Money, it doesn't grow on trees

Starting this year, Justin and I have vowed to be the best stewards of our money as we can. We had always tried to do our best, but now we have decided, with much persuasion from a dear friend, to start clipping coupons.
Now, in the past, I always considered this a colossal waste of time and money. I would always buy something that i wouldn't necessarily use just because I had a coupon for it! Silly! Well, the website we have been learning about and using is http://www.southersavers.com/. This girl really does a great job of matching coupons to items that are already on sale and for several different grocery stores also! The one that seems to be the best for us is Publix. They have their BOGO (buy one, get one...you've got to learn the lingo too!) deals every week. She posts all the bogo's and then additional coupons that you use on both items, the free item and the one you're paying for. So, essentially, you could get items for free or for like .30 a piece!!
Publix is also awesome because they honor competitor coupons. I went shopping last night and used several Target coupons. I spent $50 at Publix and saved $40!! The girl that writes the "blog" puts links to print out other coupons from websites such as couponbug.com and others. Justin and I just created a "junk coupon" g-mail account so we could join such websites.
I'm excited to see how much I can save. Justin has even gotten into it! As a matter of fact, we sit together on Sunday nights and go through the (2) Sunday papers and website to see what we need and what the best deal is!! Yay! I encourage you to consider couponing this year. Give it a try. Even if you're not totally into it, if you do it here and there you'll realize your putting money in your pocket! It's worth it!

In Review

Happy New Year everyone!! I decided I'd share my joys and sorrows of 2009 with the world. Overall, 2009 has been an exciting year FULL of firsts!

On January 8th, 2009, Judah Avery Johnson was welcomed into the world and our lives changed forever. We were so anxious to meet Judah and the roller coaster of emotions began for me. I was elated, nervous, scared, and happy. The overwhelming feeling of being a mother and the responsibility that hung over me was almost more than I could bare! Honestly, these feelings coupled with my hormones probably made it more that it really was, but I, never-the-less, was overwhelmed. Justin was so patient and seemed to calm me down by just being there.

The whole nursing thing was a bit much for me. I felt so secluded and strapped down. I was glad Judah was eating and getting the nutrition that breast milk had to offer, but again, it was overwhelmingly lonely to me. I would just cry when I fed him. I finally realized that I was in a bit of a depression. I would just cry and cry. I wasn't happy and felt like a failure as a mother. ALL of which were lies the devil was feeding me. I went to my Dr. and she suggested I go on some anti-depressant pills and see someone about my feelings. I took her prescription, but never filled it. I decided that God was more than enough to cure me. I didn't want to become so dependant on a drug for my happiness. I finally came through it, with MUCH prayer, when Judah was about 6 or 7 months old. I began to feel like myself and my baby weight (which was also a source of depression) began to come off as well.

Since that time, things have been great! Judah is flourishing, learning and becoming so independent, and strong-willed! (I wonder who he gets that from? lol) I am loving spending time with him now as he jabbers complete non-sense, claps for me when I sing to him, and dances anytime he hears music. He's walking everywhere and is looking quite grown up. He loves to eat and is a great sleeper. He's on quite a fabulous routine and is so active (all boy!). Although this "year in review" revolves around Judah, he's the biggest thing to happen to us this year. 2009 has revolved around him and I welcome the changes that will take place in him through the years.