What they don't tell you about parenting

There is one item that parents are unaware of the vast need for when having children.  It is something a child needs in a majority of their things and something that brings loud complaints when they fail - batteries. If you haven't taken stock out in it yet, you might want to think about it. Batteries are the one thing I always buy extra of because the time will inevitably come when I hear, "Mooooooooom, these batteries don't work."  It happens all the time.

I know about the huge expense for diapers and formula but nobody ever told me a lot of batteries were another required expense of having children.

Kids Swimming Lessons

My six year old has been taking private swim lessons at the local YMCA this summer.  I've tried them in the past and she was too scared of the water.  This year, she puts her swimming goggles on and will get in.  She still doesn't like putting her face in the water but she'll get there.

Yesterday we were at a friend's house and she saw their big pool.  She decided right then that their house was more fun and she would live there.  Cute...but no.

Outgrowing Our Space

We have outgrown our current home and can't move for at least two years and our kids want another sibling.  Another sibling - isn't happening. Bigger house eventually - better happen.

We are going to make do with what we have - rearrange kids in rooms, cosmetic changes to a bathroom so the kids aren't freaked out by it (it's a basement bathroom - tends to scare the kids), perhaps apply a garage floor coating to our garage floor and get some more living space out of what is used just for storage right now.  I was thinking about a concrete overlay system that would make the floor look like cement tile.

I need some good storage ideas as well.  We have small closets and a lot of stuff.  What's the best way to store all this stuff?

Peaceful Home Ownership

Doesn't this look beautiful?  In two years, we will be looking to find our "permanent" home (our house right now was just a temporary stop in real estate ownership until we found what we wanted).  When child support is done, we will be ready to move into a little larger home that our big family actually fits into without stepping all over each other.  I want someplace peaceful like this Branson real estate.  Mornings with this view - awesome!

Earn Rewards While Shopping

I love those store cards where you earn points or get special savings when you use it. If it is something you would normally use, it is like free stuff! If the free stuff is gas, like with this Visa reward card, wow!  Who would not want to earn some money off these gas prices?  I know I do!  I have a lot of school clothes and school supplies to buy, in addition to college books for my husband's oldest child, so earning back something for purchases we have to make - bonus!

Kohl's Coupons

It's been a busy year, but I'm back! My kids keep me jumping and this economy keeps me stressing.  When is it going to get better?  I just ordered some clothes for one of my girls from Kohl's and I used Kohls coupons to save money.  I have become a coupon queen and always look for coupons for whatever I buy.  Clothes are definitely no exception.