Calloway's Fall Day

A local garden nursery held a family fall day a couple of weeks ago, they had a ton of pumpkins and great fall decor. The kids had a blast, Molly especially enjoyed throwing straw everywhere!

State Fair

My friend, Gina, came for a visit and we went to the State Fair, it was jam packed! We still had a great time, but next year we will go during the week!

Dylan's Soccer Game

My nephew, Dylan, has started Soccer and he is really good! We went to his last game and he scored 2 out of the 3 goals!!

Piano Recital

Molly had her 1st piano recital today, it was fabulous!! She played Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, I could not be any prouder!

$7.20 Grocery Trip

Most people would be happy with a $7.20 grocery bill, considering what we bought, I however am not so pleased. The reason - my husband! He found the table set up with candy on sale for $.40/piece (which I agree is a good price) so he got $8 worth. Had he not gotten the candy we would have actually made $.80 on the trip. Oh well, lesson learned for me - don't take Malcom with me to the store!


What we got:
1 gallon of milk
3 4-pks of cottonelle toilet paper
2 2-pks of OcelO sponges
1 bag of hamburger patties
1 bottle of olive oil
2 4-pks of pudding
1 Philadelphia cream cheese
1 bag Lender's bagels
2 individual chocolate milk
1 Febreze Noticeables kit
20 assorted candy bars/bags

Positive Thinking

I really believe in the power of positive thinking, I find that it requires less energy to think positively and it produces positive outcomes. I am sure each one of us has many reasons to feel frustrated or negative, but don't focus on them. Focus on the positive, all the good that is around you and that you believe will happen. I found this article online, hopefully it will help someone out there who is struggling to find the good in every day life.

I have to also include that I know I can have this way of thinking because of the great Man upstairs. God provides me with the patience and love in my heart to live each day in a positive way. I do fail at times, but with Him leading me and giving me the ability to think positively, it is very easy to pick myself up, dust off my shoulders and continue along.

Happy Day Everyone!

The Power of Positive Thinking

by Remez Sasson

Positive thinking is a mental attitude that admits into the mind thoughts, words and images that are conductive to growth, expansion and success. It is a mental attitude that expects good and favorable results. A positive mind anticipates happiness, joy, health and a successful outcome of every situation and action. Whatever the mind expects, it finds.

Not everyone accepts or believes in positive thinking. Some consider the subject as just nonsense, and others scoff at people who believe and accept it. Among the people who accept it, not many know how to use it effectively to get results. Yet, it seems that many are becoming attracted to this subject, as evidenced by the many books, lectures and courses about it. This is a subject that is gaining popularity.

It is quite common to hear people say: "Think positive!", to someone who feels down and worried. Most people do not take these words seriously, as they do not know what they really mean, or do not consider them as useful and effective. How many people do you know, who stop to think what the power of positive thinking means?

Positive and negative thinking are both contagious. All of us affect, in one way or another, the people we meet. This happens instinctively and on a subconscious level, through thoughts and feelings transference and through body language. People sense our aura and are affected by our thoughts. Is it any wonder that we want to be around positive persons and shun negative ones? People are more disposed to help us if we are positive. They dislike and avoid anyone broadcasting negativity.

Negative thoughts, words and attitude bring up negative and unhappy moods and actions. When the mind is negative, poisons are released into the blood, which cause more unhappiness and negativity. This is the way to failure, frustration and disappointment.

Practical Instructions

In order to turn the mind toward the positive, inner work and training are required. Attitude and thoughts do not change overnight.

Read about this subject, think about its benefits and persuade yourself to try it. The power of thoughts is a mighty power that is always shaping our life. This shaping is usually done subconsciously, but it is possible to make the process a conscious one. Even if the idea seems strange give it a try, as you have nothing to lose, but only to gain. Ignore what others might say or think about you, if they discover that you are changing the way you think.

Always visualize only favorable and beneficial situations. Use positive words in your inner dialogues or when talking with others. Smile a little more, as this helps to think positively. Disregard any feelings of laziness or a desire to quit. If you persevere, you will transform the way your mind thinks.

Once a negative thought enters your mind, you have to be aware of it and endeavor to replace it with a constructive one. The negative thought will try again to enter your mind, and then you have to replace it again with a positive one. It is as if there are two pictures in front of you, and you choose to look at one of them and disregard the other. Persistence will eventually teach your mind to think positively and ignore negative thoughts.

In case you feel any inner resistance when replacing negative thoughts with positive ones, do not give up, but keep looking only at the beneficial, good and happy thoughts in your mind.

It does not matter what your circumstances are at the present moment. Think positively, expect only favorable results and situations, and circumstances will change accordingly. It may take some time for the changes to take place, but eventually they do.

Spending time with Daddy!

Well, I have to give it to Malcom... I have started walking in the evenings and left the kiddos with daddy-o. I have to say I'm pretty proud of daddy. The first night I came home to the kids bathed and Kyle sleeping (on Malcom's stomach, none the less)! Tonight, Malcom took the kids out to dinner, he sent the below pics from his phone of them eating dessert, and then gave them their baths! Thank you Malcom!

Shopping Trip

I've had a good shopping week! I got everything below for....wait for it......$0! In fact, I profited about $25, give or take some change. I did not touch our money, pretty good, huh?!

Western Day in Lewisville

We took the kids out to Lewisville for Western Day, we had a wonderful time. It was a bit warm, but bearable. Molly had a great time, she got to ride a pony, hold a little chick, play in the bounce house, get a Dora necklace, and the list goes on and on.... She really enjoyed the music and put on quite a dance show! Kyle had a great time too! He is walking all over the place but does not like to walk in shoes! Needless to say, I refuse to let him walk around barefoot, so he enjoyed most of the days' activities from the comfort of his stroller.

They Love Each Other!

How precious are my little ones?!?! Kyle loves to give his big sissy kisses, sometimes she doesn't like it (they are a bit on the slobbery side!), but tonight she gave in! Just melts my heart!

Playing Around

Molly was having fun for the camera!


being silly

being serious

Conversation with Molly

Molly - Mommy, there is a heart on the monkey (on a picture frame we have).
Mommy - Yes there is and who lives in your heart?
Molly - Jesus.
Mommy - Yes! And who loves you the most?
Molly - Jesus, and I love her too!!!

Grocery Trip

We went to Tom Thumb tonight, we usually don't shop there but they sent a coupon book in the mail with some good coupons and a coupon for a $30 gift card with a new prescription. We did pretty well, our original total was $77.83 and after coupons was $21.83 (of course we used the gift card we received for taking in a new script!)

Here's the breakdown:
Dozen Bagels - used $1.50 coupon from Tom Thumb mailer
Pack of sandwich rolls
Bananas
Gallon milk - on sale for $1.49 as part of their grand reopening!
2 packages of sliced deli cheese
Rice-a-Roni- used $.50 coupon from SmartSource that doubled, making the rice free
4 Easy Mac - mac and cheese - used $1 off 2 coupon from SmartSource
2 Guacamole Dips - used B1G1 from Wholly Guacomole and $.50 off 1 (that doubled) from the newspaper
1 Cream cheese tub
1 cream cheese block
Whole roasted chicken - used $2 off coupon from Tom Thumb mailer
Bag of shredded lettuce
2 Chicken noodle soups
1 bottle of olives
Celery
2 boxes of frozen brussel sprouts
Cupcake paper thingys :)
trash bags

In the coupon mailer was a coupon for $10 off a $50 or more purchase, in the store were coupons for 10% off a $50 or more purchase and we had a $5 off a $50 or more purchase from The Entertainment Book. Our cashier was great and took them all, and we actually got another 10% off - which is attached to our Tom Thumb card as part of their grand re-opening that we can use every trip until sometime in Oct.

Family Fun!

Our friends, The McClures, invited us out for dinner and bowling. Carleigh found a great place that has little bowling alley's and small bowling balls for kids. We had a great time and won a ton on tickets in the play area. Molly actually hit the jackpot on one of the games!

Molly cheesin' it for the camera!

Kyle trying to figure out how the balls make it through the contraption (I have no clue what this thing is called!).

This is where Molly won the jackpot!

Makenzie, Brian, Kyle, Malcom and Molly
(Molly's holding her bag of goodies she got with the all the tickets she won!)

Just being silly!

I just love when my kids are 'just kids', laughing and having a great time! Their laughter is the most precious sound!

Princess Molly

This was Molly's chair, but Kyle has taken it over! He loves it, the arm rests are drums so he loves to bang on it!

Making Brownies

For those of you that know me, I don't cook or bake. But, I decided how hard could mixing eggs, oil, water and brownie mix be?! So, Molly and I made brownies. I am finding that the kitchen is a great learning tool...teaching her how to measure ingredients, prepare food and teaching her patience in waiting for the food to be done. I might just try to do 'more' in the kitchen.

My Target Trip Today

As some of you know, my new hobby is couponing. I love going shopping just about every day and spending little, if any money! Malcom wants me to create a blog just about my savings and such, but really I don't think I have the time or desire to do so. For now, I will just periodically post some pics of my shopping trips on this blog.

Today I got:
4 - Kashi frozen waffles
3 - 4pk bundles of Kleenex
2 - TGIF Spinach Dips
1 - TGIF Buffalo Chicken
1 - Pack of Scissors

I spent $0.74 and received a $5 Target Gift Card for buying the Kashi waffles, so Target paid me $4.26. And actually, I used a previous gift card I received for buying Pop Tarts (which were free after coupons) to pay the $0.74, so this trip cost me zero, zilch, nada!

Happy 30th Birthday Pookie!

Monday was Malcom's 30th Birthday! We went to dinner at PF Chang's and then had some "google" cake. Anyone who knows Malcom knows he spends a lot of time on the computer, googling and working on seo. So I thought a Google cake would be perfect for his birthday!

Working Out!

Ok, this has nothing to do with the kids, but figured if I post my accomplishments maybe I will feel more inclined to stick with working out! I have lost 11 pounds to date, without really even trying, but today I decided to kick into high gear. I spent 2 hours this morning at the gym!!! My wonderful neighbor and I will be going to together every morning (well, except the weekend), I am so excited to really get myself into shape and look like I did back in college, maybe even high school! Prayers for strength and determination are greatly appreciated!

Happy Labor Day!

Hope everyone enjoyed their Labor Day holiday! We had a nice relaxing day and enjoyed a bbq in the evening.