat, so by the time we thought about supper, it always seemed like too big of a project to get something together. So, we would end up eating something unhealthy, or grabbing McDonalds on occasion.

Well now..thanks to a wonderful excel menu planner, our week has been turned upside down (in a GREAT way!) We have eaten at home the entire week. We have had delicious meals, and have not had to ask each other once the dreaded question, "so...what are we going to eat!!??"

I can't believe how much time is saved, by simply taking 10 minutes on a Monday to fill in a weekly menu plan!

So, just now, I made a quick sweet and sour sauce to put over chicken drumsticks in the crock pot. It will be ready to go as soon as I finish teaching piano tonight!

Gotta love it! Thanks Joanne for the inspiration! I hope to learn so much more from you!

PS: If any of you would like the menu planner, just pop me a note, and I can email you the attachment. You just fill in your meals each week, and then at the end of the week, copy over those meals with the new meals for the following week. I'm going to print mine each week though, and save it, as ideas for meals down the road.

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Funny girl

Well last night, Braeya decided that she had slept long enough by 3:30 AM (she'd been sleeping pretty well straight since 8 PM)...so she was up to party!

Daddy got up with her at 3:30 AM. And I woke up at 5:00 AM to find Daddy trying so desperately hard to put her back to sleep (with no success!) Daddy was walking her around the house, whispering "shhh" in her ears, while Braeya was bobbing her head up and down, grinning from ear to ear saying "Daddy..nice try..but I'm ready for some fun!"

I told Shaun that I would take a turn with the cutie pie, and for him to go back to bed.

And so finally, by 6:00 AM, Braeya decided her play time was over, and that it might be time for a nap!

She's a funny little one..the previous 3 nights prior to last night, she slept from 10 - 7! And then out of the blue, she has these wide-awake nights! I think what causes them, is on these nights, she falls asleep too early in the evening, and then feels wide awake by the wee hours of the morning.

Oh well..on the whole, she is doing amazing! And usually sleeping through the nights. So the odd night here or there just gives me a chance to sit up with her, and enjoy her being so little! These times will pass eventually, and I will be wishing them back!

Enjoy your day!

Michelle

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Quote

"God has given us two hands; one to receive with and the other to give with."

Billy Graham

Awww!

Little "K" did a fabulous job keeping an eye on Braeya while she was sleeping!
Two peas in a pod!

Monday, May 16, 2011

Update - NEW PICTURES!

I have just posted MANY new pictures, but here's a quick update!

We are all doing well..enjoying every moment with little Braeya (who is not so little anymore!) Can't wait to actually get her weighed at the doctor's office at the end of the month!

She is very much enjoying her exer-saucer...she finds it very enjoyable to be able to stand up, AND play with lots of toys!

She is making lots of new sounds...and smiles all the time! In fact, that's one of the most common things I hear from people - that she has the biggest smile, and smiles at anyone who will stop to talk to her.

We've been doing lots of walking, with the beautiful Essex weather we've been having (up to 30 degrees last week!)

Well, enjoy the pictures, and have a wonderful evening!

Michelle

Braeya - 15 - 16 weeks old!

Heading out for a walk!
"This is my little black dress!"

Happy girl!
"I love Daddy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Braeya - 15 - 16 weeks old!

Church day!
In Mama's office!
"Mama, I'm not sure why they make cribs so long! I only need one end!"
Eating supper in Detroit..doing some grocery shopping! Love being 30 minutes from the States!
Love her so much!!!!!!

Braeya - 15 - 16 weeks old!

"ooohhh what's this!!!!"
Ready for a warm, hot Essex day! Last week it reached 30 degrees!
Dressed up pretty for a day at the office with Mama!
Enjoying some time with Rosanne :) Taking a little bow!
Tuckered out!

Braeya - 15 - 16 weeks old!

"Daddy says I'm finally ready for private school!"
"Come on Mama..let's get this walk started!!!!"
Chilling out on the couch like a big girl!
"Mama..I'm up to something...but you'll never know what!"
"Gee I love you Daddy!"

Mother's Day & More!

Mother's Day at church!
It's bath time!
Braeya bought Mama a beautiful new purse and leggings! Good choice Braeya!
Happy girl!
Sleepy girl!

Monday, May 9, 2011

Funny Conversation

The conversation below happened today at our place. Too funny!

Student (age 6) - Your house used to always be clean!

Me - You mean before I had a baby?

Student - Yes! But now it's not!

HAHA! Too cute! Hope this made you chuckle!

Have a wonderful day!

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Braeya's Dedication Day (later in the afternoon)

Nanny & Nan catching up!
Aww..love her!



Beautiful cake made especially for Braeya, by Mandy. Thanks so much Mandy!!!!! It is beautiful!






Mama & her baby girl! (and no, I didn't plan for us to match! Didn't realize both of our outfits matched until we got dressed for church!)







She's such a happy girl!









Braeya's Dedication! May 1st, 2011































More of Braeya!

Grammy & Braeya crying when Grammy has to leave to go back to Halifax :(
Yes, she's starting young!



Hi Papa! Welcome to Essex!






Checking out Pastor Brent across the table.






Happy baby!