Flashbacking to DLand

My first time ever at Disneyland. We are the family standing there bunched together. Left to Right: Scott, my mom, Andi, Marni, Amy, and Me. I guess Dad was taking the picture. I was 13. This was in 1987. Check out the sign and everything. It's funny to me because Disneyland doesn't even look like that anymore. I remember that they were building Splash Mountain at the time, and we ate in Frontier Land at that restaurant in the tree. My favorite ride was Space Mountain and the Michael Jackson one. And my parents had a leash for Andi. Do you remember that Andi? Mom didn't want to lose you. It's funny because when we take our kids now to DLand, my mom always reminds me to be careful with them and not lose them.

Good memories!!

WONDERFUL Wednesday!

Wednesday is my new grocery shopping day since I started using this new coupon/ad watching/money saving website. That is the day that most stores start their weekly sale. I have started going to Albertson's and find that I like it there and the staff is friendly and helpful. Today I made a haul! I bought $75 worth of groceries and saved $92 (it said so on my receipt!!).
This is the picture of how much I got for $75, just so you can see.

Here is a list of what I bought:
2 dozen eggs
2 bunches of bananas
2 canisters of crystal light mixes
1 poppy seed bread mix
2 boxes of cereal
8 personal size Digiornio pizzas
1 pkg Nestle ready to bake cookie dough
18 pot pies
1 box saltine crackers
12 boxes jello pudding mix
2 gallons milk
2 bags mini marshmallows
2 cans tunafish
4 6-packs Koolaid Bursts
2 boxes Capri-sun
21 cans tomato soup
2 boxes fish sticks

And then I promptly went to Walgreens and picked up some razors for Mike. Wanna hear that deal? They were on sale for $8.99 each. I had coupons for $4 off, plus I got $6 in register rewards to use the next time I shop there. BAsically that is like money off. So I paid $15 for the 3 razors that I bought, but I got $18 in vouchers to use next time. That's a PROFIT of $3! Beat that!!

Yes, it's been a good day!

My ticker keeps on moving...

...DOWN! I lost another 2.6 pounds! That makes a total of 12.2 pounds! I am so excited! I feel better than I have in a long time and look better too. Thanks for all the support that you all are giving me. It helps tons!

The crappy thing is that I spent all my money buying Cricut cartridges, so now I have NO MONEY to go spend on new clothes! Ah Snap!

Did it myself

I rock. So much that it should be illegal!

My roots were growing out and I am trying to be more aware of my appearance and stuff...you know, I don't want anyone calling "What Not to Wear" on me or anything. So, because I am also very CHEAP, I decided to do it myself. It's not like I have never seen it done or anything. Really. I am a quick learner.

First stop: Sally Beauty Supply for the ummm, supplies! I got brave and saw this awesome RED color and thought I could try that. I bought it and the other bleaching paraphenalia and then I headed home. Mike had to help me do two sections in the very back because I couldn't reach very well, but I did the rest.

What do you think?

I know, I know. I totally rock!!

Flashback Friday

Two of my sisters and I did lots of things together growing up. We were each two years apart, so being close in age helped. I was looking through the photo albums I swiped from my parent's house and I found these two pictures. I distinctly remember these experiences. They are some of my favorites.
This first picture is from April 1981. We participated in a ward talent show. I remember it was in the 1st ward building and I remember being up on the stage and everything. Anyway, we sang the song "How much is that doggie in the window". That would explain our puppy dog props. I don't remember if we won or even got a ribbon. Maybe Marni or Amy will remember that.... This second picture is from May 1981. (apparently there was lots going on in 1981) There was a Stake play. I remember going to the practices, and watching my mom use RIT dye to color our costumes. She sewed them too. We were part of the vegetable parade in the play. Amy and I were beets, and Marni was either a cucumber or a zuchini. Marni, what were you? If you remember, let me know.

For as long as I can remember, I have not been shy. Being in front of people rarely weirds me out. Bearing my testimony is a different thing. I cry and get all emotional and so I avoid doing that, but just being up in front talking or whatever doesn't bug me at all. I guess it's because I was exposed to it at a young age. Or maybe it's just because I am that way. Who knows!

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday...

It was just another Manic Monday, followed by a Terrific Tuesday, and now??? It's a wonderful Wednesday!

Monday was insane. Apparently there are two Presidents that had birthdays and we HAVE to celebrate them by having our kids home driving us nuts. Doesn't sound like much of a HOLIDAY to me!! Plus I was sewing Jenny's dress all day in an effort to get it done. Which I did. Thank heavens for that!

Tuesday was pretty great! None of the kids got in trouble at school! Hooray!! And Mike and I got to go on a date. We have season tickets to Broadway Across America (it's the only way we were able to get WICKED tickets!!), and last night was the second show that we had tickets for. It was "Ain't Misbehavin'", and it was Awesome!! Two words....Ruben Studdard!! He was magnificent! The songs were great, the show was lively, and the company was superb! Thanks Honey for the date!!

Today is Wednesday and it has been wonderful. School is in session once again. Do I sound like a broken record? I'm sorry, but I just like that my kids can GO to school and that they enjoy it and when they come home I am able to enjoy them more than if they were in my face all day long! Anyway, I had several errands to run, including my weekly grocery shopping which I am trying to cut the coupons and say the big bucks on and I didn't do the prep work for it yesterday, so...
BUT, I exercised and showered, made the boys clean up their mess (and they were actually quick about it for a change :]), then we were off! And my grocery shopping went well! I spent $56.00, and saved $55.94, plus earned coupons for automatic $13.50 off next shopping trip and 15 cents off each gallon of gas! Hooray for me!

And now I will go take a nap!

Life...and Flashback Friday

Life has been hectic this past week and I have not posted. Some things just have to go when you get busy, right?

Tuesday was Enrichment night at church and it was wonderful! The theme was "An 8-cow woman". Now I've got you curious, huh? It was great. They talked about the point behind the Johnny Lingo movie and then we had 4 mini classes that all had "cow" in their title somehow. We learned COWmunication, COW-tipping fun for families, cash COW (budgeting), and holy COW (keeping the spirit with you). We "grazed" at the beginning by eating pizza and salad and at the end we "chewed our cud" with milk and cookies. I feel very blessed to be in this ward. The Enrichment board is phenomenal and they try so hard to organize and plan FUN activities that are also helpful. It is great!!
Wednesday was the parenting class that I have been taking. Only one more class to go. I have really enjoyed learning things to help improve daily life at home. I'm not so sure that the kids have enjoyed it, but....
Thursday was Girls Night Out to celebrate Shannon's 15th birthday. (hee hee, only Shannon and Melinda and I get that joke...) It was a blast. We ate at Mimi's and then went to Barnes and Noble (because we are book nerds) and then to Target. I found a couple of cute shirts that I am excited to wear since I am getting thinner and I also bought a hat! OOOH! It is fun and I will post a pic of it soon for you all to see. Then we went home and parked in Melinda's driveway for 2+ hours talking. SO FUN! Thanks gals for listening. You ROCK!!

Then today I volunteered in Jenny's class like I do every Friday morning. Caught her cheating on her spelling test. Little stinker!! I was so mad. But so happy that I was able to stay calm and talk to her about it and she had to go apologize to her teacher and take a new test. Then I got to go help in Rachel's class for their Valentine's Day party. It was fun and I was in charge of the little craft which they all liked so hooray for me!

On a side note...life will soon be getting crazier around our house. Things are always a changin'!! It won't be for a couple of weeks, but it is already making me see things that will be different around here.

Flashback Friday is a fun one this week. I remember when I thought it was so cute that Jonathan would climb up in the food closet and get snacks out for himself. What a smart kid, right? (he's 2 1/2 in this pic)

Here is Sidney doing the same thing. Silly silly silly kids! (she is 21 months) *on a side note, I think my pantry is much better organized now. Look at the pictures and tell me if you notice a difference.

These are a few...

of my Favorite Things!

And another...

3.8 pounds bites the dust!! Hooray me! I am so happy with my results! I am doing this the old-fashioned way just watching what I eat and exercising. I put on a pair of jeans yesterday that I haven't been able to wear for 3 years and HOLY COW, they fit!! I had just tried them on a month ago and they were so tight I couldn't even button them then. I just love this!!!

home again

Hooray! Daddy made it home from his trip! Thrilled is a word that doesn't even begin to describe how I feel. I was fading...and very fast. Let's just say also that when I got his text message that his flight had been delayed I yelled at my phone. Yes, I know. It wasn't the phone's fault, but who cares when you are mad. At least his flight was only delayed by 1 1/2 hours and not days.

So for dinner tonight...this will show you exactly how great of a mother I am when I am stressed and daddy is traveling...
2 of the kids had chinese food leftovers
2 of the kids had cold cereal
1 of the kids had mac & cheese leftovers AND cold cereal

Whatever. They got to choose and I didn't have to fight them.

Tomorrow I am sleeping in, and I WILL be taking a nap in the afternoon when he comes home EARLY from work. Why you ask? Because I am the MOM and because I CAN!

The end.

Chef Jonathan

So I haven't posted anything for a few days because I haven't been feeling so hot. I have a fun cold and it has wiped me out. But before I got this darn cold we did some fun stuff that I wanted to share.

In an effort to be more involved with my kids, I have started letting them into the kitchen when I am doing stuff. Jonathan has taken full advantage of this and become my little sous chef. He loves cooking and helping. Last Thursday we were having Tuna Patties for dinner, so he helped me by making the balls that I would then flatten in the pan to make the patties.
Then on Friday, I decided to make cupcakes. Do NOT ask me why. I am on a diet! But I thought the kids would enjoy it, so I called for them to come help and only Jonathan wanted to help again. He helped hold the mixer and mix up the batter, plus he is great at licking the beaters clean.
Sidney just wanted to take snitches of the batter with her spoon.YUMMY cupcakes!! (Look at that smile! HOw could any mother resist that?)
And as usual...Jenny showed up right in time for eating the cupcakes. It's all good, we had plenty to go around!