We can do hard things........

I'm back.....this time long term. I got side tracked with all the other social networking junk out there and completely abandoned my very own blog. BUT I have a new purpose for blogging and renewed determination for documenting 2011 for the Peterson family. For the first time ever I am introducing a family theme (stole idea from a friend who borrowed it from another blogger). Our theme for 2011 is......drum roll please........WE CAN DO HARD THINGS BUT WITH THE LORD WE CAN DO ALL THINGS! Isn't that a beautiful statement. I have a testimony of this already. However, I forget and find myself putting my trust in man versus the Lord. AND then I get so annoyed with myself.  When I was first married I took a job as a receptionist for a not so nice guy. He was very demanding and intimidating. I was young and inexperienced. I hated working for him but given our situation it is what needed to be done. My job security depended on my ability of mastering a challenging data entry program (I didn't have the luxury of being trained by the previous employee). I prayed to understand the system and to be less intimidated by the boss. It was truly a miracle how quickly I learned the process and how my confidence increased. Interacting with that man and learning the system was hard but the Lord blessed me with the ability to triumph. I only lasted a month or two- the guy was a real ego maniac and it just wasn't worth the energy to put up with him.  Fast forward 8 years, 1 college degree and 1 child later I had another really hard choice to make. I worked at a job that I hated at first but then loved. It was an intense and demanding career. BUT the right people liked me and I was good at what I did so I excelled. I was also the main breadwinner. Quinn was finishing mortician school and we lived in Portland, Oregon. Our only child, Reece, had just turned 2 and I got the distinct impression that I needed to make some sacrifices and become a stay at home mom. This decision came after much study and prayer. It was so HARD.  I had no idea how we would live, eat or do anything. On paper, the loss of my income wreaked havoc on our financial situation. Nonetheless there was no denying that I needed to be a stay at home mom. Fast forward 10 years, 2 more kids and a move to Meridian, Idaho.  I reflect on that time and can see the Lord's hand in my life so clearly. I guess hindsight is always 20/20. I have faced extreme challenges in the last 10 years and am confident that I will continue face hard things my whole mortal experience. I want to strengthen my testimony in, and teach my children, the truth that with the Lord we can do all things. So we are kicking 2011 with a family party.....i don't know the details yet but I will share them asap. The first hard thing I am preparing myself for is the reality that my children will probably not be totally on board with this. This is new and will be out of their comfort zone (dare I mention our baby who is 4 still refuses to dress himself! and I have tolerated this in lieu of a temper tantrum). Not yelling at them to cooperate, resisting the urge to lecture them on appreciating my efforts and being patient with them will be HARD- more than I can express- BUT i am preparing now......Day ONE = January 1, 2011.

it gets easier

Tonight when i told Jamie and Todd, that Bob passed away on Monday, I didn't even cry. Tuesday, when I told Ruthie and Artie, the other neighbors, I couldn't stop the tears. We were driving home from Blackfoot when Corinne called to tell us the news. We will miss Bob very much. Corinne is staying in the house as long as her health allows. i am so glad. it would be hard to lose them both at the same time.

inquring minds want to know......

Yesterday, Trey's inquiring mind wanted to know....
what's a flat tire?
why do tires go flat?
what kind of bug is that?
can i squash that bug?
do elephant have ears?
why did the road workers paint those lines yellow?
what is reece doing at school?
when will quincy be home?
how do you spell rattlesnake?
are rattlesnakes nice?
is "poop" a naughty word?
when do i get to go to lacy's house?
what comes after monday?


Yesterday Bob's inquiring mind wanted to know......
how do i die?

and Corinne's inquiring mind wanted to know.......
what am i going to do after Bob passes away?

i guess, no matter what stage of life we are in, we never stop asking questions.

Counting my blessings

Seeking mature individual to care for our 3 children ages 8, 6, and 2 while we are at work...
3-4 evenings a week - usually Monday, Tuesday, Sunday...and some Wednesday's 

Must be able to pick-up children from daycare before 6 pm and care for them at our home in Star
Prepare dinner, assist with homework when needed, bath and bedtime routine ect.

Please call or text (number removed)

*Currently working 2 jobs so if I do not answer please leave detailed message (Age, location, desired wage, have own transportation ect.) 



i am weird, i know. sometimes for fun i browse the classified section of craigslist. maybe it's my way of staying connected to the world outside my four walls. sometimes i think the perfect part time job waits for me and if i don't cruise the job listings i'll never know. i came across this ad and it just broke my heart.  really a nanny picking up children from daycare? my heart breaks for those little children. my heart also hurts for the adults. i have to assume they don't want to be working two jobs. i also have to assume that they are working their tails off to put food on the table, clothes on their back and a roof over their heads, not to pay for a house they can't afford or cars they can't afford or any part of a lifestyle they can't afford. i have to assume that it breaks their hearts to have their babies picked up from daycare, fed dinner and bathed, by a nanny. but you know what they say about assuming........
at this moment i feel very blessed. we don't have much, money included. but it's 6:23 p.m. and my 3 year old is laying on the floor singing songs to ME. my 6 year old will soon return from a play date and tell ME all about her fun. and my 11 year old is showing off his football skills to his dad. soon our little family will gather around the kitchen and eat a dinner prepared by ME, even if it's cold cereal.

Tribute to Morrison's

Dear Blog: Three weeks ago we found out that our dear neighbor and friend had cancer. WHAT? HOW DID THIS HAPPEN I inquired? Just last week Bob was replacing some weather coverings on his roof and was full of life and now he lay on his couch, hardly able to carry on a conversation, he gets so winded. NO details. We don't know anything. Bob started losing feeling in his legs so he went in to get that checked. CANCER!
Two weeks ago: Bob gets oxygen and the type of cancer is confirmed: lung cancer. What can we do to help? Please let us help you, I cry. You have always done so much for us it's the least we can do. Bob is crying too. He doesn't want to impose on us. "Too bad"! I say. We are helping. Corinne, his wife, broke her back several years ago and can't drive or vacuum or stand for too long. Bob was her primary care giver. NOW WHAT? I demand to help- and they finally relent. I get to do their grocery shopping, clean their house and Reece gets to mow the lawn. They insist on paying for the cleaning and mowing, even though i made these really cute all inclusive service coupons for her birthday gift, and encouraged her to redeem them. They don't understand how important performing these acts of service (although they are paying) are to me. They also don't understand Why? Why would I, the busy mother of three make time to serve them. Well, let me tell you.....
Nine years ago when we bought our house Bob came over the first day he saw us. He told us he helped the previous owners with all their maintenance needs so he knew our house like the back of his hand. if we needed help he was there. Who knew that initial encounter would blossom into such a friendship. In the last nine years Bob has helped us do more and borrow more (he has every tool for any job) than I can count. Bob is 83 and if he hasn't seen it or doesn't know how to fix it then watch out. It probably can't be done. Every year Bob grows "us" a garden. Jelly belly's are kept stocked so my kids and any other neighborhood kids that tag along- can come over for a sugary treat. Trey has his very own special stash of suckers as Bob and Corinne didn't want to risk Trey ingesting a peanut butter jelly belly (he has severe food allergies). No one else gets suckers except Trey. Who DOES that? Bob.
This week: Oncologist delivers the horrible news: two months, maybe less. hospice came today for the first time and it was very overwhelming for Bob. They mixed up his medicines, talked to fast, talked to Corinne and NOT him. He is frustrated and sad and I cry when I am over there. I tell him that we are so sorry and that we love him. Bob has family and they live around the area and they are helping BUT i want to help too. I want them to know how much they mean to us. I will try not to impose too much but helping them gives me a sense of purpose right now. It makes me feel like what I am doing matters. I don't get that same feeling from serving  my own family (cooking dinner, doing laundry, scrubbing toilets, grocery shopping). I don't know why. Maybe it's because my family expects those acts and aren't so appreciative. Feeling appreciated and valued.......Isn't that every stay at home mom's plight? I digress......
no pictures. Bob says he's not having his picture taken for anything!  i asked him if i can come over and orally record some of his family history (he is always telling stories). NO- no one cares about my life is his response. i wish he would change his mind. i try to explain to him that generations to come will care. then i reminisce about my ancestors. do i care about their lives? not right now but i may in the future, when i have more time. what if i made the time? what could i learn from their histories? I digress......
funeral arrangements  have been made and quinn, only quinn, is to handle all the details. this service will be hard for quinn but Bob's family will be in good hands. quinn is good at his job. two months is too generous. bob has deteriorated so quickly already in just 3 weeks. i have literally witnessed the life being sucked out of him. he has no fight in his eyes. i think just worry for Corinne. Bob is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints but hasn't been active for over 63+ years. This makes me sad too. does he know that after he passes through mortality his son, that died at age 19, will meet him? does he know that when Corinne's turn on earth is over he will meet her again? do they know that sacred ordinances can be performed on earth that will bind their family for eternity? I digress......
Tonight: Corinne couldn't find one of the medications she needed to give Bob. Hospice is coming tomorrow to review everything. I tell her I can come tomorrow while hospice is there and listen to the instructions and then at night if she can't remember i can help her. she indulges me and says i can come over all the while Bob is yelling in the background something about why would a mother of 3 want to burn herself out on two old people.....BLAH BLAH BLAH.
Well Bob let me tell you.........what goes around comes around. and that includes acts of service.

busy day

today was a busy day.
7:30 a.m.- woke up.
made my bed and said morning prayers.
woke up children.
made breakfast
made q's lunch.
drove morning carpool duty.
went to gym
registered reece for middle school
wallowed in depression upon realizing i am middle age!
went thrift store shopping with a friend
visited bob and corinne- more on them later.
made semi dinner for kids.
took reece to football practice.
volunteered to be team mom because no one else would.
went grocery shopping
read stories to q and t
threatened children if they didn't get in bed
in between all the activities i made various phone calls. entertained various thoughts. yelled at my children because i felt overwhelmed. ate too much junk because i felt overwhelmed. and then i wondered......how am i going to fit grad school into this life? what part of this schedule am i willing to let go of? will my yelling increase or decrease? will i end up gaining 20 pounds? is grad school really right for me and my family?

The tipping point......

the tipping point is actually the title of a really good book. the book touches on how "small and purposeful" actions can create huge results. one example the book cites is a study conducted on the new york city, subway, crime rates.  once upon a time, crime was prevalent in new york city. even more so on the subway. have you ever wondered how the city got that rate to plummet? who was the mastermind? according to the author (which i can't recall and am too lazy to go out to the car and get the book) several people and actions were responsible for this phenomenon.A bunch of ordinary people (with extraordinary minds) got together and realized that if they don't get the crime rate under control they are going to have really BIG problems down the road. these folks implemented several small and purposeful solutions (if you want to know more- read the book) which resulted in the crime rate, on the subway, decreasing by double digits. HUGE SUCCESS! so how does the tipping point apply to my life............
well i have a problem. the spirituality in my home is too low. the chaos and contention-too high. if i don't get this under control i will  potentially have some major problems down the road. so what small and purposeful actions can be implemented that might generate some BIG results. 1. limit all and any media time- i'm not saying do away with the computer or x-box or television but what if we limit our exposure to 2 hours total each day. if i get creative the kiddos might not even realize they are missing electronics. 2. increase amount of time spent on spiritual activities- again i am not talking hours and hours but what might happen if we just read 2 more verses in the scriptures each night or for that matter make sure we read faithfully EVERY night. 3. i need to wake-up earlier so i am prepared before the kids stumble out of their beds. - again i think 15 minutes earlier might do the trick.  my hypothesis is that by implementing these 3 small but purposeful strategies i will 1. be able to reduce the chaos and contention and 2. increase the spirituality in my home.  and this might just be the tipping point that put my family on a different path than we are currently walking.

Father Time take a time out

Geesh- i can't believe how fast time is zooming by. i can hardly catch my breath. quincy starts 1st grade tomorrow (actually she started yesterday and this is the first chance i've had to get back to this post). reece enters middle school 8.30 and trey and i are just trying to figure everything out. i keep thinking that once the kiddos are back in school time will slow down a little but then i looked at my calendar and september is already planned- the full month. then there's october- it's already half way planned and  then, well november and december are already history. oh and i called BSU to inquire about getting my MSW and if i want to apply for the fall semester of 2011 my application is due by early jan- which, is right around the corner! ARGHHHH! anyway here are some of the pics from the peterson family camp out. quinn is quite the guy. isn't camping supposed to be relaxing?  at our camp we were up with the sun-eating breakfast-exploring the mountains-hiking-riding ATV's and not hitting the tent until about midnight or later. when i got home- i seriously felt like i had been run over by a freight truck.

Right before my very eyes

I don't know how it happened. How did I miss this little man growing from this.....

to this......

Reece turned 11 today! his baby pic's are MIA- They're probably pre-digital camera.  I just can't believe that he's 11! WOW! He is evolving into quite the young man. Just a few tidbits about Reece.....
-he loves to be the life of the party. making people laugh is his speciality.
-he loves to read.
-he loves football and someday wants to play for the BSU broncos
-he already has a goal to serve a full time mission for our church (the Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints)
-he has a tender heart. he doesn't ever want to hurt someone's feelings
-he is very tolerant.
-he is a fun older brother.
-his favorite pastime is hanging out with the family
-his least favorite way to spend time is singing in church
-his favorite food is anything-he's not a picky eater

i am blessed to have the opportunity to mother this child. he tries my every last nerve and patience thus stretching me and growing me in ways otherwise not possible. he was born for greatness. he is strong and i love him very much. happy birthday reser!

A thorn in my side!

i guess there has to be thorns to enjoy the roses right?  i give too much power to other people and allow them to get under my skin and become real thorns in my side. this is something i'm working on. i don't want to spend any of my energy on people i don't jive with. but it's hard. i tend to stew over things, get other people's opinion on the thorns, use time replaying incidents in my head, etc. i guess the truth is- it hurts to think that another person wouldn't adore me? you know appreciate all my good qualities while overlooking my faults. i guess that's part of life. on a more cheerful note......i'm dusting off the running shoes after a 10 week hiatus. the hip feels good and it's time to get back out there. i'm not looking forward to building up my base but hopefully it won't take long.

I'm Back

WOW my one week hiatus turned into several. My apologies-future generations-for letting time get away from me like that. I regret to inform you that I still can't change the background of this darn blog, or figure out any other tech savvy features of blogger. I went to a blogging conference and heard all sorts of fantastic information on SEO, html, word press, blogger in draft, etc. But by the time I finally got around to applying some of that info to this blog.....well let's just say i am short term memory challenged. so here's a synopsis of last few months:
I turned 36-totally depressed about that! i mean completely depressed!
Quinn turned 39- since he rarely verbalizes his feelings i have no idea how he felt about this
I ran my second half marathon- and injured myself pretty bad. it's been almost 10 weeks and i still haven't been able to run- i'm hoping next week brings some good news.
Quincy graduated from Kindergarten
Reece graduated from 5th grade-he's onto middle school in the fall

I hosted a family reunion type event- all of my siblings except one brother (good thing his wife and kiddos love us- they came w/o him) because he had to run his pharmacy. Of course I have no pictures of this event- who had time to take any pictures. I was busy entertaining 12 kids and 7 adults (truth be told: i have a knack for always missing the important touches, ie- pictures of a family reunion that will probably never happen again)

There is something so precious about listening to my little ones pour their hearts out to Heavenly Father in prayer. Tonight Quincy took her turn to pray and some of her requests were just so sweet. Like, "please bless all my classmates to be good tomorrow so we can get a glitter strip" AND "please bless mommy that she won't fall asleep while driving" (that has never happened) AND "bless the mommies everywhere to be nice to their children and give them what they need" (we read 1 Nephi 17 tonight for scripture study. In these chapters, Nephi is rebuking his brothers for being so hard hearted inspite of all the miracles they have witnessed. Nephi bears testimony that the Lord will give him strength to accomplish anything that has been commanded of him, including building a ship. I likened that unto my life and explained to the kids that mommies have been counseled, by living day prophets, to stay at home and care for their children, whenever possible. I bore my testimony that the Lord always provides a way for us to live His commandments and counsel. We talked about the blessings of having me always at home and that even though we don't get everything we want we have everything we need) She finished up her prayer with, " Heavenly Father bless Jesus-we love Him very much and we know that He is happy when we are being nice". Sweet Sweet Quincy!

For a good cause

Dear Mr. Giant Frog-
Thank you for entertaining my children for 2 hours tonight. I am sorry you lost your life in the process. They didn't know that you wouldn't eat chocolate chip cookies or enjoy being dunked head first into a bowl of water. They tried to gather you up some delicious rolly polly's and make you a comfy bed of grass. They couldn't understand why you wouldn't sit still and watch "Fantastic Mr. Fox". Or why you wouldn't jump on the trampoline with them. They are just children and are still learning. I will do my best to make sure none of your relatives experience the same fate. But I make no promises!

Almost

Today I was reading Trey a book on the Prophet. I asked him who our prophet was today and he said, " President Monster". Well he IS only 3.

What does that make you, the mother?

I worked at a trade show yesterday for a company called, CitySmart. There were 5 of us total at the booth and I was the only female. The owner (30) his two younger brother's (mid 20's) and a brother's friend (20 ish). The owner is married but the other three boys are single and capitalizing on any and all opportunities to flirt with girls that came by the booth. One particular girl (22) loitered around the booth longer than necessary. Upon discovering that three of the boys were brothers she inquired to me......"so what does that make you? their mother"? OH PLEASE! WHATEVER. after reeling from that comment for a few minutes I realized to that 22 year old there was no difference between 35 and 45. To her it just meant OLD! Of course logically I am not old enough to be the mother of a 30 year old, nor do i look old enough to be a mother of a 26 year old. To that 22 year old- 26 is probably OLD. The lesson learned: I will not judge plastic surgery recipients as harshly in the future. I may find myself in an office one day- desperately trying to recapture my youthful appearance.

May 9, 2010

Happy Mother's Day- WOW I can't believe it's been almost a month since I have posted. Crazy how time flies. Today after church the young men handed out candy bars to all the mother's with a little saying. Quincy asked me if she could have one. I told her no they were just for the mother's. She didn't give up. She then asked one of the boys. He told her no, as well. I found her walking out to the car in tears. I tried explaining to her that the candy was only for mother's not primary children. She looked up at me and said with all seriousness......But I will be a mother someday! How could I not share my candy with her?

Gospel according to my 3 year old

Me: Trey did you have a great time in Sunbeams today?
Trey: Yes.
Me: What did you learn about?
Trey: That Jesus died on the crosswalk for us.

Thank you Steve Appleton for developing a product that will keep my 3 year old occupied while wearing an oxygen mask. Holding him down while he screams gets old after a few minutes.

Back to School

So the kids went back to school today after a 3 week break. Tonight as I helped Quincy with her homework I started to wonder if 3 weeks was too long. The assignment was a worksheet on the letters "ox". The worksheet listed three sentences, showing her pictures of different items ending in "ox", her job was to identify the item, in the picture, and then write the word out. Again the emphasis was on words ending in "ox". The sentences read, "I see a "fox", I see a "box" I see an "ox". The last sentence had no picture and she could choose any word she wanted to fill in....I see a (blank). She thought really hard and finally piped up with "butterfly". Oh Quincy you make me laugh!

My testimony and gratitude

Tonight I feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude. I must admit, my gratitude is partly because my children are returning to school tomorrow(after a 3 week track break). My gratitude is also in part for the counsel I received, by a modern day prophet, President Monson, and other church leaders on how to better protect my family from the sins of the world, teaching my children, enduring trials, serving others and reading the Book of Mormon to find direction for my life. BUT- Mostly my gratitude is for my Savior, Jesus Christ and the sacrifice he made for me when he suffered in the Garden and hung on the cross. To my posterity-My testimony is simple. I know my Savior lives. I know He loves me. I know He hears and answers my prayers. I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God and that he saw Heavenly Father and Jesus in the grove. I know that the Book of Mormon is true. I know that families can be together forever and that we can all live with our Heavenly Father again. I know these things to be true because I have prayed and asked Heavenly Father and the spirit has testified to me of their truthfulness. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Friday.

Let me just preface today has been one of those days. Our weather is bipolar, Quinn is on his 4 days off rotation and bored- so now it's like i have 4 children to entertain, I had to go to Walmart at 5:00 tonight- BIG MISTAKE! and I am unprepared for Easter and General Conference! UGH!
My one goal for the night was to get the kiddos in bed at a decent hour, as their 3 week track break is coming to an end(thank goodness) and they need to get back on a schedule. All was going well until Quincy decides to line up her stuffed animals, in her doorway. Upon questioning her she looks up at me and says in the sweetest, sappiest voice..."mommy i am laying all my animals out in the shape of a heart to celebrate Easter. It's a heart because I love Jesus". How am I supposed to yell at her to get back in bed after that?

Seattle Fun Day 1 & 2

We arrived on Sunday so technically Monday was day 1- the kids just kinda hung out and did boy stuff- like wrestle and jump on the trampoline.

Day 2 we went to the Science center for the day. The kids had a blast. It turned out to be a really nice day so we could enjoy some outside activities. Also notice the really cute bow in Quincy's hair- Darcy taught us how to make those on Day 1 and we made several throughout the trip.

Really, is Reece that old?

So guess what Reece watched today in school? Growth and Development movie. I previewed the film last night and was curious to hear Reece's reaction after he viewed it.....
His one word...."Scary"- and then he assurred me he wasn't going through puberty yet so he didn't need to shower every day OR use deoderant!

An old journal entry and answer to prayers.

Elder Pinegar, from the Seventy, spoke to us at our stake conference a few weeks ago. He reminded of us of past counsel given regarding writing in our journals. He encouraged us to record those precious experiences that come into our lives as our prayers are answered so that when we are discouraged, which we will be from time to time, we can be reminded that Heavenly Father loves us and hears and answers our prayers. The other night I was feeling a little discouraged so I pulled out my journal (which I do NOT faithfully write in) and started reading some entries from 2002. I actually became more discouraged when I realized that some of the issues I am currently concerned about are exactly the same issues I worried about in 2002. Instead of serving as a tool to help me see how I had overcome some trial and received an answer to my prayer my journal acted as a slap in the face......I felt a sense of hopelessness as I was confronted with the fact that I was still trying to overcome the same trial 8 years later! I have been pondering this thought for several days now and found myself getting a little perturbed. Then as I was reading 1 Nephi 2- for the millionth time- I received a tender mercy from the Lord and the spirit gently guided me to see the errors of my ways. The spirit helped me to see that my own behaviorhal pattern, regarding this trial, has not changed for the last 8 years. DUH no wonder this trial is still plaguing me. I was also able to step back and see the situation with an eternal perspective rather than through a mortal lens. I know this trial will hang around-that's part of this life but I need to bear testimony of the hope that I found once I was able to soften my heart and allow the spirit to teach me.

Life according to my almost six year old

As I was laying down with Quincy tonight we had a precious conversation about life. It was so sweet I had to record it for posterity.
Quincy: "I don't want to be a mommy because I don't want them to cut my tummy all up just to get the baby out".
Me: "Well they don't always cut your tummy. Besides, if they do, they sew it back up".
Quincy: " Who was your first baby"?
Me: "Reece".
Quincy: " Who was your second baby"?
Me: "you".
Quincy: "who was your third baby"?
Me: "trey" (at this point i didn't really want to get into the whole miscarriage. She was only 9 months old when it happened and doesn't know anything about it).
Quincy: "So you and dad were the only ones here when we were up in Heaven"?
Me: "yes".
Quincy: "did dad have a baby"?
Me: "No".
Quincy: "well then how did we get you"?
Me: " I was Grandma Dance's baby, then I grew up to be your mommy. Just like you will grow up someday to be a mommy".
Quincy: "well I'm not going to be a mommy because I am going to wish on a shooting star to be a unicorn with a magic wand". LONG PAUSE.......DEEP IN THOUGHT......"but mommy will I ever see a shooting star since you always make me go to bed so early"?

Dollar Diet Day 21

Well my Dollar diet challenge is officially OVER! 21 days of using cash and buying only what my family needed (well for the most part). This was a great experience for me. It really forced me to take a hard look at my wants and realize them for what they were.....WANTS. One thing I have enjoyed mastering over these last 21 days is couponing. For me, it is challenging and rewarding. Someone said to me last night they don't coupon because there aren't coupons for the "stuff" they use. Really??? you don't use deoderant, toilet paper, shampoo, condidtioner, soap, razors, toothpaste? With coupons and a little patience you can buy brand name products for a FRACTION of store brand items. Tonight I wanted to use up the last of my Albertson's doublers. I knew I was in the red already but with my doublers I could score some items for FREE and some for $.50 or less. I purchased 4 tubes of crest toothpaste @ $.29 each, 2 Old spice deoderants for Quinn @ $.50 each, 2 containers of Darigold sourcream for $.25 each and I splurged on a package of Rhodes cinnamon rolls for $.50. Oh and I can't forget the BIG bag of Kettle chips that were calling my name (totally a want that I caved to) for $1.99. So my grand total came to $5.20 plus tax. I had a $3.50 catalina from left over from my fruit snack purchases. earlier in the week, so I paid OOP $1.70 plus tax. The free item (yogurt) I was hoping to score was out of stock. I feel at peace when I see my food storage and my general storage growing. I feel a sense of accomplishment when I am able to grow that storage with very little money out of my pocket. I intend to continue monitoring my wishful wants and trying to keep them in check. This has been a great journey. Now onto the next one.......training for my half marathon in May. Hopefully I will be so busy running I won't have time to spend any money in the next two months!

Dollar Diet Day 20

Yesterday was day 20. I shopped AGAIN! UGH! But let me just say it was at Target and it was for toothpaste that I only paid $.50 which is actually more than I should have paid but I couldn't find my other coupon! However I also took the opportunity to purchase an early Easter present for Trey. Target had a $5.00 off Lego coupon (it's still on their site, just head to Target.com and to coupons). I purchased a $10.00 lego set for Trey and used the $5.00 off coupon making my grand total $5.50. I was very impressed with my ability to walk out of target only spending $5.50. Day 21 and the official end of my dollar diet challenge is today!

Dollar Diet Day 18 & 19

Day 18 was almost a shop free day until Quinn's brother and nephew came for a visit and I wanted to cook them dinner so they didn't go out and dine on junk. Since I wasn't prepared I had to pay going retail at the store. It was still cheaper than feeding 8 people at McDonald's (even on 1/2 price happy meal day). I purchased 3 pounds of hamburger ($6.00) a cucumber, for the salad ($.99) and some garlic bread to go with the spaghetti dinner ($1.69). I already had the pasta and sauce in my food storage. Grand total $8.69. Oh and dare I forget.....we are heading on a road trip to Seattle (money already budgeted and saved) so NO WAY am I potty training now. I bought diapers for $11.00. Since I am already over my budget anything I spend puts me in the red. This is what I was talking about when I told Michelle Edmonds (channel 6 news anchor) that I nickel and dime myself right over my budget. So I still have some things to learn and that's Ok, right?????
Day 19- I again spent into the red, yet some more- Albertson's was having an amazing deal on fruit snacks. With my coupons and the store catalina and the hot price I purchased 45 boxes of fruit snacks for $12.60 (that's approx. $.28 a box) Obviously I didn't need to purchase 45 boxes at once but I did. I wanted to cross it off my to do list. So now I am a grand total of $37.95 in the red! Those nickels and dimes add up fast. Day 20 & 21 I am officially banning myself from stores. The madness has to stop :).
Recipe for disaster......spending into the red + watching Glenn Beck (and getting totally depressed) = eating a whole box of somoa girl scout cookies by myself (but at least they were free- some kind soul gave them to Quinn). This day can't end soon enough!

Dollar Diet Day 17

I should have taken a picture but all the stuff needed to be put away. I just returned from Albertson's for the third time. Once this morning to get some cereal, with coupons-of course. Once, after the gym, to get some more cereal and other stuff-with coupons, of course and once because I left my purse there on trip #2 and some honest stranger turned it in (THANK YOU!!!!!). I couldn't waste trip number three and pass up a deal so I snagged 5 boxes of colgate toothpaste for $.25 each-with coupons, of course. Great storage item for this family. My total for today did come to $44.36- so I overspent my budget by $14.36. I was about to type that I will overspend even more because Trey "needs" diapers BUT i guess NOW would be a good time to potty train. He is 3 1/2, after all. I just love the convenience of diapers and I really hate potty training! Therefore a more accurate statement to utter is, "I really WANT to buy more diapers for Trey so I can prolong the inevitable, which takes a lot of work and patience". Did I mention I also hate potty training? Ok well onto a more pleasant subject......here's what I bought today for a grand total of $44.36........
5 tubes of toothpaste
4 boxes of Fiberone bars
2# of strawberries
18 eggs
2 cartons of Dreyers ice-cream
6 cans of Progresso soup
6 cake mixes
5 tubs of frosting
2 boxes of butter
1 bag of Popsicles
11 boxes of cereal
1 bag of carrots
I did NEED some of these items-obviously not in the quantity that I purchased but I justified it by knowing I was adding to my food storage. Average cost per item is $.96. Some of the items were cheaper (like the $.25 toothpaste and some were more expensive like the eggs and the strawberries).
I planned on a Costco trip today but looks like I'll be putting that adventure off for another 4 days, when my dollar diet challenge is officially over.

Dollar Day Diet 15 & 16

Shop free day 15 and 16. Have $30 left to get through the next 5 days. I have my coupon shopping trip to Albertson's all planned out and I should only spend around $10 OOP (out of pocket).
Last week, I was telling a friend about this challenge and she remarked how difficult it would be. She commented that people "need" to be able to indulge every once in a while on "wants". Initially, I agreed. But after much thought I have changed my mind. Maybe it's the vocabulary I'm hung up on. Afterall, it's false to say people"NEED" to indulge in anything. A more true statement would be, "people want to indulge". Correctly using the word "want" empowers individuals to say NO! I often hear people uttering the following phrases, myself included; "I need a vacation, I need a new pair of shoes, I need a haircut, I need a soda, etc. Really???? Do I really need any of those things? No I do NOT. But when I utter that word,"need", I find it robs me of the power to fight against my desires (wants). Certainly I can continue on in life without a vacation, new shoes, a haircut or a soda. A more accurate statement would be "I want.....(fill in the blank)". American society tries to convince us the opposite is true. We are accosted with various forms of marketing techniques whose sole purpose is to convince us we "need" some product to be complete or worse, that we "deserve" something just because we exist. I believe this mentality breeds a sense of entitlement. And then we are left wondering why we are strapped with a nation full of people who have overindulged (obesity, living in homes they can't afford, carrying credit debt, etc). I am grateful for the daily dollar challenge as it has really forced me to see my own "needs" more clearly. I'm still weak. Last week I earned some extra money but spent it because I "needed" a haircut. Then I spent more money because I "needed" to get the bad haircut fixed. Really??? I didn't "need" the first haircut. anyways i'm rambling now.....
5 days left. i have made some mistakes but for the most part i have done so much better these last 21 days than i usually do and my checking account balance is a direct reflection of that. YEAH!!!!

Dollar Diet Day 14 and another thing

Yesterday was a shop free day- this spending money on only what you need is getting easier. Plus i followed the advice of a friend and have just stayed home- no reason to tempt myself.
today is looking like a shop free day as well. my house is in shambles and laundry has managed to pile up again so there's plenty to do at home- i am gearing up for my coupon shopping come monday morning though.

Dollar Diet Day 13

Wednesday i babysit for a friend so that keeps me house bound. It's a good thing- i am not tempted to spend money and i get all the chores, which i despise, completed. i had to run to walmart for eggs and butter. while there i checked prices on a few items like; cereal, yogurt, frosting, bread, fresh fruit and canned black beans. WOW i can't believe how expensive everything is. I'm getting such cheap deals using my coupons and albertson's doubler's(when they come out) paying full retail-even at walmart- makes me feel sick. Betty crocker frosting at walmart is $1.67. I will get it, next week at albies, with all my coupons, for $.50. now do you see why $1.67 seems ridiculous. A box of wheaties fuel was $2.44 at walmart. i will get it next week at albies for $.50. Couponing nay sayers are truly missing the boat! anyways-I'm down to my last $30 BUT i only have 7 days left. we are stocked on everything so i should make it to the end of the challenge without going over budget. AND that is a WONDERFUL feeling.

Dollar Diet Day 11 & 12

Our computer has been down-viruses or something. thank goodness we have a computer genius neighbor who will fix our computer for trade. i love the barter system. anyways, day 11 spent no money. day 12 spent $13.73 at albertson's for artisan bread, salad dressing, cucumber and some lunch meat. 1 week and one day left.

Dollar Diet Day 9 and Day 10

HOLY COW, yesterday was challenging. Saturday is shopping day! Right? Didn't everyone else grow up doing chores saturday morning and then shopping saturday afternoon? that was a tradition i remember from my childhood. one that i have subconsciously carried with me into adulthood. i did survive the day without spending but i won't deny the angst i suffered. and then....last night, quincy was playing at the neighbors and somehow the ping pong table fell onto her head creating a pretty deep gash. i wasn't convinved the gash warranted a trip to the e.r. OR stitches so our kind doctor friend came over to assess the wound. 30 minutes later reece, quincy and i hopped into the gas guzzling SUV, e.r. bound. I hate the e.r. for so many reasons- i won't even waste my time going into it. Needless to say the injury occurred at approx 7:30. We arrived at the e.r at approx 8:30. we left the e.r (4 staples and i'm sure a $1200 bill later)at exactly 11:00 p.m. RIDICULOUS!!!!!! On the way out the doc asked if the kids wanted a Popsicle. i said no thanks i don't feel like being charged $10 for a Popsicle. she giggled and said, " oh we don't charge for them". AND then you know what they did????? they split ONE in half for Reece and Quincy to share. P.L.E.A.S.E.
Day 9 -i didn't spend any cash on wants but no avoiding the e.r. bill that will show up in a few weeks.
Day 10- spent nothing! YEAH for keeping the Sabbath day holy and not shopping!

Dollar Diet Day 8

Today was tough! in fact i would have caved if the dress, i certainly didn't need, but desperately wanted fit- thank goodness it was too short! i keep telling myself 21 days to make a habit, right? another reason i fail at diets.....i would never ever want to go 21 days without sugar just to create the habit of not eating sugar. i love sugar and i really love shopping!
i did purchase some jeans today at Old Navy for myself and reece- they were on sale. i had coupons and a gift card. one thing for sure.....this dollar diet has really forced me to evaluate my purchases. reluctantly i put several items of clothing back because no one needed them. they were on clearance but still that's how i tend to nickel and dime myself over budget. clearance is not a signal to buy whatever i want! i feel very fortunate to be surrounded by other frugal, couponing, budget abiding friends. i glean more support from them then they know.

Dollar Diet Day 7

Didn't spend anything today! 14 days left. I have learned so much about myself in one short week. Like:
1. i'm such an emotional shopper- spending money really makes me feel better short term- kinda like the chocolate makes me feel better at first but then....when the numbers on the scale start creeping up it's not so good.
2. my "wants" are closely intertwined with my "needs". it feels good to be more conscious of this and more in control of my spending.
3. limits really scare me. i'm not a good dieter for this very reason. i would rather run 25 miles a week and eat whatever i want than limit my caloric intake. once limits are in place i instinctively get "up in arms". i wonder what psychological phenomenon explains that.
4. i really don't "need" much. most of my spending falls into the "want" category.

i'm excited to see where the next two weeks take me.

Dollar Diet Day 6

Today i almost made it without spending a single cent. almost being the operative word. on the way to quincy's dance lesson the gas light(in the gas guzzling, still making payments on) SUV lit up. i know i can drive at least 11 miles once the gas light rears it's ugly head but it's cold outside and i didn't want to chance it with little kids in the car. so today i broke the cardinal rule of the dollar diet....I charged $70.00 worth of gas on my credit card- because i had no cash with me. I will deduct that $70 from my allowed budget to pay the credit card and possibly redeem myself????
cash remaining as of today: $115.30
oh and one other surprise that came in the mail today.....a bill from old navy. $8.49last month if i would have been using cash only i wouldn't get surprise bills in the mail. for that matter, last month if i was buying only what i needed i wouldn't have even walked into old navy. guaranteed the purchase was a want NOT a need.
so actual cash left is $115.30-$8.49=$106.81.....the next 15 days might get very interesting!

Dollar Diet Day 5

I couldn't put off the costco trip any longer. I wondered if I would be disciplined enough to stay in budget.I took $75 cash with me and kept track of the items that went into my cart.
i needed:
1.fresh fruit- you can't get bananas cheaper. i purchased the red delicious apples vs. the fugi or gala because they were considerably less expensive but pack the same nutritional pucnh. i purchased the case of oranges vs. my favorite (a bag of cuties)because it was cheaper.
2.romaine- can't get it cheaper anywhere else and makes great salads
3.chicken nuggets- some may say this is a want but i have a little guy with severe food allergies (no milk, eggs, or nuts and wheat only sparingly) this is what he eats for lunch.
4.bread- quinn said no more taking chances on homeade bread (see post below)- again because of my little one we buy the more expensive bread as it is egg and milk free.

I wanted but didn't buy all the books-didn't even buy one!
chocolate covered pretzels-
stacy's pita chips
zone power bars
-i finally just stopped looking and went to checkout.
I wanted and did buy:
1. applesauce (or my food storage)
2. case of popcorn (with coupon 32 bags cost $5.65)this is a really and somewhat healthy snack alternative for the kids.
3. Kirkland brand laundry detergent- could have gotten by without it but will need it eventually and didn't want to miss the coupon. it is our preferred detergent.
4. apple juice- could have gotten by with out it but trey (the allergic one, get's tired of water and there was a coupon making it 2 gallons for $4.65).
I told the cashiers about my diet(just in case i had to put something back). They were really supportive.
TOTAL: $74.64
i'm off to buy crest toothpaste at walgreens for $.04-you can too just check these gals out (www.thecrazycouponlady.com)

Dollar Diet Day 4

Today i went to Alby's armed with my coupon binder. I needed:
milk
dishwashing detergent
yogurt
you could say i broke the diet rules because i came home with some additional items BUT they were FREE (with my coupons).
here's what i came home with:
5 packs of trident layered gum - FREE with coupons-
4 boxes of ronzoni pasta- FREE with coupons
5 bags of hershey's bliss chocolate- FREE with coupons
12 dannon light&fit yogurts-$3.67 (with coupons)
1 gallon of milk $2.69 - that killed me but i figured it was cheaper than driving to costco.
1 box of dishwash detergent $3.99 (with coupons)
1 bag of popsicles (now this i didn't need but my 3 year old, who was patiently shopping with me did). they were on clearance and i paid $1.99

Total paid $13.06
normally i would have purchased some other items BUT the other items were on my want list vs. need list. unless i can get them for free i can't buy them (unless my 3 year old is on the verge of a melting down). if you want to know to use coupons visit www.thekrazycouponlady.com

the dollar diet. Days 1, 2 and 3.

if i was blog savvy i would know how to link you to the article on kivitv news featuring the dollar diet but i'm not. so if you're interested just head on over to their news page and check it out in the lifestyle section. my gym pal, michelle edmonds (you know the lovable evening anchor on channel 6), explained this diet to me on Friday, February 12th. from what i understand the basic concept is for 21 days (because that's how long it takes to form new habits) you shop using two rules: #1. use cash only. #2. buy only what you need! let me repeat....buy only what you need! of course prior to this you must establish your budget for the 21 days. the goals are #1. to stay under your budget, thus saving money. #2. be able to more clearly distinguish between wants and needs #3. stop using credit cards/debit cards/anything but cash to pay for purchases.
i'm already fairly frugal but definately have room for improvement. sometimes i nickel and dime myself right over my budget. not good! over budget is over budget no matter how good of a deal something is (if only our government understood this concept). Michelle is doing a news story with a local family on the diet but i decided to take the challenge as well and blog about it. so here we go.....
My budget for the 21 days is $300.00- that includes everything. food,gas, dining out, movies, haircuts, toiletries, anything we do for the next 21 days.
Day one: withdrew $300 cash from bank.- didn't spend any money.
Day two: purchased 3# of ground beef for $7.00 at Albertson's. probably cheaper at winco but didn't have the time to drive there. plus who in their right mind goes to winco on a saturday? Paid $7 because i bought yesterday's grind (completely edible just store policy that it is marked down to sell the next day or it's thrown away).
Cut quinn's hair myself to save the cost of a haircut. this was my second time and it turned out great! Made bread because we were out and didn't want to spend money at store- had all items in my food storage(it turned out horrible and was hard as a rock but we still ate half the loaf with some yummy jam i canned last summer). $20for valentines date to movie (date night is a definite need in my book-and we don't usually spend money but it was valentines day)!
Day three- spent nothing as i don't shop on sundays.
$300-$27.00 = $273

is it worth it?

5 packages of toilet paper
4 boxes of 18 ct. tampons
1 package of huggies-because i'm not ready to potty train yet. who has time for potty training when i am so busy couponing
3 bottles of joy dish soap
2 venus razors with 5- yes count them 5 blades
2 Oil of Olay body wash
4 Dove's Men's body wash
2 /20 sq. feet of foil
2 pacakages of oreos- to bribe the kids with
1 package of sweedish fish- to bribe trey with since he can't eat the oreos
4 caramels- filler items
Out of Pocket= $46.51 + I still have $10.00 in Register Rewards to use at a later date.
Some seasoned couponers probably would have scored this pile for way cheaper but I'm still learning and that's what is so darn frustrating. I WANT TO BE PERFECT AND GET THE BEST DEALS RIGHT NOW!!!!!!!!! It literally makes me ill thinking that I might have been able to save more money if only..........But this is good for me. it is forcing me to learn patience with myself!

Couponing aint for no sissy's (how do you like them double negatives)! you have got to know your stuff and be able to stick to your guns. not all stores are on "their" game and sometimes the couponer has to tell "them" about "their" policies-and of course the couponer knows the store's policy because he/she has read up on it.
You also have to be able to smile politely even when the folks, in line behind you, start making noises with their mouths, rolling their eyes and get their bodies all contorted just because you are taking a little extra time SAVING MONEY by USING COUPONS!
I love couponing-i'm not quite sure what the draw is but i'm an addict. upon realizing this i have set two ground rules for myself-i'm sure more will follow- but remember i'm still a beginner!
1. I won't organize my coupons on Sunday, anymore. It takes too much time away from my family. I could spend a good 2-3 hours organizing and reading coupon blogs.
2. I won't skip the gym to try and get the great deals. last week i allowed myself to skip the gym 3 times due to couponing. i didn't intend for it to happen that way but my trips took longer than expected and before i knew it my gym time was up. Exercise is too important in my world and I need to keep it that way. Afterall I am pushing 36- ARGHHHHH.

Spirit teaching

I enrolled in another semester of postive parenting, taught by the amazing Carlene Tanner. I love this class and I love the teacher. Her spirit teaches my spirit concepts that I am unable to learn anywhere else. Since I have been a parent (10 1/2 years) I have read a lot, and I mean a lot, of parenting books. I have taken other parenting classes. I have even paid for professional counseling. NOT because I have abnormal children BUT because I am just anal like that. I assumed that if I did a "perfect" job parenting than the process would yield "perfect" children. And just in case you are wondering....my definition of "perfect" is just that....MY definition. In my world "perfect" children don't waste their time playing video games or watching television- rather they immerse themselves in service to others and reading out of great books. Perfect children use manners at all times and in all places....get my drift? What planet am I from?????Geesh! Here are just a few tidbits my spirit has learned from Sis. Tanner-thanks to my companion, the Holy Ghost.
1. I am far from perfect- and my children are still good inspite of that.
2. The atonment accounts for imperfections- accept that gift and quit trying to fly solo.
3. Heavenly Father loves me BUT not everything is about me. quinn and kiddos will make mistakes for their own growth NOT to make my life miserable.
4. If I want to reside in the Celestial Kingdom I need to act like a Celestial being. The Celestial Kingdom probably doesn't have room for some one who nags, critisizes, demands, etc.
5. TEACH(spend the time and make the effort) correct principles and let children govern themselves.
6. Encourage instead of Praise- that's a biggy
and last but not least............remember.........."this too shall pass". Although I can't imagine my life in any other future stage I need to remember time will pass and enjoy the moment.

Note to Self......

1. Don't leave the full bottle of laundry detergent on the washing machine ANYMORE!
2. When you hear a loud bang, investigate EVERY ROOM- you never know what you might find.
3. Take the full bottle of bleach off the washing machine- thank goodness that didn't fall.

Happy New Year!

I just finished a DVR of Glenn Beck. WOW!!! John Huntsman was his guest. Do you know who John Huntsman is? His company invented the egg carton, McDonalds Big-Mac container, the plastic bowl, fork, spoon, etc. He is a self made BILLIONAIRE. He founded the Huntsman Cancer center in Utah. He was one member of President Nixon's cabinent that refused to participate in any questionable dealings. He is the only person who wasn't summonds for questioning once the water gate scandal broke. His character spoke that loudly. He will die BROKE because he plans on giving ALL his money to fund charities once he has passed. I couldn't help but feel his spirit as he spoke. I felt his humility, his goodness. His words inspired me to ACT! The final thought he left the viewers with was, "When you are in the service of your fellow beings you are only in the service of your God". Did I mention he is a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints?
On a scale of 1-10 (1 being totally self absorbed, never thinking of others and doing anything to "get ahead" in the world and 10 being Mother Teresa-imperfect but yet a saint) I consider myself at a 5. I was taught by my parents to serve others, share my abundance (how little or large that may be),work hard, better the community i reside in and be honest regardless of the consequences. BUT i find myself bogged down by the natural tendencies of man. I do want to have nice things, I spend ALOT of time doing things for myself (this goes above and beyond maintaining my physical, spiritual and emotional well being. it's plain ol' selfishness), I am quick to judge others and the list goes on. So here is my challenge to myself and to you, if you want to jump on board- Lose myself in the service of others. Every day for the next year I will complete an act of service for someone. I'm sure on some days the act will be as little as a smile but i sure hope on other days i will have enough courage to serve big. I don't think the question is, WILL a year of daily service change my life rather HOW will my life be changed from this adventure. I can't wait to find out.