Tulip Time '10

Saturday we made it to downtown Holland for Tulip Time. I don't think, in all the years we've gone, that we've ever gone on a Saturday. Now...I know why. CRAZY BUSY! Holy moly. Parked seven blocks away from the park!

We had fun though. The boys and I tolerate crowds pretty well...the hubs...not so much. He didn't join us that day.

We walked through Centennial Park and enjoyed the tulips. They had a craft fair going on as well...which made it even MORE crowded.

The boys humored me and let me take their pictures. We watched the Dutch Dancers. Not the boys' favorite thing. Nate says, "It's the same thing every year." Ev says, "Nothing changes." But I still like to see it every year.

The boys enjoyed some of the festival food. Nate got a hotdog, Ev got a corndog, and they shared some cheese fries. They took a funnel cake to the park to eat while we watched the dancing. I, being on a diet, endured the torture of all the heavenly smells of fair food. I was good. I only had a couple nibbles of their goodies!

We are praying for no rain. At least on Wednesday and Thursday...as those are the two parades Evan is marching in with the band.

Will try to post some pics of the parade soon! Happy Tulip Time!

Matthew 6:27

"Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life"
Matthew 6:27

After sharing with a friend of mine and talking about life...it just so happened that THIS was her daily devotional for today and she asked me to read it.

It applied so much to my life and I am trying REALLY hard to give my worries to God.

I'd like to share Christina's post with you...hopefully it will bless you as it blessed me!


http://momsbabypooh.blogspot.com/p/daily-devotions.html

My children...

Through all the ups and downs we moms may face...
I have come to learn...
That NOTHING...
And NO ONE...
Can separate the bond between mother and child.
Friendships can be broken.
Relationships can falter.
But what a mother and child share...
Is FOREVER.
Our "babies" are always our "babies".
And that is an unconditional love that never fails.
Even past the times they are proud to call us mommy.
Even past the times they need us.
Even when they are embarrassed of us.
Even when they get irritated with us.
They love us forever...
Like no other.
Motherhood is the BEST thing a woman can experience.
There is no great bond than the love between mother and child.
Ever.
When everyone else disapoints you...
Your children are there for you.
Even if they're in the "tough" years...
They see what you're going through...
And know when you need a hug.
Even if they don't know "why"...
They somehow know.
And are there with open arms.
I love you Evan Brice and Nathan Parker.
You are my world.
I am so thankful you are my children.

Quote for the day...

As William Shakespeare said..."Love all...trust a few..."

VERY FEW.

I think that's what it boils down to.

Period.

There just REALLY isn't ANYONE left that you can TRUELY trust.

Even those you THINK you know best.

There comes a time when even THEY will disapoint you.

And it hurts.

Really bad.

And ya know...

You learn...

Even when they "try" to tell you "something"...

"To make you feel better"...

The truth of the matter is...

Honestly...

They just don't care...

Because the vast majority of people are guided by THEIR feelings and emotions.

They're not looking out for the best interest of what they're/you're vested in.

And it hurts.

Because you thought you knew them better.

You thought THEY were one of the ONLY ones left in the world...

But you are left with sadness.

Family.

Friends.

Spouses.

Business associates.

Neighbors.

Acquaintences.

They all do it.

And you feel so naive.

Because over and over again...

All your life...

You keep telling yourself...

"I'm not opening myself up for this again."

But you do.

And it happens again.

So...

You cry...

And deal...

And the cycle begins all over again.

With all the people in your life.

Family.

Friends.

Spouses.

Business associates.

Neighbors.

Acquaintences.

Here ya go agin...

Pass the tissues...

How did this happen?

When did I get old enough to have a son starting high school in the fall?
Evan had high school visitation yesterday at East...oh...my...gosh.
How can I be this old?
I remember being in high school!
Please tell me I don't look old enough for this momentous occasion!
Sheesh.
When he was a baby...that's all I pictured...a baby.
I never thought about him growing up.
Truely...I never did.
I've pretty much taken one day at a time since he was born.
Never looked to the future.
But wow.
High school.
I'm so proud of him.
He's so awesome.
So smart (when he tries, LOL!).
So handsome.
So caring.
So talented.
I love him so much.
He informed us he wants to continue his Cross Country passion.
He signed up for that while he was there.
So I guess new running shoes are in order for the summer to practice in.
And we were also informed that the lunches there..."are so awesome". LOL!
Then there's Nate.
Seems he's been my little guy...
Forever.
LOL!
Feels like Evan's life is just whizzing by!
Nate...well...he's in third grade...still...LOL!
Just kidding.
I wouldn't rush it or trade it for the world, LOL!
I have so much fun with my Natee.
He lives to be outdoors.
He runs and plays.
He talks...and talks...and talks...and talks...
Till he wears us out.
Yeah.
He's my "momma's boy".
I am so happy.
So proud.
So incredibly in love with my boys.
And my man.
Whom I wouldn't be who I am today without.
(Thank-you Monica.)
I can't imagine my life with anyone else.
Through all the ups and downs...highs and lows...
We have stood strong as a family.
Tight.
Together.
Forever.
Complete.

More savings...

I cleaned house at Walgreens today!

A lot of my items were completely FREE once the Register Rewards came into play...plus I had LOADS to use from last week on this week's tab! Woohoo!

The freebies this week...

Plackers...$2.00...$2.00 RR...FREE.

Skintimate...$2.99...$2.99 RR...FREE.

Scotch packaging tape...$3.49...W coupon 99 cents...$1.00 coupon...FREE.

Stayfree...$2.99...$2.99 RR...$1.00 man. coupon...FREE PLUS $1.00 overage!

I won't name everything...but my tallies this week were:

Spent: $42.08

Saved: $57.24

Can you believe that?...$99.32 worth of merchandise for $42.08??? AMAZING!

I forgot to share my second Meijer trip this past week as well...my final tally with the Super Friday/Saturday Sale was:

Spent: $15.32

Saved: $23.80

How awesome is that! Now...to rearrange my pantry...

And they lived happily ever after...

This is all I want.

To live my life...

Happily Ever After.

I don't need earth-shattering wonderful things to happen.

And I don't want tragic life-altering things to happen either.

I just want to live life...

Happily Ever After.

To grow old with my husband.

To watch my boys grow up healthy and happy.

Happily Ever After.

I'm looking forward to...

This weekend...
I'm looking forward to...

Couponing during the Super Friday/Saturday Sale at Meijer...

Sleeping in on Saturday morning...

Snuggling in bed with my hubby...

Enjoying the rain...(they say it's coming!)...

Great worship music at church...

Good tv...

Working in the yard...

It's the little things that make me happy...

Soooo behind on my coupon ramblings...

So yeah...I used to always do so good sharing all my latest bargains and freebies. But lately...I've gotten lazy. I haven't been posting the best of the best items. But I've still be couponing. I've had some "decent" trips to Meijer...but nothing spectacular. I'm really disappointed with their sales and Meijer Meal Box coupons lately. They're really letting me down. But here's at least some of my tallies:

4/08/10

Spent: $19.02

Saved: $30.86

4/13/10

Spent: $72.38 (BAD!!! HORRIBLE TRIP!)

Saved: $46.62 (This trip nearly made my sick to my stomach! YUCK!)

4/19/10

Spent: $59.37

Saved: $31.64

See what I mean? It's kinda been all over the place! I sometimes wonder if they're "on to us couponers"! LOL! There really haven't been that many good match-ups! If I'm not saving at least as much as I spend...I am NOT a happy camper!

Walgreens on the flip side has been pretty consistent with all their bargains.

4/11/10

Spent: $14.92

Saved: $23.05

4/18/10

Spent: $30.65

Saved: $33.14

Not too shabby at Walgreens! Pretty much always save as much or MORE than I spend! Woohoo!

Thankful Thursday

This Thursday...
I am thankful for...

Good music

Flavored Lemonades (Strawberry, Cherry, Mango, Kiwi)

Kisses/hugs

Flying kites

Dragonflies

The smell of swimming pools

Lipgloss

Mexican food

Hairspray

The warmth of fireplaces (wish I had one)

Funnel cakes

High heels

Autumn

When the scale moves...down...