Wally World

I have officially switched from being an Ingles (the major grocery store in the Asheville area) to a Walmart shopper. When we first moved here a Super Walmart had just moved in and there were tons of bumper stickers and signs opposing it, and yet the MASSIVE parking lot is always full, night and day. I hate the busyness/crowdedness of it, the not-at-all-helpful sales people, the slooooow checkers and the icky produce... however, if you go during the day, and buy produce at the Farmer's Market it is worth the $50 I can save every month.

I read an article recently that said that average family spends $900 PER MONTH on groceries!! $900!!!! Granted, there are just two eaters in this family, but I have found that when I plan a menu we spend less than a quarter of that, and less than that when I shop at Wally World.

And one other question, how many grocery stores it is worth going to? I already buy my meat in bulk, go to Sam's Club for the toilet paper etc, go to the health food store for some produce and milk, the Farmer's market for produce, butter & eggs and Walmart for the rest.... but there are also a bunch of grocery outlet stores in the area... is it worth the hassle for the savings??? What do you do?

Bath Time

I can't say that Ben loved his bath at first, but he sure loves it now. I personally think that it is because it is his mama, not his grandma that is giving it to him. :) I do think that he loves the baby bathtub because he can be up and looking around... and he also likes the water really really warm, once we figured out those two things he is a happy camper and actually crys when I take him out. :) I dont think it bodes well for the future, but Benjamin LOOVVEES being naked. :-P

2 Months Old

The toothless smile.

How can you not love that sweet little face?

He looks like a little boy in this picture. All grown up with his jeans!

Benjamin had his 2 month appointment on Monday. Since we don't have a scale that measures such small amounts I was curious to see how much he weighed, since he didn't seem that much bigger to me. Well, I guess looking at him every day I didn't see the change. (However yesterday we visited a friend in the hospital who just had a baby 7 weeks early, and he was 5lbs, so Ben felt like a giant after that!) He is now 11lb 9oz (exactly average) and 24" long (90th percentile) so the little man is growing! He is becoming more fun by the day. He is smiling and beginning to talk to us, he is also not content to just lay down, he must be up and looking around! Fun, fun, fun!!

Bumpersticker of the Day

REALITY IS FOR THOSE

WITH NO IMAGINATION

He Might Look A Little Like His Mama

LeahBenjamin

Leah

Benjamin

Random Pic

Bumpersticker of the Day

VOTE DEMOCRAT

For More Sensative Imperialism

Father & Son Time

Benjamin is growing up so fast! He is 8 weeks old today! In addition to what you see in the video we have noticed that:

• He likes his back and head rubbed (takes after his mama)
• He wakes up grumpy (like his daddy)
• He is ticklish - he squirms if you touch his ribs or feet
• He has started smiling back at us - we LOVE it!
• He wore his last newborn diaper a week ago and I am putting away all of his newborn clothes this week... sad, but exciting. :)

What Is Wrong With This Picture?

OK, other than my nasty windshield, what is wrong with this picture? While we were in Jacksonville this past weekend we went through Checkers drive-thru. Yes, that right. The window is on the PASSENGER side. What would you do it I wasn't there? Go Figure. Apparently Marines do things backwards. :) (Jacksonville, NC is the home of Camp Lejeune, a large Marine base).

Bumpersticker of the Day

I'M TOO POOR

TO VOTE REPUBLICAN

The Amazing Traveler

This past weekend, Drew, Ben & I drove down to Jacksonville, NC to visit Andrew's Grandma... Benjamin's Great Grandmother. Benjamin was a GREAT traveler, we only stopped twice on the way down there, and once on the way back! It is a 6 hour drive. This bodes well for future trips. :) We were able to see 3 of Andrew's cousins, his uncle and his grandmother, it was a great trip, but nice to be home... I missed the changing table. :)

Benjamin Asher is Great-Grandchild # 30!

Bumpersticker of the Day

YES, THIS IS MY TRUCK

NO, I WON'T HELP YOU MOVE

Future Evangelist?

Yes, he sleeps like this... often. :)

Bumpersticker of the Day

DON'T EAT YELLOW SNOW

DON'T DRINK YELLOW BEER

Bumpersticker of the Day

DON'T DRINK AND DRIVE

BECAUSE IF YOU HIT A BUMP

YOU WILL SPILL YOUR DRINK

Another Family Picture

Here is the Krishnan side of the family, minus the middle two boys, Nate & Micah. Not a bad looking bunch, huh?? :)

A Wedding & The Sickness

I now have another SISTER!! Andrew's brother Jonathon married Becki in a small, sweet ceremony on Friday evening. Andrew was the Best Man and looked amazing in his tux for all of you were wondering. Sadly, I forgot my camera so these are stolen pictures and as soon as I find one of Andrew I will post it. :) I, on the other hand, didn't look so great at the wedding. Friday morning I woke up with a horrible headache, sore throat and just couldn't get warm. I made it to the wedding, still feeling gross, and then right after it was over just sort of fell apart. I, being brilliant, had forgotten to eat all day, and had taken Tylenol on an empty stomach, and I think my fever had spiked and I was sweating and thought I was going to pass out. It was not all that fun. After about an hour, I was able to eat and stop feeling so dizzy and out of it, but Saturday and Sunday were spent doing nothing, and recovering my the nasty-flu-sickness. I am feeling MUCH better today, but not 100%. Thankfully it looks like the Munchin didn't get it! Praise the Lord!!

And he is with his uncle Jonathon at the wedding. :) Ben was a big hit at the wedding, my favorite comment was from one of Becki's aunts (who had never met Andrew or myself). After seeing Ben and realizing that it was Jonathon's nephew, she said "well, I guess I just expected Jonathon's nephew to be more... blonde." :)

Family

L-R Back Row: Eric Z., Andrew, Buzz, Daniel Z. Middle: Sarah Z. Me, Dad Front: Peter (and Dodger) Mom & Ben

It is not a complete picture, but a picture of family all the same. :)

Clarification

For My Husband, and anyone else who's last name starts with Z. (And anyone else who is confused on this topic :).

Burrito: Tortilla with beans and cheese inside, and sometimes rice. There can be variations such as a chicken burrito, or a steak burrito. The tortilla is completely wrapped around the contents.

Taco: Hard shell with meat, cheese, lettuce, tomatoes etc.

Soft Taco: Tortilla with meat, cheese, lettuce, tomatoes etc.

Taco Salad: Chips with meat, cheese, lettuce, tomatoes etc. on top.

Nachos: Chips with liquid cheese - what you get at the ball park.

Nachos Supreme: Chips with meat, cheese, beans etc. backed in the oven.

Thank you for your time, I hope this clears up any confusion you may have about such things. :)

The Many Faces of Benjamin

Bye-Bye

My Mom, Dad & Brother Buzz left today. They will be missed!

Thatha (Tamil for Grandpa) and his "Sqirt Bug"

Granna and her "Benjamite or Ben Asher"

And Uncle Buzz (the best Ivy-Walker ever) and his "Zazu" (the bird from the Lion King :)

Ben Asher

My baby is growing up. My mother-in-law reminded me that I shouldn't be sad. Our goal is raising children is that the do grow up... but I miss my tiny baby already. Today was his first time in a NON-newborn outfit. He is going to be grown out of his newborn clothes and diapers probably in less than a week! It is amazing to think that he will be 6 WEEKS OLD on Wednesday!

Someone once told me that to have a child it to "forever have your heart go walking around outside your body". How true that is! It becomes a little more real each day as I get to know him better and love him more.

A long time ago I told you that one of the things that made "having a baby" more real was that our pastor prayed for him during our "walk forward communion"... well today was Ben's first time Post-Birth... it was amazing and wonderful to think that the thing moving around inside me that we prayed for was this amazing little boy. Lord, we will continue to pray that he knows YOU from an early age!

And So It Goes

Selling a home - especially in today's market - is like a roller coaster ride... that, for us, has yet to end. We got on the ride last May, since then we have had many ups and downs... the UPS being the racing around the house to get it ready to show in the 15 minutes they give you... or better yet, racing home from work to clean it up, only to have 5 minutes and turn around and leave. And of course there are the lovely people that show up early... while the counter is still messy and you are still home. I LOVE asking a realtor to move their car because they parked me in. :-P

Then there are the DOWNS- the calls saying that the canceled the showing, or that they didn't like the house. Here are a few of the reasons we have gotten so far:

• Didn't like the area
• Don't like the floor plan
• "Liked the neighborhood, and the floor plan, not the right house for them" YES, someone said that... really useful feedback, huh?
• Won't live in a house that had pets
• Not interested because they have to let their dog out the BACK door to use the bathroom (our back door goes to a deck that is 15 feet up). What do you say to that one?

Two weeks ago, we had our first - second showing. As luck would have it, we found out about their first showing AFTER it happened. They called at 10am on a Sunday morning, and showed it at 10:30. The house was a TOTAL wreck... we came home and found a business card laying on the counter. I had left my phone at home, and I ran to check messages, and sure enough... there had been a showing. Sadly, they chose not to make an offer because they drove his commute and thought it was too long.

Well, yesterday we had another showing (yes, right in the middle of one of the craziest weeks - read the earlier post -) and our realtor called (who also happens to be their realtor) to say that they really liked it and it was between our house and one other. They came back to look today and were thinking about making an offer when they got a call saying her grandmother had died. I am very sorry for them, but my goodness... I just want off the ride!! :)

If you think of it, please pray that our house would sell!