Chugging Along

Quite a bit has changed over the last month around here. I have been doing pretty well with keeping up with my cleaning schedule. I, of course, sometimes have a day or two of laziness, but usually get back on track pretty quickly. I have also started couponing again and this time more consistently. I have been getting papers every Sunday and have graduated to a coupon binder that has all my coupons organized in it. Last week I spent about $220 on groceries, personal, paper, and house hold supplies, but saved about $120 with coupons and sales. I would say that's not to bad considering I'm still kinda new to the whole couponing thing. Originally I planned on going shopping every two weeks, but I think I'm going to try to stretch that to more like every 3-4 weeks other than milk, maybe some meal ingredients, or if there is really a big steal that I can't pass up.

I have also been doing better about planning my menu. It has helped me to feel more organized and more likely to actually make meals. Instead of saying 'this is what we're having on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday ect. I just make a list of the meals that are available to be made so I can look at the list and see what I have time for or am in the mood for that day so I don't have to feel like I'm 'failing' by not making what I had on the calendar for that day.

I hope to keep up with cleaning, couponing, and menu planning, but we'll see what happens when i've got a baby and a toddler (and babysitting kids) to take care of!

Feeling Good!

Today was day 9 of my cleaning schedule, and it has felt so good to have a clean house consistently! I have even done more than what's on my schedule! I have gotten to where when I'm feeling lazy and not wanting to do my chores for the day I find myself saying to myself 'you can't quit now, you've been doing so well!' or 'there's got to be something else you can do, you did so much yesterday, you've got to do at least just as much today!' I really hope this motivation sticks around!

I did change one thing on my schedule. Day 9 is now menu planning and grocery shopping day. I went last night so I wouldn't have to take the time to do it today. It really has felt so good to have things more organized!

My new toy!... Coming in about a week or so will be my new Ipad 2! I'm so excited to get it, and use it to be even more organized! (and have fun with it of course!) I"m getting a white Ipad with a blue smart cover. I think it is going to look really nice! Can't wait to get it!!

Back on the horse!

I am finally on the back end of an almost month long cold/sinus thing! During my down couple weeks I got pretty behind on my cleaning. However, now that I'm feeling better I'm back on the horse! Today was day four in my rotation and I have done what I'm supposed to do every day and then some! I have also reorganized Taylor's closet, our hall closet, and a book shelf! So tomorrow is day 5: deep clean the kitchen. In addition to that I am also meeting with a new potential babysitting family, and sitting my usual family. Should be a busy, but hopefully another productive one.

I am 18 weeks pregnant today. We have our ultrasound next Friday, and I am both excited and terrified all at the same time. I can't wait to find out what we are having, but I am also scared that something might be wrong. Everyone that has guessed has pretty much guessed that the baby is a boy, which, if I had to guess I think I agree.

All throughout this pregnancy I have had this gnawing feeling in the back of my mind that something might be wrong. On the morning of our 20 week ultrasound with Taylor I had a nervous feeling. I remember even telling Trav "I'm sure everything's fine, but I'm nervous about today." Hind sight is of course 20/20 and that feeling must have been God preparing me for the news we were about to receive about her having cleft. It has been that little feeling every once and a while during this pregnancy. So I'm left to wonder if it is once again God trying to prepare me or if it is just my brain playing tricks on me. Most of the time I am more excited than scared, but it's still there poking it's ugly head up every once in awhile. I, of course, hope that this feeling is put to rest once and for all at our ultrasound next week.

Cleaning Schedule

I have decided on what my cleaning schedule is going to be. Mine is not a 7 day schedule, but a 9 day schedule because I am going to do it based on Trav's schedule. He works 6 days and then has 3 days off. By doing it this way I will be able to break things down a little more so I won't have to do so much everyday and will have more time to spend with Taylor. So here it is...

Day 1: Deep Clean the Bathroom
Day 2: Vacuum, Dust, and Clean Windows
Day 3: Sanitizing Day- Toys, Light switches, handles, remotes
Day 4: Clean out the Fridge
Day 5: Deep Clean the Kitchen
Day 6: Clean the bedrooms and change bedding
Day 7: Clean the Basement
Day 8: Give Tillie (dog) a bath and clip her nails
Day 9: Relax, go grocery shopping

On top of doing these jobs I will also be doing somethings everyday. These include: laundry, dishes, make the bed, and pick up Taylor's toys before bed.

I hope that having a schedule will help me to stay on track with my cleaning so it will actually get done everyday/rotation. We'll see how this goes!