First Day of First Grade

The beginning of the summer seemed to drag on very slowly and the days at home seemed long and HOT, but once I got sick and was stuck in the hospital for 9 days, it seemed like the days flew by and there wasn't enough time to do what everyone wanted!  It seemed like we didn't get to go swimming enough, or make sweet treats often enough, or stay up late having movie nights.  Rita Davenport, the previous president of the company I worked for, used to always say that we only get 18 summers with our kids and to not waste them, and boy that seemed to be so true this year!  We did everything we could to make the rest of our summer the best!  And so a few weeks ago, my little girl became a first grader!

This year took a bit of adjusting as there were some tears in the classroom on the first day from missing mommy & daddy.  However, the kids read The Kissing Hand on the first day, so each morning for the first week, I would kiss her hand and she would hold it up to her cheek and instantly feel better :)  The simple things right?

Kylie's teacher this year is very different from her kindergarten teacher, but that's to be expected in first grade.  Kindergarten is where they get to be cuddled and sweetly nurtured and it's still a lot about playing and socializing.  However first grade is the big leagues and they jump right in.  (Thankfully Kylie developed an amazing ability and love for reading over the summer so that has been an easy transition for her.  Math on the other hand, not so much!)  All this to say that her teacher this year is quite a bit more strict which scared her a bit at the beginning.  However, now that we all have gotten to know her more and have gotten into a routine, we are very happy and are confident that Kylie will thrive in her classroom this year!

I love this girl so much and could not be any more proud of her! 

 She was so excited to wear her new back to school dress, thanks Grandma!

 Some dear friends that she made in kindergarten that are in her class again this year!

 And she's off!

Best Buddies!

Saying Goodbye

Two weeks ago, I took an unexpected trip to Colorado Springs, Colorado with my brother and mom.  It was the weekend before Kylie started first grade and I still had several things to do in preparation for that, and  I had been working closely with several real estate clients, plus I was still healing from my hospitalization last month.  But five days earlier I received a phone call from my step-mom that my dad had very unexpectedly passed away.  It was a call that I never would have imagined receiving in my wildest dreams.  My dad took his life.  He was a God-fearing, Bible-believing, faith-preaching child of God that I know is sitting with Jesus now.  But he also struggled with some very serious mental and emotional issues that ultimately convinced him that he couldn't do life anymore.  I am thankful that he is finally at peace with the Lord and that his mind is now at rest, but so disappointed in his choice to ultimately give up and leave his problems to everyone else.

To be perfectly honest, I wasn't super close with my dad, but we maintained a cordial relationship and he was Kylie & Nathan's Grandpa.  It had been a while since we had seen he and my step-mom, but I had just spoken to him two weeks prior when we called him on his 60th birthday.  I knew he was going through a rough patch but had no idea the extent of what was going on in his life.  I wish he would have let those closest to him know "the real him" and that he would have gotten the help he needed, but that didn't happen.

So I got to spend a few days with my step-mom, my brother, my mom, and two of my dad's best friends at a beautiful hotel in Colorado Springs.  It was good to be there together and remember my dad, but it was also tough to see the hurt he left people with as they try to move on. 

I would ask for your prayers for my family and especially my step-mom as we all grieve and find closure in our own ways.  My step-mom has so much to do and is a strong woman, but she is exhausted and completely emotionally drained, as to be expected.  Please pray for my brother as he and his wife prepare to welcome their first child into the world in a matter of days.  Please pray for our family as this has given us a great opportunity for questions about Heaven and knowing Jesus and losing loved ones, but having this happen at the same time as school starting again was a lot for Kylie to take in. Thankfully we have so much family support here and I continue to thank God for that every day!

My dad, brother, and I many years ago.

I love you dad & will see you in Heaven.

Gymboree 20% Off Entire Purchase Coupon

Just a few days ago, I picked up a ton of stuff at Gymboree that was on clearance for Kylie for back to school, plus I was able to use an additional 20% off coupon I had from Family Circle magazine making most everything I got less than $6 per piece.  This is such an awesome deal for these quality clothes, especially considering the high resale value of these clothes! 

Here's a rare chance to download a 20% off printable coupon.  Pair this with the great summer clearance sale currently going on for some more awesome deals.  Simply sign up for the Gymboree email list and they will send you a 20% Off Gymboree coupon via email. Just in time for Back to School shopping!

Office Max: FREE Backpack after Max Rewards Starts Sunday, 7/29

For the past several years, Office Max has offered a great deal on high quality backpacks just in time for back to school for the kids.  Starting tomorrow, July 29th, they are doing this again, but consider yourself warned that these go quickly!  We've picked up some really nice Dickey's and Swiss Army Gear bags in the past, and then I use my Max Rewards to purchase ink cartridges for my printer.  I would have to pay for cartridges these anyways, so I always take advantage of the free after rewards items, even if I end up donating them!

Here's the scoop:

1.   Sign Up for an Office Max Max Perks Rewards Card.

2.   Purchase any Qualifying Backpack at OfficeMax.com or In Stores starting on 7/24 through 7/30

3.   Limit 2 backpacks per Max Rewards account

3.   Within 90 Days you should see 100% of the price (Tax & Shipping not included) credited to your Office Max Max Perks account use on a future purchase.

Sat, July 28th: Free Backpacks to 1st 100 Kids at Arizona McDonalds

I've been subscribing to Macaroni Kid North Phoenix for probably the past 6 months and love that I have found a place to get a recap of all the local events in my area of town.  If you're not already a subscriber, I highly recommend checking it out yourself.  It's a national franchise and there are 14 different  geographical areas of Phoenix that are highlighted, so you have no excuse staying connected with what's going on in your neck of the woods!  

 

Here's what she posted tonight that definitely is worth sharing with anyone left out there :) 

Saturday, July 28 - McDonald's FREE backpack give-away

The first 100 children who visit their local McDonald’s restaurant will receive a FREE backpack. Backpacks will be given away to school-age children at 200 McDonald’s restaurants in Maricopa, La Paz, Mohave, Yavapai, Coconino, Gila, Navajo, Apache, Graham, and Pinal counties.  In addition, 50 McDonald’s restaurant locations will host Health & Safety Fairs with state/county/city community service organizations providing health screenings and information on dental care, health, nutrition and Safe Routes to School to local families.

Where: Local participating McDonald's restaurants (excludes Walmart and mall McDonald’s restaurant locations).  Check out this list I found.

When: 8:00 AM (while supplies last)

Who: School-age kids

How: Just show up!

Cost: FREE

For more info: http://community.mcdonalds.com/phoenix

Thanks, Macaroni Kid North Phoenix!

A Little Health Update

I'm not even sure there's anyone left reading this blog anymore except my wonderful family, but just in case there are one or two of you, I guess an update is in order!

For the past 6 months or so, I've been struggling pretty hard with my Crohn's Disease.  After my encouraging visit to Cedars Sinai in 2009, I had been in complete remission with zero symptoms for about two and a half years because of Thalidomide, my "miracle drug."  I was 100% healthy for my husband and my kids, my work as a Realtor was keeping me challenged, and I forgot what it was like to have to think about managing a chronic illness.  Unfortunately, before Christmas, I started to experience one of the side effects of the drug so I worked closely with my doctor and decided to cut my dosage in half to prevent long term irreversible damage. 

Thankfully this stopped the nerve damage, but the new dose simply wasn't enough to continue to hold my disease at bay.  My symptoms slowly started creeping back, bit by bit, to where I am today, back into a full flare of my disease.  Every patient is so different, but the symptoms I experience when in a flare are extreme arthritis/joint pain and severe abdominal cramping along with frequent running to the bathroom.  Call me crazy but it doesn't make for such a fun time :(

So I've been working closely with my team of doctors to figure out what else to try, but thus far have been unsuccessful.  Add to my flare a nasty bacterial infection, c diff, that has made repeated appearances in my gut in the past 4 months, and it's been the perfect storm brewing inside my body.  I made a visit to the ER on June 26th and ended up staying for 9 days so I could get IV steroids & anti-biotics.  Thankfully my body responded quickly and Independence Day 2012 will always have a special day in my heart as that's the day I was finally released back home! 

As a side note, my hubby and I celebrated 10 years of marriage in April and months before had planned an amazing trip to Mexico to celebrate in July.  Obviously we didn't end up going, and I'm so thankful we spent the money on trip insurance, so we will definitely be re-scheduling that vacation as soon as I'm better!  I can't begin to count how much praising we did that I didn't end up in a hospital in Mexico for 9 days - holy moly that would have been a nightmare!!!

So now we are back at square one planning a trip back to Cedars in a few weeks to see if they have any new recommendations for me.  I've been so blessed to have a great team at Mayo oversee my care and I continue to thank God for health insurance, despite all the medications and dr visits.  Thankfully, the Prednisone I am currently on are doing a great job of managing my symptoms in the very short term, but as I quickly taper off this nasty drug, we have to determine what my long term treatment plan will be.   

I'm currently doing an awesome Beth Moore Bible Study in the book of James and am encouraged at this exact time that despite the unknowns of what I'm going to try next, I am still able to confidently "Count it all joy, my brethren, when you experience various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.  But let patience have it's perfect result, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."  James 1:2-3  AMEN!

Becca

Target Deals week of 7/22: Free Aquafresh Kids, free PaperMate pens, Cheap Danimals & Fruit Snacks

Buy 1 Aquafresh Fresh ‘n Fruity Kid’s Toothpaste (4.6 oz.) at $1.87
Use $1/1 Aquafresh Toothpaste 4.3 oz+ Target Store printable (under “Back To School”)
and Use $1/1 Aquafresh Kid’s Fresh ‘n Fruity Toothpaste coupon
Free after both coupons!

Mossimo Tank Tops in Jr. the department are on sale for $5 this week.
Use the $3/1 Mossimo Target Printable coupon (under apparel)
Pay only $2 each.

The PaperMate pens are priced at $1 per package
Use the $1/1 PaperMate Pens Target printable coupon
Get them for FREE

Dannon Danimals Crunchers 4-Pack are $2.49
Use $0.75/1 Dannon Danimals Crunchers Product
PLUS $1/1 Dannon Danimals Crunchers, 4-Pack or Smoothies 6 pk+, TARGET printable coupon
Pay $0.74 each after coupon

Market Pantry Fruit Snacks 6 ct $1.69
Use $1/1 Market Pantry Fruit Snacks, 6-10 ct, TARGET coupon Target.com (exp 08/26/2012)
Pay $0.69 each after coupon

H&M: 35% off any item

If there's an H&M near you, be sure to print off this coupon to save 35% off any one item.  I don't see any stipulations that it can't be used on sale items but your experience may vary.  I've picked up some super inexpensive children's clothing there so this could make some awesome deals!

A Wedding Shower for Rynata

Last month, my cousin, Rynata, got married to Steven in a beautiful backyard ceremony surrounded by friends and family.  I like to think I have a special bond with Rynata as we share the same birthday and now we share an anniversary that is only 1 day apart!  I am so excited for their marriage and look forward to her getting to experience all the joys of marriage! 

My aunt Connie and another cousin, Erin, and myself had the privilege of throwing Rynata a bridal shower a few weeks before the wedding and I'm finally getting a chance to write about it.  I've said it before but I love party planning!  It's so much fun to me and I love all the details!  The afternoon was a success and Rynata was honored and showered with love.  Congratulations Rynata & Steven!

 My cousin, Erin, the bride-to-be Rynata in her "Little Black Apron", and myself.

    

My anut had the great idea to create a "cake" out of things that she had on her registry.  After some testing and re-arranging, I'm truly impressed with what we came up with using 3 brains and 6 hands!  We used a kitchen colander (upside down as the base) and a utensil bucket on top and wrapped each layer with a hand towel and secured them with safety pins.  We then took pot holders and folded them in half on the top to cover the utensil bucket and tied a ribbon around to secure them.  We used two pot holder gloves and wrapped them around the center for a third layer.  Finally we arranged the utensils on top and used more ribbon and fabric flowers to make it pretty.  I was pretty impressed with out work!

My Aunt Connie spent many hours making these adorable wedding cake shaped cake pops.  They were definitely a labor of love but I'm glad she didn't give up as the final product was amazing!  

 How cute is the packaging of this gift she received!  Rynata and her husband are huge out-doors people so they registered for some camping equipment.  This is how the gift givers packaged it all together.  So cute!

When she finished opening her gifts, we shared some things with Rynata about her wedding day that she and her mom found very amusing!  It was definitely an afternoon full of laughs :)

What a gift to bless this couple with all these great things for their kitchen as they start their new life together!

Rynata with each of her aunts!

 The bride and mother of the bride!  What a fun celebration!

Free Quart of Paint at Ace Hardware this Saturday, May 5

Stop by your local Ace Hardware to pick up a free quart of paint this Saturday.  Simply like their facebook page and you'll be directed to print a coupon to bring with you to the store. 

Supplies are limited on Saturday so you may want to get there early, but these little quarts could be great for summer projects!  I'm picking up one for my daughter's birthday party next weekend.  And yes, I am still in denial that she's going to be 6 years old!!!

Starbucks Half Price Happy Hour is Back!

From May 4-13, stop by any Starbucks between 3-5 p.m. to take advantage of their Frappuccino Happy Hour!  Pick up any Frappuccino blended beverage for half price for a limited time only. 

And be sure to register any gift cards you receive to be mailed a free drink coupon for your birthday!

Children's Place 25% off Coupon

Kylie's been growing so much recently and I've had to purchase pretty much an entire new summer wardrobe as nothing from last year fits anymore!  Thankfully I know where every sale & clearance rack in the local kids stores are and I haven't been disappointed :) 

I had great luck at Children's Place as they are running their Friends & Family coupon event.  The coupon is good both in stores and online using the code FRIEND. (Shipping is a flat $5.)

I picked up several tops for $4 and stocked up on long sleeve shirts & yoga pants for the fall for just $4 as well.  You can also shop the outlet for 25% off your entire purchase there.

Coupon is valid through 4/28.

Ella's Kitchen Baby Food Pouches for $0.39 at Target

I don't purchase foods like the Ella's Kitchen Baby Food Pouches often because I hate to overpay for convenience, but these are sure great to have in the diaper bag when we're on the go!  Right now there’s a great coupon available for $1 off any Ella’s Kitchen Organic Baby Food pouch.  This price works for me!

Ella’s Kitchen First Tastes (2.5oz) – $1.39
Use $1/1 Ella’s Kitchen coupon
Final Price = $.39

Target:: 10 Free Photo Prints & How I Organize my Photos

Target has a great deal on photo prints this week. Prints are on sale 10/$1, plus there is a Target printable coupon good for $1 off 10 prints.  You can print this coupon twice so you can get 20 prints for free.  I love these freebies and love that there's a Target on the way to my daughter's school!!!

I take tons of pictures and download them to my computer every few weeks.  I organize my files by month and then have sub-folder of special events or holidays that happen that month.  There's no way I could or should print all of my pictures so I also keep a sub-folder called "to print" in every month.  This is where I place a copy of those best pictures that I want to print for scrapbooking or other projects. 

I try to update these "to print" folders every several months so when a great print deal like this, or one from Snapfish or Shutterfly comes along, I don't have to spend tons of time going through all my pictures.  I know right where to go and it takes just a few minutes instead of hours. 

Once the pictures have been printed, I rename the file "printed."  This method also gives me a place to quickly look when I want the best photos of something.

Do any of you have suggestions for how you organize your photos???

Snow in Sedona for Spring Break!!!

During Kylie's spring break in March, it was unseasonably cold & rainy.  This would have been a welcome change to the quickly warming weather, but we had plans to head up north to Sedona and were slightly disappointed to not be able to go hiking or enjoy the mountains.  I've lived in AZ for 25 years and have been to Sedona multiple times, but I had never seen the red rocks covered in snow and as beautiful as it was when we were there! 

It was actually still snowing on us as we drove into town, but it made for some beautiful pictures!

I took the next few pictures from the Sedona Airport lookout vista.  I never knew this place existed and I'm so glad we got to check it out!  It gets really busy at sunset because the views are amazing, but it's totally worth it in my book :)  Plus, it's right in the middle of the town so you don't have to drive very far to get there.

I had to get this picture of Kylie wearing her bathing suit with snow boots!  Our hotel had a pool that literally looked like a boiling pot of water because the water was heated and the air was so cold.  But there was no way that this girl was going home without having used the pool just down our stairs!

We found a little off the beaten path sandwich shop called "Sedona Memories" that seriously has the best and biggest sandwich I have ever had.  This picture totally doesn't do it justice, but these sammies are huge and so yummy!  Even better, they are only $7 and you get a free cookie if you call in your order!  This will definitely be a favorite place to eat every time we visit!

We spent our last day exploring downtown and the Telaquepaque shopping center.  My hubs is such a good sport when we vacation and always gives me a little time to window shop.  I think I spent more time snapping pictures of the kids but they are better than anything else I could look at anyways :) 

Did you do anything fun for your spring break?!?

Seven Springs, AZ Day Trip

A few weeks ago, before the weather got dreadfully hot too soon, hubby came up with a great idea to get us out of the house.  It got us into the beautiful air and it gave him the chance to brush up on his 4 wheel drive skills :)

We drove to Seven Springs which is about 45 minutes north east of Cave Creek.  We packed up the kids, threw together a lunch and snacks and were off for the afternoon.  Unfortunately because it had been so dry and we haven't had rain in months, everything was dead and there weren't any pretty flowers to be seen anyplace.  It was a bit depressing as it reminded me of what the summer heat does to our scorched state.  But I also remembered it was 73 degrees at the beginning of February and many other states were still digging out of snow storms - so I snapped out of it!

There was just a small stream of water running through the creek but it was enough for the kids to get their feet wet.  I kept my feet dry because I didn't want icicles to start forming, but Nathan screamed when we took him out of the water.  He is definitely my boy that loves anything with water; sinks, toilets, washing machines, pools, etc... he is going to be a handful to watch come swimming time!

 Any of you have recommendations for day hikes in the Phoenix area?!?

12 Free Cards from Paper Coterie

I continue to be more and more impressed with Paper Coterie and their products.  Currently, when you use the coupon code LOVINGCARDS, you'll be able to get 12 free cards just in time for Mother's Day. This code expires 4/27.

I am loving their new patterns and uniquely shaped cards!  Think ahead for birthdays, Father's Day, Mother's Day, and other upcoming holidays that you normally give cards at.

Happy Easter 2012

Happy Easter!  I know it's a few days late but I wanted to get a few pics up now that I've had a chance to upload them to the computer!  Eric was on shift but was able to take a few hours off to go to church with us and grab a few family pics.  Seriously, I think my kids are the cutest in the world :)

I hope you were able to celebrate Easter with your loved ones and may we never forget the true reason we celebrate Easter, the day that Jesus Christ changed the history of the world forever and we celebrate his resurrection.  I'm so thankful for His amazing sacrifice and how He's changed my life for eternity!