what's in a name????

I would like to rename our family blog... what would you suggest????? If you have an idea and would like to share; all you have do is click at the bottom of this entry "comments". Another window will open.... on the right hand side type in the "leave a comment". Then click on the Name.... this will allow you to leave your name.
I prefer to not have our name in the title.... just something catchy.

inexpensive teacher gift idea

Every month I try to give Logan's teachers an inexpensive gift, but something special. Of course, having the same teachers two years in a row... I am having to become even more creative. Here is some thing that I read online some place(next time I will remember in order to give credit where credit is due).
Ask your child's teacher for her mailing address. Head over to the Dollar Tree and buy some mailing labels( you get a ton for $1.00!!!)... load their address into your computer under labels(do not ask me where b/c I can only tell you it is some place in word on my computer). Fill in the teacher's info... cut and paste and make a whole bunch of 'em. After you print them off, add to a basket or mug with a pretty or fun pen(you should probably make a note to pick these up while you are at the Dollar Tree, too.) You can add a healthy snack with a note.... here's a little help with your Christmas cards this year.
I am going to give mine to my daughter's teachers right before Thanksgiving break.

Here's another idea.... when Bath and Body Works has hand sanitizer on sale... grab one of your favorite scents to share with the teacher. Logan's teachers loved it at the beginning of the year. Simple things are the best in life.

a year of "firsts"

The first year of your child's life you have the year of "firsts".... first smile, first tooth, first time rolling over, crawling, first step.... etc. That is a year of amazement... you stand in awe as your baby grows and reaches each of these firsts. This has happened all over again in our house... 11 years later. This is the year of "firsts" again for us. Logan has experience many new things this year and it's only Sept.

Here's a look at our "firsts" at 12 years old..... Logan had her first tooth pulled(it just happened that she had to have 5 baby teeth pulled at the same time), she attended church camp(sleepover camp for a week and no calling home.... we both were just fine), her first unaccompanied airplane ride(there were a few minor details to this adventure... Logan handled this better than I did), her first set of braces(hopefully the only set; pics to follow), her first cell phone(will post pics and more later), cake decorating class, and band. WOW!!! What a year.

With these new "firsts" comes release. I am having to let go just a little bit more and not hold on so tightly. This was not an easy task at first.... I knew many new things would be coming this year and I also knew that I couldn't go this road alone. What's a mother to do?????
I gave Logan back to God. Yes, God had a heart to heart with me and I knew that if I wanted to have peace through this journey.... I would have to hand her over to Him. He is the one who gave her to me in the first place... she isn't mine to keep.... but He wanted me to give her back willingly. Many times I have been "afraid" for Logan and a few years ago I was told that I needed to give her back to God. Well, being stubborn and controlling by nature I refused to listen and therefore still had fears for her. Before she left for camp; I knew that was the time. I prayed and prayed... I gave my precious daughter back to our Maker. She's yours now, Lord... protect her and keep her safe as only you can do.

Not once while she was at camp did I loose sleep. I wasn't afraid for her. Yes, I missed her and I talked about her daily....actually Curry and I were both ready for her to come home about mid way through. I can not tell you the freedom that I have from worry over Logan. There's a difference in being concerned and being fearful..... when she away from me....I do not have fear because I have God traveling this road with us. The weight has been lifted from me now, and I do not live in fear for Logan.
I can not wait to see what else is in store for us... I'm sure this is only the beginning.

FREE...

That's right...I got all of these things for free.

It took some time and lots of training by my friend, Christina, but I am getting the hang of it. Last month I saved over $200.00 with coupons, discounts and etc. I haven't figured out my total for this month just yet. I am getting into couponing (is that a word?). As crazy as it may sound I bought some coupons today. Now, you may ask why would I buy coupons??? I buy a Sunday paper in order to get the coupons and some I end up throwing away... this way I get the coupons that I want and I can get multiple of the same ones. Christina was ordering some coupons and asked if wanted to order some, too. She orders from www.thecouponclippers.com; she uses paypal to pay for the coupons. For those of you that have Publix... there are some really good coupons on there for Publix. Be sure to read the description to make sure you are getting manufacuter's coupons and not Publix ones(unless you want the Publix ones). Happy couponing to all. I will post more about couponing as I learn more.

ear plugs, please

6th grade has privileges of being the "oldest" in the school. One of these privileges is beginner band. Yes, I did say beginner band. We all know what that means... band=instruments. We received a note on Thurs. about a band informational meeting on Fri. at 9am. Logan attended the meeting and by the end of day she had made up her mind that she wanted to play the clarinet. This totally blows my mind because I have no musical ability at all. Friday, we went in search of a clarinet to rent. We didn't have to look too far(there are only three musical instrument stores in this town). Next was gaining approval from Dad. Of course, Dad is TDY(temporary duty)... this is usually the case when decisions like this have to be made. A phone call and a few days of thinking about it. Monday I was off to rent the clarinet. This is when I encountered the question that I blogged about earlier... what was I suppose to put in the blank about my occupation... I laughed when I came to that question and I simply told the guy, "I am doing my job right now". He didn't see too much humor in this remark. Now, Lo has an instrument and I am in search of good ear plugs.

Here are a few pics that I snapped tonight while Lo was watching her informational DVD.

I am still learning how to post pics, so please bear with me.

Cake Decorating 101

Tonight was Logan's first cake decorating class. She was very excited!!! She is taking this class at Hobby Lobby all by herself... no mom, no friends... just her(and the other three girls in the class). She had a blast and she didn't even decorate anything. All of the ladies were very kind to her and I am thankful for that. Her instructor treated her with respect and was extra kind in making sure Logan was with everyone before moving onto the next task. I think this is going to be a great thing for Logan.
Her homework is to bake a cake...... this will be very interesting as cake baking is not my strong suit. I am going to be the "silent partner" in this one, or maybe I should say the silent board member as I am the one that will be funding this adventure. Ladies, let me caution you before you take a cake deco. class or encourage your children to do so..... take out a small loan. This stuff isn't cheap, but most of it will be able to be used for years. Of course, my little angel is smarter than I give her credit for.... she asked before the class started if she would have to buy the things(with her allowance) or if I would. Silly me, I thought, a couple of cake mixes, a pan, & a Student Kit.... no big deal. HA HA....... I still haven't totalled up the amount. When I picked Logan up tonight... she simply asked; " Do you have your credit card, Mom??" The buying adventure will have to wait until tomorrow.

Question to ponder.....

What exactly do you put on the line...... occupation.... when you are a stay at home mom???? I thought about writing stay at home mom, but I am rarely at home. Then, I thought domestic goddess, but realized that I would be setting the bar way too high with this one..... imagine this... I am running an errand after being at the gym(I do not look my best anyways- I call it a succes if I remember to put on deoderant.) and have to fill in "that blank"; now here's the tricky part..... I really am not holding up to my title if I use domestic goddess looking like I do. So, I just wonder what do I write on that line????? There isn't enough space to list all of the things I do, but have no offical title for. Maybe, next time when I am asked to fill in "that blank" I will write: make grocery list, shop for food, put food away, cook food.... clean up kitchen, hunt for dirty laundry in preteens condemned room, wash, dry, fold and put away laundry(not preteen's), drive to and from school and any other place the preteen needs to be taken; in addition to that.. transport animal to/from vet visits and to get yummy doggie treat after nails cut, clean house(too much to write out); etc, etc. Do you think they would give me another sheet of paper to answer the question??? Maybe I should just write it out and have a few copies in my car.... then, I could write "see attachment" and simply staple the copy to the form. I am still pondering exactly what to write on this particular line. Any sugesstions are welcomed.