I am not smarter than a 5th grader...

...and it wouldn't hurt to redo 1st grade.

Why don't teachers send home instructions on how to do homework with your child? Ethan and I argue over how to do it every night. And what 1st grader uses words like: bask and elated?

The weeks when we don't have the definitions provided on vocabulary words, Ryan and I try to figure out what definition they want the students to know. Can you guess what Ryan thought of when Ethan had "romp" included in his vocabulary words?

I guess we both need to redo our elementary educations...

She is 11 months old

She likes to help in the kitchen:

She gets into things she shouldn't. This is Stockton's homework. He had used a dry erase marker to practice his name. Peyton found it and cleaned it for him with her tongue! And check out that messy hair. I try to keep it out of her eyes and Ryan thinks she needs a hair cut.

So one night I tried a full ponytail. She looks so grown up!

♥ My Valentines ♥

We each had a valentine mailbox backpack on our chairs that were filled with special surprises.

Ryan surprised me with 2 roses (one for his best friend and one for his lover). I really don't think roses are worth spending money on so there was a little drama over the gift. All in all when it all came to an end, I realized there should never be a price put on love and if he wants to do something nice for me it is ok.

We enjoyed a nice family dinner complete with the stemwear and pina coladas!

Desert was chocolate dipped strawberries which the kids ate up...

♥ I love my sweethearts! ♥

♥ and my best friend and lover! ♥

My Signature!

I just got a signature! So easy to do too. I learned it all from Amy at momswhoblog. This is what she says:

Go to My Live Signature. Click on "proceed" and "create signature".

You can then either click on creating a new signature, or uploading a scanned image of your real signature. Let My Live Signature walk you through the steps to create a signature you are happy with. If you create one with their fonts, you can chose the look, size, slant, etc. (You also can waste way too much time and also feel a little crazy at the end because after seeing your name 120 times in different fonts it ceases to have any meaning, lol! That is the fun part. ;-) )

You can save the final product as an image to your hard drive by right clicking on the signature and choosing "save image as", naming it and placing it on your computer where you see fit. Or you can click on "Want to use this signature?" at the end of your process and it will create HTML code for you to place on your blog.

If you decide to use their HTML, copy it, then go into blogger. Click on "Settings" in your blog dashboard, and then "formatting". Scroll down to the bottom where it says "post template." Paste the code you just copied into that template. When you next go to make a new post, that code will already be in it. Just make sure you type your post *above* the code, or your signature will come first in your post.


Enjoy!

more domestication

My Sister can be likend to Martha Stewart. She bakes from scratch, sews cute clothes for her kids and is always working on a project. She has me roped into making these this week:

This is a valentine mail bag chair backer from Pottery Barn kids (which is no longer available to purchase, except on ebay for outrageous prices).

Creative, Amy has a tutorial to make your own on her blog http://ourscoop.blogspot.com/2009/01/valentine-chair-backers.html

Sister says she can make 5 of them for around $16! Amazing!!

We are making them Thursday if you want to bring your machine over for the fun.

Miss Ambitious has also scheduled us a "cook day" this has turned into scheduling a "planning day" and a "buying day" all so we can stock our freezers with delicious and nutritious meals for our families... One day of cooking will = many easy nights of simply thawing and heating dinner.

With being home all week I have gotten some craftiness accomplished. Stockton's valentines are done:

And Ethan's class suckers look yummy!:

Can't forget about sharing love with teachers and friends too:

22 lbs! and a date...

Yes, just 3 more to go to hit my goal. And surprised by being asked out on a date for the 3rd week in a row (I think the Family Relations class is paying off), my husband is taking me out to a movie. He says it is my choice but has ruled out all chick flicks...

It is a good day! I am blessed.

I've had enough!

After watching Ugly Betty last night and seeing how her little blogging vent session ended her into a bit of a mess... I second guessed writting anything at all... I should really stop here but then again sometimes a girl just has to vent!
This week I have learned... life is NOT a bowl of cherries! Yes, there are lots of good to be had in this life but it seems this week was full of devistation, heartache and frustration.

Bad news over the phone is never a good thing. Anxiety began over answering the phone after 10 pm when news came of my uncle's death just a few years after I was married. Ever since then when the phone rings past 10 pm my heart races and I don't dare check the caller id to see who might be calling me with tragic news. My heartbraking news came early Monday night when I learned that the horrific accident in Sardine Canyon had taken the life of my little sister's father in law. I grew up with Bob and his family just down the street from my parents. He was a wonderful man that loved and cared deeply for his family. He will be missed by many!

So with instances like this you alway ask "why do bad things happen to good people?". I don't know the driver that caused the accident but I am sure he is living each day with regret for falling asleep at the wheel. May this cause us to realize the privilege we have of driving and the responsibilies that comes with it.

Lately I have had the feeling of "poor me". Sometimes sounding like my kids - "But I don't want to..." It seems like everything hits at once and I have to deal with it - not going into details but things like - finacial matters, family scheduling, household responsibilities, etc... and then you must throw in Church service! Now don't get me wrong, I am happy to serve where there is a need and I understand all must do their part, BUT when is it ok to say enough is enough?? Between Ryan and I, we have 7 callings.

Frustration mounted last night when my supporters failed to show up to support. What is with people not being committed? I am a planner and I put 110% into making a night successfull - but I have realized I CANNOT DO IT ALONE! When my support team wasn't there I came undone - luckily I was able to regroup and the night went on (and no one noticed the missing details) I am so grateful for people who showed up unexpected and helped me pull things together at the last minute.

I think for the rest of the week I will be on vacation.... Please hold all calls and problems until next week.

My first furniture redo

I have loved stalking the local DI for treasures.

It is my release and I enjoy looking at items

searching for its potential.

Lately, I try to go everyday on my way home from the gym. - I don't want to miss out on anything - There have been times when I so badly want what someone has already happily placed into their shopping cart and I wish I would have been there just 5 min. earlier.

Luckily, I have found some pretty cool things.

Today this is what I picked up:

You can't really tell from the picture but it was pretty nasty. I cleaned it up and sanded it down and whipped out my trusty can of spraypaint.

It is the perfect toybox for Peyton's toy corner:

I think it needs some cutesy embelishments but for now it is a finished project.

Things I learned this week...

1. easing your foot off the gas pedal to keep with the speed limit still gets you to your destination - plus it is a more relaxing drive. And when I got tailgaters trying to push me a long I would just smile in the rearview mirror and politely say, "I am going the speed limit and saving you a ticket - you're welcome!"

2. I can only control what happens in my small circle! Everyone else can take a chill pill cause I am not going to allow them to ruin my day.

3. It is a fantasy to think everyone "has it all under control" everyone is dealing with some type of problem and just because it isn't visual doesn't mean you can compare your life to theirs.

4. http://www.knockoffwood.blogspot.com/ is a fabulous site that my sis introduced me to. Now I have a whole lot of projects I want to tackle.

5. Months without a good dose of Chocolate makes you cranky. It is worth doing a little bit more of exercise to allow yourself a daily treat.

My baby girl is growing so fast! She is 10 months, which means her 1 year b-day is right around the corner. Oh my! Where did the time go?

My Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad week...

I got a cold, the air is nasty - not helping my cold, my Auto and Home Owners insurance is all messed up, I am sad (not depressed) about not having purpose in shopping anymore with Christmas being over and now is the time to SAVE not SPEND... and then, I get a Speeding Ticket!! - first one in 15 years. Only 14 days into the New Year and it wasn't looking very promissing until today.

I have to say - I ♥ Walgreens! So, so happy to have a store here. This deal is one I found on many coupon blogs so I am not claiming it as my own but had to share my very successful shopping day today. It made my week turn around.

The items you see below would have cost a total of $68.07 if you were stupid enough to pay full price - I personally would have gone without, thanks...

Here is a list of my purchases, the Sale Price, (-coupons used), =Final Cost:

ThermaCare Heatwrap ~ $2.49 (-$1.00) =$1.49 and got a $2.50 RR*

These items were 2/$8:

Neosporin Lip Treatment ~ $4.00 (-$3.00) =$1.00

Neosporin Lip Treatment ~ $4.00 (-$3.00) = $1.00 and got a $3 RR* for buying 2

Neosporin Antibiotic + pain relief ~ $4.00 (-$1.00) = $2.00

Neosporin Antibiotic + pain relief ~ $4.00 (-$1.00) = $2.00 and got a $3 RR* for buying 2

These items were buy one get one 50% off AND part of a $10 mail in rebate:

Lubriderm Lotion 16 oz ~ $7.99 (-$4.00) = $3.99

Lubriderm Lotion 16 oz ~ $3.99 (-$4.00) = -$0.01

Lubriderm Lotion 6 oz ~ $3.99 (-4.00) = -$0.01

Lubriderm Lotion 6 oz ~ $1.99 (-4.00) = -$2.01

Lubriderm Lotion 6 oz ~ $3.99 (-4.00) = -$0.01

Lubriderm Lotion 6 oz ~ $1.99 (-4.00) = -$2.01

Clean and Clear Blackhead Scrub ~ $5.29 (-2.00) = $3.29

Clean and Clear Blackhead Scrub ~ $2.64 (-$2.00) = $.64

My total spent = $11.36 Pretty Good for roughly $68.07 in purchases BUT it gets better! I earned $8.50 in RR (*like gift certificates to be redeemed on anything I choose at Walgreens) and by buying $30 (price before coupons) in participating rebate items I will be getting a check back in the mail for $10! So if my math is right, I got paid $7.14 to shop today! Now that is MY kind of shopping...

The majority of my coupons were printed online - just a few were in the ads that come in the newspaper and one coupon was from the Walgreens Diabetes and You magazine near the pharmacy. The store coupons are great because one coupon is deducted from each participating item you buy making it so you don't have to have multiples. (ex. the store coupon was for $1 off Lubriderm lotion - I bought 6 so it took $6 off my total) My sister also sacrificed 3 of her coupons to make this deal possible - thanks Jess!

Roll Call...

I know you are out there....

So let yourself be known.

If you are reading this please leave me a note telling me you were here. You don't have to say anything profound or intelligent. I am just curious to know who is tuning in to my babblings.

I admit, I am a silent blogstalker too - but lets get aquainted... shall we?

the THRILL of the HUNT!

I have gotten to really enjoy couponing and love that there are so many great resources out there. I was introduced to http://www.freebies2deals.com/ while watching Good Things Utah. When checking the blog on Saturday morning I found a whole list of deals at Walmart (which my sister had been telling me about but had never done it myself until then). I eagerly started printing all the coupons that were online for the products she had listed. I was able to print 2 of 98% of the coupons I wanted - YAY! Then the hunt began (what a fun Saturday activity)... I had my boys with me and they got a little bored so I think next time I will enjoy the time by myself.

Here is a top ten list of the deals and FREEbies I got on Saturday at my local Walmart:

10 -Pillsbury Crescent Rolls (4) (my store didn't have them as low as she listed but my coupon was better) $1.68 ea.
9 - Egg Beaters (2) $1.73 ea.
8 - Finish/ Electrosol Powerball Tabs 20ct. (1) $1.92
7 - Mission Tortillas (2) (I chose the Fat Free ones which were more expensive) $1.58 ea.
6 - Healthy Choice Frozen Meals (15) (they have great low calorie selections) $.88 ea.
5 - Fiesta Rice Sides (2) $.50 ea
4 - Idahoan instant potatoes (2) $.02 ea.
3 - Schick disposable razors 12 pk. (1) $-.03
2 - GE soft white long-life lightbulbs 4 pk (2) $-.07 ea.

1 - Chef's Request Filet Mignon 2 pack (1) $.68

Total of top 10 purchases (32 items in all) = $62.41 vs. $33.01 (total after coupons)
Even with Walmarts "low everyday prices" I still would have over spent by $29.40 (on just these 10 items) had I not used coupons!!!

What a Thrill! I love this game...

Goal Setting

I am a very Goal Oriented person. Give me a goal and I will do everything I can to make it happen! Ryan thinks this is considered OCD - ok who cares as long as I do what I set out to accomplish I don't care what he calls it. Things changed in my life this past year. I gave up my Managment with lia sophia and reprioritized. Spending more time at home with my kids and husband has been a great reward and a lot less stressful (some days). With this new found freedom, and being 4 mo. post baby number 3, I decided to do something for MYSELF and I went back to the gym. This is what I looked like (uggg... )

I was overweight and out of shape! But I didn't see it then - I was Happy!

After working out 5 days a week and watching my calories for 16 weeks. This is me today:

I have lost 16.5 lbs to date, gained muscle and have gotten stronger (I outdid the guys in pushups, rows and biceps last week!) I wish I would have taken before measurements but I can tell you - the shorts that were too tight to even do up can now be pulled on and off without being undone! When I started I couldn't even run 2 blocks without getting winded and having to stop. Now I can run a mile easily! I am even happier today - Exercise is the best medicine!!

I love this quote from my Aunt Valeri - "It is cheaper to live on a cruise ship than in a retirement home."

I challenge my family to start today to take better care of your body. Watch the Biggest Looser Tues. nights for motivation! I want to have a long healthy life with each of you!

Whatever your New Years Resolution is - I hope you acheive it one step at a time!

Our Holiday Whirlwind.

December was a fun month. We were busy with all the festivities and now that it is over, we are just enjoying the coziness of indoors. Stockton asked me yesterday on our way home from the gym if we needed to stop at any stores. I told him I was done shopping because Christmas was over. He excitedly said "YES!" It is good to be busy but too much of it sure wears a kid out!

The kids got many chances to visit Santa this year - knowing that they are "santa's helpers" they were sure to let him know what they wanted the REAL Santa to bring them for Christmas.

It has been tradition ever since I can remember to make gingerbread houses with Grandma Lewis. We have continued this tradition with our own kids and even though Gma couldn't make it this year we still had a good time. Aunt Jennifer made us freshly baked gingerbread. There were many choices for toppings and all the houses turned out so cute!

Bridget and Lucy sampling...

the creating begins... Jess putting swoopy lights and Melanie creating Lucy's perfect puppy house. Mom had some difficulty getting Ammon's bat cave to stay together. But I think the bat cape on the back helped a bit - way to go Ammon!

Left to Right: Ethan's elf house (the elves jumped on the bed and their hats got stuck in the roof), Stockton's Masterpiece, Ammon's bat cave, Lucy's puppy house (for Arf the dog),

Bridget's perfectly lit palace.

Lucy had her pockets stuffed...

The Smith family party was fun as always. Santa visited bringing treats for the kids

The kids got to make winter crafts and decorate t-shirts. Damian and Stockton were excited to wear their creations.

Ethan and I both won the candy guessing games (gummy bears and reeses peanut butter cups). Now to have self control...

We had our annual Christmas Eve party with Ryan's family and kept the kids up late. The next morning was so much fun. Ethan wasn't even disapointed that Santa thought he was too young for a Motorcycle. We had the kids shop for each other since they are old enough to do that now. Ethan and Stockton were both VERY excited about what they got from each other!

Ethan said that "this was the BEST Christmas EVER!"