Tuesday, May 24, 2011

I'm a loser


I have currently lost my phone and my camera. 

I am a loser.

You would not believe how many times I have lost my debit card... It's gotten the point where I now have 2, and sometimes I can't find either one of them. Last week I had lost my brand new IPod I got for my anniversary!  I lose things.  Chris learned this when we were dating and I lost $200 in cash... luckily we found it.  Or he found it I think.  He usually finds my lost stuff. I actually have panic attacks when I start looking for my lost items. Because I start thinking, What if I don't find it? What if we never find it? How much will this cost to replace it? Will Chris be pissed at me for losing this AGAIN? Is he sick and tired of me losing stuff? 

Probably yes... I'm sure he's sick of me losing stuff ALL THE TIME! But he's such a good guy he never makes me feel bad for being so forgetful.  And I think that's the actual problem... I'm a bit ADD. I can't do math for nothing... J/K.  I have a hard time sticking to one task. So if I have my Ipod in my hand to put it up, it usually gets left somewhere close to where I was distracted on my way. Trying to retrace my steps usually doesn't work.  Prayers help... but most ties I don't find the item right after I've said a prayer, but once I quit freaking out over the lost item, a thought will pop into my head of where the item is.  Sometimes I just stumble onto the item in the usual distractions of my day. 

Anyways... My phone is lost... and my camera.  I hope I find them soon.  But until then, people can contact me on Facebook or our home number (I never the apartment anyways!)
And maybe in the next day or two my lost items will turn up!

Thursday, May 19, 2011

I'm needing to do some updating, but I'm not much in the mood for it at the moment. I did want to mention I started reading the Happiness Project and I'm way excited to start my own project soon.  I'm going to finish reading through the book once I think before start mine though. So I fully understand it all. I also finished the latest book by Nicholas Sparks as well.  His books never fail to entertain me. I've read almost all of them, except message in a bottle.  I have that one though... just never been able to read it.

We recently celebrated our 7 year anniversary (it's so strange how it can feel longer and shorter than that at the same time!) and Taylor's 4th birthday with a trip to Florida last week. We didn't want to come home and will probably go back at the end of summer as well.  I would give almost anything to move there... One day we will live there.

We also received Taylor's acceptance letter into Pre-K. Out of a couple hundred applicants, they selected 18, and our smarty pants was one of them. We're so proud, but I'm also a bit nervous.  My baby will be leaving everyday, from 8-2 starting this fall, when she's never even been to a mother's day out. I hope she does well, and I'm sure she will...

Okay, so I'm not really in the mood to blog at the moment, but I'm trying to procrastinate cleaning and decluttering and cooking dinner.  I guess I need to get up off the couch, turn off the laptop, and get a move on it. So I'll blog more later.  And also post all the wonderful pictures of the beautiful beach we visited last week.

Monday, April 25, 2011

Easter Weekend

We had such a great weekend. I did forget my camera all weekend long so I am going to rely on my mom and mother-in-law for pics of my girls.

Friday was a bit of a crazy day... I had so much to do and was trying so very hard to get it all done.  I ended up driving to Chattanooga as soon as Chris got home.  We got there at like 8:30 p.m. Me and Taylor and Madison and Cayce and Atilla all went to Qdoba to eat- delicious. Then we went to a yogurt shop where you pay for your frozen yogurt by the weight... So you put in your frozen yogurt, and add all the toppings you want. They had cereals, gums, candies, nuts, fresh fruits... It was crazy. But SO good.

After our fun night out we went back to Cayce and Atilla's house. The girls then taught their aunt and uncle how to play hide-n-seek and duck,duck, goose. Mashalla (cayce and atilla's 70+lbs golden retriever) decided to join in on our duck, duck, goose game.  When we sat in a circle, she came and sat down too... the girls would tap her on the head also.  When someone was called goose, Mashalla would jump up and chase those running, then sit back down when they sat down.  We turned on Enchanted and decided to sleep out on the couches.  Taylor adores Mashalla and had her hand hanging off the couch on night petting Mashalla, who would NOT leave taylor's side. They have a bond. I wish so badly we could have a dog again, but we've decided we're not going to have one in an apartment again. Too hard!

So anyways, Saturday Morning at 4 I woke up and drove back home to Antioch! Thank you to my new Ipod (my anniversary gift I got a month early!) for keeping me awake with your rocking tunes. When I got home I couldn't help myself and crashed a bit more.  I also found out that Chris had gotten very sick Friday night.  He wasn't going to be able to make it out at all Saturday, so i got the girls ready and drove up to my mom's and dad's for their ward's Easter Egg Hunt.  We had such a sweet little activity beforehand where the girls learned about Jesus's last day before the crucifiction. I didn't think they were listening, but on Sunday during Sacrament Taylor was explaining to me about the last supper and such! I was surprised. Anywho - They had the egg hunting area sectioned off into 2 sections, one for the younger kids, one for the older.  When we tried to get madison over the younger kid side, she proceeded to throw the biggest hissy fit. She threw her basket down and refused to touch an egg.  She just knew she did not belong with these "younger" kids.  She's too big for that! After a short talk in the car she was happy again and joined in on the egg hunt.

After that, me and Chelsea took the girls to the mall to see Mr. Easter Bunny himself (or herself rather.) I was surprised to see there was NO line.  Guess everyone was at other Easter activities. I didn't think the girls would do that well, and was prepped for struggling to get a decent picture, but Taylor jumped right up in her lap and maddie was willing to shake her hand and talk with her, though not sit with her.  So I held madison and we got a Great photo.

This is getting long... I'll try to wrap it up.  After that me and my mom went grocery shopping so I could show her some of my couponing ways. At publix her total was over $220... she paid $69.  She was so excited and it was fun to help her figure out how to do this!

We didn't get back home Saturday until 9 I think... the girls were passed out in the car so I put them to bed and then went to Wally World to get the fixins for Easter Morning. I finally got the baskets done and went to bed pretty late.  The girls somehow made their way to our room overnight without seeing any of their surprises. So bright and early, we got the girls to come check out what the Easter Bunny had left them.  They were so excited and played with all their goodies.  I think that was the first Time Chris had been up since Friday where he wasn't going to the bathroom, poor guy.  After some napping, I got the girls ready and we went to church. It was a great sacrament meeting with good songs and testimonies of Christ.

Then Nursery and Primary.  Taylor was supposed to give the spiritual thought.  They said to just have her say her favorite Scripture, so we read a few easter ones and picked one we thought she could do.  We practiced for a few hours Sunday morning with me explaining that the kids would be looking at her, but she could just keep looking at me so she didn't see them... She did so well sitting up in her spot by herself, she sat so reverently and looked so cute, I about teared up.  Then she did a good job walking to the podium, where she looked down, and wouldn't say or do anything! So I did end up sharing Taylor's scripture, but I was still proud... There were no tears and she was so brave on her first opening exercises assignment.

After 2nd hour we went home, got changed and headed to Grandma and Grandpa's house.  The girls were SO excited to see jamie and Katie... (I think they think they're sisters like they are.) We went over to GrandMother's where both my girls gave Grandmother a few hugs each.  I was blown away... This has NEVER happened. They're usually terrified of her.  But my girls are growing up. ;)

After some delicious dinner (seriously... I had seconds, and thirds.) we went out for the Easter Egg hunt. Taylor found the golden egg!  The girls also scored a bunch of delicious candy bars that I will be eating this week. The girls loved playing with their cousins, and Aunt Jamie's puppy dog, charlie. I'm really wishing we had a house and could get one.

Anyways, I was EXHAUSTED when we finally got home.  We had a FULL weekend to say the least, but it was so good.  The only thing that would have made it better was if Chris was there for all of it. But he is feeling better finally and went to work today.  Besides a couple trips to the bathroom, I think he's over this bug. I pray he is... It was not fun doing it all alone this weekend.  And I think we have a tradition going where one of the two of us is sick on holidays... We gotta cut that out.

Happy Easter Everyone!

Saturday, April 16, 2011

One of my Hero's

is coming to Nashville next month...

Southern Savers: Southern Deals and Frugal Steals.
Jenny from SouthernSavers.com is coming to Nashville May 11th-14th.  She'll be doing workshops all around Nashville.

Here is her schedule...http://www.southernsavers.com/workshops/ Tickets are $10 at the door. The meetings are 2-2.5 hours long and you get a workbook.  I WILL be at one of those.  Let me know if you'd like to go with me!

Friday, April 15, 2011

Grocery Shopping Trip 4/15

Went to Publix, Target, and Walmart today...

Total Spent: $43.14

Total Saved: $138.43

Target
Operation Game
2 Dasani 1 liter waters
10 Johnson and Johnson First Aid To Go kits
6 Visine Relief Drops
Total Spent $12.95
Total Saved $29.28

Publix
12 Lays Chips bags, 10 oz.
2 Quaker Oats Granola Bars boxes
Ritz Pretzel Crisp
Wheat Thin Stix
2 Yoplait YoPlus (6 pk)
2 Thermacare boxes (3 count)
4 Duncan Hines Brownie Mixes
6 Idahoan Potatoes (3 scalloped, 3 au gratin)
3 Snuggle fabric Softener
10 Dole Pineapple cans (20 oz)
Total Spent $30.19
Total Saved $101.15

*Those Lays chips alone cost $3.99 regularly... So if I bought 7 of them at regular price, that alone would have been the total I spent. Meaning everything else I bought was pretty much free! And yes that is alot of potato chips, but my mom has her seminary auction coming up in a few weeks, and I'm sure those boys will enjoy some of those chips!

Walmart
2 AirWick oil warmers
2 K-Y products (they were free, plus overage... don't judge me!)
Total Spent $-.88
Total Saved $8.00
 *I did buy a few other things at walmart... But they weren't deals or anything... well, there was a table cloth for $2 that had started out at $11.  It'll be turned into a picnic blanket for us as soon as I'm done with school.

In all, It was a great shopping day and I saved 70% of my grocery bill. And it was mostly food! I surprised myself there at Publix. And those pineapple cans will be a great start to my canned food storage!

Also, I have tons of coupons inserts (smart source and red plum) from the past few weeks left that I don't need.  If you want some, let me know. I don't even mind shipping some out to Utah if needed. ;) Just let me know!

Thursday, April 14, 2011

Free Cheese and Cooking Creme

When you sign up here:
http://www.kraftfirsttaste.com
You'll receive 2 offers, one for a free bag of Kraft Cheese, and the other for a free Philadelphia cooking creme.

Just thought I'd share!

An Anniversary/Birthday Vacay

We'll be going to Florida soon and I'm so excited.

Here is the Hotel we'll be staying in
The Ramada Plaza Beach Resort.
http://www.ramadafwb.com/


This hotel has 2 pools, one heated, plus a kid pool and splash water park for kids

It is on the Beach (gulf side of okaloosa island) and a block up from Beasley park (our favorite beach down there...) and a block from the boardwalk and pier.  Oh yeah... and the Gulfarium... It's a block or two away also. It's the central location for where we want to be and we're so happy! I also bought it on priceline.com for only a bit more than 1/3 of the regular price.  SCORE!

This trip to Florida is turning into a tradition.  This will be our 3rd year in a row going. Last year we had to go to the atlantic side because of the oil spill and I missed the gulf. Last year we also didn't take the girls with us, but we will be taking them this year. Our anniversary is the day before Taylor's birthday so this is our way to celebrate both. My parents may also join us for a night or two so we can go out alone for a bit to celebrate our anniversary. We will probably also have a small party for taylor there in Florida. We'll have another one when we get back home.

Anyways, we're super excited for this hotel and all the fun we'll be having.

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Quick, before I start a new chapter

I want one of these
The website above has ideas on Making your own... Like using an inflatable mattress... or just a normal mattress.

Maybe this could be a fun summer project.

Before I focus on my Homework

I thought I'd share one my favorite websites. It was brought up at a little party I had here the other night.

http://www.oneprettything.com/

It's an awesome blog that posts pictures and ideas from other blogs. They have the most amazing holiday crafts, great ideas for me, kids crafts, kids printables... They're just super.

Check it out and I'm sure you'll fall in love with it like I have!

Boo Homework

I've got TONS of it now that my semester is almost over. And I'm so sick of it. I feel like it's all I do all day long. I should probably stay awake and finish some more of it right now, but I refuse. I'm off to bed, to wake up early tomorrow and start over again. Fun fun fun.

But I am so grateful to be in school and have this opportunity.  It really is a blessing. Atleast that's what I keep telling myself so I can focus and get it done.

Sunday, April 10, 2011

The Work

Last week I stumbled upon a website (www.thework.com)  and after a while of playing around on the website, I realized that this is what I need.  So, I went and bought the book "Loving what is" by Byron Katie. It came in the mail Friday. I was swamped this past weekend and so I just finished the introduction. And I am WAY excited.



The Work is all about changing the way you think. Realizing what is truth, and what isn't.  There are 4 questions you use to analyze your thoughts to figure out if they're truth or not and how to change them. I'm probably going to write alot more about it as I go through and read the book. But I just wanted to share the website first... it has a great little download where you can get the pdf of the "little book." It is an excerpt from "Loving What Is." You can also download the neighbor worksheet and other stuff to help you get started on your "work."  Everything on the website is free, and I actually purchased the book on ebay for only $11 including shipping, so not a huge investment.

Here's a video example of The Work:

Okay, so anyways, I'm back off to do homework now... Lots of it to do this week before school is over... so hopefully I won't waste too much time on here til that's done! So yeah, I'm gonna go now, and work on that til I pass out for the night.  Check out that website.  Do it!

Saturday, April 9, 2011

What to do with left over plastic easter eggs!!!

How stinking cute are these handmade tea cups??? All you do is hot glue a button to the bottom and decorate! Way cute.


Here's the link with the Tutorial: