Eyes in the back of my head

On this past Thursday it was rush, rush, rush at my house to try and get the kids ready for school and you can guarantee Carter is only 1 step behind me.  In the middle of all of the rushing around trying to make sure all lunches are packed, everything is in the backpacks, snacks have been added, clothes have been ironed and put on and shoes are on the right feet I have someone attached the whole entire time.  Guess Who?  Still my little Carter!!!!

I go in the bathroom to finish putting my make-up on still rushing around saying boys you know it is almost time to leave, come let me brush your hair again. 

After getting all ready for the day I proceed to my bedroom and yes, Carter is still there!

I slip my housecoat off and start to get dressed.  I put my jeans on and at this point Carter has gone to look for something to take for Show and Tell at preschool.  So I am alone for 30 seconds.  So anyway I have my jeans, socks, and tennis-shoes on and I was getting ready to put my shirt on.  Little did I know I had someone right behind me again.

Putting your shirt on requires you to lift your arms and when you life something it has to come back down....I lifted my arms and slid my arms in my shirt, about the time I started bringing my arms down I felt this little tapping feeling on my hip.....it was Carter.....it was too late.  I had knocked him in the head when I brought my hands down. 

I felt so bad I had just knocked my son in the head! 

I said oh baby are you okay?  Mommy is so sorry! 

He said:   I am O.K., but Mommy why did you hit me?

I replied:  I did not know you were there.

He said:   But Mommy, why? 

I replied:   I could not see you.

He said:   But Mommy, you have eyes in the back of your head.

I replied:   I do, but they were shut because I was getting dressed.

He said:   Well Mommy leave them open next time so you can see me.

I love this little guy!   And the rest of the weekend you can bet your bottom dollar he was right there beside me everytime I started to get dressed, cook, clean, put my make-up on and so on!!!!  He is such a Mommy's Boy and at this point in my life.....That is PERFECTLY O.K.

Survey's = Saving Money

The more places I go the more I am starting to notice the back and bottoms of my receipts.  On a certain day you can get $5.00 if you take the survey to let us know how you liked shopping at our store and 15% off your entire purchase for 5 minutes of your time.  More and more stores are starting to use these surveys as a tool but also to help their customers save money.  I have decided that I am going to try and be more dedicated to these surveys.

In the past 2 weeks I have saved the following:

1.  JcPenneys ~ 15% off of my entire purchase.....
2.  Dollar General ~ $5.00 off my purchase of $25.00 or more, and I am registered for the $1,000.00 monthly give away.
3.  Belks ~ $10.00 off coupon
4.  Burkes Outlet ~ 5.00 off coupon
5.  Gap ~ 20% off of my purchase
6.  Logans ~ Earned a FREE dessert

All of these savings come from the surveys.....and just a few minutes of my time.  From now own I plan to be more observant of the savings that are available to me. 

**My Weekend**

What a busy weekend!!!  On Saturday, I actually slept til 11:30.  This is not normal!  Andy and Connor had planned to get up on go Turkey hunting on Saturday morning in VA.  This weekend was youth turkey day.  The boys got up at 5:00, I made them hot chocolate for the trip and sent them on their way.  I thought I would never be able to go back to sleep.  I watched TV, cuddled up to Carter, and then I started thinking of all the things I need to be doing.  Thats what done it....I finally fell back asleep.  It was great to sleep in so late.  My kids (all 3 of them) are the type if I am laying in the bed then they dont mind sleeping in.  So it was so nice to sleep in.  Courtney, Carter and myself got up, made cinnamon rolls and then started our day.  I still can't beleive that I slept so late!  The turkey hunting trip to VA resulted in no kill this time however, I think they did see a turkey just not able to make it work out this time.  This is the first year Andy and the boys have been interested in hunting so I am sure to post some good blogs on hunting.....from the MOM's point of view.

My Surburban was beyond help, since it is black it needs a daily wash but, I am lucky to squeeze a monthly wash in.  So we travel over to Sunwash and sometimes I feel like they run the other way when they see me comming.  I told them at the carwash I really needed some help.  A couple weeks ago my little Carter, 4, took a quarter and made several swirls on the door of my car.  He said he was just trying to make my car shiney like the quarter.  Well now my car needs a serious wax job and it is not even 6 months old.  Needlesss to say I will be taking it to have a wax job this week.  I can't beleive I was very calm with Carter when I come around the corner and saw what he was doing.  I just screamed Carter NOOOOOOO!  I think my mom could have hear me all the way in LaGrange.  :) 

As my day continues on Saturday, Courtney has a cheer stunt camp.  We go and drop her off at the school for the afternoon.  I think that the stunt camp really kicked her butt!  She is so sore, sleeping on the heating pad and taking tylenol too.  I guess she got a good work out. 

Now to my favorite part of Saturday we all get dressed up and off to celebrate my nephew Riley's 1st Birthday!!!  I was so blessed to be a part of celebrating this special day with him.  As I recall last year this time, I spent over a week in the hospital with my sister waiting on the arrival of little Riley.  I would work all day, come home feed my own kids, check homework, lay out clothes, have a small conversation with hubby and off to the hospital I went to stay the night.  I pulled the night duty and mom pulled the day time duty.  I was very blessed to see Riley come into this world.  He is like a part of me even thought I am not his Mommy.  I love that little boy just like he is mine and my kids love him and want to keep him.  I quickly let them know he is sure welcome to come visit anytime, but he has to return home.  Celebrating Rileys 1st Birthday and watching my boys share this day with him was very special to me.  I am the kind of "Aunt" that loves to spoil him.  We got him the push around buggy with a handle on the back.  He LOVES it and I knew he would. 

Part II of my weekend to come later today.  Gotta go get kids ready for school.......

~ Brag about him ~

My first contest I have entered......Head over to "The Vintage Pearl" to enter for a chance to win a $50.00 Gift Certificate.  I must say they have some beautiful items.  :)

First of all I would like to say that I just started blogging this week.  I get so excited knowing that I get to post something new about my life and family.  After seeing your contest to Brag about Him, I thought this might be the perfect time to BRAG on my hubby.  I am so in love with the man I am married to, might I add I am very lucky to have him.  My husband and I have 3 kids. Courtney, 13, Connor 6, and Carter 4.  Devoted husband, great provider and loving father are a few words that describe him perfectly.  He gives 110% to our marriage and family.  He and I both realize that you don’t have to have a lot of money to take family trips, or even buy the biggest house on the block, which I would love. He is a very devoted father to our children, never does he leave them behind, and he always takes them to work on our family farm, fishing,

and hunting, participates in school activities, works with them on their 4-H projects and even allows the kids to travel along for some of his less busy work days.  He believes in celebrating special occasions and tries his best to make them perfect.  My husband’s job requires him to travel a lot.  Every night that my husband is home he reads the boys their nightly devotion and tucks them for bed. When he does this I get my “ME” time to do what I like to. During the winter months he drives 500 miles home to see the kids and me on Friday afternoon, knowing that he has to turn around drive those same 500 miles back on Sunday to his work destination. He is type of hubby that helps me cook (best grill cook ever), clean, and washes clothes wait he not only washes them but he folds them too. He is very supportive of my goals and tries his best to make my dreams come true.  He still leaves me love notes and sends me text messages during the day to let me know how much he loves me.  I can honestly say that every night before he and I fall asleep he prays for us and he knows how much I love to have my head scratched and he does that for me every night.  He Loves me unconditionally and I never have to doubt his love for me and just knowing that he's there for me no matter what keeps me falling in love with him more and more each day.  He truly is my soul mate. I think God everyday for giving him to me and allowing me to share my life with such an amazing husband. 

Hula Girls ~ Treats for everyone

My daughters cheerleading coach introduced us to Hula Girls.  It is right up the road from my house and they serve homemade milkshakes, icecream (did I mention they have 25 flavors), slushies, homemade cheesecake, and old fashion bottled drinks.  For the past 3 days I have been.

On Monday ~ I went with my Aunt, we wanted to check it out and we did .... had icecream for lunch and then walked down the street and had a hot dog too.

On Tuesday ~ I thought I would surprise Connor, my 6 year old.  After picking him up from kindergarten I said "Mom you did not turn the right way to go home"  he is so observant to where we are going.  I said I know sweetie I am taking  you to get a surprise, since it was just he and I.  Took him there and his eyes just lit up.  So sweet.  He has such a big heart, even though the trip was just for him, he purchased everyone bottled drinks and his brother some icecream.  He enjoyed his sweet treat and could not wait to return again. 

On Wednesday ~ Made my rounds picking up the boys, not quite time to get Courtney from cheerleading yet so we come straight home after school and done a few chores.  Then my little one come to me after being home about 10 mins.  and said so sweet I might add "Mommy it is my turn to go to Hula Girls today".  So I said I tell ya what, now keep in mind it is only 4:30 p.m., I said you and your brother go get your bath and after we get Courtney we will go to Hula Girls.....Can you believe my boys got their bath that early, it was so pretty outside.  I tried to get them to play but they wanted a bath and a trip to Hula Girls.  So bath time it was and boy it went smooth.  No fussing, arguing or fighting....just a great bath.  The boys got out put their PJ's on and out the door to get Courtney.  We waited in line, got Courtney.  Then errands I still had to do before getting to the famous Hula Girls.  I ran in the grocery store and the tractor store too, the pig had to have some feed, went to farm to drop feed off and then we were off to Hula Girls.  If I thought for one minute that Connors eyes were glowing when I took him, well Carter (my clown) is another story.  His eyes glowed the whole time he was there.  He could not believe everything that they had to choose from.  I know the little guy that works at Hula Girls are wondering how many people is this woman going to bring on Thursday and the answer is none today......busy day ahead.  Courtney has a game this afternoon, payroll at the office and a weekend in to start planning.  Until Next Time ~ MH

Getting Adjusted.....

Last night when I went to put the boys in the bed, Connor hopped right in his and his daddy read his devoition to him, said prayers and off to sleep he we went.  Carter on the other hand, different story....He said Mommy, I am hungry, please rock me, I want to sleep with you and so on.  So my response after struggling with him 30 mins. was okay tonight will be your "Spoil Carter Night" and you can sleep with me but I made sure he knew where he was going to sleep tomorrow night and he never verbally admitted where he was going to sleep however he did point in the direction of his room.  So I give in and let him sleep with me (I have to admit I did love it).  After I thought I had him to sleep I started thinking about my "new blog".  I rolled over and told my hubs that I was going to get up and go work on my blog and he said okay I will get up with you and watch TV, Lord and behold thinking Carter is asleep he sits straight up in the bed and says mom what is a Blog?  I said Carter I thought you were asleep, he said no Mommy I can't go to sleep until you go.  So after pretending for 10 more mins, he finally was out.  I had to get up and check my Blog out.  I am so excited!!!  It's like I want my blog to be perfect and I am learning to to get everything designed and organized but it will still take me a little longer.  Until next time ~ MH

Unclaimed Property......I have some!!!

So I am sitting at my house a couple weeks ago and my brother calls me and says "Marsha, have you searched the Unclaimed Property website?"  I replied "No", should I?  He said yes you have something on there that is unclaimed under your name.  Since he jokes all of the time, I did not really take him seriously.  Finally after a couple weeks I decided I would take the time today to do some research and find out if the Marsha listed on this unclaimed property website me.  Sure enough after a 3 minute phone call and a small form to fill out I am $187.00 to the good.  I still do not know who owes me but I will be finding out soon enough.  The lady in customer service told me they are just now processing August claims so they are running a little behind.....maybe I will get my unclaimed property just in time for CHRISTmas. 

Finally a Blogger!!!

After many times of attempting to try this blogging thing, this morning I woke up and decided I would try it again.  So here goes......I thought to myself if I blog, then I can use this as several different tools.  So here are a few of the reasons I decided to start.

1.  To keep up with the milestones that my children make. 
2.  Record the moments that I hold close to my heart with my friends and family.
3.  Share knowledge / information
4.  Entertain, encourage or inspire others
5.  Because it is something for "ME"

So I am going to try and hold true to my word and update my blog atleast twice a week.  I have a really close friend that bloggs and her page is awesome.  I love reading her updates even though she shares most of them with me on the phone.  She has inspired me to start my blog and now with her help, I can only hope that my blog will be almost as good as hers.