Whittaker Woman

Coupons

I know I loose some readers when I blog about coupons, but I can't help it. The deals are just to good! I got all this for .24 cents! Thats right you heard me... big bucks. Less than a quarter! How can you not coupon? 

Here is how it came about... 

Johnson's Head to Toe Baby Wash on sale for $2.19
Use the $1 coupon from here: IE or Firefox
Plus, use the $1 Target coupon
Final cost =$0.19!

Skittles Crazy Cores $0.52 (in the checkout lanes)
Use $1/1 Target coupon here
Final price= FREE plus overage, which is important to my total!

General Mills Cereal Cups - $0.99-$1/ea

Use $1/1 Target coupon here
Final Price = FREE 

Tide Bounce Dryer Bar $3.69
Use the $2.50 coupon from Vocal Point 
AND $1.50/1 Bounce Dryer Bar TARGET Coupon, exp. 10-4-09 (RP 8/23/09)
Final Cost= Free 

 

Colgate toothpaste and toothbrush

I had two $3 coupons with purchase of any I found this Colgate toothpaste on sale for $2.15, and these toothbrushes for .97cents. 

Which made them both .24 cents for both toothbrushes and toothpaste!  

Other Great Deals: 

Dove Visibly Smooth Deodorant $3.29
Use $2/1 here and stack with
$1/1 Target coupon here
Final price= $0.29 after coupons

All Small & Mighty $1.00 (travel size)
Use $1/1 printable after registering here
Final price= FREE

Bananas /Use at a Greatland Target or don't forget you can print this and use it at any store (ex. Publix) that will allow competitor coupons! 

Use $0.50/1 lb Target coupon here
Final price: Close to free when you buy one pound

These come courtesy of Pocket Your Dollars and Chicks Dig Deals:

Canning Tomatoes... Just Call Me Farmer H

As you know, or at least you should know I am a farmer at heart. I grew up in the farmlands of central California, Clovis to be exact. Garth Brooks blared on Chevy Silverado trucks and Wranglers were normal attire. So it should be no surprise when I say I want chickens and goats! Carlos wants to live in a loft in a skyscraper so we compromise some. I can, he shops at Nordstroms. :)

I got this great box of tomatoes from my Amish friend Jacob the other day when I went to visit him. 

Nani, my grandma is here so I put her to work... 

I can always count on her to have great high heels, or jewelry that I can borrow. Cooking is not her strong suit, but I gave her a glass of vino and got her chopping. 

Have I ever told you I HATE instructions. I don't bake because you have to follow instructions. My brain does not work that way. I think I read the stinkin instruction book 100 times before I gave up and crossed my fingers and just did it. 

First batch came out sealed and lookin good! After making my tomato and basil sauce, I made some salsa. 

I wish I had a recipe to share with you guys, but then again that would call for some kind of instructions. I just made it. Sorry. 

We were cooking! 

This is when we need a dog, the sauce was everywhere! 

I am a little nervous about how the salsa turns out. I always make salsa and eat it right away, I can't wait to open a can and see how it tastes! 

Anyone out there can? Do we have any farmers out there? :) H

I Got Promised

A few weeks ago we made cyberland personal. We got to hang out with  Brian and Promise, we had so much fun. Little did I know that I would get "Promised" by the end of the night. 

She owns her hair style...

 I look silly, but it was still so much fun! 

So much fun! H

Jealous

See these cars, do you know why I am jealous of each and every person who drove up in them?

Hiking. These cars are empty because their drivers are out experiencing the back country of the Sierra Nevada's. My mountains. I am jealous. No showers, eating dried food and being worried about bears sounds WONDERFUL! :) H

My Amish Pen Pal

I got my first letter from my Amish pen pal Jacob. 

I actually went and visited him just yesterday and he told me I should have a letter at home from him. You know the first thing I did today... went to the P.O. Box!  I have so many stories about my visit but I thought i'd start with this letter. 

"Dear Friend Heather and Family, 

Greetings of love from our dear one above, he who gives and takes yet makes no mistakes. I am looking forward to see you in the near future. Thank you for your patience with me. I hope you will catch me at home when you come. As I always enjoy your visits. I hope you and yours are doing well. We are doing fine, thank the Good Lord. 

It was so good to hear from you in June, I wonder if you are back from your vacation, I forgot where you were going. I think our daughter Anna got the letter. You said you would like to know more about our family. We have 12 children, 4 boys and 8 girls. They are all married except one son who lives in Minnesota. (There is a sad story behind him, I won't go in detail about him this time.) We have 96 grandchildren. Three of them are in the grave, 93 living. Yes they are a blessing but also bring a big concern in this corrupt world. 

I am pushed for time this morn, I got up around 4:15 to write this letter. You did not ask a lot of questions in your letter so I am kinda lost in what to write this time, I hope to share more history on our family and also other things some other time. Yes, I feel like we are blessed with more friends since we met you. Well it is 4:45 and I need to help Rebeka get breakfast started and do my chores. keep looking up, he is looking down. I would like to write more, but i better go. Over the hills and far away don't forget us when you pray. Your Tennessee Friends Jacob and Rebeka" 

So before I write back I thought I'd let you guys ask a couple of questions that you may want to know from him. Anything you would like to ask? H

The Triangle of Teacher, Parent and Child

I need some help!  Mama does not know what to do! 

I have a rule following baby, who honors and respects authority, but most of all she is a people pleasing gal. 

AND I want to break her of it! 

Here's my issue. Twice in the past two weeks we have had massive tear flying melt downs because I have made choices that go against what her teacher has said. "But mom, I HAVE to" is typically the words that are mixed into the break down. Little does she know she does not "HAVE" to. Mama makes the call that is best for her, but how do I let her know that I am the ultimate authority. How do I teach her that, along with teaching her to follow and respect other adults? I feel like there is so much pressure to follow the rules or even doing what the other are participating in, that she will never be able to grasp the fact that I know what is personally best for her. Its a dance that I don't know the next step to. 

Parents, teachers, grandparents or just smart people... HELP! H

Why Should You Blog?

There is just something lovely about having a blog. Searching my archives and reading posts that brings back moments that I have quickly forgotten. I love going back and remembering what life was like last year or the year before. Just like this... 

Last August we were, just livin life in Ga!

August 2007 We were in the midst of a major life change. We were moving across country! Thats not what I remember. Within the chaos we had a weekend of a life time! One of my life's dreams came true! 

August 2006! We were knee deep with adoption stuff. Raising money, and WAITING! 

It's so weird to look back on my life. What were you doing the last three years? Same old thing? Or were you all over the board like we are? H

Who Needs Toys

If I put them in a cage... I would go to jail. 

If sister puts them in a cage... it's a make believe game that lasts for hours! 

Hey whatever makes them happy. :) H

Ragamuffinsoul, Loswhit, Carlos, Los, Daddy, Babe

Just an ordinary day with Carlos Enrique Guzman Archibald Cabbeo. Yes that is his real name. 

He has been gone all week, but these calls keep us going! 

We were listening to some of his new songs. 

Oh he makes me happy! H

There Has To Be A Better Way

My soul warms when I see Losiah do things that are from his heritage vs his upbringing in the states. I love how he devours straight seaweed sheets, how he can use chopsticks and how he squats. I know he will kill me one day for putting this picture up, but I could not keep it to myself. He cracks me up because he even squats on the potty! There has to be a better way or at least a more comfortable way to use the toilet. 

What is your heritage? H

He's Three and Is BUSTED

Losiah has been so good lately. As you can tell the "I'm Two/Three" posts have dramatically slowed down! Until tonight! 

Lets just say, there was some bustin in the Whittaker House! H

Travel Size

I have found my new love affair. Coupons at Target. Coupons in general have become my hobby. Saving and better yet getting things for free makes me happy. Here are the goods. 

I paid $3.82 for all this goodness. Considering I bought a birthday present for Seanna at a high value of $1.98, I must say this trip was a steal. I have found that the trial size aisle is the way to go at Target. I got the cereal, the pens, the Band-Aids, the shampoo, toothpaste, and laundry detergent all for FREE! Some of it was small. I paid .29 cents for the clinical Dove deodorant. I'm excited about my finds. Here are some good sites to learn more about Target coupons. 

This site is where you can print coupons you want. Don't forget Target will accept the Target coupon plus the manufacture coupon on the same product. Example: the Bic pens were 99cents each. I had a coupon from Target for $1 off when you buy two. I had a manufacture coupon for the same thing a $1 off of two. So I used both coupons and got them for free! 

Here is a new site I found that lists Coupon Blogs all over the country. Hope this helps. H

7 Days In

Is it bad that I am wishing for the care free, no schedule days of summer back? It's been ONE week and I am ready for a vacation! HA! Just a few shots that take me back... 7 days. HAHAHA! 

\

Has most everyone started school? H

I'm Good

This summer I took all the kids to Cali for three weeks. Let me show you my talent... 

Thats right. It's our ONE bag. I packed for all of us in one bag for three weeks and l was under one pound! Yep! AND I did not use a scale at home! Just thought i'd brag. Have a wonderful Monday! H

Sorry Boys

Yesterday the family went to Stone Mountain for the day. That's a post for tomorrow! As for today, I must tell you a little something that happened. I had to go to the bathroom. If your a mom you know you might as well take the whole brood. Get it all done at once. If you don't then the second you get back from your trip to the el bano, a baby is going to say they have to go. So we all went. 

And like any amusement park the women's line was out the door. Annoying, but it's just something we as ladies have to deal with. Unfortunately Losiah and his three year old bladder did not understand. He began to do the potty dance, which lead into some whining, and finally the screaming "Mommy, Mommy, I have to go pee pee! I holding my popo!" 

At this point I had a couple of options. 

- Ask everyone in line if we could cut. (The ladies all saw him do the dance and no one offered so that option was not high on the list)

- Let him go pee right there on the dirt. (A perfectly fine answer, but I could see myself getting busted for that).

- And finally go into the mens room. (The door was open. I had seen men go in and out, but I could not remember who was still in and who went out. There was a good chance I would go in and run straight into... well, you know).

It was decision time... 

I chose them mens room. I went full force. There was no looking back. I also tried to not look forward. ;)  I turned the corner and was so relieved to see the urinal with no one at it. PRAISE JESUS! I saw a few stalls with feet in them, so I made sure I was loud enough for them to know that MAMA came into the boys room. Losiah did his business and we were out, only to stand back in the women's line. Ahh, the life of this mama! H

The 3 Year Old Who Hates To Brush His Teeth

Monday was a day of firsts... 

First day of Kindergarten and minutes later the first time to the dentist for little man. 

He hates to brush his teeth! I confess I am not the best at fighting it. BUT put on some shades and he was all about it. 

If all I had to do is get a cheep pair of heart glasses for him to open his mouth I would of saved many of battles! 

It also helps that our friend is our dentist. 

Good as gold! H

Angie

If you were around these parts last December you will remember when this happened. Mark was holding on for his life. 

January, he was gone. 

Angie is such a great friend. I love that she is blogging now.  She did not blog before the accident, she did not blog while he was in the hospital, but I am honored that she would share her feelings with all of us now that he is gone. She has been shared how she takes it moment by moment.  She has shared the simple things, the Late Nights. The months have gone by... One, two, three, four, five, six, 206 days, and finally seven months. There are good days, sad days, angry days. 

I have been able to see her twice! April and June! And I am so excited about her trip here this fall! 

I just wanted to update all of those who went on the journey with Mark and Angie through this blog. H

Day 9

I am often challenged in the most unlikely places. A while ago I was sitting on a plane heading to Colorado, when I decided to pick up the magazine in the seat back pocket in front of me. I scanned the pages, window shopping through the articles. Never stopping long enough to dive into a story. That was until I read these words… “How many things have you done in your life that you know, with absolute certainty, you will remember for the rest of your life?” The words have stirred my soul!

I am reminded how often I have fall in the rut of life. I am not going to settle for that. I want every moment of every day to have a purpose. Yes I know that is not realistic, but it is my dream. It's something I'm going to strive for.  I want to LIVE my life. Meaning, I want to have moment upon moment that I will be so proud of, that I will remember for the rest of my life. Have you had any moments? Do you dream of moments? Lets live! 

H

Boy Time

There has been so much emphasis on the girls that I thought I'd give you a little boy time. Let me just start off my telling you what he did today. Geesh he is all boy! Ok, so I am in the kitchen doing dishes. I feel him come and lean up against me. I looked down thinking how sweet my little man is, when I see it's his butt that is leaning up against me. He looks up sweetly in my eyes and said, "Mommy I fart on you". 

Thank you???? Really he was so proud! Oh my sweet little man. 

Lets get back to blogging. Again, I tell you he is all boy. Wants to only wear underwear and this day I found him creating his own holster. So stinking cute! 

All boy I say! H

Work It

Back to school shopping is such a great memory for me. Having that perfect outfit sit in the closet waiting to be put on for the first day of school, just about killed me. Every year the anticipation brought me giggles! I don't want my kids to miss this special memory, but I am a clearance rack girl so I have be compiling a new wardrobe for the past few months. I have gotten some great sales, but the girls have missed that moment of going out and shopping. So in lieu of the stores we did a fashion show. I put all the clothes out and they picked out the weeks worth of clothes for the week. It was fun! 

The goods! 

The best part was the back stage, wardrobe change! Clothes were flying, boobies were showing and lots of giggles came! 

And finally we had our final MODEL! Yikes! 

It really was so much fun and so easy! H

 

Family Night... Crayon Night

In honor of our first day back to school we had a Family Night. I loved our Back to School Family Night we did last year, but I felt like something new. Everyone has crayons on their school supply list, and that is where we landed... 
Whittaker Family Night Crayon Style. 

We started by making some crayons with our old broken ones. 

We used a heart shaped mold and a car shaped mold. 

I can't believe how quickly this trash turns into treasure! 

We had a COLORFUL dinner.

 

I set the table with a paper runner down the middle and had the kids color on it.

For desert we had crayons. Yep, you heard me correctly we ate crayons! 

They are chocolate covered pretzels! Not only are they adorable, but they were TASTY! 

Just a little twist on School! 

Anyone have great back to school idea's? 

H

We Saw It Coming!

All summer I got this question... "Are you going to be ok?" 

They were talking about today.

Kindergarten. 

You would think, by having one baby going into second grade adding one to kindergarten would be a piece of cake. 

Wrong!

It's worse. When Sohaila went into kinder, we had moved across the country 5 DAYS earlier. I had been crying for the previous 2 months, so the tears for my baby going to school got mixed right in. Today is different. Seanna is me. She is my shadow. I guess I am emotional because plain and simple I am gonna miss her. I am gonna miss hearing her play kitchen with her brother as I clean house. I am gonna miss her asking to help cook dinner. I am gonna miss her presence. It is just a passing of an era. 

Carlos does not get why I am sad, he thinks I am the only one. Men... :) 

We started the morning with our new family tradition of Ice cream sundaes for back to school! 

(Believe it or not, I compared this ice cream to some sugar cereal and the ice cream won! Think on that one before you judge!) 

I did add walnuts and banana for some sort of nutrients! 

The girls off to school! 

Sohaila's teacher has been with the school 30+ years! Seanna's 20+ 

I tried to hang on... But I just couldn't. 

Then when I got home I got some love! 

My man made this new header for my blog and my friend Melissa sent me these flowers with a note that made me laugh out loud! 
*Sigh*

Ok tell me I am not the only one. Who got teary when they sent their babies off to school? H

Confession Time

Ok, so I have a little confession... I have had a secret blog. What can I say?  It was for the grandma's. We live 2,500 miles away from them I need some way to keep them updated! Anyways, it was no pressure, stress free blogging. Imagine that! There were major gaps in the blogging and I loved it. It was a vacation. 

I think I realized over this break that I want to control the things I allow in my life. Not the other way around. A good friend challenged me on that and it stuck. When this here blog begins to control me, then I know I need to relax some.  

I am back! 
I thought I'd give you a little taste of our summer.
So below are the posts I posted on the grandma blog during the summer!
Have fun catching up on the adventure that is The Whittakers!!!
I am excited to catch up. H