It's a SIP!

This evening, I was getting ready for a pampering session (Mary Kay Style) and Josh interrupted my bath.  He threw a washcloth in the tub and says, "This is my sip!" 
 I asked, "That's your SIP?" 
Josh responded, "NO....MY SIIIIIP" 
"Your SIT?"
"No.....my SIIIIIP"
"Your dip?"
"NO....MY SIIIIP"
"Your SIP?"
"NO, MOMMY.......MY BOAT!"

Okay...so SIP is really SHIP!

Here's a little montage of Josh.  :-)

    

Oh, Kids....

Timmy is such a neat kid.  Ever since he was 2, he's been very interested in cooking and baking.  I will never forget the Christmas where he and I went to Nana and Pee Paw's to make Christmas Cookies.  Timmy was so excited to throw the flour and he was CRAZY with a cookie cutter.  Nana (my mom) just laughed and laughed.  He's the child she never had as Pam and I could have cared less about MAKING the food...we just wanted to EAT it (or...at least I did....which is probably why I was the hefty kid and Pammy was the bean pole).

A couple of weeks ago, Nana and Pee Paw ventured to Frederick from Culpeper.  I love every moment I get to spend with them--I don't get to see them enough!  The boys love seeing their grandparents as well.  Nana and I stopped in at Joanne Fabrics (her FAVORITE store) and I happened to pick up a Haunted Gingerbread House.  Well, as soon as we got home, the boys (and Nana!) wanted to delve right in.  Here's what the final project looked like.

Nana is MUCH more artistic than I am--she did the roof and I tried my best at the windows and doors.  The boys meticulously placed each and every candy piece.  :-)

 To end on a Timmy note...

This weekend, we spent some time with the Berry family.  We got to see cousins Julia, James, and Brendan along with Aunts, Uncles, Grandmom, and even Great Aunt Jackie.  I had the pleasure of sitting at the kid table when we all went out to eat (Aunt Jackie's treat--THANK YOU, AUNT JACKIE!).  Timmy was having a nice conversation with James and Julia.  He asked them what their favorite numbers were.  Julia replied "3."  I can't remember James' favorite number.  But, in overhearing this, I asked Timmy, "What's your favorite number, Tim?"  He replied, "Forty Seven Thousand."  LOL!!!!!

Besides being a comedian without realizing it, Tim is a GREAT older brother!  <3

Coupons, BITCH!

So...as I'm sure you already know, I can be crass....in fact, I'm probably crass 99.9% of the time.  I'd like to think I'm a good mix between June Cleaver and Roseanne...but I don't know how accurate that is.

I've always been an all or nothing kinda gal....so this whole, "let's stay home and be a homemaker" thing has turned into me going full throttle for the stay-at-home-mom life.  Not only do I clean house and chauffer the boys to the places they need to go--I can various fruits and vegetables, make lots of yummy home-cooked meals, and now...I COUPON.

Here's a picture of my couponing binder  Don't leave home without it!

I started couponing about three weeks ago.  Since then, I've saved about $200.  Yes--$200!!!!  My grocery bills NEVER used to be under $100.  Now, they're about $70 each visit and my fridge and pantry have never been more full.  Can you believe it?

I am proud to say that my trip to CVS should have cost $120...but it only cost me $60!  I was so excited that I texted one of my friends and said, "I just saved 50% at CVS...COUPONS, BITCH!"  He replied that I would be the only one to use the phrase "COUPONS, BITCH" (hence the title of this post).

My savings today: $30.08!

I must end with saying that it has been hard to get back to "normal."  I don't think things will ever go back to being "normal" since Pop Pop so quickly left our lives.  I'm trying to take things day-by-day, but I'm not sleeping well and I constantly worrying about my mother-in-law, husband, children, and brothers-in-law.  Thanks to all of you who have prayed for us, sent letters, notes, etc.  It really helps to know that we have a support group there for us.  :-)  Love to all of you!!!!

These three boys are so fun and adorable--I'm certainly trying to make things as "normal" as possilble for them.  We've been enjoying our daily adventures of grocery shopping, cooking, and picking up Timmy from school.  Josh is always our comic relief.  The other day, after his bath, he stuck his hiney up in the air and said, "Tickle my tail!"  :-)

A Tribute...

The Berry family is going through a very difficult time right now.  Last week, (9/26), we lost our beloved Pop Pop.  Scot's dad passed away from a massive heart attack.

This was very unexpected and very tragic.  Pop Pop was a wonderful man, husband, father, and grandfather.  His life was cut short and we will miss him.

Timmy is having a very difficult time dealing with Pop Pop's death.  He didn't want to attend the funeral because he was just too sad.  Luckily, my parents picked Tim and Josh up and brought them to Culpeper for Friday night and Saturday (they met us at the viewing and kept them through Saturday).  We met up with Mom and Dad on Saturday and spent the night in Culpeper.

Please keep our family in your thoughts and prayers--especially Mrs. Berry.  Mr. and Mrs. Berry had an amazing marriage and relationship.  They were true soul mates...and she is lost without him.

Thank you for keeping us in your thoughts and prayers.

This is the Berry Family pre-Scot: Bernard and Patricia Berry, Bernie, JJ, and Johnny

Mr. Berry LOVED fishing.  Here's a pic with him and Scot

Another fishing picture with Scot

Mr. Berry also loved his children and grandchildren...and BABIES.  Here he is holding James.

This was our first Christmas together--Christmas 2003.  I think Mr. Berry approved of me and Scot.  :-)

Here is our wedding--me and Scot with Mr. and Mrs. Berry

Mr. Berry was Scot's Best Man <3

Mr. Berry organized Mrs. Berry's surprise birthday party in December 2003.  Look how happy he is!!!!

Pop Pop and Timmy in '06

Pop Pop, James, and Timmy

Christmas 2010

Easter 2010 The Berry's and their grandchildren

Mr. Berry with Brendan--Kelli and Bernie's first baby.

March 2010--Julia's birthday party