Proud moments...

Its always amazing when a mother can look upon her children and bask in the wonder of what God has given her....in my case, God has a serious sense of humor...!!

Being only three, it is often hard for little Parker to be the one to invent the "funny idea" but in this particular instance, man...he did. Brian and I were sitting downstairs innocently conversating when we were visually violated by what looked like our son...but VERY VERY unrecognizable...!!

What makes a child think..."I wonder how much of my face I can jam into a thick rubber circle..." I will never know...I guess it would be the same thing that made me put a cup onto my face using suction, and then leaving it on to dance around the room making my friends laugh long enough to give myself a very fashionable purple hickey encircling my entire mouth...only, I was in High School, and in California for a national dance competition...but really....that was different...hahaha

Well, Oakley loved the commotion and laughter that was going on in Parker's behalf, and decided she would try it out...W O W....what can I say?? Our little Princess!!!

**NOTE** No children were harmed in the making of their brilliant ideas. All faces went back to their original shape and color!

Strike a Fierce Pose...

My children...they mean well, and I LOVE THEM for it...but oh heavens do they make me laugh sometimes!!

First up we have Oakley, who came beaming down the stairs saying "Look at my outfit!!" Oh honey...wait another ten years...we'll see what you say about your "outfit" then. But she was glowing and posing like a supermodel in all of her pictures...in fact, with a face like that you wouldn't even notice the navy blue star patterned shorts underneath the solid sequenced silver and black halter leotard, the long "gloves" and the brown school shoes...not at all....!!! She is such a cutie...!!!

And here we have our fierce seven year old striking an intense static pose as one of the many Star Wars warriors that he is....

Doesn't he look so threatening??!!...just ignore the food on his face...(winks and smiles)

Little Parker is all about looking just as tough as his older brother....note the food all over HIS face as well...hehe

Last but not least, the baby...well, what can I say...he is just one of a kind...!! Sometimes when he is throwing a fit, the only way to "throw him off his game" is to do this:

For some reason it is instant smiles...HMMM...I just got an awesome idea for all of these Sundays until he is nursery age...just know that when you hear him laughing down the church hallways with his shirt over his head...it is either that or screaming...!!

All in all, I have to say that I am a pretty lucky gal with some pretty entertaining kids....So basically, I have been blessed!!

**Looking at this later...I realize two things...I don't know how to put pictures up so that you can click to get the full size, and because of that, number two, you can't see the food real well on the boys' faces...just know it is there...lol**

Food makes me Happy...!!!

Okay, I am not gonna go all coupon preachin' on you...but a full pantry is a happy mom!! So I thought I would take a picture of one of my latest trips. Don't worry, I won't be doing this regularly or anything...more of just a proof to myself that all this time is really worth the effort!!

Here is what I got:

3 boxes Lean Pockets
4 of the 1.5 Quart Breyers Ice cream
1 Shampoo
1 Conditioner
1 Styling Mousse
2 cases Juicy Juice
7 Boxes Honey Nut Cheerios
4 bags of Trail Mix
8 cans of olives
2 bags baked Lays
8 boxes Kraft Mac 'N' Cheese

Okay...so how much would this have cost?? $128.17

How much did I spend????
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................$22.59!!!!!!

That is a savings of 83%

Since the beginning of June when I started couponing, I have been able to save an average of 78%(ya...I am weird...I log every shopping trip...)

I DO believe it is worth it!!! I don't want you to think I am bragging though!! That would be horrible!! I get ALL of my info from the awesome buttons on my sidebar!! Check out those hard working blogs who are all out to save us money!! And if ya ever want a shopping buddy...well, you know where to find me!!!!

Pittin' Out...

So, in my defense...Summer SHOULD be about being outside, in nature, with your family, swimming, camping, whitewater rafting, picnicking, reunioning, watermelon eating...and all that GOOD SUMMER FUN!!! Good news is that I have had a chance to do all of it...well, I guess the "reunion" is next week....more like a big camp out with family and friends though!!

On to the real story...! We have a pretty big back yard...it is awesome...and a pain...unless of course you have a riding lawn mower that you would like to lend us on a weekly basis in which case we would love our giant of a yard again...!! No, we do enjoy it...!! We have this corner thing though...it is actually and easement that our neighbors decided they didn't want. It is fairly big, and we weren't sure what to do with it. It started out as our "catch-all" and then I cleaned it out, and thought...a garden!! And then Brian broke his collar bone, and I am not proficient in building a fence, so then we came up with this idea...

Our fire pit...!! It was a great idea...of mine...!! HAHA...What is more fun then sitting with your family around a cozy fire roasting marshmallows?? Especially in the summer!!! We made it as a family, and it was great for us all to work outside together!

The kids picked up rocks...

This boy preferred to be IN the hole...

He also preferred EATING the dirt...Handfuls at a time despite us repeatedly telling him "YUCKIES!! EW....YUCKIES!!! NO NO!!!"

Did I mention that dirt and stickies DON'T go together?? He slimmed me!!

Look at all that gooey dirt, grass, and Marshmallow....

YUMMM....

OVERDRIVE...!!!

WOW...I thought my summer would be nice and relaxing...a chance to hang out with the kids in the sun, sleep in, do leisurely activities...etc. UUUURRRCHHHH!!! (the sound of my fantasies coming to a complete and utter HAULT!!)

Here is what I have been doing, and why I cannot seem to find the time to blog about it!!

I had the opportunity to go up to girls camp with the young women in our ward as the Camp Director. It was so amazing, and I learned SO much from them. I can't wait to plan and go again next year!! REALLY!!

I got called as the Mia Maids advisor, which I was super excited about...but then quickly realized that the last and only time I have ever taught anyone was about 7 1/2 years ago, and they were 6 year olds...!! (insert panic here) I am glad to have this opportunity to learn and grow though, and it will force me to be studying all throughout the week!!

The kids have been in swimming lessons four days a week. It is great to see them swimming, and learning to be avid in the water. Plus, it gives me the peace of mind that they won't drown if I chase a baby who thinks he can just run straight into the water with no consequences!!

My studio got to be a part of the Caldwell City Fourth of July Parade!! I didn't tell anyone about it because I didn't know what to expect, and didn't want everyone to have to drive all the way out here for nothing...! ON THE CONTRARY!! It was really cool! We had a lot of fun, and I was super impressed with the parade itself! It was quite an event! I will be inviting everyone next year!!

I had my ten year high school reunion this weekend (yeah, I know...I am old!!) (hahaha)...and survived!! There was drama, fun, weirdness, happiness, stress, anxiety, confusion, excitement, blabbing, and all else that could be expected with people you went to High School with!! It was really fun to go though, and I really did enjoy seeing people that I haven't had a chance to see in a while.

Next week, I am excited to get to go on a three day hiking, rafting, camping excursion with the youth group again! Hopefully we make it out alive...!!

We have been going up to the Lake on a weekly basis again. SO AWESOME!! The three oldest kids have been on the boogy board every time too! Parker the three year old is LOVING the tube rides and laughs every time he goes over big bumps! He is really getting brave in the water!

About four weeks ago, I began couponing. Now, you may think that this is just a small task, but those of you who truly know what I mean by "couponing" know how much time and effort this can take. I get five Sunday papers, research about three blogs, have a binder full of coupons that must be organized weekly, and have been saving a great deal of money doing this. I have logged every one of my shopping trips since I have started, and the worst I have done is 70% off of my groceries. I have to say that happiness is a full pantry, and I was so excited to get a freezer to fill!! I hope to get so much better, and help those around me do the same!!

This last week I chopped off 7 inches of my hair!! I forgot how easy and fun short hair can be, and I am enjoying the drastic change!!

Lastly, we will be going on a week long camp/family reunion the end of this month for Brian's family. We started the tradition last year, and I think Brian's parents felt pressured, and possibly slightly guilty and decided to continue it again this year...HOORAY!! We love it, and whether they like it or not...IT IS GOOD FOR THEM!! LOVE YOU!!!

Well, I hope that updates you enough for now...!! I guess I didn't have that much going on...I am just a big slacker!!!

Get your Head out of the Gutter....

Well, really, I guess it should be "Get your Face out of the Gutter!!!" A.K.A. "NO NO NO!!!" (screamed by no other than myself). And sadly enough, I remember it being a particularly flustering day, and not having time to shower my now "sludged" child, I did anyways for glaringly OBVIOUS reasons...but I cannot for the life of me remember anything else about the day...so, well, here are the pictures from when my little sweety baby decided to eat gutter guts....SICK....I don't even WANT to know what makes it the color it is....

So, I am not sure what disgusts me more...his face...or inside his mouth!! He was SO UPSET that I would disapprove of his actions, and take him out of the gutter....what kind of a mother am I...Really??!!

Just a little update...

Okay, so the spider was creeping me out too!!

Well, just thought I would check in and say...I'm Back!! I have been away at girls camp, and had such an AWESOME time!! I will be posting something soon, but for now, just know that is where I have been, and what I am still recovering from...!!

Ta Ta!!

All the help I can get!!

Okay, so I am gonna post about something amazing this time! Really! Two things really...one is this...

Or moreover, the absence of!! HA HA...The Discount Queens are holding a giveaway, and all of you knowing how phobic I am, know how much I would LOVE to win this, so I am bloggin' all about it now...so go check it out!!

The second item of business is the whole coupon world that I have entered...it is like the twilight zone...only better, and it isn't creepy...although for me, it is like a whole inner dimensional universe that hasn't existed until now! I am really trying, and with he help of Discount Queens, and a few other people (you know who you are!!) I have actually managed to have some SERIOUS success!!

HOORAY!!!

Last week was my first "real" week, and I was able to get $339 worth of groceries for $66!! Yes, me...!! I know...I am still in shock...but really because I am still confused and trying to continually figure it all out!! I know that it will take a while to learn all of the tricks of the trade, but it is SOOO worth it...and anything worth it, should take perseverance...at least that is what I am telling myself.

Okay, SOOO lastly, if any of you are wanting a shopping buddy, I would love to come with you! Shopping and saving is always fun with a friend!!