Thrifty Thursday

I'll freely admit that I'm not always the best at being 'thrifty'. I love the idea of saving money and I know there are a lot of ways to do so - I'm just not always on the ball with that kind of stuff. But, it's a work in progress!

So, on this Thrifty Thursday I thought I'd share one very small way I save us a few bucks every month. All it takes is three ingredients and a container to store it in - all of which can be found at your local grocery store or Wal-Mart/Target. I make our laundry detergent - usually whipping up a quick batch once a month of so and have been doing so for close to a year.

What are those three ingredients you ask? There are several different 'recipes' but the one I make uses Oxy-Clean, Arm & Hammer Washing Soda & Borax 20 Mule Team. I mix equal parts of all ingredients in my cute little glass container and VOILA - laundry detergent. It takes me maybe 5-10 minutes total to make a new batch. I use a little condiment cup I found at Wal-Mart to scoop it out & measure it.

Super easy & each box of ingredients only costs a few dollars and lasts for a loooong time (and I do a LOT of laundry).

First Purchase

The other night we made our first purchase in preparation for doubling our number of kids. We currently have a stroller that we really do love but it's only a double which would leave Elliot and Hadley without a seat and free to get away from Mommy. In all honesty I don't know how often I'll get out on my own with all 4 kids but with our new ride at least three of the kids will be able to have a seat! We've been looking on E-bay for a little while to try and score a good deal and we finally found one! We got a Valco Twin Tri-Mode EX (in Brilliant Black instead of the color Petey really wanted) for almost $300 LESS than retail value and it's NEW and we got free shipping. I felt like a little kid at Christmas time. Here is a picture:

And I know many of you are probably thinking...'but this is still just a double stroller....while you are correct it is just a double stroller here but it can have different attachments added to it. Here is what it will look like with the third seat (wrong color stroller but you get the idea):
If we wanted to we could also add a platform in the back for another little person to stand and ride on that way. Petey has informed me that this will be our LAST stroller purchase but he's pretty excited about it as well. If the shipping info from the seller is correct it should be on my doorstep this Friday - just in time for me to roll it out over the weekend :)

We're hoping to not have to buy too many more baby things in anticipation of our new arrivals. We know we'll need another infant carseat and probably at least one more (maybe two) convertible seats so Petey can have seats in his car. Elliot will be starting pre-school in the fall (perhaps sooner) & he'll ride into town with his Daddy when it comes time for that. There are a few smaller items that would be nice to have another one of but we've accumulated quite a bit over the last couple years - if you ever have doubts feel free to come check out our storage room.....haha. And, if you feel so inclined you could organize it for me too. Oh, a girl can dream right?!?

12 Weeks

Last night I made it Facebook Official that we're expecting again. It's our third pregnancy in three years which I think might qualify us as crazy! Lots of people have been asking me if this was planned or a surprise and I'm not really sure how to answer this question. First, I wonder if they're trying to glean some juicy bit of info to either confirm we are completely crazy or if we're just stupid about birth control. Second, I wonder if it's really any of their business and my answer to that is: 'No!' So, to any of you who might be wondering there's your answer ;)

Also, as many of you who are probably reading this know by now we are expecting twins this time. This came as quite a shock to us & we definitely had never planned to have a double blessing but we'll definitely take it! I will admit that I had a hunch something 'funny' was going on even before I had officially confirmed my pregnancy. I have been incredibly sick - not necessarily throwing up - and have wanted nothing but to sleep all.day.long. I've also felt really, really awful after everything I eat. With my other pregnancies there was usually something I could count on eating that wouldn't make me feel icky but this time I've yet to find that something. I also started sporting a baby bump really, REALLY fast. I knew it would happen early this time since it is my 3rd in as many years but even I was surprised at how soon I pulled out those maternity pants (6 weeks to be exact).

Petey & I and some of our family joked with us that it would be twins this time. None of us were very serious but it made for a funny moment when the ultrasound showed two little beating hearts. Speaking of ultrasounds...the one that completely changed everything for us this time happened on December 3. I had volunteered to be a model for a clinic here in town where they are training sonographers. I was 10 weeks and 3 days & figured it was a perfect opportunity for me to get an early peek at my little bean. As soon as they started and found the gestational sac I knew something was different. Soon enough I saw two different blobs (there's really not a better way to describe them at that age) moving and wiggling independent of each other. Baby A was measuring 9 weeks 6 days with a heartbeat of 187 and Baby B was measuring 9 weeks 4 days with a heartbeat of 180 which are pretty decent measurements for how far along I was. When the ultrasound was done they three people in the room prayed with me (while I was shaking). Petey had hoped to be in the room for the ultrasound but the kids were fidgeting so he took them out to the van to watch Mickey Mouse. Imagine his shock and surprise when I showed him the picture...... ;) I will be able to see the babies again next Monday at my actual doctor's office & that day can't come soon enough!

I'm hopeful as the 1st trimester comes to a close that I'll start to feel better and have a little more energy. I'm looking forward to feeling consistent movement from these two and to finding out whether they're boys, girls or a combination. Either way we know we have been blessed and while we may not understand why God has chosen us for this journey we know He has a plan which has been comforting in those moments when I feel completely overwhelmed at what's to come!