Name: Melissa
Age:   33
Home:  Ohio

Occupation:
I was an asst. manager of a drug store before my oldest was born. And before Madalyn was born I worked at the Christian school as recess and study hall monitor.  During the school year I run the After-school care program for 2 hours a day.  But, mostly I am a SAHM

Family:
Ron (34)
Elizabeth (7)
Madalyn (1)

Hobbies:
That's usually after the girls go to bed or early in the morning.  I use the computer, do bills, clean, and spend time with Ron.  If I get extra time, I like to quilt, paint, and craft.

What Funny Things Do Your Kids Do/Say:
Madalyn is pretty much getting into stuff 100% of the time!  Elizabeth is always questioning everything.  She is very curious.  She'll ask why things are the color they are? How they got there?  She loves garage sales and bargaining with people.  She brought a man down $5.00 last week on a globe she wanted.  I was going to buy it for her.  But, she did such a great job.  I let her pay and gave her the money later! haha

The Most Rewarding Thing About Parenting:
See the new things they experience everyday.  The love they have for people, even if that person has hurt them in some way.  They forgive so easy.  How good they are to each other.

The Most Challenging Thing About Parenting:
The worlds view on things.  Try not to let it get to your children.  Teaching them to be Just who THEY are.  Not to be someone fake just to make people happy.  (Yes, it even starts in 2nd grade!)

Favorites:
Anything Arthur, Pooh, Raggedy Ann, or Sesame Street.  We read A lot, so books are important.

Money Saving Tips:
I shop garage sales, buy ahead.  I used to be a big shopper of Goodwill.  But, they have gotten too expensive for me.  I also coupon as much as possible.  We buy what is on clearance of on sale.  Never full price. 

Best Bargain Ever:
I bought valances for our sun porch from Value City.  In the JCPenney catalog they where $18.99 a piece.  I got the same ones for $2.99 a piece.  I saved $128.00 dollars. (I needed 8)

In the Kitchen:
I use remaining Chex mix for salad topping.  I use cookie crumbs for ice cream topping.  I try never to throw much away.  As far as food goes.  I use my crock pot a lot.  I love to make casseroles, stuffed peppers, and cabbage casserole in it.  They are inexpensive, good for you, and take little time.

Organization:
I try very hard to stay organized.  But, sometimes I fail.  And have to catch up.  I like the plastic storage bins.  My girls have them under there beds for clothes that are a little too big, or out of season yet.  We keep shoes on racks in closets.  I keep my pictures in plastic bins too.  Till I can get to them to scrapbook.