Tuesday, November 30, 2010

I have a new calling:

I am Cub Master...
Trial by fire this Thursday night-my first pack meeting! 
 I am freaking out a little...
On the agenda: pure fun. 
At least that is the plan.
Let's hope it translates.
Most importantly? No more yellow den leader shirts required. Whew!
Wish me luck.

Saturday, November 27, 2010

Black Friday

While most people were out buying computers, T.V.'s and I-Touch's, I was, of course, couponing at Rite-Aid...
Here was my Black Friday haul:

2 ConAir blowdryers
8 boxes of Raisin Bran
6 boxes of Rice Krispies
2 boxes of Apple Jacks
2 boxes of Frosted Flakes (total of 18 boxes of cereal...)
8 cans of super stack multi-grain Pringles
2 bags of Christmas M&M's
4 Reeses candy bars
4 packages of Carmex
1 Got 2 B hairspray (I actually got paid 2 dollars for this one)

All for less than 25.00.
I may not have any Christmas shopping done, but dang- I feel good!

Friday, November 26, 2010

This was our Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving itinerary: A little food, a little conversation, a little dodgeball , and a little Harry Potter 
(Tangled for the young and squeamish).




 I think there was almost this much food left when we were through.


 Some cousins expressing great thanks!!


 The cool table...


 Steve put  on a brave face to eat with us despite feeling quite out of it. 
I think he requested a couple of times for someone get a shotgun...


 Are words needed here?


 Her mouth was full a second ago...


A little pie anyone?

Happy happy Thanksgiving...

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

5 things I am really, truly, grateful for.

Every Thanksgiving I toss around in my mind the lists of things I am grateful for, and they are many. This year, my gratitude feels a little deeper for many reasons but here is my list of top 5.

1. Ever since one humbling, emotional college crisis I have known, felt, and understood that God knows me. I have not doubted it since, and many times over in the following years, He allows me to feel His love as often and as powerfully as I need to. And I need to. I am so grateful to know that I am His.

2. 18 years ago, I made the frightening decision to marry Michael. Even though I felt that it was the right decision, I was scared of the commitment and told myself right up to the day we were married that I could back out if I wanted to. I didn't. He has been the level-headed complement to a woman who runs on stress. He is  kind, thoughtful, and still makes me laugh after all of these years. He has matured into a man who thinks deeply and serves the Lord with much sacrifice. I am grateful for my husband.

3. I never wanted to raise teenagers. I was certain that the Lord's second coming would happen before I had to face that challenge. I was wrong. Here I am on the brink of having 3 teenagers...and I have loved being their mother. Yes, it has its moments but they are actually fun. We laugh alot and battle sometimes but so far so good. Of course, my two non-teenage children are perfection...:) I am grateful to be a mother.

4. I didn't think at my age that I would still need my parents as much as I do. It is obviously a different kind of dependency but still very strong. I love being able to talk out gospel questions with my dad and share my new favorite scripture passage with him. I love having the relationship with my mom that we never had when I was a cold-hearted teenager :). I value their opinions more than I ever have, and constantly ask myself "what would my dad or mom do in this situation?" I still want to be just like my mom when I grow up. I am grateful to be their daughter.

5. Number 5  is the most surprising of all this year. Over the past 2 years, I have immersed myself in learning about the establishment of this great country we live in. I have read our founding documents, and read of Washington, Jefferson, Adams, and Franklin. My heart aches for a return to the principles upon which we were founded and for leaders who emulate the great founders.  I love the United States of America. I feel so privileged to live here and I feel a responsibility to help preserve its freedom. I am grateful for my country.

That's it. Just a short list. But I am owning it!!! Happy Thanksgiving to you- 
remember, it's more than just pies made with real sugar!!!  
( I have to keep reminding myself of that!)

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Time to hunker down.

We are awaiting a blizzard here in Provo, Utah. The pre-hype has been eternal. It was supposed to be here first at 11:00, then 3:00, then 4:00. and now 5:00. It's now 4:35 and the sky is getting darker and it feels ominous...wish I had a real, honest to goodness fireplace.

Monday, November 22, 2010

The superficial thing I am thankful for...

 For some inexplicable reason, my life is easier without sugar, but I have to have a deadline in order to do it.
 So, once again I have been going sugar free eagerly anticipating my Thanksgiving Day deadline.


Remember this pie from last year that Alicia made?

I am making it for Thanksgiving this year.
Except I will remember to bake the crust...
(Love ya Leesh.)

Janis is also making sweet potato pie. With a  caramelized pecan crust on top.
SOOO GOOD.
Happy Happy Thanksgiving!

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Fresh and fruity...

Somehow over the years, a pomegranate tradition was begun with Aunt Judie. Each fall, she brings a bag full of pomegranates and we chow down till the table, floors, teeth and fingers are stained bright red. Sounds thrilling I know- but we love it.  Thanks Judie!





Monday, November 15, 2010

A Beautiful Saturday...

Beautiful cake
(thank you Ashley)


 Beautiful birthday girl 
(Mikelle)


Beautiful friends!!!

A wonderful way to spend a Saturday.

Friday, November 12, 2010

Today I am headed here:

Have I mentioned how much I love the temple?

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Got Food Storage?


 The latest report released by the National Inflation Association is predicting huge jumps in food prices due to the massive monetary inflation being created by the Federal Reserve's $600 billion quantitative easing (the printing of more money).

"For every economic problem the U.S. government tries to solve, it always creates two or three much larger catastrophes in the process," said Adams. "Just like we predicted this past December, the U.S. dollar index bounced in early 2010 and has been in free- fall ever since. Bernanke's QE2 will likely accelerate this free- fall into a complete U.S. dollar rout," warned Adams.
NIA projects that at the average U.S. grocery store it will soon cost $11.43 for one ear of corn, $23.05 for a 24 oz loaf of wheat bread, $62.21 for a 32 oz package of Domino Granulated Sugar, $24.31 for a 32 fl oz container of soy milk, $77.71 for a 11.30 oz container of Folgers Classic Roast Coffee, $45.71 for a 64 fl oz container of Minute Maid Orange Juice, and $15.50 for a Hershey's Milk Chocolate 1.55 oz candy bar. NIA also projects that by the end of this decade, a plain white men's cotton t-shirt at Wal-Mart will cost $55.57.


Read more: http://www.thirdage.com/news/national-inflation-association-projects-future-us-food-price-increases_11-9-2010#ixzz14vL8SmQ9
 
 

Saturday, November 6, 2010

Happy Birthday to Angie!!!

Oh dear, it is so hard to post pictures of yourself that you hate...
BUT since it is Angie's day, I chose the one that looked best of her (your welcome). We had a fun day of lunchin' and winning bread at the Utah Women's Expo. Nothing says happy birthday like free bread...
We love you Angie- so sorry that you are 42 now, it only get's worse from here...:)

Friday, November 5, 2010

Coupons, coupons...

Here is what I purchased today:

24 cans of Campbells Soup
5 cans of Swanson Chicken broth
8 superstack cans of multi-grain Pringles
1 box Krusteaz cookie mix
3 Secret Deoderants
1 Oil of Olay Bodywash
2 six packs of Oil of Olay soap

Grand Total: 16.43 

I love Smiths.

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Bethany made this...

Once again, one of my daughters has superseded the genes of her mother and did something fantastic! 
Sweatshirt in Timpview blue created by the girl herself. 
Way to go Beth!


Tuesday, November 2, 2010