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I just discovered this whole other hobby that apparently I've been missing out on the previous 25 years of my life (It's true people. just accept that I'm 25, okay?)..... Couponing?

I've mostly always been irritated with coupons, either they make me spend MORE than I normally would because I don't even buy Betty Crocker Muffin Mix, I know how to make my own, but if I can save $0.50 then I might consider skipping the work.... Or I don't even bother because really, is it worth it save $0.75 when you buy 3 boxes of cereal? I could probably make up that savings if I tipped my couch upside down.

So, I've never been a believer in people's couponing ventures. BUT, my sister went to enrichment last week and they talked about couponing, and the how-to's. I am very intrigued as to how these people save so much, I mean, a grocery bill gone from $250+ down to only $3... what? is that even legal? So, with some coaching from a friend here in S.A., I went out on my first ever coupon shop tonite. And I have to say, I am a bit proud, and I can definitely see how people could become addicted to it. It's like a game, and if they are saving, they are winning.

I'm not sure that I'm going to be a lifer of this hobby, but my sis and I vowed to try it through the end of March and see if we could do it, and if the outcome was noticeably successful.

So, for my first trip out, I hit Walgreens and CVS, and those are two stores that I would never SHOP at, those are like, too lazy to go on to the grocery store, or you need some medicine--fast. But I scouted out my deals, gathered my appropriate coupons and went to town (totally freaked and embarrassed).

After the reports were tallied, I spent $87.84 on items such as: medicine, toilet paper, diapers, wipes, batteries, formula-- And I saved $56.96, which is a 64.8% savings! So I may not have it perfect yet, down to the three dollar thing, but I was super thrilled that I actually saved money, it worked, I didn't get too embarrassed, nobody threw me out of the store, it turned out O.K. And had I not bought the formula, I would have saved 71.4%, that's amazing!

Sweet.

Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day to all!! A week ago Madison had a half day from school, so we decorated a valentine house, becuase everyone does that, right? Whatever, it was totally fun. They loved it. I love that I can let them loose with a few bags of frosting, a load of candies and sprinkles, and they are totally occupied, not fighting for as long as it lasts. And of course, with fairly easy mess to clean up, a good sweep of the floor and voila, sprinkles are taken care of!





The girls had to get some poses in for Dad when he came home. I guess these are poses, they do some seriously wacky stuff. And what are those, M&M fangs?

Austin was able to get in on a little of the fun too. Well, he jsut laughed and smiled at his dad, but I'm sure if Tristan had her way, he would have been loving the frosting and candy just as much as she did!

I kind of love how much Austin likes his Daddy. Seriously, he is so content to jsut sit in his lap, or next to him. He is always laughing when TJ holds him and what not. He is such a doll.