May Flew by!!



1. Our silly puppies at play time, they love to wrestle and chase one another.

2. I got the job! After months of looking, applying, and interviewing, I got a job!

3. A day of hiking at Deception Pass, this area is just breath taking.

4. Photo shoot with my boots, love these to death!

5. Nature watching, it’s amazing to watch bees fly from flower to flower. Nature at its best

6. Kris has a new toy, loves his guitar and maybe next month will be able to play us a song J

7. Stumbled upon a new beach when lost going home from an interview. Beach is gorgeous here, with views of Cascade Mountains.

8. Love watching wildlife from our front door, this little guy hung out in our front yard for hours.

9. We finally got our home gym set up, let the fitness begin!!

WOW, this month, May, has really flown by!! We’ve been busy, getting our Facebook page and blog off to a good start. Also made plenty of time for outdoor adventures (when it was actually sunny here), puppy play time, and lots of time out back with the grill. I had a final round of interviews and landed a job, wasn’t the easiest thing to do in this economy, but so far, so good! Kris is steadily practicing that guitar and is starting to sound pretty good. Who knows, maybe he’ll know a song or two soon!

June is here, and our family birthday week begins pretty much now.  We’ll be busy with three birthdays next week, an anniversary and then a few more birthdays too. Possibly taking a surprise trip home in June too, but better not say a whole lot about that yet…

So, what have ya’ll been up to, how was your month and what fun plans do you have coming up??


FREE Father's Day Card Offer

If you missed the FREE Father's Day card offer from Treat earlier this week, I have good news for you..

They extended it through the end of the month!

If you're not familiar with Treat, they are just like regular greeting cards except much better.. You get to choose your own message, add photos, and even pick your own fonts. 

To get the card totally free, have it shipped to you. Then you can sign it and write a message in your own writing. For the cost of a stamp, you can have Treat mail it directly to the recipient. And since it's still a few weeks to Father's Day, you can even choose the delivery date. 

Here's how to get the deal: 

1. Check out their selection of nearly 500 Father's Day designs and choose your favorite card. 
2. Upload pictures, choose your font and message, and preview the card to make sure it's right..
3. Use promo code TREATDAD when you checkout.

That's all there is to it. 

Wordless Wednesday




On the Cheap, Deals and Steals

I'm sure most of you know that I love to find a deal, especially on clothes and shoes for my family. A favorite website of mine to use for great deals is zulily.com. I came home to an email today that previewed the sales and deals for the upcoming week and boy, am I excited to see what's coming up....

This week through 5/31, zulily will offer great sales like Summer Swimwear: $14.99 & Under, Fergalicious by Fergie – up to 65% off, Mia Bossi & dapperbag – up to 50% off and many more!

 Only members can shop zulily events, but membership is free and signing up is quick and easy. Don't miss your chance to shop today! 

Sunday, May 26th
  • Summer Dresses: $9.99 and Swimwear: $14.99 & Under
  • Summer Kids Sandals: Under $9.99
  • Summer Maternity: $19.99 & Under
  • Prints A-Plenty: Plus-Size Apparel – from $9.99
  • Sweet Potatoes – up to 70% off
  • Royal Baby by Royal Gem Clothing – Up to 60%
 ...and many more! Monday, May 27th--Memorial Day Blowout Sale
  • HUGE Sale in Girls’, Boys’, Home, Women’s and more!
 Tuesday, May 28th
  • Fergalicious by Fergie – up to 65% off
  • Mia Bossi & dapperbag – up to 50% off
  • Leveret – from $8.99
  • HOTmilk – up to 70% off
  • College Boys - up to 70% off
  • Plus-size apparel - up to 60% off
  • Sweaty Bands – from $9.99
 ...and many more! Wednesday, May 29th
  • Jelly the Pug: Boys
  • Birkenstock sale
  • JoJo Maman Bébé- Up to 40% off Maternity and Kids Styles
  • Desigual- Women's Styles up to 50% off
...and many more! Thursday, May 30th
  • SPANX sale
  • David & Goliath
  • patycake kids – up to 45% off
 ...and many more! Friday, May 31st
  • Cherry Stix- Kids Clothing
  • 66 North- Weather-battling Apparel
  • Lotus Bumz – from $9.99
 ...and many more! 

Shoes, What They Say About You

Get to know me, through my shoes. I’ll be the first to admit that I probably have way too many pairs of shoes, but what girl doesn’t? We’ve moved several times lately for my hubby’s job with the military and I have cleaned out the shoe collection quite a few times, but there are some pairs of shoes that I will never ever, ever live without.

In my closet, tennis shoes, Danskos, flip flops and cowboy boots are a must! That’s not to say that I don’t love to wear an occasional pair of cute sassy heels, but working in the health care field for the past seven years have really grown my love for flat, but most importantly, comfortable shoes.
To quote my beloved Forrest Gump, “Momma always says there's an awful lot you could tell about a person by their shoes. Where they're going. Where they've been….” 

Shoes can say a lot about a person and I hope that my shoes help to show my personality. Girls especially have the ability to get a feel for someone’s personality simply by noticing how a person dresses and the shoes they have on their feet.

Shoes can scream to the world that you’re athletic, active, feminine, sassy, laid-back, traditional, modern, or sophisticated. I could go on and on, but I’m sure you get the point.

I like to think that my shoes reflect a laid-back, cute, caring girl with a bit of country twist thrown in at times.

My all-time favorite shoes are my boots, although my flip flops are a close second! My boots are great, they go with almost everything and can be worn for most occasions, they are truly my favorite thing in the closet.


Now it’s your turn. What are your favorite shoes and what do they say about you?

Wordless Wednesday

Photo from Virginia Beach 2012

Life through Songs


Songs I'm Lovin This Month:


1.     Beam Me Up - Pink

2.     Wobble - V.I.C

3.  Mama’s Broken Heart - Miranda Lambert

4.     1994 Jason Aldean

5.  Southern Comfort Zone  Brad Paisley

6.  Cruise - Florida Georgia Line

7.  Wagon wheel - Darius Rucker

8.     Carolina - Eric Church

9. Better Dig Two  The Band Perry

10. Downtown - Lady Antebellum

Open Adoption?

What exactly is an open adoption?

Through our reading and research, we have discovered adoption options that we were not previously aware of. I had heard of the term “open adoption” numerous times, but what exactly does this mean?

From what I have learned, the term open adoption can mean a few things. The level of “openness” in an adoption may vary.

If we continue looking into this option, I have several questions and hope to have them answered soon.

1.       Are the time frames for an open adoption similar to that of other adoptions?

2.       Are the costs similar?

3.       What if any affects will the open relationship have for my child, 
        my family, and the birth family?

So again, still many questions and factors to consider…. 


Just When You Thought S'mores Couldn't Get Any Better!


Living on an island in the rain shadow can make life difficult for those who love to grill, cook outside, and enjoy sunshine on a regular basis. We finally got a nice weekend, had temperatures in the 80's and two full days of sunshine! So, we made it a point to hang out in the yard and to take advantage of the nice weather for a day of grilling! 

After finishing up with the grill, Kris gets the bright idea to toast a marshmallow over the cooling grill. He toast the marshmallow to a perfect brown and then surprises me by making s'mores. 

I watched him making the s'more as he thinks of himself as quite the dessert chef. After gathering his "s'more" ingredients, he comes back out to toast the marshmallow. 

Kris' other ingredients included: 2 homemade chocolate chip cookies (a treat previously baked by Kris) and 2 miniature individually wrapped Hershey candy bars. 

He places the toasted marshmallow and miniature chocolate bar in between the two chocolate chip cookies and allows the candy bar to begin melting. 





Originally, I had turned down the offer for Kris to make me a s'more.....that soon changed when I tried a bite of his delicious treat! I'm not sure if a normal s'more will taste quite as good after this new discovery.  





So the next time you’re out grilling or are at a bonfire be sure to have cookies, chocolate, and marshmallows on hand for making s’mores.you’ll thank me when you do J

P.s. If you buy the variety pack of mini Hershey bars, the Mr. Goodbar bars are excellent on cookie s’mores too!!! 



Meet Kris

Hey yalll!
So Natalie wanted me to do a guest spot on our blog. I figured I would start with a little bit about me. My name is Kris, have been married to Natalie for 4 years.

I am currently serving in the U.S. Navy (hooyah) as a Corpsman. For those who don’t know, corpsman are the medical providers to both Sailors and Marines. I work as an x-ray tech at a naval hospital. The 4th of July will mark my second year in the Navy....not quite sure about a reenlistment, yet...

Other than my Naval career, I have a few hobbies, including a recent attempt at learning the guitar!
I also am a HUGE college football fan, and I am counting the days down till kick off. 
GO COCKS!!











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Wordless Wednesday



Hitting home

Earlier this week, I learned from my grandma that a high school in my hometown community will no longer be allowed to hold the baccalaureate service for graduating seniors at the high school. It saddens me to learn that my community along with so many others is falling to the pressures of society, peer pressure, and are afraid to stand up for their Christian religious rights. I also learned last week that this district will also stop the prayers before each Friday night football game, something I never thought the town of Liberty would allow.


From talking to several people back home, I’ve learned that one person has been offended by the religious service, the traditional baccalaureate service, a traditional service that seniors for many years have attended before their high school graduation.

I do hope that this is not the beginning of a trend for the area. I was raised in a Christian home and community and am very thankful that we did not have to hide our ceremonies or traditions as children in school do today.  

Domestic Adoption- Another Option

We’ve been looking into all of the options that are available to us for adopting a child. As I continue to research, I am learning so, so much about the options that we have.

Domestic adoptions are very common throughout the United States. This option usually results in the adoption of a newborn child for the adoptive family (an experience we would love to have). This method of adoption allows the birthmother to choose an adoptive family via an adoption agency.  The adoptive couple also works with the selected adoption agency of their choice to find the birth mother that will allow them to adopt her child. The adoption agencies will the adoptive family through the process and will also conduct a home study, one or more, before the actual adoption occurs.

The time frame for a domestic adoption may vary but is typically around two years. The times may vary depending on factors such as a couple’s budget, being chosen by the birthmother, and any restrictions that an adoptive family may have for their future child (race, age, location, etc..).

With this adoption method, there are many laws that vary by state. Hopeful adoptive couples may have to follow the laws of both their home state and the state from which they are adopting. 

Lots to think about as we continue in this journey.....

Coach Giveaway









Blogger Opportunity



Giveaway from May 20 to June 14



Come and be part of this awesome giveaway





We are giving away:



"Coach PEYTON EMBOSSED PATENT POCKET TOTE "

Value $398








We will have a max. of 200 bloggers for sign up, it will be a big giveaway.




The RC is not long because each co-host has there own RC with their links.




Here are the details to sign up:



-Free Link (Twitter or Pinterest)  

The first 50 bloggers to sign up will get a link free with announcement. 

Announcement is required or you have to pay a waiver fee of $5.00


(Please read the sign up form on the top to know if we still have free space available)








-Link/ or extra links $3.00 each (if the free spots are gone, to be part of this giveaway you will need to pay $3.00 for each link you want on the giveaway)


Announcement is required or you have to pay a waiver fee of $5.00.




-Host page

$10.00





-Co-Host $20.00

The co-host get 2 host page.  

10 links on the RC.


No announcement required.




Please send payment to melisurveys1978@gmail.com as a gift.


Any question please email me at nysavingspecials@gmail.com