Fabulous Christmas!

Wow, we've been busy around this house! 2 weeks off with the kids at home, never a dull moment.

Let me share some of our activities. The kids together at my parents house on Christmas evening. It was pick your own pose.

Our annual tradition of mass on Christmas Eve.

We visited Six Flags and had a great time!

We put together a huge puzzle in 4 days! The kids did a great job and had a ton of fun.

Honesty and Reality

I am going to be brutally honest here today. Sorry it's not a frugal post. I feel moved to share today. Don't worry nothing controversial.

I am terrified of another pregnancy loss. Absolutely completely terrified. This week the reality of pregnancy hit me. It began as excitement of another friend being pregnant than a sad change to a miscarriage for my sweet friend. It took me back to the loss we had. Since I'm being honest I've had more than one miscarriage but I can't wrap my head around it so I think of it as one.

I also have several friends who for medical reasons cannot have any more children. The saddest part is they want more but they are medically unable. It makes me think, Lord why can I have 4 children but my friend only has one and desperately wants one more. Guilt is also a feeling I have. I don't understand why someone can have 10 kids and another can have none. I've met wonderful amazing women who can't have any children, why is this?

Maybe it's my crazy hormones taking over but I feel very afraid. Also afraid of how I can manage having 4 children and maintain my sanity.

I am praying for God's will and when I think these scared and terrified feelings I think "Jesus I trust in you".

Just keeping it real and honest. I know if I feel this their has to be other women thinking the same thing. I also pray for those women today.

Keepin It Real - Frugal Jen

I've been reading some blogs for a while and I've found out that not everyone is as truthful as they seem. I want to take a day to tell you a little about me. I am just Jen... no fakeness just real.

As a mom of 3 I try my best to save money and live a frugal lifestyle. Why???


I am a stay at home mom so we live off one income. I do have a Marketing degree but I gave up the rat race to be at home with my kids. My husband has a great job and works in the financial services industry. So yes, we save a lot and believe in the cash system. If you can't pay for it now then don't buy it.


Yes, I admit I do get jealous of friends who make the same amount of money but live it up. Credit card debt.. none of that here. But sometimes.... I wish I could sneak in the safe and get the card and go crazy!


We have a modest home in a nice suburb town. Sometimes... well a lot I wish I had a huge brand new home like many of my friends. Yes, I am admitting my faults.


Keepin it real....


We take vacations every summer. Yes, we went to Europe this summer but it is part of my husbands compensation package. But... we pay taxes... a lot of taxes for the trip. Kinda of like we get a 40% off coupon.


I purchase lots of home goods and accessories at Kirkland's, Hobby Lobby and during the spring and summer... garage sales! You already know I love to spray paint things!


I pay an outrageous amount (in frugal terms) for my family gym membership but it has replaced mothers day out for my children.


Sometimes when I am at the garage sales I end up at someones house from the expensive gym.. I pull my hat down and put on my sunglasses. Darn it... everyone recognizes my little girl in the squeaky shoes.


We all try to dress nice. No, being frugal doesn't mean we look like we shop at good will. I find accessories like chunky necklaces spice up a $8 Target top. My favorite splurge shop is white house / black market.


I recently splurged on new eyeglasses. I spent $350 for coach frames. Yes I thought I might get my frugal card taken. However it was HSA eligible! Check them out in the photo... simply fabulous but not frugal fabulous.


I haven't always been frugal. In college my parents paid for my credit card bill and let's just say I thought I was a big baller (umm I just had to look up how to spell baller)!


I did own a Lexus SUV but I bought it 1 year old. I now roll in a mommy van with toddler hand prints on the windows.


Just keepin it real here....

Now you keep it real and tell me a little about you!