Couponing: A How To

It seems several of you have inquired about our money saving hobby!

If you haven't already been introduced to southern savers, then let me be the first to tell you this is an amazing site! They have some great tutorial videos & they do a great job explaining.

I am going to a class in September so I hope to become more coupon wise but for now this is what it looks like for me.

First of all I want this to be something I can keep up with as our lives get busier and our family gets bigger so I really focus on 3 stores (Publix, Kroger, CVS). On Sunday we buy the double coupon newspaper on our way to church (Atlanta offers a double coupon paper). I go through & cut the coupons that I think we will use & then I divide them up by category. I bought this great coupon divider to better organize with ( pets, dairy, snacks, baby, etc).

Next I check the sale papers to see the best deals at Publix, Kroger & CVS. Then I make my grocery list according to the best deals/ coupons each store has. Through coupons I have fallen in LOVE with Publix.

Check with your grocery store to see there policy on coupons. Some will double up to 50 cents, others will take competitors coupons & some even have coupons online you can load to your value card (Kroger is one of these).

CVS is kind of it's own category. I love there ECB program and generally try to focus on there sales that feature ECB's. However, CVS takes a little more thought. I could see how if you weren't careful you would end up spending more than saving.

Again the Southern Savers website will tell you what coupons are available for each store, giving you a cheat sheet.

Our monthly grocery budget hasn't really changed, but I can assure you I have a pantry and freezer full of food that I didn't have before.

I am happy to say I have already converted one friend over to couponing......Virginia!

Hope this was helpful! Will be happy to answer any questions too!

Happy Birthday Ashley Donald!

No, No, it's not my birthday, it's Ashley Donald's birthday! Yes there are two of us! What are the odds of two brothers marrying Ashley's? Matthew's younger brother Nathan married a sweet girl Ashley about 3 and half years ago. We are often referred to as "nathanashley" or "matthewashley" all in one word. So Wednesday was Ashley's birthday, and due to our travels, I am running a few days late.

Ashley has such a sweet heart. It seems there is always a gift for Mary Stewart when Ashley is around! I find that Ashley can be such a "worker bee." When given a job, she is going to see it through. Odds are though you won't see Ashley per say. She is a behind the scenes kinda girl! I am jealous of her scrapbooking tools and talents! If only we lived closer so she could impart some of her skill on me!

I am thankful that Ashley is a part of our family. When Nathan was about 10 years old he was diagnosed with RP (link over & read about it as defined by wikipedia), an eye disease. RP is degenerative disease and no one quite knows how it will play out for Nathan (however the Lord has been so kind and gracious and we continue to pray). I have been so encouraged at Ashley's love and care for Nathan and her commitment to him and especially their future. I know I have already started praying for Mary Stewart's mate, and it is no coincidence that God joined Ashley & Nathan! Thank you Ashley for your love for Nathan! I am so glad I have you to share my name with!!!

Happy Birthday!

Ashley, Rachel, Randi, & Me!

Ashley & Nathan with Sweet Mary Stewart!

Three of A Kind!

We have been a whirlwind this summer! I have been meaning to post these pictures for some time but we have been so busy.

At the end of July Mary Stewart and I made a last minute trip to Baton Rouge. When we are there we always try to get together with her cousins. Two of Matthew's cousins had babies last summer too! It is so fun to see them together and to watch them interact. It is so sweet that Anna Mae and Paw Paw have 3 great grand children! Wow what a legacy! Marlie is the oldest, she turned 1 on June 26. Then Jax on August 3 and Mary Stewart will be one on September 30.

This last visit was so special because it was baby Jax 1st birthday! He shared his day with us!

These babies are Three of A Kind!

The birthday boy Jax!

The Grandma's and the babies!

Marlie & Aunt Lilah, Jax & Aunt Elaine, Dee Dee & Mary Stewart

And Two Shall Become One

This weekend is very exciting for our family. The anticipation of Brian and Rachel's wedding is here. Brian (Matt's youngest brother) is dear to our hearts. As you may recall, Brian has lived with us on two different occasions. Rachel too is oh so dear, and as time passes I realize we have more and more in common.

What a sweet celebration this weekend will be, filled with sweet friends and family. I get giddy when I think about all of Matthew's siblings and spouses (The Ashley's!) and my sister and brother in law too being together all weekend. Can we say "Get So Excited!"

The same minister, Ketih Berger, who married Matthew and I, is also marrying Brian and Rachel. Keith was the RUF campus minister at LSU, and I cherish the time I was under his teaching. Looking forward to this great reunion as well. I know of at least 6 couples who will be here this weekend that Keith married! Wow!!

I am so thankful for Brian and Rachel to be united as one! Rachel lost her mother to cancer her senior year of high school. I know she has longed for the place to call home and to make hers. What a sweet blessing God has given her in marriage. Not only to find a place to call home, but a place to make a home with Brian.

We would covet your prayers as many of us travel this weekend. We pray for a sweet weekend that would glorify God and that we would truly celebrate in his graciousness.

Don't worry I am brining my camera!

Cheers to Brian and Rachel!!

Depravity Has Never Been So Cute....

Those out there that don't believe in depravity must not have children. As cute and precious and sweet as Mary Stewart is, she is depraved!

She is beginning to squeal (her version of scream) when she isn't getting her way or she's not getting your undivided attention. Yesterday her daddy captured this video of me squealing back at her.....

Like I said, depravity has never been so cute!

Better Late Than Never..... Happy 4th of July

So I'm a little behind to say the least, but Happy 4th of July! For the past few years Matthew's family on his dad's side have all gathered together to celebrate the 4th. at Carters Lake near Ellijay, Georgia. This year it was a small crowd, but a great weekend!

We enjoyed Camp Donald and Carters Lake. Carters Lake is North Georgia's best kept secret. The water is clear and the scenery beautiful.

Here are a few pictures......

Mary Stewart makes a great Captain!

Enjoying Carters Lake

Jeff, Amee, & Reece Caroline

As always it was a great time with sweet family, wonderful food, and a beautiful backdrop!

1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9!!!

I feel like I have blinked and the past month has gone by. July was quite busy for us. I am continued to be amazed at how much you change each month.
Here is a little glimpse of month 9!
*We didn't really try too many new foods but Dee Dee introduced you to tofu and you love to share my whole wheat waffles with me in the morning.
*You have become quite the chatter bug. "Uh Oh" is your most frequent word. But you will say Mama and Dada too!
*Puppy Dogs!!!! Oh my how you LOVE dogs! You will make the cutest kissy face and "call the dogs"! You even have your own little bark. We are thankful that the dogs you encounter are so patient with you!
*NO!!! You know what No means! When I tell you "No", you usually will mind! (I hope this trend continues)
*You had your first swim in Carters Lake! I think you would have enjoyed the lake a little more without the life jacket.
* I left you! Not just for a night, but for 6 days!!! I knew you would be fine, but I wasn't so sure about me! We went to celebrate our 5th anniversary & had a great trip. You had a great time at Camp D with Dee Dee and Papa!
*You sleep between 12 and 13 hours at night (we are so blessed) but it seems you are scared you are going to miss something during the day, so your naps well they seem to be cat naps!
*We made a trip to Baton Rouge to visit all of our favorite people!
* I am beginning to see a little bit of separation anxiety (I am fine with you being a mama's girl)!
*On the go...... You aren't one to sit still. You are always on the go. I love to watch you crawl and climb.

Oh Mary Stewart you truly are such a sweet & happy baby! I love watching you each day. You continue to be such a blessing to our family.