Frugal Friday 368

 Happy Frugal Friday!

Here is how we saved money/spent money wisely/made extra money this week:

- Last Friday my sister came to town. She drove us to the park, on an errand, and to the library to pick up books. We were there just in time to see our library friends practice for the October Puppet Show. The shows are being done via Zoom but they let us in the rehersal. It was so cute and funny and my puppet obsessed kids LOVED seeing behind the scenes! Thank you to Tiffany, Kalen, Heather, Sarah, and Andrea. We love our library people!

- Saturday morning Mark took Annabeth to dance and my sister and I enjoyed brunch from Main & Madison Market Cafe. This was the first time I'd eaten there since last winter and it was, as always, great. Their chocolate chip cookies are amazing and it was so fun to have a car picnic with my sister.

- I began feeling poorly at the end of last week and the doctor confirmed I had an infection following surgery. I was able to try oral antibiotics and was able to stay home. I was thankful not to have to be admitted for IV meds at the hospital. The appointment and meds were just $30 OOP much more affordable than a hospital stay. I saw the doctor yesterday and the meds have not worked fully. I will go again Monday and hope to be feeling much better by then. 

- Sunday I stayed home to rest while Mark and the kids enjoyed lunch with his family. They were kind enough to send home pizza for me - thank you! We did end up missing a birthday party that evening though, I was not up to getting out and about.

- Monday our friend Katelyn brought us treats from the birthday party we missed. She made all kinds of homemade goodies and was kind enough to bring us lunch too! The kids enjoyed the Happy Meals and since I had already had my protein shake we took my meal to Mark which he really appreciated. 

- Tuesday evening we celebrated Halloween with Owen's Cub Scout Pack. They also received their first four belt loops that they have earned this year.

- Wednesday night Annabeth had the fun of wearing a Halloween costume to dance class. She said they did a Trunk or Treat in between classes and she brought home a gigantic bag of candy!

- Yesterday our friends stopped by on their way to Indy. Mark brought home a police car and Owen and the boys were able to work on a Cub Scout requirement by learning more about police work. The Eblings surprised Mark with a sweet care package (which ended up being his dinner as he worked a 15 hour day) We surprised their family with Enjoy Life Halloween candy bags. It was great to see you Eblings!

Mr. O was VERY happy to sit in a police car.

When asked who his hero is he said "Dad." 

- We have many people in our lives who are allergic to some, or all, of the Top 8 Allergens. We LOVE Enjoy Life Foods as they are made in a completely Top 8 free facility making them safe for all! I found that Kroger Shipped had them MUCH more affordable than at any local store. I was also able to get them shipped free. Just a heads up for other allergy friends. :) 

We had a busy week and are looking forward to enjoying Halloween!

Happy Halloween and Happy Savings to All! 

Laundry Room Makeover and Why I LOVE Doing Laundry

We began renovating our house in March 2013 and moved in July 2013. During that time we painted and redid every room except the laundry room. 

We bought the house from our friend Renee who built/decorated in 1998.

This laundry room felt like 1998.

Dark, dark red and baskets, birds, and birdhouse galore!

It was good enough though since no one saw it but me

Over the years, I thought about wanting to redo it but just never felt the right idea. 

Then about two years ago, while reading a decorating magazine at Momaw's, I saw the most beautiful pink and gold bathroom. I KNEW that was what I wanted! I have never been able to decorate my own space. Growing up I had the wallpaper my parents chose, then a dorm, than an apartment that Leah designed, and then spaces shared with Mark who clearly doesn't want pink or gold. I decided it would be my laundry room decor. 

One day, while at Lowe's we found the PERFECT pink paint in the mistint section and paid just $9 for enough paint to paint the whole room! I found some decor items from around the house, paid $7 for a gold switch plate (probably the most ridiculous splurge of the whole thing), and had my friend Katelyn at No Strings Attached Signs created the perfect sign for my shelf. 

Laundry room perfection!

Mark had the idea for the laundry cart to hold all the cleaners and things.

He also added that giant rod so I can dry all things in the laundry room

instead of in the showers.

What it really looks like not styled for a picture.

The perfect gold switch plate.

When I was going through Pinterest looking for laundry ideas over the years, one thing I pinned over and over were signs with a certain saying: "I still remember the days when I prayed for what I have now"

In the years of waiting for children, in my darkest infertility moments, I would BEG God for children. These tearful prayers often came while doing laundry. I promised Him that I would love to clean little hands and faces, that I would read all the books, that I would devote myself to them, and that I would LOVE the laundry load of a big family. 

Even now, even after being a Mama for 9+ years, I LOVE the laundry. I pray for my family as I do our laundry. I thank the Lord that we can buy clothes that fit for all the seasons, I am thankful to wash muddy baseball pants and piles of tutus because my children are doing the things they love, and I am thankful to wash food stained clothes because it means we had enough to eat that day. In my laundry room I choose to thank and praise the Lord for all of my many blessings and for the gift of serving my family. 

#hysterectomyat33

 Almost two years ago, I posted this Thanksgiving Post about my favorite blessing that year - benign test results from a recent surgery. For nearly 18 months I was relatively pain and symptom free and I really believed that I had found a good solution for my endometrosis.

Then last spring, it was back. That same pain. That same discomfort. That same old same. It started as COVID started so I told myself that it was stress, that it would go away. It didn't.

This time, as the months went on, I began having complications that I had never had before. Finally, mid July I called my OBGYN and after hearing my symptoms they gave me the first available appointment just a few days later.

I started with an ultrasound during which the ultrasound tech went from chatty to quiet. She started measuring. I told her, "I was diagnosed with endometriosis at 20. I can see that it's all back." Then I saw a mass. I knew that it was new. My appointment an hour later confirmed that. All of the endometriosis I had cleared out in 2018 was back and worse than before. They had also found a tumor. 

My doctor assured me the tumor was relatively small and that there was one more pill he wanted me to try before having surgery - again. We discussed another laparoscopic cleanout and the potential benefits of doing a uterine ablation. He asked me to give it three cycles - 9 weeks. After the first pill pack, I was in more pain than ever. I tried to wait the full nine weeks but only made it six. The new scan showed that the tumor had grown.

My doctor was so quiet after the new scan. He finally said, "Are you okay with discussing a hysterectomy?" Ultimately, it was the right decision for me and my situation. After 13 years of endometriosis, the polyps/cancer scare in 2018, the damage done to my uterus during my last surgery, and this new tumor - I understood that it was done. My body was done. 

October 2, 2020 I had a total hysterectomy (removal of uterus, Fallopian tubes, and cervix). I stayed overnight in hospital and, with my doctor's permission, signed myself out about 18 hours after surgery to recover at home. The recovery has been long and hard. I am only 3 weeks in and it's been the most difficult/slowest recovery I have ever had. I stayed horizontal for the first five days, slowly moved to sitting, and am now doing some light movement and housework. The full recovery is 6-8 weeks. 

It has been physically painful and also emotional. We have known since Owen was born that we are complete. I've never had that feeling that someone else was coming but it's still so final, so permanent. I will never carry another baby and while I feel joy in the restoration of my health there is some sorrow in the loss of what might have been. The finality of this surgery has involved some processing on my end.

October 13, 2020 I received the news that everything the surgeon removed was once again BENIGN! Praise the Lord. 

I have debated sharing as this is deeply personal. It has impacted so much of my life, and very little of the lives of family/friends/readers, but I am different now. I wasn't sure if I would just go on like this huge thing never happened or if I would share. When the pain came back last spring, I never imagined this is where we would be in the fall. I share in the hope that someone else experiencing pain or discomfort will have the courage to mention it to their doctor and to seek help. Two years ago, I thought I just had some extra cramps so when they said the word cancer I was shocked. After surgery I was so relieved that I had taken the steps necessary to have surgery and get reults. 

I thank and praise the Lord for seeing me through this surgery, this recovery, and for giving me peace with this next phase of life. I am forever thankful for the friends and family who have poured love over us with prayers, cards, pumpkin bread, dinners, games for the kids, etc. I am so thankful for Mark who has been so patient and kind over the years as I have had days where I was in pain or needed extra rest, who completely agreed with and supported this decision which affects not only my ability to have more children but also his, and who has loved me so beautifully and so well this month (and always) 

Frugal Friday 367

 Happy Frugal Friday! 

Here is how we saved money/spent money wisely/made extra money this week:

- Last Friday our best friends came for the day. Rose brought us lunch and delicious homemade cookies to celebrate Annabeth's birthday. The kids played and the mams talked for six hours which passed like six minutes.

- After a full day of company, we decided to do a low key dinner. We ordered pizza from a local pizza place and only had to cover the tip thanks to a generous giftcard from the Sichting Family. Thank you all.

- Mark worked a ton of overtime this week. His summer was a bit calmer than usual so the fall has been more wild than usual. I have been working 10-20 hours a week on my Usborne Books & More business. 

- Saturday morning Mark and Owen headed to Southeastway Park for a Wood Badge Ceremony. They enjoyed a few hours at the park and Owen reported the ceremony had very good cupcakes. Mark's mom picked up Annabeth from dance and bought lunch for Annabeth and myself. Thank you Kristi.

- Sunday we had Mark's family over for family lunch. Mark made chilli, cornbread, and homemade brownies. After everyone headed home the kids played outside in the leaves all afternoon. I love watching them have fun together!

- My dad was here Monday-Thursday to help with the kids. Each of the kids got a full date afternoon with Grandpa after the finished school. They traded books at free little libraries, shopped the used bookstore, visited the train ice cream station three times, and more. I am thankful for the memories they made and that in turn I got an afternoon alone with each of the kids to play games, color, and chat.

My boys doing afternoon school. 

- I had added an adorable pumpkin shirt to my Pinterest board. Instead of spending a huge amount on Etsy or an online boutique, I shopped with my friend Allison Wells at her online shop Splendid Sloth Crafts. I would much rather spend money with friends! Thank you Allison for customizing my order and shipping it affordable in just one week. 

- Wednesday night we treated my dad to dinner at Greek's. Again, thank you to the Sichting Family for the generous giftcard and the gift of dinner without cooking!

- We have hard water here in Central Indiana so our water heater and appliances really take a beating. Last night, Mark (with help from Owen) drained the water heater, cleaned it out, and replaced the insides. We do this about every 2-3 years to prolong the life of our water heater.

- Last night, I met with my committee for Annabeth's dance school. I really enjoyed catching up with my friend Angie (we are the committee) and the kids LOVED playing out back until it was dark. 

As of today, I am three weeks out from surgery. I am finally up and about, doing light housework, and getting outside some. Thank you to all of the amazing family and friends who have blessed us in the last few weeks - the prayers, cards, meals, etc have been an incredible blessing! THANK YOU!

We are looking for a weekend visit from another family member.

Happy Savings to All! 

Frugal Friday 366

 Happy Frugal Friday!

Here is how we saved money/spent money wisely/made extra money the past two weeks:

- Mark worked a great deal of overtime. His Chief has said many times that the pandemic has stopped many things this year but it has not stopped their ability to do good police work. Our community has been well served even during these difficult months.

- We celebrated Annabeth's 9th Birthday on October 5th. She and my Mama made homemade Garfield cakes for everyone. Mama and Dad found the pan at a consignment store and it quickly became one of Annabeth's favorite gifts.

- We gifted Annabeth many items that I hope she loves. I purchased most of them at small stores (mostly in Brown Co last spring) and from direct sales vendors like our friends Brittany Floyd with Thirty-One and Danielle Renbarger with Matilda Jane Clothing. In a year when small businesses need business more than ever it was my pleasure to shop with friends.

- Our neighbor's daughter called and said she had "a few clothes that might fit Owen" and could she bring them over. I said sure and she brought us a gigantic bag of clothing! Nearly all of it is his size or he will grow into over the next few years. We have all seasons covered in the next few sizes. We were so thankful for her generosity! 

These deer jammies were a HUGE hit!

- I ordered our Halloween cards from Shutterfly for FREE! Every October they offer 10 free holiday cards. Fun fact: You don't have to get the Christmas ones! I always order Halloween. It makes a nice keepsake to send to family/friends and it's a fun way to look back at all of their Halloween costumes. 

- I ordered a decent number of the same item from Etsy. The seller was kind enough to message me with a 10% bulk coupon code as well as a free shipping code. This saved me nearly $15. I look forward to gifting a special group of people with handcrafted gifts. 

- During Annabeth's Kindergarten Christmas, we got her a toiletry bag because she began going to camp that next summer. I splurged during a sale and got the Mackenzie travel bag from Pottery Barn Kids and we haved LOVED it! It has held up so well and has so many great pockets. They were on sale for $19 this week so I snagged one for Owen's Kindergarten Christmas this year.

- I took advantage of one Amazon Prime Sale. I combined a sale, free shipping, and gift card to get an item for just $14 OOP. 

- I did grocery pick up for the first time. I chose to do it at Mejier because they had a free pick-up for your first order and $15 off a $50+ order. We were able to order our usual grocery order, use online coupons/sales, and got the extra $15 off! 

The reason for our two week break in posts was that I had major surgery on October 2. This surgery came up quickly and so I didn't tell lot of people. We are endlessly thankful for those who did know and who served our family so kindly. Thank you to those who brought dinners, baked goods, help with the kids, magazines to read, gift cards, words of encouragements, prayers over texts, and most of all to my Mama and Dad who have taken turns staying with us and helping us clean clothes, cooking good food, and creating endless fun for the kids. I am eternally grateful for Mark and his steadfastness and kindness in all circumstances. I am also confident that this was God's plan and even when I have been unsure and weak, He knows what comes next and is my strength. 

Nine.

 Today our Miracle Girl is NINE.

Nine years ago today was the tipping point in my life. While I had experienced pain, loss grief, sadness, and joy I had never before (and never again) experienced it the way I did the morning of October 5, 2011. To lose our girl, to not know if she was alive, to wonder how I would ever move on if good news didn't come from the NICU, and the incredible joy of learning that she lived. I have never been so terrified, so dependent on God, so lost in a moment as I was that morning.  

For years I struggled with immense grief at knowing just how it feels to see a lifeless child. I struggled with the anger of an experience that I later felt could have been avoided. It was so difficult and confusing that no one else seemed to understand. I wanted to scream if one more person said, "Thank goodness she is healthy now. You're both okay." I wasn't okay, she wasn't okay. We spent years seeing specialists, meeting a very high out of pocket deductible year after year. I physically and emotionally wasn't okay. It took so much therapy and so multiple surgeries to "fix" me. 

Today marks nine years of survival - for all of us.

We waited so long to have a baby and were so thankful for God's goodness and grace in saving her. That afternoon, meeting her in NICU, I promised her that if she would just hang in here on earth, that we would give her the world. She did - so we do.

At nine, Annabeth is funky, creative, kind, and growing more and more into her own person. Last week, we had her friend party with some homeschool friends and it was so fun to watch her pick "The Babysitters Club" as a theme. She decorated the mantle with books, created her own Claudia Kishi costume, and then designed/baked/decorated her own dream Barbie cake. 

We decorated the mantle with all of Annabeth's BSC Books

Bright shoes, funky socks, embellished overalls, pink hair - she came 

to her party as Claudia Kishi

Annabeth planned, shopped for, designed, baked,

and decorated her own cake!

There are so many days when I want to just cry at how old she is but I never, never take a moment for granted. We're so unbelievably blessed to be her parents, for God's faithfulness in restoring her heart and giving her very few complications from birth. 

So, my dear Annabeth Sage, on your #9 - Thank you. Thank you for being patient while I learned to parent and while we worked too hard to protect you. Thank you for being kind, loving, and sweet to everyone. Thank you for serving others and for loving your brother. We are so thankful that you are ours, our Miracle Girl. 

Frugal Friday 365

 Happy Frugal Friday!

Here is how we saved money/spent money wisely/made extra money this week:

- Friday evening we had friends over after dinner. The kids played and the adults talked and we stayed out until it was dark. It was the perfect end of summer/early fall evening. 

- Saturday we went to Taylor's Farm Market in Whiteland to get our produce for the week. We were able to get all that we needed, from a local farmer, for under $20!

- After the farm market, we surprised the kids with treats from the Train Ice Cream Station. Mark and the kids each got a treat (all for under $5) and we took a nice, long walk down to the courthouse and then around downtown. 

- After family dinner, chic pea tacos and Mexican corn, we watched Hocus Pocus to kick off our fall/Halloween season. 

- Sunday evening I spent 3 hours dropping off nearly 800 items to the Here We Grow Again - Indy South Sale. This year I had our own items and four express families. I am so thankful for this part time gig that helps bring in money that makes vacations and dance travel much easier for us. 

- Last week I splurged and purchased Owen a $20 Halloween costume. So far it's been worth it as he has barely taken it off. 

- Tuesday afternoon Annabeth had an appointment in Greenwood. We got school done early so we headed to a park to hike in the woods for more than an hour before her appointment. I am deeply committed to us spending at least one hour a day outdoors. 

- Wednesday night I shopped the Here We Grow Again Indy South Sale. I came out after spending only 50% of my budget. I found most of what I needed and items were REALLY well priced this sale! I got a Matilda Jane shirt for Annabeth (just $4), pajamas for Annabeth, a Carhartt sweatshirt for Owen (again just $4), and baseball cleats, belt, and socks (just $9 for all and they are all Nike brand). Shopping for the sale runs through the weekend and admission/parking is free at the Johnson County Fairgrounds. Be sure to stop by tomorrow to shop 50% day!

- Last night, Mark visited a friend who farms. He gifted us four watermelons. We already passed one along to friends and will enjoy or share the rest. 

We are looking forward to the weekend, a special visitor, and please if you would prayers for an unspoken prayer request. We'll be back in 2 weeks for a MEGA Frugal Friday post! 

Happy Savings to All!