Happy 30th Birthday Patricia

    Thirty years ago I became a big sister to Patricia Rose.  So many memories come flooding back of us growing up.  I was almost 2 years old when she was born.  We were inseperable, the best of buds.  My friends were her friends.  Where I went she went.  Of course, as we got older we didn't always get along.  It wasn't until I went to college that I really learned to appreciate her as a person more than just a sister.  There is a special bond between sisters.  We may not always see eye to eye but we would always have each others' back.  Patricia is one of the most beautiful, smart, and strong women I know.  I love and admire her so much for all that she has become.  I'd like to think I had a part in making her the woman she is today.  Of course it was our godly parents and strong faith in GOD that has made us who we are today. 



Happy birthday Patricia.  I love you.  

I love all my sisters.  This was taken at Mom and Dad's Christmas 2006.  I was sick in bed with the flu.

Aunt Patricia with Jared

March 2004

(Stephen and Marcie's wedding)

Diaper Cake

    Our friends from church, Ryan and Katie, had a baby girl Friday named Lucy.  I got a great deal on diapers from Food Lion.  The newborn size was on closeout for 4.99 (half price).  I received in the mail 2 coupons - 5.00 and 1.00.  So instead of giving them two packs of diapers I decided to make a Diaper Cake.  Thanks to YouTube I was able to watch a demo on how to make it.  It was sooo much fun to do. 



My supplies:

2 packs of diapers (spent 4.00)

2 8 oz bottles (spent 3.00)

small rubberbands (spent 1.00 for a pack of 500)

large rubberbands (already had on hand)

2 rolls of ribbon (spent 2.00)

silver tray (spent 1.00)

bag of candy (spent 1.00)

2 packs of floral pins (spent 2.00)

2 bouquets of flowers (spent 2.00)

double-sided tape (already had on hand)



    So I spent about  16.00, less than I would have spent on the diapers if they were regular price!!   If I would have remembered about my Gerber coupons for FL I could have gotten the bottles for free.  Grrr!  Oh well.  It took me 45 mins. to assemble including the 5 minute tutorial. 

Jared and Jacob

Here's some pics from our visit to Grandma and Grandpa Swaringen's house on 7/5/08...







They're not professionals yet - here's Jared smiling, Jacob looking away...


...and Jacob smiling and Jared looking away,



so here's a Photoshopped combination of the two.

July 4th Parade

Jen, Jared, Jacob, Grandad, and Grandmom enjoyed the B-I-G July 4th parade in Lattimore.





Mayor Alton Beal in a Mercedes convertible.


Jared scored more candy without getting run over.




Ambassador's "float" with Mr. Lockhart at the helm.

Fireworks

We enjoyed fireworks over Cleveland Mall in Shelby. Granddad & Grandmom Blondo & Joanna came from Lattimore, and Grandma & Grandpa Swaringen came from a mile down the road. Jared held his ears almost the whole time, even though they weren't really loud.



Jared & Joanna


Grandad & Jacob

Nap Time

Jared and Jacob sometimes take an afternoon nap together, esp. Thursdays since we get home late from church the night before. Here are some sweet pics...

Even Superheroes need a nap!!

Today, He was Batman and would not answer to anything else, so being the good playmate that moms can be, I humored him. Jared, I love playing with you, but next time ...can I be Batman?

If Jared is Batman, I guess Jacob is Robin... He was hiding since he was not in costume! He didn't want everyone to see his real identity.

I love this baby pose. He is such a sweet baby!

I was busy scurrying around the house cleaning and doing laundry, getting ready for our little weekend getaway to my parents' house for the 4th of July. I love this holiday and cherish our freedom. Happy Fourth everyone!!!

Walmart Rollback Deals

We went this morning to get some deals on groceries, came home with some pretty flowers, too.

These are Angelines - 1.00 per carton. There were 6 plants per carton. I bought 9.

These are impatiens for 2.00. There are 18 plants per flat.

Impatiens spread so I felt that was all I needed for the flower bed we have.

Both of these flowers are annuals. The Angelines will bloom through the fall. The impatiens, I believe, just bloom through the summer. I have Zinnia seeds planted to fill the rest of the bed when they grow. My mom brought me back some packets from Erin's wedding. They were the wedding favors.

Here are the grocery deals...

5 Blue Bunny RW&B Bomb pops - 1.50 minus 1.00 off each w/Qs

Blue Bunny 1.75 qt - 2.50 minus 1.00 off w/Q

2 Stayfree Maxis were 2.84 - had a BOGO free coupon

3 Bertolli pasta sauce - 1.88 minus 1.00 off each w/Qs

2 OM hot dogs - 2/3.00 minus 1.00/2 off w/Q

The lunchmeat was free w/Qs which I had 4

It was a good day. I went first thing this morning at 8:30. Jared wanted to bring his "baby monkey" and push it in the umbrella stroller. I thought it would give him something to do so not to be bored. It was just more work for me. He kept telling me he had to keep moving "baby monkey is sleeping!" It was a perfect time to go, not too many people and ALL the associates were so nice. When we got home I put Jacob down for his nap then put the groceries away. Jared and I planted all the flowers, then played baseball then went for a short swim. The water in the pool was very cold.