"Bob's Fest" Oct. 10-12th

I've not been posting lately due to recent travels that have kept me worn out! Here's the recap on one of our recent adventures:


My hubby attended college in Rio Grande, Ohio, a neighboring town to where he'd grown up. Rio Grande (pronounced "r-eye-oh grand") is also the home of Bob Evans Farm, and each year there's a great autumn celebration called the Bob Evans Farm Festival.

Each year both current and former University of Rio Grande students involved in the S.E.A.R.C.H. ministry sign up to cook and serve food.

This year was a little different than other visits we've made, in that more and more of the former students now have children, and some who visited this year brought a precious bunch of babies!



We appreciated being hosted by D.P. (leader of S.E.A.R.C.H.), who provided great accomodations. Thanks also go out to our pals Joe, Amber, & baby Rachel, who brought over a swing, cradle, playpen, and even a baby bathtub... their thoughtfulness allowed us to pack minimally in our small car rather than our minivan, saving us $$$ on gas for travels! We are so grateful for the open doors and open hearts!

***With so many babies coming around the ministry of late, Chris and our friend Gwen (another former student) showed their appreciation by purchasing & donating a new Pack 'N Play to S.E.A.R.C.H. for other kids to enjoy--great idea Gwen!

Last year Kyleigh & I visited relatives and friends during Bob's Fest, but poor Chris had to stay behind to work. It was freezing, and we had to bundle up!

This year, however, it was extremely warm, and Kyleigh got a little sun-kissed but stayed hydrated with cold water!

*Hangin' out at the Perry home

*Kyleigh made friends with kids & animals

*Chris & I got a break from the ordinary

*Spending time with dear friends
(John, Tim & Erin, Joe, Kristy & Gwen + babies Kathryn & Ruth)

*Especially blessed by our time with the Schenks

Of course our trips to Ohio involve time with relatives, that's one of the most important reasons we make the road trip!
We spent time with Bobby & Sonia (Chris's parents) + Chris's Aunt Karen
+ Brian/Jenny/Colton (Chris's cousin & his little family)
+ Crystal/Brad/Christian/Nathan (Chris's sis & her family)
+ Grandma Casto. We managed to see many people in one weekend!

The Straight Talk Express

Election Day is exactly 4 weeks from today!

Get registered, get educated, get to the polls!

On Sunday afternoon we were on our way to Walmart, and this bus passed me, then parked at Walmart as well!

We figured this was one of multiple campaign buses on their way to Nashville for the town-hall debate taking place today (Oct.7), maybe just making a quick pit-stop off the interstate. Why else would this bus be in Bowling Green?! There was no security detail, so we deduced there was no candidate around, but that would've been interesting!

Things Are "Working Out", Even if I'm Not!

(This blog is a follow up to my previous entry)

Josiah loves his jumperoo! (And Kyleigh likes teaching him about the animals!)

So far he's liking it for about 10 minutes at a time and that's great for me, too. Do you know what I can accomplish in 10 minutes with 2 free hands? I can empty the dryer, transfer clothes from the washer to the dryer, and start a new load in the washer, load or unload the dishwasher too, pour Kyleigh a drink... Yeah, having 2 hands free is amazing!

I'm not one of those mom's who finds it necessary to be attached to my child at all times. But Siah's tummy issues bring him a desire to be held often, which has meant more cuddles for me than I ever imagined! However, I still need my hands free from time to time. After personal research and advice from my beautiful sis-in-law who has 5 kids and is passionate about baby-carrying, I found a good deal on a Moby Wrap and decided to give it a try. This pic of me in my pj's & my "house hair" (hairdo appropriate for at home only!) is our first attempt with the wrap. It's easy to use, and JoJo fell right asleep! *We went out later, but no pics w/ my "going out hair"--sorry!

And no...there are NO pics of me using that fitness DVD! LOL I did open the package and put the disc into the DVD player, though. Then I proceeded to laugh so extremely hard at the host--that was my workout! Seriously, I'm certain I lost 2 lbs and nearly gained a 6-pack by laughing so much! People, I had tears streaming down my cheeks! Hmmm, maybe that's the intended workout...

Getting so much for so little

This weekend lots of great stuff arrived to us in the mail!

The first delivery was a DVD. And here's the shocker...it's about fitness! LOL I don't know that I'll actually use it, but I figured there was a greater likelihood of trying it if it were actually in my house! I'm no longer concerned with weight loss because the baby weight has dropped off, it's just a desire to get more active and tone up. Maybe my hubby will keep me accountable--we'll see.
~~~Retails for $19.99
~~~I paid only $ 7.50
~~~Savings of $12.49




The next arrival was our Fisher-Price Rainforest Jumperoo for Josiah! Yaay!
~~~Retails for $89.99+tax+shipping (online)
~~~I paid only $62.00 incl. tax and FREE shipping
~~~Savings of $30.00-35.00 approx


Speaking of hands-free, the next item to arrive was our Moby Wrap. I didn't buy a gently used one because I've never used this type and wanted to know for certain what shape it was in before putting my precious baby inside! If I use more in the future I'll likely buy an open-box deal.
~~~Most colors cost about $40.00+tax+shipping
~~~UV protect/rare colors $45-55.00+tax+shipping
~~~I got UV protect @ $40.00 NO tax & FREE shipping
~~~Savings of approximately $15-20.00


And on Tuesday we're getting a Bumbo for Josiah! Yaay! We had a lavender one for Kyleigh, but when she outgrew it we gifted it to another little girl. Besides, it would be nice to have a gender-neutral color this time! I can't remember if it's the Green or Lime Green color we're getting, but either way it'll be great...especially for the price!
~~~Retails for $37.95 + tax
~~~I paid only $20.00 total
~~~Savings of $20.00 approx.

Frugal as I am, it bothers me that we've spent that much money in the past week, but I'm pleased with the great bargains and know these are investments that will be used by JoJo and me for a long time (well, maybe not the fitness DVD!), and possibly future kiddos.

I love a great deal, and with Christmas on the way I'd luv for readers to share their bargain hunting secrets with me! So please leave me a comment here or email me w/ your successful shopping ideas! Thanks!