Quality Time

Do you know what your "Love Language" is? The 5 Love Languages are words of affirmation, quality time, receiving gifts, acts of service, and physical touch. A love language is the unique way in which you like to receive love from someone else. My love language is quality time. My love bank was overflowing this weekend with all of the quality time I received from my family.

Tim wanted to make it a special weekend since it was Mother's Day. He did a great job and this weekend was one of the best weekends I ever had!

On Saturday, we had our family pictures taken by my good friend, Katie. She did an amazing job chasing after our energetic 2 year old. I am really looking forward to seeing the pictures. Afterwards, we walked down to the water and let Riley play. We also took some pictures of our own.







Then we decided to get Pals and have a picnic at the park. I love picnics! Mainly, I love eating outside and I love being together as a family.

Then we let Riley play at the park.


Then we went to Tim's parent's house and went on a golf cart ride. We rode on a path near their house. It was very beautiful and relaxing. I really enjoyed being with my family!


On Sunday, my family got me a card with Riley and Tim's voice. It was so sweet! They also got me a baby rose plant. I am also getting a "surprise" gift, that will be ready on Wednesday. I can't wait to see it!!

After church, we got Zaxby's and had another picnic. Did I mention I LOVE picnics?


When we got home, I was able to relax in a quite house. Ethan was taking a nap and Tim was laying down with Riley. Then we went to Tim's grandparents house to be with all of his family. Riley loved playing with his cousins! I really enjoyed being with his family. I missed getting to see my family today. I am really looking forward to seeing them all next weekend!!

I had a wonderful Mother's Day. I feel truly blessed to be the mother of 2 amazing little boys. They bring so much joy and laughter to my life. I love seeing their smiling faces every morning. I love seeing them learn and grow. I love seeing Riley and Ethan play together. I love playing with them in the floor. I love being the one to comfort them when they are upset. I love to hear them laugh. I love dancing with them. I love chasing them around. I love playing outside with them. I love giving them hugs and kisses. I love reading to them. I love cuddling with them.

I LOVE BEING A MOM!

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

And he's off!

Ethan has mastered sitting up.

In just a few short days, I am going to have a crawling baby on my hands.

Now don't get me wrong, I'm very excited for Ethan. But honestly, I was hoping it would be another month before he started crawling. Now I am really going to have to watch where he is, be careful he can't get small objects into his mouth, and be extremely mindful of closing the gate upstairs.

For now, he's hurling his body forward and crawling backwards.

Do you see the determination in his eyes?

Way to go, Ethan!

Riley's Helmet

Riley got this bike for Christmas from his Great Grandparents. Its a bike that's been in the family a few years.

This past weekend, we picked up the bike but we told Riley that he couldn't ride it until we got him a helmet to wear. So, he found a bucket and decided that would make a good helmet.

Cute.... yes!

A suitable helmet.... no.

For the past 3 days, he's been wearing his Spiderman bucket on his head. I know, we need to get him a helmet!!

Bad Morning

I live by routines and so do my kids. Every morning in our house is pretty much the same. They wake up, I change their diapers, we go downstairs, I fix Riley his breakfast, and then I make coffee. I have been drinking coffee for 6 months now. Before I had Ethan I wouldn't have ever dreamed I would turn into a coffee drinker. After a few sleepless nights with a newborn, I turned to coffee and now I'm addicted.

This morning I poured my water and then went to the cabinet for a coffee pot liner. (Tim later corrected me that they are called filters.) Well, we were out of coffee filters. This was not good! I live for my morning coffee. I always pour a cup of coffee and put 3 splendas and creamer into my Dunkin' Donuts Coffee and then go catch up on my blogs and email.

My coffee mug remained empty all morning. At one point, I thought about using paper towels as a filter but I didn't get that desperate. I was very sluggish all morning and I just wanted to just crawl back into bed. It didn't help that I was up with one of my kids for 2 hours this morning. Thank You, Jesus for good little nappers this afternoon!

Tonight I will be heading back to Kmart to get coffee filters. I can't go another morning without my coffee! Our local Kmart is doubling coupons this week, so I've been trying to get some deals.

I got all of this for $16 and saved $40!

You can go here to get some tips. It isn't as easy as it seems and our Kmart prices our higher than at other places. Saturday is the last day Kmart will be doubling the coupons.

Anyone have a coffee filter coupon?

My Sweet Baby Boy

This girl loves a good deal!

There are days when the highlight of my day is checking the mail. I love checking the mail because most of the time there are free samples or coupons in the mailbox. I started this addiction shortly after Riley was born. So, what have I gotten in the mail???

*Diapers
*Shampoo
*Tooth Paste
*Laundry detergent
*Razors
*Food
*Formula
*Bottles
*Books

The main sites that I get my information are from Money Saving Mom & Freebies4Mom. It typically takes a few weeks to get the free sample after registering for it. I never know what will be in my mailbox and that's where I find joy in opening the mailbox. However, I find it very frustrating that my mail does not come at the same time everyday. I'm not sure what is going on there.

I also really enjoy using coupons. I like finding coupons that will get me free or almost free things. Hunting and using coupons like a pro can be time consuming. I am not a pro. I go for the easy ones and I find most of my good deals on the websites listed above. I don't get the Sunday paper but I get most of my coupons from family, the mail, and mainly printable coupons from the Internet. I usually save about $15 at each shopping trip using coupons. I had good intentions on listing a few of the good deals that I've gotten lately but they aren't available anymore. Here are 2 deals.

Yoplait Kids yogurt--$2.27
Use $1.50/1 printable$0.77 after coupon

A great coupon to print to Save $5 off any $25 purchase at Babies 'R Us that expires on May 2. You can also use this coupon online.

Catching up

I have been out of town for a week, so I wanted to update with what we have been up to.

On Saturday night, Tim and I went on a date. His company had an appreciation dinner for all the employees at Meadow View. We had a great night together!

On Sunday, Ethan turned 6 months old. The time goes by way too quickly! He's such a sweet little boy! He's very laid back and he's almost always smiling.

He...

weighs 17 lbs. 10 oz.

has brown eyes
loves watching his brother
loves laughing at his brother

loves playing with his toes

sucks on his 2 middle fingers to soothe himself
is rolling over from his tummy to back
is working on sitting up

has some wild hair in the front but I'm not ready to cut it yet

brings joy to our family

On Sunday, I left with the boys to go visit my family. The drive was OK. Both of them lost it around Crossville. Thankfully, we were stopping soon to visit a good friend of mine from college. We were all ready to get out of the car! The last 2 hours of trip went by quickly. I brought out the DVD player for Riley and that entertained him.

Monday through Thursday I kept my sister's kids. Riley loved playing with his cousins! They all played great all week!!

Ethan got lots of love from his family!!

Ethan and AustinI think they could pass for brothers!

Chayse loved holding Ethan

Love from Aunt Julie

Playing outside

Ethan's first time in a swing

On Thursday, everyone came over to my Mimi and Poppy's house. The kids colored eggs and had an Easter Egg Hunt.

On Saturday, we went to Big Daddy and Dee Dee's. The kids ate breakfast and had an indoor Easter Egg Hunt!



Saturday afternoon we drove to Pigeon Forge to meet Tim. We all were very excited to see him!! Tim's family was camping there. On Easter morning, we ate breakfast at Cracker Barrel , visited with his family at the campground, and drove home. It was great to be back home! I missed sleeping in my bed with my hubby and its been so nice to get back into a routine with the kids!!