What's New....

So SO happy to tell you that we called Agape (our adoption agency) on Friday and they informed us that they were most likely going to be moving our class up to SEPTEMBER.  HOOOORAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We are SO SO happy! That means that we can get the ball rolling and get on their waiting list.  I know it is just a small thing - and actually means the beginning of more waiting, but we are psyched to get over this initial hump. 

   We also got to bring home our amazing furniture and begin the process of sanding and refinishing. The manager of the Salvation Army (on Nolensville Rd. - GO THERE - IT IS AMAZING.) was TERRIFIC and so helpful with this purchase, so I took her a shirt and we took a picture with her.  We want Baby C to know how very loved he/she was before he/she even came home...So here we are together - getting ready to load our purchase..

 It is going to be so fabulous, I can hardly stand it.  It is safe to say that this baby room will be the coolest room in our house.  When it is finished, I will do a final blog about it.  Also in happy news (even the smallest tidbits, right?) Some of our Tennessee adopted family were delivering some things for our yard sale and decided to walk across the street to a neighbors yard sale.  Amazingly enough, they had the exact car seat WITH BASE that I have been drooling over.  They are a little pricy on craigslist and at essex and DEFINITELY at target, so I wanted to wait until we were further along in this process.  HOWEVER they gave us an AMAZING deal - 25.00 for one car seat and base- and it is in perfect condition.  HOORAY!!!  so we took it and immediately tried it out with Heather's ADORABLE son, Avery.  It was a perfect fit.  SO happy.  Too bad I don't have a picture of that. :) You would SO love it. 

 Last of all - we are having a yard sale at our house on AUGUST 12TH AND 13TH - Invite everyone you know.  We have a little of everything.  You will definitely find something you just HAVE to have - and at such a deal - how can you pass it up??? :)

The things we do for love...

So I am trying to do a little blogging before school begins and I am distracted back into the world of pencils, tests, children, fun, and WORK.  I have to tell you that by choosing adoption (especially in our case), we had to choose a serious life style change in order to fund this journey (along with our awesome supporters through fundraising).  One way that we are working REALLY hard is by setting and sticking to a serious tight budget.  If you know anything about the homestudy process, then you are aware that you are opening your entire life to your agency.  ESPECIALLY your finances.  Now Chad and I have worked really hard to pay down a significant portion of our debt in the last few years but we still have a little left so we have a plan to pay it all off by the time our class comes around.  In order to do this, we have to budget every penny.  If you know Chad and I, you know that we love to shop (even if it is for a deal) and we are foodies - which means cooking lots of fun new things or going to new restaurants - both of which require a decent amount of investing.  SO I have worked really hard to become a couponer... Now prior to this, I definitely used coupons and shopped sales, but I am talking about hard core, buying 2 or 3 papers or coupons and spending some time plotting out sales and bogos - going to 2 or 5 stores to get what is on sale.  I had pretty good luck today so I thought I would share in my sales.... Here is a list of what I purchased...2 boxes of cheerios, 1 box of total, 1 box of fiber one cereal, 1 crest toothpaste, 1 6 count double rolled paper towels, 1 12 count toilet paper, 6 bags of steam fresh vegetables, 4 packets of tuna, 1 box of bakery cinnamin rolls, 1 bag frozen scallops, 1 bag frozen tilapia, 3 12 count can diet mt. dew (YUM), 2 2 liters of kroger brand soda, 2 bottles of pantene pro v shampoo, 1 bag of craisins, 2 bags of 15.5 lb Beneful Dog food... Total retail price 150.00 (If I would have paid regular prices) BUT with couponing and the deals on items at various stores, my total was $55.00.  Now I know that is no record for couponing wizards, but around the Chalos House, it was a fine day.  So here is a little picture some of my goodies...

We also use coupons for when we eat out and when we have date nights.  The city pass book is an awesome investment for these type of activities.  Also, we try to be aware of what fun things are going on around town - like FREE Friday night college nights at the Frist, or half off pizzas at Painturos on Tuesdays... We have been able to make it work without too much shopping and eating out withdrawal.  :)

What kind of things do you do around your house to save money?  I would love your input.

P.S. This adoption has been good for us in more ways than one.  :)