Coupons, freebies and stacking

Hey all! I'm so tickled about learning some of the coupon games that stores play. Recently I've been receiving LOTS of samples and coupons in the mail. I've even gotten some things ABSOLUTELY FREE from CVS. I love their extra bucks program. I'm going to a seminar the 28th to try to learn a few more tips. It only seems fair to me that during these hard economic times that I try my best to save my family money. Did you know that most restaurants have freebie days? Arby's, for example, has freebie Wednesday. If you buy a drink you most likely will get a sandwhich for free! What a steal! It's a lot of fun researching and trying to "trick" the companies... The kids and I went to a free movie Wednesday at the Rave Theatres. It was a lot of fun! Of course the theatre wants you to buy popcorn and drinks for an outrageous amount, but we snuck in some m&m's and brought their own drinks in the sippy cups. I kind of have an excuse for that because of AJ's allergies. I never know what are going to be in foods that he might react to. Anyway - just thought I would spill a little bit about my new found success! ;)

Where has the time gone?

Today as I was cooking some yummies for the kiddos and me I began to reflect back on the last five years of my life. (Wow... this entry sound very thought provocing, doesn't it?) I am 25 years old and have lived such a wonderful life! Especially since my husband and my little babies came into it. Five years ago this time I was frantically trying to get the last little things together for our August wedding. I loved our wedding, it was so personal and down-key. I had so much wonderful help from my family, especially my mother-in-law. My Mom lives kinda far away - so we did as much together as was possible. Our honeymoon was wonderful! I liked that we got away from everybody and went to a little bed and breakfast in the country. Part of the time we came back home to our apartment, but no one knew about it!! Then we bought our house... and found out we were pregnant with Sarah Ruth. She's been such a joy. I get a little teary-eyed thinking about how quickly she has gotten out of the baby stage. She will be 3 in a couple of months. And then, a year later we got pregnant with AJ. His timing was perfect. Sarah Ruth adores her brother and so do we! The stage he is in is SO much fun! There are so many memories these last 5 years, too many to list. I'm so thankful we are all healthy and happy. I'm so content in my life. We have things we need to work on (but who doesn't?). Life is a journey, not a straight course throught life. Sometimes you get into valleys and sometimes you peak on a mountain. God has been good to us!