Kids Eat Free

So being on a small budget, I have decided to take advantage of some money savers out there...one of which is "Kids Eat Free". Having 3 children, eating out adds up...so here is what I have found in the NW Austin area...



Luby's: Wednesdays after 4:30 & All Day Saturday

Black Eyed Pea: Tuesdays

Serrano's: Wednesdays

Kerby Lane Cafe: Tuesdays

Texas Land & Cattle: Saturdays from 11-4

Rome's Pizza: Tuesdays 4-8



Hope this is helpful for your family too!

Life is Tough...

Grier is enjoying her new chair from Grandad and Mimi...She's loves this thing! It's fun to see all the kids in their special chairs reading books and relaxing. Well, Grier mostly climbs hers at this point...but she'll come around! :)

Am I under-challenging my children or what??

Easter 2008

Birthday Invite Photo Shoot

The Beginning...Happy
The End...not so happy

A Rare Moment

These are the moments when I can see that they really love each other...despite ALL the fighting. They just woke up and wanted to sit together in this chair. I love it...

Officially Potty Training

I have officially started to potty train Gracen. We have been going at it for about a week now...and it is S-L-O-W going. I am reminded once again how different my children are. When I potty trained Aiden, nothing could have been easier. Grier was about 3 weeks old, Aiden had just turned 3 and I was TIRED of 3 kids in diapers. We basically had a conversation that went something like this..."Aiden, you are 3 now and Mommy is totally grossed out at changing your big boy diapers. It is time you started using the potty. You don't want to wear diapers like the baby do you?" That was all it took. Aiden decided then to use the potty...no accidents, and just a short time at night with Pull-Ups...and we were done....Now there is Gracen. Gracen really doesn't care much about what all the other kids are doing...which I will be totally grateful for when she is a teenager, but during potty training, it's a bit annoying. I have tried to entice her by saying, "Well, you know who uses the big girl potty, don't you?" She is totally unimpressed, and I can almost see her dig her heals in deeper. She marches to the beat of her own drum. She is independent and stubborn...a deadly combination. She's not motivated by much, except for the occasional cookie. So we have had LOTS and LOTS of accidents this week. I have almost lost it several times as she has peed on my couch, her cute pottery barn kids chair, her outfit I JUST put on her, her sister's blanket, her carpet, etc.. I just know I am doing everything wrong...Maybe she's not ready yet...but Mommy sure IS!

Free Shipping at my 2 Most Favorite Shoe Places EVER

Okay so my total weakness is shoes! I like shopping for shoes for myself...but I LOVE shoe shopping for my kids! I have two favorite places that I go whenever I get birthday or Christmas money for the kiddos. To some, the prices are totally reasonable, but for me they are a big treat. So I just got birthday money for all the kids and bought some shoes.

Here are the websites...check them out...you will never be the same! :)

www.seekairun.com

Free shipping here until the end of April

Gracen has the "Sara" white sandals that still fit her from last summer. And I'm getting ready to buy Aiden the "Elias" shoes.

www.pediped.com

Free shipping using this coupon code: CBB07

I just bought the girls the "Pink Abigail" shoes, Grier in the original, and because Gracen is bigger, I got her the new flex line for big kids. I LOVE these shoes. We also have the "White Katelyn" shoes for Grier this summer, leftover from when Gracen was little. I hope you become a fan of these great places for shoes. They have been so great for my kids growing feet.

Shouldn't I get paid for this promo??

Hobby Lobby Coupon

There is a 40% off coupon for Hobby Lobby this week, good through the 22nd.

www.hobbylobby.com Click on "Weekly Specials" at the top. Happy Shopping!

Worshipping God is tiring!

This is our ride home from church on Grier's birthday. We have had some car issues these past couple of weeks, so we are down to Blake's Explorer that can only hold 2 car seats. So it takes a whole caravan to get the Mageetribe places. My mom has Gracen in her car behind us. Grier got cozy in her new car seat pretty quickly. Notice, Aiden is holding on to his artwork from church during his little catnap. Worshipping God has wiped them both out...I know the feeling! :)

First Birthday Car Rides

Aiden 3/18/05
Gracen 4/13/06
Grier 3/9/08

These are all of our kids on their first birthday, the first time facing forward. It's funny how all three of them have similar expressions...wondering if Mommy and Daddy have lost their minds, I'm sure! It's cool to look at their similarities and differences. Who would have thought that 2 people could make this many combinations...maybe we should have like 3 or 4 more to see what other combos we can come up with. It's like playing with a Mr. Potato Head!

Grier is ONE!

My favorite thing about our children's first birthdays is that they get to turn around in their car seats. They have all seemed so in awe of their first spin facing forward. Grier turned 1 on the 9th. I can hardly believe it. I feel like I was just in labor feeling every bit of the pain b/c the epidural failed me. I remember holding her for the first time and the smell of her first bath in the hospital. And of course I remember the long nights holding her, feeding her, and consoling her. Now, sleeping through the night for some time now and on the verge of walking...the time flew by too quickly. If I could only have a few more nights of cuddling her...just the two of us...our special time at 3:00 a.m., when she was hungry. I really miss those nights, and I wish that I could go back and soak it all in. I couldn't wait for her to sleep through the night...and to move on to the next "phase". What I'm realizing lately, as my first born turns 4 next week, is that God has purpose for every season of life. He longs to connect with us, no matter what is going on in life. He is our source for strength and endurance and joy. I wish that I would have taken more joy in the early weeks of Grier's life...knowing that as I was sleep deprived and in pure survival mode, He wanted to use those experiences to make me look more like Him. God was building my character. What a cool thought...It's all about perspective and thankfulness...Believing that God has purpose in the small things, and being thankful for everything that comes our way...good and bad. So today I choose to take joy in my children and the chaos that surrounds me. This is what God has for me today...

Find Great Deals

Okay, so a couple of times a year...the spring and fall, I get involved in these consignment sales. I have been doing it for the last 3 1/2 years. In Dallas I volunteered with "Just Between Friends". It was a great experience...I got to meet some cool women in the community and find GREAT DEALS on kids clothes. What could be better?? Well, when we moved back to Austin, I immediately got in on what consignment sale is big here. It is a fantastic sale called "Mommy and Me". Today I had my volunteer shift where I inspected incoming clothes. It was so much fun! And I met some ladies who are truly keeping Austin weird. Anyways, the sale is open to the public on Saturday and Sunday at the Palmer Auditorium...So if you are in the area, stop on by for some great prices on all your favorite brands. I'm actually able to afford Gap, Gymboree, Janie and Jack, Crew Cuts, and many others this way...Second Hand. They are really picky about what they take...believe me! I was trained today! There should be no stained clothing or clothing that is really worn. Here is a link to the Mommy and me info. www.mommyandmesale.com I feel like I'm doing my part to go green! Recycle clothes! Yay! :)