Cheap Food Thursday

So with the amazing help of my sister.. (thanks Steph) I braved Albertsons this morning to cash in on some deals. Here's how it went. 6 packs chips ahoys cookies, 2 6packs of hershey candy bars (great for s'mores) 2 bags mallows, 2 boxes honey maid grahams, 6 tubs of skippy peanut butter, 1 box poptarts, 7 boxes of kellogs cereal, 10 fresh packs of starkist tuna fish, 3 packs of oreos, and 6 boxes of Capri sun. for a total of 46 items. Combine the sales with coupons my bill was a whopping $35.55. That's about 77 cents per item.

Mother

So I just have to say how blessed I am to have such an amazing Mother in my life, and in the lives of my kids. I was raised by the most special woman in the world. I love her so much. She went through so much to make me and my siblings who we are today. Not only was she my Mom, she was my counselor, my doctor, my chef, and most of all, my BEST FRIEND. I have a frame on my table that reads... Everything I am or hope to be I owe to my mother. It couldn't be more true, I truely owe her so much for the great example she is to me. Thank you mom for never giving up on me, for always loving me for who I am, and espically for just being you! I love you! Happy Mother's Day.

I Believe..

So these past few months have really been a time of spiritual growth for me and my family. I have realized that there is so little we understand about life. But, here are a few things that I believe(is ten a few?):

I believe

1. in MIRACLES!!!
2. in the power of prayer!
3. that families are forever!
4. there is never a shortcut to anywhere worth going.
5. in priesthood power.
6. that you never fall out of true love.
7. people can change.
8. if it is meant to be it will be.
9. we don't have all the answers (but it would be nice, and I can keep a secret..)

and most of all..
10. There is a plan and when you get a small glimpse of its wonder, you will never be the same.

Confessions of a first grade mom

So can I tell you that I cannot figure out my first grader. He is darling and I adore him, however getting him to read his 20 minutes a night is like trying to bath a cat. We go to parent teacher confrence and she tell us what a great student he is, which is true, how his test scores are great and he is such a good boy. We know he can read, and does it rather well. But at home getting him to even find a book is a take down drag out fight. We have tried the magic treehouse series.. hates them. We have tried Junie B. Jones hates them too. We have not signed his planner and even took things away, yet nothings seems to get to him. To be honest it is exhausting. What do you do with a kid that dreads reading??

Here we go again

So here we are once again training for the half marathon. I am not sure why I sign up every year but for the past 3 years me and my girlfriends have trained together and ran the Ogden Half Marathon. Last year was a treat, our husbands ran it also. So here I am 2 months postpartum and financially obligated, but I knew if I paid my money I would get my butt in gear. It truly is a beautiful run, around the valley and down the canyon. We are excited and hoping the weather gets better so we can hit the ground running... literally.

Making my money count

So my sister and I (she is much better at it than I am) are trying to seriously cut our grocery bill and improve our food storage. How we do this you ask... By finding whats on sale and using coupons. Last week's store of choice was Albertsons, where they were offering 10 dollar vouchers for every 10 general mills items you buy. combine that with coupons, and you have free food. With a lot of help from my amazing sister. I ended up with well over $150.00 in groceries for just under 23 bucks. Unbelievable, I know. Even Brandon was amazed. In a time when money is so tight I figure this is a place to save. It does require a little planning but well worth it as you can tell.

Hands

So I got this darling picture of Lainey and Great-Grandma Dawson's hands. It was on Lainey's blessing day. My Grandma Etta is turning 91 next month. She is the most amazing person I know. She is so talented. She completely remade Lainey's dress so it would fit her. It was so beautiful, and perfect for Lainey's special day. I am so grateful to have such a gifted Grandma. What an amazing woman. We love her sooooooo much.

Babies Don't Keep

I thought I would post one of my favorite poems. It seems I can almost watch Lainey grow from day to day. I have tried to just enjoy her (because she is my last one). This poem explains it so well for me.

Mother, oh Mother, come shake out your cloth

empty the dustpan, poison the moth,

hang out the washing and butter the bread,

sew on a button and make up a bed.

Where is the mother whose house is so shocking?

She's up in the nursery, blissfully rocking.

Oh, I've grown shiftless as Little Boy Blue

(lullaby, rockaby, lullaby loo).

Dishes are waiting and bills are past due

(pat-a-cake, darling, and peek, peekaboo).

The shopping's not done and there's nothing for stew

and out in the yard there's a hullabaloo

but I'm playing Kanga and this is my Roo.

Look! Aren't her eyes the most wonderful hue?

(lullaby, rockaby, lullaby loo).

The cleaning and scrubbing will wait till tomorrow,

for children grow up, as I've learned to my sorrow.

So quiet down, cobwebs. Dust go to sleep.

I'm rocking my baby and babies don't keep.

by Ruth Hulburt Hamilton

Conversations with Kenley

So today Kenley wasn't doing what I asked her to and as a result was going to be late for school. Here is how our coversation went...

ME: Kenley, you are not listening to me.

KENLEY: Mom, you know how my ears are.

ME: No honey, I don't know. How are your ears?

KENLEY: They trun off sometimes.

ME: Well then then leave them on all the time.

KENLEY: But mom that will waste the batteries.

Where she comes up with this stuff is beyond me but what a nut.

The Loves of my life...

I am so blessed to have so many things to love in this life! I have an amazing husband who has made such a great effort to become a better spouse, father, and friend. I have grown so much closer to him in the last year or so. I am not sure if it is just time or maturity, whatever it is, I love him so much and appreciate his hard work and patience. Together we have the most beautiful kids. Jack has a heart of gold, and loves to be a tease. Kenley is the best sport, she will go anywhere and do anything, and our little Lainey is the sweetest. What more could a girl ask for?

Lainey Kate

Our little Lainey has arrived.
December 19, 2008
6lbs. 7oz.
19 and a half inches

WELCOME LITTLE LAINEY

Families are Forever

I have the greatest family. Brandon and I are rounding that 10 year mark and what a trip it has been. I love my family so much! Our family is finally complete with the arrival of our new little Lainey. What a great feeling to know that my family is forever!