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.