Texting

A few months ago, Jason and I combined our cell phone plans into a shared family plan in an effort to save money. We have saved some money, so we are pleased with that. However, the text messaging charges are adding up and costing us some money. I called our cell phone provider to inquire about adding the unlimited text messaging to our plan. I was expecting to only pay around $9 a month. I would be fine with that because we are paying more than that on our current bill anyways. However, I was quite shocked to hear that it would be an extra $19.95 a month! We don't text that much, so I said a quick thanks and hung up the phone.

We get charged $.20 a text, but we don't text $19.95 worth each month. So here is my question, should we just carefully limit our texting (which we have been doing for the past little bit), or do we just call and disable the text messaging feature from our phones? I know that it sounds petty, but that little bit keeps adding up and I'm tired of paying extra for something that I just really don't care that much about. I'm open to suggestions. What works for you and yours?

The Essentials

My Top Four Essential Items

Pillow
You can read about my attachment/obsession with my pillow here.

Chapstick

I have been using this original brand of Chapstick for the better part of 15 years. There was a time that I switched over to Burt's Bees Beeswax Lip Balm, but I returned to my first love. I have been putting Chapstick on my lips every night for at least the past 15 years. Now, you will find me applying and reapplying countless times throughout the day.

Lotion
I have been using this Neutrogena Hand Cream since my college days. In the winter, my hands become extremely dry and the ordinary lotion just doesn't cut it. This stuff is the best and it is always worth my $3.76 every winter.

Body Pillow
While pregnant with Joshua and Abby Kate, I was quite miserable to say the least. I could never get comfortable. The babies would always become so active when it was time for me to go to sleep. They would also "fight" over their territory in my belly. Joshua was on my left side right under my ribs and Abby Kate was on my right side. She pretty much dominated the space. She was also the one that got in the biggest kicks when I would lie down on my right side (and it didn't help that Joshua would end up right on top of her either). I was desperate, so Jason and I headed out to Babies R Us and bought the belly pillow pictured above. It was great and I still use the thing. In fact, I can't sleep without it!

Through the Camera Lens

My parents traveled to Yosemite National Park and Lake Tahoe last week. Here are some pictures from their trip.

Funfest and a Sneak Peek

This was our first year to attend our church's annual Funfest. We had a blast! The kids really enjoyed it and Jason and I had fun keeping up with all of them. I think that they really enjoyed trunk-or-treating. Abby Kate kept wanting to go and get more. We should have a ball going from house to house this Friday night.

Jackson refused to take an afternoon nap, so he missed out on a few things.

Abby Kate decorating her pumpkin.
We now have SIX pumpkins for Halloween. It is amazing how quickly things add up when you have three kids!

Joshua driving Abby Kate
Jason and I laughed SO hard! It was truly hilarious!
Only 12 more years!!!

Joshua making a toss!
If there is a ball, my son will throw it!

Abby Kate loved tossing the football!

Even Jackson got in on some of the candy!
Eating his first lollipop

Family Picture

The hardest part of having a digital SLR is working with the sun. I am still learning!

A princess and a Titan's Football Player

Our little monkey

Rocky Top

On Saturday, Joshua and I headed up to Knoxville to watch the Vols play. We rode up with our friends Allen and Katherine. This was Joshua's first Tennessee game and he loved every minute of it! I loved watching my son enjoy his first Tennessee Vols game! He loved seeing Fulmer and the players walk by, watching the band march down to the stadium, cheering, seeing the bald eagle land in the stadium, watching the band form the "T" and the players running through, eating the entire box of popcorn, the game, Rocky Top, and the V-O-L-S cheer. Here are a few pictures from our day together!

Playing football with Allen

Football toss

Watching the band march into Neyland

Joshua's first Tennessee Vols football game!

Tate Farms 2008