What Every Mom Should Know...

For all those mom's who want a great deal, but don't know how to do it. Go to...http://www.savvyshopperdeals.comand watch the training video. Then sign up for the free email. It is so worth it. I am also going to start getting 5 of the Daily Herald Sunday papers just for the coupons. The real trick is combining store sales with coupons.

Last week when I came home from the grocery store and showed Ken my receipt, he said, "This is as good as a part-time job". It felt great to hear that. Saving money on groceries really is as good as a part time income, but you still get to be home with your kiddies.

Here is another place to check out...http://www.pinchingyourpennies.comalso sign up for their free email. You won't regret it. Unless of course you don't like saving money. In that case you are just crazy!

I did it too!

A few days ago I went to Albertson's and scored a super buy! I spent $109.13 on $350.51 worth of food. I saved $241.38!!!!!

But wait! That's not all...I went back later. This time I got $43.00 worth of food for .75 cents. YES, .75 cents! My sub-total came to .15, plus .60 tax. I paid .75 cents and came home with bags of groceries!

I think there would be a lot less drug users in this world if they only knew how good of felt to use coupons and shop sales. It's such a natural high! I think I'm an addict. And it feels good!

Our Handsome Cub Scout

Tyler got his new scout uniform yesterday. He's been going to cub scouts for the last month, but says now he feels "official". Last night was the blue and gold banquet. Tyler is really exciting about scouting. I am realizing that this has opened a new chapter in our book of life. One that will keep up busy for the rest of our child rearing years.

Valentine's Day

I few days ago a friend of mine called to say the high school was doing a fundraiser for choir, she asked if I wanted to send Ken a singing vala-gram at work. I knew I couldn't guarantee that Ken would be in his office, but still I liked the idea. I thought it would be fun the have the girls come to the house and sing to Ken and the kids for Valentine's. Here are a few pictures and a short video.

Ken was totally embarrassed, but he loved it. He said I'd be embarrassed too if 8 handsome guys were singing to me, I suppose he's right, but it was fun. The girls sounded awesome!

10 Things I Love

In honor of Valentine's Day I am posting 10 things I love in random order. I LOVE...

1. A clean towel. I love getting out of the shower to a clean, DRY towel that does not smell like it sat in the washer for too long!

2. Reading. I am addicted to reading. I love LDS novels, and early church history the best.

3. Good Friends. I love the kind of friends that you can just picked up from where you left off even if you only talk every few months or even years. I love those friendships that will last forever even if they aren't the people in your day to day life.

4. Sales! But not just sales, I love to buy things cheap, cheap, cheap. Savers, D.I. and garage sales are my favorite places to shop. Throw in a craft store, a book store, and a coupon and I am set.

5. Preserving memories. I love taking pictures. I love to blog, scrapbook, and keep a journal. I love writing down stories that someday my kids might share with their kids.

6. Spring. I can't wait to take a nice warm walk outside in the sunshine!

7. That I married my best friend. And I love that we have made a beautiful family together. And I love that we have FOREVER.

8. Cafe Rio shredded chicken salad with pinto beans and tomatillo dressing. Love it, crave it, gotta have it!

9. A full nights sleep. It's been so long since I've had one that I can't remember what one feels like, but I'm sure I would love it.

10. Being a Mom. I want to write more, but each time I try it turns into a book. I have so many thoughts running through my head about what I love about being a mother, but I'll just leave it at this...I love what THEY teach ME.

Birthday...Science Fair...Dead Ducks...& Lost Babies

Yesterday our big, little Emma turned 6. Emma is our middle child with 3 older and 3 younger siblings. She is super smart (like her mom), she's stubborn (like her mom), and she wants to be the next American Idol. Oh, boy does she love to sing. Again, not unlike her mother, but my siblings squished my dream in it's infancy, but we won't go there... and no I'm not bitter. I hardly ever think about it...really it's only when I listen to the radio. So, Emma you just keep singing your heart out, baby!

Emma wanted a Cinderella cake so I bought a Cinderella and plopped it on top. She was thrilled with the cake, but I think she was disappointed with the size. It was 1/2 a sheet cake. We have had cake three times this week for different celebrations and I thought I might barf. We still have two halves left. Cake anyone?Can you feel the excitement? She is so easy to please, for a few more years anyway. Happy Birthday, Emmie - WE LOVE YOU SO MUCH!

*Syd's science fair project is due today. We started it two days ago. Oh my heck, I will have to do like 100 more of these things with all my kids and it stinks! Okay, when I say "I" I mean them, but still I have to supervise, nag, nag some more, then supervise again. It's rough, I mean really rough.

Syd experimented with baking soda in cookies. I hope we get an 'A', Syd...Oh, I mean you...I hope you get an 'A'. Good job on your hard work!

*The ducks are dead...or rather, the duck wall paper came crashing down. Last weekend when my brother came down he made Ken a really cool bar, and dart board cupboard to go down in his "man pad". The gray wall paper and blue ducks just didn't go anymore with the new rustic saloon look. We need to pick out paint colors and texture the wall behind the wall paper. We also want to install new lighting. We have no idea what we are doing so we'll see how things go. This is our first remodel project in our new house.
Stay tuned for the basements exciting new look. But, don't hold your breathe...I have no idea when it will be finished. I love tax returns! Without them the ducks would live on.

*Yesterday I nearly had a heart attack as I frantically searched the house for McKenna and couldn't find her. I ran through each floor calling her name and searching. Just before I was about to call 911 and try to explain how I lost my baby I remembered something...last weekend before company came to stay I stashed some toys in the laundry room closet. Okay, it's worth a shot, I thought. Voila'! There she was...just feet away from me hidden in a closet. I reminded my heart to breathe again, the baby was found!
She was quietly playing tea-set as happy as can be. This picture was taken today when the same scene on a smaller level played out again. It didn't take me as long to check the closet this time.

An Exciting Weekend...

Ken had the wonderful opportunity of not only baptizing our oldest son Tyler, but also blessing our youngest son Daric. We have had a weekend filled with family and loved ones. We are so grateful for their love and support.

Sydney and Aunt Heather both spoke at the baptism and did a fantastic job. Tyler also shared his testimony after his confirmation. I felt the spirit there strongly and am so proud of my little guy.

We had nearly all of our immediate family attend. It was great to see everyone.

The following day was Daric's baby blessing. Ken gave him a beautiful blessing.

Each of the boys have worn the same blessing outfit. I guess they'll all have too fight for it when they get older.

I am so grateful to be a member of the church and to have a knowledge of the fullness of the gospel. And I'm thankful for special times like this that bring families together.