Organ Removal with two small children...

So, yesterday I had both of my tubes removed, ovarian cysts removed, an ablation ( I knew about all of this) & they also found a hernia (totally unexpected).  I had been in a TON of pain and I had major swelling.  Going into this surgery thinking I would be absolutely miserable, not able to do anything, and have two children who would be furious with mama for not being able to hold them.

TOTAL OPPOSITE!!

Kyleigh is only 2 and from simply seeing the bloody "boo-boo stickers" knows that mommy can't pick her up.  Instead, she holds my hand and patiently walks beside me.  When I want to snuggle with her, I cram a pillow between us and she lays on my chest.  Totally cooperative for a 2 year old if I may say so!

Kade (4) is completely grossed out seeing my stomach all bloated, gross steri-strips, and VERY protective.  He has scolded his sister for even being rough around me.  He constantly tells me that he loves me and asks if I'm okay.  

This experience will hopefully eliminate all of this ridiculous pain I've had.  And it's totally rocked my socks off as far as showing me how mature these kiddos are!

Just wanted to share & brag a tad ;)

Our Black Friday Trip ;)

SO, Today My Baby Girl turned 2.  I will post her baby story later tonight/early tomorrow.  She decided she wanted to go "Black Friday" shopping tonight with me at Goody's.  I got $248 worth of stuff for $78!! I had 4 coupons for 25% off a single item & a $10 scratch off given to the first 50 people in line.  I took advantage of sales big time, bought mine & Kade's sweaters & my boots for our family pictures Saturday, and just some play clothes for the kiddos.  Not too shabby ;)

I am thankful to be busy

I am thankful to be busy.  

I, like many others, took on the 30 days of thanks on FB.  I got to day 18.  I plan to catch up, seriously.  But these past few days, I have especially been thankful to be busy.  I have spent my weekend shopping for my daughter's 2nd birthday & Christmas.  I have spent LOTS of time with my family.  And I've spent my Sunday with my church family & babies.  I have more than 30 reasons to be thankful.  If I listed each person in my life I am thankful for individually, I'd be here literally all day.  Also for the opportunities.  But most of all, to be saved & know that no matter how bad I may mess up, Jesus loves me enough to die for me.  

So that's pretty much been my frame of mind this weekend.  I know i'm behind.  And i'm about to catch up.  But i simply have TOO many things to be thankful for =)

OT Today =)

Super excited mommy moment.  Today at OT my baby tried A TON of new things.

Mini Corn Dogs
Apples Sliced with Caramel
Green Beans
Cooked Carrots
Seasoned Potatoes

NONE of these things he's tried since he was eating them pureed as a baby.  He hasn't had any use for them at all.  Any attempts to talk him into eating them before today ended with a furious child and an exhausted mommy.  But today he just let go of his control & enjoyed himself!!

I just had to brag ;) Any mommy with a picky eater in OT knows what this kind of day feels like!!

And Another Update On Homeschool...and some new foods in the mix as well...

We are making more progress by the day.  The number of words Kade can read grows each day, as well as his ability to relate & apply them.  He is able to read (most of our books) for me when it's story time.  Another new development, handwriting.  It's gotten so much more legible.  He is so proud of himself for being able to write things out himself when commanded.  We have also been working on a lot of Social Studies & Science activities that are age appropriate as well.  

My proud moment of the week...Kade is eating Chicken Nuggets!! It started out Monday at Bilo when I suggested some Perdue Monsters University chicken nuggets.  He's on a Monsters Inc./Monsters University kick.  He said he promised he would try them if I bought them.  Going to OT has helped TREMENDOUSLY with adding healthier options to his diet.  But chicken suggestions used to bring on this reply: "I'm not going to eat a chicken, Mommy!"  Relating the food to the critter.  Lovely.  Not anymore, Thank Goodness!!  As soon as we got in from the store, I cooked a cookie sheet full of them.  He ate 2 his first attempt!!  And just today he actually asked for chicken nuggets & fries for lunch as soon as we finished school.  Being able to add onto his already expanding diet is a blessing.  His OT will be proud, she's SUCH an amazing woman & LOVES my child.  I love that she doesn't just see him as another picky eater, but she truly cares for him & doesn't push him to objecting point.  

Anywho, just wanted to update.  Thank you for reading! Have a great night ;)

Your Child Will Follow Your Example, Not Your Advice

I saw a quote on Facebook a LONG time ago that read "Your child will follow your example, not your advice".  Of course that is true, but i've never really felt like it was with my children being so small.

Yesterday I've found this to be entirely too true.  Yesterday was a Monday.  On Monday we have story time at the library, our weekly grocery trip, Homeschool & outdoors time.  Busy day, two restless little bodies.  Our morning storytime at the library, the kids were squirmy as usual.  The grocery store adventure made me cringe.  My daughter absolutely insisted on walking alongside me, rather than riding in the racecar buggy with her brother.  I was SO close to being done with my trip and of course the waterworks began and the screaming started.  I got frazzled and let her walk for a few before realizing that checking out with her on foot would be impossible to do with a smile.  I finally scooped her up, put her back in the buggy and before we reached the checkout she was all smiles again.  

My point is, I know being frustrated isn't a positive example to set for my children.  I'm only human, but I want to be more patient.  It's just gotten so much more difficult with my current health issues & upcoming surgery.  I'm sore if i'm breathing.  By the end of the day, I feel nauseated because I hurt so bad.  But I'm a mommy full-time nonetheless & it is my favorite and most rewarding job.  After all of the running for the day was winding down I caught my daughter playing "Mommy".  Her conversations with her baby went a little like this: "Baby, you leave your diaper on!", "Baby, you okay?", "Baby, you need a blanket?", "Baby, you cryin' all day.", "Baby, you want mommy?", and so forth.  And she changed her baby's diaper & clothes.  I see now that my directions such as "Don't bite", "Don't pinch", and so forth aren't as good as the examples I set.  She sees how I tend to her, what it takes to take care of a baby even though hers isn't real.  I see from this simple playtime that she sees and understands more than i thought a nearly 2 year old could.  

I want my examples from here on out to reflect a more patient mommy.  One who will chill out saying "Hurry" as much.  One who appreciates the fact that during homeschool she colors more table than paper because she's learning.  And one who never ceases to find an opportunity to say "I Love You" and let my children both know how proud of them I am.  Appreciate this time mamas, because little sure doesn't keep!!

Couponing on a Manic Monday

BEST Trip so far with coupons.  I had $5.50 in ECB.  And a recent addiction to Snickers Peanut Butter.  So I got 3 of the 4-go packs (Regular $1.87 each) for $0.11 today!!  My personal best since I really started couponing back in May. 

Then I managed to get a very decent haul from Bilo as well.

I Got::

4- 6 Packs of Ensure (Reg. Price: $35.96 for all 4 packs; Sale Price: $29.96; Price After Coupons: $23.96)

3 Packs of Little Debbie Santa Brownies (Reg. Price: $5.37 for all 3 boxes; Sale Price: $5.00)

10 Cans Paws Puppy Food (Sale Price for all cans: $7.00)

1 44 Count Pack Pampers Easy Ups & 1 Box Size 5 Luvs Diapers
       -Reg. Price Per Box: $16.97 
       -Sale Price Per Box: $14.97
       -Coupons: $2.00 Bilo Catalina off Easy Ups
                          $2.00 Bilo Catalina off Luvs
                          $10.00 Publix Coupon off 2 packs of Luvs or Pampers
       -Price After Coupons For Both Boxes: $15.94

3 Packs Pillsbury Crescents 

1 Jar Mama Mary's Pizza Sauce

1 Pack Southern Home Italian Shredded Cheese

Regular Price Before Coupons & Savings: $96.03
My Savings: $31.69
Total After Tax: $66.68

I was very pleased with my trips today.  I hope to eventually be a "crazy coupon lady".  I am NOWHERE near where I want to be still.  Most of my couponing has been put on hold since we moved 3 months ago.  Hoping soon to be able to get free groceries for us and my parents as well.  I'll keep you updated!