Bargain Shopping

I've been reading up on couponing and thanks to some post by Babbling Abby and some info shared from my sis-in-law, I decided to give it a try. Armed with coupons, hubby, and baby in tow, we traveled to the grocery store. I wouldn't say that we are very good at couponing, but we did save a little and hopefully next time it will be even more! Ems loved checking out all the great deals and trying to stuff all the frozen items in her mouth! **Question for the readers...Where to you get cute kids clothing? I have been searching all night for a super cute pumpkin dress for the fall and I can't find a thing I like online. Do ya'll have any favorite websites? For those in the area, do you know any good stores to check out? Thanks!

The Shack

I just started reading the book, The Shack. My grandmother gave it to me several weeks ago and I have just finished the first 8 chapters. When I get into reading a book, I just find it hard to put it down. I was excited to find out at church today that our pastor will be doing a bible study based on the book starting this Wednesday!

It is a very thought provoking book. I wanted to share a couple of quotes that I have found intriguing.

~ When God was asked about our freedom to choose, to make our own decisions. He replied, "Mackenzie, the Truth shall set you free and the Truth has a name; he is over in the woodshop right now covered in saw dust. Everything is about him. And freedom is a process that happens inside a relationship with him. Then all that stuff you feel churnin' around inside will start to work its way out."

~ Talking about our stereotypes about God. "The problem is that many folks try to grasp some sense of who I am by taking the best version of themselves, projecting that to the nth degree, factoring in all the goodness they can perceive, which often isn't much , and then call that God. And while it may seem like a noble effort, the truth is that it fall pitifully short of who I really am. I am not merely the best version of you that you can think of. I am far more than that, above and beyond all that you can ask or think."

How do you see God? What does he (or she) look like to you? God takes on a surprising role in the book. Far from the pics we see in sunday school of the white haired, Dumbledore looking guy with a beard and wise, loving eyes. I would definately recommend this book. It has been a good read so far. Looking forward to finishing it! Even though, JAP spilled Emma's bottle on it and it now smells like sour milk. Eww!

We've Gone Exploring

Emma is crawling. She loves to explore and try new things. She has no fear! Thursday afternoon, we took Emma to the park. She loved exploring the park with Daddy while Mommy documented the event with photos. (I'm never in the photos!)

She loved this! Definately her favorite thing at the park and YES we did sanitize her after her crawl through the tube!

Just hanging out!

Sliding with Daddy.

Not too high, Daddy!

Let's Play Catch-Up

I feel like I've left you all out of the loop. Things have been crazy (and with working two jobs) I barely have time to think, let alone write! The house is a mess. Laudry is done, thanks to my mom the best woman on earth. I should really be doing a million other things, but tonight I am going to rest. Take in some time with Emma and my darling hubby and leave all the cleaning to another day. To update you on our little doodlebug...she is crawling ...all..over...the...place! Her favorite past time is crawling to a basket and pulling out all of the contents. Perhaps that is why said house is messy? She is loving staying with Granna and Papa during the day. Granna has gotten her into bird watching. She loves to sit and look out the window and wave at cars passing by and birds that come to the feeders. She has discovered her screaming voice and practices often to the absolute delight of everyone in the house. This little girl has a little temper when it comes to food. She not much for waiting or for changing clothes. I swear (if I swore) that she should be a WWF wrestler. We have a wrestling match every night to try and get her into her pj's. Emma is still the sweetest little thing. She is the best thing that ever happen to us and we thank God for her every day. How blessed are we!

Officially S-O-L-D!

I have been anxious to post this. I waited until the closing was complete and all the paperwork was in. The deed has been transfered. The money has been paid. We are absolutely, positively, no-longer home owners. Whew!

Now on to the fun stuff...finding a new home!

Oh, and BTW Emma weighs 18 lbs. 1 oz. Right on, Mama!

Camera Woes

Well remember when I told you that I wanted a new camera...well now I need a new camera. While beaching it up this past weekend, I dropped mine on a tile floor. It still works but I had to rig it up with duct tape and well...who knows how long that will last. Apparently if you haven't had a lick to drink in two years, a Coors Light and a baybreeze will do you in. Hopefully now I can convince the hubby to let me buy a new camera preferably this one.....

Emma's Beach Trip

Emma and I traveled to the coast this past weekend for a good friend's wedding. What a special weekend. Not only did we get to spend time with family and friends, we got to enjoy a gorgeous wedding and Emma made her first trip to the beach! To say that she loved it would be an understatement. The first time we walked to the beach, she waved her arms up and down and started screaming. We tried to take some cute pics but Ems had other plans....sand eating was top on her agenda. She loved dipping her feet in the ocean and to my surprise was not scared at all! Congrats to the beautiful couple, Emily & Jeff!

Emma and Mommy enjoyed the view.

All she wanted to do was eat the sand.

More sand eating.

And more sand eating!

Eight Months, Really?

Eight months. Eight months ago today I was sitting in the hospital holding the most precious miracle I have ever seen. She was 21 hours old. She was perfect. The months are flying by and it is hard to believe that we are only 4 short months away from celebrating Emma's First Birthday!

Today's eight month photo shoot went something like this...

"Oooh, look at this cool dog!"

"Smiles for Mommy!"

"Hmmmm, I think I want down."

"Here I go!"

"Ahh, sweet success!"

This month, Emma has started crawling. (Actually crawled her first long distance today!!) She wants to walk more than anything and sometimes does a funky crawl/walk thing that always gives me a laugh. She loves playing with her friends at church and is a little flirtatous with a certain little boy named Preston that is in her Sunday School Class. She is still extremely social and loves to be out and about. She is a TOTAL people watcher....just like her momma!

She has become very independent and often has a "I'll do it myself" attitude. She loves to feed herself and has gotten pretty good at eating puffs...even though she still gets them stuck to her palm and looks around to see where it is and can't find it. SO cute!

The stats. Emma is wearing 6-9 month clothing and size 3 **Target Brand** diapers. They are oh so cheap and so far, they work just as well as Huggies. We're going to weight check tomorrow. I'll update with a current weight! I'm guessing she is 18 lbs.? We'll see!

Emma changes so much from month to month. I can't wait to see what the next month brings!

The Dedication of Emma

Emma's Dedication

We presented Emma to the church today to be dedicated. It was a special day. A day that I will always remember. Emma wore a darling delicate dress handmade by her grandmother, shoes and a cross necklace given to her by her great-grandmothers, and an intriguing and beautiful smile. All these gifts were special, but the most special thing that Emma received today was a church family. A family dedicated to teaching her about God. A family that will tell her about Abraham and Sarah, about Moses and his sacrifices, about Ruth and her faithfulness, about Mary and Joseph, and about Jesus and his never-ending love.

We made many promises today. We promised to give Emma to God. To allow God to control Emma's life. To be there for her and to raise her in a home full of God's love. To raise her to know God and to encourage her to develop her own relationship with him.

Thank you, God, for a glorious day and a beautiful dedication service. Thanks to all who helped to make this a special day for Emma.

I want need a new camera!

Dear Crappy Silver Camera,

Frustrated. That word completely describes how I am feeling about you. You run out of batteries at lightning speed. You always take dark pictures. You can never catch Emma's grins because it takes 5 minutes for you to decide to take a picture. I no longer like you very much. You will be replaced shortly with a much nicer, quicker version preferably black with a cool strap and a big flash. Something flashy. You see, this time I am going to splurge. I am going to get somthing nice. I'm sorry if I hurt your feelings, but you and I are breaking up. It's not you, it's me. I just need something that fits my needs and you're no longer it. I promise to use you every once in a while for pics that don't require rapid flashes. Again, so sorry!

Love,

Seriously Disgruntled User

All of ya'll blog ladies and gents...I am seriously wanting a new camera. Any suggestions? I have been looking at a Canon Rebel. I heard they were pretty good. Do ya'll have any other suggestions?

I'm a little tiger.

I agree totally with Abby. Life has been a little boring around these parts. The days pass by quickly and are a blur of diapers, driving, working, and sleeping. I've been thinking a lot about how easy it is to get wrapped up in the little things. The shopping and cooking. The bills and the bank statements. The things that don't really matter in the long run, but are REALLY important at the moment. Is it really that hard to sit back and relax. Take in the small things and enjoy life? I feel like Emma's first year of life is rapidly passing us by and I want to try and savor every single moment with her. She will never be this age again and I love this age! Now, I'm sure I'll love the next stage too, but right now, she is just so darn-stinkin' cute I could just eat her up with a spoon. Don't you think? I mean how cute is this?

Seriously, couldn't you just eat her up? She's my little tiger.

Weekend Recap

I HAD a great post typed. I HAD an awesome recap of the glorious long weekend perfectly typed with pictures. I HAVE a computer that is crappy. It STOLE my perfectly good post and put it somewhere unfindable to me! You will have to settle for just pictures and labels now. Sorry. Enjoy!

Almost crawling. SO close! Our life is going to drastically change VERY soon!

Lovin' the new toy! Emma L-O-V-E-S to stand!

Emma's first boat ride with David, Kendall, and Briggs.

Are you ready for some FOOTBALL?

Round here we have winter, spring, summer and football season. Today marked the beginning of Clemson football season. Ems didn't make her way to the game today, but we wore our orange proudly and cheered for our Tigers!

Down, Set, Hike... HUH?

What is your favorite football season tradition?

What is going on?

I don't know what happened to my super cute blog layout. It was lookin' kinda funky. This new layout is a work in progress. Maybe I'll get to it this weekend! Get it all cuteified!

~Whew, it's been a long week! We'll catch up soon!

28 Great Things About Birthdays

In honor of my 28th birthday today.

(This was me on my birthday last year. Very preggo!)

1. Cake. Red Velvet is my fav.
2. Wrapping paper. Love it. Love to wrap thing and make them look super cute. I'm a dork. I know.
3. Ice Cream
4. Birthday Hats. They look good on everyone!
5. Funny Cards.
6. Getting presents...I mean who doesn't love that?
7. Spending time with family.
8. Gettting lots of FB messages. I've been feeling very loved today.
9. Unexpected texts from old friends and new.
10. Kids singing Happy Birthday. So cute. Every time!
11. Eating cake and not worrying about the calories because it's YOUR birthday!
12. Being a year smarter.
13. Party Favors.
14. Spending time with friends.
15. That feeling that you get when it's your birthday. You're special and it's your day.
16. Getting mail. (that's not bills)
17. Balloons.
18. Flowers. I Love lillies.
19. Running out of things to love about birthdays.
20. Being the center of attention. Even for just a little bit.
21. Sappy Birthday cards from my Mom and Dad. Love them!
22. Homemade Ice Cream. Nothing like it!
23. Planning parties. I am SO looking forward to doing Emma's first birthday.
24. Invitations.
25. Cute thank you cards.
26. Matching paper products.
27. Cute napkins. Have I ever told you that I have some kind of paper fetish? I love paper products. Expecially cute napkins. You could say that I collect them, but then I have a hard time finding occasions that are special enough to use them.
28. Surprises. Surprise parties, surprise e-mails from former students, surprise presents. Surprises are just fun!