a girl who loves a good deal...

I can't help it. This post has been a long time coming. Seriously. It's like deals just call my name. I have more fun finding a good deal than just about anything else. As Aaron and I work toward the day that I can eventually stay at home with the kiddos, I try to find more and more ways to save us the moolah. I've found that it's definitely possible to find the things that you want at a great price. Example: I try to buy Everett organic formula (for his while I'm at work meals) and cereal as much as possible; however, sometimes it just gets pricey. BUT I have an AMAZING grocery store near me. It's called BB's, which is short for bent and broken. Basically, it's a store that purchases overstocked groceries or groceries that the packaging has been messed up in some way. And, if you're like me, I'm not really that worried about what the packaging looks like if I can get stuff for HALF off. Yeah, that's right, 50% off. There are a few things that I always look for there: dog food/treats, baby formula, diapers, toiletries, and coffee. A few tips- always check to make sure the packages aren't open and check the expiration date!  Back to my example- I really try to buy Everett organic products when I can, and today I hit the jackpot. Seriously- I was about the do the happy dance in aisle 3!

I was able to get a canister of organic earth's best formula for $7 (retails @ $45), 6 canisters of happy bellies organic cereal for $1 each (retails at $3.99 each), and 2  boxes of earth's best organic oatmeal for $1 each (retails @ $3.59). That means I spent $15 and saved... $60!!!  So there's my deals for the week. Maybe next week I'll share my favorite deals and love for goodwill. happy shopping!

celebrating my amazing husband

I am the luckiest. You can debate me, but I think I've married the most fantastic man alive.

Life with Aaron is always eventful and full of laughter; however, this past year I've gotten to see a different side of Aaron--- as a dad. It has been amazing. He is hands on and so in love with Everett. I am thankful that Everett has such an awesome, incredible dad to look up to. If possible, I think I love Aaron even more every time I see the way he interacts with Everett, and the way Everett lights up when he sees him!

Happy birthday to my incredible husband and the best dad ever!
I love you babe ♥

what everett's been up to...



SITTING UP ON HIS OWN... It seemed like overnight Everett started doing this. Mid to late September he started and is now a pro!



SWINGING... Everett went swinging for the first time in mid-September. He LOVED it!





PULLING HIMSELF UP TO STANDING...This is Everett's newest trick. He is pulling himself up on everything and wants to be standing all the time!


Our little man is growing up so fast!





he's a maniac, maniac... on the floor

happy 1/2 year!

Exactly 6 months ago today, Aaron and I were in the hospital looking at this tiny little person that was suddenly ours. It was scary and crazy and exciting all at once! We were unsure about how things would change, if we could figure out this whole parenting thing, and if life would ever be the same.

Well, 6 months later life is different, but in an incredible kind of way. Everett is such an amazing blessing. Who knew you could love someone so much?! He is growing up so fast! He's sweet and laid back (unless you aren't feeding him fast enough-ha!) and pretty content. He is happy to lay on his playmat and play with the dogs or to hang out in Aaron's lap when he's doing work. He rolls all over the place and often winds up partially under our living room furniture! He's started to rock on his hands and knees and seems like he's trying to figure out how to get where he wants to go. Everett loves to eat and can't get enough of his rice cereal or vegetables. Much like his mama though, the sweet stuff (pears) seem to be his favorite. Everett has doubled his birth weight and has the cutest, chubby cheeks that are overtaking his face. We are continually amazed at how fast he's growing and how lucky we are that he is such a sweet, easy going little boy.

Happy 1/2 year Everett! We couldn't love you more! ♥

answered prayer

Tomorrow marks a week until the school year begins. I'll be honest --- I've been dreading it. Usually I am a little sad to see my lazy days of summer come to an end; however, this year I am really sad to see my maternity leave end. I have been blessed with 6 precious months at home with Everett. Days spent walking with Aunt Jules, laughing, changing dirty diapers, loving on Marley and Kai, hanging by the pool, drinking lots of coffee, cheering on dad at softball games, taking naps together, vacationing. The last 6 months have been an unbelievable blessing, perfectly perfect days spent with my sweet boy. Needless to say, I'm incredibly sad that my time at home with Everett will end next week. Despite lots of prayers and plans, I'm not able to stay at home with him. So, Aaron and I started searching for somewhere/someone to watch Everett. We looked at a number of daycares and talked to a few individual babysitters. In the end, we lined up a woman from Morgantown to watch him 4 days a week and my mother in law, Diane, once a week. The babysitter came highly recommended from a fellow teacher and so we were confident that she would do a good job watching Everett; however, neither of us was completely at peace. We continued to talk and pray about it- Aaron more diligently than I. I kept pushing the thought of Everett with someone else to the back of my mind, denying the fact that August 30th would get here whether I wanted it to or not. Aaron (unbeknownst to me) was continuing to pray that I would be able to stay at home with Everett or that if that wasn't possible that another opportunity would present itself. Thursday I called my friend Missy O'Malley. I had a dvd of hers that I needed to return. She just happened to be thinking about us and asked me what we were doing with Everett for childcare. And that was the beginning of our prayers being answered. We've been friends with the O'Malleys for years. They've got two fun little girls- Aubrey (4.5) and Leah (2.5). Missy runs children's ministry at church. They live near us in Honeybrook. They love Everett. And most importantly- they love Jesus. It was an instant relief, a weight off our shoulders knowing that my friend would watch my little boy, that he will learn about Jesus, that he will play with her sweet girls. It's funny the way the Lord works sometimes. The way his answers to prayer wouldn't always be mine, but that he has things worked out for us. How thankful I am for a praying husband, a willing friend, and a faithful god. Proverbs 16:9 - In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.

Aubrey and Leah with 2 week old Everett

philly fanatics

For an anniversary, most people go out to dinner, somewhere romantic perhaps, maybe a weekend getaway or just some alone time are on the agenda; however, that was not us for our anniversary this year. We were sitting 9 rows back from home plate with Everett and 43,000 of our closest friends. Okay, maybe not, just Uncle Sethie and our friends Amber and Nate Todd :) You see Aaron's boss just happened to send Aaron an email on Wednesday (our anniversary was Thursday) offering him 5 diamond club tickets for the next night. It was a no brainer really. We wanted to take Everett to a game and this was the perfect opportunity. Awesome seats, a parking pass, and $30 per ticket of food or merchandise. I mean really, who wouldn't want these?! Anyway, so Thursday came and we headed down to West Chester, picked up our fellow diamond clubbers, and headed off to Citizens Bank Park. Everett was all decked out in his Phils gear (compliments of Aunt Sara Thomas) and did such a good job all night! I'm pretty sure it was just sensory overload for a while. He just sat in Aaron's arms and looked around. After ordering sodas, cheesesteaks, chicken fingers, fries, and hot dogs (and Everett having a bottle) we were all feeling pretty good. A few innings later, Amber and I were off in search of dessert. The diamond club ran out of vanilla ice cream (boo), so we trekked up a level in search of the good stuff. Apparently everyone else in the stadium was getting ice cream too, because by the time we got back to our seats Amber had melted ice cream all over her hands, legs, and feet! When we got back Everett was passed out on Aaron looking adorable. So adorable, in fact, that the camera guy came over and put him on the jumbo tron! Seriously, do you know how many sporting events I've been at in my life and Everett's first professional game ever he gets on the big screen?! haha Cotton candy, more soda, waters, and beer were ordered. We were determined to use every last dollar on all the tickets (we did)! The game went to extra innings and the Phillies ended up winning. It was a perfect end to a perfect game.

our little family :)

the view from our seats

Aaron and Everett (I love this one!)

The Todd's

ice cream mishap

There may have been ice cream inside Amber's ring...

Nate plotting how he was going to get on the jumbo tron...

what Everett was doing when he got on the jumbo tron

Uncle Seth putting Everett to sleep :)

so cute

love

hahaha

where has the time gone?

1 week old

3 months old

5 months old

beach baby

Everett and Dad

I think this was Everett's overall feeling about the beach...

family shot

standing in the sand

passed out with grandpop

love that face ... and those lips :)

Grammy and Everett

1,461 days

is the number of days Aaron and I have been married and I'm pretty sure he's made me laugh every single one of them :) I knew it would be like that when I married Aaron 4 years ago. What I didn't know was how I could possibly love him more every day (I do). What I also didn't know was the way I would love him ten times that when I see him with Everett. Who knew a man like that, so funny and quick-witted and quite the manly man could be so sweet and gentle and hands-on with our son. I am so thankful for that man, for the life we've created together, and for the rest of our lives to spend together!