Mommom

I went to PA this past Thursday to visit with my mommom. Recently we found out that she has breast cancer and then found out that she needed to have her breast removed. I have always been close to mommom, she was more like my mom, or a mix between a mom and my grandmother growing up. I had the woman in my life that supported me, encouraged me and was always there when I needed her, and I also got the woman that would take me on trips with her and do lots of fun stuff! Mommom and Poppop would care for us when my dad was at work, or working on the house. Late snowy winter nights, when dad would be at work plowing the snow, we'd be sleeping over, baking cookies, and having mommom braid our hair. Most people know the history behind my relationship with my mother and know that she wasn't in my life often and when she was it wasn't very long. It would start out good and end very badly. So mommom has always been the most important woman in my life! And I love her so much and owe her alot of credit when it comes to my independence and strength. I have always seen her as such an independent woman and I always looked up to that and wanted to be that way too. 


We were able to spend a few hours with her on Thursday afternoon/early evening, before she had to go and take care of a few things. Then Friday morning was her surgery, the doctor said that everything went well. I didn't go to the hospital in the morning because I wasn't sure how long it would last and I knew that even though my kids are really well behaved when we are out, they wouldn't be if we were stuck in a hospital waiting room for hours and hours. We waited til noon, I called the hospital and she hadn't been moved to a room yet so she was still in recovery. My aunt called and said she would be in a room soon so we piled in the car, got lunch and then headed over. My Gram works at the same hospital so we visited with her for a few minutes, she checked and mommom still hadn't been moved to a room so we headed to the waiting room and waited for about 2 hours. She finally had a room and we got to see her, she looked really good for someone that just had surgery and they said she should be ready to go home the next day! I was so happy and relieved to see that she looked pretty much herself and I'm so happy that we were able to be there with her. There were so many times when my Poppop was in the hospital, before he passed away, and I always wanted to be there with him. I wanted to be like the rest of the family and be there by his side. Being in NC made the so much more difficult. I am so thankful that we live closer and are only 3 hours away! I am so thankful that mommom is ok right now and pray that whatever comes next, that she stays strong.
Thank you to everyone who was thinking of us and praying! 






<3 Liz  

Couponing! Pathmark trip 5/15

OK so I officially am crazy obsessed with couponing! I know I 'm not the only one that has seen the new show on TLC because almost everywhere I go I come across people that are talking about it. 
I started watching it the first week that we arrived in NY. It was Wednesday night and there were a bunch on before the new one. I was in our bedroom cleaning, organizing and getting things unpacked and I got glued to the TV. During the commercial I ran out to the den and told Sean about it, he wasn't too impressed but after the second commercial when I came running out telling him that someone got about $1800 worth of groceries for around $100 he had to see for himself and changed the channel :) I then had my MIL watching too and was determined to give it a try! 
Now I don't expect to save hundreds of dollars in one trip, but I have always loved to save, I mean who doesn't, so I have been clipping coupons alot more than I ever have in the past, and following blogs of other extreme couponers! I look forward to Wednesdays when I get a sneak peek at the sales, Thursdays when the weekly circulars come in the paper and Sunday when all the coupons come! It has been a little overwhelming but I've been figuring out a system that works for me! 


With such a huge change in our life, Sean getting out of the Army after 7 years, moving to NY, still owning a home in NC, and trying to raise our family, saving is even bigger on my list of things to do. It's always been a priority but now its an even bigger one. 
This past weekend Pathmark advertised that they would have TRIPLE coupons. BONUS! 
I got all of this for FREE :) 

4 Bottles of Ken's dressing
2 Bags of Lay's Kettle Cooked Chips
2 Bottles of FUZE
1 Herbal Essence Shampoo
1 Herbal Essence Conditioner
1 Country Crock Soft Spread Butter
2 Jars of Tostito Restaurant Style Salsa
1 Jar of Tostito Salsa Con Queso
1 Bag of Werther's Original
1 Lunchable with fruit

On top of getting all of that for FREE I got all of this discounted

Using other coupons, my pathmark card, and adding from zavers I got 2 bottles of apple juice at $2 each, 2 bags of Herr's tortilla chips 89 cents each, 4 boxes of pasta at 88 cents a piece, AIM toothpaste at 88 cents 2 cans of PAM at 74 cents each and 4 cans of tuna at 75 cents each. 

Great deals all around and I've still got a ton more coupons and planning :) 

I am going to try my best to document it all so I can continue to encourage myself and others of all the ways to save! Happy couponing :) 

<3 Liz 

Happy Military Spouse Appreciation Day!

I wanted to say Happy Military Spouse Appreciation Day, to all the lovely ladies that I have had the pleasure to meet and grow great friendships with during my time as an Army wife. I love you all and am sooo very thankful to have you in my life <3

The past month...its been a long one

We'll I am sorry it has been so long but moving was crazy! and it wasn't just moving it was everything that happened all at once. 


Our last week in NC was great but sad all at the same time. It was nice to spend time with friends but sad to say goodbyes. We really miss all of our friends! but we know we will keep in touch and see you again!

Liam's surgery was also 2 days before our move, it went very well and we can really tell a difference. He has been to his new pediatrician this week. He got a referral to the ENT and will be seeing him soon for another check and hearing test. His pediatrician said he is doing well, the tubes in his ears look good. He is 25 lbs and 31 inches long! I can't believe how big my boy is getting. When we first arrived in NY he had a hard time adjusting. He wanted momma all the time and that was all he was saying. He would follow me around and yell " mommmm, momma" over and over again! As a mommy I love feeling needed by my kids but it was difficult at times with trying to move and unpack and get settled. But he is doing much better now and is pretty well adjusted. He went back to saying all the words he was using and learning the past few months and last night said a form of "grandma" for the first time! It was soo cute! My MIL came home from work last night and when she was saying hi to him he started waving and said something like "gamma" cute! and she loved it! He said it again a few times this evening. 


Chloe is adjusting well to the move too! She pushes her limits at times because she is around Grandma and knows she will get away with more but we've been staying on top of her to make sure that she listens and behaves as she is supposed to and continues to know that the move doesn't mean the rules change. 
She has spent alot of time at the library since we got here, and the first week we we're here, Chloe, Liam and I got library cards. She goes often with Grandma and other times with Liam and I. The library here is pretty cool, it has a play place, amazing children's section with ALOT of DVD's so Chloe loves to get them! We also see the little frogs there and got to see the chicks through webcam that just hatched today!
She misses her friends alot, she is always talking about her boyfriend Robert, and her friends Lillian and Gabrielle. She plays Barbie's and will name them after her friends that she misses. She has made a new friend here named Gianna, she really likes playing with her and asks me each day when she can again.


I have had a difficult time adjusting. It's hard not being in my own home, living with my MIL is taking some getting use to but I am dealing with it all as best I can and taking it one day at a time. Some days are great and other days can be miserable. It all depends on the day and whats going on. I am very grateful that we are able to stay with her, especially since our NC house is still empty. Not having all of my friends around is hard too. I know people here through Sean, but haven't spent alot of time with them in the past so it kind of feels like the getting to know you part of a friendship. Not many people we know here have kids either, which is a huge thing we have in common with all of our friends in NC. I know this will all change with time.  Its also difficult learning where things are located, how to get there and how long it takes to get there. I took Liam to his pediatrician on Wednesday and the closest one that our insurance covers is 45 mins away :/ and on top of that it was pouring rain the whole way there and back. I've been job hunting and not having much luck. I went on 3 interviews, the first I was OVERqualified...seriously! and the other 2 we're for the same place, it seemed a done deal and then they never called back. So that has been pretty frustrating. I've sent out over 100 resumes at this point so we'll just see what happens. Atleast I have my work at home business :) I LOVE THIRTY-ONE!!! <3


Some days Sean goes stir-crazy, he was sooo looking forward to all this time off but he gets sooo bored! LOL.  He even started to look for jobs! Just looked though, no applications! hehe. He got accepted to Stonybrook University, so he is all set to start school at the end of the month. He is registered for summer classes and that will help to keep him busy and not go crazy at home with me and the kids! He even said to me one day, "I don't know how you do this all day!" Haha...made my day! 
He also took us to see the lighthouse out in Montauk! Made me and Chloe happy and Liam had fun! He's been telling me since we met that he was going to and Chloe likes a song that has a part about the lighthouse in Montauk so she had really been wanting to go! It was beautiful!! 

Lighthouse in Montauk, NY

So happy she's at the lighthouse

daddy and Liam throwing rocks

We celebrated Easter with Sean's mom, his Aunt Barbara and his cousin, Kristin and her bf, Victor. I made a big Ham and all the sides! Sean made a yummy ricotta cheesecake :) We dyed eggs and the kids had an egg hunt to their baskets in the morning and then one outside after dinner. They we're both soo happy, and for the most part it turned out to be a really good day! 

trying to eat the eggs

Liam in his cute Easter outfit

my pretty girl 

Love my kiddos <3

momma and Chloe <3

this has become a lonnng blog, maybe my longest, maybe not, and I'm sure I've forgotten ALOT that we have been up to but the plan is that now that we are more settled I will be on top of my blog!! Promise :) 

until next time...

<3 Liz 

Last week in NC-Part 1

Besides having dinner with friends we've been doing other things during our last week in NC. 
On Sunday after we got home from church I had to go to Walmart to pick up a few things so while Sean worked on some homework and Liam napped Chloe and I made a trip to the park! She had so much fun playing with the other kids, taking a walk and going on the swings with momma! Although she did not like when another mom said, "look there is another baby girl playing here", Chloe responded with hands on the hips, "I am NOT a baby!" It was funny how the family responded, they laughed with her and the dad said thats right your a big girl, and Chloe was satisfied. 
During our walk we saw some Dogwood trees in the park, and I love them. One thing I will really miss in NC, is going to the dogwood festival every year. 

Beautiful Dogwood's 

After our trip to the park we went to Walmart and I surprised Chloe with a stop to get pedicures :) YAY! I've wanted and maybe even needed one so it was time and I have been taking miss Chloe with me since she was only 3 months old so she enjoys them just as much as I do :) She used to sit in my lap and just dip her toes in now she lets them paint her toes and she sits next to me in her own seat! :) I love time like this with my little miss <3

My little miss <3

On Monday we made plans to go to the park, this time with Liam of course. We had a picnic down by the swings and had alot of fun, but it was a really hot day so we only stayed an hour. A friend was supposed to meet us but unfortunately did not come until after we had already left....I was very disappointed but there's not much really that needs to be said...

Chloe and Liam enjoying their picnic

After the park I got the kids back home and it was nap time. They napped and daddy was home so I went to my dr appt that I had been putting off for a week. I have been having trouble hearing and had to have my right ear flushed...OUCH! Also was told I may need surgery just like my little man. I need to find an ENT and Audiologist when we get to NY. 

Tuesday we had Liam's appt to find out about the surgery. We spent a good amount of time at Womack and were starving so we made a trip to Jason's deli for a late lunch! 

cute little man drinking his first milk box

then enjoying his first ice cream cone :) 

<3Liz

Dinner Fun!

We are so lucky to have some great friends here in North Carolina! For 4 nights straight we didn't have to worry about dinner because our friends invited us over to their place :) 

Saturday we spent time with Heather, Rob, Robert and Audrey! We sure are going to miss them a ton! We have spent the most time with them in the past 1 1/2- 2years and we have really enjoyed all the time we've spent together. We are really looking forward to making plans and having visits with each other! 

Sunday we had dinner at Chris and Alina's. It was nice to see them because it has been awhile since we got to spend alot of time with each other. Chris and Sean are friends from back in NY so we know that we will be seeing them again! 

Monday, our neighbor and friend, Amanda had us over! her and her cute twins, Alaina and Alanna! It has been such a blessing to have such a good friend and neighbor. We have helped each other alot in the past 3+ years. Watching over each others house and dogs while we've gone out of town and everything. Its nice to have someone right across the street to hang out with and know that you can count on if you need something and nice to be able to lookout for each other. We sure will miss them!! 


Tuesday went over to Ginger's house, and got to spend time with her and her beautiful children, Lillian and Thomas! We have only known them for a short time, but it feels like much longer! And I am so glad that we have become a part of each other's life and have had this time to spend with one another! We've had lots of playdates and fun times and chats at dance class! We really will miss them but I am so thankful for all of the ways to keep in touch and hope that some day we get to see them again! 
Here are some pictures from our time at their house

the boys! 

they both love playing with the balls

Thomas got it! 

Liam and Thomas

Pretty little ladies :)

CHEESE!

Lillian and Chloe

<3Liz