Folks, I'm sold. I have officially put the coupons to the test. So, the great news other than saving $ is that I can avoid Wal-mart and still save if I choose to. YAY! I purchased $170 worth of groceries at Kroger a few days ago and through the use of coupons and my Kroger Card and downloading coupons on to my card (great idea btw) I reduced my purchase to $130. WOW! That's $40 free!

Now, the true test was when I went to Wal-mart and tried to use my coupons and only saved $3.50. So, I thought well, maybe Wal-marts beginning prices where lower. But I compared several items on both receipts and guess what... Kroger wins overall.

There is a caveat... this excludes the prices of health and beauty products... Wal-mart or you local drug store may still be a better bet.

I hope you give it a try. I'd love to hear your results and success stories, or perhaps you have a helpful tip!

Spiritual update

My January post is interesting to me as I have been somewhat refined since then. I just happened to run into a friend who invited me to a bible study. And so I went and am loving it. It is, Annointed, Transformed, Redeemed by Beth Moore, Pricilla Shirer, and Kay Arthur. Which that line up you know it's going to be powerful.

I have realized that I was with holding my heart from my God. I was saying and doing what I was suppose to as a Christian but withholding the most important connection from Him b/c I was feel a little "unblessed" and frustrated with God for where we are in our life. I have been selfishly dissatisfied but also felt I was wrong for feel that way and so I didn't confess it to the Lord. Guess I should pay more attention to my header verse on this blog...

Anyway I am getting over my devastation with God and working toward WHOLE-HEARTED obedience. I have had my "discussion" with God now and express my frustration. I can also see some things now that he has protected me from and trust that he is still doing so.

I will continue to love, trust and obey as I get through these trials. AND I will not POUT: (Pour old unloved thang" as Beth put it.

Coupons?? Or waste of time.

For a while I have casually clipped coupons, and using them (that is the key for some- using them). Sometimes I am proud of the deals I get and other times like this passed Sunday, none of my coupons seem to match up to be a very good deals. So my 30 minutes of organization prior my store visit seemed like a waste.

However did any of you see the Dr. Phil show yesterday about saving money?! It was really great. I am determined now to become an expert frugal mom and cut my gro bill in half. If you did not see it, go to Drphil.com and watch the segments. You can also go the blog frugalcouponmom.com and get your info from the source. I am very impressed and encouraged to try the coupon thing again.

I'm just bummed I already did my shopping this week. I want a redo.

See If I can get this thing going...

So, here I am in Kentucky! I like many Americans am currently not in the workforce. Although, this no work thing does not exactly fit our budget, I'm certainly enjoying being home with the kids.

The kids are loving it too! I am on the hunt for something to do. If I can do "it" from home, that would be even better. I am praying and listening, but feel like there is a lot of interference from other stuff making it difficult for me to hear! So, I'm open to suggestions.. Maybe you can hear better than I. : ) Wish it worked that way.

In the mean time I am busy as ever with the house and kids, that I 'm not sure how I ever fit work in. But, it took some work to get to this point. At first I was a little shell shocked. I had to just sit, look around and think, what am I suppose to do? What do my stay at home mom friends do all day. Then when my child became hungry on a regular basis and was dependent upon ME to feed him (Emily at school) and my husband was low on underwear, I remembered, Oh yeah, I had a household to run. And, I began to see all the things around the house that had to be put off or neglected all together, because there was just no time to do them before.

So, I'm busy. But busy in a good way. Now, I just have to figure out this budget/work thing.

I would love to post new pics of the kids, but my crazy computer will not allow me to download the software. I'm missing a driver or something. Maybe I have time to figure that one out now. Well, if I do! You'll know, because I'll flood this blog with pics.

Tucker is hilarious at age 2. We love to watch, listen and laugh with him! He has a strong spirit and loves to play with cars, truck and trains. He prefers the ones that don't make noise or go by themselves. He likes to push them around and make up his own noises. He has a big imagination. When playing with him, he usually makes me turn off the toy if it tries to take off on it own.

Emily is enjoying her school and making new friends. She describes herself as an "action girl" not a princess girl. She claims to not like the color pink, except bright or hot pink. That is funny to me because I have always described her as a hot pink girl and not a baby pink girl. She is currently in Gymnastics and loves it.

Tony and I are doing great as well. Centre College is a great school and has amazing opportunities for the students. Recruiting kids to play football here is not too difficult as the product really sells itself. Centre really has an excellent reputation especially in KY.

Tony had a winning first season as the Offensive Coordinator. There have been a lot of changes for the team and staff to handle as they learn a new offense. But all is going well, and we have high expectations for the following seasons ahead!

Its time for Tuck and I to go pick up Emily from school. Talk to you again soon!

Hey Everyone! No I didn't forget about my poor little blog

Its been a while I know... But I've been busy creating and building my new facebook! Facebook is the largest online social network in America at the moment and I had to be a part of it!! The great perk about Facebook is it really allows you as much security as you like as well as a simple interface that doesn't force me to spend hours upon hours just decorating and downloading wallpapers. My Space, was just too much work. I know I know, you don't have to decorate your page, but if you don't know one whats to look at it.. SO, I'm a facebook fan! Look for me and I'll be your friend if you'll be mine!

Anyway, we are doing great here in Kentucky. Emily started 1st grade and loved her first week of school. Tucker is going to daycare, kicking, clawing and screaming... Tony even has scars on his face to prove it. However with in 1 minute of us being out of sight, he is perfectly fine and plays non-stop. My only major complaint at this point is that one of his teachers keep calling him "Trucker" Oh well, guess I should have saw that coming.

I have started my job with Cre8tive Group as the Account Executive. I've been back at work for 2 weeks and, so far so good. I am still in the sinking into my role phase, but I am getting busier and busier day by day.

We have enjoyed our Church hopping experience so far but think we may have found our place. I am torn and think I can be involved with both churches to some extent. We will see. Tony and I talked just this morning about our need to pray about the situation and where we could be most useful to him.

Tony "kicked-off" the practice season last night... or this morning at 12:01am. Yes thats right! Midnight Madness practice. Needless to say Coach White is stuggling today as he did not get home until about 4am. I honestly don't know how he is standing straight. He is back up at the office preparing to practice again today (sunday) at 5 ish.

I know its crazy but I sort of like this time of year as we gear up for the season. The excitement builds and I begin to get eager to get to the stadium for the first game. I think as a coach's wife, you either love it or you hate it and there is not much room for gray area.

Well, the kids are yelling.. "park park park" so here we go, across the street to our little neighborhood park. Ya'll have a great day! Love you!

--Meredith

rules

Here is a great article on Discipline rules that work!

We will be implementing these at my house.

Danville, Ky

Well, we are now officially Danville, KY residents! We are moved in for the most part. Still need to hang some pictures and and find a couple misplaced boxes, but we are here.

Tony is back at work. Emily is already taking Gymnastics and swimming lessons, and will be taking part in a Vacation Bible school next week. I started a Bible study last week with a group of ladies with the head coach's wife, Cindy Frye. Tucker is just trying to keep up with his big sister. So we are doing our best to dive in and get involved in the community. Everyone has really been great in the community and made us feel very welcomed. Several neighbors brought treats and food as we moved in over the past couple weeks.

I think this is the first place I have lived where anyone has done that! We have met several families at the park, which is across the street from our house!

Our house is very charming, nice and cozy, but maybe a bit too cozy. (I don't have a dishwasher- I don't think I have ever lived in a house without a dishwasher!) We are currently renting and may look to purchase a home later. That all depends upon my job. I am still looking. I have had an interview with a small marketing firm in a nearby town about 25minutes from here. They say they are interested in me and will contact me for a second interview soon. So, calling all prayer warriors... I need a job. The college has talked with me, but there doesn't seem to be an opening for me right now.

All in His time... I keep repeating that to myself. I am enjoying the time with the kids and it will be a challenge heading back into the workforce.

Love you all! I post new pics soon! Both Em and Tucker are sporting haircuts!

Meredith