We are having a good summer! The kids being around each other all the time all day long every day of the week has definitely caused lots of in-fighting between them all - but we are trying to stay busy. We are spending a LOT of time swimming at the Y. All three kids are in swimming lessons 45 minutes a day four days a week for the month of July. The lessons are fabulous! Levi's instructor only has one other boy in class with Levi, so he has really progressed a lot - as all of the kids. This week I started getting the pool about an hour before the lessons so they can play in the family pool before hand. Physical activity definitely seems to help ease some of the tendency to argue, hit, etc.
We are still getting a routine figured out. This really is my first summer with the kids in so many ways - so I'm trying to figure out how to do it. There are so many great things in our area for kids - some days it is just so HOT! Sunday, after being out of swimming lessons for three days straight, I was looking forward to the week starting again. Sunday seemed like a difficult day, and at the end of it, I told myself - "it could be worse, I could be studying for the CA bar again!" Man oh man I am so very grateful not to be going through that this summer.
At our family reunion in June I got sworn in as a real life attorney! It was great to have all my family around for that. We are at so many crossroads right now in life and trying to figure out what the next step is. Many possibilities ahead - so that is good.
We have had some really crazy financial things happen this summer - but we have it all figured out and have been just fine. It has been amazing to see (again) the hand of the Lord in our lives as he has taken care of us. We are living another miracle in our family's history right now - and I feel so grateful!
I cannot believe the amazing deals I've been able to get with coupons. I am currently in love with Riteaid. It's OK, William knows all about it. It isn't open 24 hours, so I haven't had to try and explain any late night escapes from the house =).
In the last two weeks at Rite - after buying some coupons on ebay for my first deal, I was able to make the following transactions:
1) I got $230 of shampoo, conditioner, laundry soap, toothpaste, dental floss, contact solution, and several over the counter pharmacy items. I had to pay $40.49 out of pocket, but next week I am receiving a rebate check in the amount of $41.00, so I will actually have received all of those items for free plus made $.51.
2) With a combination of Riteaid in-store incentives plus an awesome rebate opportunity, I got $60 of skincare (sun screen, body wash and some neutrogena stuff). I paid $42.47 out of pocket. I will receive a rebate of $39.99. And I have a gift card from Riteaid, in the amount of $30, on it's way to me! So I basically paid $2.48 for the items plus got the $30 to use. I can guarantee I am going to maximize the crap out of that $30! =)
I am stockpiling a serious amount of household items and groceries as I have been learning how to get some really good deals through coupons and in-store incentives. I seriously had absolutely no idea that this type of shopping was possible. I had seen little news clips about people that did this sort of thing, but thought it took way more time and energy than it actually does. Between my subscription site I love and blogs dedicated to finding the deals for me, now that I know what I am doing this is not taking large quantities of time. It's a great new hobby, one I intend to continue until we are student-loan free!!!!!
In other FABULOUS news, I think I can safely say that Jaiden is potty-trained! William trained Levi, I trained Ezrie, and Jaiden has fortunately done most of the work himself - very amazing!
Ok, so housework is calling. I have been putting it off today, but now must get cracking!
