Favorite Money Saving Blogs

I have several money saving blogs that I frequent. Here are my two most favorites that I enjoy utilizing to help me save money.

Broken

Warning: This post contains photos that may make your stomach queasy, please proceed with caution.

Two weeks ago, as Liam was stepping off of our new elliptical machine he fell and did this to his arm:

This is what it looked like from the inside before the arm was set:

Liam initially was in shock and was worried that he was going to be in HUGE trouble with his mommy. He was also worried that his arm would never work again and that the doctor would be mad at him. Once we told him it was an accident and that he wasn't in trouble he calmed down. It was obvious that his arm was broken and so we immediately rushed him to the hospital. He was very calm and listened to the nurses, doctors, and radiologists as they worked hard to fix his arm.

The hardest part was that Liam had just eaten a HUGE meal before he fell and the Doctors were concerned that if they put him down completely that he would asphyxiate on his potential vomit. They waited for two hours for his food to digest and gave him a mild sedative. Sadly he screamed and flayed as two doctors and an assistant and two nurses worked hard to set his arm. Bill and I were in the room trying to hold his legs down and comfort him. He couldn't see me and he kept howling for his mommy. It was SOOOOO hard I kept calling his name and rubbing his legs to try and comfort him. I would never wish for any parent to have to watch their child endure such pain, I wished I could have gone through it for him. However, when it was all over and he could see my face he instantly stopped crying and he thanked the medical staff for fixing his arm. He has been running and playing like nothing happened.

He has been a real trooper! He has been wearing a splint as the Orthopedic surgeon has been monitoring his arm and the swelling. I am relieved that tomorrow morning we will be able to have his arm put into a cast. It has been hard reminding a nearly five year old that he isn't indestructible and that his arm is still broken. He has hardly let his arm slow him down and I will be relieved when it is protected by the hard cast. I never ever want to endure hearing him have his arm set ever again! Yikes!!

He's A Real Momma's Boy

I found this old picture of Liam and wanted to compare it to one of my own at the same age, we have identical profiles and a lot of the same features. As one of my friends said it perfectly, "Liam is you only in negative." Meaning that he has my features but his daddy's coloring. I love this little boy so much and I feel like the luckiest momma in the world to have him as my son.

Flash Back

I was looking through old photos today and I had to share this one of Liam that was taken almost four years ago. I can hardly believe how much this little guy has grown up and how he makes my heart feel all soft and mushy.

Making Plans For Summer

I have had a busy week filled with making plans for the coming months. I made reservations for Spring Break and I am planning my Family Reunion for this summer as well. Here are some of the pictures of our last trip as a family to this particular campsite in 2006.




I am so excited to roast marshmallows, tell ghost stories, and just chill with my family. Its been a really long time since I have had the opportunity to do so; therefore, I am looking forward to it!

It Was A Good One

I had a fabulous birthday over the weekend, my husband sure knows how to make a girl feel loved and special.

Phenomonal Woman

I have long harbored a deep love and passion for poetry. I wanted to share with you one of my most favorite poems written by Maya Angelou it is titled, Phenomenal Woman. I am inspired by the words of Maya to be proud of being a woman. Her message that it doesn't matter your looks, or your size, its simply because you are you that makes you special reverberates with me.

My Auntie Vicky inducted me into womanhood and taught me to be proud of who I am. That it doesn't matter what I look on the outside but what I am on the inside that matters most. This year for my birthday I wanted to celebrate the kind of woman that Auntie Vickie was and the kind of woman I am working at becoming. I also applaud each of you fellow phenomenal woman out there for being uniquely and wonderfully you.

Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.
I'm not cute or built to suit a fashion model's size
But when I start to tell them,
They think I'm telling lies.
I say,
It's in the reach of my arms
The span of my hips,
The stride of my step,
The curl of my lips.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

I walk into a room
Just as cool as you please,
And to a man,
The fellows stand or
Fall down on their knees.
Then they swarm around me,
A hive of honey bees.
I say,
It's the fire in my eyes,
And the flash of my teeth,
The swing in my waist,
And the joy in my feet.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

Men themselves have wondered
What they see in me.
They try so much
But they can't touch
My inner mystery.
When I try to show them
They say they still can't see.
I say,
It's in the arch of my back,
The sun of my smile,
The ride of my breasts,
The grace of my style.
I'm a woman

Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

Now you understand
Just why my head's not bowed.
I don't shout or jump about
Or have to talk real loud.
When you see me passing
It ought to make you proud.
I say,
It's in the click of my heels,
The bend of my hair,
the palm of my hand,
The need of my care,
'Cause I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

Maya Angelou