Garden update!!!

My garden is growing wonderfully:) Look here at when we first planted. What a difference??





We had our first "mini" harvest today. It was only 4 cucumbers and one little cherry tomato, but there are lots more tomatoes that need to ripen, and more cucumbers.


We are in awe of gardening and can't wait to do a BIGGER one next year:) Does anyone have any garden tips for me??

How Does Your Refrigerator LOOK!!!

We are trying to eat more healthier. So I went shopping at the Farmers Market, Earth Fare, and The Fresh Market. Of course it is more expensive to eat Whole foods and organics, but we are trying to eat healthier. Our goal is to eat 80% raw, but with that said we are taking it slow. We will first just try to eat one salad a day and work our way up. As far as organics go, one rule of thumb is if it is peeled, it doesn't have to be organic(bananas, avacodas a favorite here, onions, cantaloupe, etc.). Some things are definitely organic(carrots, celery, apples, especially because we juice). After watching Food, inc. and King corn, it really made me think "where my food came from!!" As far as meats, we are trying to cut down, but I have started buying from the farmers market from local farmers, only grass-fed organic ground beef and free range organic chickens(of caourse I still have some chicken and meats that was in my stockpile that we will use first, so you will see those in there:). We are doing it slow so that it is not a big hit in our budget, but it is worth it. Here is a look into my refrigerator and freezer and I would love to see everyone's too. Blessings, and have a great day.

HERE IS AN OVERALL LOOK


HERE IS A LOOK AT THE SIDE STORAGE(MOST ARE ORGANICS AND NATURAL SAUCES



HERE IS A CLOSER VIEW OF THE TOP TWO SHELVES




HERE IS A VIEW OF THE BOTTOM TWO SHELVES




HERE IS THE "GREEN DRAWER"




IN THE FREEZER

FROZEN FRUIT FOR SMOOTHIES



FROZEN VEGETABLES



BEEF

Busy........

We have been so busy, but I have a lot of new posts coming soon:)

My garden!!!

(my first tomato)



My garden is not very big, but it is my first year. Even so, I am still excited about it. I have a raised garden because our yard is so flat, it floods. I mostly have tomatoes and cucumbers, but also some lettuce and peppers too. Do any of you have any good garden tips for me???

Belng a mother!!!

What do I like about being a mother?? Everything!! Honestly I love every stage(so far), that my children have gone through. There is nothing I don't enjoy. Sometimes it is challenging, but it is so worth it. There is nothing more precious than your children coming up to you and giving you a hug saying "I love you mommy". I love tucking my children in at night. I love being able to stay home with them. I love homeschooling them. I love watching them grow and their relationship with God grow. I love the million and one questions they ask me EVERYDAY!!! There is so much I love, I could go on and on. I am not saying that I don't struggle, believe me I do everyday, but I rely on the Lord to get me through it all. I really miss having a baby around and do pray the Lord will bless us with many more children, but if he decides it is not his will, I have 3 wonderful children that I cherish every moment I have with them. They are truly gifts from God and I can not imagine my life without them. I was planning on doing this post last week, before Mother's Day, but the time got away. So Happy Late mother's Day to all you wonderful mothers out there!! Here is a video of one of my favorite songs by Selah. It really isn't relevant to the post but could be if you have been through circumstances in motherhood!!

Kroger Trip 4/19 I saved 55% on groceries!!!

I got several things free, but overall I saved 55%. My total before store discounts and coupons was $180.30. I had $48.47 in coupons plus an extra $8.30, some of them doubled. Plus I saved $41.83 with my Kroger Plus card and I got a $2 coupon for my next trip. I spent $77.39!!!

Nursing cover giveaway!!!

Christine is holding a wonderful Giveaway on her blog, so go over and enter it.

Kroger trip 4/13/2010 saved 89%.

2-2liter 7ups $1 each used 2 $1/1=FREE
2-sundown folic acid on sale for $1.43 each used 1 $3/2=FREE(plus .14 overage)
2 sundown vitamin d on sale for $1.78 each used 1 $3/2=.28 each
4 nature bounty magnesium vitamins on sale for $1.78 used 4 $1/1 = FREE(plus .88 overage)
2 McCormick seasonings on sale for $1 each used 2 $1/1 coupons= FREE
4 scotch brite sponges on sale for $1 each used 4 41/1 coupons=FREE
1 Domino sugar $1.85 used .50/1 doubled to $1/1= .85
2 honest teas at $1.69 each used b1g1 free=.85 each
2 yo-plait greek yogurts at $1.19 each used 2 .30/1 doubled to .60/1=.59 each

Total before store sales and coupons was $53.69
After I used my Kroger plus card the total was $33.83(all that is used towards gas points)
I used $24.79 in coupons and they doubled 3 of them for an extra $1.10 off)
My grand total was $6.09($2.47 was taxes)
A total savings of $47.60(89%)

Tough week!!!

I don't know but the last few days I have felt so depressed:( I don't know if it is because a lot of my blogger friends are rather pregnant or have had a baby recently and I kinda feel left out(and I am happy for all you). It just still hurts so bad to have lost little Haven, even though I didn't get to see her or hold her, I feel like a piece of me is missing. I don't feel complete. I am so very grateful I have 3 beautiful children to love and hold, but I don't understand why I feel so empty inside. I have prayed and asked God to take this pain from me, and I know he will. I don't understand why things happen. It really frustrates me when I hear of someone mistreating a child, do they not understand what a gift they have??? Oh well sorry to ramble but I just had to get it out. I think I am going to read my Bible now, that always makes me feel better.

Target deals for the week!!! I saved 96%!!!

Yesterday I went to Target and got some pretty good deals:
2 Johnson & Johnson bathroom buddies @ $.97 each
2 Airwick oils @ $7.99 each
3 cfl light bulbs @ $2.99 each
2 crest kids toothpaste @ $1.49 each
2 bandaids @ $1.50 each
3 7th Generation cleaners @ $2.99 each
Total $44.73
I used
$1 off each johnson and johnson soap=FREE
2 airwick target coupons $2 off and manufacture coupon for $4 off= $1.99 each
3 target coupon for $2 off and manufacture coupon for $1 off= FREE
2 Target coupons for $1 off kids crest toothpaste=$.49 each
2 target coupons for $1 off bandaids
3 manufacture coupons for 7th Generation $1 each and $1 off Target coupon
Total $33 in coupons
I paid $6.79 out of pocket and I am going to mail in a $5 rebate for the 7th generation.
Final Total will be $1.79 which is a 96% savinings.