Answered Prayer

Yesterday, I told the story of our oven's carbon monoxide problem. Today, the repairman made a house call to evaluate the cost of repairing our oven. Verdict: get a new oven. The repair was going to cost almost as much as the oven itself cost us 5 years ago.

When Mr. Bean came home, I broke to him the bad news of the broken oven and unwelcome guest who had been or is currently living under it. Mr. Repairman told me it was "a creature women tend to not like" and left it at that.

I threw up a few hail Mary prayers. You know the kind that go like this, "Well, Lord, we can't afford a new oven right now. I suppose you already know that. So, as we set forth on our adventure, please pave the way with good sales and 0% financing for 12 months." Of course, on the way out the door, I updated my Facebook status to read I am "open to any and all of your oven buying advice as it seems we are in the market for one. We can use our old one if we want to die of carbon monoxide poisoning. We are opting to purchase a new one." I had a few replies of suggestions of brands and off we went.

What we wanted at store #1 was unavailable until December 12. We could not gamble waiting that long since we start our parade of holiday parties on December 13 and I have a large amount of baking to do.

At store #2, we settled for the next best thing which did not have all the features we wanted. The price was lower than at store #1. They offered free delivery and haul away. The installation cost was only $20 and we could get 0% financing for 12 months. So, we bought it.

We got home and the following comment was on my Facebook status, "We have one you can have! Ask my mom about it." Figuring it was worth the phone call and vaguely remembering talking to his dad about them having this stove sitting in their garage post-remodeling looking for a new home, I called.

It the the exact brand and color we were hoping for. It also has all the features we want, they are willing to deliver it and take a look at our visitor situation under the current oven. All we have to do is find someone to help us install it. Luckily, a mutual friend of ours is a handyman. Check, check, check, check, check and check. The best part of the whole deal is that its FREE. Oh, yeah. That's my kinda deal.

I'm out $70 for the repairman's fee, but that's a small price to pay for getting the thing replaced. I don't know how much our handyman friend will charge for installation, but it will be much cheaper than the cost of a new oven.

It is amazing to me that even the small things we bring before the Lord matter to him!

Why Birthdays Rock

My birthday is on Tuesday and I love free stuff. That's why birthdays rock.

So far, I have gotten coupons for free things from: Caribou Coffee, Noodles and Company, Qdoba and Cold Stone Creamery.

Who doesn't love birthdays when you get free stuff just for having one?!

(You can sign up on their websites or in their stores for free stuff on your birthday, too!)

Story Time Programs

Today was the final day of String Bean's story time class at the public library. We will definitely be signing her up for the class again for a few reasons.

The most important reason is socialization. Although she didn't spend a lot of time playing with other kids, she did spend a lot of time interacting with other kids. Whether she was having toys or books stolen from her or stealing from them, she was starting to learn about interacting with her peers. In my brief experience as a teacher, I found many of the preschool and kindergarten students spent a considerable time learning to socialize with their peers. What better way to help String Bean get a jump start on school than to encourage socialization at a young age?

The other really important thing about the program was its repetitiveness. As one of the librarians said to us the first week, "Parents, this repetitiveness may seem boring to you, but the predictability is thrilling for your child." As the time went on, I saw how true this was. Class always opened with the "Choo-Choo" song. Besides having to sing it over and over at home, String Bean giggled with delight when it was time to start story time and the song began. Today, on our way in, she made the baby sign for book and immediately started the choo-choo sounds of the song. When I said, "Yes, we are going to go sing the Choo-Choo song!" String Bean picked up her pace toward the Children's department of the library.

If you are looking for something to do with your child, I highly suggest your local public library as a resource for wonderful literacy programs that are free! (My favorite 4 letter word!)

Free Stuff

If you're looking for a blog that points you to cheap baby stuff, I suggest you start reading BabyCheapskate. I've mentioned them before on this blog, but I can't say enough good things about this blog. This is definitely a place I look for info before purchasing things from diapers to cribs and everything in between.

Today's post on BabyCheapskate listed Huggies Enjoy the Ride Rewards codes. For your convenience, I've listed all 81 points here!

RRPXJ-PSDRZ-PGPGB (1)
XGQTZ-JNLGX-SLPGB (1)
BBWBH-SDHFQ-CJPGB (1)
BBMRG-BFQGS-FBPGB (1)
DRRLN-QJSRH-KWPGB (1)
FFQLB-PSQMP-ZCPGB (1)
GMHPR-XCQWL-FRPGB (1)
JFBLF-MCMCZ-GCPGB (1)
HNCXQ-JJMCJ-FCPGB (1)
HPDTG-XHMGX-BWPGB (1)
PXGDB-WGHLZ-FGPGB (1)
QSHCR-CHRND-ZJPGB (1)
RPLSZ-BRLDD-RTPGB (1)
SQJTJ-NJBXK-CMPGB (1)
RZMRR-QFZNP-WGPGB (2)
ZQQGS-FLRLM-XBPGB (5)
QKKZJ MTZRZ HPPGB (5)
STLPM-MBQPZ-RLPGB (5)
KDBDC-NJGCF-SLPGB (5)
LNXBX-DXTSH-BSPGB (5)
RSZNG TJNPH DHPGB (5)
BBRJH-WHDPT-JZPGB (5)
JXBQX-LWHPP-HPPGB (5)
XXDZB-QBPHH-GLPGB (5)
ZKZTH-XSJJN-MHPGB (5)
TXZKZ-JNRJQ-DDPGB (5)
BGZQZ-JCXFC-HZPGB (5)
TKHNF-RLPLS-TRPGB (5+coupon)

You can earn several more points by clicking around their website! Enjoy!