wee bit o'irish!

Copeland Savings: Part Three

Okay...last one for the day! (or rather night since it is almost midnight and I am still up!)

We have been beyond blessed with clothes for Eli and are so thankful. Lee's cousin (Hollie and Mark) had a little boy (Eli too!) a year before and gave us 3 or 4 giant gift bags full of clothes, socks, shoes, etc. Then my friend Angie sent me a box of clothes (15 lbs) from Statesboro from her little boy Griff who was born the year before as well. This (plus my shower gifts) have kept Eli clothed completely for 6 months. We really have not had to buy anything...except for the outfits I had bought him while I was pregnant...which still wasn't a lot.

I was starting to run out of my hand me downs and worried about what I would do for his spring and summer clothes. My cousin Kristin told me about this Consignment Sale in Gwinnett that was supposed to be incredible. Long story short, I ended up going by myself and RACKING UP on some deals. I was very selective....name brand items...no stains....most were new items or rarely worn items. Look at what I got for $65!!

My aunt Danielle is also letting me borrow Sim's clothes from last year...so literally this boy is set for Spring and Summer. HALLELUJAH!!! God surely answers prayers doesn't he? :)

Copeland Savings: Part Two

Here is my weekly menu for this week:

Breakfast: Waffles w/ Peanut Butter (YUM!), Cereal, Yogurt (w/ Grape Nuts), English Muffins (w/ cheese or honey), Bacon

Lunch: Tomato Soup, Turkey Sandwiches, BLT Sandwiches, Chips

Dinner:

Sunday: Elk Burgers, Mashed Potatoes, Steamed Green Beans (already had this from last week)

Monday: Leftovers from Sunday (great thing about only having 2 people to feed)

Tuesday: Chicken and Vegetable (broccoli, red pepper, carrot, water chestnuts) Stir Fry w/ Rice (had other veggies left over from last week)

Wednesday: Leftovers from Tuesday

Thursday: Spaghetti and Homemade Meatballs (already have meat) w/ Salad (Friends over so no leftovers)

Friday: Mini Pizzas (w/ English Muffins) and Salad (already have pizza toppings)

I also went to Kroger today (it really wasn't that bad going to two grocery stores b/c I knew exactly what I needed and was quick). Here is what I got:

BOGO: Bacon (put one in the freezer)

Sale Items: (using Kroger card) Yogurt (5), Perdue Chicken (GREAT SALE! $2.50), Deli Turkey Meat (.5lb), Wheat Bread, Diced Tomatoes, Cheese Slices

Coupon Items: Baby Food, Butter, Cottonelle TP (one of my best deals - was on sale for $6.99 but I had $2.00 in coupons - 12 pk), DH Cake Mix (FREE!)

Other: Milk, Ginger Ale, Broccoli, Romaine Lettuce

All this for $37.24!! I saved $18.80!!


The savings will get better and better each week as I learn the process and get more coupons in my stash. Remember, check out Leigh Ann's blog and she will teach the you the process. Let me know if you have any questions!! I hope everyone starts saving! :)

Copeland Savings: Part One

I am a girl on a mission!! Watch out...here I come! haha

Our finances have taken a beating this year with me getting laid off and losing our great insurance coverage (WHEN I WAS ON MATERNITY LEAVE!!), the pay cuts from Lee's company and the addition of little man. Lee is working extra side jobs and I have taken on a couple extra side jobs...but I still thought we could do more to help with our budget. I have read some blogs and done some (mini) research on cutting coupons...but was terrified! I was scared of not doing it right and then getting to the register and having the cashier glare at me for wasting her time. One of my friends from high school, Leigh Ann, is a pro at this and started a blog giving all of us "first timers" tips and advice. You should check out her blog Half Baked - it really tells you what to do step by step.

I followed her directions and got my Sunday paper early on Saturday afternoon. I thought it would take me forever but it wasn't that bad. I don't have a 3 ring binder yet and clear sleeves to put all my coupons in so I just took 2 ziplock bags and labeled them "FOOD" and "HOUSEHOLD" - coupons are fine in there for the time being. I knew it would be best for me to start small and focus on 2 stores - Kroger (where I normally shop) and Publix. I planned my menu for the week based on what I already have here and what was on sale at the two stores. I tried to find things that were on sale and then had a coupon for - double savings! I was so excited and boy did I do GREAT on my first trip!

Here is what I got at Publix:

They have select items each week for BOGO (Buy One Get One Free) and alot of those items this week were things that we eat. **NOTE: I refuse to buy things we don't normally eat or like just b/c they are on sale or I have a coupon for. I feel like I will get discouraged and not get the satisfaction I need to continue this process each week.**

BOGO Items: Cheese Its, Honey Nut Cheerios, Lays Chips, Barilla Spaghetti, Bertolli Pasta Sauce, Kraft Dressings/Marinades, Thomas English Muffins

SALE Items: Eggo Waffles, Tomato Soup (4 pack), Viva Papertowels (8 rolls)

COUPON Items: Energeizer Batteries (for Eli's swing!), Gum (FREE!!), Baby Food (8 packs of 2), Ziplock bags

Publix $.01 item of the week: Tortilla Chips

All this for $47.01!!!! I saved $36.21!!!

Also - the great thing is that most of these items will last us a couple weeks so divide that value over two or three weeks and it is even better. Take a look!

Check back for my post on Kroger and my consignment sale finds!

Where Have I Been?

I know...I know...I have been a really bad blogger lately. Things have been tough around here the past month or so. I am basically working 3 part time jobs and raising Eli full time...plus all the normal stuff like cleaning, laundry, grocery runs, cooking, etc. It has gotten harder to work now that Eli is awake more and wanting to play. He still takes 2 really good naps (2 hours each sometimes 3 - 4 hours on a GREAT day!) but I have WAY too much to do in those couple hours. I have felt overwhelmed. Between training classes, data entry, quotes, client visits, conference calls, wedding planning, taking care of Eli...little else gets done. (maybe that's why I am behind on my laundry?? haha)

We have found a church that we love...Eastridge Community Church. It is about 10 minutes from our house and just what we were looking for. We have been going to the 9am service because that is Eli's nap time and he just sleeps in my arms during the service. We are going to start going to the Wednesday night service this week now that Lee's indoor soccer season is over. Another thing I am excited about is my new Ladies Bible Study group. We meet on Tuesday nights (my GIRL NIGHT!!) and are finishing up the Priscilla Shirer study "He Speaks to Me". We are starting Beth's Moore "Esther" next and I can't wait!

Our 1st Sunday at Church as a family (thanks Jill for taking pictures!!)

Things are still the same with Lee's job....he is the last superintendent left and has been really busy with handling it all. It is slow for them but it is steady and that is all you can hope for in this market. His boss speaks very highly of him and his work...that is the reason he is the last one there. I am so proud of him and how he handles the stress and responsibility. I married a great man. Period. :)

Eli has also been sick for a couple weeks....that is another post. An entire post. Ha!

That is where I have been the past couple weeks. I am going to update a couple more times tonight if I get the chance. I have exciting coupon/savings stories and Eli turned 6 months old on Friday. Check back!

Supper Club

So Rebekah came up with a great idea to have a Supper Club and our first one was on Valentine's Night. (sorry for the late post) You would never have known that Beka didn't like (I mean, LOVE) Valentine's Day. We all walked in the Vepraskas home and about fell over....it looked like Martha Stewart had literally come in and set up to photograph a Valentine's Dinner Party. I mean she had rented tables, chairs, tableclothes, satin napkins (YES!!)...had cut out hearts and made gorgeous place cards and drink tags...candles and flowers everywhere. It was GORGEOUS! We all sat at one long table and used real china...what grownups we are! It was a night of laughter, friendship and love. The best part was listening to the guys tell how we all met and how they proposed...sweet treat for the night of love! Can't wait till next time...but who's calling Martha to decorate?? :)

5 Months

Time sure does fly when you are having fun! My sweet little man is 5 months old today and is constantly changing. He is such a joy!! Lee and I really are having the best time with him and are in awe that God blessed us with such a healthly, energetic, wonderful baby boy. I could go on and on about how amazing he is...but I will spare you! haha Here is what's been going on with Eli the past month:

• Found his feet and is constantly grabbing them and holding on (am sure it won't be long before they are in his mouth)
  
• Loves to play with toys now - his blue monkey rattle, teething rings, colorful hungry caterpillar, glow worm are his current favorites


• He LOVES to jump!! Now he can fit into the jumperoo that you hang from the doorway - it is by far the cutest thing you have ever seen!


• He can stand up in his exersaucer and spin around to play with all the toys. His favorite are the ones that spin around and make noise. Thanks J/J for getting him this - it really helps me get things done around the house! :)
  
• He started really loving on blankets when he would see them so we gave him one to hold onto. He loves it! (Thanks Gretchen!) His other current nap time fave is his blabla doll from The Roscoe's. I need to name him! (any suggestions? He is a green monkey)


• We have tried rice cereal - he pushes it out of his mouth with his tongue and makes the cutest face. He really doesn't like it yet but I keep trying it every couple days.


• He HATES a bottle - little booger is so spoiled because I can nurse him (since I am at home during the day) but he has to learn how to love it again. We didn't have a problem with it when he was younger - would suck it down - but not now. He won't have anything to do with it and will actually throw a temper tantrum. We just don't back down and he will finally drink some of it when he gets hungry enough. (Don't worry - he isn't starving!!)


• Still loves to take a bath - he kicks, splashes the water and goes under the water. I was scared of the water when I was little and I don't want that for him. We put him under for the first time when he was 3 weeks old. Now once of his favorite things is to be in the shower with Daddy and go under the spray/water. He is going to start swimming lessons this summer. :)


• He hates to be on his tummy and rolling over. Will only do it every now and then. Would much rather be sitting up or standing with help. We laugh b/c his abs must be so worn out - if he is laying down he constantly does sit ups just trying to sit up by himself. Won't be long now!


• He is sleeping thru the night now from about 9pm until 8am. He started doing this on his own once he doubled his birthweight.


• He weighs about 13.5 lbs and is 25 inches long. Little booger but just as healthy as can be!

Hope everyone has a Happy Valentine's Weekend!! I am going to take some 5 month pictures of Eli this weekend...will post them soon! xoxo