Happy Birthday Baby!

Taegan's 4th birthday was great! We have the best family and friends in the world! She loved seeing everyone and really loved all her gifts. Thank you Smiths for letting us have it at your pool!!! I was gonna post a few pics from the party but apparently Taegan erased them all! Yep, she was looking at them and must have hit the "erase all pictures from this date" button, so I have no pictures of her 4th birthday! Oh well!

Like my friend Deedra, I write my kids a letter every year to put in their baby books. Here's my letter to Taegan this year:

Taegan, I can't believe you are 4 already! When did you get so big? I tell you everyday that I love you, but as I look at you today my heart swells and my eyes fill with tears because you are the daughter that I have always wanted. You look so much like your daddy with your big blue eyes, but you act like me with all your drama! When you sleep with your mouth open you look like Granny Willoughby and when your mad at Cohen you look like Mamaw Susie. You're such a mommy's girl and you give the best hugs and kisses. Cohen picks on you and makes you squeal all the time, but I'm just waiting on the moment when you finally lay into him! I tell you all the time that you have "princess syndrome" but you really are my sweetheart. I love it when you want to cuddle with me at nighttime and although I get onto you all the time for still sucking your thumb when you go to sleep, I am actually going to miss it. That will be the last "baby" thing that you do, and you will officially be a big girl then. And I'm not sure I'm ready for that. I know you have to grow up, but even when your 40, you'll still be my baby girl. I love you now and forever my sweet girl!

PS-Thank you for all your prayers for my job situation, I have a job offer! I figure if this nursing job doesn't work out I'm going to Lowe's or Walmart!

Another slap in the face!

Does anyone ever feel like the universe is conspiring against them? I try not to complain about my life, I know I have it much better than some, but today...well today has been a doosey! My day started out pretty good, the kids slept in, I was getting some cleaning done, and preparing for Taegan's birthday party this weekend. Then, I got a phone call. Those of you who know me know how excited I have been to start my new job at Ft. Payne. Alas, it was not meant to be. The phone call was from human resources at the hospital. Apparently, the economy is hitting the hospitals too! Their admissions have been low and their new CEO is not letting them hire anyone else this month (they said maybe next month). Keep in mind this is the Thursday before the Monday I was supposed to start. I already went through all my background checks, my drug screening, my TB tests and everything! To say I was crushed is an understatement! I sobbed uncontrollably for a good 30 minutes. I had not even applied anywhere else because this was supposed to be a sealed deal. I thought, seriously..., after all my family has been through the past few months, can I just not catch a break??? But, after wallowing in self-pity for a while, I decided that feeling like this was the work of the devil, trying to kick me while I was down, and I would have no part of it! So, today I have sent about 50 applications out all over northeast alabama and chattanooga. For some reason working at the hospital in Ft. payne is not part of God's plan for me right now and I have to accept that and move on with where I need to be and what I should be doing (when i find out what/where that is, I'll let you know). I thought of Proverbs 3:5-6 today
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;

6 in all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make your paths straight

So, I am asking all of you, my dear sweet friends, to please remember me and my family once again in your prayers. I NEED a job ASAP or we are going to be living in a cardboard box! I leave you all with the prayer that has been replaying in my head all day today, the Serenity Prayer:

God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.

Living one day at a time;
Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
Taking, as He did, this sinful world
as it is, not as I would have it;
Trusting that He will make all things right
if I surrender to His Will;
That I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with Him
Forever in the next.
Amen.


Thank you all for your love and prayers!
Karri

Walmart Price Match Rocks!!!

Hi everyone! I just got back from my weekly Wal-mart trip and I saved $41.75 using price matching and coupons! Yeah me! Price matching has helped our family finances tremendously over the past few months. Every week I make a list of what’s on sale where and integrate it with my grocery list. Since this helps me out so much I thought I would share it with all of you. I organize my lists according to the different sections of the grocery store. Let me know if this helps any of you out there! If it does, I’ll post it every week! Just copy, paste, and print the list and highlight what you want to purchase and taadaaa, instant savings! Your welcome!
Love ya all!
Karri


Prices good 07/14-07/20
Stores- L=Lucky’s, LSS=Lucky’s supersale-good only on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, F=Foodland, W=Walgreens


Item Qty Price $ Store

Dairy
Mayfield Ice Cream 48oz 2 for $6 F
Store Brand Cheese (shredded/cubes/chunk) 8oz 2 for $3 F
Bright & Early Orange drink 64oz 1.00 F
Food Club OJ 64oz 2 for $5 F
Merico Biscuits 5ct pkg 2 for $1 F
Store Brand Butter 1lb pkg 2 for $4 F
Blue Bell Ice Cream ½ Gal. 3.89 L
Florida’s Natural OJ 2.19 2.19 L
Blue Bonnet Margarine Sticks/Box 0.69 L
Store Brand Biscuits 12 oz can 0.88 L
Sargento Deli Sliced Cheese 6-8oz 2 for $6 L
Coffee Mate Creamer 16oz 1.99 L
Swiss Miss Pudding 6ct pkg 2.29 L
Kraft Deli Deluxe Cheese Slices 8oz. 2.99 L
Prairie Farms Ice Cream 4qt pails 4.99 L

Drinks

Coca Cola Products 2liters 1.00 L
18pk/12 oz cans 5.99 L
Powerade 32 oz bottles 3 for $2 L
Aquarius Spring Water 24pk/.5liter bottles 2.88 LSS
Crystal Geyser Water Gallon or 6pk/.5lit 5 for $5 F
Store Brand Soda 12pk/12oz cans 1.99 LSS
Store Brand Apple Juice 64oz 0.99 LSS
Gatorade 32 oz 0.99 L
Welch’s Juice 52 oz. 2 for $5 F
Propel Fitness Water 10ct pwder or 6pk 16 oz 2 for $5 F

Paper Goods
Charmin or Bounty 24 rg roll pk 7.00 F
Charmin or bounty 8 rg roll pk 7.00 F
Hefty Foam Plates 50ct pkg 2 for $3 F
Store Brand Paper Towels Single Roll 0.89 L
Quilted Northern TP 12 double rolls 7.99 L
Kleenex Facial Tissue 8ct pks or 200ct box 1.89 L

Produce
Dole Bananas 2lbs 1.00 L
Idaho Potatoes 10lb bag 3.49 L
Iceberg Lettuce Head 1.29 L
Cabbage Head 0.39 L
Russet Potatoes 15lb bag 2.99 LSS
Russet Potatoes 5lb bag 2 for $3 F
Slicing Tomatoes 1lb 0.99 L
Peaches 1lb 1.19 L
Strawberries 1lb pk 2 for $3 F
Green/Black/Red Grapes 2lbs 3.00 L
Bing Cherries 1lb 2.00 F
Rainier Cherries 1lb 3.00 F
Dole Shredded Lettuce 8oz bag 1.00 L
White Onions 2lb bag 2 for $3 F
Dole Salad Mix Pkg. 2 for $4 F
Cantaloupes 2 for $4 F
Washington St. Apples 3lb bag 2 for $5 F
Broccoli or Cauliflower Head 2 for $4 F
Cherry Tomatoes Pkg 2 for $3 F
Limes 10 for $1 F
Mangoes 2 for $1 F
Packham Pears 1lb 1.00 F

Health-Beauty/Cleaners/Dog-Cat Food/Misc.
Purex 2x laundry detergent 24-32use bottle 3.99 L
Matchlight Charcoal 13.5lb bag 9.99 L
Alka-Seltzer Plus 6oz liq or 20ct tabs 5.49 L
GE Reveal Light Bulbs 4pk 4.99 L
Friskies Cat Food 16lb bag 12.99 L
Dawn Dish Liquid 10-24oz bottles 2 for $3 L
Bounce Fabric Softener 120 shts/60use btl 5.99 L
DowneyFabric Softener 120 shts/60use btl 5.99 L
Electrasol or Finish Dish Det. 15-20 gelpks or tabs 4.49 L
Gladware Containers 3-5ct pks 2.99 L
Tide 50oz liquid or 70 oz powder 7.00 F
Store brand detergent 50oz liquid 2 for $8 F
Alpo Dog food 13oz can 3 for $2 F
Friskies cat food 5 oz cans 5 for $2 F
Store brand charcoal 18lb bag 5.00 F
Store brand lighter fluid 32 oz 2 for $5 F

Meats
Ground Chuck 1lb 1.79 L
Frozen Split Fryer Breast 1lb.tray pk 0.99 LSS
Fresh Split Chicken Breast 1lb 1.00 F
Country Style Pork Ribs 1lb 0.99 LSS
Boneless Ribeye Steaks 1lb 5.99 L
Lean Pork Steaks 1lb 1.29 L
Boston Butt Pork Roast 1lb 1.29 L
Bottom Round Roast 1lb 2.00 F
T-bone Steak 1lb 5.00 F
Whole Pork Loin 1lb 1.99 F
Boneless Pork Chops 1lb 2.59 F
Tender cubed steak 1lb 2.99 F
Butterball ground turkey 1lb 1.79 F
Bottom Round Steak 1lb 2.29 F
Bar-S Hot dogs 1lb pk 0.89 F
Bar-S Bologna 1lb pk 1.09 F
Bar-S Sliced Ham 1lb 1.99 F
Bar-S Corn Dogs 3lb pkg 3.99 F
Boneless Sirloin Tip Roast 1lb 2.39 L
Boneless Sirloin Tip Steak 1lb 2.39 L
Frosty Morn Bologna 16oz 1.59 L
Carolina Pride Cooked Ham 10oz 1.99 L
Zeigler Jumbo Hot Dogs 16oz 1.99 L
Cloverdale Farms Bacon 12oz 1.79 L
Bar-S Smoked Sausage 16oz 1.59 L
Tennesse Pride Pork Sausage 16oz 1.99 L
Zeigler Sliced Bologna 16oz 1.99 L
Freshland Country sausage 1lb 1.99 F
Conecuh smoked sausage 1lb 2.79 F
Cades Cove BBQ 5.49 F
Royal Sliced Bacon 1.79 F
Seafood Salad 1lb pkg 3.69 F
Yellow Fin Tuna Steak 1lb 5.99 F
Catfish Fillets 1lb 3.99 F


Frozen Foods
Mckenzie’s Frozen 16-20oz 5 for $5 F
Vegetables(any variety)
Store Brand Pizza 2 for $7 F
Store Brand Ice Cream Bars 2 for $4 F
Birds eye steam fresh 4 for $5 F
Store brand breads (any) toast, breadsticks.. 2 for $3 F
Budget, yusing, or michelina entrees 1.00 F
Store Brand Waffles 12.3 oz box 1.69 L
Kid Cuisine Meals 2 for $4 L
Tonys Pizza 1.88 L

Canned Goods
Van camps baked beans 28oz can 1.29 L
Hunts spaghetti sauce 26oz can 1.19 L
Luck’s beans (any) 15oz 2 for $1 F
Spam 12oz 2 for $4 F

Condiments
Welch’s grape jam/jelly 2lb or 22oz 2 for $3 F
Store brand ketchup 64oz 2 for $5 F
Store brand mustard 8 oz 2 for $1 F
Store brand ketchup 20oz ez squeeze 0.88 L
Store brand mustard 20oz 1.19 L
Store brand pickle slices 16oz 1.29 L
Store brand peanut butter 16-18oz 1.79 L
Store brand grape jelly 32 oz jar 1.59 L

General Groceries
Frito Lay/Ruffles/Cheetos 10-14oz 2 for $4 F
Golden Flake Potato Chips 5oz 4 for $5 LSS
Old Fashion Merita Loaf Bread 0.99 LSS
Sunbelt Fruit jammers/granola bars box 1.75 F
Pasta or Ricearoni 5 for $5 F
Delmonte fruit to go 8pk 2 for $4 F
Skinner Pasta 12oz 5 for $3 F
Pilsbury brownie mix 19oz 1.00 F
Cracker jack popcorn snack 7oz or 3-3oz 1.00 F
General Mill Chex Mix 8oz 4 for $5 F
Bugles Snacks 7oz 4 for $5 F
Cheerios Snack Mix 8oz 4 for $5 F
Betty Crocker Suddenly Salad 1.00 F
Chicken/tuna/hamburgerHelper 0.99 F
Macaroni Grill Mix 2 for $7 F
Betty Crocker Brown mix 1.00 F
Store Brand Mashed Pototo 8oz 1.00 F
Store Brand Cereal 32oz 2 for $6 F
Saltine Crackers 16oz 1.00 F
Store Brand Vanilla Wafers 12oz 2 for $3 F
Doritos 2 for $5 L
Oreos 3.49 L
Mexican Season Mixes 0.59 L
Pringles 1.69 L
Cheerios (any variety) 10-17oz 2.99 L
Crunch n munch 4oz 0.99 L
Oreo cakesters 2.99 L
Nutter Butters 2.99 L
Nabisco Toasted chips 2.99 L
Dinty Moore Big Bowls 2 for $4 L
JFG mayo or salad dressing 32oz 2.99 L

It's Yard Sale Time!

I am so NOT a pack rat! My mom and my oldest sister were/are both hoarders and keep stuff from 30 years ago. At my house, unless something has sentimental value, it's outta here if it hasn't been used/worn in a year. Yep, I've been cleaning out closets, cabinets, and storage buildings and I have got stuff we don't need running outta my ears! I've also been making lots of hairbows since I haven't been working. And.....since I haven't been working, my wallet is a little too thin so we are having a yard sale at my aunt Deanie's this week. Here's the ad I put in the Times-Journal:
Huge Yard Sale Wednesday July 8th through Saturday July 11th 2 miles west of Ider 4 way on Hwy 117. Furniture, cookware, tools, kid's clothes (mostly gymboree, old navy, children's place-girls 3t-4t and boys 4t), kid's shoes, women's name brand clothing (various sizes up to 18/20), men's name brand clothing (up to xxl and 40x34 pants), toys, electronics (including a working dell pc and 20" tv), HANDMADE HAIRBOWS AND MATCHING FLIP FLOPS.
Seriously, we have tons of stuff we are bringing, plus my aunt is putting out her stuff, and Pearle Dalton is bringing all of her yard sale stuff too. So if you need some good stuff at great prices (not to mention helpin a sista out) come on over!

And speaking of hair bows and flip flops, I'm thinking of opening a store on etsy.com, what do you guys think? Anybody ever sell anything on there? If so, how do you get advertising? Just wondering.

On a separate note, please continue to remember me in your prayers. The next couple of weeks are going to be busy! I go for my second Lap-Band adjustment on the 15th (I'm down 32 lbs so far), my sweet baby girl is turning 4 on the 16th!!!! I can't believe it. (Yet another reason for the yard sale, birthday parties are expensive these days!) And, I start my new job the 20th (I'm really nervous, it's been a long time since I've worked anywhere other than surgery). For a change, these things are all good sources of stress! I'm so thankful that God has a plan for me. I just hope I can do his will without complaints or grumbles and be happy for the new oppurtunities I am given everyday to prove my love and devotion to HIM.

O...I almost forgot..today is my 32nd birthday and I'm proud to say it, because the alternative to not having a birthday is well..you know..not so good!

Toodles for now!
Love You All!
Karri