Abigail Grace

Nine years ago today my life changed forever. All day long I had contractions on and off. I was already three days past my due date. I was getting quite miserable and I was so ready to meet my little girl. Dave and I left for the hospital on Sunday afternoon excited and scared at the same time. I knew when we returned to our house it wouldn't be just the two of us anymore. We would have a cuddly little baby with us. We got to the hospital around 5:00pm on Sunday afternoon. It was a most perfect night. I am serious. Everything was perfect and at 3:00am Monday May 29, 2000, I was holding a beautiful red headed baby girl. She was perfect. 8 pounds 5 ounces, 21.5 inches long. Simply perfect.

Today my little red headed baby girl turns nine years old. My how fast the time goes by. Happy Birthday Abby Grace. Mommy loves you!!

Daddy's Retirement Has Finally Come

Today we had the privilege of doing something very special. Mama, Tracy, Lori, Giny, and I went out to the Army Depot for my Daddy's retirement ceremony. I can only remember going onto the depot one other time when I was very young. It was nice to finally see where Daddy has worked all these years and meet some of his co-workers. They presented him with several certificates, one of which was his certificate of retirement. YAY!! He has been counting down to this day for 2 years. His demeanor has even changed over the past few months. I think retirement is going to be really good for him. His co-workers also gave him some gifts. A sort of gag gift spoke alot about who he is. This bag had different things like duct tape, an empty coke can and water bottle, a rock that they had written the words "dumb as a rock" on( one of his favorite sayings). These items all have a story and would mean nothing to you unless you know him. This was my favorite part of the day. When they presented him with this gag gift I realized that my Daddy has a consistent character. He is the same all the time. He has gone to the Depot for all the years and maintained good integrity and gained respect from his fellow workers. He is not a people pleaser, he is who he is. I liked seeing that today. It was a special day for him and for us.

Sisters

Just when I was beginning to think the girls would fight forever and wondering if they really even like each other, I found this piece of paper in the back seat of the van. Abby spent of couple of days with our family in Talladega and Erin really missed her, especially at bedtime. I guess absence really does make the heart grow fonder.

Abby's Recital

Abby just completed her first year of piano and did a great job at her Spring Recital. I think of Abby as my big girl. She has always been my big girl. Erin was born 2 weeks after Abby turned one. Then came Samuel one year later. So she was always my big helper, and she still is. I call on her to do so much more than I do either Erin or Samuel. I guess because I know she will get it done. I am working on not taking advantage of her and making my little ones do a little more. She has always been compliant and responsible. We use to joke and say that if Abby was with Samuel and Erin when they were playing it was like having the Holy Spirit with them. She is a good big sister and a good daughter. She is my big girl! So the other night at the recital when she was standing on stage with the other students, I could not believe how little she looked. I sometimes forget that she is just 8. She will be nine in a couple of weeks and to hear her talk you would think she is going to 16 and getting a car. Turning nine is a big deal to her for some reason. I loved these pictures of her playing.

Coupons

For the past month or so I have been trying to make the most of my food dollar. I have been clipping coupons and researching couponing online. So far in the past few weeks I have averaged saving $3 dollars a week with coupons. Not really so great. But I am determined to save more. I have signed up online at O Charley's, Chucke Cheese and by doing this you get great online coupons. From O Charley's I got a $5 off coupon which we used. With the fact that kids eat free there, it was a pretty inexpensive meal out for our family. Yesterday I got a coupon from O Charley's for a free appetizer. These are a couple of the sites I use :

Eversave.com

ppgazette.com

http://www.becentsable.net/

I'm always looking for new information if any of you have any wisdom to share. My goal is to be one of those mama's who can go into the store and buy $40 worth of stuff for $5 with my coupons. I'll keep you posted on my savings!