Wordless Wednesday {15}

Super buys {14}

Chance will be home for the summer next week and I've got a ton of stuff I'd like to get done before he gets home so we can play while he's here instead of run errands --- so part of my business is working on stuff for Bella!!! One of the zillion projects I had to do today was a flyer for people to post up advertising my business!

Here are my 2 week goals-
1. get together Yard Sale items for Community Yard Sale this weekend
2. Organize our storage building (out with the old, never used stuff)
3. Purge filing cabinet---
4. Do a month menu for the month of July to take the guess work out of our grocery bill.
5. Get some pictures done of new Bella items.
6. Get Dustin a CREATIVE fathers day gift.
7. Plan (and execute) strategies for getting product to boutiques and salons around town.
8. Complete a gift for a friend whose baby girl is due in a few weeks!

Lets see how well  I do at getting this done!

Math Placement Testing {13}

I had (or was supposed to) take a math placement test today for going back to school.  As you know, my plan is to get some sort of degree- or certification in Cosmetology. Well, the only class I didn't have from attending Southeastern was math because I don't think they offered it at the time *weird??* But anyway,  so I began studying yesterday at 3 p.m. for my 5:30 test because I knew I wouldn't have tooooooo much trouble passing it, I mean c'mon how hard could it be, right?  Well, I was wrong!  I found a practice test and began working my way down ... #1- find the answer to this quadriatic equation.  WHAT! #2. complete the problem below and  express in scientific notation; OMGSH are you serious??? And on and on and on... I called Mom and we worked our way through page 1 of 3... (as I silently began to panic)

ML mom of 4 asked in her latest blog, to share about a blessing we have had that we would like to pass on.  My blessing is a wonderful mother, who knows all, hears all, and sees all... just kidding about that.  But she is pretty smart.  I know that I wasn't gifted the the area of arithmetic. But, I was blessed with a servant heart just like hers.  She blessed me yesterday by taking the time out of her busy day to help me RE-LEARN the math that I didn't pay attention to in H.S.



Thank you momma for being so self-less.

Tired {12}

today was a busy day, i am exhausted- the blog will have to wait.

goodnight friendies-

Summertime

Today was a great day, after the storms passed through we all ventured outside to "test" the waters of our little swimming pool.  It was CHILLY!  Both the girls were dying to get in and start splashing around but Dustin and I both were hesitant because we didn't want anyone getting a cold due to the water temperature.  As all good parents do, after much coaxing from both babies, we caved and let them in the pool... they had an absolute blast.  I could only last for about 15 minutes before giving up and heading in for something a lot warmer. :) 

To me, the beginning of summer time is the day that you can actually wear your flip flops out and not be cold... :)
Below is my sweet niece E's skinny little legs. She is modeling a pair of Funky Flops created by Bella.

Grocery Lists {10}

this is something that every man & woman has to do from time to time ---or weekly. :)

Dustin has come up with this neat little sheet we call our "Dashboard" where we keep things like our budget, weekly & month goals, Crowd favorite menu items, grocery lists, "R-A-D" charts (Room a day) Things we would like or want to do with the house... and on and on.

I have found it much easier when making my grocery list to have in an excel spreadsheet that has formula's in it. So, when working with my budget I know exactly where I'm ending up, plus tax.  This spreadsheet is always evolving.  A few weeks ago, before really diving into my couponing I just had basics like Item, Ballpark Price, Actual Price ... Now- I've got  a little better for those of us who  like to use coupons, breaking it down to coupons 1-2-3.  (is this making any sense??) 

Since making this spreadsheet it makes making my grocery list like a fun scavenger hunt, once I get my list sorted out I can then begin looking for my coupons for the items on my list.  I use Coupon Mom to help me find what I need, along with the weekly Sunday paper of course! :)

If you're interested into deep diving into your grocery list-- let me know and I'll send you over my spreadsheet!

Envelopes {9}

Dustin and I have been trying to practice the "ENVELOPE" system of budgeting.
Its actually quite fun, we set an amount that we are going to spend on a certian item like Groceries, Gas, Fun, Tithe etc
and every Friday he goes and withdrawls the money from the bank.
We put it in the specific envelope & only spend what is in the envelope. 

In a world where Debit Cards are the "in" thing- this has really helped us to stay on track.

Today, I needed some fresh new envelopes because mine were kindof worn out... so I decided to make my own!!!

Here's what you'll need:
Envelope
Scissors
Glue
Pencil
Scrapbooking paper
Decorating Items


Unfold the envelope so that you're able to lay it on your scrapbooking paper and trace it out.


My cute paper!!!



My envelope traced and cut out...



Fold over the sides just like the other envelope does and glue it on each side.



And WHALAH! you've got a cute set of envelopes... This envelope shown above is for our "date" night money-- isn't it too cute!

Wordless Wednesday {8}

Pictures {6}

I'm having trouble uploading pics to my blog... anyone else having issues with this? Its frustrating...

I took several pictures this weekend and I really wanted to blog on them, but, like I said I am having trouble uploading... it just keeps trying and trying to upload but no pics!!! UGH!

Be back with more later.

Scribefire {7}

As you all know (the 3 people that read this thing) I've been having trouble loading pictures... well, to me, that is what makes a blog--the pictures! It really put me in a tizzy for my 35 days of blogging- so I found a solution, scribefire- an extention to my firefox that allows me to blog and I don't have to log into the blogger site! woohoo! So here goes... once again.. I'm back up and running! I'll leave you with this pic just to make you smile.

Sundays {5}

So, I am finding it really hard to blog on the weekends. We've always got so much going on and I never think about it until I'm half alseep in the evening. So, I promised blogging, and I'll blog... but it may not happen on the weekend... just saying. :)

Our Sunday was a lot of fun! We planned a cook out with Dustin Grandmother "GiGi" -- We packed all the things needed for a cook out and headed out to the park to cook! Unfortunately, with in 5 minutes of the Dogs and Burgers being ready, it started to POUR! ugh! :) oh well!

Saturdays {4}

Today I laughed A.LOT. I thought to myself, I haven't laughed this hard in a LOOONG TIME! and you know what? It felt good. What else felt good, was being on the one taking this picture...

I.LOVE.THESE.PEOPLE.

my new BFF {3}

okay I know, I didn't blog yesterday--- super busy day--- But wanted to introduce you to my new BFF's...

In serious need of some INSPIRATION {2}

so my second day of blogging is proving to be tough, although being a stay at home mom is nice, the day in and day out routine doesn't vary too much and leaves me lacking some serious inspiration!

Tomorrow, is a different kind of day though. Since being un-employed, I've been trying to figure out what my "legacy" is going to be. I've tried for the last year to do things that I thought I'd enjoy doing only to find out that they weren't my cup of tea. Other than being crafty working on my bows I found my self soul searching for something more... something more fulfilling. I've thought and thought for a long time and after talking to some of my closest friends and Dustin, I've decided to follow a long time dream of mine and go talk to a counselor about Cosmetology School. In my wildest of dreams, I'd love to go to AVEDA but unless God places our family in Raleigh or Charlotte, I don't see that happening. I am excited to see what the local cosmetology school has to offer, and gain some insight about classes and things.

Please pray for us this week as we are working on making some drastic changes in our family. Nothing bad, just new, different, exciting changes.

A year has passed {1}

As I begin this 35 day journey, I've got to actually use my brain and think of things that I'd like to blog about--- so since I have no plan for the next 35 days of blogging, I got some inspiration from my picture files. Here are some fun pics, from LAST MAY & THIS MAY of each girl...

Pressley has really blossomed in the last year-
She is or loves to:
-Potty Trained!
-Talking up a storm
-Counting to 16
-Sleeping in her Big Girl bed (no bed rail or anything)
-Read
-Drive her Big Wheel
-Do most everything BY HERSELF.
-helping with Laundry.
-putting her toys away.
-working on her ABC's
-knows shapes & colors.
-knows her "night time" and "dinner time" prayers.
















Braelyn has really blossomed as well:
Here are some neat things about her...
-She sleeps with her full body covered with every blanket possible... from head to toe.
-She loves her "lambie" - Prissy has named it "white"
-She loves to read or be read to
-She is a big time dancer...seriously- this girl has got the moves.
-She loves to sing too, maybe we've got the next Demi Cyrus on or hands... wait, is that the correct name... or is it like Selena Lavato??? or Miley Gomez... :) just kidding...
-She can say "Mama" "Dada" "Bebe" "Coupieee" "Mock" (milk) "No" "Go" "Guck" (stuck) "clenk ouuu" (thank you) "Book" "Night Night" "bye bye" "Hiiiiiii" and probably more, just can't think of any more.

So, I hope you've enjoyed the look back in the past year.

See ya tomorrow!

Seems the popular thing to do...

so, I suppose I'm gonna do the "hit" thing and promise to blog for a certain number of days... I am not good at blogging since being at home because, our signal is mostly always bad (less than 2 bars). But- I would like to document more of the girls life and this is just a perfect way to do it so that all can read! :)Right?!???

For the next 35 days I'll blog EVERYDAY. yes I know, a whole month isn't really that big of a feat, but for me, it is....


So here goes nothing.

Homeschool

One of Pressleys favorite time of the day- is “school time”

When I became a SAHM, my intent was to focus on getting Pressley ready for Preschool, since she wouldn’t be in daycare, I wanted her to still know things she should know at her age.  This has been an “on and off” thing for us though, I’m not very good with staying on track. :)

 

I’m setting a goal to start up again with her, this morning, I found this curriculum online and I thought I’d share it with a few of you out there who have kiddies, and like me, are at home with them!

Jeeps and dogs…

Pressley was playing outside on Friday and I walked out on the porch to check on her and this is what I found.

 

Easter Sunday

These pics are for my mom and dad, and I hope everyone else enjoys them too!

Raleigh…

Well hello Folks! :)  Here are some pictures of the ice at our house… it looks pretty darn cold, and from what Dustin says, its a lot colder than it looks. :(

This picture is right off our front porch… its a beautiful crape myrtle tree in the summer time… but now it looks like a alien monster or something. :)

This picture is off our back porch looking above where we live… you can see the trees leaning over.

This is another picture off our back porch, of my favorite Japanese Maple Tree that is frozen too! 

 

The weather man says that we are going to have another storm coming through Tuesday-Wednesday and don’t really want to worry about losing power again and having no place to go, so we (me and the girls) are staying at Grammy’s and Poppa’s until that storm passes.

For Amber…

Well, a friend of mine amber recently posted how her daughter Bailey “Stinkied” in the bathtub.  While reading, I was laughing to myself and reminiscing on all the wonderful times that Pressley did the same thing. When Priss was a lot smaller it seemed that every time I bathed her she would stinky in the tub. And I would have to plan my bathing around he BM’s. I’m not joking—she probably did this 3 times a  week before I figured out that I needed to re-arrange my schedule to fit hers.  Any who- so now that Priss is older and is completely potty trained I don’t have to worry about her going in the tub because she will hop out and slip and slide her way to the toilet to do her business (which she takes very seriously and is uber private about…. I’ll blog on that another time)

So as of lately I have been bathing the girls together because they enjoy playing in my garden tub.  They have a blast, laughing and splashing and swimming and dunking their heads under… it does make quite a mess but its worth the clean up because I know they are enjoying themselves to much!

 

Well, today is no different than any other day, get up, eat breakfast, take baths… except for the fact that Braelyn didn’t have her morning “stinky” before I bathed her… it didn’t even dawn on me to worry about this because she has never poopied in the tub… until today.  Usually, while the girls are bathing I am sitting right next to the tub filing or painting my nails… (a way that I can have a little momma time while the girls are pre-occupied) So today, while I was doing that I wasn’t really paying too much attention to what was happening under the water until both girls stood up and Priss pointed into the water and said “ YUCK! Brae stinkied in the tub”  She kept repeating it over and over while holding her nose like it was the most horrible smell in the world! LOL!

Wordless Wednesday

13 Month Comparisons...

Bella...

This week has been so much fun for me! I am taking the bull by the horns and starting up my own online business... this has been in the works for a while now but over Christmas break certain things have fallen perfectly into place which has allowed me to start the journey toward my dreams... of being a creator. Being the mother of two girls is so much fun, I think the most fun is dressing them from head to toe. Whether french braiding Pressleys hair, or painting Braelyns toe nails I just love that time with them. And nothing excites me more than having an outfit completed by a hairbow that matches perfectly! That being said, I am hoping to launch Bella Couture Company no later than the end of this month... I have been creating beautiful designs for my girls hair for the last 2 and a half years so why not share my gift with all my friends too! Eventually, I am shooting for a full site of all my creations... I'll keep you posted and let you know when the official launch date!

Wordless Wednesday

Right. This. Minute.

Right this minute I am in the "office" working on some Chapman stuff and I can hear the noises from the kitchen that I dread... Braelyn loves the tupperware cabinet that just so happens to be on the bottom set of cabinets... anywho, as I am typing she is in there pulling everything out... I guess that is the cabinet that I am re-organizing today... :)

P.S. I LOVE BEING BACK AT BLOGGING! I love sitting at the house and actually feel like I am living in 2010!

P.S.S. I better get in there, it sounds like its a little too much fun and she may be moving to the next cabinet!!!

P.S.S.S. Dustin- if you reading this, please install my cabinet locks tonight

Last half of '09

July 2009

Whoa, what a crazy month that was... looking back on it seems unreal because it is so far away from what I am doing in my life now. I went from working full time, to working 6 hours a week (if that.) Unfortunately, due to the housing market we had no more houses to build which in turn put me out of work. I am still hoping and praying that Tedd will prosper in this economy but that is all I can do.

We were able to make a trip to Carolina Beach for a week to spend with my family. It was a great time because it was the first time Dustin and I had been to the beach together! We ended up leaving town about 10 pm and I drove through the night until about Warsaw and then Dustin decided to take over. All I have to say is, "thank you McDonalds Coffee!" The one cup I bought in Hendo kept me awake and jittery till about 10 am. :)
Before getting to the house that we were staying at, Dustin and I decided to park the car at the boardwalk, take our shoes off and run down to the beach hand in hand. It was a wonderful memory-- one I am sure I will never forget.

After the week at Carolina, Dustin and Chance headed back home and left me and the girls with mom, dad and Julies family to venture down to North Myrtle Beach for another week. What a relaxing time that was, I certainly enjoy spending time with my family.... they are something special!

August 2000

This was my first officially full month being off work for good. Dustin and I found an above ground swimming pool on clearance at Target and decided to get it and set it up for Prissy and Braelyn to enjoy since the hottest part of our summer is usually in August... I hate to say this but we only got to use it 4 times until our neighbors cow climbed in it and pooped in it! (and put a hole in it) Needless to say, we got rid of it after that. Bummer. I did start working on a "Home Preschooling Regiment" with Pressley where we learned our colors, shapes, numbers, letters etc.

September 2009

Wow, hmm what exciting things happened in September... maybe you could tell me? LOL!

October 2009

Pressley turns 2 years old! WOW! We ended up having a very small lunch at Chuck-E-Cheese with Gi-Gi (Dustin's Grandmother) it was a fun time and Pressley enjoyed it tremendously!
Braelyn began walking... little stinker! (keep in mind I have pictures of all this stuff but not on my new laptop... sorry!)

November 2009

Braelyn turns 1 year old! WOW! Planning and executing her party was so much fun! Since she was born we have made her color be purple and pretty much used that color for anything associating to her. So. For her birthday, the color scheme was purple and yellow... I made her a purple tu-tu with little hits of yellow ribbon intertwined through out it and had a yellow onesie monogrammed just for her. She was adorable! Her party was at a local "bounce house" and she was surrounded by all of her closest buddies and a few more! :)

On a sad note, My grandmother passed away that month. She was such a sweet and kind person, I can not think of one negative thing about her that I ever experienced. To me, she was loving, Godly, gentle, caring, and ALWAYS believed the best for me. I still can not believe she is gone because to me, she seemed like she would live forever... however she did not and is now in Heaven with the ones that she loved that went before her.

December 2009

Pressley got her hair cut for the first time... she was so good in the chair too, sat still most of the time and behaved like a big girl! I'm so proud of her!

Snow & Christmas!!! Thats pretty much all I can say about December... I love LOVE LOVE Christmas and everything that it encompasses! We had a great Christmas Season this year, Chance made it home safe and sound even though the weather was less than desirable for driving due to the huge amounts of snow that was dumped on the Eastern US

Update...

So, Couper made it back home to Mom and Dads house safe and sound. Apparently he was trying to cross Six Forks Road around noon on January 1st and made it half way when some nice stranger pulled over and scooped him up and took him home. Mom and Dad luckily posted "Lost Dog" posters at the Food Lion up the street and the man that found him saw the poster while shopping and immediately called and took him home. Yes, this is the second time this year that he has ran away while in Raleigh, and no, we don't have a collar on him.... yet. But I think Mom and Dad are at Petsmart as I type buying a collar, name tag, leash, and a coat (that was Dads idea!)

I will try and do a quick little blog post about the last 6 months and what has gone on in our family... but right now I have to get the house back in order from Christmas and our trip to Raleigh.

PTL Coup is safe!

Ok... Ok...

Well, yes, we are back! However, due to the huge length of time that has passed since I last blogged on our old blog I seemed to have forgotten the password, and the email address I had associated with that blog has been long gone! So this is our new blog home. Tomorrow or the next day I will try and do a quick recap of all the happenings of the Chapman family from the last 6 months... a lot has happened.

Well, one last thing, while in Raleigh this week visiting my parents, my sweet little doggie was let out to go pee-pee and was forgotten about.... so he ran off and has yet to return or be returned... please join us in praying for the safe return of our little white buddy.