MARTIN’S Top Deals for the week of August 29

I am trying my hand at balancing three little ones and doing coupon match-ups.  I found some decent deals at MARTIN’S this week.  This is the probably the last week to get a good deal on grilling items with Labor Day weekend coming up this weekend.  Here are the top deals.  I am going to try to have a more complete match-up list for you later this week.

Feel free to read this post about MARTIN’S Coupon Policy.

To view an on-line version of this weeks ad click here.

There is a promotion on the outer wrap of the flyer for Kraft products – Buy $20 of participating Kraft products and get $5 off your order instantly at checkout.  (Must be made in one transaction with your BONUSCARD.)

• Oscar Mayer Meat Bologna (12 oz) – Buy 1 Get 1 Free - $2.69 (for one package)

$1/2 – kraft – Final Price $1.69 for 2

• Kraft BBQ Sauce - $1
• Oscar Mayer Wallet Pack Sliced Ham or Turkey (8-10 oz) - $2.50

$1/2 – kraft – Final Price $4 for 2

• Oscar Mayer Fun Pack Lunchables - $2
• Nabisco 100 Calorie Packs - $2 

$0.75/2 – 8/8 SS – Final Price $3 for 2

$1/2 – kraft – Final Price $3 for 2

• Jell-O Instant Pudding or Gelatin – $1
• Kraft Shredded Cheese, Crumbles, or Cubes - $2.50

$1/2 – kraft – Final Price $4 for 2

• Kraft Bagel-fuls - $1.99
• Polly-O String-Ums String Cheese – $3
• Kraft Individually Wrapped Cheese Singles - $2.50
• Kraft Velveeta -$4.99
• Nabisco Snack Crackers - $2.50

$1/2 – kraft – Final Price $4 for 2

• Planters Mixed Nuts or Cashew Halves - $2.99
• Planters Dry Roasted Peanuts - $2.50
• A.1. Steak Sauce - $2.99
• Kraft Easy Mac Cup Club Pack – $6.99
• Kraft Cracker Barrel Cheese – $3

$1/2 – kraft – Final Price $5 for 2

• Kraft Salad Dressing - $2

$0.55/1 – 8/29 SS – Final Price $1

Deal Idea:

Buy 6 Cracker Barrel Cheese Blocks - $18

Buy 1 Kraft Salad Dressing - $2

Get $5 off for spending $20

Use 3 - $1/2 Kraft Cheese Coupons

Use 1 – $0.55/1 Kraft Salad Dressing

Final Price - $11

• Heluva Good Dip (12 oz) - $1.50

Use the $0.50/1 Internet Printable coupon found here

Final Price $0.50

• Old El Paso Heat & Serve – $1.25

Use the $0.50/1 coupon found in the 8/22 SmartSource Insert

Final Price $0.25

• Era 2x Liquid Laundry Detergent (50 oz) - $2.99

Use the $1/1 coupon found in the 8/22 SmartSource Insert

Final Price $1.99

• Gain Ultra Dish Detergent (30 oz) - $1.89

Use the $1/1 coupon found in the 8/29 Proctor & Gamble Insert

Final Price $0.89

• BIZ Stainfighter Blast Pack (17.59oz) - $4.99

Use the $2/1 coupon found in the 8/29 SmartSource Insert

Final Price - $2.99

Feel free to share any deals that you have found.

Happy Shopping!

~Ann

My first night alone with Michael

I had to share a story about the night I had Wednesday night.  Steve and the girls went to church and I stayed home alone with Michael.  I really didn’t expect any big issues, if it was my first baby I would have been freaked out about being alone with an 8 day old baby, but with Michael being my third baby I am thankful for a few moments alone with him. 

**I am going to warn you before you continue reading this that I am going to be discussing a topic that many moms are familiar with – nursing my baby.  If you are not comfortable with this topic just skip the rest of this post.**

It was time for me to nurse Michael, which we are doing really well with.  I successfully nursed Natalie for 8 months and Megan for a year.  (You will probably laugh when you realize that part of the reason why I continued to nurse them past the minimal recommendation of 6 months was because formula is expensive and breast milk, besides being good for them, is free!)  I picked Michael up and noticed that his diaper was wet.  No big deal, I changed his diaper.  I got him positioned and was trying to get him to latch on when I felt something warm.  He had peed again and somehow it came out the side of his diaper – all over his little shirt, the nursing pillow, and me.  I was evaluating the situation and starting to take off his wet shirt when I felt something wet on the front of my shirt.  I looked and realized I was leaking on the side that I was about to nurse from.  I grabbed a nursing pad and got that taken care of.  I stripped Michael down, put a dry blanket over the wet area of the nursing pillow and we were able to get the feeding accomplished.  I went to burp Michael after I finished feeding him and he spit up a little bit – on my shoulder and it was on his face.  I cleaned the little guy up – again.  I finally got him into a clean shirt (his fourth outfit for the day) and cleaned up everything from before the feeding.  I had to laugh, it really didn’t bother me.  I found it rather comical.  I thought to myself if this had been Natalie (my first baby) I would have panicked and probably called Steve and cried on the phone to him.  I looked at this as just another day and was thankful that it was just the two of us and not the craziness of having my two “helpers” involved.

The story continues.  Right before Steve and the girls came home I thought I had things under control when I heard Michael have another blow-out.  I went to change him again and realized that he had also peed again and this time got the front of his shirt wet.  He was now on his fifth outfit for the day.  I started a load of laundry for him.  (I just did all of the laundry yesterday.) He wet the other three outfits he had on earlier today along with the sheet in his crib this morning and his play mat this afternoon. He got that wet during a diaper change, and thankfully I escaped that “shower”. 

The poor little guy didn’t last long in the fifth outfit either.  Steve picked him up shortly after they arrived home because he was a little fussy and the girls wanted to tell me about what happened at church when Steve told me that he was wet again and that the bassinet sheet was soaked.  They sheet got added to the laundry and Michael ended up in his sixth outfit for the night which thankfully he managed to stay in until the next morning.

I am sure I will have more stories and that life will get even crazier for me in the coming days, but I do want to end with another cute picture of three of the reasons why my life is crazy – in a good way. 

Baby Brother is here!!!!

I just wanted to post a quick note to share that we now have two handsome guys in our family now.  Michael Stephen – aka “baby brother” was born on Tuesday, August 10th.  He weighed in at 8lb 1oz and was 20.25 inches long.  I am doing ok.  I had to have a third c-section so my recovery is slow and not always comfortable, but I have a handsome healthy baby to show for it.  Michael is doing really well.  Steve is being a huge help and big sisters Natalie & Megan are in love with their new brother. 

I am not going to bore you right now with baby picture overload, but this is one of my favorites that Steve caught of the girls visiting us in the hospital Wednesday morning.

 

We are so blessed!

Preparing for Baby #3 – Part IV

If you missed the first 3 parts of of my mini-series feel free to go here, here, and here, to read them.

One of the biggest decisions we had to make when we realized we were going from  a family of four to a family of five is where to put everyone.  We are fortunate to have a four bedroom house, but the fourth bedroom has always been a playroom for the girls.  We purchased a double bed for Natalie two years ago when we transitioned her from a crib with the thought that the room would serve as a guest room if needed.

Steve and I had decided that we wanted to move Natalie and Megan into the same room.  Natalie’s current room is now going to be a guest room, and Megan’s room is going to remain a nursery for “baby brother”.  Their new room is going to be the playroom.  We had already cleared out lots of toys that were missing pieces, not being played with anymore, or that they had outgrown.  We boxed up the toys that were gender neutral and would be appropriate for “baby brother”. We debated about what type of bed to get the girls for their new room.  The room isn’t small, but two twin beds would be rather tight.  We didn’t think that a double bed was a good idea, and we felt like the girls were too young for bunk beds.  We decided that a trundle bed was the best idea.  Steve found one for us on Craigslist that we were able to purchase at a good price.

The girls have enjoyed the trundle bed and getting to help pick out the bedspreads for their new beds and helping to bring over their clothes to the new room and organize everything. 

We are still working on “baby brother’s” room.  I have never been a mom that had a theme for the nursery.  I have also never had a true crib set for the crib.  I realized that I didn’t want the bumper pad, partially because of the SIDS risk, but also because it is easier to peek in on them without the bumper pad.  I also never used the quilt because we just swaddled up the little ones or put them in a sleep sack when we put them to bed.  The only thing I really used was a dust ruffle that a friend made for us when we were expecting Natalie.  I had a friend from church pass on some little boy curtains that work great with the colors we have in the room.  I have some pictures on the wall that will work for a little boy, and I just use white crib sheets.  I am always the one who sticks with white sheets because they can easily be bleached.  ;)

We have had to do other things besides set up new rooms for the girls and for “baby brother”.  We realized that we needed to break down and buy a mini-van.  Steve was driving a four door sedan that I had bought when I graduated from pharmacy school ten years ago.  I was driving a mid-sized SUV that we bought five years ago, before we even had any children.  The SUV can seat seven people and we can get a booster seat, a rear facing car seat, and a forward facing car seat in there, but it is going to be tight.  Steve knew that it would be difficult, especially for me,  to be alone with three kids and try to take care of daily errands and get everyone in and out of the car.  We had narrowed down our choices to either a Toyota Sienna or a Honda Odyssey.  We didn’t want to take on any debt with buying another vehicle, so we found a 2006 Honda Odyssey on Craigslist that was in the Richmond area.  We looked at it, talked to some people, researched it on-line, and prayed about the decision.  We were able to negotiate the price down a little bit more and decided that this was a good deal and that it was the vehicle that we were suppose to buy.  So, I am now a mini-van mom.  I didn’t think I would like driving a mini-van, but I have to admit it is easier to get the girls in and out of the vehicle.  I also like all of the remote open doors.  Mini-vans have come a long way from my parent’s 1988 Plymouth Voyager I grew up with and learned to drive. 

One other thing that I have been working on to prepare for the new baby is stockpiling and making freezer meals.  I worked on this last week.  I began this task by taking advantage of one of the “cooler” days.   I cleaned out and inventoried the contents of my freezers in the garage.  I took a few hours over the course of about 3 days to make and freeze several things.  Our church is always very thoughtful and generous to new moms and different families provide meals for the first two weeks that you are home from the hospital.  I figure that after those two weeks I will have enough meals to last us until almost October. 

Here is a picture of one of my days of cooking:

 

In this picture I have one batch of three cheese baked pasta that I divided into three small foil pans so each pan will work for one night.  I had leftover sauce that I made for the pasta that has Italian sausage and onions that will be great just to go with spaghetti one night.  I browned up a pound of ground beef and already added taco seasoning so we just have to pull it out, heat it up, and we have a ready to go taco night.  I also tried out a recipe that Savingourway sent me for individual macaroni and cheese cups.  I think these will be great for a quick lunch for the girls.

I spent another day cooking chicken.  I made a large chicken casserole and divided it among two foil pans.  I found some chicken breast on manager’s mark down in MARTIN’S on Saturday and baked them then pulled the skin off and the meat from the bone.  Steve helped me chop it up into chunks and divide it into about one cup portions and froze them.  I plan to use at least one batch of the chicken in these Spicy Black Bean and Chicken Enchiladas.  I already have one batch of these ready to go in the freezer that I divided into two foil pans.  I made an extra batch of waffles one morning and froze them.  (I am definitely stocked up on waffles now that I hit the Kellogg’s deal at MARTIN’S.)

I have also prepared one of my favorite freezer cooking tips.  I picked up an extra London broil last week and placed it in a freezer bag with a bottle of marinade that I had picked up earlier in the summer.  Now, I just have to pull out the meat let it thaw in the refrigerator and it will marinate while it thaws.  I have several pounds of ground beef and boneless skinless chicken breast that are uncooked and were frozen in one pound portions so I can pretty much with a little planning have a variety of meals just from “shopping” from my freezer.  I not only have my freezer stocked with meat and already prepared meals, I have plenty of frozen vegetables.  Now if I don’t have a chance to get to the store for fresh produce we can still have vegetables.

I am sure it won’t surprise any of you to hear that I also have a huge stockpile of diapers and wipes waiting for the little guy.  Megan is probably ready to potty train, but with a new baby on the way I am putting that off until we establish a new “normal” to our household.  I made sure to stockpile diapers for her as well.  If she potty trains before I run out I will just hold onto them for the little guy.

So, all in all we are ready for “baby brother”.  He still doesn’t have a real name.  There are things that I still would like to clean and organize.  But, if they don’t get accomplished he will have clothes, diapers, food, a place to sleep, and most importantly love.

Check back later in the week and hopefully I will have some pictures to share of the little guy and his big sisters.

How to sign-up for MARTIN’S e-mails

My friend Judi asked how I got on the e-mail list for the coupon I posted last night that is good for $2 off any $5 produce purchase. 

All you have to do is to register your MARTIN’S card.  By registering your card you can also sign-up for e-mail offers and recipes that interest you.  They even offer the option of Vegan, Kosher, Vegetarian, and people who want to watch things like carbohydrates, fat, sodium, etc..  Another benefit to having your card registered is that you can check your fuelperks! balance and the expiration date of your fuelperks!.  I do miss how Ukrop’s always had that printed at the bottom of your receipt for a quick reference. 

To register your card go here, then follow the prompts.  It should only take a few minutes.

Complete List of MARTIN’S Coupon Match-Ups for the Week of August 1st

 

I hope you had a chance to check out the post about the Kellogg’s deal.  Please check out momsneedtoknow for the scenarios to maximize this deal.  I ran to MARTIN’S yesterday afternoon real quick after my doctor’s appointment and stocked up on Keebler Sandwich Crackers and Eggo Waffles.  I purchased 10 of each and rang them up as separate transactions.  I paid $5 plus tax for each transaction after the $5 off for buying 5 products and using 5 $1/2 coupons.  I left with two $10 Catalina’s to use in the next two weeks.  I have read that the Catalina’s are “rolling” but I decided to just hold onto mine for now.  I plan to use it towards perishables in the next two weeks.

Here is the picture of what I bought:

The Eggos will be great for breakfast for the girls and the sandwich crackers are a great snack for us to have on hand.  I am sending a few boxes with Steve to work so he doesn’t have to hit the vending machine on days that he isn’t able to grab lunch.

Other than the Kellogg’s deal I didn’t see any had to have it deals.  The front and back cover have the best non-coupon deals with the boneless skinless chicken breast for $1.99/lb (average pack 4-5 pounds), the whole boneless pork loin for $1.69/lb (average 10-12 pounds), the chuck roast or steak for $1.99/lb, and the red seedless grapes for $0.88/lb.

If you would like to see an on-line version of this week’s ad click here.

If you have questions about MARTIN’S coupon policy click here.

I am trying a different format for this week’s deals.  I hope you can still read it.

· Swiss Tea (1/2 gallon) - $1.25 each

6/27 SS - $0.55/2 – Buy 2 for $1.50

· Tide 2x Liquid Laundry Detergent (50 oz) - $5.99

8/1 PG - $1/1 – Final Price $4.99

· Hunt’s Canned Tomatoes (28 oz) (Diced or Crushed) – 10/$10

8/1 SS - $1/3 – Buy 3 for $2

· Bar-S Bologna - $1

Bar-S Printable - $1/2 – Buy 2 for $1

· Tyson Grilled Chicken Breast (fillets, strips or diced) frozen (22 oz) - $8.99

5/16 SS - $0.55/1 – Final Price $7.99

· Buitoni Riserva Pasta or Pesto Sauce - $3.99

Buitoni - $1/1 – Final Price $2.99

· Land O Lakes American Cheese - $5.99/lb

6/20 SS - $1/1 lb – Final Price $4.99 for 1 pound

· Progresso Traditional, Light, Reduced Sodium, or High Fiber Soup (18.5-19 oz) - 2/$3

Progresso -$0.50/2 - Buy 2 for $2

· Kraft Sandwich Shop Mayonnaise - $1.99

6/13 SS - $1/1 – Final Price $0.99

· Kraft Regular Mayonnaise or Miracle Whip - $1.99

6/20 SS - $1.50/2 – Buy 2 for $2.48

· Skippy Peanut Butter (15-16.3 oz) $2

8/1 RP - $0.60/1 – Final Price $1

· Wish-Bone Salad Dressing (16 oz) - $1.67

8/1 RP - $0.75/1 – Final Price $1

· Betty Crocker Warm Delights - $1.50

6/27 SS - $0.75/1 – Final Price $0.50

· Carnation Instant Breakfast - $3.99

8/1 RP - $1.50/2 – Buy 2 for $6.48

· Nature Valley Granola Bars or Nut Clusters - $2.50

7/11 SS - $0.75/2 – Buy 2 for $4

· Selected Post Cereal – 2/$5

7/25 SS - $1.50/2 (When You Also Buy 1 Gallon of Milk) – Buy 2 for $3.50 plus the cost of Milk

· Betty Crocker Warm Delights Minis - $1.67

6/27 SS -$0.75/1 – Final Price $0.67

· Edwards Pie Singles - $2.59

6/27 SS – $0.75/1 – Final Price $1.59

· Pillsbury Sweet Moments Brownie Bites - $2.29

Coupons.com- $1/1 – Final Price $1.29

· Yoplait delights (16 oz) – 2/$5

7/25 SS - $0.50/1 – Buy 1 for $1.50

· Jose Ole Taquitos or Mini Tacos (20-22.5 oz) - $4.99

Smartsource.com - $1/1 – Buy 1 for $3.99

· Jimmy Dean Breakfast Bowls - $2.69

8/1 RP - $1/2 – Buy 2 for $4.38

· Select Morningstar Farms Items (5.25-12 oz) - $3.49

8/1 RP - $1/2 – Buy 2 for $5.98

· Stonyfield Farm Yogurt (6 oz) - $0.60

Stonyfield (must register) $0.50/3 – Final Price $0.80 for 3

· Tide Stain Release (18 ct packets) - $4.99

8/1 PG - $3/1 – Final Price $1.99

· Tide Stain Release (26 oz liquid) - $4.99

8/1 PG - $1/1 – Final Price $3.99

· Charmin Ultra Strong Bath Tissue (18 Big Rolls) - $9.99

8/1 PG - $0.25/1 – Final Price $9.49

· Hefty Foam Plates – 3/$5

5/16 RP - $1/2 – Buy 2 for $2.34

· Reynolds Wrap 100% Recycled Foil (50 ft) - $2

Reynolds (must register) - $1.25/1 - Final Price $0.75

· Mighty Dog Canned Dog Food (5.5 oz) – 10/$5 (must buy 10 additional quantities $0.55 each)

8/1 RP - $2/12 – Buy 12 for $4.10

· Whiskas Dry Cat Food (15 lb) - $9.99

7/11 RP - $1.50/1 – Final Price $7.49

· Whiskas Temptations Cat Treats (2.1-3.0 oz) (Excludes Natural Blend) – 4/$5

7/25 RP - $1/2 – Buy 2 for $1.50

· Friskies Cat Food (5.5 oz can) (excludes Indoor Select) – 10/$4

7/18 SS - $1/15 – Buy 15 cans for $5

· Select GE Reveal Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs – Buy One Get One Free –

GE - $1/2 – unsure of final price

· Select Crest Toothpaste – 2/$5

8/1 PG - $0.75/1 – Buy 1 for $1.50

· Dove or Degree Ultra Clear Anti-Perspirant – Buy 1 & Get a Free Dove or Degree Body Mist

8/1 RP $1/2 – unsure of final price

· Crest 3-D Whitestrips (excludes Professional Effects) - $3.50 off

8/1 PG - $5/1 – unsure of final price

· Nature’s Bounty Or Flex-a-min Vitamins or Supplements – Buy 1 Get 1 Free –

8/1 RP or 7/25 RP – varies

· Oral B Indicator Toothbrush – 2/$3

8/1 PG - $0.75/2 – Buy 2 for $2

· BIC Soleil Disposable Razors - $1 off

7/11 SS - $3/1

8/1 SS – Buy One Get One Free

unsure of final price

· Clean & Clear facial care - $1 off

8/1 SS - $1/1 – unsure of final price

· Gillette Pro Glide - $1 off

8/1 PG - $4/1 – unsure of final price

· Always Maxi Pads - $5.99

8/1 PG - $1/1 – Final Price $4.99

· Always Liners - $5.99

8/1 PG $0.50/1 – Final Price $4.99

· Tampax Tampon (40 ct) - $5.99

8/1 PG $1/1 – Final Price $4.99

· Suave Professional Shampoo or Conditioner - $1.84

7/11 RP - $1/2 – Buy 2 for $2.68

· Schick Disposable Razors – 20% off

7/25 SS - $3/1 – Unsure of final price

· Edge Shave Gel- $2

8/1 SS - $0.75/1 – Final Price $1

· Skintimate Shave Gel - $2

8/1 SS - $0.75/1 – Final Price $1

· Select Johnson & Johnson First Aid Products – 25% off

8/1 SS - $3/3 – Unsure of final price

· Bounty Paper Towels (6 Huge or 15 Regular) - $11.99

8/1 PG - $0.25/1 - $11.49

· General Mills Cereals – Buy 4 and get $4 off instantly

6/27 SS or 7/11 SS or several possibilities at coupons.com

· Select Hefty Cinch Sak - $9.99

8/1 RP - $0.55/1 – Final Price $8.99

· Puffs Facial Tissue - $1

8/1 PG - $0.25/3 – Buy 3 for $2.50

· Dawn Ultra Liquid Dish Soap – $2.50

8/1 PG - $0.25/1 – Final Price $2

· Act Mouthwash (Total Care or Restoring) (18 oz) - $3.99

8/1 SS - $1/1 – Final Price $2.99

I apologize for being two days later than I had anticipated with my match-ups.  I am trying to finish up lots of little things before I go to the hospital next week to have a baby, and couponing is not at the top of that list. :)  On that note, I am not sure if I will have any match-ups available for you next week.  Please feel free to leave me comments about any deals that you find.  I will have my laptop at the hospital, but I may be preoccupied and not able to answer as quickly. 

Happy Shopping!

~Ann

$2 off $5 Produce Purchase Coupon at MARTIN’S

I was just checking my e-mail and discovered this coupon that is valid until August 21 for $2 off any produce purchase of $5 or more.  I don’t know about you, but I can easily buy $5 worth of produce and $2 off is almost half-price!

Happy Shopping!

~Ann

Great Deal on Kellogg's Items at MARTIN'S this week!

I need to thank readers Nikki and sdavis for helping me discover this deal.  Nikki gave me this tip on Monday:

"I found a great deal on the Buy 5 get 5 off deal. I bought 2 bxs of Eggos, 2 bxs of 12ct Poptarts and 1 box of Kelloggs fruit snacks for 4.48 after q's. But I figured I could do great with getting 5 of the cheapest items next time which are the Eggos. Buy 5 and use the $1/2 q's that are out and you end up paying 0.59 for each box of Eggos."

Then sdavis shared this with me Tuesday and Wednesday:

"I read on a PA blog that Giant stores are running a catalina promotion - $10 oyno when you buy any 10 Kelloggs, Keebler, Sunshine, Eggo, and/or Morning Star. If you overlap this with the buy any 5 get $5 off instantly it makes for a GREAT deal (especially if you have coupons). I have NOT tried this yet, but I thought folks would be interested to know. As long as the instant $5 comes off twice, you can count on a $2 discount per item."

"I was able to do the save $5 instantly promotion twice and get the $10 oyno CAT this morning. The PA blogger is http://www.momsneedtoknow.com/ if you want to check it out. She has some of the coupon match-ups for the promotion items"

Thanks to both of you for sharing an awesome deal and to sdavis for sharing another blog that may help those of us still learning MARTIN'S.  I did take a quick glance at the blog sdavis mentioned and it looks like they have some great scenarios for the deal.  Just click on the grocery store tab and go to GIANT Food Stores to find the deals that should work at MARTIN'S. 

I do want to mention that the site is from a Pennsylvania blogger and some of her coupon sources and values may differ from ours in the Richmond, VA area.  It also looks like they may have some different policies about coupons.  MARTIN'S will only double one like coupon, per customer, per day and they will only truly double coupons up to $0.50.  (Coupons that are less than $1 and more than $0.50 will "double" up to $1.)

Thanks again to Nikki and sdavis for sharing their find with the rest of us and thanks to momsneedtoknow for the great match-ups!

Happy Shopping!
~Ann

PS - I am almost finished with my weekly match-ups.  I have another 2+ hour doctor appointment this afternoon, but hope to finish my post when I get home.

Preparing for Baby #3 – Part III

If you missed part I or part II of my series feel free to go back and read those posts so that you can join me on my journey.

I entered into the beginning of my third trimester around the middle of May.  I had to start working Sunday’s at MARTIN’S.  Having to work on Sunday’s (thankfully not every one) really has affected my availability to participate with activities not just with our church, but also with our family. 

We went to my parent’s house for Mother’s Day.  While we were there my mom, sister, and I sat down to work on the final details of the bridal shower we were planning for my soon-to-be sister-in-law.  We knew that the week of the shower was going to be a whirlwind week.  The week of the shower we were also going to a retirement party for my mom, and celebrating Megan’s second birthday.  Steve helped me pack up the car with all of the serving pieces, decorations,  and food I was bringing down for the shower and Megan’s party in addition to the normal things I would take for a four night stay.  Steve came down after getting off work on Friday and spent the weekend with us.  The shower went well.  The guest enjoyed the food, complimented us on the decorations, and showered the bride-to-be with lots of generous gifts.  Megan’s birthday was a little bit more low-key but went well.  It was hot outside so the highlight of the party was the ice cream cake. 

Steve and I booked our tickets for our trip to London in early June.  Steve needed to be there for business Monday through Wednesday.  I had to work Saturday and Sunday before he left.  We ended up flying separately, Steve and a co-worker left Saturday night (it is a 7 hour flight plus a 5 hour time difference).  I ended up leaving Monday night and arriving Tuesday morning.  We left the girls with an amazing baby sitting team.  I got to spend the first day sleeping and recovering from the jet lag.  I visited Windsor and Windsor Castle on Wednesday while Steve finished up the business part of his trip.  We hopped on a train and actually went into London for the rest of the week on Thursday.  We got to take a Thames River Cruise, toured the Tower of London, went shopping at Harrods, saw the Broadway play Wicked, got to see the Queen at a parade in her honor, toured Westminster Abbey, rode the London Eye, enjoyed tea time and fish ‘n chips, and even “minded the gap” on the Underground.  It was a great trip and one last opportunity for Steve and I to spend some time together before the baby arrives.

My brother got married in early July and once again the girls and I left early in the week to help out with last minute details while Steve came down and caught up with us the Friday before the wedding.  The girls were flower girls in the wedding.  They were adorable and provided a good show for the guests at the wedding.

I had one more church-wide reception the second week of July I was in charge of before the baby arrives.  This reception was in honor of a missionary family that is on a temporary home assignment.  I went with finger sandwiches, raw veggies and dip, and asked ladies in the church to bake brownies and we added cream cheese icing.  Because of the extreme heat we have had this summer the thought of turning on the ovens in the church kitchen was the last thing I wanted.

I had told myself that after the bridal shower, our trip to London, my brother’s wedding, and the missionary fellowship that I was going to slow down and start focusing on really getting ready for the new baby.

I’ll save all of those preparations for my next post. 

MARTIN’S Top Deals for the week of August 1st

I found some good deals at first glance of this week’s ad.  I am still working on the rest of the match-ups.  I hope to have them finished by Tuesday morning.  We are expecting “baby brother” to make his appearance in the next 8 days (or less!) so I am busily trying to finish up all of the cleaning and laundry and things associated with preparing for a new baby this week.

If you would like to see an on-line version of this week’s ad click here.

If you have questions about MARTIN’S coupon policy click here.

• USDA Choice Chuck Roast or Steak - $1.99/lb
• California Red Seedless Grapes - $0.88/lb
• Bar-S Bologna - $1
• Buy 2 and use $1/2 Printable
• $0.50 each after coupon
• Swiss Tea (1/2 gallon) - $1.25 each 
• Buy 2 and use $0.55/2 coupon from the 6/27 SmartSource insert
• $0.75 each after coupon
• Kraft Sandwich Shop Mayonnaise - $1.99
• Use $1/1 coupon from the 6/13 SmartSource insert
• $0.99 after coupon
• Skippy Peanut Butter (15-16.3 oz) - $2
• Use $0.60/1 coupon from the 8/1 RedPlum insert
• $1 after coupon
• Wish-Bone Salad Dressing (16 oz) - $1.67
• Use $0.75/1 coupon from the 8/1 RedPlum insert
• $0.67 after coupon
• Tide 2X Liquid Laundry Detergent (50 oz ~32 loads) - $5.99
• Use $1/1 coupon from the 8/1 Proctor & Gamble insert
• $4.99 after coupon
• Hunt’s Canned (Diced or Crushed) Tomatoes (28 oz) - $1
• Buy 3 and use $1/3 coupon from the 8/1 SmartSource insert
• $0.67 each after coupon
• Select Progresso Soups (18.5-19 oz) – $1.50
• Buy 2 and use the $0.50/2 Printable
• $1 each after coupon
• Betty Crocker Warm Delights - $1.50
• Use the $0.75/1 coupon from the 6/27 SmartSource insert
• $0.50 after coupon
• Betty Crocker Warm Delights Minis - $1.67
• Use the $0.75/1 coupon from the 6/27 SmartSource insert
• $0.67 after coupon