Graduation Week

Well folks, this has been a crazy week, so here is my attempt to catch up on some belated posts. I hope you enjoy this look into our crazy week of Graduation. For those who don't know, we have a new graduate in the family, so here is a brief view of his time in the spot light...at least from Mom's view. :-)

To start with this past Sunday was Graduate Recognition Day at our church. Seniors had the opportunity to create a table display to show off all their accomplishments over the last 12 school years. Well now who do you think these tables are for? :-) I do believe they are more for the benefit of the parents, don't you? Anyway... Mom was given carte blanche to do whatever I chose as long as he could tell anyone that asked that he didn't do it. I did make sure to get approval from him on any pictures that I used. During this time I had the most amazing helper in JB. He worked side by side with me for 3 days trying to get everything ready. As crazy as it was, it was also a lot of fun getting to go back through pictures and relive a lot of memories.

And yes, for those of you who see the Marine Emblem and don't know...Joshua is in the delayed entry program for the Marines and is planning to be ready for boot camp in January of next year. We are very proud of him.

Joshua was the first called up on stage for the recognition service and so was at the far end of the stage from where I was seated, therefore when it came time to get pictures I was in a pickle. I was so grateful to a friend who came and took my camera and took some pictures for me. It was a great service.

After the service we had lunch, catered by Olive Garden (yum!!!). It was a neat time of fellowship with friends and family. After lunch was completed, it was time for the Baccalaureate Service. What a fantastic service it was, lead by Westwood's very own Kevin Derryberry. He did a superb job of challenging these kids to live for Christ and to remember that whatever they do that belong to Him. His testimony is very inspirational and you can read more about his life here.

It was an exciting day and gave a small preview to what the next few days would be like. We stayed busy and had a great week. There was lots of cleaning house to get done in preparation for family and I had lots a fantastic help from these guys of mine. We got everything ready and were very disappointed when we learned that my parents would not be able to attend. My dad fell several weeks ago at home and fractured his back. He is still recovering from surgery and in a good deal of pain. They were planning to try to come, but decided that it would be wiser to stay put and not make the 5 hour drive to come here. We all agreed this was the wisest choice. Micah's mom and dad were able to join us and we enjoyed their company for the exciting event.

With over 300 students graduating from Thompson, it could have been a long service but it wasn't. I was impressed with the length and it did not leave you exhausted afterward. :-) I hope you enjoy the pictures below of the BIG event!!

Here we have the processional . . . talk about a happy young man. :-) What a grin!!!

And in this shot he has just received his diploma (or at least the cover)and is walking off the stage. They had to get the actually diplomas after the ceremony outside the building.

After graduation friends gather for pictures. More fun pics to follow.



Can't you just feel the LOVE!?!?!?!?!? :-)

And more LOVE!!!! :-)


Here are my three oldest boys (men). What mother wouldn't be proud? :-)

So there you have it . . . a brief look into an amazing week for us and the beginning of a new era for our second born son. Thank you for visiting and sharing in our family fun.

God bless and have a great day!!!

First Trip to Walgreens

Now here's my fun picture for the week. Not only do I get to share what I saved, but I also get to show off the baby of my family. :-) Koby has got to be the biggest "baby" you can ever imagine. He truly doesn't realize that he is NOT a lap dog. God blessed us with the sweetest and most well behaved, gentle dog you can ever imagine. And talk about smart? He can even close the back door when he comes inside! How's that for smart? Anyway...more about him another time.

This trip was made to Walgreens. My friend and I decided to give it a try and she had worked out several ideas, so I met her there to join in. Of course, we did get a little slow start because I went to the wrong store (we have 2 within a couple of miles and I didn't think to ask her which one she was going to...silly me. :-) ) Great thing was that since she was there ahead of me she had already scoped out all the deals and picked up a few items for me already. I am so blessed to have a friend to help me save money and we have such a good time getting it done. :-) Thanks Fiddle D. Dee.

So here's the breakdown:

TRANSACTION #1

3 Walgreens Facial Tissues - $.99/each - with store coupon
1 Zantac Cool mint - 8 ct - $3.99 - $5 coupon adjusted down
1 Gillette Venus Razor - $9.99 - $4 coupon
1 Dr. Pepper 20 oz. - $1.29 (for a very thirsty assistant) - free coupon

Paid $11.71 oop and saved $12.59 - generated $9.00 RR for Zantac and Venus razor.

TRANSACTION #2

2 Cascade powder - 2/$5 - .25 coupons for each
1 Zest bodywash - 3/$10 - .35 coupon
1 Old Spice bodywash - 3/$10 - .75 coupon
2 Crest toothpaste - 2/$5 - 1.00 coupons for each
1 Zantac Cool mint - 8 ct. - $3.99 - 5.00 coupon adjusted down
3 Charmin wipes - $1.99 each with store coupon

Paid $20.42 oop and saved $14.71 - generated $23.00 RR for purchasing 9 P&G products and the one Zantac.

TRANSACTION #3

1 Zantac Cool mint - 8 ct. - $3.99 -$5 coupon adjusted down

Paid $.32 oop and saved 4.99 - generated $3.00 RR for purchasing Zantac.

Now the total spent was $32.55 and the total saved was $32.29 and the total received in RR(register rewards) - $35.00. (I think I actually made money.)

All-in-all I call that a successful trip. I did learn a few things though and was thankful for Fiddle D. Dee, because she had shopped with Walgreens before and knew a few of the ins and outs. Bottom line that I learned ( and I do remember reading this on Crystal's site before a good while back) is that you can't use more coupons than you have actual items, so if you have 9 items and 9 manufacturer's coupons, you can't use RR. That was a little disappointing, but I'll just get to use them later. :-) Also we learned that it would only print 1 RR and accept 1 coupon for the Zantac on each transaction, which is why I spread mine out. Fiddle D. Dee bought hers first and had to return and re-buy one of the Zantacs because she didn't get her RR and it wouldn't take but one coupon. And so we both learned by her frustrations. :-)

Well...all I can say is that shopping at Walgreens was a new experience for me and since I have $35 in RR to spend I know I will be back. Hopefully it will be as much fun the next time and I can save just as much. Much thanks to Crystal on Moneysavingmom.com for all her helps and deals. She is such a blessing and it is a pleasure to learn from her. Please check out her site for more information on "how to's". She also has some great e-books that she has written and offers to help others learn to live frugally.

My prayer and goal in sharing my savings is to help others learn how to wisely use the resources God has provided. God has greatly blessed me by bringing into my life those who can help me and I look forward to sharing that information with others as I am able.

God bless and have a great week!!!!