One month of couponing...

I know you are all SO tired of hearing about my coupon stories, but it is only because I love you all and I see how much money it has saved me.  So IF you are tired of hearing about it...then don't listen or read, but I am going to continue talking about it because I am passionate about it and I know it can make a difference!

The pictures above show my upstairs hall closet.  Since I live in a small place (hopefully a larger one soon), I have had to store my things upstairs in my linen closet because my kitchen cupboards couldn't hold anymore.  I have things to last me quite some time!  I think I counted 10 cereals, about 13 powerades, juices galore, dish soap, mens and womans personal hygiene things like deoderant, shave gel and SHAMPOO! Oh my gosh shampoo!  Toothpaste, snacks and babywipes.  Spaghetti sauce, kids meals like mac n cheese, spaghettios, soups galore...on and on and on! I have only been doing this for a month folks! AND I have saved over $300 to date! Y'all need to jump on the couponing bandwagon! It works!

P.S. About 25% of this stuff I got for free with coupons...not because the coupon said it was free...but because I watched or them to go on sale...THEN I use my coupon..and vwa-la!

When life throws you a curve ball...eat lemons?!

I know that isn't really the term, but I am going with it!  We have had a rollercoaster couple of weeks.  We have been going back and forth on what to do about our kids, adoption, work, money, everything! 

We finally came to the conclusion that Shon would quit his full time job and work his part time night job, knowing he will get back on full time there in July.  It will still be nights, but that is kinda what we needed.  Babysitters were going to cost us $800+ a month which was the sum of one of my paychecks a month.  Which to me, made it pointless of one of us working, save that money and not have a stranger watching my kids. 

SO...here is how it all went down.  Shon gave his two week notice from his job on Monday.  Well, instead of letting him work out his two weeks (budget wise for us) they fired him! **SIDE NOTE, I would not reccomend working for IM Flash Technologies to ANYONE! Even my worst enemy! They suck as a company and are skimming the line of of having several lawsuits coming their way from many different people with the way they handle things. 

So anyways, that made me freak out, because we were really budgeting on him working those two weeks on top of his part time job.  But, little did I know...well atleast I am hoping, things might just be ok.

Shon informed ModusLink (his part time job--FYI the job he worked at for 5 years when we first got married) that he no longer worked for IM Flash, so immediately they called him to pick up another 12 hours--on top of his 24 hours he gets already for the week.  Then they called him back again and asked him to work 10 hour shifts next week, which makes it full time for him next week too! 

On top of all of that, since those are night shifts (which is what helps us--no babysitting cost and Shon works better at night) I get to work pretty much all of my hours...as before I was having to take an hour lunch to take David to school, leave early to pick one of the boys up somewhere in town.  So this saves my hours too! 

ModusLink can't offcially hire Shon on until July, but that is ok.  We are almost positive he will be hired, and the are going to give him nights or weekend (days). 

I have to admit, after the weekend and Monday I was SO done.  I was having major anxiety attacks, freaking out about everything, money, kids, work...but I have faith that we will be taken care of and I just need to trust that we will never be given a trial we can not handle.

So let's just hope that everything works out and we will be set for getting in to a house like we wanted and finally have some stable careers.

The latest in the Frary House of Five...

1. School is almost out-50/50 on whether this is a good thing or bad thing.
2. David was asked to go to summer school...so not much of a summer for him.
3. Shon is now working 2 jobs so we can pay our legal fees for the adoption.
4. I have gotten A LOT done around the house with Shon working nights.  Boredom=clean house!
5. I can officially say I am a coupon FREAK!
6. This is the very first Mother's Day that I am really looking forward to.  I am not looking for gifts, just a nice day with my kids!
7. I don't think I have been so physically and mentally exhausted in my life! But I love it.
8. Even after the above mentioned number 7, I really, really wanna go back to school.
9. Ashton has started baseball...and his coaches (not to be rude) suck! But he is having fun, so whatever.
10. David will be starting T-ball soon.
11. Next month starts carnival month! Yay for carmel corn, cotton candy, prizes and parades!

Ok--so maybe I am more 75/25 for school to be out. :-)

Take care friends and family, we love you! And Happy Mother's Day!

Adoption Update...

Sorry folks, you can tell today is update my blog day!  Shon and I have signed and submitted out petition for adoption!  We are thinking sometime around the end of June we should have a hearing.  It just depends on the judges schedule.  Our paralegal has been AWESOME and we definately intend on using them again in the future.  We'll keep y'all posted! Thanks for the thoughts and prayers.

Lions and Tigers and Bears! Oh My!

We decided to take all of the boys to the Hogle Zoo for part of their birthday presents.  They all seemed to have a blast and we told them we would be sure to go back soon! Here are some pics from our adventures.