3 Months Later

We said hello to Noah 3 months ago yesterday. We said goodbye 3 months ago today. If you would ask us how we are doing about all I can say is better than yesterday, last week, and last month. Better and OK are the words I seem to use most. Some days I use good. I look forward to the days I can say great or fantastic again. I know we'll get there. We are getting there. 


This past week if you asked how I was doing, while I would have said tired; I would have also used good everyday. Something about being a counselor at church camp revitalizes my outlook. Seeing kids away from the outside world is great. Hearing them praise God is comforting. It was an emotional week as church camp always is but it was a much needed emotional week. It's been the best week in awhile for me being able to get away from worries and focus on the most important things that matter in life.


So after sleeping most of the day today and being lazy, I'm hoping the next few months continue to hold improvements and more good days and maybe a few greats.

It's Growing!

I posted a while back about our little memory garden for Noah. I am proud to say we haven't killed it yet. It's looking so good! I wanted to share the progress!

When we first planted...

 Now look at it! 

When We Ask Why

At Noah's memorial, Aaron's grandmother gave us a framed poem. It has helped to read it occasionally. I read it again today and thought I would share.

When We Ask Why

God's beautiful plan

Is sometimes concealed,

But someday His purpose

Will be fully revealed.

Someday God's wisdom

Will make very plain

Why problems were permitted

And how He uses pain.

We'll see the Lord's purpose

From Heaven's point of view,

And we will understand

In ways we never knew.

Till we are home with God

Some answers have to wait.

"Lord, we'll trust and obey-

Lord, help us walk by faith."

-Perry Tanksley

Couponing - My Most Recent Obsession

About a month ago I watched a few episodes of the Extreme Couponing show on TLC. After watching a man and his wife walk out of a grocery store with about $800 worth of products and not paying a dime, I made up my mind that I could save at least some on a small scale. So the next Sunday I went out and bought a paper and clipped out all of the coupons and began planning. I found a few websites that helped me figure things out. I use www.couponing101.com and www.thekrazycouponlady.com.  These sites lay out each store’s coupon policy and give you the deals at each store every week.

Up to this point, I have done couponing at Walgreens, CVS, Target, and Homeland. My goal has been to save anywhere from 50% up. For the most part I have done this! I have actually walked out of Walgreens with more money in their Register Reward (RR) program than I have spent out of pocket twice now.

I’ve decided to occasionally share with everyone what I’ve saved in some stores each week for anyone interested in or curious about couponing. I am by no means an expert but I’m loving this and I like to share what I love. Everything I share is going to be before taxes are added.

Here are my best deals this week:

Walgreens:

The first week you shop at Walgreens you won’t have any Register Rewards, but after that first week your savings can definitely go up! The key is to use your RR for products that will earn RR.

I bought the following

1 Sobe flavored water
1 Gillette Pro Fusion Power Razor
2 cans of Planters cashews
1 Garnier Shampoo 13oz
1 Garnier Conditioner 13oz
1 Garnier Mousse 6.8oz
1 Garnier Hairspray

Total: $40.92

Total after sale: $30.88
Total after using coupons (including RR): $6.38 before taxes
Register Rewards earned: $11.99
Total savings: Profit of $5.61

CVS

Just like Walgreens, the first time you shop you won’t have any of the Extra Care Bucks (ECB) they give out, but after that you can get some decent deals. Make sure you have one of their savings cards to get the good prices!

I bought the following

1 Oral-B Pulsar Toothbrush

Total: $6.79

Total after sale: $6.00
Total after coupons (including ECB): $0.02
ECB earned: $3.00
Total savings: Profit of $2.98

Homeland

Homeland is a local grocery store so the sites I mentioned above do not list the deals for here. I learned from a friend that Homeland doubles coupons that are $1.00 and below.  They have their coupon policy on their website – www.homelandstores.com. The key is to have their savings card and to match coupons with sales.

I bought the following

3 Wishbone Italian Salad Dressing
1 Ronzoni Garden Delight pasta
2 Lysol Disinfectant Wipes 30 count
1 Lysol Disinfectant Spray
2 Philadelphia Cooking Crème
2 Jars of Ragu
1 Bob Evans Refrigerated Side
1 La Victoria Salsa

Total: 42.07

Total after One Card savings: $27.62
Total after coupons: $11.12 before taxes
Total Savings: 73.5%

Like I said all of the totals are before taxes so I spent a little more than what I listed but you get the idea. Even after taxes I still had profits at Walgreens and CVS. I don’t think there is any turning back after this!

Life Right Now

Just a small update on things. Not much to tell really. Physically still doing great, only about 3 pounds to go to prepregnacy weight, then on to the next weight goal. I really need to start up a workout routine just not quite motivated yet.

Emotionally things are still a struggle. Daytime is ok, I keep busy enough to not think about things to much. Starting back at work has helped. Crocheting or reading in my free time. I've also dived into the couponing business and am doing pretty well at that so far. The hard part is watching friends get to keep their babies, especially when several were due around the time we had Noah or are due soon. Please don't get me wrong, I'm happy for all of them; happy that they don't know the heartbreak I feel, that we feel. But it brings out such a sense of longing for something that was taken away from me, and that is hard. Nighttime is also hard; hasn't really gotten better yet. I wish when I went to bed my brain would just shut off, that I could slip into sleep without starting to think. It's a continual struggle to leave all my worries and sadness with God but I keep working at it.

We are still slowly healing and I know that a huge part of that is the continual prayers for us. I guess I am voicing my stuggles so that everyone knows what to pray for. We could never thank everyone enough for everything done for us.