Life as a Lewis

I've always been a coupon user, but I've also been a Wal-mart shopper, which means that most generic brands are cheaper than using coupons. However, in our crazy economy, prices have gone up, packaging is smaller, our Wal-mart is a little dirty and crazy and so I started trying to shop around. The shopping around quickly came to an end when I realized that dragging a 2 year old and 5 year old around to do it was stressing all of us out. Not to mention that if feels like I have to travel all over the state of Tennessee to actually make it to all the stores with deals. Now that Camden is in school and just Rory and I at home, I've been spending Monday mornings grocery shopping in Nashville and hitting Publix, Target, Kroger, and occasionally Walgreens. If I were really committed to it, then I'd also have to hit CVS and Rite Aid as well as Dollar General. I'm starting to get tired again. I do love that I'm getting good deals, but traveling 40 minutes to grocery sh...

This is how the kids spent their Thursday afternoon Is it my imagination or does she look SO old in this picture? Random Friday notes: Since I spent yesterday doing things like talking to my sister-in-law for 2 hours, making chocolate chip cookies, reading Scooby Doo books (with LOTS of words) to Camden and Rory, and watching Project Runway, I need to get lots of housework done today. I've been letting Rory pick out her own shoes (not all the time but when it doesn't matter too much), and she loves it. However, she seems to be having a harder and harder time making a choice. I'm sure it couldn't be because she has too many to choose from. The kids have spent countless hours looking at the Halloween costume catalog this week (I remember this from last year too). Camden is just fascinated by the transformers, ninja turtles, etc. Rory giggles at "the guy wrapped in toilet paper" (a.k.a. mummy) and does not like the "gay guy" (a.k.a. GRAY guy). Someone a...

It seems as though being content/simplicity/being at rest, etc. is a recurring theme the last several weeks not only at church, but in my own devotions. I was telling Brian last night that I almost feel guilty when I see my friends and other families struggling because despite some inner struggles regarding personal situations and Brian's crazy schedule, I feel the most stress-free than I have in years. I finally am feeling content in being a stay at home mom; my days are quieter now that Camden is at school and I am enjoying spending more time with Rory (and also the very quiet naptimes); I don't worry about Camden at school because I am so confident we have chosen the right place for him; I don't even think evil thoughts when I drag myself out of bed at 5:30 every morning (and that's a biggie!). I'm not naive enough to think that this can last forever, but I hope that the "work" I've put in to reach this point will help me during the next stressful s...

I want to plaster her face all over my walls. Thankfully, most of the time we see this face is when she's playing! Her gymnastic moves: a tuck a pike Oh, this straddle is so boring fake smile the real thing Yes, she has a brother And I'd love to show you more pics of Camden, but this is all I get out of him these days.

Camden and Brian both had good days at school yesterday; Rory and I ran errands, managed to not mess the house up, and went to gymnastic's class. She loved it once again. She kept saying, "I'm so exciting." On today's agenda is numerous loads of laundry, a walk with Andrea, playing the Dora Matching Game, baseball practice for Camden, and making tacos for supper. The quality of these gymnastic pics are seriously bad, but I'm posting them anyway for Rory's fan club (a.k.a. the grandparents). they start out with ribbons the group (look how much taller the other girls are) practicing jumping arms in the air the girl totally took off on the balance beam, and I didn't touch her the whole way! working on keeping her arms straight a forward roll (she kept saying "I do it myselss, mommy"

What a great weekend! I was able to have several unexpected hours alone at home when Brian decided to take the kids on a quick Walmart run and then took both kids to Camden's baseball practice. Camden did so well during practice too. He hit nearly every ball pitched to him, and not just hit it, but hit it really well and into the grass. He'll be playing first base, and Brian says he did a good job with that as well. His coach says he's ready for a new bigger glove so there was yet another Walmart trip yesterday for a new glove. Saturday afternoon I went consignment sale shopping with Mayme and Andrea. It was so fun, and we squeezed in a birthday (for Andrea) lunch and Krispy Kreme donut as well. I bought several Dora items and Rory couldn't be happier. She's also pretty excited about the cute leotard I bought her. I realized after I got it home, that it's actually a ballet leotard instead of gymnastics, but that's okay - she's only 2! Our weather has bee...

Anyone else glad it's Friday? I'm discovering that this whole school thing/schedule makes us all tired. In fact, after working yesterday, Rory with no nap, and Camden just in general exhausted from school, I put them in bed at 7:00 and settled in for Project Runway and scrapping. It was quite nice! Camden said to me on the way home from school yesterday, "Hey, teachers have to know alot of stuff. And daddy must know even more because he teaches at school and at church." Somehow we live in the same house as Brian, but by the time he gets home tonight, it will have been 48 hours since he's seen the kids! He's had either church/youth activities or school activities every night this week (and he'll be gone after supper tonight too). I'm telling you - I could not keep up if I had to work his schedule (and it's a prime reason why I need to be a stay at home mom to help keep us all sane). Our weather is supposed to be perfect this weekend - 83 and low hum...

I've been reading Crazy Love by Francis Chan over the last several weeks, and I find myself making mental notes (on almost every page) wanting to share it on the blog. I've decided, however, that it's too good - I could never share it in the way I want to and I think rewriting the book verbatim would be fairly illegal (LOL) so I'm just recommending you buy it and read it for yourself. And the accompanying website is pretty amazing as well. I usually save this post about the kids for Friday, but since it's my blog and the whole point of it is for me to remember kid stuff, I'm posting 2 days early. :) Rory has always been pretty imaginative, but the last several weeks she has begun to make up stories. She will not only retell something that happened to Camden, but she'll embellish it and then act as if it happened to her. She also creates long (as in VERY long) stories about things that happen to her baby. Her favorites seem to involve the baby getting in tro...

Rory LOVED gymnastics last night. The girl beamed and giggled her way through the class last night and kept saying, "I just wub this, mama" and "this is sooooo fun." And I have to say that she kept up very well. The instructor asked me several times if I was sure she'd never taken a class before. Rory's age is right in between 2 classes so we decided to go with the class that's a little older instead of the class with kids who are 4-6 months younger, and I think we made the right decision. I was so proud of how well she followed instructions and can't wait for next week! There are no pictures, but I have a good excuse! It's a mommy and me class and let me just say that we were in constant motion the entire 30 minutes. There was absolutely no chance for me to drop everything and take a picture! Brian has promised to come along next week and take a couple of pictures. Yesterday was busy and today promises to be busy as well. I'm dropping Camden...

Anyone up for some shopping? Cute camera straps . We don't need bibs anymore, but how cute is this ! I love the dresses and outfits in PrettyMe's shop . A friend bought Rory a dress from here and it was one of our favorites! I LOVE the prints in this shop. In fact, we have one framed in Rory's room. I've heard really good things about this seller's lotions and body items. I happen to think this metal wall hanging is really cute. This really cute family necklace (which I hope is in my birthday or Christmas future - hint. hint). This tutu and matching leg warmers is so cute. This might be on Rory's birthday list. These Funky Dot hairclips are adorable. Obviously, I don't have a newborn. But if I did, I'd be all over these hats . These bow holders are so cute! And I'm considering decorating Rory's "big girl" room in cupcakes. I think that's enough for now. I am not responsible for any money you may spend after browsing these Etsy ...

Today starts off a busy week. I'm still trying to get used to the extra busyness that having a school-age child brings. Our weekend was uneventful. We went out for dinner Friday night and had a fabulous waitress, got our pics from Kellie framed at Hobby Lobby. I've been having neck and shoulder problems and Saturday they hurt so bad it was hard to move. Still sore on Sunday and now this morning, but not as bad. Rory and I are going to her very first gymnastics class tonight. One of the very first things I remember thinking after we got her referral (right after I started planning her wardrobe LOL) was how great it would be for her to take gymnastics class at the local school. As a little girl, I can remember watching the Olympics and those little gymnasts (figure skating would be a close second, by the way) and thinking they were the coolest athletes ever. So while Rory is excited, let's be honest - this whole gymnastics thing is probably more about me than her. I'm liv...