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.

Last Moments of 2009

Goodbye 2009, Welcome 2010. I sit here watching An Affair to Remember with my mom while my husband tries to light himself with fireworks back in Texas. It will be 2010 for him before I finish this entry. I have another hour and 4 minutes to go. Holidays and work have caused us to ring in the new year separately this year. I miss him dearly. Lucas and Amy almost made it but they have both tuckered out and I find myself longing to join them. Quiet, warm, and loved is a great way to start a new decade.

New Years Resolutions:

1. Move more.

2. Goodbye Mt. Dew.

3. Learn to sew.

4. Learn Spanish.
5. Live Greener and more organically.

However, it feels wrong not to stay up and bang a pot. Funny how beating up an old pan somehow qualifies as "doing something" to bring in the new year. Hmmmm, better go get my kettle ready.

Warm Welcome

The coats arrived today and now we are offically ready for Utah. See you soon Grandma & Grandpa!

Dancing With Dad

This is from October but still worth sharing.

Me & Marly & Me

I have Netflix now. It is great. Even thinking about ditchin' cable. If you use the Instant Streaming feature you'll ask yourself why you didn't sign up sooner. Marley & Me came in the mail today and I thought, "Ha, did I really sign up for this one? Oh well, I liked Beethoven as a kid. Maybe Lucas will enjoy this." I think I wanted to see it because it came out at the same time as the LameO'Case of Benjamin Button and Jennifer said on Oprah that she wanted to beat Brad in the box office...and she did. Can I just tell you, this movie is really good. If you have a family and dreams still waiting in the wings, this movie is for you. These guys made a relavent and realistic movie out of what happens when you get married and start a family. I wonder how many other people like me skipped this movie because we thought it was 2 hours of a dog chewing up pillows. He does, but it's not. I have yet to watch the last 20 minutes because I decided I wanted to make Ben watch it with me. Single people can learn from it and married people might just get a little group style type therapy out of it. I like being pleasantly surprised.

Pants & Pumpkins

I used to keep the blinds open. I like natural light. Potty training has me in a world of darkness. I told you in my last post that Lucas has taken an interest in potty training. It seems that is all it was. He did really well for awhile, then he stopped, then I made charts, he did better, then he stopped again. It is very hard to stay patient when your cleaning up poop on a daily basis. It is even worse when that poop is on carpet. To top that, the carpet was just cleaned. If I put a trainer on the kid, he goes in it. If I leave him naked he'll (usually) go to the toilet. I often have a naked 2 year old running around my house. Thus, my blinds are closed. I thought I would be original and post the pictures of our trip to the pumpkin garden (we didn't go to a patch.) Alright, so everybody has a picture of their kid with a pumpkin right now but it is about the only place we've gone in a month. Too many sick people everywhere. However, you might find these pictures more interesting because it burned down a few days after we picked out our pumpkins. I am still loving my Web Design class. Here is the latest webpage I put together:
Check Out My Latest Site!
I will be posting the link for my portfolio soon. I wish I had $1000 to spend on Adobe CS4 Master collection.

A few of you have asked how the kitchen is going. Great. We are doing a little at a time. The latest improvements consist of removing the center cupboards and choosing a stain color. We love how open it is now. I have purchased my ticket to go home for Christmas. I will be there with the kids from December 15-January 13th. Ben's vacation will not be quite so long but he is coming too.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN EVERYONE!
Oh Utah! How I miss the fun spirit you put into Halloween. I didn't realize how special it was until I was in a place that doesn't have it.

Ireland Updates

Individual Ireland updates today:

Ben

Ben is doing great. He is a super father, husband, and friend. Thanks to his most important employer; Officeconnect.net, he was hired on by a partner company and has recently been promoted. I sure am proud of him. I asked him to write a little update for himself and he sent me this: I don't care to have people know about me.

Trish

I'm great. Happier then I have been in awhile. I LOVE not working. I have the coolest kids. I am taking 2 classes this semester to get my Web Design certificate and I am LOVING it. I am really excited to start putting my skills to use. It feels like EVERY blog I read has someone saying, "I just ran a 5K," or "I'm training for my 5K." It feels like the whole world is running except for me! I have a goal to start running and biking again. If I say it out loud maybe it will happen. I'm finally starting to redecorate my house. (THANK YOU ANDREA!) I'll blog more about that when I'm further along. I do however need your help finding me any dishes that belong to this set:

I have 11 dishes so far and they look great but I don't have any in the red pattern and only a few of the green so if you are in a DI or Salvation Army or WHEREVER, please keep your eye out for this pattern. It is Sakura Tapas. Any of the color (green, red, orange, yellow) would be great. Thanks

Lucas

This kid is a delight. He is so funny and creative. He can entertain himself for hours which I didn't realize was such a blessing until Andrea came down and told me how a lot of kids are not like that. He is definitely a creative personality like his dad and ONLY does things when he is good and ready. Like potty training for instance. All attempts before he was ready were a waste of time. He is now taking and interest in it and goes to the potty by himself. He's not perfect yet but within a few days he has just decided he's going to start doing it. He loves juice, Ritz & Cheese (ha ha, Ben can't stand that we eat cheese in a can!) and Blue's Clues. He hasn't completely abandoned Spongebob but he is branching out.

Amy

The sponge. She is amazing. My two children have been very different as far as when they did things. I remember Lucas just hanging out on the floor with no desire to move forever. Amy on the other hand has been trying to figure everything out right away. She has been scoot crawling since before she was 6 months and now that she is 7 months today she is a speedy little crawler, climber, and is trying to conquer walking. She LOVES her brother and the sound her diaper makes when she scratches at it. Especially the Velcro things that hold it on. She gets so overjoyed to eat that we can barely get the food in her mouth. She also still loves sucking her toes and has a strange fascination with laptops.

Quick funny story: I took her in for her 6month checkup and I was signing in and the lady looks up at me and says, "Uh uh, no way." I was a little confused and then she says, "She is too cute. (Pretty good for a pediatrician's office.) Oh my gosh, is she always this sweet?" So anyway, I have new insurance with Ben's job so I had to check back at the end of the appointment to see if I had a copay. I headed back over to the desk and there was a few ladies in line with their kids. I got in the back of the line and pretty soon she spots me and shouts over all the other ladies with their babies and says, "Uh uh, NO, no copay. I told them she was too cute." I instantly felt the eyes of everyone around me go to the little bundle of cuteness in my arms. I gave an embarrassed thank you smile and turned to go. Boy, I think kid compliments are more fulfilling then personal compliments.

One last shot of the two newest best friends. I think the moment you actually see your kids start playing together is a whole new level of parenting. It is so heartwarming. We are so blessed.

Whoosh

is the word to describe how fast Amy has turned 6 months.
Kids and family are the best thing about life. I was so satisfied with Lucas that I thought one kid might be enough. Then this little princess came a long and it just got even better. It makes me wonder if it feels like this every time you add a child to your family or if it just tapers off around 4 or 5.

We love our Amy Dawn! Happy 6 months!

What COLOR!?!?!?!

Ok Peeps, I am at the point where I have to decide on a stain color. Thank you to everyone that gave me their suggestion. I just keep going back and forth. This is a little diagram I whipped up in paint to help make my final decision. The paint is similar to this green/cream family but it will be textured with the help of my AMAZING cousin Andrea. I think she is thinking about doing it professionally so you should book her while you still can. The cream border represents the back splash. The floor tile is in the center of the 4 cupboard colors I am trying to choose from. (From top, then clockwise,) Cherry, Dark, Medium, Light. A LOT of you said dark. Do you think this will make my kitchen too dark? Something in the middle might just blend with the tile and make a big orangy kitchen. This has been so much fun but deciding is giving me anxiety.

Last chance to give me your opinion! Thanksssssssss!

P.S. I'm not going to pick a countertop until the end so I can make sure it fits everything else. Plus, its really the only think that will cost money so I need to save up.

Be My Designer!

Hey Ya'll. I say ya'll because I am finally trying to deal with the fact that I live here. Ever since I moved here 5 years ago I have been waiting to go back to Utah. With the economy the way it is and Ben just getting this really good job here I've realized that day is much further back then I would like. Thus, I've decided to put my energy into remodeling my kitchen. I have this really awesome Spanish tile but it does not go with anything else in the house so I am going to accommodate it by using a Tuscan theme. I have been searching and studying all kinds of designs and here is what I have already decided on: (these are pictures from the Internet, not my house)

This is the inspiration picture and color scheme.

This is what the tile in my house looks like already.My walls will be like the ones in this picture above.
The backsplash will be like the one in this picture.

Now the last choices are very important and I want your opinion. Which countertop do you like best?

Royal Casino
Something Lighter perhaps, Vecchio Oro

Tuscan Spice, this would obviously match all the traditional Tuscan colors.

I am currently stripping and sanding my cupboards. I plan on staining them. What color stain do you like best? Cherry, Dark, Medium, or light?

So if you don't mind I'd love your input and favorites on countertop and cabinet color. If you REALLY care and like this kind of stuff you can mix and match them next to each other at this website and let me know what combination you came up with.
http://www.stonemark.com/MixMatch.aspx Very fun and helpful.


Thanks again,
Trish