Charlotte Jane

Over the past few months, I've really been challenged a lot in my faith and belief system. Don't get me wrong; I've never doubted God or my salvation, just been awakened to some new truths that I've never thought hard about before. There have been several times where I've struggled and gone back and forth asking many questions of my husband and friends. I've never quite had a desire to learn and grow in the way that I do now. It's, of course, still difficult at times to get in the word, but that new spark has pushed me closer to Him.

Then, about a month ago, my brother and sister-in-law received some news that their daughter, Charlotte Jane, who was to be born in late February, would more than likely be born with some type of genetic disorder. There were many unanswered questions as to what was really going on; the only solution was to wait until she arrived.

On February 10, Charlotte was born. Due to some complications with her lungs, she was rushed to the NICU to be put on a ventilator. Later that night, she was transported to Cook Children's Hospital where they could give her more specilized care. The next several days were pretty difficult as Charlotte struggled to breathe on her own. Then, on February 17, Charlotte's fight and pain were over when she went home to be with our Savior.

God struck me hard with this. This is the closest I've ever been to death; I've had grandparents that have passed away, but it just seems unnatural and "unfair" for such a young life to have to go through that. My prayer life radically changed from the moment we found out that Charlotte might be born with complications. I had many questions and didn't really understand. I praised God in all of it, but was also very fearful, anxious and doubtful.

However, my faith has never grown so much in my life or in quite the same way as it has because of this and for that I'm grateful. I've been able to see some miraculous faith and trust in God in Justin and Angela as well which has been awesome to get to see. God has been glorified so much and changed others through this little precious life. I believe it was during Charlotte's graveside when Rick was talking about suffering on this earth. Suffering brings us closer to the cross and helps us experience Christ. Not only because we draw nearer to Him in our pain, but because it is part of the fullness of the Christian life. Christ endured the pinnacle of suffering on the cross and when we experience some degree of suffering, we're experiencing some degree of Him. When we meditate on that, it should make us fall to our knees in reverance because of the fullness of God's grace. So, we should rejoice in our suffering.

Ecclesiastes 3:4 is a significant truth that Ang told me she has really learned through this. "There's a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance." After I've meditated on the truth about suffering, this becomes extremely profound. Even though there's much pain and weeping associated with Charlotte's death, there's much joy because her pain is over and she is in the presence of our God. So, it's ok to laugh and cry at the same time; it's part of this incredible journey we're on.

Go to justinandangela.blogspot.com to read more of their incredible story.

Coupon Savings

I'm pretty excited about this week's trips to Walgreens and CVS; I think this is probably the most I've saved thus far!

CVS:

Clean and Clear Advantage Acne Control Kit
Cover Girl and Olay Simply Ageless Concealer
Cover Girl Trublends Microminerals Blush

Walgreens:

Gilette Venus Embrace Razor
Olay Total Effects Body Wash
2 Arm & Hammer 50 oz. Laundry Detergents
2 Arm & Hammer 6 oz. Toothpastes


This total before taking into account sales and adding coupons, extra bucks and register rewards would have been around $88 + tax. My total was $25. 35!!!

So, how did I do it??

Well, first of all, I had $5 in extra care bucks from CVS from my last trip so I headed there first. I bought the Clean and Clear Kit first in one transaction using those $5 ECBs. I also had a $5 off clean and clear coupon and a CVS coupon for $4 off $20. So, my total for that transaction was $6.48. The kit was marked at 19.99! ALSO, if you bought $15 worth of clean and clear products, you got $5 back in ECBs!

On my next transaction at CVS, I bought the covergirl concealer and blush. They were both priced at 12.99. I had a coupon for $2.50 off 2 covergirl products and a coupon for buy one covergirl face product, get one free. I also used the $5 ECBS I just received from the clean and clear kit. So, that total was $5.94.

At Walgreens, I bought the Gilette razor first because I received $4 back in register rewards for buying it. It was marked at $8.99. I also had a $2 off coupon and another coupon for a free Olay body wash with the purchase of a Gilette razor! I got a $9.99 body wash for absolutely free! So, that transaction was $7.57.

Then, I purchased the 2 A&H detergents and toothpastes. The deteregent was marked at $6.99 and the toothpaste was marked at $4.29. However, they were both on sale for buy one, get one free. I also had a $1 off coupon for both the detergent and the toothpaste. I used the $4 register rewards I just received to make my total $5.36!

We're Having a Baby!!

My husband was quick to tell me the other day that I have yet to post about our most recent, exciting news; yep, we're having a baby! Come early August, there will be a little Stiko "running" around. I found out on November 27th that I was indeed prego and told Brandon the next day because he had been out of town. We're super excited and can't wait to find out if it's a boy or girl! We go back on March 11th for another sonogram and to find out the sex :D

The Baby at 10 weeks



The Belly at 17 Weeks




Updates will follow :)

Honeymoon!

We spent the next 6 days in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic at the Excellence Resort and Spa. Words can’t even begin to describe this place! It was absolutely gorgeous and we had the best time just relaxing in the room, on the beach or by the pool and eating some great food at one of the eight restaurants. We also went horseback riding and went on a snorkeling excursion. Hopefully, one day we’ll get to go back! The day after we got back from the Dominican, we had another reception in Indianapolis for all the family and friends who couldn’t make it down to Texas for the wedding. It was great getting to see everyone and we were extremely blessed with some great gifts and money:D

Here are some pics from our trip:

Relaxing on the Beach




One Side of the Room



Other Side of the Room



On the Way to the Resort from the Airport



On the Plane to go Back Home(in 1st class!)



Out to Dinner one night



One of the Pools



Snorkeling Trip



Another Dinner



Thanks Kerry and Renee for this awesome gift!

Bridal/Wedding Pics

Since we got married almost 6 months ago, I think it’s about time to post my bridal portraits, wedding pictures and honeymoon pictures. I’ve already posted about the wedding day previously, so I’ll just post a few favorite pics.

I took my bridals 2 weeks before the wedding on July 25….which in Texas means hot, hot, hot!! I’m so pleased with the way they turned out, but I was definitely miserable while taking them. They were taken at the Fort Worth Botanic Gardens. There were a few times I literally thought I was going to pass out! But, I made it through, haha, and below is the result.
















I think that'll do for now; honeymoon story/pics soon to follow!

Thanks to our parents for helping us have a great wedding!

More Coupon Savings :)

Because of my recent trips to Walgreens and CVS, I have begun to get more and more excited about couponing. The reason below.

Latest trip to CVS:

2 6 oz. Colgate toothpastes
2 1 oz. Palmolive dish soaps

Total before coupons: $6.92 + tax
Total after coupons: $4.92 (including tax)
Also received $2 in extra care bucks for the toothpaste :D

Latest trip to Walgreens:

2 96 count packages of Carefree pantiliners
1 Johnson & Johnson 15 oz. baby lotion
1 Johnson & Johnson 15 oz. baby wash
Loreal face cleanser
2 Rimmel lipglosses

Total before coupons: $24.13 + tax
Total after coupons: $12.05 (including tax)
Also received $3 in Register Rewards :D

Woohoo!

Ok, it does work....

using coupons that is

I've always been skeptical of the idea that people save a lot of money using coupons. I mean, you only get .25 off something that's $5.00 or get .50 off a product when you buy at least 3...come on, that's hardly worth the time and effort it takes to cut out the darn things, right?

However, the last couple of weeks, my mind has been completely changed. I've realized there's a whole world of people out there who use coupons, look for deals and savings and actually save a ton of money. There's tips and tricks that one must follow in order to actually become successful at it. I'm very, very new to all of it, but I'm already excited about what I've already saved.

For example, my recent purchases at CVS have been phenomenal.

I bought:

2 packs of Schick 4 ct. razor cartridges
2 36 count Lysol disinfectant wipes
1 bottle Complete Multi-Purpose Contact Solution
1 Christmas card
3 bottles Suave body wash
1 bottle 25.4 oz Garnier Fructis Shampoo
1 bottle 25.4 oz Garnier Fructis Conditioner

Before coupons, that total would be around 53.94 and that's not even including tax. However, MY total was only 26.54 and that is including tax!! After totaling up my savings, I couldn't believe it. All I did was use a few coupons that I had on a few of those products and used the extra care bucks that I received from those products. It's amazing!

So, I'm sold. This "game" is totally worth it and I will continue to use more coupons and spend the time to look for deals at the different stores.