Kohl's Shopping Tips

For those of you who do or want to do the Kohl's thing NOW is the time to shop. Several people have asked me how I save so much money. Below is what you need to know. I have no idea why people buy stuff without these promos. The only catch is that you have to have a Kohl's card. Opening your Kohl's card is a big step and should not be wasted. You can usually get an additional 15% on top of all your other promos when you open an account so plan your first time accordingly. Also, pay it off when you get the bill. Don't go into debt. Paying finance charges defeats the purpose of getting the good deals. I put the reciept on my desk so I can remember to go online and pay it the next day.

• SHOP30 will get you 30% off, expires 11/14
• Spending $50 = free shipping but if you spend less use the code below
• MVCFSFREE = free no minimum shipping and CAN be used with the 30% off code, expires 11/15
• Kohl's Cash Tip: Every $50 you spend earns you $10 Kohl's cash. These are like gift cards you get to come back and use in the store or online. Pay attention to the subtotal AFTER you apply all your discounts. Even if your subtotal is $99.99, you will only get $10 Kohl's Cash back instead of the $20 you would have if you had spent one more cent. Your subtotal must be 50+. 100+, 150+, etc to earn the Kohl's Cash. This can be tricky with all the promo discounts, shipping, and tax so pay attention to the subtotal only. This round of Kohl's cash ends 11/12.

I love a good deal and just wanted everyone to know. Feel free to ask questions. Happy Shopping!!!

Time On My Hands

So this not working thing is pretty great. I find myself with time to do useless stuff. (Obviously, since this is my second blog without a 6 month span.) Most of this free time is interrupted by a little munchkin that needs me to sit down and take care of him. This results in a bit too much social media, Internet surfing, and Hulu+.

Alas, the treasures I have found!

1. The band Fun. was on SNL last Saturday and I think I love them. The quality of a person's live voice is really what does it for me.


Click here then click SOME NIGHTS
 

2. Election stuff: I'm not sure if the negative political post people took the hints from the rest of us and stopped posting as much or if I've just been blocked by most of them. Either way, its all good. Its not that I don't appreciate people wanting me to get involved but the whole "Us vs. Them" theme running through America has me feeling a bit discouraged. We are very close to becoming the United States of America. Here is my spiel. Two guys WANT to be president of this difficult country. Someone is going to win. 50% of voters are going to be disappointed. If its not who you wanted then don't spend the next 4 years writing on Facebook about how much you hate what they are doing. Do your best to be a supportive citizen and write your concerns to your local congress person instead.


Click for my favorite thing to have come from the election.


3. Surprisingly enjoyable new shows I started because they had a Halloween episode (and I was already caught up on Project Runway, Grey's, Office, Community, and Once.)
In order of how much I like them: New Girl, Modern Family and The Mindy Project. The jury is still out and my judgement might be impaired because of how little I'm using my brain lately but I'm open to your show suggestions.

Remember, this post is just about what I'm doing when I'm sitting on my butt. I am engaged in actual projects around the house too. Officially, I don't hit my six weeks mark until next Thursday so the 'excuse for being lazy' window is coming to an end. Boo, but I guess its time. I mean look how freaking skinny I was seven years ago! I'd just like to say this is the healthist I've ever been and I was 165 pounds! I NEVER would have dared to tell anyone that 10 years ago. Young girls need to know that the same number on the scale looks different on everyone and doesn't determine how cute or thin you are. IF ONLY I HAD FIGURED THIS OUT SOONER!!!!!

I'm not sure why I thought I had enough thoughts to merit a blog entry but here I am an hour later wondering why I didn't use the time to SLEEP. Mainly, I just wanted to share the Fun. song with you so hopefully you were able to enjoy that. If you're STILL reading my lame random middle of the night blog then you're an awesome friend and I love you too.

The little munchkin responsible for all this Internet surfing. (4 weeks.)

New Kid on the Block

Hello, from Logan Robert Ireland!

 

Stats: See Hospital card above.

Name Origin: Back in 7th grade at Bonneville Jr. High my friend Jane was talking about her funny little brother Logan. In that moment, I fell in love with the name and decided I would give it to my own son someday. His middle name has two meanings. First, Robert is the name of Ben's dad. Second, about 2 years ago one of my best friends lost her brother, leaving her the only sibling left to her parents. In our tear filled conversations she mentioned how hard it was for her to be alone and she asked me to not make my kids ever have to go through that. It is because of her and her brother Robert that I decided to have a third child. We are happy to have a middle name that means so much.

Labor & Delivery: Labor started very early in the morning. We headed in and by the time I was all hooked and drugged up it was about 11:30 a.m. At that point I pretty much just took a nap. Everything went very well and after about three hours my doctor was there to deliver the baby. At 2:05 pm I was holding my new baby boy!

New Things I Know: The first kid is terrifying. You're too worried about breaking it to enjoy it. The second is a little better but you're still trying to use all the same techniques from the first kid until you realize no two kids are the same and this is a whole new ball game. The third kid is AWESOME. Ben and I are both in such a good place and we're seasoned pros. Cute thing Ben said, "I was worried about how a third kid would fit in with our little group but now that he's here I just feel more complete."  He's going to hate that I put that here but it just so true I had to share.

 

Enjoy the pics!



Last few moments as one unit. Hospital gowns are so flattering.



Only a few minutes old and already very alert and chilled out.



Ben was/is amazing. I seriously have the best husband in the world. Nothing is cuter than a man being so excited about his new child.

Amy & Lucas think he is "awesome." Their words.

 

Lucas found the reverse on the camera. This has nothing to do with Logan but it was funny to find these pics in the middle of all the others.

Grandma and Grandpa Ireland took care of Amy and Lucas while we were at the hospital. Family support is the best!

First night as mom and son. I should have been sleeping but I can just sit, stare, and cuddle with him for hours.

Look at all that hair! I have NEVER had a kid with hair before. No Stevens has really ever been able to produce a kid with hair for that matter. This is seriously more hair than Amy and Lucas had at the age of two.

Finally home and chillin' with Dad. Fits in perfectly already.

Decade Manifestation

Turning thirty deserves a blog. Not that I've put any thoughts together before now but it just feels like it won't have happened if I don't acknowledge it.

It has been surprisingly…hard. I never thought I'd be the girl that clings to 29 but it has only been twenty-four hours and I miss it. It was safe back there in the twenties. Life was still mine to play with and unfinished goals were not such a big deal. There was always time to get around to dropping the extra pounds and being the skinny mom you couldn't believe had given birth to two kids. Old people still look like old people and you forget you don't look like the young ones. Youth is flexible and forgiving. Grandpa says, "Nothing feels as good as young."

20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29. The twenties prance off your tongue.

Then the weight of 30 is thrown at you. It is this decade in the middle of the dreaded 40's and the nostalgic 20's. Not much attention goes to the thirty something group. This is the span notorious for figuring out you aren't actually who you think you are. Or if you have no idea who you are, you start to get a clue. I liked 20-29 year old Trish. I've been told by many I've joined a club and that this is the decade to enjoy. Meet me back here in 10 years and I'll tell you if they were yanking my chain.

And That's What We Get

A friend calls you that you haven't talked to in a long time, do you:

A) Let it go to voicemail and contemplate ignoring it completely,

B) Wonder why you haven't heard from them, hold that against them, question the friendship, but decide it is worth an effort,

C) Get excited that they called and see when the next best time is for you to meet up?

As far as having issues go and being scarred from events, I can really only think of one (or two) things in my life that qualifies. I suppose that makes me rather blessed. It is true, seventeen fulfilling years of life went down for me before I faced my first real tribulation. Long story short, my social world changed dramatically and after two years of denial and ultimately hopelessness, I finally let go of the life I once knew and forged ahead. It is only now that I see just how much damage was done. A wall went up. Nobody and no relationship has been able to hurt me since. A nerve that went numb 12 years ago remains absent of feeling. Always prepared, always ready to walk away. No one gets in.

Not healthy. Obviously.

However, always having been a fan of clever words, this poem has long been a favorite of mine. It crossed my mind today as I thought of those I've placed behind the wall. How sad for me.

Face an uncomfortable situation or continue forward? How good can forward be if you're there by yourself?

btw, my answer is C, always C.

ICU

What a handsome devil you are with the pretty girl at your side. The first person I think of when I need to know something the world hasn't taught me yet. Still the one I long to make proud and and feel I should check in with if I'm going to make big plans or be home late. You prepared me very well for this world.

It saddens me that I didn't have much time with the healthy soul I see in the man above. It is not that I don't understand how hard it is too stay healthy. I am pretty sure my whole body makeup came from you so I feel like I really understand the struggles of our particular flesh (minus the major health issues.) What I don't understand is whether or not you realize how fragile your life is. My big strong leader is sick and you've been sick for so long. Now you are 1500 miles away and my worst fear of losing you while I am out here seems more real then ever. It is not natural for me to have to think about losing you when your own dad is still on the lose.

I am so frustrated. I hate that you have to deal with so many health issues but you are going to get out of there. Will you do what it takes to turn things around? I don't want to live in fear of losing you too soon anymore. Do you view this as the end or do you plan on living out the last third of your life? Things have to change if you want to be here with us. Our family needs your example and guidance. There is nothing I won't do to help you get better. Are you willing to fight as hard as I am because I refuse to live with the fact that you died long before you should have.

Summer Greetings and Dirty Looks

Wishing you well!

Love,

The Irelands

Back Then

I hate that my memories are fading. I know there are so many good ones back there. Today I'm asking my brain to remember you. Back when I was carefree and you were the boy across the street that made me feel as if the world revolved around me. I watched Dear John today and I was surprised by the affect it had on me. It was as though I was losing you to this terrible war all over again.

How many other "what ifs" were caused by 9/11? How many other love stories took a different road?

Videos Speak For Themselves

Amy Update

Lucas Update

I tried

I know its time. I know I should. I came on here to do it. Nope, not going to happen.