Joyfully Thriving

Grace-Filled Frugal Living

The Surprising Arrival of Caleb Joshua

It's been an eventful two weeks - in so many ways! With the appearance of the Corona virus, my teacher husband and son are now home from school for the next month and we are adjusting to our temporary new normal. At home. As a family of 6. Yes, you read that right. As of today, I officially have a 2 week old. In unexpectedly surprising news, our son decided to make his appearance a month earlier than expected! Caleb Joshua was born Thursday, March 5, at 5:53 pm,weighing 6lbs, 5oz and measuring 19 inches long. I've never been more thankful that I had big babies! It was truly a surprise to … Read More...

Cheapest Diapers | Where to Buy the Cheapest Diapers

We just had another baby! This is the 4th March baby we've had in the past 6 years. No, we didn't plan it that way but that seems to be what happened! Nathan was born in March 2014, followed by Emma in March 2016, followed by Lily in March 2018 and now Caleb in March 2020. Before Caleb arrived, I went into full nesting mode and stocked up on all the things we would need for the first couple of weeks. Little did I know how extra important it would be this time around since Caleb was born just days before everything started shutting down. I was so thankful I was already stocked up on diapers … Read More...

3rd Trimester Update with Baby Number 4

I can't believe it's March! This is the month we will meet our new baby! I have to say that this pregnancy has hurried by faster than the others, but that is probably because I have 3 other children to keep up with now. It's been a good and smooth pregnancy again but I know many of you are ready for an update so here we go! This post may contain affiliate links. You can read more in my disclosure policy. It's time for an update on me and this pregnancy. I'm officially 35 weeks now. People have been asking me for weeks how soon I am due. I find it amusing because more than one more … Read More...

January & February 2020 Shopping Totals

For as long as January seemed, February seems to have flown by! It's probably because the count down is officially on until baby arrives at the end of March, so time is speeding up. We've also dealt with a couple of minor viruses between all my kids so that kept us home at times and made the days pass in a bit of a blur. I continue to share most of my shopping trips as they happen on Instagram and Facebook. You can like the Joyfully Thriving Facebook page here to see those trips as they happen. This lets me answer questions about specific deals while they are still current - so you can grab … Read More...

Lessons from a Month of Freezer Cooking

It's been a long time (too long) since I did a dedicated month of freezer cooking. There is nothing like the nesting instinct and the impeding arrival of baby number 4 to motivate you to resume freezer cooking! I regularly do freezer cooking because I like having extra meals in my freezer - for those busy nights when I don't feel like cooking. Once I started cooking more regularly to fill my freezer this month, I was reminded how gratifying it is to open my freezer and have it full of meals ready to go. Freezer cooking saves me time - and money! Both are excellent reasons to make freezer … Read More...

20 Delicious Freezer Desserts

If you think about freezer cooking, most people will start planning the main dishes they make. It is great to have freezer meals ready to go but my freezer is always stocked with homemade freezer desserts too! I love having desserts frozen for surprise company or school lunches or just to enjoy as a family. While I love to bake, having ready to serve desserts in the freezer is a huge time saver! Freezer desserts allow me to serve a special treat whenever - and just because. Desserts are one of the easiest things to freeze - especially cookies. When I am baking, I often make double … Read More...

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