Great Deal on Kids' Clothes

The kids needed socks so we headed to the Mall of America yesterday. I had a coupon for 15% off my entire purchase at The Children's Place plus I heard they were having a fantastic sale. I walked out with a huge bag of clothes for $29.63! I do most of my shopping for the kids at either consignment shops or thrift stores, but this was even a better deal than consignment! There was a lot of little boy and girl clothes marked down to $2.50 or $2.99, so I stocked up for my little guy for next winter. (I have absolutely no idea what size my little girl will be next winter, so other than socks, she did not benefit much from this shopping trip.) In addition to 9 pairs of socks, I got two winter hats ($.83 each!!), two pairs of pants, and four shirts - all for under $30.00. Here's a picture of all my loot that I took in post-shopping-happiness:



If you have a guestimate of your little one's size for next winter, I suggest you swing by. What an awesome sale!

Today was the day that started it all.

I spend a good portion of my "alone" time on the internet browsing various blogs from moms and wives looking for ideas on child-rearing, cooking, organizing, and basic Stay-At-Home-Mom survival tips. I love these blogs. I have quite a few of them saved under my "favorites" tab. But today was the day when I realized I would start my own blog.

Now I already have a blog for and about my two beautiful kiddos. But I don't post much, if anything, about me on there. I just never thought I did anything that important or interesting worth posting. However, today was the day that I needed to vent. Today was the day when I didn't have a source to vent to. So, I started this blog.

Today was the day when I had to leave a public place because one of my children was throwing a full-blown, red-in-the-face, screaming, tears-and-snot-flowing tantrum. After numerous incidents of misbehavior and warnings that if she kept it up we would have to leave, I finally had to follow through on my threat and leave. The tantrum continued. All the way to the parking lot. Getting into the car. All the way home. (By this time, I was crying, too). All the way into the house. And for another 35 minutes after we were in the house.

I love my children with all of my heart, but today was one of those (very few) days when I asked myself, why am I a full-time stay at home mom? Would she behave better if I wasn't around? Am I doing the best job I can for my kids and husband? It's those moments of self doubt when I need to vent - hence, this blog.

I will share my quest to be a "good enough" mom and wife. A "good enough" housekeeper. A "good enough" cook. You get the picture.

So please join me on my journey of recognizing that I do indeed have the best job of all: a wife and mommy.