Here are some of God's gifts the past few weeks that I don't want to forget to be grateful for:

1)  Laughter

Ky is learning his manners.  At dinner the other night we served up some hot dogs and Ketchup.  When we squeezed the Ketchup bottle it made a farting sound (as all good ketchup bottles do).  Jon and I didn't notice the sound until we heard Ky say, "Excuse me for ketchup".

Sometimes Ky will just come up to me and say, "say excuse me mama?"  And I'll be like, "what are you talking about?"  Then I'll realize that maybe I sat on the leather couch in it way that made it sound like a fart and he must've wrongly assumed that I had been eating too many beans .

2) Joy 

The camaraderie between Ky and Caden has definitely increased.  Every morning (and sprinkled throughout the day) Ky will greet Caden and say (as he gives him a headlock hug), "Awww... he's so cute, chubby cheeks". 

They know how to make each other laugh.  Caden will often do funny things, make silly faces to get a laugh from Ky and vice versa.   Sometime during the day I can expect for the two of them to be roaring with laughter, chasing each other or hiding behind my curtains.  Or sometimes they are just playing seperately at different parts of the train table together... each in their own car/train world .

This is just a random video of Caden "dancing" or trying to jump but it's more like a gallop. It also shows Caden's wide range of emotions within a 5 second span.

3) Poop

There isn't anything I get more excited about these days (besides when Jon comes home ) than seeing my son's poop in the potty and not in his underwear or floor.  I decided to start potty training Ky again a week or two ago (on the fly)... this time around is so different than the 1st time I tried to train him (that could be another post in and of itself).  He has so much more initiative time around and is doing a great job!

This is Ky saying "I have potty power!"  I don't know why he has my pink head band on his head. 

Sweet story:

The other day, I had sinned against Ky.  He said, "mama" like maybe 200 times while I was downstairs trying to get something done (which is hard when your potty training with an active 1 year old)... and this was AFTER he asked to go to the potty RIGHT before his overdue naptime (which I quickly judged as his way of "buying time" or getting out of bed.)  I charged upstairs, foaming at the mouth... and spoke to him harshly, impatiently... obviously, protecting my idol of comfort and ease. 

By God's grace I asked him for forgiveness later but when it was time for bed & to pray together.  I think I suggested that he pray for Jon (which he did) but then he prayed, "I sank you for mama, I pray that mama not get angry in the potty room."  I was so touched by his sincere prayer, so convicted.  I'm so grateful to God for this little boy... and for God's spirit.

One way that Ky often surprises me is his eye beyond the mundane.  He often spots "happy faces", vegtables in the clouds, even the crust of his PB&J can often be letters or numbers.  Today as we were ate breakfast together he pointed to a little vase of flowers I had set on the table and said, "Hey yook, it's Dada...Ky & caden... and there's you mama!" 

So here's our new family portrait.  Jon, me and my precious little boys.

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I love being this guy's momma too.  Jon called me out from the kitchen yesterday and this is what I saw:

This boy is a lot of fun, keeps me on my toes...

Here's one of Caden's favorite things to do... surfing and "dancing" on the rocking chair in his room.  Needless to say this guy is regularly wounded (sorry video is shot from my camera and has no sound)...

maybe that's why God made him plumper and squishier than Ky... he knew this guy needed more padding :O).  I love this picture... I have a soft spot in my heart for chubby baby legs and fat baby feet... they make me happy .

A little quiz for you to see how well you know your meat...

List from most tender to least tender cut of meat: (#1 being the most tender #5 being the least tender cut)

• Rib Steak
• New York Steak
• Porterhouse
• T-bone Steak
• Rib-eye Steak

If you have NO clue and want to find out the right answer, check out this great post that will help demistfy all the meat jargon and tell you how to spot a great price... should your hubby want some meat and potatoes:

CLICK HERE

God's undeserved blessings:

We went to Butler's Orchard this past weekend to pick big, juicy rasberries!  I'm so grateful that a place like this is only 10 minutes from our house! 

Lord willing there will be fond family memories made @ Butler's Orchard in the years to come .

Jon surprised me a few months ago by making me a Crepe's a-go-go-quality Strawberry Crepe from scratch!  So we are saving money by making our own crepes now and needless to say he put his crepe skills to work with our fresh pick berries... they were out of this world!  The picture just doesn't justify it.

Our Ky-man posing for a photo

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This is one of our new favorite places to hang out now, Greenbriar State Park.  It's the best of both worlds, beach + grassy park w/benches & grills.  We typically go from noon 'til 7pm, the boys do great.

Caden is a little fish.  He ADORES the water, he just crawls straight into it regardless if it goes over his head.  He kicks his feet and dog paddles if we support him.  He dunks his own face in the water as if to coach himself on how to hold his breath... he's a lot of work but so much fun!

Ky yuvs sand (that's how Ky says "love" :O).  He's pictured here with Shelby Campbell and Little B.K  This was our first time @ this park.  We went with the Castro Clan (who introduced us to this place), Korzi's and the Campbells. 

This was our second trip to Greenbriar w/ the Sohns.  I love how the Sohns are always available for some spur of the moment fun :O)!

The kids had a blast in this little boat.  I wanted to get a ride in it too but Jon was too embarrassed to take me .  Ah well, we're going again this Monday with my parents so more pictures to come maybe.

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One last thing... today maybe the last day that Ky will be sleeping in his little big boy bed :O( so I took one last picture for memory's sake.  He'll be moving into a twin sized bunk bed I got on Craigslist a few months ago... and the next thing you know he'll probably be going off to college!!  :O(

This is just a random photo from today.  Some mommies and I met up at the Rio and here's Caden sporting his new walking skillz.  He's SO CUTE!

Instructions for those of you who don't typically shop at CVS: 

1) Check today's Gazette (or if you got last weeks Sunday Washington Post) and clip the $1.50 Pampers coupon. 

2) Do transaction #4 on my google doc.

3) Follow the links below to print out 2 coupons.  **You'll save more than my scenario b/c you can print the Chex mix coupon below for $1.00 OFF.  (I would've used this coupon but they only let you print it out a certain # of times, I've exceeded my limit.)  The chex mix will take you to the $10 minimum so you can get use the next coupon which will take 2$ off your order. 

Printable coupons:

Chex Mix: http://www.chex.com/Snacks/fantasyfootball/

CVS coupon for $2.00 of $10.00: http://drop.io/2off10cvs

Instructions for those of you who are CVSers already: Do at least the 1st 2 transactions then you'll have a $5.79 ECB from the 1st transaction to use for the 2nd transaction *Just make sure to print out and use one of these for each transaction: http://drop.io/2off10cvs (this is a totally legit coupon that has been cropped from p.g 30 of this PDF magazine so print these knowing it is pleasing to the Lord!)

If you want to learn how to cut down on 95% of your toiletry budget (via "CVSing") or if you just want to get ideas on how to be a better money manager in general check out Money Saving Mom's blog.  You don't have to take all her advice and agree with all she does but I've found many things inspiring and very helpful.

Well here is my newest hobby (thanks Rach & Tine) "CVSing" & clipping coupons! 

I can't believe I've lived this long without knowing the huge money saving benefits of "CVSing" & clipping coupons!! Snort! Snort!  (I feel like a passionate confession of this nature should natually end with a snort or two.)

Pictured here are 11 items. In essence I paid $0.57 each item (and no they are not trial sizes! )  Scroll down to see how I did it. Snort!!!

FYI:

ECBs= Extra Care Bucks.  Each week & month there are varying products that you can buy where you will earn Extra Care Bucks... these can be used like cash at any CVS store.  When you get good at "CVSing" you should spend less and less out of pocket (OOP) supposedly and rely primarily on your earned ECBs.

The "coupons" that I mention below are those that I've clipped via my Sunday Washington Post OR online. 

To learn how to "CVS" go to this website: http://www.moneysavingmom.com/money_saving_mom/2008/03/cvs-101.html

Transaction #1

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Transaction #2