Damn you TLC...

for getting me hooked on Extreme Couponing!

So I think SOME of the people on the show, mainly those who let their "Stock piles" take over the entire house, are CRAZY! However the idea of paying full price for groceries AND diapers/wipes is frightening. With that said...I'm making the effort to start couponing. Let me clarify. Couponing. NOT EXTREME COUPONING! I will NOT be turning the guest room/garage or any other room in my home into a grocery store. I'm simply hoping to save a few dollars so my bank account doesn't go into cardiac arrest after Molly's arrival.

I started by reading a beginners guide at the Krazy Coupon Lady. She has some really great tips even for non-extreme couponing. (and apparently her book is AMAZING but as you can see from my post from two days ago I'm not getting a lot of reading done) I also created a coupon binder. (I know it seems like I'm turning into one of the EXTREME people but really I'm just that OCD)

I started out with a binder from Wal-Mart along with a package of baseball card protective pages and a set of really cute tab dividers from the clearance isle. This site had the binder divider categories that were most like the items we use on a regular basis. So I printed them and put them in the binder behind the tab dividers I created. (Each tab is labeled with a part of the house: pantry, fridge, freezer, bathroom, etc.) After putting the baseball card pages in I created a cute cover and then printed the coupon policies for the stores I frequent. (suggested by the Krazy Coupon Lady) I stashed these in the back pocket of the binder along with the weekly ads for the same stores. The envelope with the "R" on it is the stash of coupons that I'd use for that trip. That way I don' t have to take the entire binder to the store.

Now the only thing I have left to do is find the actual coupons to put in my super cute coupon binder. Wish me luck!

Dominoes...It must be the Mahan Family Reunion

This past weekend we spent some time in Brownwood for the Mahan Family Reunion. As a relatively new member of the family let me just point out one thing I learned last year at the reunion. These Mahans take their games of 42 seriously. I mean very SERIOUSLY!

The weekend basically consists of about 40 Mahans (give or take a few) in a hotel conference room eating, drinking, and playing dominoes. The kiddos get a chance to swim and soak up some sun but most of the adults jump right in to the 42 Tournament.

This year we weren't going to be able to go since Rustin had to work but at the last minute everything worked out and we packed up the truck and headed north. Rustin's sister, Elisa was kind enough to let us stay with her. On our way out to the barn to feed the horses that night a snake slithered across my shoe. For most people this wouldn't be a big deal, but I am a city girl so I immediately began to scream and jump around. Which made for some high quality entertainment for my hubby and sis-in-law. They laughed...I hid in the house for the rest of the night.

The next morning after prepping some of the food for lunch we headed back into town. On our way a chicken crossed the road in front of the truck and now it was my turn for some high quality entertainment. Apparently this is normal (hence the jokes) however I'd never seen it before and laughed pretty much the entire way back to the reunion.

All in all we had a wonderful time getting to see the family. Next year will be Molly's first reunion and as of now she should be the winner of the "youngest Mahan" award.

Pictures to come!

Summer Reading List

One of the many things I'm trying to make time for this summer is my "To Read" pile. This pile has grown oh so large especially with the addition of my nook. I must warn you this post is kinda Reading Rainbow-ish.


I got hooked YEARS ago when the first in the series was made into a lifetime movie. Now ten books later I still LOVE the series. It's a group of 4 women, a detective, a reporter, a Medical Examiner, and a lawyer, who work together to solve homicides in San Francisco.





I started on this series while I waiting for a hold at the library. I knew his other series were entertaining and I thought I'd give it a try. Plus it was checked in so that helped. It's about a NYPD detective/ hostage negotiator. This is only the second in the series but the first was AWESOME!

Can you tell I like James Patterson? I LOVE this series. It always keeps me guessing. I picked up the first one after watching Kiss the Girls with Morgan Freeman (which I may still have somewhere on VHS...yes I know, that's sad) With each new book the characters get more intense and the storylines take more twists and turns.

*check*

Another James Patterson book, who would've guess? This time I'm excited to read something he's done that's not part of a series. In this one young couples are being murdered in cities across Europe. Other than that I don't know much about it but that was enough to hook me.

This one is the most recent in the Eve Duncan Series. She's a forensic sculptor...enough said! Her daughter was kidnapped years ago and never recovered. She spends her time working on skulls of missing children but occasionally bad guys want her help and though she tries to escape it she eventually gives in for some reason or another. I believe Face of Deception is the first in this series and it's definitely one of those books you can't put down.


I waited on pins and needles last summer for the short stories...now I can't find time to read. I'm really looking forward to this one though! Vampires in the south always make for entertaining reading. If you haven't read TrueBlood go to Barnes and Noble right now and get it. No I mean it really!
*check*

Started this one and have yet to finish, but it did make for good entertainment while waiting at the DMV. The first in this series is Bitter is the New Black and it will make you laugh out loud, literally. It's all about Jen's life and with titles like "My fair Lazy" and "Bright Lights Big Ass" who wouldn't laugh.

Murder Mystery and recipes all in one. What more could a girl ask for. This is a fun series. Hannah Swensen owns her own bakery in a small town in MN and happens to stumble upon a lot of dead bodies by mistake. In her quest to find the killer she gives you amazing recipes for all sort of yummy things.

If you haven't read anything from this series you're missing out. For sure! Stephanie Plum, the main character, is a bond enforcement officer. (read: bounty Hunter) And not a very good one. Crazy stuff happens to her and her cop boyfriend, Joe or her smokin' hot mentor, Ranger must save her. Did I mention she has a super crazy family and that the entire series takes place in NJ.

Eris got Jenny and I into this series last year before the show started. I got to book four and then school started and I put down book four and couldn't remember where I put it. Anyway before I read on I feel like I need to re-read. I've never watched the show so I'm not sure how well they align but the series is def. a good one. Four High School aged girls who were close until the disappearance of their friend.

As you can tell I'm a fan of series (9 out of 10 books on my list are from a series). My list isn't made up of profound, thoughtful books, or soon-to-be mommy books nor are they all on the NY best sellers list but I love them. They're the only thing allowed to keep me company during my "me" time. To me reading is just plain fun. This is what I hope to instill in my students each year, but who knows if it actually sticks. Anyway happy reading!

Baby Shower in Austin

Let me just start by saying that we are truly blessed to have so many people in our lives who love us and already love Molly. Jenny did an AMAZING job putting the whole thing together.

There was great food:



Sweet Treats:

Miss Heather's diaper cake turned out SUPER cute!!! (If you'd like one of your own you can contact her and she'll make you one) So cute infact that I really don't want to take it apart.

Lots of presents:

Including these little suprises:



And wonderful friends...

Including...

4 Generations~
Mimi, Mom & Molly, and Great Nanny

Hospital Bag

Well we've hit week 35 and my "Bump" check list is telling me to pack the hospital bag...I've already had it packed for a few (4) weeks (call me overly prepared). Anyway I've read tons of different lists saying what you need and don't need and I think this is my final list.

Important:
Picture ID
Hospital paperwork
Insurance Card
Birth Plan (if you have one, I don't have one … my goal is to get her here in whatever way works best.)
Car seat

Technology:
cell phone / cell phone charger
camera / battery charger
Flip camera
Nook

Pillows:
My Pillow
Boppy pillow

Toiletries:
tooth brush, tooth paste
Brush
Deodorant
Hair bands
Chapstick
shampoo and conditioner

Baby:
Swaddle blanket
recieving blanket
going home outfit & shoes (I packed two similar outfits in different sizes incase it doesn't fit)
socks
mittens
baby nail clippers / emery boards
baby book – to put her hand and foot prints in

Me:
slippers
PJs
robe
undies
Tanks with the built in nursing bra
pads
Cottonelle Wipes
nursing bra
a soft towel
breast pads
Lansinho Cream and Gel Pads
a wal-mart bag (for dirty clothes)

Extras:
Snacks so Rustin doesn't have to hunt for the vending machine
cash




You might be wondering where all of Rustin's things are. With all the traveling he does he's used to packing a bag at the last min. which is his plan for this as well. :) Anyway, what do you think?? Am I missing something??

Happy Pinterest Day...?

No it's not a new holiday. I took some time this week and really set to work on all the fun things I've seen on Pinterest that I've wanted to try. So here's a quick run down on my trials and triumphs from Pinterest.

Smore's Cookies
Holy cow! These were amazing. I must admit that I didn't follow the recipe I found online. I took some break and store brand bake cookies (leftover from making the cookie cups for father's day) and mushed (technical term) it up into a ball and added in a couple handfuls of mini marshmallows. Then dropped a scoop of batter onto 1/2 a graham cracker. Bake at 350 for 10 min. Move to cooling rack ASAP. Did I mention they were amazing. I took them to a BBQ and the guests raved about them.
Triumph



Slow Cooker Mac 'n Cheese
With all that was going on for Father's Day lunch I didn't want to be standing in front of the stove or oven so I went to good ol' Pinterest to see if I could find a crock pot recipe for Macaroni and Cheese. I did and it was AWESOME! And SUPER easy, so easy that I could actually write it our for 3 separate guests at lunch. Here it is:

1 1/2 C milk
1/2 stick of butter
12 oz evaporated milk
1 box pasta (boiled for 5 min. first)
salt and pepper to taste
4C shredded cheese
Breadcrumbs

Combine in crock pot and top with Breadcrumbs. Cook on HIGH for 30 min. Then Cook on low for 2 hours.

**I forgot to take a picture before and there wasn't any left so here's the one from Pinterest**Triumph



Cookies and Cream Cupcakes
The inspiration came from Pinterest but the recipe had too many ingredients (I like 4-5 ingredient recipes) so I adapted it just like I did for the Smore's Cookie recipe. For this one I made a white cake mix just like the box said. Before spooning it into the muffin tin I stired in about 24 crushed oreos. Bake at 350 for 18 min. Cool. Frost and top with leftover crushed oreos. Glass of milk is a must...dunking is optional.
Triumph




Food Face Plates
Turn Dollar Store white plates into dinner time canvases in no time flat.


Click picture for directions.
Triumph


Nursing Cover Strap, burp cloths, and car seat pad

Triumph x 3


Plastic Bag Storage
I bought one of those things that hang on the wall and keep all the baggies together. Only problem is it falls down ALL the time. So when I saw that someone was using an old Clorox wipe container to hold the bags I was all over it. Plus I had one in the recycling bin already. I whipped up a little something on my Silhouette so it didn't look so plain.
Triumph




Bacon Potato
While this sounded like a super easy idea at first I found that slicing a raw potato and then stuffing in a slice on uncooked bacon was a little difficult. The potato kept "breaking".
Trial




Overall I'm loving my new obsession...if you haven't checked out pinterest yet please do. Leave me a comment and I'll send you an invite (so you don't have to wait for an account) I'd love to see what your P'interests' are.


Linking Up With:

34 Weeks

How far along? 34 weeks
Size of Baby: cantalope
Total weight gain/loss: 30 lbs
Maternity clothes? for sure on pants and shorts but with tops I can go either way.
Stretch marks? Jenny confirmed none yet
Sleep: SUCKS!
What I miss: being able to sleep in a bed
Movement: tons
Cravings: strawberries
Symptoms: Braxton Hicks and swelling
Showing: for sure
Gender: Molly
Mood: A litle more tired and moody than the past few weeks. I think it has a lot to do with the heat.

The Dog Days of Summer

These two haven't been getting as much attention lately with all the baby stuff going on so I spent some time this week on them.




I've been meaning to jazz up their food bins but hadn't gotten around to it yet. So here they are after being attacked by my Silhouette Machine.




Then I found a few treat recipes that didn't seem too difficult. The first was for a cookie like treat. All you do is mix 3T peanut butter, 2/3 C dry oatmeal, 1 smushed banana, 1/4C parsley, and 1 C flour together. Then drop onto baknig sheet and bake at 350 for 35 min.



The second is for a DIY Frosty Paws. With the constant triple digit temperatures I thought they girls would love these cool treats. For this treat just mix 32 oz of yogurt with a smushed banana, 2T peanut butter, with 2T honey. (you can use baby food instead of banana if you choose). Freeze.



My last puppy project was a cute jar to keep all these great treats in. Well the baked ones anyway. I just used a Dollar Store jar and I decorated it with a vinyl cut out.

Picture of the treat jar to come. But check out this pic of the girls digging into their "frosty" paws treat. (outside = less mess)

Gettin' Crafty--Meet the Mahans Door Mat

This is the one $40 that was on our registry when we got married.



I knew I could make one. I picked up a plain ol' door mat at wal-mart for $6. Then I cut out my image using my Sillhouette machine. I Spray painted and voila.

More, More, More

This baby's going to have so many onesies she won't be able to wear them all before she grows out of them :)



She's now got her very own Baylor onesie, along with her first Spurs onesie, and a cute little one that says You are My Sunshine.

Father's Day

This Father's Day was a special one as it marks Rustin's first. I made him this card about 3 weeks ago at TinyPrints because I wasn't sure they made cards for Dads to Be, plus I wanted it to be Molly's picture on the front.




After church we came home and got everything ready for Father's Day lunch at my parents house. This was Rustin's first time manning the grill at my dad's house, so he was a little worried about using a different/smaller grill with so much food (enough to serve about 20 people) but everything turned out great!



The menu still makes my mouth water; steaks, baked potatoes, grilled corn on the cob, macaroni & cheese, broccoli & rice, fruit salad, and cookie cups with icecream for dessert. Needless to say there were absolutely NO leftovers.




It was a great opportunity to celebrate the all men in our lives that make such a difference. I'm so looking forward to this time next year when Molly will be here to celebrate her relationship with her daddy on Father's Day.