• Travel & Vacation: Family Vacation…..Way Up NORTH!!!

    Picture of the last Alaska Airline plane we got on!

    North to ALASKA!!!  We took a family vacation to Alaska this summer!  We had a blast!  We packed a lot in our time in Alaska.  We flew Alaska Airlines.  The girls did amazing on all the flights.  We flew through the night both on the way to Alaska and on the way home too.  They went through the airports fine, helped with the luggage, entertained themselves on the plane (and even rested).  Thankful for kids who love to travel and explore new places.

    Jake and the girls getting on the plane….notice they are entering the back half the plane.  First time on this type of plane!

    Sleeping Beauty on the plane!

    Another one bites the dust….

    The “Travel and Vacation” series is an insight into our trips together as a family, ways we relax, and tips on how to make trips more enjoyable.  Life is short and we were thrilled to have the opportunity to build memories with family and explore of of the most amazing places during our time away.  Explore with a good attitude, look for fun, and it will be an awesome trip jammed packed with positive memories.  It is refreshing having some time away from the regular routine.  Make it a once in a lifetime opportunity to meet new people and learn.  You just might see or try something new that takes your breath away!

  • Be My Valentine: Scrapbook Highlights

    Do you like to scrapbook?  You don’t need to be current with your scrapbooking to do this Valentine’s Day gift (I am way behind on my scrapbooking too).  Show your spouse and family you love them on Valentine’s Day by doing a Scrapbook highlighting the big events over the past year.  You can do scrapbook at home with your materials or one online at Snapfish or any other great photo place.  Think back over this past year and pick one or two big events for each month or two. Here is some ideas of what to include to get you started, even if you do the Holidays you’ll have plenty of special memories.

    • January – Happy New Year
    • February – Happy Valentine’s Day
    • March – Springing into Spring
    • April – Easter
    • May – Mother’s Day
    • June – Father’s Day
    • July – Independence Day
    • August – Back to School
    • September – First Day of Fall
    • October – Halloween
    • November – Thanksgiving
    • December – Christmas
    • Birthdays
    • Fresh Start
    • Weddings
    • Anniversaries
    • Special Trips
    • Vacations
    • And so much more!!!

    Create you book of highlights with the scrapbook material you have or do it online.  It will be a fun gift as you reflect back on the memories you made together!

    Photo by shimelle

  • Be My Valentine: Romantic Dinner for Two!

    You have the babysitter lined up for the kids now it is time to figure out what fun excursion to do with your spouse.  Going out to eat at a restaurant is a great option, however, going on Valentine’s Day can mean a lot of waiting in lines.  If you have your heart set on going to a restaurant go to a place where you can make a reservation in advanced or pick a different evening near Valentine’s Day.  As a side note, the point of Valentine’s Day is to spend time together and celebrate with your love ones.  If you do it a day earlier or later it can be an even more relaxing and romantic date to remember.  Since Valentine’s Day is on a Monday this year, try going on Friday or Saturday before Valentine’s Day.  Going near the Holiday but not on the Holiday allows you to get into the restaurant easier and dinner will be more relaxing with better service because you’re not rushed.  It will be less expensive for the babysitter that night since you don’t have to be out as long waiting for a table.

    My recommendation if you want to go out on Valentine’s Days (or any other Date Night) for less go on a picnic with your spouse.  Why is going a picnic a better option:

    • It’s Less Expensive – you can pick up food on sale at the grocery store and make it at home.
    • No Waiting in Line
    • Relaxing Meal Together
    • One-on-One Conversation without interruptions

    Since it is winter time you may ask, how do we do a picnic in the snow?  The last cold picnic we went on together Jake and I found a great spot to park.  We took all the seats out of the van except the front two then put a air mattress in the back part of the van.  We brought a picnic basket full of goodies and a movie.  We had a quiet relaxing meal together, talked, and enjoyed a movie.  It was a great evening full of fun and relaxation.

    “Be My Valentine” is a series of creative ways you can celebrate Valentine’s Day with those you love.  You can make it a special Holiday without spending a lot.  Spread a little extra cheer to those around you this Valentine’s Day!  Surprise your loved ones with a fun and thoughtful gift from the heart.  It is a great time to reflect on sweet memories as well as create new ones with whole family.  May this Valentine’s season be bursting with love for you!

  • T.G.I. Friday’s Coupon: $5 off $15 or More

    T.G.I. Friday’s Coupon – $5 off your Purchase of $15 or More

    Cannot be combined with other offers, discounts or specials, including 3 Course $12.99/$16.99 menu offer, $7.99/$8.99 Petite Sirloin or Half Rack Ribs offer and any other discounted or reduced price special in participating T.G.I. Friday’s.  For dine-in only.  Not valid with use of Promotional Gift Card.  See site for full details.  G

    Good through February 21, 2011!  You can take your spouse out to dinner for Valentine’s Day and save a little at the same time!!!

  • Date Night on a Budget – Dinner

    Going on a Date Night with your spouse can be just what the whole family needs.   It is important to take time to relax and be a couple, whether you have little ones or not.   Your kids may enjoy a night away too.   One way to open the door of communication is by having a quiet meal together.

    Here are a few ways to save on the cost of eating out so you can relax when you go on your date:

    1.  Free Dinner Options

    • Gift Certificates – if you have a gift certificate to a restaurant use it when you go on your date.  Occasionally we get gift certificates for our anniversary so we save them for Date Nights.  It may be something you want to ask for your birthday or anniversary as well.   You can earn gift certificates by doing surveys or through accumulating points too.
    • Coupons – use a coupon to a restaurant that you and your spouse are wanting to go to.  If you plan ahead you can often find discounts or coupons online prior to going to a restaurant.  We have even shared a free dinner at a nice restaurant by using a coupon.  Sometimes you have to pay but if you look you can often get a meal for free.
    • Join the Club – many of the large chain restaurants offer special discounts if you sign up for their emails or newsletters.  You may get free food when they introduce a new menu item.  Even your local family owned restaurants give you special offers when you join their club.  Many restaurants offer free meal if you visit them around your birthday. If you have a favorite restaurant check and see they have a club you can join for extra savings.

    2. Discount Dinner Options

    • Restaurant.com – you can get discount restaurant certificates.  We have tried many new restaurants using Restaurant.com that have since become our favorite.  You can often get the certificates at a discount.  The best is when you can get them at 80% to 90% off.  We stock up when they are at a deep discount and it allows us to have plenty of options to chose from for Date Night.  The certificates last for one year so you have plenty of time to use them.  Try it out and see how you like it!
    • Barter – there are many barter programs available such as Tradebank or you can work something out with the owner of a restaurant or chain.  If you have services or products that they can use.  We have friends that provide a service for a restaurant and they get coupons for free meals. It is worth checking out.
    • Groupon – has daily deals that you can get between 40% to 90% off.  Many times Groupon will offer great discounts on restaurants.  When you purchase a certificate you have up to a year to use it.  Select the area closest to you to find out the  deals in your area.
    • Pack a picnic for a nice dinner at a park together.  You can pack a really wonderful romantic picnic for a great price.  Pick out a favorite food you know your spouse will like for an extra special treat.  It shows your love.  Some of our best Date Nights have been relaxing over a picnic at a park.

    You can have a wonderful dinner with your spouse without breaking your budget.  It is important to take time to talk, relax, and enjoy each other.  Take turns planning where you are going.  One month you plan the meal the next month your husband plans, it allows for some great surprises and extra romance!

    Jake and I try to have at least one date night a month because it is important to us to maintain and grow our marriage.  Communication around the typical family meal is more about the kids and the events of the day then on us as a couple.  Although we may be in a season when the finances are tight we can still have a terrific date night together.  The laughter, deep conversations, and a time of relaxation is worth finding ways to make it work logistically and financially.

  • Date Night on a Budget – Babysitting Fees

    Do you enjoy having the opportunity to share some quiet time with your spouse?  Would you do it more if it cost less?  By the time you pay the baby sitter, go out for a meal, and an activity your budget is blown.  We have found some ways that have helped us cut down on the expense of going out while allowing us to still have fun.  One of the first and sometimes the most expensive costs of going on a date is the babysitter.  We LOVE our babysitters but the hours and expense add up quickly over the course of one evening especially on a tight budget.

    Here are a few ways to save on the babysitting costs so you can relax when you go on your date:

    1.  Free Babysitting  Options

    • Grandparents may be able to watch your sweet little one(s) once a month.    Most grandparents enjoy the opportunity to spend time with the children and are thrilled that you are focusing on strengthening your marriage at the same time.
    • Aunt or Cousin or another family member who is nearby will often watch the kids once a month so you can have some time to relax with your spouse.  Have you asked?  You may be surprised at how excited they are to spend time with the kids.
    • Swap Babysitting with Friends – do you belong to a church, Moms group or have friends in the neighborhood?  See if they will watch your kids once a month so you and your spouse can have a Date Night then watch their kids once a month so they can have time together too.  You can enjoy it because you have a night with your spouse without paying for babysitting and your kids love it because they have time to play with their friends.  Works really well if you have kids that are similar ages and that play well together.

    2. Discount Babysitting Options

    • Responsible Teenager will often work for a more negotiable rate and many times they have a lot of energy which makes it fun adventure for the kids.
    • Mature Tween who is wanting to get into babysitting but isn’t quite old enough to do it on her own yet.  You are giving her the learning experience and can usually do it for a discounted rate or sometimes even free.  They will watch your kids at their own house under the supervision of their parents.
    • College Student – they will usually work for a reasonable rate or we have had some that have chosen to spend the night and eat a couple meals at our house in lieu of payment.  This works well for the late night dates with your spouse.  It is wonderful coming home to a house of peaceful sleeping kids!  Plus this gives you the opportunity to get to know the babysitter better as well.

    We have used a variety of babysitting tactics with our twins.  When the finances got tight we searched for other options because we felt like time together was important.  We have used all 6 of the options listed above.  Our favorites of course are the free options and since the grandparents don’t live near us we are limited on those dates.  We are thankful to have friends who swap babysitting with us because we can have fun relaxing together and the kids have a blast spending time playing with their friends.  We look forward to the times we get to watch their kids because we get to play, have fun and spoil the kids!

    Jake and I try to have at least one date night a month because it is important to us to maintain and grow our marriage.  Communication around the typical family meal is more about the kids and the events of the day then on us as a couple.  Although we may be in a season when the finances are tight we can still have a terrific date night together.  The laughter, deep conversations, and a time of relaxation is worth finding ways to make it work logistically and financially.

  • Ruby Tuesday: Buy 1 Entree, Get 1 Free Coupon

    Ruby Tuesday currently has a great coupon if you are looking to eat out!  

    • We received the same coupon in our November Better Homes & Garden magazine as a postcard tear out and used it last night on our Date Night.  Check your magazines too!

    If you have not eaten at a Ruby Tuesdays it is a great time to check out their  menu and find a location near you.  Enjoy a night out!!!

  • Movie – “Life As We Know It”

    My husband and I enjoyed a Date Night last night.  YAY!!!  We love getting the opportunity to spend some quiet time together.  Our kids are precious, however, we are thrilled to have the occasional opportunity to laugh, talk and relax together as a couple.  We had free movie tickets and decided to see what was available.  Since it was the Thursday before Halloween weekend the options were a little limited.  “Saw” and some of the other Halloween / horror movies did not appeal to us.

    We chose the comedy “Life As We Know It”.  Holly Berenson (Katherine Heigl) is single with a growing catering business and Eric Messer (Josh Duhamel) is single and working as sports director.  When their friends set up them up on a blind date they didn’t even get out of the driveway before going their separate ways.  Their best friends named them as godparents for their daughter Sophie.  When the parents were in an accident Holly and Messer were jointly responsible for taking care of Sophie.  Holly and Messer found ways to work around their differences because they both loved Sophie and wanted what was best for her. It was a funny to watch.  The new responsibilities of taking care of a baby had an effect on their lives which at times was pretty hilarious.  The romance was predictable but cute to see evolve.  Their neighbors were nosy and were a little overboard but if you are looking for a relaxing night out you may want to consider “Life As You Know It”

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eMK9GKZHtkw

  • A Date with My Princess

    Recently I had the privilege to go on a date night with my princess, Brina.  She wanted to do something a princess would do on our night out together.  It was “Dine Out For Mom” night where a portion of the proceeds goes to a great cause so we decided to eat out.  Brina chose to eat at the “ABC” restaurant (aka Atlanta Bread Company).  We split a Chicken Salad Sandwich meal and tea for about $7.  She decided to wait to eat the chips later in case we wanted a snack (smile).  I love seeing her think and plan ahead even at age 5.  We talked about our days and giggled together over our sandwich and sweet tea.

    After supper we had a few minutes in between events so we headed over to Aldi’s.  For those who have never shopped at Aldi’s it is a small discount grocery store.  We often get our staple groceries and fresh produce at Aldi’s.   If there is one in your area I recommend at least checking it out.  Brina picked out a beautiful bouquet of flowers for $3.99 to take with her on our date night.  She was excited to have the princess flowers and proudly carried them everywhere we went that night.  I am thrilled the flowers survived the evening despite being carried, squished, dropped, and well loved.

    After getting her flower treasure at Aldi’s we headed over to Virginia College to get her first pedicure.  Virginia College is a local college that has a Cosmetology School where you can get pedicures, manicures, massages, and your hair done for a great price.  Brina proudly carried in her flower bouquet and announced to anyone that listened that she was on a Date Night with her Mom!  Glad she gets excited about spending time with me, hopefully these precious memories continue as she gets older.  Brina received her first pedicure complete with a foot soak, foot massage, and candy while sitting in a massage chair.  She smiled like a princess the whole time.

    We made a quick trip by Goodwill on our way home to pick up a black shirt for her “cat” costume.  She picked out a little car toy for Karlie and a baby doll dress for one of her babies.  On the way home we were discussing our date night and she said “Mom, I LOVE my flowers! (pause) The flowers make me feel like the lady wearing the pretty white dress (bride) at a wedding.”  I smiled because she did feel like a beautiful princess that night.  Although the getting married part better not be in her near future since she is only 5!

    When we arrived home Daddy and Karlie were finishing up their Apollo 13 movie.  We discussed the exciting adventures and fun everyone had before bath time and bed.  It was a true joy having this fun and relaxing time with my precious princess.  I am thankful for the time we get together to create memories, talk, and laugh.  Life is too short so make sure you fit in time to have fun and enjoy the blessings you are given.  We had a blast spending time together without spending a lot of money.  Giving time and attention to my girls is more important than all the gifts in the world.

    My husband and I started taking our girls out on dates after one of them was in the hospital for surgery and we realized at that time they had never been a part for more than a few minutes.  Our girls are twins with very different personalities; we love them both and want to encourage them to grow up to be the people God wants them to be.  One is into babies, princesses, and animals while the other one is into rockets, planets, space, and sharks.   Having a date night set aside one night a month is something the girls look forward to and it gives us time to focus our attention on each child.  We are thankful for the children God has given us and look forward to seeing them grow.  A date night out with your child doesn’t have to be fancy or expensive the important thing is that you spend time one on one to listen and love them.  Creating one special memory after another together.