frugal?

                                                                       (image source)

I need to try harder for that.
It has been almost a year since I have decided to be a stay at home mom. And you would think that the financial change would have changed our spending habits, but it really didn't.
I know money is a taboo subject. But it's part of reality, a huge part of it.
My husband and I had a heart to heart last night about some changes we need to make to make sure that we are saving more, and spending less. Especially with a new baby coming.
Joey works so hard, I mean super hard and he provides well for us. But because we haven't cut down on all of the extras sometimes it seems like we don't even remember where we are spending out money.
First thing we said, almost in sync was, "we have got to stop eating out so much!"
We spend hundreds on eating out each month. It's ridiculous, especially since I am such a great cook!
I haven't felt well these past couple of months due to morning sickness, so I used that as an excuse for not wanting to smell food or cook it. Besides the financial issue, it's very unhealthy and needs to stop asap.
One area that is totally my fault is that I almost always overspend on groceries. I buy stuff that we don't use, it goes bad, it goes in the trash and gets completely wasted.  I need to start doing more meal plans, and I need to make sure that I am only making one meal for dinner instead of 2 for the picky eaters at the table.
And also, like most married couples, we have our fair share of debt. We do not want to owe anyone money, it's a burden that doesn't have to be there. So part of getting our saving in gear is to use that to go towards being debt free on things such as credit cards. I know we can be debt free by this time next year if we try really hard at it and keep our spending on a much more realistic level. So this is where we are starting, hoping for positive changes, hoping to be able to put more money in our pockets and less wasted. So we are going on a serious budget this December!
If any of you have any money saving suggestions, or meal plan ideas that are family of 5 friendly, I am listening!

baby bump.

I had my 12 week appointment today with my midwife. I will actually be 12 weeks tomorrow. I was pretty anxious about this appointment because I have always shared my pregnancy news as soon as I found out. I just can't help it, I get excited. But the 12 week mark is a huge relief to make and the risks go much lower after. I laid on the exam table as she tried for a heartbeat. She kept on reassuring me that it is still early and can be difficult to find, then right as she was about to give up there it was! I let out a sigh of relief and a little tear :( I couldn't help myself. I am pretty sure we have decided on a name. We will use Finley as our name for either boy or girl. So far Joe, myself and London are rooting for a girl. Mason does not want another sister because he doesn't want to have to watch more girl cartoons on tv. Rowan doesn't have an opinion yet, but considering the way he beats on his big sister, I can guess his vote is boy. I am feeling much better, the nausea is no longer an all day affair.

Here is the bump:

12 weeks

I have a pretty good sized bump for 12 weeks, but hey this uterus has been used 4 times now, it knows what to do.

a grateful heart.

I grew up always feeling like the unlucky girl.
I had "absent" parents. I felt awkward, ugly and ashamed to come from a non traditional family.
I always felt that I didn't really know who I was.
I still sometimes ask myself that question, but in a more secure fashion.
Today, I still feel awkward, but I have embraced it. I no longer feel ugly. And I love and am so unbelievably grateful that my grandmother raised me and I feel no shame in telling people where I came  from.
Today, I am grateful that I made the mistakes I did, that I got pregnant at 18, that I had Mason,  he taught me to be selfless, to love with no boundaries. I grew up,  I learned from my mistakes, and I am proud to be his mother.
Today, I am lucky to have found Joe. That he loves me besides my many flaws, and that he not only fell in love with me, that he fell in love with my Mason and is a great step-father to him.
Today, I am in love with my daughter, and I cannot believe how wonderful she is and how smart she is. She is so kind hearted, it amazes me, she does not get that from her mother. She is truly a little princess.
Today, I have a red-headed son who was the biggest surprise, and has changed my heart in so many ways. He has taught me the value of time, and that no housework, or any activity has any importance over just sitting down with him and loving him and giving him the time he needs.
Today, I feel like the luckiest girl alive. That I have such a wonderful family, that I have such a gracious God who has blessed my life and given me more than I could ever imagine or deserve.

My heart is full, my heart is grateful.
This is my thanksgiving.

old maid.

I turned the big TWO FIVE on 11.11.10.

I'm pretty damn stoked on it too.
Why?
Because by the age of 25, I am already married with 3 children and 1 more on the way, and now I feel a sense of validation as an adult.
Because the mortgage, and 3 kids, 2 dogs and husband weren't enough. ha.

Sorry for the lack of blogs, I have been feeling truly awful.
Morning sickness is pure punishment of Eve.
This is my first pregnancy ever experiencing it and it blows.
I had no problem with Rowan keeping my weight gain low, 37 week in and only gained 14 lbs.
The only thing that is keeping me from barfing my brains out, or feeling like I'm going to all day is starchy food and I feel so gigantic. Some days on the scale it says I've gained 4 lbs, and sometimes it say I've gained 1. I don't pay attention to the one at the doctor's office because I've usually already eaten breakfast and lunch and have jeans and cute boots on so I know it's not accurate. My wedding ring doesn't fit me anymore, I look like I have sausage fingers.....gross. I was the same way with Mason, but my God, I ate everything in sight, everything. I'm hoping that now as I am inching my way closer to my second trimester that I will start feeling better and will want to eat less carbs and more fruits and veggies.
I've also been a total slob around my house. My house is like 90% tile, and the motion of mopping makes me vomit. My poor floors, and my poor children's dirty feet from walking on them. And don't even look in my oven, or my fridge for that matter.
oh. freakin. well.
On the bright side, I got some beautiful christmas decos from anthropologie for my birthday :) so gorgeous. And today, my wonderful Grandma Sharon is taking me shopping for the kiddos and myself. I've always dragged my birthday celebrations on for a week, I like to be adored and spoiled, it feels great. And I love Christmas, and I am probably the only person who asks for over priced christmas ornaments as birthday gifts. yup thats me.