Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Kierstyn's Endoscopy

Kierstyn had her endoscopy today at St. John Hospital & Medical Center with Dr. Lyons in Detroit. She was originally scheduled for 10:45 am. but the nurse called yesterday afternoon to change her to 9:00 am. I was happier with that. She had to fast after midnight so the less time she had to go without eating, the better.

She was such a trooper! She is a strong little girl. She was not anxious at all. Since Kaeterina had this procedure done in March of this year, I already knew what to expect and so could explain it all to her ahead of time.

The procedure took less than 30 minutes. When Dr. Lyons was done, he came out to find me in the waiting room to let me know immediately that it all went well and he didn't find anything to be concerned about. That is wonderful news. Except that we are still left with uncontrolled reflux with accompanying headaches. She is to come back in next week to see him for a follow-up and stay on the Nexium in the meantime to see if it decides to work. She can only take it for 8 weeks and we are starting week 3 already with zero changes.

Tomorrow we see the neurosurgeon for the headaches and dizziness.

Monday, September 28, 2009

Week-end To Remember Drop-Outs

Well, Pete and I are now Week-end to Remember drop-outs although it still was a memorable week-end for us. After the first 2 sessions on Saturday morning, we had a 50 minute break so we decided to go find something to eat since neither of us had eaten breakfast before the start of the conference. We had to be up at 6 am (after not going to bed until 1 am)in order to drop the kids off are two different sets of parents houses and get to Dearborn from Troy in time for the 8:30 am start time.

After that break, we were supposed to go back for another 50 minute session, then one and half hours for lunch, and then back again for 2 more sessions. It was a well planned out week-end with excellent speakers. However, neither one of us was really into it. I don't know how to explain it. It wasn't a bad conference just not a conference for us. So while we were enjoying our mid-morning snack, Pete said, "Let's just not go back." I had already been thinking that so I was THRILLED that he felt the same way. We left immediately.

We spent the rest of Saturday enjoying an early dinner at one of my favorite gluten free friendly restaurants, PFChangs, running errands, and then picking up the girls. My niece was having an ice skating birthday party at the Troy Sports Arena near our house that night as well. We put the girls to bed and watched a movie. Nothing exciting but we had a wonderful afternoon just being together.

We were both happy to not have to get up quite so early on Sunday to drive to Dearborn again. And especially because my Man and my Dad ended up having to drive to Ann Arbor to help Briggys with his new to him broken down car.

Saturday, September 26, 2009

New Wedding Band

Tonight my man gave me a new wedding band to match his. Almost 2 years ago I donated my wedding band and engagement ring to City Mission to auction to raise funds for their programs. This was just before our 10 year wedding anniversary. Pete had said for a few years that he would buy me an additional band for my ring for our 10 year anniversary. I decided for many reasons that I actually wanted a completely new ring. It has taken 2 years from that point for us to be ready to buy a new one. This one is much plainer and simpler than my first one. I think it is more 'me' than my old one. Pete also had it engraved to match his too with "Just Like Heaven 10/18/97". I can't believe we have been married for almost 12 years already!

http://img.bluenile.com/is/image/bluenile/WB36502600_main?$375_315$

Monday, September 14, 2009

More of Kierstyn

Picture

K2 had her long awaited appointment today with Dr. Lyons, our pediatric gastroenterologist. Yes, I did say our. K1 saw him February/March when she was having all of her GI issues that still remain undiagnosed but she's on the better side of things now. Dr. Lyons remembered us from 6 months ago. I don't consider that a good thing. He thinks she has reflux just as her pediatrician did. He changed her medication (this is the third one that we are trying). If it works, then we will go back in 6 weeks for a follow-up. If it hasn't worked within 2 weeks, then we are to call him to discuss our next step. He is not going to do any invasive testing at this time because her symptoms seem cut and dry. I'm going to continue to have her eat gluten just in case until the 2 weeks is up so if he does decide to do more testing, then she's been eating the gluten already.

We also need to pay closer attention to her headaches to see if she complains about them at the same time as the stomach/throat complaints because she could be getting digestive migraines. Great. We see our pediatric neurologist in 3 weeks to discuss her headaches that she has had since July as well.

Dr. Nadarajah (her regular pediatrician) wants me to call her back in 2 weeks as well. If she isn't improving, then she'll re-run her blood tests. She still thinks her levels were high due to the pneumonia but since she's still pale and not herself yet, we'll follow up with that.

Just as we get a 'clean bill of health' so to speak for K4, K2 starts not being so well. To say the least, we are all getting flu shots this year! If the kids can get this sick in the summertime, who knows how they'll be come the wintertime. Maybe we'll just hibernate this winter : )

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Happy 9th Birthday Big Girl!


My oldest child, oldest daughter, turns 9 years old today. Where has the time gone!?! I know all too well that saying "They don't stay small for long." I can't believe she is half-way to 18 already. And today she told me that she only has 9 more years to go until she can go sky-diving with her Daddy. Normally that would freak me out. But I know my Big Girl, she doesn't like heights, I'm not too worried about her actually jumping out of a perfectly safe airplane anytime too soon.


Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Kierstyn Update

It feels like the only time I have anything to post anymore is an update on my latest sick child. I took Kierstyn back in to the pediatrician's office today because she woke me up yet again last night complaining of a pain on her lower left side. It's unlike her to wake up for anything. She is, after all, a Pfeiffer. And the Pfeiffers love to sleep!

I found out at the ped's office that her pneumonia is in her lower left lung. Well now that makes sense! The pediatrician suspected fluid build up in her lung. She said she always to try to narrow symptoms down to just one diagnosis but with all that Kierstyn is complaining about, it's hard to pull one thing out without considering the other. She also said she hopes we are just having a bad month and everyone is well by September! So do I! We've been in that office more this past month that in any entire year that I can remember. We'll definitely be getting flu shots this year!

Her blood work-up from Saturday was all normal except that her white blood count was up which makes sense with have pneumonia. Oh, and she's had mono at some point. Nice. Doc said we probably thought she just had a cold and was feeling under the weather but it was mono. Nothing we could have done anyways with that diagnosis anyways.

Dr. Foster sent us back to main St. John's in Detroit for another chest x-ray because her lungs still sounded bad and she had labored breathing. She said if we didn't mind, to go there because they would get her the results in less than an hour so off we went. Oh, and to wait for the reading if we could because if she had fluid in her lungs like she suspected, Kierstyn would have to be admitted to have it drained. But, oh yeah, I have 3 other kids so go ahead and go home to prepare for what to do with them just in case and she'd call me within an hour of me leaving the hospital.

I love St. John's! We were in and out of there in about 15 minutes total. No waiting to register. No waiting for the tech to come out and get her. And my Mom parked the car so no waiting for valet to bring me my car.

Dr. Foster's office nurse just called to tell me that, yes Kierstyn does have fluid in her left lung but it is a small amount. We need to have her rest and drink plenty of fluids. To call if any of her symptoms get worse, otherwise, to bring her back in on Friday for a re-check. Praise the Lord for that news!

K1 & K2 are supposed to leave at 2 pm on Friday for a week-end in NYC with Daddy and the Kelly crew. Her well check-up appoint is scheduled for 11 am. I sure hope she is healed by then so she can go on this trip. She'll be so disappointed if she can't go. She's been talking about it daily since we told her they were going.

Northpointe Pediatrics - Dr. Michelle Foster

Sunday, August 30, 2009

GFCF Diet

Picture

Kierstyn has an appointment in two weeks to see the pediatric gastroenterologist, Dr. Lyons for her reflux. She is on her second medicine, Prilosec, trying to control it. It seemed to work for one week but now it's not. We are in our 4th week of trying it. I have a feeling that he will do an endoscope like he did on Kaeterina earlier this year. I've had the whole family on a gluten free diet for most of the summer now. This means Kierstyn has to eat gluten again before the test if I want him to look for celiac disease, which of course I do since he'll be down that way anyways.

I've also been weaning them off of dairy and eggs. That has been much harder. Honestly, it's been much harder because I don't want to give those up either. I know I'm addicted to gluten. Life without bagels just doesn't seem worth living : ) Pete would only agree to the new diet for whole family if I agreed to do it for myself as well. Being that I'm such a ridiculously picky eater, giving up anything of the limited things that I do eat, is difficult. It has helped my weight loss goal though : ) We are trying to be fair to everyone in the house and if one person can't have something then neither can anyone else. Between Pete's celiac and food allergies and Kierstyn's GERD diet (nothing spicy nor greasy, no chocolate, tomatoes, onions, garlic, citrus, no just name a few) and her ADHD diet, we don't have a lot of options.

My cooking skills are being tested tremendously! I've been checking out new blogs and cookbooks from the library like crazy. But I do have to say that I am enjoying the experimenting in the kitchen again. It is really all in all an healthier way to eat in the long run. It does mean the house isn't quite as clean as it should be. Why mop if I'm just going to get it dirty immediately following : ) It's all a trade-off!

Friday, August 28, 2009

Sick Kiddos

It seems that between the 4 kids, I've been to more doctors, specialists, labs & hospitals this summer alone than in the past 8 years. Of course we've had the on-going issues trying to medically diagnose Kaiden's severe developmental delays.

Additionally, Kierstyn has had health concerns on-going since July. It started with a concussion when Kaeterina dropped her while trying to do a headstand in the front yard. Lots of headaches have followed. She did pass the pediatrician's neuro test twice on two different occasions. That was quickly followed by reflux. The first medicine didn't work so we are in our 4th week now of trying another that doesn't seem to be working either. On top of that, I think she has allergies, possibly asthma too. Those do all seem to run in our family. I took her in to see the pediatrician last week because the headaches weren't getting any better, neither was the reflux.

Now she's been running a fever all week and complaining of a stomach ache. The stomach ache is probably the reflux. The fever has me concerned. I think Pete will take her in to see the pediatrician again tomorrow because I'll be at the Beth Moore live event at KCC.

Monday, August 24, 2009

I Know

I know. I'm WAY behind in posting updates. 4 months to be exact. It's been a crazy, busy, sickly summer. Busier than normal and I hope not the new normal for us : ) I was trying to at least keep Kaiden's blog up but I've failed at doing even that over the past 3 months. I wasn't sure if I would keep this blog going since we weren't moving to NYC right now. I think I will. More goes on in our lives than just Kaiden. Although sometimes I'm not sure of that either.

Everyone is sick here AGAIN today and although it is gorgeous outside (80 degrees and sunny!), we are going to have a jammie day which will allow me to do some catch up work on the laptop. The girls LOVE jammie days. We just lounge around the house in our jammies reading, snacking, and watching dvds at will. We are on season 8 already of Little House on the Prairie. KiKi is anxious to see Laura have her baby so we'll see if we can get that far today.

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

FREE KFC Chicken Meal

Hurry and print your coupon here today!

The Oprah Winfrey Show/Kentucky Grilled Chicken Two-Piece Meal Coupon

Kentucky Grilled Chicken

Get two pieces of grilled chicken, two individual sides and a biscuit!

Limited Time Download
Coupon download available from 9 a.m. CDT on May 5, 2009, to 11:59 p.m. CDT on May 6, 2009. Coupon is redeemable at participating KFC® locations in the United States from May 5, 2009 to May 19, 2009—excluding Mother's Day, May 10, 2009.

Go to unthinkfc.com to download your coupon!

Due to heavy demand, you may experience some slowness navigating to the website. Please be patient and try again later.

Monday, April 27, 2009

Free Chicken

KFC is giving away a free piece of their new grilled chicken today ONLY, April 27. You don't need a coupon either, just stop in. Go here for more details.

Monday, April 6, 2009

Kaeterina


Kaeterina had her follow-up appointment with the gastroenterologist today. All of her test results came back negative. She hasn't gained nor lost any weight. This was a huge relief since she's not drinking as much Pediasure as they said she should but she's not eating as much either. But at least is eating more. He said we could try something for possible reflux but we already did that with her pediatrician and it didn't seem to make a difference. He said to let's just give it time and see if her appetite continues to improve. So that is what we are going to do. Just take a wait and see approach. For school, we also started a 5 A Day study and are tracking all of our fruit & vegetable consumption. She loves to get rewards so she's trying extra hard to get in her 5 a day so that she can get a certificate next week. This week we are concentrating on just getting them in. Next week we'll concentrate on portion size.

Monday, March 30, 2009

We're Moving

When the adoption began to look like it was going to happen sooner rather than later, we realized that this was God's plan all along. We were not moving to Manhattan. As crazy as moving there with 3 girls seemed, it seemed even crazier to move there with a new special needs baby in tow. Here in Michigan, we have a support system. Close friends and family that are there when we need them. Sure, we would have Communitas in NYC, but that wouldn't be the same as the relationships that we have here in Michigan. It also meant that an 800 sq ft two bedroom apartment would not be as doable as we thought it would be. That on top of many other factors, we knew we weren't moving to Manhattan. I'll save all of that for another day.

But now that we weren't moving to NYC, where were we moving? Somewhere else? In Michigan? Troy? Detroit? An apartment? Our old house? Both Pete and I agreed that we wouldn't make a decision until we both felt the same way. This left us in limbo for quite a few months. The most logical thing for us to do was to move back into the old house. The lease on that was not up until March 31, 2009 so we knew we had a few months to try to figure things out and hear from God.

By January I was sure that we were moving back to Troy. I thought our old house. But just to be sure, I thought we should look at buying another house. Pete agreed so I started talking with a real estate agent in February and looking at foreclosures. This only felt right if it was happening so that we get a great deal. We could potentially find a bigger house with 4 bedrooms, in a better school district, for less money. Eventually we went through the offering and declining process on two different houses. Both in Troy, essentially the same houses, with one slightly larger. Our prayer was always that if this was not the plan, the He would close the door. And close the doors he did. When we lost the offer on the second house to a lower bid, it was obvious that this was not His plan for us. But now what? Pete still felt drawn to D. Some days I do too but I'm not ready for that yet. Not now.

We again agreed (for those that know us both well, you know that us agreeing on anything is a big step in of itself : ) that we'd wait until we returned from China to make a final decision. We had an agreement with our renters now that the lease was ending, that we'd both give each other as close to 60 days notice as possible. They were in their own limbo and weren't prepared to re-new the lease either.

After 1.5 weeks in China, I just knew that we were supposed to move back into the old house. As frustrating as that idea was (having sold 80% of our belongings, of which we now need to buy at least 40% back again) it felt like the right thing to do. I needed safety, simplicity, and security. I know Troy. I know that house. Since we had prepped that house to sell originally, I knew that it wouldn't need much work. Maybe some painting and cleaning, but nothing else. Now if only Pete would feel the same way.

Eventually Pete came to same the conclusion. We'd move back into the old house. But not our old lives. Things have to be different this time around. We've released our attachment to 'stuff' and vowed not to accumulate so much again. We also know our lives need to mean more than our usual surburbia living. We don't know exactly what that means yet, but have faith that God will show us, step by step. He has already started to reveal a little by our growing involvement in the Cass Corridor area of Detroit.

Pete contacted our renters and terminated our lease. Because we don't have an exact move out date, we told them that we can be a little flexible with the beginning of May. I'm hoping to back in and settled for Mother's Day. But I also know not to count on what I want either.

Friday, March 13, 2009

Adoption Blog

We are preparing to leave for China so I'll only be updating Kaiden's blog while we are away. You can keep up with us over there:

Thursday, March 12, 2009

Leaving on a Jet Plane

14 hours until take off.....

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Update on Kaeterina

Kaeterina arrived at St. John's Hospital in Detroit at 10:30 am today to have her endoscope with biopsy done at 12 noon. She was anxious about having it done but the nurses were SUPER! They made the whole experience as good as it could possibly given the circumstances. They talked her through everything that they were going to do. Then they let her pick out a movie to watch on a personal DVD player. After awhile the doc came in and explained how they were going to put her to sleep. Then the nurse brought her a sedative that made her sleepy. She doesn't even remember watching the end of the movie. The procedure went very quickly. I don't think she was away from us for even a full hour. After she started to wake up the nurses brought her back from recovery so we could sit with her. She was allowed to have as many popsicles as she wanted but she just wanted half of one red one. Then as we were wheeling her out in her wheelchair ride, the nurse let her pick one Beanie Baby to take home. She was very excited about that.

The good news is that everything looked good. The bad news is that everything looked good. We still do not have a diagnosis. The gastroenterologist took a biopsy of the stomach to rule out Celiac disease for sure but we don't think she has that. She has lost 2 more pounds so she is up to a total weight loss of 8 pounds in just less than 4 weeks. The gastro doc suggested anxiety or depression. While that would make perfect sense with all that is going on, I would have thought it would have happened sooner. It just started after the vomiting 4 weeks ago. We'll get the biopsy results on Monday (when we'll already be in China). We have to keep her on Pediasure to help her gain weight back and at the very least, stop her from loosing any more weight. It's hard to get her to drink as much as she needs because she keeps telling us that she's not hungry.



By Big Girl

Well my big girl, K1 has started her own blog. It'll be a good learning experience for her. She'll get to practice her typing and her language arts all at once. And, get this, the girl is more popular than her mother. Not that that's any surprise to me. Who'd read what I have to when they could read the true reflections of an 8 year old who has been jaded by the world around her yet. We started it so she could journal her journey to China in a fun way. Her friends E and M started blogging this past week as well. She's had a lot of fun reading their entries too. I hope she's able to keep it up better than her mother is.

By the way, she picked this picture out herself to put on her own blog. She is looking like quite the silly girl! She was trying to catch snowflakes in her mouth at the BBQ with the homeless in Detroit back in January. She had a ton of fun that month with all of her friends.

Friday, March 6, 2009

Challenges

I know I haven't been posting here much these days. I'm trying to keep our adoption blog up as best as I can. There is a lot going on in our lives right now. Not that there isn't normally a lot going on in our lives, in most peoples lives. It seems like more than normal right now. I like to have multiple balls up in the air at a time on most days. But even this has been too much for me. I told a good friend yesterday that I feel like I'm on the verge of a break-down. I'm not really and I don't know what that would feel like but I feel like it's getting close. I know that God will only give me as much as I can handle and that He'll give me the strength to handle all that He gives me, but gosh, I'd like a break today. I've tried having this conversation with Pete a few times about how I'd like to just have a normal life. Just for a little bit. Then I see this video today. Whatever. I'd like to lay down on the balance beam today. If only for just today. But I know I can't. Too much to do before we leave for China. Which is exactly one week from today.



"I can do everything through him who gives me strength." Phil 4:13

Saturday, February 21, 2009

BBQ with the Homeless

Today was our monthly BBQ with the homeless at Second & Selden in Detroit. These outings have really begun to become a part of our life. I still have a hard time interacting with the people that live in that area, but little by little, I'm starting to have a place in my heart for them. Not so much so for the drunk lady that wanted to start a fight with everyone. I also look forward to seeing the people that come from the suburbs to help out, since for the most part, I only see them at the BBQs as well. Each month, more and more people are attending. It's nice to see so many others are gettin involved and see it growing. A few guys from Pete's men's group came today for the first time. I'm thankful that the Kellys went for the very first time last January 2008 and paved the way for us to start going as well. I started to call it 'ours' today. In the past, it's always been 'Mike's'. I am beginning to feel that this is the ministry that God has called us to be a part of. I'm grateful to be able to be apart of it while the Kellys are still here. Normally the girls come with us but the Kelly girls are in Florida and E was spending the day with his Dad so the Pfeiffers girls stayed with my parents. It started to snow hard when we first arrived but it tappered off by the end. Now that we've helped Mike gather supplies and set - up, I can see why it was taking him ALL DAY to do it. Starting in April, we will be going twice per month, the first and third Saturdays. I'm glad Mike's ordered our own grill so next time, that's one less trip we'll have to make to Rochester and back to borrow one. Little by little, God is revealing His plan for us. I sure wish we'd have looked for his guidance many years earlier but I'm also thankful for His patience with us. Now if only I could remember that with my own children.

Friday, February 13, 2009

Frugal Friday


I just completed a quick survey, less than one page in length, in order to receive a free one year subscription to Martha Stewart Living magazine. I'm a sucker for magazines but I won't pay the money for them so this will be a nice little present to myself monthly. Go here for yours.

Thursday, February 12, 2009

Hubby forwarded this to me today. I have to say, I do agree 100% with the author. I'm not saying that we should over spend. I always believe in getting the best deal possible on any purchase. But I also don't buy crap that isn't going to last. I'm believe in frugality - not being a cheapskate.

I have a few real life examples too. Take my Mom's kitchenaid mixer. She used it for about 20 years and then gave it to me only because she wanted a new color. My parents queen size mattresses. They bought new only because my Mom wanted new. I used them in my spare bedroom for a few years and then when my sister in law moved out, I sent them with her to use in her spare bedroom. And they are still mighty fine mattresses, kicking around 20+ years later. My hubby only buys Doc Marten shoes for the most part. He has one pair of boots that he's had for 15 years now. Still kicking around. I bought a blow dryer about 14 years ago. 13 years ago I decided I just wanted a new color. My sister in law just recently had to throw it away because it finally died. If I had to figure out the cost of the items over the years that they were used, it'd come out to just pennies a day!

Why I Can't Afford Cheap | February 9, 2009

I remember reading a story once about an octogenarian discussing her most prized possessions with a researcher. She shows the researcher an iron that's been going for over 40 years and explains how she had to scrimp and save to buy the product and how it ended up out living even her husband. Quizzed on why she spent so much money on the iron she said "I'm too poor to buy cheap!"

Too poor to buy cheap. That simple phase really resonated with me and has stuck with me ever since.

Cheap is quick. Cheap is dirty. Cheap is disposable.

Cheap breaks.

Cheap costs money. It costs money to fix, it costs money to replace.

Cheap seems like a good idea at the time but cheap fails when you most need it.

Cheap is flimsy and unsatisfying.

Cheap is inefficient.

Cheap gets in your way.

Cheap costs you time and it costs you customers.

Cheap always cost you more in the end. That's why I can't afford to buy cheap. Can you?

Monday, January 26, 2009

Gung Hay Fat Choy

Happy Chinese New Year (Spring Festival)!

Thursday, January 22, 2009

More Garrett Michel Photos


I was able to visit with Sue and baby Garrett today. He's such a little peanut! I just love him! Jeff has already decided that his hockey and football numbers will be 21. He was born on 1/21 at 2:21 pm and was 21" long. He does have the longest fingers and feet I've ever seen on a baby. Kierstyn's were pretty long too but I think he beat her out on that.

Garrett is a true blessing to the Villemure family. Both parents anticipated a long journey to parenthood and God surprised them and blessed them before their 1 year anniversary. On top of him being a healthy baby boy, he was born via c-section (non-emergent) and thankfully so. He had the cord wrapped around his neck and they didn't even know that. They only suspected something because his monitoring was off a bit.

I was only able to visit for 1.5 hours because it took a bit longer than I expected to get there due to construction on M-59 and the the girls still needed to get some school in today. I'll take more tomorrow when I have my good camera back. Pete took it today to have for his photography class tonight. Here are my favorite photos:



Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Auntie Again


Garrett Michel
(look at those hands!)

My sister in law (although she is more like my sister than my Man's - I just love her death!) delivered a healthy baby boy this afternoon via c-section. Garrett is my first nephew on the Pfeiffer side of the family and second on my side. I rarely visit with my first nephew anymore. He lives over an hour away and is 14. His idea of a good time is not exactly hanging out with his little girl cousins and "Auntie". He was the first to call me that and I love that sound! It's the second sweetest sound behind "Mommy". This photo was taken with Jeff's camera phone because I wasn't able to visit him today. I'll wait until tomorrow when I have more time and won't be rushed to meet him and visit with the V side of the family. I'm just thrilled for Sue & Jeff that they have a healthy, heafty baby boy. Now we know at least Kaiden will have one boy in the family to play with.

Homeless Video

A few months ago, a friend of ours, Prem, from Arising Images, emailed Pete and others telling them that he felt that he needed to get involved in bringing awareness to the homeless population in Detroit. One step he took to that end, was to contact his friend, Don Pham, and asked him to do a video while he did some photos. Here is the finished project. Please feel free to share it anywhere and even post it in your own blog to promote awareness and hopefully get more people involved in the City. You can get the embedded tags here.

Saturday, January 10, 2009

CVS Trip #2


I only went to CVS again so that I could get the 30 free Soy Joy bars but of course they were all sold out by today. I knew that I should have gone back right away last Sunday but I didn't. I think we are set on medicines for this winter. This is what I was able to snag though instead.

2 Aleve 100 count @ $8 each
1 Children's Motrin @ $5.50
1 Tylenol PM @ $8.50
1 Tylenol Cold @ $6.00

Used:
5 $1.00 coupons
$30 ECB (from previous 30 free soy joy bars)

Spent $0.36 OOP

Earned $15 ECB for next visit
Aleve qualified for $10 rebate by mail

Saved $47.45 this trip

Friday, January 9, 2009

Frugal Friday


One of my goals for 2009 is to take even better control of our grocery/toiletries spending. When I was keeping Frugal in Manhattan up to date, it was easier for me to do that. I had all of you (all 1 of my followers : ) to keep me accountable. Keeping up with this blog and the adoption blog is hard enough, let alone another one. So I have decided that for now, I'll just post once a week on this blog about what I'm doing to keep that in better check.

I've made 2 trips to CVS so far this week. I'm going to try to make a third one tomorrow if I can fit it in with another outing. I didn't think to take a picture of my first trip but I did remember today. I did much better earlier in the week but I still did OK today.

My favorite resource for finding the best weekly deals is Money Saving Mom and Keeping the Kingdom First for her weekly $5 CVS challenge for beginners.

Here is what I bought today:

1 Garnier shampoo $2.99 (FREE after coupons and ECB earned)
2 Tylenol Childrens @ $5.50
2 Tylenol Infants @ $5.50 (spend $20 in select Tylenol products and earn $10 ECB)

Total before coupons and ECB (extra care bucks) $31.46

Used:
2 $2.50/2 Tylenol coupon
1 $1.00 Garnier coupons
$14.77 in ECB

($6.00 coupons used and $14.77 ECB)
Bold
Total out of pocket spent $4.83

Earned $12 ECB ($2 Garnier and $10 Tylenol) for next visit

I've budgeted myself $5 per week to use at CVS/Walgreens/Rite Aid

Noteworthy - just this week I earned $60 at Rite Aid and $25 at Walgreens for transferring my prescriptions around. I have many of these pharmacies around my home so switching them was no more work for me to do and earned me a total of $85 in more FREE stuff. This will come quite in handy now that I have to begin buying diapers again!

Thursday, January 8, 2009

Perspective

Nothing like having lunch. With a good friend. Who is having a really hard time right now. Who's life is 100 times harder than mine right now. To put my life into perspective. I have a God that forgives me when I least deserve it. I have my health. I have a wonderful husband who adores me, believes in me and supports me (even when it doesn't feel like it : ). I have 3 beautiful, healthy daughters that love and challenge me. I have a handsome son waiting for me in China. I also have generally healthy Parents and In-laws who love me and my family. Additionally, I have all the food and clothing that I want, more than I need most days, and a toasty warm home to live in. Lastly, I have friends that are there for me in my crappiest moments. And I'm complaining. Really? Things could be a lot worse. A lot worse.

New Day

So today is a new day.

It's going to be better than yesterday.

Got a few 'hate' emails. Got a few 'support' emails. But now it's over. I won't spend anymore time on this. I won't let this event cloud all of the good works that the Lord has done in our lives over the past 18 months.

I'm putting my laptops away after this post and not bringing them back out until tomorrow.

I've blocked a few people from sending me emails and 'unfriended' a few people on Facebook.

It's going to be a good day.

Off to have lunch with a good friend.

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Really?

Really? Is this how it is supposed to end? None of what happened today was a surprise to God. He knew how things were going to play out. I'm having a hard time believing though that this was His plan. I know after coming home from a SUPER New Community service that I should expect something. Maybe it was Satan attacking. Or maybe it was just humans being who we are. Sinners. Jerks. Meanies.

I was talking with C a few weeks ago about relationships. That is what is supposed to be most important to us all. Relationships. He asked probing questions about why I don't have many deep friendships. Why do I have so many acquaintances but very few best friends. Why do I keep a double thick brick wall up. Why do I always there for others but don't count on anyone to be there for me. This is why. People suck. You get hurt. I've had enough hurt in my life so far to last me an entire lifetime. Just when you trust someone and start to let them in, they disappoint. I'm sure I do the same thing. I'm not claiming to be perfect. I just don't see the point in putting yourself in that position.

I just had a nice, long phone conversation with Beaner. She's going through it too but taking it all alot better than I am. I am grateful to have her in my life right now. I never would have guessed that I'd be leaning on her a year ago. But God did. She's taking it better because she has lowered her expectations. I know I should too. I think I have lowered them. But just how low do you go?

I fully expected Mother Superiors response. But I wasn't expecting the response I got from a few others.

But really? I thought I was out of high school. Yes I did play my part in it. In my defense, I was caught off guard and hurt deeply. But still, I could have just let it all go. But I couldn't help myself.

Michelle says that icky things happen in 3s. I hope not. I know that deaths seem to happen in 3s. But I can't take anymore of yesterday again. At least not this week.

Please Lord, put a shed of protection around us and keep Satan at bay so that we can all continue to do your work.

This too shall pass.
Tomorrow is a new day.

Monday, January 5, 2009

NYC Move Update

After a lot of prayer and discussion, we have decided that we're not going to continue to pursue moving to NYC. Many different things have happened over the past few months that are leading us to be connected in Detroit. We just found out Friday that our application has officially been accepted by China, and we'll be traveling to China to bring our son home at the beginning of March (as long as we get travel approval before they close for Chinese New Year in 2 weeks). The impact of that alone to our family is going to be significant. We're feeling like we need to settle things down and give the kids (and us) some stability for a while - something we haven't had for quite some time now. This, along with some of the people that have come into our lives recently, and the peace we have with this decision are leading us to believe this is the right thing for us to do.

We are going to stay living with my in-laws until they return from Florida at the beginning of April which should co-incide with when we return from China.

It has truly been a pleasure and an honor being a part of Communitas and to be part of the incredible things that God is doing. There is no doubt that we had to be a part of Communitas, even if we never made it to NYC. My mantra over the past few months has been, "it's all about the process and not the end destination". We couldn't continue to live our old lives anymore and Communitas was a huge catalyst that sped the transformation in our lives.

Now we look forward to our next great adventure!

Friday, January 2, 2009

He's Ours

To see a picture of our new son, head over to my adoption blog:

God's Plan - Our Journey to China

(and yes, I know, it can't be 4kpgirls anymore : )

Thursday, January 1, 2009

Scripture Memorization

I have never been good at memorization of much of anything. I can read things and learn to understand them and then explain them in my own terms but rarely recite something back word for word. As part of the girls' school curriculum they are memorizing all sorts of different scriptures. They already have memorized more than I know.

On the LPM blog, they are going to work at memorizing 24 scriptures together this year. (1 every 2 weeks - to memorize or at least mediate on) I have been feeling like I this is something that I need to do since August but haven't done it. Now that I have others to be accountable to, I'm going to make it a goal of mine for this year.

Here is this weeks' verse:

Isaiah 33:6 (New International Version)

6 He will be the sure foundation for your times,
a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge;
the fear of the LORD is the key to this treasure.