Blessings Abound Mommy

Kroger and their family chain of stores have some deals for you!  This August, they are putting on a Mega Savings Event where you can earn money back by purchasing a certain quantity of participating brand products that you probably buy anyways!  In this down turn economy, we as Moms are always looking ways to save some extra cash and what better way than taking advantage of this Mega Savings Event!

Here’s more information about the Mega Savings Event:

The Mega Savings Event is taking place at the Kroger Co., Family of Stores Aug. 16th thru Sept. 2nd:

You can click on this link to see a list of participating stores:  http://www.thekrogerco.com/

(Shoppers should also see stores or website for exact dates since the sales dates may vary by area). If you are not familiar with this promotional offer, here is how it works: when you buy 10 participating brands (see list below) and use your Shopper Card at check out you instantly save $5. And there is no limit on the number of rewards per transaction! Look for the double yellow tags in-store!

Participating brands include: AMP Energy, Aquafina, Betty Crocker Baking Mixes, Betty Crocker Fruit Snacks, Cascadian Farms Cereals and Bars, Cap’n Crunch, Cheerios, Cheetos, Chex Mix, Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Cocoa Puffs, Dole Juices and Juice Drinks, Fiber One, Fritos, Gatorade, Golden Grahams, Green Giant, Hamburger Helper, Life , Lipton Tea, Nature Valley, Old El Paso, Pepsi family of 2 Liters, Pillsbury, Progresso, Propel, Quaker Instant Oatmeal, Quaker Chewy Bars, Starbucks, Sobe Life Water, Totino’s, Trix, Tropicana, Yoplait and MORE!

Here are some great examples of different product combinations for breakfast, lunch, dinner or anytime that are at a great price point:

• Breakfast: Cheerios, Quaker Instant Oatmeal, Pillsbury Toaster Strudel,

Tropicana Orange Juice and Yoplait

• Lunch: Nature Valley Granola Bars, Cheetos, Fritos, Progresso Soup, and Gatorade
• Anytime: Betty Crocker Baking Mixes, Tostito’s Chips & Salsa, Totino’s Hot Snacks, Pepsi 2 Liters
• Dinner: Hamburger Helper, Green Giant, Pillsbury, and Lipton Ready-To-Drink Tea

Thanks to General Mills, PepsiCo and MyBlogSpark, I received a $30 Gift Card so I may show you how much money I saved during this event!  Since my local Fred Meyer doesn’t actually start their Mega Savings Event until later this week, I’m preparing my plan of attack by clipping coupons and making a list so I’m fully armed to take advantage of the deep discounts and will be sure to give you all the details on how much my family of 6 saved during the event in a follow up post!

Giveaway Time: What’s even better is that I get to share the wealth and they have provided me with another $30 Gift Card to give away to one lucky Blessings Abound Mommy reader so they can shop the Mega Savings Event too!  Yay!!!  All you have to do in order to be qualified for a chance to win is to leave a comment with a money saving shopping tip!

10 Extra Entries: Blog about this Blessing with a link back to this giveaway post!

1 Extra Entry Each:

1. Subscribe to my blog. Current subscribers count too!
2. Blog about this blessing and link back to it.
3. Twitter about this blessing and comment that you did with your twitter id.
4. Follow me on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/akblessings.
5. Fave my blog on Technorati. (update to reflect new url)
6. Post my button on your blog or site. (update with the new code to reflect new design if you already have it please)

Please leave a separate comment for each item that you have completed stating that you have done so.

Winner will be chosen via Random Drawing.  Winners who I am unable to contact and who doesn’t claim their prize within 48 hours of being sent their winning email notification and me posting the winner of the prize in the winner’s section will forfeit their prize and prize will be held in a live contest following failure to claim.  Please follow directions or you will be disqualified!  This Blessing is open to bloggers and nonbloggers alike. You have from now until August 24th at 11:59 PM (Alaska time) to comment and be entered for a chance to win. I will randomly pick two winners and announce it here on my blog shortly after August 25th!  Blessing open to the USA only!

 

The 5th giveaway in my Blogoversary Celebration will ensure you have the best care when it comes to getting your clothes clean and looking new with Procter & Gamble products!

I was first introduced to Tide’s new Total Care detergent, Tide Stain Release in-wash booster, and Bounce Dryer Bar during an exclusive Tide Luncheon I attended while I was at BlogHer.  I got to see first hand how well Tide Stain Release lifts out hard to get rid of stains through a demo that was performed at the luncheon.  Grass stains stood no chance with this powerful in-wash booster as I saw them disappear of white fabric before my very eyes!  At home, I have used both the liquid and duo pacs with equal success and my family’s clothing comes out stain free every time, even with difficult stains such as tomato sauces and chocolate!

Tide Total Care detergent is terrific for keeping your clothes looking brand new.  In over a month’s time using this product, I’ve noticed that our family’s clothing has less fading and less pilling than with other detergents I’ve used in the past.  It does as it promises to maintain your clothing’s condition and with the added benefit of Tide Total Care’s Protective Fiber Complex, you can skip the fabric softener!  It also comes in two scents that I like (Renewing Rain and Cool Cotton) and it’s much more pleasant than the regular Tide Classic Scent that I wasn’t fond of.

Tide Coldwater detergent is fabulous at keeping your cold wash and delicate items clean!  As someone who primarily washes most of her laundry in cold water, it’s crucial I find a detergent that performs in cold temperatures.  I’ve been so impressed at this detergent’s ability to keep my cold wash clothes pristine and looking great!  I also don’t mind that I can save money and energy by continuing to wash my clothes in cold water!

The Bounce Dryer Bar is the neatest invention that’s come to laundry!  I just love the convenience of sticking this dryer bar in the drum of my dryer and not having to use a new dryer sheet and throwing it away with every use.  I stuck my dryer bar parallel and close to one of our dryer fins and it’s stayed put perfectly put through countless of dryer loads.  Our clothes come out fluffy and smelling fresh and I don’t have to worry about replacing the dryer bar for 2-4 months.  It’s been almost two months now and my Bounce Dryer Bar is still going strong.  I’ll know when to replace the bar when the replacement indicator will appear and I can slip a new Bounce Dryer Bar in its place!

I also received Downy Simple Pleasure Liquid Softener in Orchid Allure scent.  I am a scent person and I just love this floral, feminine scent!  It’s a mix of fruity, floral, and musky notes with an exotic twist!  You throw a capful of softener in the wash during the rinse cycle and the lovely fragrance is left behind on your clothes with unbeatable softness and no static cling!  I love using this softener on our clothes that can’t be placed in the dryer that would otherwise be left feeling stiff and crunchy without it!

Giveaway Time: Three lucky Blessings Abound readers will win a gift basket that includes Tide Coldwater detergent, Tide Stain Release Duo Pacs, Downy Simple Pleasures Liquid Softener, and Bounce Dryer Bar!  All you have to do in order to be qualified for a chance to win is to leave a comment with the toughest laundry dilemma you face!

10 Extra Entries: Blog about this Blessing with a link back to this giveaway post!

5 Extra Entries:

1. Post my Blogoversary Button on your sidebar!  Here is the code for you to copy and paste:

<a href=”/”><img src=”http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v679/lily_fair/Blog%20Images/blessingsaboundmommyBlogoversaryBut.jpg” border=”0″ alt=”mom blog,mom blogger,blessings abound mommy,blogoversary button”></a>

2. Enter any other 1st Blogoversary Party Giveaway!

1 Extra Entry Each:

1. Subscribe to my blog. Current subscribers count too!
2. Blog about this blessing and link back to it.
3. Twitter about this blessing and comment that you did with your twitter id.
4. Follow me on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/akblessings.
5. Fave my blog on Technorati. (update to reflect new url)
6. Post my button on your blog or site. (update with the new code to reflect new design if you already have it please)

Please leave a separate comment for each item that you have completed stating that you have done so.

Winner will be chosen via Random Drawing.  Winners who I am unable to contact and who doesn’t claim their prize within 48 hours of being sent their winning email notification and me posting the winner of the prize in the winner’s section will forfeit their prize and prize will be held in a live contest following failure to claim.  Please follow directions or you will be disqualified!  This Blessing is open to bloggers and nonbloggers alike. You have from now until September 28th at 11:59 PM (Alaska time) to comment and be entered for a chance to win.  I will randomly pick one winner and announce it here on my blog shortly after September 29th!  Blessing open to USA only!

 

Have a dad or husband who is always on the look out for the latest electronics or technology available?  Best Buy is the one stop shop for any electronics on his wish list.  This Father’s Day, let the techie dad know you care by finding the hottest electronics and gadgets available.  Best Buy appreciates fathers and has generously contributed to this Electronics Prize Package that any electronics and tech savvy dad would love!

Meet the Company:

We make technology deliver on its promises.

It might surprise some of you that so far we haven’t mentioned consumer electronics (although, we just did) because Best Buy is associated so strongly with technology. And don’t get us wrong; we love the stuff. It’s just that we think technology should serve people, and not the other way around. You might say that we love technology, but we’re not in love with technology. Technology makes a lot of promises, and we’re here to make it live it up to those promises. For people.

 

Featured Father’s Day Gifts from Best Buy:

Insignia™ 7.0-Megapixel Digital Camera – (Available in Pink and Blue)

Snap clear portraits using this 7.0-megapixel digital camera with 4X digital zoom. High ISO sensitivity means even low-light pictures turn out bright and natural, and face detection technology optimizes exposure and ensures you will always be focused on the faces in your photos. Burst mode lets you take pictures quickly so you can capture the best possible image, while smile capture mode allows you to shoot automatically when your subject laughs, smiles or grins. Coupled with digital image stabilization, these features ensure vivid, detailed photos without blurring.

FEATURES:

* 7.0-megapixel CCD captures high-resolution images up to 3062 x 2292 pixels
* 2.5″ color LCD screen for excellent visibility even in bright sunlight
* Scene modes include portrait, landscape, sunset, backlight, children, night, fireworks, snow, food building and text
* Built-in autofocus uses programmed autoexposure modes, including aperture priority and shutter priority, along with a manual mode, to ensure clear shots
* Auto, daylight, cloudy, tungsten, fluorescent and manual white balance controls achieve natural tones under different lighting conditions
* Flash modes include auto, flash-on, flash-off, fill flash and red-eye reduction for great images no matter what the lighting
* Color modes include black-and-white, sepia, color, negative, red, green and blue
* High-quality video mode records AVI video with audio at 640 x 480 and 30 fps or at 320 x 240 and 30 fps for easy movie capture
* 16MB internal memory with support for Secure Digital, Secure Digital High Capacity and MultiMediaCard memory cards
* PictBridge compatible so you can connect your camera to a compatible printer and print photos directly without using a PC
* Comes with 2 AA alkaline batteries, A/V and USB cables, wrist strap and owner’s manual

Rocketfish 2MP Autofocus Webcam

 

Add a little fun to your Web chats with this Rocketfish 2MP Autofocus Webcam that easily clips onto your notebook or LCD monitor. The intelligent face tracking technology focuses on you, while autofocus always ensures a sharp and precise image. It lets you chat using the most popular instant messenger software and includes Advanced Video FX so you can add exciting visual effects to your chatting.

FEATURES:

* Up to 8.0-megapixel still image capture and 2.0-megapixel video capture
* Built-in microphone for videoconferencing and recording
* Works with instant messenger software including AIM, Yahoo! Messenger, and MSN Messenger
* PC and Mac compatible

Giveaway Time: A lucky Blessings Abound reader will win a Best Buy Electronics Prize Package that includes both the Insignia^TM 7.0-Megapixel Digital Camera and Rocketfish 2MP Autofocus Webcam pictured above! All you have to do in order to be qualified for a chance to win is to visit Best Buy and leave a comment in the provided entry form with another product that would be perfect for your dad!

10 Extra Entries:

1. Blog about this giveaway including a link back to this post.
2. Enter any other Father’s Day Fling Giveaway included in this event.

1 Extra Entry Each:

1. Subscribe to my blog.
2. Twitter about this blessing and comment that you did with your twitter id.
3. Follow me on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/akblessings.
4. Fave my blog on Technorati. (update with my new url please)
5. Post my button on your blog or site. (update with the new code to reflect new design and url please)
6. Give this post a stumble.

 

 

Father’s Day Fling Event participating bloggers include:

Karen from 3 Garnets and 2 Sapphires

Victoria from Life Starring Ellie and Eve

Louise from MomStart

Please leave a separate comment for each item that you have completed stating that you have done so.

Winners who I am unable to contact and who doesn’t claim their prize within 48 hours of being sent their winning email notification and me posting the winner of the prize in the winner’s section will forfeit their prize and prize will be held in a live contest following failure to claim. Please follow directions or you will be disqualified! This Blessing is open to bloggers and nonbloggers alike. You have from now until June 11th at 11:59 PM (Alaska time) to comment and be entered for a chance to win. I will randomly pick four winners and announce it here on my blog shortly after June 12th.  Blessing open to USA!

Meet the Company:

Lands’ End is a direct merchant of traditionally styled clothing for the family, soft luggage, and products for the home. We offer products through our catalogs, on the Internet and in our Inlet stores. Our goal is to please our customers with the highest levels of quality and service in the industry, along with an unequivocal ironclad guarantee.

Hommock

Through the Mom Trials:  Your family will love this DuraCord Hammock from Lands’ End!  This durable, quality made hammock features tough Duracord fibers that dries quickly, is stain resistant, and discourages microbial growth to prevent mildew.  The fibers feel just as soft and cozy as cotton and withstand up to 1,000 hours of UV exposure, protecting the hammock from fading in the sun.  It has solid oak spreader bars that make this hammock stable so your family can get in and out of the hammock easily and the zinc-plated stainless steel hardware ensures it will be securely fastened to trees safely and prevent rusting.

The DuraCord Hammock was quick and easy to mount onto our birch trees on our property.  The hammock is wide enough to fit a couple of adults and my husband and I could lay next to one another comfortably side by side.  It could also accommodate three of our kids or one adult with two kids easily without feeling like we were cramped in together.  It was hard to tell that the fibers of the hammock weren’t made from the soft goodness of cotton and has provided many hours of relaxing, snuggle time outside on a nice Spring day.  It’s so comfy that you’ll find yourself wanting to drift off to nap in the warm, sunshine.

With Summer arriving soon, this is a perfect complement to your yard that your whole family can enjoy and has an affordable price tag of $179.50 (now on sale for $$125.65 for a short time).   Treat your dad, husband, or family to much needed downtime and look forward to lazy Summer days with Lands’ End DuraCord Hammock!

More Featured Father’s Day Gifts from Lands’ End:

Cooler Tote

Say goodbye to cumbersome, hard-sided coolers. Our waterproof Cooler Tote is insulated to keep snacks and drinks refreshingly chilled – so it’s perfect for picnic plans, sporting events and car trips. Durable canvas is coated with PEVA, a non-chlorinated vinyl, so it resists stains and cleans up in a snap. Seams are heat-sealed to prevent leaking. Zip-top closure. Spot clean. Imported.  Visit Louise at MomStart to read her Cooler Tote Review.

Painted Adirondack Chair

This Adirondack Chair is crafted in Wisconsin with painstaking details. Made of North American Maple covered with layers of water based (environmentally friendly) paint with a hardener added for years of life. Hardware is corrosion resistant. Designed with a “waterfall” front for a smooth curve behind the knees. Wide armrests hold your favorite iced drink or summer reading. Plus, the pitch of the back is deeper for greater comfort. Some assembly required. Wipe clean. Made in USA.  Visit Karen at 3 Garnets and 2 Sapphires for her Painted Adirondack Chair Review.

Deal Alert:  Dive into big Summer savings with 20-30% off their Home and Travel section!  For a limited time, any teak furniture or outdoor furniture orders over $200 will be shipped for a flat $18.95 within the continental U.S. no matter the size and weight of the order.

Giveaway Time:  A lucky Blessings Abound reader will win a Lands’ End Father’s Day Prize Package that includes the DuraCord Hammock, Painted Adirondack Chair, and Cooler Tote perfect for Summer days ahead!  All you have to do is visit Lands’ End and leave a comment in the provided entry form with one product you like best from their Home & Travel Section !

10 Extra Entries:

1. Blog about this giveaway including a link back to this post.
2. Enter any other Father’s Day Fling Giveaway included in this event.

1 Extra Entry Each:

1. Subscribe to my blog.
2. Twitter about this blessing and comment that you did with your twitter id.
3. Follow me on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/akblessings.
4. Fave my blog on Technorati. (update with my new url please)
5. Post my button on your blog or site. (update with the new code to reflect new design and url please)
6. Give this post a stumble.

 

 

Father’s Day Fling Event participating bloggers include:

Karen from 3 Garnets and 2 Sapphires

Victoria from Life Starring Ellie and Eve

Louise from MomStart

Please leave a separate comment for each item that you have completed stating that you have done so.

Winners who I am unable to contact and who don’t claim their prize within 48 hours of being sent their winning email notification and me posting the winner of the prize in the winner’s section will forfeit their prize and the prize will be held in a live contest following failure to claim. Please follow directions or you will be disqualified! This Blessing is open to bloggers and non bloggers alike. You have from now until June 11th at 11:59 PM (Alaska time) to comment and be entered for a chance to win. I will randomly pick four winners and announce them here on my blog shortly after June 12th.  Blessing open to the USA!

 

 

Are you one of those that suffer from heartburn when eating some of your favorite foods?  With the Super Bowl coming soon, many of us will indulge, and possibly, overindulge, in foods that will cause heartburn.  To help remedy the effects of heartburn and give relief, Prilosec OTC may be the best defensive line to treat these bothersome symptoms!   For a limited time, you can purchase two 42-count Prilosec OTC products in one single transaction and receive a $25 gift card in the mail.  This deal ends February 15, so you need to act fast in order to score heartburn relief when you need it most and rejoice heartburn free with the gift card!

Giveaway Time (required entry): A lucky Blessings Abound Mommy reader will win a special Prilosec OTC gift pack, complete with a $100 AMEX gift card to splurge on your favorite foods without the fear of heartburn! All you have to do in order to be qualified for a chance to win is leave a comment with your favorite guilty-pleasure food!

10 Extra Entries:

Blog about this Blessing with a link back to this giveaway post!

1 Extra Entry Each (to be earned after the required entry has been fulfilled):

• Like Blessings Abound Mommy Facebook Fan Page.
• Like this post on Facebook.
• Like the Prilosec OTC Facebook Page.
• Write on the Prilosec OTC Facebook Wall that you entered to win a Prilosec OTC Gift Pack with a $100 Amex Gift Card on Blessings Abound Mommy with a link back to this post.
• Subscribe to my blog. Current subscribers count too!
• Enter any other giveaway on Blessings Abound Mommy and leave a comment with which another giveaway you entered.
• Tweet about this blessing with a link back to it and leave a comment that you did with your Twitter id.
• Follow me on Twitter at @akblessings.
• Post my button on your blog or site. (update with the new code to reflect the new design if you already have it please).

Please leave a separate comment for each item that you have completed stating that you have done so.

One winner will be chosen via Random Drawing.  Winners who I am unable to contact and who don’t claim their prize within 48 hours of being sent their winning email notification and me posting the winner of the prize in the winner’s section will forfeit their prize and the prize will be held in a live contest following failure to claim.  Please follow directions or you will be disqualified!  This Blessing is open to bloggers and non bloggers alike. You have from now until January 26th at 11:59 PM (Alaska time) to comment and be entered for a chance to win.  I will randomly pick one winner and announce it here on my blog shortly after January 37th!  Blessing open to the USA only!

For more chances to win, visit my bloggy pals and enter their giveaways too:

1. Being Alison
2. My Silly Monkeys
3. Empowering Mommy
4. Babes and Kids
5. Southern Bella’s Way To Save
6. Moody Mama Says
7. A Mom’s Impression
8. Kiddies Corner Deals
9. The Not So Blog
10. She Scribes
11. The Divine Miss Mommy
12. I Could Use A Deal
13. 3 Garnets 2 Sapphires
14. Potamus Prefers

*Product and information was provided free of charge in exchange for this post from Prilosec OTC and doesn’t affect my views or feedback of the product or service.  This post is based solely on my personal opinion and experience and results may vary from person to person.

 

Blessings Abound Mommy is turning one!  I can hardly believe it’s been a year since I started this blog and what an amazing year it has been!  To celebrate the occasion, I’ve put together a week of giveaways just for you so you can share in my excitement with me!  Here is my 1st giveaway for you:

Shabby Apple

Shabby Apple is an online boutique that carries fashionable, classy, and feminine women’s dresses, maternity dresses, preteen dresses, kids dresses, and baby dresses!  Their unique and sophisticated collection is perfectly tailored for easy dressing and can stand alone without the added scarf, cardigan, or another piece of clothing to make an outfit.  Modest clothing has never looked so good!

Meet the Company:

Shabby Apple welcomes you to great dresses that make dressing simple.

After years of not being able to find stylish dresses that covered enough skin to make you really feel comfortable (without wearing a tank top, cardigan, or long slip), owners Emily and CK decided to do something about it.

They visited trade shows, marketplaces, and designer studios only to discover the problem was not that department stores weren’t buying the right dresses, but that designers weren’t designing them.

Shabby Apple is proud to offer you fantastic dresses that allow you to look fabulous, without having to compromise anything else.

A return to what dresses were always meant to be — a one-piece outfit. No need to add anything…no tank tops, no cardigans, nothing (except accessories, of course!).

A Charitable Cause:

We at Shabby Apple Dresses love to help women dress but are also committed to helping women live as well.  Thus we are supporting the fight against global poverty by partnering with Unitus-a non-profit organization that accelerates access to life-changing financial services for those at the bottom of the economic pyramid. Shabby Apple donates 5% of its net dress sales to support work in India (where Shabby Apple Dresses sources many of its dresses the textiles used to manufacture its dresses).  In addition, each Shabby Apple Dresses customer has the opportunity to donate an extra five dollars to Unitus every time she buys a dress. Shabby Apple Dresses and Unitus are involved with 10 of India’s most promising microfinance organizations that provide financial services to more than 1.6 million hard-working women and their families.

Deal Alert: Shabby Apple is offering my Blessings Abound Mommy readers a 10% discount off any purchase by using the coupon code, blessingsabound10off, in the “coupon” box at check out!  Offer expires September 21, 2009!

Giveaway Time: A lucky Blessings Abound Mommy reader will win a Shabby Apple 90 Words Per Minute Dress!  All you have to do in order to be qualified for a chance to win is to visit Shabby Apple and leave a comment with another lovely dress you’d love to own!

10 Extra Entries: Blog about this Blessing with a link back to this giveaway post!

5 Extra Entries:

1. Post my Blogoversary Button on your sidebar!  Here is the code for you to copy and paste:

<a href=”/”><img src=”http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v679/lily_fair/Blog%20Images/blessingsaboundmommyBlogoversaryBut.jpg” border=”0″ alt=”mom blog,mom blogger,blessings abound mommy,blogoversary button”></a>

2. Enter any other 1st Blogoversary Party Giveaway!

1 Extra Entry Each:

1. Subscribe to my blog. Current subscribers count too!
2. Blog about this blessing and link back to it.
3. Twitter about this blessing and comment that you did with your Twitter id.
4. Follow me on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/akblessings.
5. Fave my blog on Technorati. (update to reflect new URL)
6. Post my button on your blog or site. (update with the new code to reflect new design if you already have it please)

Please leave a separate comment for each item that you have completed stating that you have done so.

The winner will be chosen via Random Drawing.  Winners who I am unable to contact and who don’t claim their prize within 48 hours of being sent their winning email notification and me posting the winner of the prize in the winner’s section will forfeit their prize and the prize will be held in a live contest following failure to claim.  Please follow directions or you will be disqualified!  This Blessing is open to bloggers and non bloggers alike. You have from now until September 14th at 11:59 PM (Alaska time) to comment and be entered for a chance to win.  I will randomly pick one winner and announce it here on my blog shortly after September 15th!  Blessing open to the USA only!

I’m happy to report that everything is looking on upswing and now it’s countdown time!  10 more weeks, more or less, until baby Samuel will make his appearance.  At my 30 week midwife appointment at Mat-Su Midwifery, I learned that I have gained a total of 28 lbs so far and measuring right on track for 30 weeks.  The baby’s heartbeat was in the 120s, so he was calm and mellow throughout my appointment.  Samuel is still head down, but in posterior position (his back is aligned with my back), so that means I’ll have to encourage him to move and turn his back towards my belly.  Good thing I have a little while to get him turn around!

I’ll be ensure to take extra measures to get him to spin around.  Things like laying on my left side, doing the cat yoga pose, and if needed, peppermint essential oil to help him move.  One of my friends who recently had a baby shared with me her success with using peppermint essential oil during her birth to move her baby into a better position for birth.  I’m not too worried about it though as like I said previously, he has quite a bit of time left to get where he needs to be before birth.

I’m feeling pretty energetic and motivated, as long as I get a restful night of sleep.  Sometimes, there’s a down side to being such a light a sleeper.  Every little noise that I hear throughout the night is enough to wake me from my slumber.  Just the other day, I had the gumption to prepare and assemble 30+ freezer meals.  My sister is a Wildtree Rep and I can’t believe how fast and easy they were to do in one night!  It took me 4 hours to complete, which I started right after the kids’ bedtime at 8:00 pm.  I am so giddy to not have to worry about what’s for dinner for the next month or so!

I’ll be ensuring I do an extra set of meals every month until Samuel’s birth so I won’t have to cook much during the first month.  In the first week of April, I’ll be also freezing breakfast items and lunches like soup that are simple to freeze and reheat.  You know, this mama doesn’t want to starve when this baby arrives and I sure feel famished all day long when I’m nursing a wee little babe.  I definitely have an enormous appetite nursing compared to when I’m pregnant and with 5 other little ones to feed and homeschool, it will be nice not worry how to get everyone’s belly filled during that first crucial month of bonding with baby!

Nesting seems to be settling in and this week’s plan of attack is rearranging and reorganizing my bedroom to accommodate the baby’s bassinet and belongings for the first three months or so of his life.  I’ve put together my birthing essential oils kit with the essential oils I’ll be using during labor and his birth and I will also be working on packing most of my birthing bag.  The only things I’m going to leave until later to pack in the birthing bag will be last minute things like toiletries and snacks.

Hopefully, the weather will cooperate and I’ll be able to get in our shed soon to dig out my older son’s clothes and bedding from when he was a baby.  I don’t feel like trekking out there in the cold to find them and bring them in.  Is it just me or does anyone else get sentimental about pulling out your children’s outgrown clothes to put on a new baby?  I tear up just thinking about it!  How the time has passed us quickly and it will be such a tender moment to see those baby clothes on Samuel that were once worn by my 8 year old son, Ethan, as a baby.

I’m praying that the rest of this last stretch in pregnancy will go smoothly and I’ll feel great up until the end.  I’ll be continuing my two week check ups at the midwifery, which only seems to speed things up and make me realize how close I really am to holding this baby in my arms!  How I can wait, but can’t wait at the same time!