$ savings!

I've used coupons for most of my adult life (my mom taught me well) but recently I have been tracking blogs about coupons and deals. It's kinda fun to see how much you can save or get for free. I went grocery shopping yesterday and saved a total of $101.08 and spent $103.02, I was so excited to have such great savings! A couple of my other good deals this month were coupons for $20 at Christopher and Banks and a coupon for $20 to Ann Taylor (I don't normally shop at either of these stores...but since I was able to get a couple shirts for only a few dollars it was worth it). I was also able to get our oil changed for $9.98 because of a coupon for $20 off.

If you want a good blog to follow for coupons & deals you can check out http://www.savingcentswithsense.net/ she lives here in Phoenix.

Toe Nails

I polished Cadence's toes for the first time a couple nights ago.

She was very excited and would point to her toes and then mine. Very cute.

This is her asking to have her fingers done now. We haven't done those yet. :)

Pics of kids

Some pictures of the kids playing outside. We have been spending a little bit more time out now that it is a tiny bit nicer in the evenings.

Isabelle's first bike ride7 weeks old

swimming with Grandma B

much love

We put the swin up in our frontyard tree. The kids love it and we are enjoying

meeting some of our neighbors with being out front.

She can almost ride by herself now

Dylan is great on his bike and has graduated to the next size up.

Small Things

Yesterday evening Isabelle learned how to suck her thumb by herself...I was so excited I almost wanted to cry. She has always needed her pacificer in order for her to fall asleep and stay asleep...needless to say it has been a little frustrating at times because obviously I can't keep the thing in all the time. To have her be able to fall asleep by herself is amazing!!

Life has been a bit hectic for the last 7 weeks with Isabelle being born and we moved when she was just a few weeks old. I am feeling settled now and hope to blog more regularly. :)

Day filled with sorrow...

Today is the day that Lincoln passed away, actually about a hour ago from when I am writing this 3 years ago. Thinking back on the day feels like yesterday. The feelings are vivid, real, unmoving.


The moments of the day are distinct to me but one that will always stand out is the wonderful man who came to pick up Lincoln's body. A complete stranger to us. As he took him away he hugged Mark and said "don't worry, I will care for him like he is my son", and with that it was the last time we saw his body. I really can't express or write the emotions and convey the emptiness that was and is still felt.


On Lincoln's 1 year birthday we gave out a gift of a ficus tree to friends and family as a memorial. This picture is Errol's tree, it sits near his kitchen sink. Every time I see it, it brings pleasure to my heart. Seeing how much it has grown, knowing what it represents. Thankful for the small memories.

Lamentations 3:22-24, 32-33 says:
Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
I say to myself, "The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him."

Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love.
For he does not willingly bring affliction or grief to the children of men.

Thankful there is hope, restoration, healing and also the pain: these things have made me into the person I am today.

Isabelle Eileen

I week ago today Isabelle was born! She weighs 8 lbs 15 oz and is 21 inches long.

I had been having contractions for about 2 weeks off and on and was dialated to 6 for over a week. I was ready emotionally to have Isabelle and know that she was ok. So we decided to go to the hospital Saturday and have my water broken, my midwife Connie was on call and I really wanted her for my delivery. At 12:45 my water was broken and I started to have contractions right away. Mark and I walked the halls of the hospital to help my labor progress. After a couple hours of walking I transitioned into the "hard" contractions and had those for about 30-40 minutes. We kept walking the whole time, just stayed closer to my room. Finally I looked at Mark and said "ok, I am ready". He went to get Connie and I started pushing. I pushed through 3 contractions which felt like they lasted forever over the span of about 20 minutes. I used a birthing bar that went at the end of my bed (first time using and I really liked it). She was born at 4:32. Her cord was wrapped around her neck one time and she also had her right hand across her chest with her hand by her neck as she came out. She didn't take a breath right away, she stayed the blue/purple color it felt like forever. She was moving...just not breathing yet. Finally the cry came, it was like music. What a relief!

I really couldn't have asked for a better birth experience (other than going into labor on my own without getting water broken). It was quick and the hospital staff were wonderful. We were home by the next afternoon.

Dylan and Cadence are adjusting well. Dylan loves to help out and hold her and Cadence loves to give hugs...she just doesn't know her limitations yet. :)

Isabelle means my God is my vow and Eileen is the middle name we are passing down from my mom and myself.

Package at the Door

Today just before lunch time a package arrived at the door. It was from Mark's cousin Janet & family. Dylan was so excited to open it and see what was inside. I cut the tape open and he starts to pull everything out...what wonderful treasures were inside!

-a full set of cloth diapers & accessories

-herb baths for after my delivery to help with healing

-homemade granola, yum!

-books for the kids

-music cd

-outfit for isabelle, so cute!

-card with blessing for isabelle

-puzzle

-origami flowers from her kids in memory of Lincoln

What a special package. The next hour and a half or so consisted of listening to the cd, dylan playing with the puzzle and cadence looking thru the books as I snacked on the amazing granola. It was a little slice of heaven :). Thank you Janet for your thoughtfulness and generosity!