Sunday, June 27, 2010

Sam's or Costco?

Over our ten years of marriage, Jason and I have always had a yearly membership to Sam's Club. That is until this past year. We chose not to renew our membership. Why?
My biggest reasons were...
1. They don't let you use coupons.
 2. I began to wonder if the $40 a year to use their store to shop in bulk was really worth the money.
3. We only buy Tide, Downy, Bounce dryer sheets, Cascade, paper towels, and toilet paper. I would occasionally pick up a few other items, but I pretty much only bought the basics because I could score better deals with the sales from other stores while using my coupons. 

So, this past March, we chose not to renew our club membership. And, we've survived. However, I am finding that I am needing to make several trips to the regular stores to stock up on the items that we use the most often. I've gone through more boxes of Tide these past few months than I have in a long time. I'm loving that I am able to use my coupons and when a sale comes along, I can score big. I joked with Jason the other day, and told him that my Tide runs reminded me of my old diaper runs. Every time I turned around, I was always stocking up on diapers at the store, and for the past few months, I found myself running to the store for more Tide all the time.

I love that I can buy my detergent in bulk at Sam's, but I don't really like the fact that I can't use my coupons. I also really wrestle with the fact that I am paying $40 to buy my regularly used products in bulk. With as many trips as I've made to the store though, I've probably come close to spending that $40 in gas and it definitely wastes my time.

I love that I we can buy gas at Sam's and that it is pretty cheap. I usually also buy our Christmas cards there because they have the cheapest prices and we can score a good deal.  Also, Sam's Club is close to our house and Jason can easily stop there on his way home from the office.



We also have a Costco in town, but we've never had a membership. I've only been in Costco on a couple of occasions, but I've never shopped there. When talking with friends, I find that many of them LOVE shopping at Costco as opposed to Sam's Club. I don't know how much a membership to Costco runs and I don't know if they allow you to use coupons. I haven't spent the time comparing the prices between the two stores on the few items that I like to buy in bulk. Costco is farther down the road than Sam's Club and I don't usually head down that far. It would still be pretty easy for Jason to run by there on his way home though. They have pretty cheap gas too, but like I said, I'm not usually down that far. I've also heard that Costco is on the higher end of things a little more so than Sam's Club.

So that's my debate. This is what I've had bouncing around in my head for the past few months. I LOVE saving money and I've been trying to figure out if I'm missing out on a great deal by refusing to renew a membership to buy in bulk. I've also wondered if I should give Costco a try and see if I like it a little more.

What do you think? Are you "partial" to either Sam's or Costco? If so, why?

Friday, June 25, 2010

The Many Expressions of Jackson

For the past couple of days, I've been working on my photo albums. I quickly realized that I hadn't ordered pictures from Thanksgiving. I've been busy uploading all of my pictures from the last 8 months to Walgreens and am now anxiously awaiting a sale. I found some picture of Jackson that made me laugh. I love his many expressions. These are from Christmas time, but I wanted to share them.

I think that I would love that hat!



His smile melts my heart!



Look Momma, I got the hat and this is my serious face!



Another sweet picture for Momma.



I love this expression!



I love how his expressions change from one picture to the next.

Sunday, June 20, 2010

Our Daddy

Jason holding Joshua and Abby Kate for the first time together.



My Daddy
My daddy is 33 years old.
My daddy looks so handsome when he goes to church.
My daddy likes to make cookies.
My daddy always says, "I love my daughter".
My daddy is funny when he makes silly faces.

"Happy Father's Day, I love you, and you look handsome". ~ Abby Kate



My Daddy
My daddy is 33 years old.
My daddy looks so handsome when he wears a baseball jersey like me.
My daddy likes to make hotdogs.
My daddy always says, "I love you".
My daddy is funny when he tickles Jackson's tummy and wrestles with Abby Kate, Jackson, and me.

 "I wish you a Happy Father's Day and I love you so very much!" ~ Joshua



Jason and Jackson



My Daddy
My daddy is 3 years old.
My daddy looks so handsome after a shower.
My daddy likes to make food.
My daddy always says, "You're a floppy head".
My daddy is funny when he laughs at me in bed.

"Happy Father's Day Daddy, I love you very much". ~ Jackson


Our Daddy is funny.

We love our Daddy.

We care for him.

Our Daddy says nice things to us.

Our Daddy plays with us.

Our Daddy teaches us about the Bible.

Our Daddy is strong.

He is brave.

He is healthy.

We love our Daddy very much!

Happy Father's Day to the world's best dad!

Thursday, June 17, 2010

Jackson at Three Years

I can hardly believe that my little Jackson Cash is now a three year old little boy. It seems like only yesterday that we were driving to the hospital to anxiously await the arrival of our little baby. Jackson has been such a blessing to our family. He melts my heart daily with his sweet personality. I am amazed at how quickly he has changed over these three years.

26 pounds, 38 inches

Favorite Color: Green
Favorite Food: Animal Crackers
Least Favorite Food: Potatoes
Favorite Treat: Smarties
Favorite Toy: Helicopter
Favorite Show: Elmo's World
Favorite Restaurant: McDonald's
What he wants to do when he grows up: Drive



Jackson wanted a "Froggy" Cake.



Blowing out his birthday candles.



The sweet birthday boy



Jackson couldn't wait to lick the eyes.



Opening presents with Daddy



Jackson was so excited about his horse.



Such a happy little boy!

Jackson is full of energy. He greets each day bright and early with a smile.

We love watching Jackson play. He really enjoys his independent play. We are amazed at his imagination.

This year Jackson transitioned out of his crib to his toddler bed, he gave up his pacies, and he potty trained. He was night trained within a couple of weeks. 

Jackson loves playing with his cars and airplanes. He also loves stuffed animals. He is still fascinated with horses, farm animals, and tractors.

He still sleeps with a couple of blankies, a burp cloth and a special toy that he picks out each night. 

Jackson loves to be rocked before bed and LOVES having his back rubbed. He is such a cuddle bug.

Jackson really loves his sister and brother. They each play with him so differently and they think that he is just the funniest.

Jackson still finds way to get into mischief. He never gives up on something and will work at it until he gets what he desires. Right now he loves playing in the water at the sink and flushing the toilets over and over again. 

He LOVES wearing his pajamas! As soon as we get home, he immediately changes into his pajamas. If we let him, he would wear pajamas all day long.

He is not the best eater when it comes to meals. Jackson would snack all day if we let him, but he refuses to eat a meal. He is a picky eater, but he also really loves healthy food. His favorites are yogurt, apples, white milk, blueberries, strawberries, watermelon, oranges, bananas, salad, and bread. He LOVES sweets and treats!


Jackson Cash, we love you so much! You bring so much happiness! We feel so much "peace" because God "has been gracious" in blessing us with your life. May you continue "to be strong, to show yourself a man, and observe what the Lord your God requires." I Kings 2:2-3

Friday, June 04, 2010

Gulf Shores 2010

This past weekend, we were able to head down to Gulf Shores. We had such a great time soaking up the sun and swimming in the pool. Abby Kate enjoyed collecting sea shells with Ms. Karen, while Joshua found any and every ball lying around to play with. Jackson took in the waves of the ocean and giggled the entire time. We ate at our favorite seafood place in Gulf Shores, DeSota's, and it was delicious as always. Abby Kate, Joshua, and Jackson all had a great time swimming in the pool. Abby Kate is on the verge of swimming without her life vest. She did great, but got a little scared. I think that she might be swimming without her vest by the end of the summer. We were very excited to get out of town and enjoy the beach over the long weekend.


















Thursday, June 03, 2010

Jack Goes To The Dentist

Jackson was able to visit the dentist for the first time on Tuesday. He was so excited about his "happy visit". He surprised us all by letting Ms. Lisa clean all 20 of his teeth. He was such a good patient and his first trip to the dentist was a breeze. It seems like just yesterday, that Joshua and Abby Kate were getting their teeth cleaned for the first time.




Wednesday, June 02, 2010

Our Trip to the Aquarium

For my birthday this year, we headed up to Chattanooga with our friends Jon and Stacy. Friday night we got a hotel and had dinner together at Cracker Barrel. The kids were so excited to get back to the rooms and play together. We reserved connecting rooms and it was so nice to have the extra room for 5 little kids to play together.

On my birthday, Jason let me sleep in which was such a treat. I woke up to lots of "Happy Birthdays" and some great gifts. We had such a great time together at the aquarium! We took a break and headed out to one of our favorites, Chili's. After our time at the aquarium, we decided that it was time to leave and head back home. As we were walking to our cars, we heard the loudspeaker at the Chattanooga Lookouts ball field. Being the baseball lovers that we are, we couldn't pass up a great ballgame. We were able to get in for only $10 for our family. We spent that in the drinks to help quench our thirst, but oh well we definitely enjoyed a night at the ball park. We wrapped up our night at Krystals before heading home.

I had such a wonderful birthday spent with some great friends!


Chattanooga Aquarium 2010


Jackson checking out the sturgeons.


Abby Kate and Jason


This is Jackson NOT looking at the camera! He makes me laugh all the time.


Checking out the sting rays.


Yikes! Look what's in the cage!


I love the expressions on Jackson's and Joshua's faces!


Such sweet brothers!


Joshua and Lawson