OKC Mom of 3

Two things you probably already know before reading this post. One, is that I live in OKC. Two, is that the area has been hit by devastating tornados this week.

My husband was scheduled to leave town for work on Sunday, but due to the storms we spent the afternoon at home watching the weather, even spending a portion of the day in our storm shelter. Then tornados hit Edmond, Shawnee, and Luther. If I am missing others, please accept my apologies and add them to the comment section.

Then on Monday my husband left early, but I could tell he felt he should stay because more bad weather was expected. I assured him that we would be fine & I would keep him up to date through text/call. I let him know as soon as the tornado touched down in Newcastle & went through Moore. He headed back to OKC running into a hailstorm on his way. But luckily he made it back safely.

On Monday evening, as my teenage son & I sat in the comfort of our home watching on the news what had happened, we felt helpless. As soon as we heard that there was a local school taking water donations he left to drop off a truckload. It was the least that we could do originally.

We are originally from Texas & although we’ve seen the devastation that tornados can cause, it is different when it is so close to home. Not to mention when you have family/friends that are affected by the tornados.

I will never forget the moment my husband told me that they wanted him to consider a position here in OKC. My first comment was “there are tornados in OKC”. I really thought that was the end of the conversation. But now we consider this home. We love it here. Of course, the least favorite part of living here is the severe weather. But Oklahoman’s will rise above this.

Please continue to pray for those affected by the recent tornados. Some of the residents will be sifting through debris and salvage anything that is salvageable, while others will be burying loved ones, some of which are children. My heart breaks for all. I just can’t imagine.

Through the devastation it is wonderful to see the outpouring of love & support from people from all over. People donating time, money, items, whether they know anyone directly affected or not. The community has truly pulled together.

Whether you are local or not you can make a difference. Please consider donating to the American Red Cross.

American Red Cross

Visit redcross.org, dialing 1-800-REDCROSS or texting REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.

For additional information please see the posts that my friends have at Frugal Family Home and My Mommy World. They have some great information & resources for Oklahomans that have been affected.

Do you ever wish someone would plan your meals & help you with the grocery shopping? Well, now you can have both!!

e-Meals was created by a busy wife/mom that struggled, just like the rest of us, with our weekly menu’s. She has made it so easy to follow. It is as simple as selecting the size of family you’ll be cooking for, your family’s food style, and your grocery store of choice. Now they are making it even easier. They have a slow-cooker meal plan. It is a great time to use the slow-cooker so that we aren’t heating up the kitchen during the hot days of summer. This is a win-win deal!! Menu planning, grocery list, and saving money! Sign me up!!

eMeals

eMeals, the online leader in meal planning, offers weekly meal plans for breakfast, lunch, and dinner that offer families a way to save money on their grocery bill. They just launched their new slow cooker meal plans to make getting dinner on the table easier than ever!

eMeals.com, the leading online meal planner, has launched a new slow cooker meal plan to make your life even easier when it comes to getting meals on the table! Each slow cooker plan will include 7 crockpot dinners, with some timesaving “cook once, eat twice” favorites. They have both a Slow Cooker Classic plan full of tasty comfort food as well a groundbreaking Slow Cooker Clean Eating Plan that serves up quick, simple, and healthy meals.

Right now, you can use discount code LUNCHFREE for a free lunch meal plan with the purchase of a dinner plan.

**Disclosure: Occasionally, I will mention products and have links to other websites. Sometimes, I earn a small commission when products are purchased through links from my site. This helps to support OKC Mom of 3. Thank you for your support!**

I was beginning to wonder when we would see spring since it has still been so cool, but I do believe it is finally here. Spring just decided to show up a little later this year. So it is time to stock up on some cute spring items from PBS Kids. But hurry, these deals are only good through Monday, May 13th.

New Spring Sale Promotion and Top Items for Spring Fun!

PBS KIDS Shop -$10 off orders $65+, $15 off orders $85+, $20 off orders $99+!. No coupon code needed!
Discount applied at checkout.
Valid 05/07-05/13

Top Items for Spring Fun:

Caillou Dump Truck Beach Play Set, $12.99
PBS KIDS Caillou Shop – Shop Toys, Apparel & More!

Wild Kratts Personalized Lizard Friend Sports Bottle, $19.99
PBS KIDS Wild Kratts Shop – Shop Personalized Apparel & More!

Dinosaur Train Tiny’s Flying Fun Personalized Water Bottle, $19.99
PBS KIDS Dinosaur Train Shop – Shop Toys, Apparel & More!

Sid The Science Kid Explore Royal Blue T-Shirt, $19.99
PBS KIDS Dinosaur Train Shop – Shop Toys, Apparel & More!

I have two nephews that have summer birthdays. I am thinking I should go ahead & pick something out for them. It’s hard to pass up a deal on kids stuff!! What items will you be getting?

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**Disclosure: Occasionally, I will mention products and have links to other websites. Sometimes, I earn a small commission when products are purchased through links from my site. This helps to support OKC Mom of 3. Thank you for your support!**

Have you been kicking yourself for missing out on the CVS Photo Deals from a couple of weeks ago? Or maybe you just have that many more pics you need to get printed. Here’s another opportunity for you!!

But you’ll want to hurry, because these deals are only good through Saturday, May 11th!

Just In Time For Mothers Day! Buy One Photo Book or Calendar Get One of equal or lesser value for 50% Off at CVSphoto.com. Use code MDAYBC. Offer valid online only. Offer valid 5.5.13 – 5.11.13.
Use code MDAYBC. Offer valid online only. Offer valid 5.5.13 – 5.11.13.

Buy One Enlargement or Collage Print Get One of equal or lesser value for 50% Off at CVSphoto.com. Use code BIGPRINT Hurry, offer ends 5.11.13.
Use code BIGPRINT Hurry, offer ends 5.11.13.

Mother’s Day Special: Buy One 5×7 Folded Card Get One FREE at CVSphoto.com. Use code MDAYFREE. Offer valid online only. Offer valid 5.5.13 – 5.11.13.
Use code MDAYFREE. Offer valid online only. Offer valid 5.5.13 – 5.11.13.

Get 50 4×6 prints for just 12¢ each at CVSphoto.com. Use code PRINTNOW at checkout, minimum 50 prints required. Offer valid online only. Offer ends 5.11.13.
Use code PRINTNOW at checkout, minimum 50 prints required. Offer valid online only. Offer ends 5.11.13.

**Disclosure: Occasionally, I will mention products and have links to other websites. Sometimes, I earn a small commission when products are purchased through links from my site. This helps to support OKC Mom of 3. Thank you for your support!**

If you’re like me, then you’re always looking for a great deal. Even better when it’s on cosmetics!

Don’t forget to plan ahead for teachers, mom’s, graduates, babysitters, etc.

Customers can get a $25 gift inspired by each of the four winners when they spend $25 or more!

This sale is valid on Wednesday, 5/8 with coupon code ELIZABETH,
on Thursday, 5/9 with coupon code PIETRA,
and on Friday, 5/10 with coupon code SUSAN.

**Disclosure: Occasionally, I will mention products and have links to other websites. Sometimes, I earn a small commission when products are purchased through links from my site. This helps to support OKC Mom of 3. Thank you for your support!**

What’s for dinner?

Do you get that question every day too? Whether it is from the kids or the husband, and maybe it can cause a little frustration. I know it has for me, at times. Not because of the question but the decision of “Oh my, what am I going to fix”? Plus, if I already know what we are having it cuts down on the stress. Right?!

Then when you ask for suggestions you might get “oh, I don’t know or just whatever”. Oh come on, help me by making a decision or at least make a suggestion. Am I right?

Then one day a few months back, my teenage son gave me a great idea. He suggested that I make a menu board so that he wouldn’t have to ask every day “what’s for dinner”! We would know ahead of time what to expect.

So the wheels started turning! So I took his suggestion & ran with it. I decided that if I was going to make one, that I would want one that would go with our kitchen & look good sitting on the kitchen counter, but also one that could be written on with a dry erase marker.

So I decided to buy a picture frame & use scrapbook letters & stickers. Once the glass piece was on it I would still be able to use a dry-erase marker & change the menu each week. This is also something that the kids could help with, extra bonus.

What you will need to make your own “Menu Board”
Picture frame
Scrapbook letters
Scrapbook page
Scrapbook stickers (optional)

Decide on the size of board you want. I chose the 12 X 12, not too big to sit on the counter. And any smaller, in my opinion, it wouldn’t leave enough room to write on. I waited until they were half off at Hobby Lobby! Even better!

I already had some scrapbook letters so I just purchased a few more packages, again they were on sale. If possible, I always wait for the sale. 

I mean, why not! Call me crazy, but I don’t like paying full price for anything.

I also used a scrapbook page (green) that I already had for the background.

So the cost to make this menu board was minimal.

To put it together I used a ruler & lightly drew pencil lines so that I could line up the letters (Days of the Week)

Then neatly place the letters, as needed.

I already had the food stickers in my stash. I let my youngest help me place them since he was helping so patiently.

It looks great sitting on a recipe book holder. Plus I have received lots of compliments on it & others wanting to make themselves one.

Now we know what’s for dinner!! Do you? Do you use a menu board?

I hope to post my weekly menu w/ recipes in the near future!!

If you’re anything like me, then you’re already trying to figure out how you’ll entertain the kiddo’s this summer.

If it’s hot then there is always the pool, but you can’t spend the entire summer out there.

How about taking the kids to an age appropriate movies? It will be cool inside & you won’t even have to chase them around inside?

We try to go to the movies at least once a week during the summer. It is even better when getting a deal on movie tickets.

I know you’ll want to take advantage of this deal. Check out the website because there are other locations that are participating, it’s not just OKC.

Harkins Theatres Summer Movie Fun – 10 Movies – 10 Weeks – For Kids! If its summertime, then that means two things; blockbuster movies and the Harkins Summer Movie Fun program for kids (all adults must be accompanied by children). For more than 30 years, Harkins Theatres has brought back some of Hollywood’s best family films to keep kids entertained and cool during the summer. Kids can enjoy a movie a week for 10 weeks, for less than $1 per film. Make Harkins Summer Movie Fun for kids an annual tradition for your family. Tickets are on sale now. http://www.harkinstheatres.com/summerMovieFun.aspx

**Disclosure: Occasionally, I will mention products and have links to other websites. Sometimes, I earn a small commission when products are purchased through links from my site. This helps to support OKC Mom of 3. Thank you for your support!**

Do you still have some photo’s that you are needing to get printed? If you’re anything like me, we procrastinate printing!! I wait for deals!! Well, now is the time to get those prints & get a special discount at the same time!! But hurry, because this is a limited time offer.

Get 33% off select Gifts at CVSphoto.com. Use code GIFT33. Hurry, offer ends 4.27.13. Offer valid online only

Get 50 4×6 prints for just 12¢ each at CVSphoto.com. Use code 50PRINTS at checkout, minimum 50 prints required. Offer valid online only. Offer ends 4.27.13.

Receive 20% off any Photo Calendar from CVSphoto.com, use code CAL20 at checkout. Offer valid online only. Offer ends 4.27.13.

Get 25% Off any Canvas at CVSphoto.com. Use code CANVAS25. Hurry, offer ends 4.27.13. Offer valid online only

**Disclosure: Occasionally, I will mention products and have links to other websites. Sometimes, I earn a small commission when products are purchased through links from my site. This helps to support OKC Mom of 3. Thank you for your support!**

April 20, 2013 ~ Who knew?

An extra day to show appreciation for a job well done! Did he help you with the cleaning or laundry this week? Did he make your favorite meal and clean up after himself? I’m sure he took care of the lawn and flowerbeds, right?! Could it have been as simple as working hard to provide for you and then bringing home flowers just because? Whatever it is, I’m sure you can think of something that he does, that you appreciate.

How are you showing your husband appreciation?

Are you planning to buy him those new golf clubs that he’s been wanting? How about making him his favorite meal with a special card?

Personally, I didn’t realize that there was a day specifically set aside so that we could appreciate our wonderful husbands. I am all for appreciating my husband, but this just might cause his head to expand past the point of getting it in the door. LOL – just kidding!! And do they really need an extra day for golf, or fishing, or hunting? 

Oh, OK! Take the extra day. He does deserve it!

I really do appreciate my husband for many reasons. For starters, he is loving, caring, compassionate, and he is my best friend.

He works hard to provide for us. I have never known anyone to have a better work ethic. He has worked so hard through the years, working his way up. Sure, it isn’t always easy, but he did it for his family. And I appreciate that so much. It is even rubbing off on our kids!!

I love to watch him interact with our kids, spending quality time with them. My kids are very fortunate that he also teaches them some wonderful life lessons they don’t even realize are lessons right now. It could be tinkering with an old truck, building or repairing things, playing golf or hunting. Hey, he even teaches me a thing or two, from time to time, but I’d never admit that. Ssshhh – it’s our little secret!

I’d love to hear what you appreciate about your husband and how you celebrated, if you did!

It will be May before we know it, but that doesn’t mean that we can’t consider planning a skiing trip, especially since we are still having winter weather……How about a Colorado Vacation?

-Still looking for some spectacular last minute spring skiing? Look no further with over 225” of snowfall this season and more on its way we can help you with lodging in the Colorado Rocky Mountains! Save 50%* on your Spring Break stay of 2 nights or more through April 30, 2013 when you book with Colorado Rocky Mountain Resorts with Breckenridge, Frisco, Copper Mountain, and Keystone vacation rentals !
Colorado Vacations
Call them at 800-635-3434 to plan your Spring Break and mention Promo Code DCO!

-Planning your summer vacation? Colorado is the place to go with moderate temperatures, plenty of sunshine, and recreational activities for all! Receive 30%* off stays May 1st through November 14, 2013 with nightly prices starting as low as $76* per night and weekly as low as $535*
Colorado Vacations
Call Colorado Rocky Mountain Resorts now at 800-635-3434 today for more information and mention Promo Code DCO! (*excludes taxes)

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**Disclosure: Occasionally, I will mention products and have links to other websites. Sometimes, I earn a small commission when products are purchased through links from my site. This helps to support OKC Mom of 3. Thank you for your support!**