It's Christmas!

Christmas is definately one of those times where I am either loving it or hating it! Today is a love love love day! We took three hours to decorate our gingerbread houses and train. I must be a really mean mom cuz my kids have never got to do one at our house before. This is due mostly in part to my lack of patience. But I figured what the heck... they are old enuf I can just let them have at it. So I would put the frosting where they told me and they decorated every bit of it. I think they did an awesome creative job! Needless to say, we had a great afternoon. And when we were done, hailey had a bell around her neck that kept driving me crazy. I was informed by miss know it all herself that it simply means I must still believe in Santa if I can hear it ringing. Gotta love the Polar Express movie!

Every so often I get in one of those moods that you just can't explain. For me it starts out with anger. I'm angry at one person then eventually it's everyone. Then after that phase passes it turns into holing myself up alone somewhere. And it finally turns into love. Don't ask me how. It can be as little as someone calling and asking how I am, or if they can do anything. Even though it's something I have to deal with myself, it means the world to know that someone would care enough to ask. Even if there may be more to my emotions that no one knows about. So thank you! You know who you are... After all that is said and done it turns into something odd. I just want to sit and cry. I say it's odd because I am not a crier. Sometimes it just feels good to want to. Maybe that is my way of releasing all my stress and emotion. Anyway, just thought I would see how it felt to express my emotions in writing. Thanks for listening.

Back Into The Swing of Things

Four days home and I already fell like there is a million things to catch up on! Not so much cleaning, but I need to winterize. The summer flew by and the holidays are here already. The one thing I couldn't wait to start on was couponing again! I like nothing better almost than getting stuff for free or cheap. Thanks mom and dad for that life lesson! It takes a lot to squeeze a few pennies out of my you know what. So I will once again post my great deal I got for groceries today. Amber you may want to skip this one since I know how jealous it will make you. Love ya!

3 boxes mashed potatoes, 5 boxes of broth, 2 5lb. bags of potatoes, 4 boxes toaster struedels, 3 cans corn, 2 jars spaghetti sauce, 6 bags of cookie mix, 8 pkgs of yogurt, 6 boxes of cereal, 1 ham, 1 turkey breast, 4 steaks, 1 pkg of hotdogs, and buns, 2 5 lb bags of flour, six cartons of frosting, and six cans of soup... Grant total 106.85 plus I still have 15.00 to spend for free, and I won't have to get groceries again for a month!!

The View From Work

I have now been working out of town for two weeks and coming home on the weekends. It has been quite a drag not seeing my kids every night. On the other hand I have an awesome view every single day. The mountains are by Jackson Lake, and the black bear is just off the road where I am working. Quite the excitement when we see one. It keeps you on your toes and I am constantly cocked and loaded with my bear spray!!

Coupons on the Brain!!!

Okay, here it is. I told myself I was not going to use coupons because of too many various reasons to list. After fighting it and fighting it, my big sister had to come and show me all the money she kept saving. So I finally came to the conclusion that I had to be stupid not to save money too. (Not that any of you are stupid for not using coupons!) This week I have to share my good deals because it is all stuff that everyone uses and could stand to save a few bucks on too. My goal... have food storage built up so if our family has another bad winter like this last one, we will still have food to eat! I hate ramen noodles! And by the way, yes that is an entire case of cereal that the other stuff is sitting on! LOL

Total Savings = $131.25

30 Boxes of Post Cereal should have cost 137.70, acutally paid 20.10

2 Bottles of Soft Soap should have cost 2.00, paid 1.20

Snuggle Softner should have paid 4.00 paid 2.00

2 Kraft Salad Dressings should have paid 3.20, paid .35

2 Airwick Freshners should have paid 10.00, paid 2.00

At last.... I finally got my internet hooked up! And of course it's been months since I've updated. Unfortuantely not much has happend in my time away. Still no work yet, although Keith is no longer laid off!! I did however bite the bullet and get a gym membership. Two months of hard work and no change. I try not to get frustrated and tell myself I'm building muscle faster than I'm burning fat. The least I can be thankful for is that the scale is not increasing the numbers, it just isn't decreasing them either. Oh well, I figure I can be happy any shape or size. Hunter has been making great strides in his scout program. He just earned his bear award. He is such a good boy and loves to excel in all he does. Hailey is reading like a champ and has finally stopped calling me three times a week to come and get her from school. And Tyghelyn is growing so fast. She loves school and was excited to go back after a week for spring break. No more babies in this house. I really enjoyed them as babies, but I am so glad that they are getting independant! I think this is the funnest stage we have had. And the most challenging. I thought they were very oppinionated when they were little, but now they know how to express themselves with words. And they are not afraid to tell anyone how they feel. They will also share info with anyone who asks, and those who don't for that matter. There are no secrets with anyone we know. The kids tell all! Oh well, honesty is always best right? Just figured I would give a quick update and will post again soon.

Collectiong Unenjoyment!!!

As summer was flying by I was thinking about all the things I would get to accomplish this winter while I was laid off. As it were... I don't think I've accomplished anything. I have obviously kept up on the housework finally. But as far as crafts or extra cirricular activities... they are non exhistant. I find it hard to pull my butt up off the couch for any unnecessary reason. I need to find some motivation to do something productive. Even if that means excersising! I need to just bite the bullet and do it!!! As promised her are a few more pictures that we got taken.