Wednesday, April 15, 2009

3 Day Weekend-Day 1


We spent Friday morning at Homeland Creamery in Julian, NC. I have known for some time it would be a HUGE hit for our little one as it combines her love for animals and ice cream. However, the only drawback of this adventure is they do not have their hayride tours on the weekend. Thursday afternoon I realized Kevin would be off work the following day and it would actually be a weekday and we could possibly go to the creamery. When I called to make reservations they were booked. I believe the lady on the other end of the phone could hear the disappointment in my voice and said she would squeeze us in. We were not disappointed by our time in Julian. We were joined by a homeschooling/4-H group from Moore County. I was amazed at how much you could learn about cows as well as the whole milk production process. Anna loved the baby cows and was even able to help bottle feed one. You will also notice her milking a pretend cow. This entertained Anna for quite some time, she even asked to go back and do it again. At the end of our tour we were each give our own cup of homemade ice cream. Amazingly, Anna ate our packed picnic lunch first before eating her yummy treat. We were thankful to get the tour in while the sun was shining brightly. If you have never been, I would highly recommend visiting with the cows, wild turkeys, hens, kittens, dogs, donkeys, a llama and the wonderful people at Homeland Creamery!
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3 Day Weeknd: Day 2






Anna spent Saturday morning on a mission...her first Easter Egg Hunt! Needless to say it was a big hit! Anna seemed to know exactly what to do. She collected eggs until her bucket was full. Of course each time she would pick up an egg she would shake it to see if it made a sound. At the end of the hunt she was thrilled to discover there were treats in each of the eggs. Many of her eggs had one of her favorite items...stickers! Each week we go to story time with many of Anna's friends. When I share with Anna on Wednesday morning we are going to story time she immediately says, "libary," "stickr." At the end of each story time she makes a mad dash for the back table that contains all the stickers. Often during the movie (the last activity of story time) Anna will say, "off" as she is ready to go and get her sticker!
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3 Day Weekend: Day 3




He has risen; He has risen indeed! Sunday was spent celebrating our Father's endless love for us as he sent his ONLY son to die for each of us. Sunday we celebrated that Jesus was raised from the dead and that he LIVES! We spent the morning at church. Above is a picture of Anna and her sweet friends playing one of Anna's favorite games, Ring around the Roses or better known in the Sasser household as "rosey" or "asher." We then headed to our dear friends house for a delicious meal and fellowship. Not to mention a second Easter Egg hunt in which Anna won the grand prize...a quarter, which was placed in her piggy bank as soon as we got home. Our weekend was packed with fun-filled activities but we were reminded that our true JOY only comes from knowing our Saviour.
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Thursday, April 2, 2009

Ready for her next role!

Almost daily we see exactly what a wonderful big sister Anna will soon be. She loves to take care of her babies. For some time now she has been strolling them, rocking them in her small rocking chair, giving them milk and even soothing them as she makes a pretend crying noise as she quickly pats the baby on the back saying, "shhh, shhh." It melts my heart to see her with her dolls. I can only imagine what it will be like as she holds her brother or sister. Not to mention anytime Anna sees a baby she immediately says, "baby" and makes a beeline to get up-close and personal with the little one. When Anna woke from her nap yesterday she decided it was time for her babies to take a rest. She asked for me to "tur on fan," which we do before we put Anna down at night (turn on the hall bathroom fan). She then asked for "ights off" and "tur on dance, dance" (music on). She then proceeded to crawl up in the chair that we use to rock her, along with her "bankie" (blanket) and began rocking and soothing her baby. She did this for some time as I did various things around the house. At one point I came back into her room to find baby asleep in her crib and Anna working on getting her pink bear to sleep.

Wonder if she will have as much success with getting her brother or sister down to sleep?! When asked if she wants a brother or sister, she quickly responds each time, "brudder."
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Sunday, March 29, 2009

Clip, Clip!

A year ago if you had asked me if I used coupons I would have told you no, for many reasons. One, because it is simply too time consuming and then more importantly the frustration of not having the coupon you need when you are at a store or forgetting to use the coupon. However, in the past year I have developed a love relationship with coupons, well maybe a love/hate relationship. The thrill of shopping with coupons and getting a super deal, especially during Harris Teeter's triple coupons has turned into a challenge, not to mention it is the topic of conversation amongst us moms. Last Wednesday, triple coupons started at Harris Teeter and is running until this Tuesday. I had decided that I wanted to get all my trips taken care of before the weekend. The tricky part is that you can only use 20 coupons per day or at least 20 coupons that are going to triple. By Friday I had three trips in and I felt as though I was set. I decided I would possibly make one last trip Monday or Tuesday, until I learned of the Kellogg's deal that seemed too good to be true. Thus, today I made two more trips to Harris Teeter. Below are pictures of my purchases from today as well as the total cost of each of the groceries.

Total: $10.46
However, if you buy 8 Kellogg's Frosted Mini Wheats (any flavor) a rebate coupon for $10.00 will print out. You simply send them your address with the printout and they send you a $10 rewards card. Thus, once I receive my $10 rewards I will have spent a total of $.46 on the above groceries (under a $1.00, even if you add the $.42 needed for the postage to send in the rebate). Not to mention that along with the $10.00 reward, THREE milk coupons, each redeemable for a gallon of milk, any brand, any flavor up to $4.69 printed out as well. Yes, you are reading this right. I made money on this trip to the grocery store.

Total: $12.68
The exact same scenario as above applies. I received the THREE free milk coupons as well as the rebate for the $10.00 reward. Essentially, only $2.68 was spent and we will have free milk for multiple weeks!

It is not too late for you too to have a lifetime supply of Kellogg's Mini Wheats! At any given time we have over 20 boxes of cereal in our pantry. Thus, today we are approaching over 40 boxes of cereal in our house. But I will say, it will get eaten. Anyone want to come over for breakfast?!

How to get this deal:

Buy 8 Kellogg's Frosted Mini Wheats @ 3.39 each $27.12
B1G1 -$13.56
Less: 8 $1.00 off blinkies (in HT cereal aisle, blinkies are the coupons that are in the automatic dispensers) -$ 8.00

Total due: **$5.56** But you will receive the printout for the $10.00 reward card and 3 free coupons for a gallon of milk each.

I am sure I will make at least one more trip to Harris Teeter in the next two days. I have about 10 more coupons I would like to use. Maybe I will see you there! But beware in my last transaction of the day the checkout lady tried to keep my Kellogg's rebate. I was in disbelief. The rebate prints before your receipt and before your milk coupons and she discretely folded it up and stuck it in her other hand. Thankfully, this was my second time partaking in the deal and I knew the Kellogg's rebate printed first, then your receipt and finally the three milk coupons. You can be sure Harris Teeter will be receiving an email from me! Happy couponing and happy shopping!
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Thursday, March 26, 2009

Lights On...


This weather has been a bit unusual. Sunny & warm and then cold & rainy. Last week one day the sun was shining brightly as we played outside. Anna even asked for her hat to wear as she swung. All of a sudden dark clouds came upon us and the temperature began to drop. Anna looked at me in all seriousness and said, "ights turn on, " in other words she thought I could easily get the sun to come back out. If it were only that simple. Kevin and I often talk about how much Anna believes we are capable of. We have tried to begin to explain to her that we can't just produce, "more planes" or "more doggies" after we pass them and she requests for more. Thankfully, she does have a Creator who is capable of so much and longs to give her only what is best. He alone will not disappoint. Sadly we have and will.
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Monday, March 16, 2009

Not just one reason to celebrate!

This weekend was my birthday! I was blessed enough to spend the weekend with some of my best friends. They truly celebrated me with yummy cake, streamers, presents, and cards. It was a weekend that I almost missed because of the celebration that will be happening in our home come September! Yes, God is knitting together a fearfully and wonderfully made brother or sister for Anna. But in the process I have not been feeling so well and almost decided to sit this weekend out. I truly believe it was the power of prayer that caused me to be able to go on the weekend and feel amazingly well. God is good and we have seen his goodness as we saw our new little one several weeks ago on an ultrasound. This weekend was one of refreshment for my soul but it was good to return home to a husband and little girl ready to celebrate me as well. Cards decorated by Anna welcomed me on our front door as well as words of affirmation throughout the house from my husband, not to mention a pork tenderloin dinner with sweet potatoes and other favorites.

A most delicious cake created by my dear friend Millie.

Several of my best girlfriends that joined me on this weekend retreat.
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Sunday, March 8, 2009

What a difference a week makes!

It has gone from the brrr cold to the warm sunshine in less than a week! We have spent this weekend outside from the park, getting smoothies to eating our meals out back. What a treat this weather has been. Not to mention the longer daylight hours that started today!
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