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.