Crazy Coupon Chicks!

The best financial lesson I learned from my Mom was couponing! Yep... she was that lady who had the great big box all organized and labeled browsing up and down every aisle spending hours getting every last deal she could each and every week! She'd even profile the cashiers to make sure she got the one that was fast and was polite so that she didn't hold up the line for too long! She always said the grouchy cashiers would intentionally go slow hoping she'd just leave! Remember... back then they had to manually enter prices, coupons, sales, etc.! It always amazed me... watching her take totals that started at $50-$75 (again... this was YEARS ago when things were cheaper!) down to just a few dollars! Way cool in my book!

Over the years I have had periods of time where I was very diligent at couponing, and other times where I was just too lazy. But all it takes is a month or two shopping for my clan of 6 and spending upwards of $125 to $150 a week for me to snap my brain back into shape and say "yo... chick-a-dee... get those coupons out again!" and save yourself some money! When I do use my coupons, I get so excited about what I save that I often will post about it on Facebook or tell my friends. Which then leads to either (a) other friends telling me how much they saved, or (b) friends saying "you have GOT to teach me!".

So.... I decided to post on Facebook (my #1 addiction right now) to see if anyone was interested in a coupon group. The response I got was crazy! 10 people in the first 10 minutes of the post! So, we're giving it a shot and are starting the "Crazy Coupon Chicks" group! I'm so excited! We can share coupons between us, share tips and tricks of the game, teach the newbies, and help each other save some money!

Again... just way cool!

Thanks Mom!

My Heart Hurts...

Devin and Kayleigh's friend, Nicholas Doub, is now resting in the arms of his Lord and Savior.

On Sunday night, Nick's friends held a candle-light vigil at Reagan High School around their spirit rock. It was absolutely touching! HUNDREDS of people came as a few students led in prayer and music. Teachers were there, parents were there, students from other schools and community members were there. The way that everyone came together was like nothing I've ever seen before and left me just looking around with tears in my eyes!

Kayleigh was asked to share her discussion with Nick that she had the morning of the accident. All day Sunday, she said there was no way she could do it... she just knew she'd cry as soon as she began to speak. At youth Sunday afternoon, a leader who is very near and dear to our family (Doug Todd) spoke with her, and prayed with her. Even when we left there, she wasn't sure she could go through with it.

Well.... with the grace that she always carries, she took the microphone and DID it! She spoke of how happy Nick was that morning. How he thought that Thursday was going to be a GREAT day! She also talked about how he always made her laugh and how happy he always was. Other students also talked about his laughter, and how Nick was just Nick... he never let anyone or anything get him down.

Since news came of his passing, Kayleigh has been grieving in a way like I've never seen her grieve. I'm sure the anniversary of her good friend McKana's death being only weeks away only adds to her pain. It hurts my so much as a parent to see her hurting. It makes it worse knowing that I can't take that hurt away. She has to process through it on her own, and trust that Nick's life had a huge purpose, as did McKana's, and their work here was done, the Lord has called them home.

As a parent, my heart hurts even more. I look at my kids and think to myself... "that could could have been MY child so easily!". I cannot imagine the pain that Mr. and Mrs. Doub are feeling and I hurt for them!

Tomorrow will be a very hard day for the Doub family, the Reagan Raider family, and the community. But I think I can say for certain that instead of being a funeral... with the way that Nick laughed and loved... tomorrow will truly be a celebration of life! A life that was full of happiness, joy, laughter, and fun!

We should all learn from Nick....

Tell EVERYONE you love them!
Never walk away angry!
Live life to the fullest!
and always... Laugh a little more!

"In Everything, Give Thanks"

The bible tells us in Thessalonians 5:18 "In everything, give thanks...". When it comes down to it, it is VERY hard to do and many of us, instead of giving thanks, question His will during times of trial and hardship. I know that even I struggle with that.

This week, the students at Regan High School experienced a tragic accident. A very well loved classmate, Nicholas Doub, hit a patch of black ice Thursday morning (no he wasn't speeding and yes he was wearing a seatbelt). His vehicle flipped over an embankment a few times before finally hitting a tree. He was flown to WFUBMC and is still tonight, listed in critical condition with a very poor prognosis.

Both of my kids, Devin and Kayleigh, know Nick well. Kayleigh knows him very well... they talk daily and see each other all the time. Before the accident yesterday, before they even left home for school, Kayleigh and Nick were messaging back and forth. The last message Kayleigh received was "Gotta go.... see you at school"... only Nick never made it to school.

As you can imagine, Kayleigh is a mess! I have sat with her, hugged her, and prayed with her. But it is tough to parent through hurt like this. I know that the strength I have had to hold back tears when I'm with her don't come from me alone, they come from the Lord!

While the last 24 hours have brought questions, hurt, heartache, worry, and fear... we are able to give thanks. We give thanks for the laughter and love that Nick has given to so many people! We give thanks for the number of people who have rallied in prayer for one student who so desperately needs a miracle.

Luke Brigman (another close friend of Kayleigh's that we know well) organized this prayer vigil, called local news stations, and gathered as many people as he could. At 4pm today, what he thought would be just a few ended up being over 300... say that again out loud... OVER THREE HUNDRED... over 300 students, faculty, friends, and parents gathered around the flag pole at Reagan High School praying for an hour! Praying for Nick, his parents, his family, his friends..... praying that the Lord's Will would be done and that the Lord would provide strength and comfort to all those lives that Nick has touched.

For this... we give thanks and praise!

MyFox8 News is one of the news stations that covered the story, "School Rallies in Support of Student"... they did an amazing job, and to watch it just is awesome! When I watched it, I couldn't hold back the tears! I dare you to get through it and not be touched!

In Matthew 18:20 we are assured "For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.". When 300 plus are gathered in one place, all in prayer... I am CERTAIN that He heard those cries for help!

While it is certainly hard to understand His will and to know what His ending will be for Nick during this uncertain time, we are certain that we can trust in Him to carry us all through!

Sweet Jesus... be strong enough for all of those hurting during this tragedy!

One Happy Girl!

Paige finally got her wish! We let her take her Christmas money and get her ears pierced (much to Daddy's dismay)! Seemed like a good time since Kayleigh was having her 2nd ear piercing done. Paige was able to watch Kayleigh do it, then was brave enough to do it too! She's looking forward to Valentine's Day when she gets to take the birthstones out and put the fun earrings in!

Holiday 2010 Memories

We made great memories with our family and great friends this holiday season!

We started in November with my oldest and dearest friend, Jenni, and her family for a fabulous Thanksgiving with lots of laughs with the kids, and adults!


Our annual Christmas dinner was to Arigatos where they not only LOVED the food and they had a great time watching the Hibachi cook's tricks. Paige even asked if we could go back EVERY year!


Christmas Eve this year was extra special... Kayleigh sang and Paige was an Angel in our church's Christmas Program.


Christmas morning we shared more laughs with the kids than we have in a long time. Devin enjoyed being able to give to his siblings and NAILED it with Kayleigh's fedora hat!


And we even had a BIG surprise gift for Chase that shocked them all!


One of the images from Christmas that I will not forget, is Paige reading her book on the rocker. All the new toys she got, and she sat peacefully for over an hour just reading... simply sweet!


A few days later, another dear friend and her family came to visit for the New Year celebration! Had a great time just lounging around the house together.


I especially enjoy Neal just "playing around" with the guitar... so relaxing to listen to!


The weather was great the first few days, so the kids were able to play outside!


New Year's Eve was started with a great pancake breakfast, compliments of Michael!


In the afternoon we all got out of the house for an afternoon of bowling! Wicked fun, lots of laughs!! Especially with king of the bowling alley, Devin, around!


New Year's Eve night we spent at the house playing some games with the kids. We had a blast watching the little girls play Just Dance... Even Dawnya and I got in on the action. (Sorry... no photo of us though! LOL!)

For everyone who made the Holidays this year so special and memorable, Mike and I thank you from the bottom of our hearts!