SAVINGS!!!

This last weekend I hit it BIG!  My MOPS group had a guest speaker who taught us the ins and outs of couponing and how to get the most for your money.  She said that couponing combined with your budget is the best way to go.  She is able to feed her family (husband, three kids and one on the way) for $240 a month (this includes, all toiletries and diapers). So I took on the challenge and haven't turned back since.  It takes a little getting used to, and a willingness to go to different stores, but you feel so proud of yourself when you provide great meals for your family and save lots.  Although I am not down to that amount for our family, and haven't gotten free diapers yet, the game of couponing has been fun!

How much did I save you ask?  I saved $132.00 this last week on my groceries.  That was over %56 percent of my bill!!  My grocery bags were full of healthy products, canned goods, four boxes of cereal (including Koshi), 48 super rolls of toilet paper (Charman Ultra brand, cheaper than Costco) tons of produce, seafood, and even steak.  This has been so fun and a great challenge!  The best part about it... I not only got my groceries for these couple of weeks, but I have a good stockpile in my pantry.

Grandpa Update

He is going home!!!  Saturday he will be leaving the hospital and returning to his home.  Although he will need 24 hour care, that can thankfully be given by his family, he will be back in his home!  Still lots of adjustments for the family, but he is seeming to resemble more of  his old self each day.

House Update 2

This is long overdue, but here are some before and after pictures of our projects.  Some are a little hard to notice from the camera.  We have enjoyed our projects and are so very grateful to all the help we have had!  

Framing Before & After

Patio Before & After

Landscape Before & After

Garden Before & After

(Planted: grape tomatoes, 4 types of sweet peppers, hot peppers, onions, 2 types of lettuce, cucumber, zuchini, oregano, basil, cilantro, parsley)

Grandpa Cline

Sometimes I wish that we could know what lies up ahead.  But then I have to stop and trust that the God who put life into motion, knows the situation in its entirety.  So for now, we trust in God's timing, and ask for wisdom!

About a week and a half ago, Grandpa and Grandma were on their way through Portland to see their family and friends who live in Washington, when we noticed that something didn't seem to be right with him.  With a quick change in his mental stability, feeling exhausted, and not able to follow simple commands, a call to Jason was made shortly after they arrived at our house. Grandpa ended up being admitted to the Hospital due to having an acute stroke.  One of the little blessings of him being admitted was that Jason happened to be overnight, and assisted us in the ER and helped explain and understand what lie ahead for his hospital stay.  He brought great comfort as a husband,  grandson, and doctor!

Soon after his stay, he was placed on the nuero floor so that they could begin to help with therapy and monitor his heart (which we found his heart to be working only at 15%).  After a few days on the floor and 15 of his family members coming to visit (yes we all fit in one room, lucky for us we were in the new part of the hospital), we were able to have him transfered down to the rehab floor where he got three hours of therapy a day. 

So this brings us today... Grandpa is still in the hospital and we are trying to figure out what the best kind of care is for him.  He wants to be in two places... heaven or home.  We would love to have him home where he is comfortable, but we are not sure if he is stable enough to be at home without 24 hour support.  Our family hasn't had to face a decision like this one before, so we ask for your continued prayers as we seek to make the best one for Grandpa and for Grandma.  

"For we can do ALL things through Christ who gives us strength."