FREELY FRUGAL

Learning to be frugal has become one of our hobbies. There are several reasons behind this: 1) my hubby's job has been directly affected by the economy, so we are "pinching every penny... 2) We want to learn to live on less so that we can GIVE more 3) We are both very competitive and love a challenge...so this has really become something that we ENJOY!

A great friend of mine introduced me to this fabulous website www.southernsavers.com

and that is where it all began. This is not your typical "coupon clipping", or hours and hours

of visiting different stores all around town to get the best price. The lady on this website

has it down to a science! She is very strategic and does all the work for you.

These are all the things I GOT FREE AT CVS! Yes, FREE!

(My best yet CVS trip back in November)

1. Organic Shampoo and Conditioner

2. L.A Looks hair gel

3. Herbal Essence shampoo and conditioner

4. Laundry Detergent

5. Listerine strips

6. Colgate toothpaste

7.Carmex
8. Gillette Deodorant

9. Eucerin Lotion

10. New Philips ipod earphones

11. M&M'S :-)

Just wanted to add this funny picture of Addy Kate

and this one of Charis, trying to dress herself :-)

HOPE YOU AND YOURS ARE WELL!!!!

"Helpful Hints"

Scenario: Young mom arrives at library with her two children. It is raining, and cold. She opens the back door to get out baby #1 to find that baby has pulled off socks and shoes! Mom, stuck bending over in the cold rain, frantically tries to find shoes and socks and put them back on baby. I mean, they couldn't have gone far!..What did she do...eat them??.In the meantime child #2 has ripped all of the pages out of the library book that mom is returning! While holding baby #1 and trying to get child #2 out of the car (with destroyed library book) mom realizes that she FORGOT the diaper bag and she smells something a bit suspicious...She runs through the parking lot holding the baby and pulling the other child- everyone getting soaked...when suddenly the thought comes to her "there must be an easier way".

And that is when the sweet, experienced mom approaches her and offers her a towel to dry off with, a diaper for her baby, and gives her some great practical advice...LIKE: Have you tried using the double stroller to come into the library? Or when its raining just put a onesie with footie's on the baby so she can't take off her socks and shoes. Oh, and have you ever thought of leaving extra diapers and wipes in the car- so you don't need a diaper bag? And, you should never put library books in the back seat with your children....and on and on and on. Suddenly the young mom thinks "Duh! I should have known that"...but really, the experienced mom only new those "helpful hints" because she had so many "bad library experiences" herself to learn from.

My point is, I have had so many experienced women(especially my mom) offer me very simple, and practical advice that has helped me "manhandle" two young children, keep a somewhat consistent schedule, keep smiling faces, public meltdowns to a minimum, and still have time to do what I enjoy. So, "helpful hints" is intended to do just that...pass along simple, practical things that have worked for us. I will be posting under "helpful hints" at random...so stay tuned. And PLEASE leave your helpful hints for us all to read!

TODAY'S "HELPFUL HINT"

You can still exercise!!

I am so fortunate to be surrounded by so many young moms in this season of life and I have noticed a repetitive theme in conversation... moms expressing a desire to remain healthy and exercise but it seems impossible with small children. Well, whether you are a working or stay at home mom- I have good news. You CAN still exercise...It just may look a little different than it did when before you became a mommy.

One thing I have learned to do is exercise WITH my children. Here are some different options.

1. Walk or run with kids in stroller

2. Do lunges with kids in stroller

3. Do crunches while holding baby or toddler on knees (they love this)

4.. Have a "dance party"... This is Charis's favorite. We have moves to her favorite songs and I set the clock and we don't stop til the timer goes off...GREAT cardio workout.

** THis is also a great time to reinforce what you are teaching your children. For us we sing bible verses we are learning, our ABC's, and we practice counting as we do push ups and squats. ** Side note: I usually get my ab workout by laughing

hysterically at Charis's moves...see pic below.

And in case you are wondering we do this during Addy Kate's morning nap...so she doesn't get hurt :-) We can't wait for her to join us!

Charis has the best work out moves...

THE BEST THING THAT HAPPENED IN 2010

WELCOME ADALIA KATE ARMSTRONG! "Addy Kate"
March 13, 2010. 1:33 pm
8lbs. 6 oz
As many of you know in July of 2009 we found out we were pregnant...again! This came as a true shock, as we were not planning to have another baby quite that quick... I have to confess that I wasn't exactly excited when I found out I was pregnant with Addy Kate. #1- I had a 10 month old baby #2- I was incredibly sick for 20 weeks, and #3- it wasn't "my plan". BUT, through the birth of our sweet Addy Kate, and life with her the past 10 months, we have grown to not only accept the plans of God above our own...but cherish the plans of God above our own!
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts higher than your thoughts." - Isaiah 55:8


Literally seconds after she was born

Holding my baby girl for the first time...and yes, that is my best

friend Traci in the background with a video camera :-)

She's under the covers with me...Look for her little white hat

and her little arm...

Adalia- (Hebrew meaning) "God is my refuge"

Kate- "pure"

"We"re Back"

Sabbatical: Resembling the Sabbath; Enjoying or bringing an intermission of labor. Literally a "ceasing".











Well, as many of you noticed we took a year long "blogging sabbatical". I am happy to share with you a few reasons we stopped blogging, and I am excited to tell you all that WE ARE BACK!!


I laughed as I was reading the Webster's definition of "sabbatical" when I got to the phrase "intermission of labor". You see, for me, blogging is actually labor! I so admire how many of you love to blog and are SO great at it. It truly is ministry, if you will, for many people. However, I am "technologically challenged" and it is not enjoyable for me. ( Read further to find our "Top Ten" reasons we stopped blogging, and our "Top Ten Reasons" we returned to blogging. )


So, as I sat down to think through our goals for this New Year, one of the things we want to make a priority as a family- is to better keep in touch with the people we love...YOU! Our friends and family. And this is the avenue we have chosen to do that :-) I know many of you are thinking "Duh, welcome to the 21st century". But, you know the Armstrong's...sometimes it takes us a little longer to get on board :-)



TOP 10 REASONS WE STOPPED BLOGGING:

(drum roll please...)

10. Time- it takes time

9. We were without internet for a while

8. Didn't want to play the "comparison" game

7. Honestly didn't realize so many of you kept up with us

6. I am technologically challenged and would rather spend time with a person than trying to figure out how to get a cool background...or "add a gadget" What is a "gadget" anyway!?

5. I tend to be a perfectionist (at times) and if I am going to do something I want to do it 100% and I just wasn't able to

4. We had a NEW BABY :-) Life is much busier now :-)

3. I can't figure out how to retreive my "draft posts" (HELP!)

2. When I have free time (meaning my kids are asleep) I would rather invite someone over, spend time with my hubby, or sit down with a cup of coffee and read!

1. I have a weakness of "rebelling against fads" and I confess to you a lot of it was pride! I didn't want to "just do what everyone else was doing"...I know, I know that's silly!

TOP TEN REASONS WE HAVE RETURNED:

10. We have establised a weekly schedule, and when things go as planned, I do have time ( blogging one time per week has made it to the official Armstrong weekly calendar)

9. We now have internet

8. I am SO very content with my life and all that God has given to us...So, I truly have no reason to play the "comparison game". The Lord has truly given me a sweet life and I am so thankful!

7. We want to keep in touch with all of you! From Grandparents, to dear friends, to the girls favorite cousins, "baby Wyatt and baby CJ", we probably have loved ones in at least 25 states!

6. I am slowly becoming more equipped with technology- even though I would still rather sit down and chat with you face to face :-)

5. I was reminded the other day that "some is better than none"...So, I am dying to the desire to have a "perfect blog"

4. "Life is but a vapor" and we want to share with you all our memories, challenges, adventures, and all that we are learning as we seek to know God and live with purpose!

3. Still haven't figured out how to retreive my "drafts" but I have become ok with that

2. My sweet husband encouraged me to do this.

1. YOU! You are the reason we are back. So many of you have kindly "gotten on to me" for not updating pics or keeping in touch...So, I really do want to honor you and make this a priority! Thank you all for loving us and wanting to share our life!

I feel it is appropriate to give one special "shout out"..... To you Aunt Luann and Uncle Bubba who always make us feel so important and who always keep us updated with those lil guys. We love you! And "this is for you". Sure wish you were here to help me figure this blogging thing out!

STAY TUNED FOR HILIGHTS FROM 2010...coming soon.

Ok, I know you grandparents are on the edge of your seat so I will give you one sneak peak.