Welcome to all my Ultimate Blog Party Hoppers! I know you are all busy jumping from blog to blog finding all sorts of new and wonderful bloggers. To keep it short and sweet I’ll introduce myself and then tell you the rest of the story with pictures to keep you moving right along.
I am The Happy Housewife. I have been blogging on this site for over a year. I feel like my site can be summed up by my tagline, “thriving on one income in a two income world.” I am always looking for ways to save money and reuse items in order to live thriftier and “greener.” This year our challenge is to live on half my husband’s income in order to save for a house. I am also a military wife and mom of 6 (soon to be 7 kiddos) so I write about military life, kids, and homeschooling. The newest project on my site is writing Our Story, or the story of how my husband and I met, got married a few weeks later and well, it isn’t finished yet so I don’t want to give away the ending.
Now on with the photos….
This is me, the picture is actually a bit deceiving because we don’t live on a farm… we live in the suburbs of D.C.
This is the rest of the fam…
Yes, I am married to Mr. Incredible. You can read all about him here.
We have a big family, sometimes people ask if we are trying to field a baseball team, I tell them we prefer soccer.
We love parties so much around here we celebrate 8 of them every year… but that wasn’t enough so this year we are adding another!
We especially love making and eating cake, would you care to join us for some ice cream cake?
or perhaps a Barbie Cake?
I almost always make the cakes myself, because I am frugal…. and I have lots of help in the kitchen.
I love to cook and share many of our family recipes too.
Okay, I don’t really make meals like that, they look more like this…
Every other week I write about Commissary deals to help military families stretch their grocery budget.
I also run a program that donates expired coupons to our military families overseas.
Occasionally I will post super great bargains, like how to get free ice cream just by going out in your pajamas.
We love to have fun and learn ways to make things cheaper and better ourselves.
I love to sew and find new ways to use old things.
Shirt
Dress
Thanks for stopping by, I promise I won’t keep you any longer.
For lots of frugal ideas, “green” living tips, homeschooling adventures, great recipes, organizing tips, military deals, and fun crafty projects subscribe to The Happy Housewife and have each post delivered straight to your inbox or reader.
You can also follow me on Twitter for daily musings, deals, and updates.
If you have a moment you can hop over to my giveaway and enter to win a copy of Melissa’s Great Book of Produce.
There are some great prizes up for grabs at the Ulitmate Blog Party this year. I hope I win some cute hair bows from Chesapeake Ribbons, for my soon to be 3 girls. Or maybe a Made by Michelle diaper bag for the new baby. A gift card to the Heavenly Homemakers gift shop would be great too!
**takes off her shoes and stays awhile** great post, i love reading about you guys!! great family!! i’ll be back!!!
I love all your money saving tips! Enjoyed your pictures. Thanks for sharing!
I look forward to your commissary deal of the week each week. I enjoy your blog very much!!
You’ve got a lovely family! I really enjoy reading ‘your story’! Can’t wait for the next installment. Blessings!
Taya
Love your blog! I’m Cierra from Snap Shot Of Our Lives…My hubby just got out of the military a few months ago,I kinda miss it but we are excited to see what new adventures are in store for us now
…Happy Bloggin’!
I have been following your blog for week or two now. But I have to say you made me smile when in the picture of your pasta dish for “they (your meals) look more like this” – there was a piece of pasta sitting on the stovetop. I thought – thank you, this is real life.
Your pictures of your food (& everything else) always look great, so it was fun to see real life sneak into that picture.
Thanks & good luck with bed rest.
I’ve enjoyed what I read of your blog. I read “Our Story” and was wondering if you had written more of it past being preganat. What a great story!
Love your post! I decided to join the party as well! This is going to be fun! Thanks for writing about it. I wouldn’t have known about it if I didn’t see your post today.
Thanks!
God bless,
Amanda
I like your party post. I prefer baking our kids’ birthday cakes too. They almost always taste better than what you can get in a store. Have fun partying with the Ultimate Blog Party this week!
Love the pictures of your family! You rock!
I love your blog! We’re living on a single income as well but only with 3 boys. I bet you’ve got some serious tips and tricks I need to pick up on!!
GREAT post! I will definitely be hanging around here…if not just for the company of another mom who loves having kids and makes REAL dinner =)
Last I got three envolopes of coupons! Thank you!!! Right now they are making their way around my Bible study/ladies group. All were excited!! Thanks again!
Great pics! Happy partying!
Thank you for your great blog and encouragement!
Nice to meet you! Awesome family.
I loved visiting your blog party and seeing all the pictures.
I made the barbie cake for my daughter when she was 9. She is 15 now and wouldn’t dare have a barbie cake anymore. So it was fun to see yours.
Kristie
Yeah, I’m still waiting for the instructions on the dunk bucket.
Thanks for taking the time to blog frequently!
Happy UPB! I’ll be back because I like reading how you manage with a large family!
Pleased to officially meet you! I have been following you for awhile as I really enjoy your blog! And I am thoroughly enjoying “your story” as it rivals our own!!!
I too enjoy making cakes for my kiddos, so it’s been wonderful to see yours! Be back soon………….
Loving your blog!
The cakes look delish…maybe you could make some for our parties?
Love the Star Wars cake! My son would enjoy that for his birthday!!
Great pictures Toni. I love the dress you made from the shirt. The field trip was cancelled, but that’s okay, I’ll need some extra time to return comments.
Love your blog, I definitely need to come back and find out about those coupons for the military–I have tons that I don’t use.
Loving this blog partying!
Your cakes are awesome!!! Nice to “meet” you!
I love your site. So full of info, i look forward to visiting here.
I love your introduction Toni! I just checked out the blogging party and WOW…how overwhelming. There are so many blogs. I could get sucked in for hours. I think I will just stick with those I already know and love (like you)…I don’t need to be wasting any more of my time on the computer, that’s for sure. Waiting anxiously to hear more of your story.
Great post. If I didn’t already read you every day I’d be reading you every day….!
I’m already a regular reader, but I wanted to say that your blog party post is awesome! I love all the pics.
I just found your blog today and have been entertaining myself with your story of how you met and married your husband. Absolutely amazing. I can’t wait to read more! I will definitely be back!
I always love your blog and now I feel like I’ve met the whole family! Wonderful!
~Kim
I’m a regular (within the last month or so) and love your blog. I’m REALLY looking forward to the next installment of how you became the Happy Homemaker… I’m on that journey right now and feel a kinship to you through your sharing your own story. Glad to see you in the Party!
I know it, it would so be nice to meet up in real life. Maybe some day. Are you anywhere near Missouri? YAY for the diapers coming! It’s so much fun
Wow are you busy! Love the family photos! Party on!
Your party rocks!
Just party hoppin’ and couldn’t forget your amazing blog! I’ve followed your blog ever since I first started blogging with Mommy Lounge and when I started working with Rhonda (UV Skinz) we both agreed that you are amazing! You always offer such great tips and resources.
Thanks for such a great UBP! See you around the blog o’ sphere!
Kalisha
Great Blog Party post! Enjoyed it! I have been visiting for a few months now so liked catching up on your family.
Alyzabeth’s Mommy for Six Weeks.
Celebrating AA’s Half Birthday with a Giveaway, Come Visit!
Happy UBP day!! Enjoyed the post and getting to know you better!
Hey, love all the pics and telling us what your blog is all about!
Great blog! You definitely keep busy. I’ll be visiting again.
My father is retired military. I sure miss the thrill of commissary shopping with coupons. It was fun!
I am stopping by from The Ultimate Blog Party to check your blog out. What a great week we are in for!
Check out my place for your chance to win a LeapFrog Tag Reading System.
Stacie
The Divine Miss Mommy
http://www.thedivinemissmommy.com
http://www.twitter.com/stacieinatlanta
Wow Just WOW !! What a wonderful site.
Have a Happy 2nd Party Day !!
Happy partying Toni. I’ve enjoyed reading your blog. You are so crafty! And I honestly don’t know how you get it all done! Hope you are hangin’ in there these days.
MB
Just going from party to party to see how others are doing this blogging thing.
love your header, congrats on a new baby!
My prize is #115 check it out!
Have a good weekend blog partyn’!
Great post Toni! I enjoy your blog so much!
Great post.
That about sums it up! Happy UBP 09.
Oh, and stop by http://www.teahlo.blogspot.com if you have a chance – I’m giving away a set of cloth napkins to one lucky commenter. Right up your (green) alley!
Hello! Poppin’ in from The Ultimate Blog Party…all the way from Queensland, Australia! G’Day! I hope you have time to visit my party soon.
Ta!
I want to invite you to the Mommie Daze Virtual Baby Shower that I am hosting May 15 to June 8. This is an international even and there are prizes! Stop by my blog for all the details.
Hi nice to meet you! You have a beautiful family and I love the barbie cake. Fantastic job! Hope you are having fun at the party. I would also like to invite you to link to Show off your Blog Saturday! I would love to read your favorite post!
love your blog what a cute family and now I am hungry, love your cakes could you send me a slice I am famished with all this party hopping
Happy UBP!
I like your blog, Your family is beautiful. I grew up with 5 siblings and we were Army Brats. It was great. The greatest thing about having that many siblings when you are moving so much is you always have a Friend.
I am new to Blogging and this is my first blog party. I love to try new recipes and I have found so many on the blogs I have visited.
Thanks for inviting us to stop by for a visit.
Have Fun!!!
LOVE your site. I will be subscribing and following you on twitter!!
I’m starting a new blog carnival called “Free Fun Fridays” to share free or nearly free craft and activity ideas for kids – I’d love to see you over there! 
Toni, I LOVE your blog!! Thank you for inviting me to the party ~ I have found several interesting blogs.
You are a true inspiration to me!! Thank you for the great site!
Dropping in on the party circuit. This is a lovely blog. Your heder is great! Nice to meet you and the family.
Ruby
What a WONDERFUL blog!! You have such a beautiful family!! Now I’m off to read about commissary deals and overseas coupons!!!!
Love your site!! My Handsome and I enjoyed “our story”. We are also trying to live “green”, spend less, and raise Godly men! I enjoy your recipes and stories!
Hi, I am bookmarking your blog so I can come back later. I love the DIY compost bin idea & think I’ll have DH & the kids work on that this afternoon.
I am also a homeschool mom (of 3, almost 4) & am on bedrest! My DH is EX-military, but I wasn’t married to him then…
I look forward to “getting to know you” better!
Nice to meet you!
Talk about a party!
I’m quite intrigued and am learning how to get around!
Just stopping by from 5minutes for moms blog party!
That “shirt-to-dress” thing reminds me of Sound of Music when Maria makes clothes for all of the kids out of curtains. I love it!
HI! Thank you for stopping by my blog for the UBP… I’m a little late in visiting back, but I hope it’s not too late.
You know I love your blog… I’ve especially enjoyed your story and your more recent “day in the life” posts.
Thanks for what you do to inspire us!
Amy Ellen at HealthBeginsWithMom.com
Um… now I’m craving cake. heehee
Just blog hopping in through the party link list.
Stop in on my party if you’ve got a minute!
Nice to meet you! Thanks for the introduction.
I am enjoying all these blogs. Yours is one of the best especially your graphics.
Happy blog party! I enjoy very much these blogs especially yours!
your blog is very helpful. I am really having fun looking at all these blogs
I was just stopping by for the party. Love your blog and concept. I live in Cali where everything is uber expensive and living on a single family income seems like a pipe dream than anything. Though I would love to stay home with the kids.
Have a great party.
You have a beautiful family… we actually live in Maryland! I’ll definitely have to check out your blog more later… (I’m just bookmarking everyone right now, while I blog-hop my way through the party :-p)
Feel free to check out my blog, too! While I found the party too late to be part of the official prize giveaways, I do have a door prize at my blog: I’m giving away a free print copy of my book, “Two Snowflakes.” Here’s my address: http://twinhappyjen.blogspot.com/
It was nice to meet you!
Nice party, and nice to meet you!
it was a fun party!
I just found your site while looking for ideas on home made outdoor games. The bucket splash looks awesome. Have you been able to get the plans yet? I would love to make this for the kids.