You're Pregnant? My best piece of advice...

This is the one tip that I was given when pregnant, that I didn't do, and wish I woud have:

Whenever you are at Target (or Wal-Mart, or wherever you shop), add $20 (or whatever amount) to a gift card to be used later for diapers, formula, etc. You don't know what kind of diapers you might prefer (we are a Pampers family) or what kind of formula (if you need it) the baby might like, but by putting money on a gift card you are stocking up.

I rationalized that I should put that $20 towards the credit card bill, but I never paid the extra $20 anyway, so I should have just added it to the gift card. I kicked myself when I had issues nursing and therefore was putting $250/month (initially) towards formula. Now, that was for 2 babies, but still - that's a ton of money!!!

Alphatography...my side business

Well, of course I'm going to start my blog with my own personal plug! Alphatography is a side-business that I started with my dear friend Suzanne. It all began as something we saw in a magazine - and then at a craft fair - and then the decision that 'we could do that!'

We started taking photos in November 2007 and gave Christmas gifts that December. We signed up for a first craft fair in March 2008 and we've continued to grow since then. Now we do several craft/vendor fairs a year...especially in the fall months towards the holiday season.

All of our pictures are from the St. Louis area - some in Illinois on my drive to mom's house and some around Suzanne's lake house near Perryville, MO. We pride ourselves in that our pictures aren't 'staged' - they are all images that we have just found.

Feel free to visit our website for more information!

Why It's Begun...

I'm beginning this blog to organize my favorites, to share things I love with other people, to share...my wealth. As a school counselor, as a mom of twin boys (currently 14-months old), as a wife, as a sibling, as a friend, I've started to compile information - and I can't keep track of it all anymore! My internet bookmarks are exploding! and I can't hardly find anything when I do want it.

This blog will be designated to goodies I love - most likely things related to my kids. This blog will share tid-bits of knowledge I've read in magazines...so I can stop hoarding numerous magazine cut-outs in my office. And last but not least, this blog will be about life - how to manage, how to organize, and how to enjoy.