Duffy Family News: Having a Toad-ally Awesome Time

A few shots of James in his new frog pool at Nana and Granddaddy's house. This was his first time in the water other than the bathtub. Can't wait to take him to a big pool....

Summer Vacation Fund

We have saved $1700 so far! Goal is $1700.

$0 to go!

This summer we are taking two different trips and we will be paying all expenses in cash and keeping to a reasonable budget. In the spirit of my favorite blog (Couponing to Disney) we will keep track of our cash saved for these trips here. We will be saving this money through spending less using coupons, selling items we don't need anymore, using rebates, earning rewards, chipping in "found" money and cutting back from other areas of our household spending like money used to eat out. This will be our trial run for saving cash for our trip to Disney World in 2012!

Trip 1 - Moody Gardens, etc. in Galveston, Tx

(4 days, June 2011)

Trip 2 - Birmingham and Gulf Shores, Al

(8 days, August 2011)

* Rewards = through our bank checking account and Swagbucks

** "Found" money is extra money we weren't counting on

We were planning on a third trip to Sea World in July but have decided to save that for another year to further cut back on expenses and continue to grow our savings.

We were actually able to swing the Sea World trip after all without spending a lot of money thanks to our friends the Merrills and a free fun pass I got before school let out. It was lots of fun! I see us going back there a couple of times a year. :-)

We are managing to do B'Ham and Gulf Shores for less money toward lodging due to wonderful friends who offered to put us up for the nights we are in B'Ham. Thanks Guthrie Family!

Check out our deposits below.

Vacation Fund Deposits

$100 - Some totally random overpayment refund checks from Insurance company, doctor's office and cash we didn't end up spending (we had LOTS of overpayment refund checks this year!)

$40.00 - Overpayment Refund Checks from Pedi's Office - May

$96.00 - Garage Sale - April

$40.00 - Selling Boys' Clothes to a Friend - April

$33.96 - Loose Change Round Up - April

$477 - Escrow Overage Payment from Mortgage Lender - March

$340.26 - Consignment Sale Check from JBF - March

$76.50 - Selling old books to Half Price Books - March

$150 - Selling an item (DVD Player) - March

$350 - Savings Account (from cutting back on discretionary household spending) - Feb.

About Me

I am a momma of two beautiful boys who are both miracle babies that the doctors said I would never have. But here they are, living and breathing and smiling and making my life amazing each day. I grew them both, because of the Lord's mercy, right in my belly and gave life to each one despite what we had been told for years by specialists. I am the wife of one hard-working and devoted man who still brings me flowers and slow dances with me in the kitchen. Truth is folks, I lucked out. I am blessed beyond measure.

I am overwhelmed with it all sometimes. I feel so full of love and pure wonder sometimes I could burst. I am daughter to two wonderful parents. I am friend to many funny, giving, compassionate and interesting people. I am a 20-something that sometimes forgets my age. I am a church member. I am a teacher of children. I am a cook who still enjoys it. I am a photographer who is still learning about f-stop. I am a perfectionist. I love the comfort of obsessing over small decisions, I admit. I like to read. I love a good game of Trivial Pursuit. I am addicted to Starbucks and keep a running total of how much more could be in my savings account if I could only kick the habit. I try hard for perfect and am too hard on myself, but every day I am learning how to give up on perfect just a little and just enjoy every moment in the moment. You know, that heart-stopping minute when you realize, this is it! This is your life and it is running past you so fast that you have to take a deep breath and reach out and grab it and stop it and memorize this, this right here, so you never forget?

My life goal is twofold. It is make the best life for my children and to someday hand over to the world good people: people who give, people who laugh, people who work hard, people who love harder, people who forgive, people who know Christ. These people are my children and they will be my greatest legacy. Thank you for stopping by to follow our journey. It is an awesome ride!

With Love and Joy,

Lauren

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Friday, June 20, 2008

Having a Toad-ally Awesome Time

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