The True Spirit of Christmas

A friend of mine has started a Christmas Avent Blog. Every day she adds something inspirational about the true meaning of Christmas. I have found it so inspirational and uplifting....and we are only 3 days into December. It is so wonderful, I thought it needed to be shared. So....visit it and be uplifted. It is on the right side under my blog links towards the bottom under "A Christmas Blog". Enjoy!!

Now for the fun Re-cap

Well, I'm not the weekly blogger like I thought I'd be. I know that Thanksgiving is almost here....but here is our Halloween....along with Kyle's Pack meeting (with pictures). I always think the picture posts are the best.

2nd Annual Pumpkin Carving w/ the Rich's

Family Home Evening before Halloween (see above)

Kyle gets his Wolf and 3 arrows. He is self motivated on this one. He is definately a driven first child. He was so excited that Emmet took him out to the scout store to get his Bear book. (He's technically not allowed to start it until his B-day in March. I'm so proud of him!!!!Trick or Treating-of course! Kyle dressed up as Indiana Jones, Braden as Darth Maul (his face got painted for his school Trunk or Treat.....but on Halloween night, he skipped the face paint because he didn't want to wait), Dallin dressed up as Spiderman. Tyson was a dog, but took it off as we were walking out the door, and would only let me put on the Diego shirt. So, he was a partial Diego. (He's my only child that has a strong opinion about his clothing---I thought that was just a girl thing) Audrey was a Bunny (see below)

More pumpkin carving photos--the end result

What a cute little bunny!!

Rest, Relaxation, and Reflection

Emmet had a business conference this weekend in Santa Monica, Ca. He goes quarterly and has wanted me to go with him the last 3 times, but with a young baby and nursing....I just couldn't pull it off. But, this time I got to go. My mom watched the kids (thank you mom!!!)...and Emmet and I stole away for 2 days. It was so relaxing. We stayed in a piece of junk hotel right close to the beach. (still expensive in my opinion) After arriving in LA, and then taking my very first Taxi ride ever to the hotel, I was a little nautious. Walking into the hotel room made me even more nautious.....because it was very musty. But......I could care less. I was on vacation with my husband....and nobody else to take care of but myself. It was HEAVEN!!! While Emmet was in conference meetings all day Friday......I slept in, got myself Beautied up (in peace and quiet), and found an awesome outdoor shopping place just a block away. I got to eat breakfast at a little 50's diner.....and just people watch. So fun! I love just watching people and seeing all the different personalities and styles out there. After breakfast, I did a little window shopping. I did walk out with a couple things....but was proud that I had some self control. Then after lunch, I went back to the hotel for a 2 1/2 hour nap. Ahhhhhhh. Nice! Emmet and I went back that night and had dinner, watched some of the street entertainment, and we even saw the TWILIGHT movie. Yep, we did! Not having read the books, I can see why all you Twilight fans are hooked. It does make your romantic heart race!

I concluded as I spent all day with my own quiet thoughts......that getting away allowed me to see that I am more depleted than I realize. I'm a little frumpy, a little tattered, a little worn down. I do put everyone else's needs before my own (which I am thankful that I can be home with my children) But, There is also a Michelle in this mother's body. A Michelle who has likes and dislikes, dreams and fantasies, and also needs. I have always thought that I do a good job taking care of myself. I have date night with my husband every week, take piano lessons for personal enrichment, and try to sneak out sometimes with my girl friends. But, raising a family is still a lot of work. I don't give motherhood as much credit as it deserves. So.....I have a renewed goal to take a little better care of me. Because, if I replenish my supply.....then I'll have more to give to my children and my husband. I have seen way too many people who give everything they have to their children, and nothing to themselves or their spouse. Then when the children are gone......they are left searching for who they are, and rebuilding a forgotten romance. So I open up a discussion. How does a mother care for herself......so that she has more to give to her children and husband? How do you fill up your own bucket, without having it detract from your God-given job as a mother? What are some ways to rejuvinate yourself, when your time is limited.....and you're caring for the needs of so many others? I'd love to hear feedback.....because I think taking care of yourself now.....leads to a happier you, a happier family, and a happier marriage.

ONCE IN A LIFETIME OPPORTUNITY!!!!!

Okay......so I am so sorry to BORE you with all this grocery stuff. (Especially you out-of-towners)......but I do have to post in this topic again. So......all of this Grocery Smarts addiction stuff has landed me a shot on the news. Yep, you read it right. Last week I met with our local News 3. They wanted to interview a mom who has tried this Grocery Smarts couponing method. Somehow.....through word of mouth, my name got suggested, and after I tried DESPERATELY to talk them into finding someone else, I was their woman. I am very camera shy, and don't like being on the stage. I would much rather be the background girl. So, you can imagine this scared me spitless!!! On Thursday the news anchorwoman came to MY HOUSE......YES, my house. She interviewed me in my own home office, and then the camera man took shots of my kids eating lunch and playing in the backyard. Talk about anxiety! I must have handled the stress of it fairly well, because Emmet said he was surprised I wasn't stressing over all this. The stress finally hit me Friday afternoon when it was all over---and I had to shut off my phones and lay down for a 2 hour nap. But, it's not over yet.....then on Friday morning, I met the news anchor at our local Smith's grocery store. They video-taped me grocery shopping and checking out, and then she interviewed me a little in the grocery isle too. Thursday was very nerve-racking, but Friday surprisingly had me feeling a lot of mixed emotions. I was "sick to my stomach" and "Excited" all wrapped up together. In a crazy kinda way, it was fun. (That doesn't mean I would like to repeat it anytime soon.....) But, for a ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME opportunity, it was pretty cool. They've told me it should be on the news (NEWS 3) on Monday and Tuesday of next week....It is a 2 part story, and I will not be aired until Tuesday. So, for all you locals, tune in on Monday and Tuesday during the Morning news and 12-1 news. They'll be showing it twice each day. (Hopefully I don't look like a complete idiot!)

Addictions

Okay, so I'm definately addicted to saving. When I got the grocery adds yesterday I was so excited. This morning as I was pulling together my grocery smarts list, I started feeling a surge of anxiety. I got more and more excited as my list came together, and pretty soon I was just sure that there was no way I could wait until tonight to go shopping. (I don't like doing my coupon shopping with my kids, therefore I have to do it at night). My brother happened to stop by in the afternoon, just at the right time to relieve my urges......and babysit the kids while I made my Albertson's run. Hallelujah....the waiting was over, and the bargain shopping was here! When I walked out of the store, I wanted to do a cartwheel and squeel with excitement. Isn't this the strangest addiction you've ever heard of? But, indulge with me on my savings: From the picture above, here's what I got:

9 boxes of cereal
7 jars of Mayo
8 boxes Go-gurts
8 5lb. packages of flour
5 Progresso Broths
1 Skippy Peanut Butter
1 (free) Vaseline Intensive Care lotion
3 Betty Crocker Brownie Mixes
7 Betty Crocker Cake Mixes
2 Betty Crocker Frostings
2 Chex Mixes
8 Lipton Onion Soup Mixes (.50 each--WOW!)
2 Ragu Spagetti Sauce
1 pkg spagetti noodles
8 boxes butter

I spent:

$68.20
I saved:
$180.18

I feel like the picture tells the story best. I've decided there are 2 main reasons I must be addicted to this whole thing. 1) I am a math ed major who likes to crunch numbers. I obviously don't mind figuring out all the number deals. 2) This is stocking up my food storage like nobody's business. I am filling my food storage quicker and cheaper than I ever have before. I figured last month that I knocked $250 off my grocery bill. And, I have a year supply of deoderant, toothpaste, toothbrushes......and I'm stocking my pantry every week. Why don't I work for grocery smarts you ask? Because I sure do promote it!! Well, I don't want a job.....but I do get excited to share my successes!!!! Happy shopping everyone.....the deals this week are great. I haven't even hit Smith's yet.

I VOTED!!

I have officially exercised my civic duty and VOTED......for McCain of course. I don't love either candidates, but McCain definately sits with my standards better than Obama. Here's what Kyle and his friend Tyson have to say about it all.....

(conversation in the back seat of our suburban)

Tyson: Kyle, are you going to vote?
Kyle: What?
Tyson: Vote.
Kyle: Oh, yeah.
Tyson: So....who are you going to vote for for judge? McCain or Joe Heck? I'm going to vote for McCain. I used to want to vote for Joe Heck, but I changed my mind.....now I'm voting for McCain. (Joe Heck is a candidate running for a local office here in Henderson)
Kyle: Yeah, me too. I think McCain makes good choices. I think he tries to do what the Lord wants him to do.
Tyson: Is he mormon?
Then mom pipes in: ie: ME
Mom: No, he's not. I don't think that he's trying to do what the Lord wants him to do, but I do think he makes better choices than Obama.

Last 2 months in a Nutshell

I finally have pictures ready to post. Emmet couldn't get my computer to upload them, but he did burn them onto a CD for me. Yeah!!! So to catch up on my lack of posting, I thought I'd summarize our last 2 months.........

1. Kids started public school at Walker International (Spanish/English curriculum)--Kyle cried, I worried and was a wreck all day long, and then they both came home happy and fine---of course!


2. Went to the cabin with my family. Hauled up a bunch of wood to build a new treehouse up there. (When I was a girl we built a treehouse, but it has been destroyed over the years). My two brothers, Emmet, my boys, and I rebuilt it again. What a fun weekend full of sentimental memories!!!


3. Audrey started crawling at 6 months, now has 2 teeth, got her first real pictures taken, and at almost 8 months now is getting into everything....eating any microscopic thing she can find on the floor, standing up in her crib, and officially being bottle fed. (Don't ask.....I'm sad-I wasn't quite ready to stop nursing yet). I just love her!! I look at her often and can't believe I got my little girl. I am loving every moment!



4. Dallin started preschool. He loves it! He decided on his first day of school that he wanted to wear his army winter hat. Whatever..........



5. I've been helping at Kyle and Braden's school every other week. I love it! The kids get really excited to have me there (they always remind me exactly when I'm supposed to come in to help)....and it allows me to connect with their teachers and be more in touch with their education. I have been pleasantly surprised with how much I've liked public school. Their teachers are great....the kids are nice.....they have so many resources available to them.......and the kids have adjusted just fine. (I think it was a harder adjustment for me then for them)
6. I have gotten addicted to coupon shopping.......if you all can't tell by my previous posts.
7. We traveled up to Mona Utah over conference weekend to visit Jodi and Isaac again. We love Mona. We always love the break of sneaking away to a quiet and small town.
8. Just recently, it was my turn to host our scrapbook group at my house. Worried, stressed, cleaned, baked......(but not nearly as much as the last 2 years I've hosted).....and then all went well and I wondered why I even worried about it. (I am getting so much better.........but I just don't think I'm programed to host events.....I am such a worrier) Maybe by the time I'm 50......I'll mature enough to not care so much.
9. We watched my dear friend be sealed to the final 2 of her 7 boys. It was the most inspiring and touching thing I have ever been to. The spirit was so strong, and of course I balled. Seeing their entire family in the sealing room, made me want more kids (oh my gosh....did I say that out loud?)
10. I spoke in church. Worried, stressed........went fine. (Why do I worry?)
11. We are refinishing our stair banister. Some day it will be done. Lots of work, Lots of fun (for me anyways).....and I love how it is turning out. Once this is done.....it is time for a new chandelier. Beautiful!

Before

During
12. Dallin fell and busted his chin open. This is our first family casualty. (no broken bones and no split anything....until now) He was jumping on the trampoline (by himself). Our trampoline is in the ground....so it was a total fluke.....he hit his chin on the spring. Our neighbor is a veterinarian and was able to doctor it up without a single stitch (I love skin glue). If that didn't work.....he was going to have to put a stitch in it. But, luckily it has healed quite nicely! We owe him big time. He saved us a 4 hour ER visit and a $1000 ER bill!

13. Said goodbye to my brother Steven. He went into the MTC this last Wednesday October 15th. He's serving in the Washington Everett mission. We will miss him terribly.....and my boys will too. He was so good with my kids, and so fun to have around. But, we admire him for who he is and what he stands for. I love him and know he will be a GREAT missionary!

I think that wraps up the key points. There may be some I'm missing.....but most likely they aren't that interesting. Heather.....there's your new post!!!