Living Frugal ~ Homemade Hair Conditioner

In trying to get tips on how to live frugal, I looked up tonight on how to make hair detangler/frizz control for girl's hair and all you have do is once you have an empty spray bottle (I'm using an empty hair detangler bottle that I just ran out of):

Fill 2/3 with water
Fill 1/3 with hair conditioner of your choice
Before each use, shake well and then spray!

A lot cheaper than paying $3 a bottle at the store!

Fighting...and making up!

This picture shows two cute little boys smiling for the camera doesn't it!? But what it doesn't show is that they are actually holding hands because they've been bickering and fighting ALL morning so I finally gave them a timeout sitting next to each other so that their bodies had to be touching and they had to hold hands. I made them pose for this picture so that I can print it out and hang it in their room to show them how they need to act. Do I think it will work, NO...but it sounded good at the time and the boys bought it!

THURSDAY THOUGHTS!

Outside my window...another beautiful afternoon but now the buds on the trees and the flowers are starting to bloom which is a wonderful sight!
I am thinking...that I need to get me and the kids on some sort of routine on Thursday and Friday while I'm off. I haven't gotten much done these past couple of weeks!
I am thankful for...Kevin. Our love for each other, after almost 10 years of marriage, is still intact and as he said Tuesday night, we equal each other out.
From the kitchen...baked chicken, broccoli and rice. I'm also going to make muffins tonight for the kids for breakfast tomorrow morning.
I am wearing...black knit capri's; brown shirt with a white shirt underneath and my flip flops! As always, I'm about comfort!
I am reading...Confessions of an Irritable Mother; Christianity 101, Chapter 4 for my bible study.
I am hoping...that Kevin's and I work situations take a turn for the better very SOON! Please pray for us as things are going to get really tough here soon but God promises to watch over us and take care of our needs (not our wants) and so my faith is unwaivering.
I am creating...still nothing although the ambition is there...going to look up ideas for a baby rag quilt this afternoon.
I am hearing...Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie playing. It's 3:30 pm and Caden finally persuaded me to let him watch a few cartoons. We make it through most of the day without television as I prefer that the kids use their imagination to play or do a craft or be outside!
A few plans for the rest of the week...Kevin is OFF this weekend! Wahoo! The weatherman is predicting rain and snow flurries and so I'm sure most of the time will be spent inside but that's okay...Kevin hasn't been home on a weekend in about 4 weeks and so we're thrilled. We have church on Sunday as well as our Life Group that afternoon unless I can persuade Kevin to try the Saturday night service!

Another Visit From the Tooth Fairy!

Tooth #4 came out today...his upper left tooth finally! This one has been hanging in there forever it seems, but I knew this week it would come out because of how "wiggly" it's been. I picked Samuel up from school tonight and he came running out showing me that he lost it...he was so excited! When I asked him where the tooth was, his response was "oh mom, I lost it in the lunch room"...he didn't even realize it had come out until he felt the empty hole with his tongue!

Let's Sew...

So if you've been reading some of my THURSDAY THOUGHTS you may have noticed that I mentioned I would like to try my hand at making a small purse for Isabella. I had already found a pattern but tonight, while the boys were playing the Wii, I've been browsing various blogs and found a link to a supercute purse made with just fat quarters! How divine! Here's the link below to see how cute this purse is:

http://madebyrae.blogspot.com/2009/02/free-buttercup-bag-sewing-pattern.html

I think I will try my hand at making this purse in a "regular" size using these directions and then maybe make a smaller version for Isabella.

THURSDAY THOUGHTS!

Outside my window...it's a beautiful afternoon with the warm sun shining through the house!
I am thinking...that I need to go wake up Isabella from her nap soon...got her down late but I also don't want her to sleep too late either!
I am thankful for...that God provides when you trust! Kevin got a part-time job last night and although I hate it that he has to work another job, I am also thankful that it seems to work well with his schedule and the location and so God is looking out for him and us.
From the kitchen...I'm ashamed to admit it but we're having frozen pizza tonight! We did a bit of grocery shopping today and they were on sale...I couldn't resist the convenience of it all, especially when Kevin is working late tonight.
I am wearing...grey knit capri's and a white tshirt and black flip-flops...very comfy!
I am reading...Confessions of an Irritable Mother; Christianity 101, Chapter 4 for my bible study.
I am hoping...that I can get really good at "couponing". I've always cut them out but now with our finances being as they are, I need to get as good as those women that you see on the news who bought $150 worth of groceries for 39 cents! ha!
I am creating...still nothing although the ambition is there...going to look up ideas for a baby rag quilt this afternoon.
I am hearing...Caden sharpening a pencil. He's practicing the writing of A-B-C.
One of my favorite things...the thought that spring is just around the corner!
A few plans for the rest of the week...none really for Friday but Saturday we have a son of a friend who is turning the big "1" and so we are going to his party; Sunday, I have to volunteer in the nursery during service and then go to our Life Group. That's about it.

RedBox Free Code for Wednesday!

For all of you "redboxers" out there, here's the FREE movie code for Wednesday only:

GTL456

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

St. Patrick, the holy and tutular man
His beard down his bosom like Aaron's ran:
Some from Scotland, some from Wales, will declare that he came,
But I care not from whence now he's risen to fame;
The pride of the world and his enemies scorning
I will drink to St. Patrick, today in the Morning!

He's a desperate big, little Erin go brah;
He will pardon our follies and promise us joy,
By the mass, by the Pope, by St. Patrick so long
As I live, I will give him a beautiful song!
No saint is so good, Ireland's country adorning:
Then hail to St. Patrick, today, in the morning!

(Traditional Song)

Bring in the Clowns!

Last weekend, Kevin's parents were so generous and took the WHOLE family to the circus! It was the Murat Shrine circus held at the State Fairgrounds and what a FUN time we had. It had been YEARS since us adults in the family had gone to the circus and for me personally, I know it was been close to at least 30! For the kids, this was their very first time and boy were they excited. We didn't tell them we were going until the night before so we wouldn't hear about it all week prior to going!

The kids had cotton candy, popcorn, and snow cones and I believe this was Isabella's first time eating cotton candy!

We saw the elephants, lions and tigers perform which the kids loved! It was fun to see all the activity and the kids had such a wonderful time watching everything!

Thanks Jean and Tom for a wonderful evening full of fun and laughter
and new memories! The kids will always remember this night!

THURSDAY THOUGHTS!

Outside my window...the sun slowly warming up a 25 degree morning!
I am thinking... that I need to fix myself a cup of coffee and start cleaning the house!
I am thankful for... my sister. We had a speaker last night at church about the importance of relationships without anything being in the way and I have that with her...I'm myself!
From the kitchen...baked chicken, some sort of noodle or rice side dish and a veggie.
I am wearing... black pants; Green Bay Packers shirt (no comments) and a white long sleeve shirt underneath.
I am reading...Confessions of an Irritable Mother; Christianity 101, Chapter 4 for my bible study
I am hoping...that God gives me patience and understanding with my current work situation.
I am creating...still nothing although I want to do the purse for Isabella and then "thinking" about starting on a baby quilt for a friend of mine whose baby is due in June...will need to start on that one soon!
I am hearing...Caden playing the Wii and Isabella playing with her baby dolls!
One of my favorite things...the thought that spring is just around the corner!
A few plans for the rest of the week... Lunch with my dad and sister on Friday; Birthday party for the kids on Saturday; Family coming over Saturday night to celebrate Isabella's 2nd birthday; Church and Life Group on Sunday...I love being busy on the weekend during these colder months!

Easter Candy!

Every Easter, the Reeses Peanut Butter Eggs comeout and these are my absolute favorite! They taste different somehow than a "regular" Reese's cup that you can buy year-round (not my favorite) because the peanut butter is a bit thicker somehow. Last week, Kevin came with not only one but TWO KING sized peanut butter eggs...oh how they were divine! It took about 3 sessions for me to eat one after dinner because they are so rich but oh soooo good. So for all you Easter candy lovers out there, be on the lookout for these!

Happy Birthday Isabella!

What a joy Isabella is to our family and I just can't believe that my baby is 2 today! Isabella just makes us laugh each day, has such a sweet personality, and just completes our family!