More Treasures!!

In just 2 garage sales yesterday afternoon, I felt like I really hit the jackpot!! I spent a total of $40 and could have spent more and got more great deals but I didn't want to go too crazy. ;-)
Take a look at my bargains!


Play kitchen set. Yes, boys can play with kitchens! ;-) Besides, I'm dreaming and praying and hoping that someday we will have a girl, too. :-)
This set retails new for $100. I paid $20 and that included a bunch of dishes, food, etc.


I always thought these things were the coolest when I was a kid. Levi will really enjoy this with his matchbox cars when he's a bit bigger. These cost $15 and up new, I paid $1 for this one.

Really neat doctor kit! Retail price--$30. My price--$4. And every piece is there. Again, this will work when Levi gets a bit older.



Several nice plates and toddler sized silverware....I ended up getting this stuff for free.



A boy can never have too many trucks! These were all 50 cents each.


This little set is really neat. Each animal fits in a certain spot, and when you press on them they make their sound. Pressing on the farmer plays a song, the horn on the steering wheel really honks, and when you press on the smokestack the tractor drives forward and makes engine noises. I paid $4 for this, it was probably at least $20 new.



Little Tikes Coupe car.....I had one of these as a kid and had the most fun with it!!! These are really tough little cars. Retail $50, I paid $7.


Not pictured, but I also found myself a Lucky brand skirt for 25 cents, and a big bag of ivy/plants for $1.... This is something I've wanted in my kitchen, so now I just need to find a couple baskets for the ivy and I'll be set.

Weekend Bargains Blessings

In the summer, I rarely miss a weekend going to garage sales. You just never know what you might find. I think 80 percent of Levi's toys and clothes come from garage sales, and he has nice stuff. I call my finds "blessings" as well as bargains, because it is truly a blessing to be able to find so many nice things for Levi at only a fraction of the cost of new items.
This last weekend was no exception to finding deals. The first sale I went to landed me the deal of the century!!


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This little motorized riding toy was marked $5, a deal for sure. I grabbed it right away, but when I went to pay for it, the guy running the sale couldn't find the battery charger. He told me to take it for free and try to get a charger from the company. I gave him my phone number and told him to call me if he found it, then I'd pay him the $5. Well, he called me later in the evening, so I went back to get it......but I tried to pay him and he told me to just forget it! He said "Aw, it's only 5 bucks, I don't care." So I didn't argue! So I've got a cute, working riding toy that Levi is going to LOVE, and it didn't cost me a dime. I'll be saving it for a Christmas or b-day gift. :-)
At the same garage sale, I found several nice Gap shirts for Levi and some sandals for $1 a piece. A nice umbrella stroller for 50 cents, and 3 kids music CD's for $1 a piece. (something I'd been looking for to keep in the van)
Our next blessing was not at a garage sale, but in the online classifieds. A couch that was exactly what we wanted: tan, microfiber, and recliners on each end. It is only a year old. We were in desperate need of a new couch and were planning on finally giving in and buying a new one after wheat harvest this year. Then I spotted this one and it only cost us $350! It's super comfy and nice. It needs a little cleaning so I need to figure out the best way of cleaning microfiber, but it's not too bad. I'm so happy!

Book Review: Face of Betrayal

A few weeks ago, I joined Thomas Nelson's "Book Review Bloggers". You can choose from a list of books, they will send it to you and then you agree to write a review of it on your blog.
The first book I received was Face of Betrayal by Lis Weihl. Face of Betrayal is a gripping mystery filled with realistic characters, real danger, and a shocking yet satisfying final twist. While home on Christmas break, a seventeen-year old Senate page takes her dog out for a walk and never returns. Three women who are life-long friends race against time in an effort to find the girl alive. Though authorities think she might have been kidnapped or run away, those theories shatter when they discover she was having a relationship with an older man, possibly a U.S. Senator.
I'm often skeptical of reading new authors, just because I never know what to expect. I really enjoyed this book and author, however! Mystery novels are my favorite genre of reading and while I wouldn't call Face of Betrayal the best I've ever read, it definitely kept my attention and was an enjoyable read. It's one of those books that keeps you turning pages late at night to see what's going to happen and how it ends. I will be looking for more books by this author, I'm sure.

A Week in Pictures

The days always start out with a snuggle with mom:



It was time for a summer hair cut......what a big difference!


Hanging out in the new swing daddy put up and reading the mail. (I don't know why he looks so grumpy)


We planted some new flowers in the flower beds in front of the house:



Then we had to come inside to cool off and get a big drink..........


Ahhhh......feels good sitting under the fan. It was hot outside!


Hey! There's a button on my tummy.....I wonder what it does?


Time to do some housecleaning:


Such a big helper!


Finally, the days END like this:


Life is good! :-)

Daddy's Truck

"Just" a mommy

Some people may think I am "just" a mommy. What am I really contributing to the world, or even to my community? I'm not earning an income, so what is my time really worth?
But for me, I am a MOMMY. I have THE best job in the world. I went thru a lot to get this job; I longed and prayed for this child for 2 years. I worried through 9 months of pregnancy, swollen ankles, carpal tunnel, not sleeping, not being able to breathe right, and then: 18 hours of labor, a C-section that knocked me out, and a painful recovery.
But today, I have this beautiful, sweet, loving, smart, angel baby as a reward. I am "paid" every day in smiles, hugs, kisses, snuggles, and sweetly whispered "mamma's". *I* am the one who sees my son's first smile, first words, first steps, watching him grow and change and develop quirks and tricks and personality. I don't hear those things second hand from the daycare teacher. I am the one who he sees when he wakes up, who plays with him all day long, feeds him, reads to him, sings to him, and rocks him to sleep at night. I am the one he wants when he is sick, hurt, or scared.
I am contributing to the world another human being: a boy who (I hope) will grow up to be Godly, strong, honest, kind, hard working, and a blessing to others. And he will grow up with a mommy (and daddy) who is there for him every day, who he can count on and who loves him very much!!! Of course I will not be a perfect mom, I will make mistakes, and some day he will hate me (though hopefully it won't last long! ;-) ). But again, I will always *be there* for him. To ME, that is what's important. I wouldn't trade any amount of money in the world for this chance to be my son's full time mommy. :-)

It all started.....

It all started yesterday when I decided to get out my summer clothes and put away most of my winter stuff. Easy, right? It would have been if I would have stuck with JUST doing that. Ever get one of those crazy urges to do some major cleaning/organizing and you get a little carried away? Yeah....happened to me yesterday. :-D My bedroom ended up looking like this:




I didn't get a good picture of the closet but it was looking pretty wild too. See all the hangars, shoes, blankets, etc in the photos? Remember, I was only supposed to be getting summer clothes out. ;-) LOL. Anyway, I ended up spending 2 1/2 hours in my room and had 2 1/2 bags of trash along with 2 bags of stuff to donate to the thrift store. I also added a few things to my garage sale pile.
It was a big job, made bigger by the fact that Levi woke up and was "helping" (he kept throwing stuff from my trash pile back into my "keep" pile!) BUT my closet is nice and organized now, as are my drawers and the clothes in our storage room. I feel very accomplished. :-)

My thoughts exactly

OK, I guess this isn't showing up quite right but if you click on the picture you'll be able to see the whole cartoon.