What I'm Reading...

Frugality Binge. (The Simple Dollar)

You Matter. (Simple Mom)

5 Cloth Diaper Problems That Haven't Sent Me Running Back To Disposables With Tears In My Eyes...And One That Might. (Kitchen Stewardship)

Can You Go Minimalist With Potty Training? (The Minimalist Mom)

A Letter To My Friend, About To Be A Mom. (The Happiest Home)

What A Week Of Groceries Looks Like Around The World.  (FStoppers)

May Clutter Busting Challenge

Money Saving Mom has a clutter-busting challenge for May to get rid of 7 things every day.  I am going to do a weekly update on my clutter-busting, to see if I can really find 7 things (or so) each day that we don't want or need.

May 1: 7 items

• Expired coupons (which I'll count as one "thing", recycled)
• A partial container of expired yogurt - oops! (rinsed out and recycled)
• 3 statements to the shred pile (recycled)
• An old menu plan and grocery list (recycled)
• A check finally put in the mailbox after 3 days of it sitting on the desk

I know these are not exactly the kinds of things that go with a clutter-busting challenge, but I did remove them from my house, so I figure that still counts.

May 3: 9 items

I went through the clothes that are currently in the boys' dresser to see what we have for summer for each, and what we still needed.  I also took out some of the extras that haven't really been worn, and added them to my sell/donate pile.  As a nice surprise, Matthew has enough of everything for summer because he's growing slightly faster than Jonah did, so Jonah's clothes from last summer will all fit perfectly.  And because of hand-me-downs from friends, Jonah only needs a few things.  Score!

May 6: 5 items

I grabbed a few small items out of the silverware drawer, as well as some fleece pajamas from the kids' room.

May 7: 3 items

2 free baby sample bags that I got from the doctor (I kept some of the samples, but don't need the bags), and a separate sample of ready-to-feed formula.

May 8: 8 items

I pulled some more books off of the bookshelf that we don't read very often.

Iron Craft Challenge 9: Notions

This challenge, to use materials from the notions section of the craft store, immediately led me to ribbons and buttons.  And with Mother's Day coming up, I decided to make some pretty cards for the special ladies in our lives.

I got some of my inspiration from here and here. I also included a list inside of some of the things I love about my mom, and my husband did the same for his mom.  I got that idea here, and I think it's such a sweet one.

A little ribbon and buttons from my craft stash, some glue, and voila! Mother's Day cards! 

Tropical Traditions Giveaway Winner

The winner of the Tropical Traditions Coconut Oil giveaway is comment #56, Kristen T.  Thanks to all who entered!  Remember, if you didn't win, you can still purchase your own coconut oil (or any of the other awesome Tropical Traditions products) here.

Disclosure: Some of the links in this post are my referral links.

What I'm Reading...

Three Small Things Can Add Up To A Changed Life. (Money Saving Mom)

How To Remove A Mole With Apple Cider Vinegar. I saved this because it also lists other apple cider vinegar remedies, including one for seasonal allergies, which are fast approaching for me. (Don't Waste The Crumbs)

What Gardening Is Teaching Me About Raising Kids, Patience, And Faith. (Simple Mom)

Capturing Your Kids: The Basics By Angie. (Simple Mom)

Your Hard Is Hard.  I love this.  Because I remember how hard one kid was, and I know how hard two kids is.  My favorite part though, was a comment from another reader: "I heard once that one child takes 100% of your time, 2 kids take 100% of your time, and three kids take 100% of your time and so on." (The Extraordinary Ordinary)

Weekly Coupon Shopping

Walmart

I did our regular grocery shopping at Walmart this week.  Here are the coupon deals I got:

• Gillette M3 Power Razor (not pictured): $9.97. Used $2/1 (RP 04/07/13) = paid $7.97.
• 4 Fruity Pebbles Cereals: $1.99 each (price matched Walgreens ad). Used four $1/1 printables = paid $0.99 each.
• Nutella: $3.64. Used $1/1 (RP 04/14/13) = paid $2.64.
• 2 Lindsay Olives: $1.37 each. Used two $1/1 printables = paid $0.37 each.
• Johnsonville Sausage: $2.48. Used free coupon from Cajun Celebration pack that I won = free.
• Red Gold Tomatoes: $1.38. Used free coupon from Cajun Celebration pack = free.
• Uncle Ben's Rice: $1.84. Used free coupon from Cajun Celebration pack (which took off $2.50) = free plus $0.66 overage.

May Goals

Food:

• Try not to fall off the bandwagon of healthy, mostly homemade eating with a new baby in tow

Personal:

• Have a baby!
• Attempt breastfeeding, and if it's not working out, at least pump a few times a day so Hannah still gets some of the benefits of breastmilk
• Not freak out over Call Day assignments on May 15! And then start planning our next steps (moving, housing, budgeting, etc.)

Crafts:

• Make something with felt. Even if it means Christmas ornaments in May.

And that's it! Baby month is not a time to be trying too many things...