We laugh. We cry. We laugh at each other. We cry because of each other. Despite it all, we love each other.
1/23/2011
Warning...
It is a scam. Of course it is delicious. It is decadent as promised. But the box is deceiving. There it sat in the store. Calling my name. Perched next to the other full size boxes. But as I mixed it up I discovered the dirty little secret....
GASP!
It only makes a 9x9 pan!
What kind of craziness is that? Who only wants a 9x9 pan of brownies? Not this family.
1/22/2011
The newest craze
1/21/2011
Ohhh, Panera.
After orientation and before going to the school to do the "store" in Hayden's class, I ran to Publix. Just a quick trip. I know that sounds weird considering it is 30 minutes away. But I was on a strict time schedule and I had a list of exactly what I was going after. With my list and my coupons, I scored $165 worth of food for about $50.
My best buys were the Kraft Homestyle macaroni and cheese and the Yoplus Yogurt. They were both free. For my friends that are coupon novices:
Mac & Cheese: Reg price: $2.69 -on sale Buy one get one Free (At Publix that means 1/2 price)
Sale price: $1.35
Coupons used: $1.00 of coupon in last week's paper
$1.00/2 coupon in Walgreen's January coupon book
Total cost: neg $0.15
Yogurt: Reg price: $2.00 - on sale Buy One Get One
Sale price: $1.00
Coupons used: $1.00 of one printable coupon
Some items aren't a huge sale. But if it is something I normally buy, than it is worth it. Like the capri-suns. I don't buy these every week. But I like to have them on hand for when we are too rushed to fill up water bottles in the morning. They were on sale for $2.00 (which is the Wal-mart price) but I was able to use a Walgreens coupon. They are never $2.00 a box at Walgreens and I can't use that coupon at Walmart so this is the best scenario for me to buy these.
Now back to our regularly scheduled program....
1/20/2011
Best mail of the week.
The other unbelieveable offer is from the Navy. They want ME!!!! They are offering me up to $169,700. They will pay for my school, give me a job, and pay all my bills. My possibilities are endless. I could even assume command aboard one of their multi-billion dollar vessels. Where do I sign up? Do you think they have room on that vessel for my husband and kids? I don't think I would make it 30 minutes in boot camp. Will they still take me? They said the world needs my talent. I think I am exactly what they are looking for.
1/19/2011
The 100th day of school...
It is also the one hundredth day of school which is usually accompanied by a whole lot of celebrating at school. However, the girls getting older means less celebrating at school. The first thing Payton and Hayden told me when they got in the car is that there was no "100 Days" parade. This is something the Kindergarteners have always done at our school. Hayden told me they didn't do anything in her class but make headbands and watch an "8 minute and 14 second video about the life cycle of a butterfly." She was very disappointed, to say the least. I had to remedy the situation quickly. So I stopped by Walmart on the way home and bought a big bag of M&Ms. They each got to count out 100 and eat them for a snack.
Amazingly, everything is made better by M&Ms. That is true about alot of things in life. Just try it.
Fortunately they did have the parade the next day but only the upstairs grades got to watch. So sad for the older kids.
1/18/2011
Very serious surgery!
1/17/2011
17
Since one of our favorite missionaries is back in Mobile, we had them over for dinner tonight. Just your standard dinner appointment until we whipped out our gum stash. We ended dinner with a gum tasting party and a jump rope-a-thon. I will have to post the videos very soon. We sure know how to have a good time.
1/16/2011
15
14
13
1/12/2011
12
1) The girls didn't want me to.
2) It is too big and too beautiful to only enjoy for two weeks.
3) It is a reminder of a wonderfully unforgettable Christmas.
4) I love the way it smells.
We decided to finally take the tree down today. I knew I needed to do it now before I start school next week or it would still be in my living room in May. So we had a "tree un-decorating party." We sang Christmas carols, found a few toys in the tree, found a nerf dart on the mantle behind the garland, talked about our favorite ornaments, broke a couple of said ornaments, and fondly remembered Christmas.
To complete the party, Bryan built a fire and we roasted marshmallows.
Did you know that if you put dried Christmas tree branches in the fireplace it sounds like fireworks?
11
1/10/2011
10
If we have to put up with cold, we should at least get some snow out of it.
9
After dinner and cake to celebrate Bryan's birthday we sat around and chatted. Granny and Paw Paw always have the best stories to share. They remember names, dates, and details of so much from their lifetime. Note to self: Bring something to record them with next time.
8
My girls love Collin as if he were in our family. The girls ask me almost every Sunday if we can bring him home from church with us. He is so fun to have around and is always the center of attention. That is, unless one of his cousins is around (especially the babies). Then Payton's attention is usually diverted.
1/07/2011
Flashback Friday
Date of picture: 7/3/10
This day was so much fun. The opportunity for everyone to go to Stadium of Fire kind of just happened. I was lucky enough to hang out with these kids outside the stadium before the show started. We passed the time by eating a picnic lunch/dinner, rolling down the hill, arguing over a snuggie, and taking silly pictures. Things only got better once we got into the stadium and the show started. I may have to one day write every detail of that night. But for now - just a list of my favorite parts: The F-15 (or16) flyover, honoring the military, all things patriotic, being part of the worlds largest Eagle Scout Court of Honor, bursting with pride for my awesome nephew Trent, the Carrie Underwood concert, watching an interpreter do sign language to all of Carrie's songs, an amazing fireworks display, and sharing it all with some of my favorite people in the world!
On a totally different subject-Bryan's birthday is tomorrow so I took him out to lunch today. Me taking him out to lunch means that I drive out to his office, pick him up, and pay with his debit card. We did our birthday date today so we could take advantage of the free babysitting we had access to. (School) The non-fast food options for lunch in Saraland are slim. So we had about 4 places to choose from. Bet you can't tell where we went.
1/06/2011
Day 6
On a totally different note: How did I ever live without this thing? Bryan has given me some pretty awesome Christmas presents through the years and this one is close to the top of the list. (The engagement ring 13 years ago is at the top.) I am so lucky to have the best husband in the world!
Wednesday, Wednesday
I love the girls in this picture, but I often think about the girls that I would like to see in this picture. The ones we miss seeing on a weekly basis and the one that has moved away. :(
1/04/2011
Tuesday routine
When Hayden auditioned this year, I suggested to Payton that she might want to. She wasn't interested. However, she still has to tag along with me when I monitor. Since soccer hasn't started back up yet, she has to sit with me the 2+ hours during rehearsal. After finishing her homework, this is usually how she spends her time. She is currently reading "The Red Pyramid" by Rick Riordan. She loved the Percy Jackson series and "The Lost Hero." And so far, she is loving this book.
1/03/2011
Back to life...back to reality
While out running errands today, we had to make an exchange at Justice. I guess Taylor is getting to the point where I can't buy clothes for her without her trying them on. While we were there I heard this:
I thought it was a pretty cool version of a song that I love. When we got home, my to-do list took a backseat to my trying learn how to play this on the guitar. My finger tips still hurt. I need Dave to come back with his nylon string guitar. Actually, I need Lynne to come back too so we can learn this song together and work out some pretty cool harmonies. (You know - less Peter, Paul, and Mary....more Boys 2 Men.) There is always next visit.
1/02/2011
Our personal rockstar
It was awesome to have Dave here. My kids love him so much and he is incredibly kind and patient with them. Having him as a brother is a real blessing. We can have an intellectual conversation one minute and be laughing about something really ridiculous the next. He is definately an important part of our family. His laugh is infectious and his music warms my heart. I could sit and listen to him sing and play the guitar all day. As the car was being packed, he took time to sit with Payton one last time and play the guitar with her. He played the chords while she strummed. It is these moments that I will miss the most. Love you Dave!!!
The promise I plan to keep
Of course Brant and Trent were involved doing something less girlie. Probably watching football or playing X-Box. Taylor, Payton, Hayden, Riley, Lance and Gavin were playing something that involved Power rangers, a big horse, dinosaurs, Monster-High dolls, a jungle, and a giant stuffed bear. I can't wait until next time they visit and I can take another picture like this. The kids may be a little bigger and the toys may be different but the smiles and snuggles will be the same.