Warning: The Following Can Be Addicting

Blogging has taken a backseat these past few weeks. I have found a new hobby that has turned into an exciting game.

As we have moved from state to state over the past eight years I have had the opportunity to meet amazing individuals and friends. They teach me more than I could ever imagine and share their talents freely. My current circle of friends at church are no exception. They have basically converted the entire ward on the fine art of "couponing". I know to some it may sound crazy but until now I never knew how much you could accomplish with your family budget when incorporating coupons.

To be honest, we are blessed to have access to all military benefits which include the commissary (grocery store with fabulous prices) and all medicines/prescriptions free. Due to these blessings I never even thought about utilizing coupons, let alone utilizing them to benefit needs in regards to building up food storage.

I am still what they call in the couponing world a "newbie", but I'm more than willing to share any current knowledge I have with this topic and can hopefully add more and more effective knowledge as time goes on. The tips I have learned thus far are these:

1. Rule of thumb is you buy a Sunday paper for each individual in the household. If you are an individual who doesn't shop on Sunday, get $10 worth of quarters at some point during your week then find a machine and start pumping them in. Hint: Some Sunday papers don't have adds with coupons (i.e. on holidays - Feb 15th). Also, you can always buy one paper, glance quickly through the coupons, and decide if that's a good coupon week for the needs of your family.

2. Be patient. Sometimes deals take a few weeks. Don't run out and buy things that you don't use and don't run and immediately use a coupon that will only save you .75 cents. Wait and watch. Inevitably the right "deal" will show. If you wait and no deal shows, but you still need that toilet paper, then you can go and at least save the .75 cents. Trust me though - if you wait and watch - a deal will show.

3. Be organized. (See picture of binder below)

4. There are tons of ladies out their who are more than willing to do a good amount of the leg work and then turn around and share their "finds". Make a list of different coupon blogs (some of my favorites below) and join up with friends who will help keep a look out for local deals in your area.

wecutcorners.blogspot.com
moneysavingmom.com
hotcouponworld.com
stretchingabuckblog.com

The picture below is my first couponing purchase. Our family uses all these products. Guess how much I paid for all this? Nothing. This was all free. In fact, I actually made $3, at Walgreens you cannot have a balance that they owe you, so I had to throw on the six packs of gum in order to erase the $3. Crazy! I know, my head is still spinning and I'm still learning how to piece all the deals together but I assure you it works. The girls in my ward are even on a first name basis with the managers and workers. They all gather around when one of them checks out just to watch how much they save. It's hilarious.

Warning: Beware of "Projects"

Crafts in our home are a daily part of life. The girls therefore are very comfortable with stamps, paints, scissors, markers, glue sticks etc..., so when Ryley or Kadyn ask me to hand them one of these items I don't have a second thought about it. Like any mother I keep these items in a safe place so that children who are not yet ready to handle these added responsibilities don't find themselves in a mess. Basically that translates into " I highly fear Thatcher destroying a wall or carpet area".

Like any other morning Kadyn approached and asked to see the scissors. She was excited to work on a "cut and paste" project in her room and wanted to surprise me. Boy, was I surprised!

She came out of her room and walked over to where Haley and I were sitting on the floor and this is how the conversation then proceeded.

Kadyn: "Mom, how do I look?"

Mom: (assuming that she is refereing to the pretend make-up she has put on her lips - a gift from Santa - I answer) "You look beautiful sweetheart."

Kadyn: "No Mom, how do I look?"

Mom: "Really beautiful!"

Kadyn: (in a mumble) "I cut my hair."

Mom: (not grasping her words) "What was that."

Kadyn: "I cut my hair."

Mom: "What was that."

Kadyn: "Look Mommy, I cut my hair. Doesn't it look pretty" (Kadyn turns around)

I didn't say a word. I just sat and stared. She had a pony tail in and I hadn't noticed until then that all her hair from the left and right side of her face was cut down as short as her bangs.

I must interject two things here. First, I decided long ago to work each day on having "perfect patience". Although I fall short and occasionally have to retreat to my closet only to burst into tears, I can say that our children are pretty accustomed to their mother being calm no matter what. Secondly, Kadyn is by far our most tender child, so my reaction alone of silence (accompanied with my mouth dropping wide open) was apparently more than she could handle because immediately the tears began to flow.

I told her it was alright even though my mind was already spinning with dozens of ways to resolve the problem. In the end I called my brilliant sister/hair stylist and together we agreed not to jump to any immediate haircuts. I took her in the bathroom and we curled all the hair possible and then pinned her remaining side hair up with clips. It turned out better than I had hoped, so for now, and over the next few months we will continually be using this same hairstyle while we wait for future growth.

Kind of funny too. An hour later we were playing dodge ball and as I took a closer look at little Thatch I noticed the top of his head looked a bit "off". I turned to Kadyn and asked if she had cut Thatchers hair as well. Her answer. "Of course Mom. I tried to cut his first, but when he would only let me cut off a few bunches, I started on mine".

Wow, I think I need a nap.

Christmas Break 2008

Happy Holidays everyone! We hope you and your families had a wonderful Christmas season. Having Steven home for an entire week with no hospital responsibilities was definitely the best present I received. We are also loving the two week break that the public school system offers each year and have enjoyed that extra time with Ryley.

The weather outside this year was definitely frightful up until Christmas Day. We therefore enjoyed many indoor activities together which included numerous games, "Bolt" in 3D, and The Children's Museum, (the last activity of course being their favorite). Since that time we have been given the gift of 70 degree weather and have taken every opportunity available to enjoy the sun and fresh air. Our favorite game lately has been "hide n seek with walkie talkies", and while checking out various parks in the area we were also lucky enough to stumbled across a yummy surprise.












Each with their favorite gift this Christmas





Steven and I hung these Christmas Eve and looked at one another shaking our heads laughing. Laughing that we have enough children to fill a mantel, but mostly in complete awe of the many gifts we have been given throughout our lives. Four of which are hanging right here beside us.

Recital #1

Ryley had her first piano recital last night. She did a wonderful job and had a great experience. For her first piece she played "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" and finished off with "Up on the Housetop" and "Jingle Bells".

Steven is the Primary pianist and has a great time watching the girls sing in opening exercises, but this was their first opportunity to do something musical together. They've had a great time practicing over the past few weeks and it was really fun to watch them perform.

I charged the video camera all day in preparation for the recital and when my moment came to record I realized it was dead. I have thus learned a valuable lesson that you cannot charge a video camera and leave it turned on- it defeats the purpose. I am SO disappointed to have no video to post, but please stay tuned for spring when her next recital takes place.

On a personal note, I'm sorry to say that while in my youth I gave up piano lessons after only a year. I loved doing theatre and have since picked up the guitar, but to this day I regret that decision. I have been taking lessons myself over the past six months and hope to advance past "Chopsticks" sometime soon. I opted to skip this recital due to the fact that I would be the only adult student, however, come spring I may just set my pride aside and go for it!

What's the worst that could happen? Don't answer that.

Holiday Festivities (Thus Far)

For some reason Haley J wasn't really into decorating this year.

Sorry

I have to apologize to our family. I have been terrible with posting pictures of Haley's growth. I promise to be better. Here she is. She sure is a wonderful, happy baby. She has blessed our lives immeasurably.

Thanksgiving 2008

We had a great Thanksgiving this year in Kentucky with two of Steven's sisters and their families! The kids had the best time with their cousins. It was so great to see everyone and spend this special time together.

Thank you for having us Kathryn and James.