Joy.

Christmas really is in July, historically. But I'll let it slide this year.

May your families, lives, finances, and hardships be blessed and restored. This time of year is so hard for many people, and I personally am thankful for supportive family, increased business, developing and growing kids, and running water.

I always go through mixed emotions, because as blessed as I feel, I hurt inside for people in pain. Even people in our community who don't experience the happiness I feel during the holidays, or for that matter, any day.

I am thankful I have joy inside me that radiates, that fills my soul, and that always sustains.

This Christmas we remember a Gift we received over 2,000 years ago, but for many of us, that Gift is so real and true we can't help but to believe and follow. Some people doubt, but when you experience the true freedom Jesus brings, you never go back.

May your Christmas be filled with the love that truly completes us.

Love to you all,
kel

Eh, whatev.

They shouldn't really call them posts. Because in a house, if you delete or edit a post, it can tear the whole house down.

So in an attempt to redefine the entire blog system, you may now call Kelly's blog posts "Post-its." A.k.a. unimportant and sometimes random information posted on a wall. Easy to crumple up and throw at people. Although I don't intend to throw my computer at you. Eh, may happen.

I have also been thinking of renaming my blog, in hopes that somehow it would give my already existing blog a facelift.

Words I may choose to incorporate: coffee, clinic, caffeine, crochet... why do all those words start with C?!

I always wanted to name something "What am I doing here?!", so that may also be part of the new name.

In any case, here I am, drawing grizzlies on the bottoms of my shoes. If any of you get that ridiculously stupid joke, props to you!

k

About Me.

A glimpse into what happens when Kelly realizes she hasn't completed an adequate description of herself on Facebook at 11:33 at night:

I have a sarcastic candy shell, but a sappy romantic chocolatey center. I like long walks on H Street but only when I don't have the kids and I'm actually in my car to go grocery shopping by myself. Aaron is the love of my life. Well, except we've only known each other for 7 years. But it feels like so much longer. I have five kids. Two are people, and one is a cafe, another a crochet hook, and the other a coffee mug. My favorite foods are pizza, ice cream, cheese, and chocolate. I am pretty sure I have an intolerance to most of those foods but I might as well die happy. Sometimes I feel like everyone's looking at me. My husband reassures me its because I look funny. This didn't take long to write. Imagine if I took more time to write a thoughtful, focused autobiography. It would take at least a few minutes longer.

Couponing!

As Aaron always says, "Its practically like you're SAVING money to buy that."

But really, since I started couponing like a mad-woman (which actually makes me happy), we have been saving the big bucks, and are working toward a wonderful financial future of savings and smart spending!

Here's what I managed today:

Rite Aid:

2 Glade Candles
3-pk Scotch Tape
2 Boxes of Candy Canes
2 A&H Laundry Detergent Bottles
2 Boxes Frosted Mini-Wheats

...minus $2 in rewards
...minus another $3 with Video Values coupon
...AND $2 in coupons

= 13.92 (PLUS, I earned $5 off my next purchase)

SO...

I took that $5 and bought our very own 6 ft. Artificial (but real for us) Christmas Tree.

= 16.69 (plus I earned $3 off my next purchase)

THEN...

Bought the Glycerin Aaron needed for a baking project, which SHOULD have cost around $5.

= $1.87

All things I was planning to buy anyway. My new slogan "I'm saving our future money."

Thank you Amber at www.couponconnectionsnw.com for all your tips!