Better Than Free Diapers!!

So I stumbled upon the most amazing thing ever while perusing Facebook today.  A link for free Huggies diapers!
If you've never signed up for a TopCashBack account, or have an account through them but have never made a purchase before, this offer is for you!
Head over to their Huggies deal and read all the juicy details.
Click the red button that says Get Cashback.
You'll now be redirected to the Walmart site.  It will direct you to the Huggies Snug & Dry Ultra Diapers listed for $7.97.  Add whatever size you need to your cart (note:  this must be the only thing in your cart, sadly you can only get one!).
You can choose to pay to have it shipped to you, or do as I did and click Free Store Pick-Up (since diapers are normally in stock, you can pick it up the same day).
Pay the $7.97 (here's where having that Walmart savings catcher app comes in handy...I had $5.82 cash back from the app that I was able to apply, so my out of pocket cost is $2.15!)
Within 7 days, you'll receive the $9 cash back from TopCashBack.  This will be sent to your account (either Amazon gift card, bank account, or paypal account) after 14 days.
If you choose to be paid out with an Amazon gift card, they add 2.5% bonus on top, so you'd end up getting paid $9.22 instead of $9!

This offer is only available until 23:59 PT on Monday July 13, 2015 or until stock runs out so hurry!!
It also only applies while diapers are priced at $7.97; if the price changes, the deal is over.
TopCashBack does not limit their offers to one account per household, so every member of your house could sign up technically and reap the benefits!  Just make sure they use your Refer-a-Friend link, you get $10 for everyone who signs up and makes a purchase using your link!

Jack Daniels Cupcakes

2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup cocoa powder
2 cups brown sugar
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
2 eggs
1/2 cup strong coffee
1/2 cup Jack Daniels whiskey
1 cup buttermilk
1/2 cup vegetable oil

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

In a large bowl, stir the flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking soda, baking powder and salt together.

In a separate large bowl, combine the eggs, coffee, whiskey, buttermilk and oil.

Pour the egg mixture into the flour mixture and whisk until smooth.

Spoon the mixture into prepared cupcake wrappers.

Bake for about 18-20 minutes until the tops spring back when lightly pressed.

Cool completely before frosting.

Notes:  I didn't realize beforehand that I didn't have 2 cups worth of brown sugar, so I substituted white sugar...they still turned out good, but next time I'll test with brown sugar to see if there's a difference.

I used cream cheese frosting...the strong flavor of the frosting takes away a bit from the cupcake, I recommend trying vanilla, or I did find a JD Icing recipe you can test out!

Frosting:

1/2 cup butter, room temperature

3 cups powdered sugar

Jack Daniels

3 tbsp strong coffee

Beat together butter, powdered sugar and strong coffee.

Then add Jack Daniels until it gets to the consistency of icing.

Made these as a test-run for the ones I plan on making for our wedding.  Ignore the icing in the photos, my children like cream cheese frosting and decided since they weren't allowed to eat the cupcakes, they'd at least test out the icing.  *sigh*

I Need Something

I really need to find something to do with all my spare time right now, that doesn't include spending money...or cleaning.
I should actually clean.  My kitchen floor is filthy.  But every time I get the urge to do it, I don't have the energy.  I don't have the energy to do much at all right now, actually.
Except for lay around a swimming pool.  That would be fantastic.  Anyone got a pool I can use?  Anyone?  *crickets*  Damn...I could take the girls to Hershey and just laze around their pool.  But that requires driving up there...and that involves gas.  Gas = money...and usually food, too because once I get to an amusement park with all the fried food odors cleansing my nose...I will need to eat.
This kid...has no set stone on cravings.  The other night Jeff and I were laying in bed, almost 1 AM, he had to work the next day...and I say, "I could really go for some baked macaroni and cheese...and buffalo chicken."  He agreed that buffalo chicken sounded good, and left to go to Sheetz (the only place that sells both pre-made at that hour).  And then we spent the next two hours chowing down and finishing season 4 of Game of Thrones.
Although in his defense, I let him call off work the next day.  3 hours of sleep wouldn't have worked well.
4th of July was a little rough this year...it rained most of the day, which matched my mood.  Would have been my mom's birthday...the first one without her here.  Baked Jack Daniels Cupcakes and went over to my dad's to share, but he wasn't home.  Never did tell me where he went.  So we went to my grandma and brother's house and shared cupcakes with them.  My brother made yummy chocolate peanut butter brownies so we got our sugar on, and just relaxed and talked for awhile.  Him and I have gotten a lot closer lately, and I'm glad.  He was my best friend growing up, then I became a bratty teenager and we grew apart.
The cupcakes were a test run for what I'm planning on making for the wedding.  They turned out good, but you can definitely tell they have JD in them, so I'll be buying a small cake for the kids and me.  I used cream cheese icing this time around, but I think I'll test with vanilla next time.  The cupcakes have a strong taste, which is amazing, but it doesn't blend as well with an icing that also has a strong flavor.
Jeff gets his loan check within the next couple weeks, and once we get that wedding payments/planning will be in full swing.  I have everything mostly planned, just haven't had the finances to pay for it.  We're going to the hotel on my birthday for dinner with my maid of honor, so her and I can get a layout plan, find out about seating for the reception, and pay for the catering for the reception.
I plan on getting this cake for those of us that can't eat the alcohol filled concoctions I'll be baking:

Only I'll probably do red/black for the outer frosting to go with the reception theme colors, and then just do the inside frosting either pink or blue.
I'm 7 weeks now, I'll be 20 weeks the first week of October so by then I'll find out what I'm having.  May be the hardest secret for me to keep until the end of October when we get married, but I really wanna announce it to everyone at the reception.  That way no one can say, "Well he or she knew before I did, what the hell?!"  Not that I've experienced that at any point in my last three pregnancies (note the sarcasm?).  

One thing I HATE this pregnancy...is preggo brain!  Seriously, I have never felt so forgetful in my life!!  I asked Jeff to stop at the store (well, my phone auto-corrected to sell our door...) for two things, milk.  He was like, and what else?  Ummmm, my brain forgets, I think just milk.  Luckily, I remembered the second thing, soda...just as he was leaving the store.  Ugh, so frustrating.
We were running around yesterday, trying to find a barber shop that was open (since when are barber shops NOT open on a Monday?!).  We stopped at the mall and of course I meandered into Children's Place.  Found this adorable little sleeper for $4.80 and had to get it.

Boy or girl, this baby will wear race car jammies!  Was a little nervous because they're newborn size (up to 7 lbs) and let's face it, my kids came out weighing more than that.  But maybe it'll get a week's use when it's first born.  Guess that means I'll have to do laundry more than once a week now, damn.
I'd say I have high hopes for a smaller baby, but check this:

This would be my adorable little 6-week bump.  Yeah, I'm competing with a friend who is due in a month, and only growing bigger by the day, so I don't think this baby is going to be small.  He/she likes to eat.

And what can make a pregnant girl happier than free food?  Seriously.  If you haven't signed up for BzzAgent yet, I highly recommend it!  This site has campaigns where top brand names send you free stuff and you get to test it out (and keep it) and review!  The more active you are in the campaign, the better your chances of getting referred to others.  The first one I got to complete last year right before Christmas was for Hasbro!  I got three popular games for the kids to play, including Monopoly Jr.
Well, they emailed me a couple weeks ago saying I'd been chosen for a campaign by Bon Appétit™. 

I get one free pizza, plus coupons for $1 off to give out to friends and family (and unsuspecting people at the grocery store) who may be interested in trying them.  They have a bacon trio pizza, and I think it has my name on it.  I seriously can't wait to go grocery shopping this weekend to pick up my free pizza and try it!  The reviews I've read so far are all positive.

I'll write an official blog review when I pick mine up and try it.
And I'll include a special post of my Jack Daniels cupcake recipe for those interested in trying it!

I Have an Announcement!

So, it's now official.  He called his parents and one of his sisters on Father's Day and let them know he's going to be a dad.  They're all very excited for him, and hoping for a boy as well.  His other sister I messaged on facebook (I actually get along with her better than he does) and she hopes for a girl, so that we don't have a mini-Jeff lol.
I really want a boy.  To the point of already referring to the creature in my stomach as 'he.'  I'd be happy with a girl, but I really don't want to have to referee between 3 girls!  Plus, I really like the name that we've come up with for a boy.
Still haven't gotten the release to go back to work.  It's been almost two weeks I've been out on leave.  Wednesday last week the doctor faxed in my return paperwork, and I'm still waiting to hear from HR about when I can return since I'll be on restrictions.  I better get paid for this time!!
Anyway, without further ado...the official announcement pictures.

At least I've been able to sleep.  I've been sleeping a lot lately.  Eating it up while I can I guess.

Strained Shoulder and Such

I managed to strain my shoulder at work.  Possibly the most painful thing I've gone through, and the healing process is just as bad.  I can't move my arm.  Which means I haven't showered properly in at least a week.
The doctor put me on Vicodin and prescription Ibuprofen for the pain.  Taking it, I feel high as a kite.  Dizzy, sleepy.  Literally slept 12 hours straight...during the day time.  Needless to say I had to put in for leave from work, not because of the injury itself but because of the meds...can't drive myself to work if I feel like sleeping all the time.
Wonderfully, I discovered that if I don't take my meds, the pain is bearable, and I don't feel like sleeping all the time.  So when I go to the doctor this week, I'm going to see if they can sign the slip for me to go back on restriction.  I'd rather be there doing something than not doing anything at all.  Besides, I have a wedding to pay for.

This year has brought lots of ups and downs for my family.  I look back and giggle at the ultimatum I gave Jeff, a wedding or a baby.  He sighed, poured a shot for each of us and proposed.  Now, looks like I'm getting both.

Oh wait, what?

Major, we have a fuck up.  See, I'm usually very good with tracking my period and knowing when it's safe to have sex.  On Day 6 of my cycle, when I'm still lightly bleeding from my period, it's generally a safe time to have sex and he can cum freely (haha, that sounded so dirty)...well, who the hell told my body to release an egg early?  I've been feeling it all month...on May 27, not even a week after we had sex, I started having cramps.  Bad cramps, to the point I left work early.  I knew they weren't menstrual either, so my first thought was great, implantation cramping?  Since then I've lost my appetite and have felt nauseous a couple times.  Plus been having random cravings (this really expensive appetizer at this expensive restaurant we like to go to....and vanilla ice cream covered in rainbow sprinkles...yes, I've had both fulfilled :D).

When my period was two days late I knew it was time to test.  I'd been writing these symptoms off as side effects of the pain killers, but I know my period and it is never more than a day late.  I told Jeff at the grocery store that morning, and took it when we got home.
He's not exactly happy about it.  He just started college and is still working full-time, so he's concerned how we'll balance things.  I told him I managed a job, school and a baby at 16 without spousal support.  He's not alone in this, I will make sure he has time to study.  His education is our future, and as long as he's willing to put in the long hours, I am too.
In other news, summer is in full swing!  Viv finished her last week of kindergarten the first week of this month, shedding a few tears in the process [both her and me].  She did amazing this year and has blossomed so much.  She is excited for first grade and all the new adventures it will bring!  Her report card showed all proficient's and outstanding's.  She made many new friends this year, several friendships I hope to be able to encourage to flourish over the summer through play dates and picnics.
She also had her softball picnic to celebrate the end of the season.  The coach congratulated her for having the most progress in hitting.  At the beginning, she was terrified to hit off the tee.  In their last game, she hit four times by coach pitch, slamming it the first toss!
We've made a Summer Fun [Bucket] List full of reading, hikes, places to go, food to eat, water fun, arts and crafts and a few pay it forward's!

We'll hopefully be getting Schylar into pre-school this fall.  I'm a bit concerned with her starting school.  She has no urge to learn, and what she does learn is like in one ear, out the other.  The doctors aren't sure if she's ADHD or just that damn stubborn lol.

Jeff started school at the beginning of the month.  Month 1 out of 32 for his bachelor's degree.  It'll all be worth it when he's working for Blizzard and we're nestled somewhere in Anaheim...or working for the company that made Smite and living in Atlanta.  Those are his two dream corporations to work for.
I've started working on our ancestries.  Found some fairly interesting things so far on my side.  Several soldiers in the civil war.  My mom's side fought union, my dad's side fought confederate.  None of the confederate soldiers came home.  One actually died in the battle of Gettysburg, which happened 20 minutes down the road from our house.  Gives you goosebumps knowing that!!
Oh, and if you're on facebook, keep the baby hush hush.  The family doesn't all know yet, and we (more like I) want to think of something cute to officially announce with.

Young Love

We've had quite the weekend!  Had an amazing time at Hershey Park on Saturday.  We were so fortunate the rain cleared out.  Just a little chilly with the high only in the 50's, which wouldn't have been bad but it was very windy.  We stayed a good 7 hours though and had plenty of rides!
My children are so much braver than I thought.  Schylar got on her first EVER roller coaster, and Viv got on her second coaster, first non-wooden one.

Yes, the Super Dooper Looper!  They are both Peanut Butter Cups, so they met the minimum ride requirements to get on.  Schy rode with Uncle Rich, Viv rode with Aunt Alicia (and since I got ditched, I stood off to the side taking pictures before the ride started lol).

Viv LOVED it instantly.  Schy was terrified, got off saying, "It was horrible, let's do it again!"  I don't think she knows what the word horrible means lol.
After riding that, Viv's boyfriend and his parents got to the park, so we met up with them.  The kids had a BLAST riding together.  Bryce is very social and includes Schylar in everything, which is so nice because as a parent, I know Viv will have friends and will not always want her sister to tag along, but those that include her sister are a special treat.

Viv is definitely not my kid when it comes to some rides.  She wanted to get on this one and my stomach just said NO lol.  Bryce's mom, Jackie, volunteered to get on with her.  She said my crazy child laughed hysterically the whole time, loving it.  This is the ride.

The picture on the right, if you look in the red cart to the left, you can see my crazy girl in the pink coat trying to lean over and see out the side.  At least I don't have to worry about her being afraid of heights!
It was such a fun time though.  We originally had planned to leave the park around 6, and swing by McDonald's on the way out so we didn't spend an arm and a leg on food in the park.  We all got along so well, Bryce's parents actually offered to buy dinner in the park for all of us so the kids could continue playing.  On the way to get pizza, we passed the karaoke stand and Bryce asked Vivienne to dance, then danced with Schy, then Viv again.
He proceeds to tell Vivienne, "I could marry anyone I want, but I wanna marry you."  He asked his mom and me if we could all sit at a separate table at the pizza place so they could have a date (we allowed it).  He asked his mom if she thought it was a good place to kiss (she said no).  As we were going through Chocolate World, right before we left he told me he loved her.  And in the gift shop he saw a little keychain and was like, "I should have brought my piggy bank money, I wanna buy this for her!"
The innocence and purity behind it is so sweet.  I'm sure in 10 years I'll feel differently when a boy asks if he can take my daughter for pizza, but for now it's so cute.  You can't deny it.

Not to Brag

But...well, okay I'm going to.  I had a fantastic day, which doesn't happen often.
Woke up and did my weekly measurements.  Found even more progress!  Down a total of 10.25 inches and four pounds total.  Although 1/4 of my weight loss has come from my boobs, which saddens me.  It's probably a good thing I didn't measure my butt or this weight loss business would send me into a depression lol.

STARTING:                    AFTER 1 WEEK:                    AFTER 2 WEEKS:
Weight:  166                     164                                              162
Left Arm:  13"                  13"                                               13"
Right Arm:  13"                13.5"                                            13"
Bust:  37"                          36"                                               35"
Belly:  35"                         33"                                               32"
Hips:  39"                          38"                                               37.5"
Left Thigh:  25.5"             24"                                               23.5"
Right Thigh:  25.5"           24.5"                                            24.5"
Left Calf:  16"                   16.5"                                            16.25"
Right Calf:  17"                 16.5"                                            16"

Jeff's best man came over last weekend and he finally got to ask/tell him.  Our wedding party is officially set.  He LOVED Jeff's ring, thought it was awesome.  He's all on board for the wedding.  I found it quite funny, he drove an hour to our house to chill, him and Jeff went on a beer run and watched Frozen with the girls.  Ah, what grown men do on a crazy Saturday night eh?
Today was the start of a short Easter break.  Viv's little "boyfriend" had asked yesterday if her and Schy could come over and play, I said to have his mom call me.  We ended up going over there around 2:00, the kids played hard and before we knew it, it was after 6:00!  They were jumping on the trampoline, driving the Gator around, playing Xbox, just having a good old time.  His mom said he talks about Viv all the time.
It was nice though, not having to worry much about what they were doing, having conversation with another adult female.  I have like ONE friend I talk to on a regular basis, not much of an outgoing meet-new-people type.  She's the same, and we ended up having a lot to talk about.
Tomorrow we're all meeting up at Hershey Park, assuming the rain clears out.  We bought season passes and I was telling his dad about how much more affordable it is with the pass; he ended up buying some for their family too.  My best friend's also going to be there so we'll have a nice little group.
I'm just happy to be able to give my kids a chance to socialize more than I had.  If it wasn't with someone who lived in the development, I didn't get to go to a friend's house until I was in the 3rd grade.  And even then it was very rare.  I want to give the girls every chance to succeed. I can already tell Viv is following in my footsteps though; in school I was surrounded by male friends, even when I was her age.  The fact that two of her best friends in school are boys just proves it lol.  I can't blame her though, Bryce is the sweetest thing I've ever seen.
He gets her book bag for her at school, gets her folder out.  They walk to the front door together.  Today Schy had trouble getting off the trampoline, he jumped down and helped get her down!  His parents are definitely raising a well-mannered man.
Well, off to bed since tomorrow's going to be busy.  Happy Easter all!!