And the Couponing Begins...

If all your friends were couponing, does that mean you have to coupon to??? Yes, apparently it does if they are getting all sorts of awesome deals and you are left paying $2.00 for tube a toothpaste instead of .50 cents! Or getting stuff for free... or actually getting money back!!! So this week I bought three Sunday papers and have been saving all the coupon books for several weeks. I was able to buy six boxes of ziplock bags and will actually get money back (after two $5.00 rebates, three coupons, and three double coupons at Albertsons). I also got free kitty treats and Tony's Pizzas for $3.00 each plus three free redbox movies... Life Cereal for $1.00 box, and Quaker Granola Bars for about .80 a box.
On the down side - it did take me several hours to figure out what I was doing. But hey, I'm new at this, it's only going to get easier. I also bought Toll House Cookie pre-made cookies for about .75 each package (Usually about $3). The nice thing is I can cook up just six in our little toaster oven and we can have warm cookies every night. The bad thing is... I can cook up just six in our little toaster oven and we can have warm cookies every night!!!! (I ate two tonight....) So - those are going in our freezer so I only make them for special occasions. I told myself when I started this that I would only buy stuff we normally eat, not junk food just because it's cheap!
It's a fun adventure - seeing how much I can save. Especially when our food bill is usually about $600 a month. I know - I like to cook! The other up side is I usually mostly shop at Walmart, but since I'm going into other stores I am able to buy other things that are on sale (like grapes at Freddies for 99 cents a lb.), or clearance meat at Safeway, because I am already there.
I'm trying to save money on groceries so I can buy new furniture!!!

Back to School!

Back to School Time! Katie and Liz are in 3rd grade in Mr. Izer's class. Ally is going to 6th grade at West Orient Middle School (yikes! middle school!) Katie informed me as she was going to bed the day before school started that she WAS NOT going to school the next day. No way. I told her she didn't have a choice, but for some reason she still thought she did. When I asked her why she said there were three reasons. #1 - she didn't want to be away from me. #2 - Ally wasn't going to her school anymore. #3 - She didn't know her teacher (he's new to the school this year.) I told her if she had a good attitude about going to school the next day, I would lay with her that night. She said no. A few minutes later she came into my room and said she changed her mind, she would like me to lay with her and would try to have a good attitude about school the next day. She went to school just fine :)
Katie and Liz are mad that Ally doesn't have to wear a uniform. I loved that I didn't have to buy Katie and Liz one speck of clothing for school - they get all of Ally's and her friend Michelle's hand-me-downs. Gotta love that! I also had fun going school shopping with Ally. She's no longer in the girls section - it's juniors! It was a little hard to find pants that weren't really low cut on the waist. I found three pairs of great jeans at a garage sale for $2 each. My only frustration now is that Ally would like to wear the same two pair of pants and two t-shirts all the time. She has enough shirts for at least three weeks, if not four, but she wears the same thing all the time. I know I shouldn't care if she doesn't, but for some reason I do!

Contemplating Life

Hello, long lost blog. I spent part of today, this beautiful, relaxing, Sunday - contemplating life and trying to figure it out. I made a schedule for our family. It involves getting the girls up at 6:30 so we have time for brushing teeth, making beds, and even practicing the piano for 15 minutes each. The after school schedule involves the kids unpacking their lunches and backpacks right as we walk in the door and *gasp* even hanging them up on the hooks where they belong. I even scheduled free time, because, especially after a long day of school - I like to give them, and they really NEED an hour of good play time, unobstructed by a "let's get things done" Mom.
But the thing I'm struggling with is this, what good is the schedule if I drive myself nuts (and my family) trying to force everyone to follow it? Yes, they are all good things on the schedule. But why am I the only one who cares about it???? (Not counting Mike, who does care about important things like scriptures and prayer, FHE, and family fun night) I just am struggling to teach my kids the value of hard work. Maybe it's because I don't work them hard enough??? Maybe it's because life is just to easy for them? If I am all grumpy because we aren't on schedule, or even remotely close to on schedule, should I have one at all? But to me that's like saying "I'm not going to set any goals because it's too hard to keep them." I don't know. Just thinking out loud. And not looking forward to dragging the girls out of bed in the morning.
I've been reading a lot of zenhabits.com - my favorite blog and another new blog by the author - mnmlist.com about minimalistic living. About doing less. About enjoying the moment. I loved this part of an article I read:

Inspiration lives in the present
There is an amazing short video with Brother David Steindle-Rast – a Christian monk. As a boy, he experienced the last years of World War II in Germany. He tells of great hardships: never knowing where the next meal would come from, having to queue for hours for a small pitcher of water, and seeing bombs fall all around him.

Would you be anxious in a situation like this?

Surprisingly, Brother David wasn’t anxious – his experience was completely the opposite: it was one of the happiest times in his life! How could that be? His explanation is quite simple. Because there seemed no possibility of survival and no hope for the future, all he could do was to be in the present moment. This created a deep sense of happiness – in the midst of all that suffering.

Back to me - I want to live in the now with a deep sense of peace and happiness. Not sure how to do that. I am making some little goals for myself, like meditating. Like enjoying each moment. I am laying with my girls for 10 min. each at bedtime. That's my gift to them and to me and to their childhood. I want to enjoy those moments with them. A Schedule is good. Being happy is better. Organization is good. That brings peace of mind.

I'll end with a favorite quote, something I really am working on: “Be Content with what you have; rejoice in the way things are. When you realize there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you.” - Lao Tzu

I'm trying out the movie feature in Picasa with pictures from the 1/2 marathon I ran with some friends. We had a great time, although I was pretty nervous. I kept telling myself the morning of the race that I was just going out for a fun morning jog, and I didn't have a time I was trying to beat or anything, so no pressure! The day was gorgeous, sunny and cool. We saw an amazing bald eagle just sitting and watching the runners go by, and I actually ran faster than I thought I could - I finished in 2 hrs. 19 minutes - which is about 10 1/2 minute miles when I trained at about 11 1/2 or 12 min. miles. I felt good pretty much the entire run, although the last mile felt like five. I was VERY sore for two days afterwards, but it was definitely worth and something I would probably do again. (if convinced by friends :)

The Worst Day of Katie's Life

I am confused about how to do both Facebook and blogging. Because it seems kind of redundant. Do I really have to post pictures in both places? And it's so much easier to post pictures on facebook because I can do a whole album. Maybe there is an easier way here in blogspot and I just don't know about it yet. The other thing that makes is redundant is the monthly newsletter I do for my family that has pictures and everything we did over the last month. I need to combine all these things together somehow! Any suggestions???

But I do want to update my blog because it's more like a journal while facebook is more my life as one-liners. And I can make a book out of my blog. So there it is. I'm going to attempt to update my blog more often and spend a little less time on facebook. The nice thing about facebook is that it's more social and interactive. So I will do both, but need to make an effot to update the blog, especially for our own family history.

We had an awesome FHE tonight (other than the fact that Liz was sick with a UTI). It was based off this article: http://zenhabits.net/2009/07/how-giving-changes-everything/
on "giving". What made it great was the conversation - the girls told stories (The quilt maker, the princess with the magic dresses, and even Garfield and Family Circus comics) about people who were happiest when they were giving something away. This lesson wasn't a "we should give service lesson", it was a lesson on happiness and how if you forget yourself and concentrate on others you are really happier than if you just worry about yourself. I need to remind myself of this fact, too!

During this conversation, we learned something about Kaite. She said, "When I'm having a bad day I just think about the worst day of my life and then realize - it's not that bad!" Mike and I looked at each other with raised eyebrows, wondering what was this terrible day.... Mike asked her what it was. She said, "It's the day we went over to Nicky and Joshy's house (our neighbors) when they were building snowmen. I got hit in the face with a snowball so I just sat by Daddy's car and was sad. Then I wanted to build a snow fort but we had to go inside. I then reminded her that was Christmas Day last year and we asked her (with straight faces!) if that was really the worst day of her life. Apparently it was, so I think she's had a pretty good life :)

I have had so much fun teaching my girls all the girls camp songs. I wish I knew the tune to more of them in my camp book. The girls really like Horsey, Princess Pat, and Linger. I can't wait to go to camp with Ally next year.

Rules about Reading

Yes, in our house we have rules about reading: when and where it's o.k. to read and when it's NOT o.k. to read. For example, no reading while we are walking (they like to read while we are walking to the car or into a store), no reading before school (unless you're all ready and Mom has given the o.k.), no reading at the dinner table, and finally no reading in the bathroom (because they disappear for hours and come out with a really red, deep ring around you know where!) Here is proof these rules are often ignored - I found a book curled up inside the toilet paper holder when I went to replace the roll!

Half Marathon Training

My friends and I are training for a half marathon. Today I ran the furthest I have ever run in my life, nine miles. Ouch. But at the same time, it feels good. The race date is the end of June. I think I'll be ready. I also started the program from a trainer from the show "Biggest Loser" with some girls from Olympic Gym. It's a book by Jillian called "Making the Cut". It's a 30 day intense program of eating and working out. You can check out my progress at that blog - www.letsmakethecut.blogspot.com, or just follow the link on the right. I am trying to actually eat right so I can be lighter and run faster. Plus, I've been training for this half marathon since February and haven't lost any weight so I figured I'd better do something different.

Here come the clowns!

The spring carnival was a big success! Lots of people came and the kids all had fun. It was a carnival theme (my kids thought that was funny to have a carnival themed carnival). We had Cha-Cha the clown, a dunk tank, a cotton candy machine, a raffle and silent auction, and lots of food and games (which I was in charge of). I was also the mastermind behind the the circus decorations by the front doors and back doors. It was a lot of work and I'm glad it's over and hoping we brought in TONS of money for the school!

Liz made me promise not to "email" this anyone. Blogging it doesn't count as email, right??
I love it when she sings and plays Mr. Popcorn man in her funny voice.

Double Baptism!

Elizabeth Ashleigh (above left) and Katheryn Bailey (above right) were baptized and confirmed on March 28th, 2009 by their Dad, Michael Allen Card.
The day went beautifully. We celebrated with friends and family after at TCBY.

Blue Sail, Soft Camel, and Tawny

Laid off from work, all three of my girls in school all day, I SHOULD have a perfectly clean house, hot meals on the table, laundry done, and steadily checking off projects from my to-do list. RIGHT??!!

Sigh....

I was whining about this to my sister Raychel as we sweated away on the treadmill. I feel like I should be getting more done! So I can (mostly) keep up on my house and meals and workouts, but beyond that, I certainly am not finding myself with hours to get caught up on the family albums, redecorate rooms, meticulously keep track of our finances, and re-landscape the front yard. You know those bigger projects that have consistently been on my long term list but never make it to the daily to-do today list.

I know, I know, I'm being too hard on myself. But this is blog entry is for those of you Moms who are just waiting for all your kids to be in school and imagining how much you can get done. I can still spend the whole day just "keeping up".

But, on to the good part.... once Raychel gave me hard time for whining (thanks, I needed that!), I decided to stop complaining and start working. I left the laundry undone and started tearing down the hideous bunny rabbit border in the master bathroom. Yes, I put up the hideous border myself 12 years ago. What was I thinking??? Liz came into the bathroom as I was in the midst of the enthusiastically ripping down those bunnies. "WHAT ARE YOU DOING????" she said. "Getting rid of this ugly border," I told her. "No! I liked those bunnies, don't take them down!" Too late. "But Mom...." Too late.... I wish I took a "before" picture, because along with the the ugly bunny border was an ugly bunny picture. Oh well, you'll have to use your imagination.

I then painted the bathroom "Tawny" - a nice medium khaki color. I added new art, dark plum towels to coordinate with my bedroom, and my Dad came and helped me install a medicine cabinet so we didn't have wire mesh baskets of toiletries with a radio balanced on top of the basket on the counter. Now the radio fits perfectly on top of the medicine cabinet. I am happy every time I walk into the bathroom. (unless the girls have used it and left towels, dirty clothes, and toothpaste everywhere - use your own bathroom!) Happiness for under $100.00.

I was on a roll. I liked my bubble-gum inspired bathroom downstairs, but felt the white wall were somewhat boring. So along comes Blue Sail and Soft Camel. The Soft Camel color was a little lighter than I wanted, but to me paint color is kind of like doing my girls' hair, once it's done, I'm not re-doing it. It's good enough even if it's not perfect and the pony tails are just a little bit crooked. The new thing in the downstairs bathroom is a magazine rack. The old one was a wooden one on the floor that the kids had scratched up the floor and wall dragging it towards them to get something to read as the sat on the toilet! This one matches the other brushed steel accessories.

What I've learned is that I can't have a perfectly clean house AND get some of these projects done. So I let things go a bit while I do the projects, or I stay up late.

What's next? The extension cord is marking my new layout for the front yard landscaping...

What's Obvious

Hi Friends!
I just wanted to share some thoughts...
The visiting teaching lesson this month was on "Standing strong and immovable in the Faith" Sis. Beck commented on how we need to do the most essential things first. (She had a list of eight things, see this month's VT message in the Ensign). One of them was family scripture and prayer. We used to be good at this. Every night, no matter what, even on vacation, we would have scripture and prayer. We've read through the Book of Mormon three times as a family. Lately I have gotten lazy and half the time we'll just have prayer, because by the time I "get around to it" it's "too late" or I'm "too tired" so I just have prayer with the girls and send them to bed.
Know what is essential to me? Doing the dishes after dinner. Because I can see them all messy sitting there. And the leftovers would spoil. And what if someone stops by and see my mess. And I don't want to have to deal with it in the morning. So I almost always rally the forces after dinner and we all spend 15-20 minutes doing the dishes and putting the food away.
So what is really more essential, dinner dishes or family scripture reading? Well, that's obvious.
So it occurred to me, what if someone could walk into my house and look around and say, "Wow, you haven't had scriptures tonight, have you? What a mess!" That certainly would motivate me to read the scriptures :) So my new strategy whenever I am tempted to send the kids to bed without our family reading (like tonight!) is to think about the dishes. I wouldn't leave my dishes all over the table, because it obviously needs to be done. How much more needed is our family scripture time, even though it's not so outwardly apparent. It is absolutely vital to my childrens' spiritual nourishment, and I (and Mike) are the only ones who can give this to them, they won't get it anywhere else. How vital is that!
Next I need to work on personal prayers with them. Should I still be helping kids at 7 (almost 8) and 10 say their prayers at night? I remind them now and then, but don't really follow up. I am hoping they follow my example, as they see me praying in the evening, but most of the time they are already in bed by the time I pray.
This parenting thing is exhausting!
Speaking of that, Katie and Liz are exhausting me with plans for the 8th birthday party. The theme keeps changing. Right now it's a music party where they play the piano and sing to their guests, LOL. And I'm making a butterfly and a ladybug cake, I've been informed.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Since I directed people on my Christmas letter to my blog - I figure I best get busy and update it!
The best part of Christmas this year was that it was WHITE! Big wet flakes fell from the sky on Christmas day for a few hours, carpeting the already white ground with another few inches of snow. Instead of playing with our Christmas toys, we went outside and played in our Christmas snow. The week before Christmas the kids only had one day of school due to the weather. This has been one LOOOOONG vacation!

Our snow angels!

Katie, Liz, and Ally

Scenes from around the neighborhood: some of these were taken the week before Christmas during our first snowfall(s), then others taken the week of Christmas when we got a lot more snow!


The favorite toys of the season: a remote control tarantula (Liz wanted a real one!), a pogo stick, a complete set of Warrior Books, a metal detector, a doctor kit, a phoenix bird toy, and Webkinz stuffed animals. I had fun making three online books, one for Jeanne and Frank, one for our Arizona Adventure Vacation, and one for Grandma's camp. I am really enjoying my new Settlers of Catan game and also my Romance DVD Collection that includes the long A&E version of Pride and Prejudice. I'm grateful for those snow days so I could have an excuse to watch it already!


Some of our family activities got canceled, like graham cracker house making with the Robrechts. We were sad, but made the best of it and took our candy and crackers over to Chris & Kirstin's house next door and put them to good use. And our Robrecht family Christmas Eve breakfast gathering turned into a slumber party! With lots of snow on the ground and more expected, many of us just decided to spend the night the day before. We had fun playing Settlers (it was so fun because I won!), watching movies, doing puzzles, and playing in the snow fort that Uncle Dan build in Em & Joe's front yard. Thank You so much Em & Joe for hosting the big crowd. Jeff and Janet even made it with their four little ones and a newborn in the falling snow that morning. We are so grateful for family and that we were actually able to get together.


The metal detector proved very useful. A few days after Christmas Frank (Mike's Dad) called me and said a lady was coming in to his doctor's office with "possibly" a needle in her foot. She had kicked something in her carpet the day before, felt a stabbing pain, but couldn't see anything sticking out of her foot. She found a part of a needle in her carpet. Frank didn't want to start digging around in her foot without knowing for sure something was in it, so he wondered if the metal detector could work to see if there was a needle in her foot. I wasn't sure, but drove to his office with the new toy. I turned it on and held it over the lady's foot and sure enough, it beeped, signifying that there was something metal in her foot! Who knew this little toy would prove useful in a real way! The girls are excited for the snow to melt and to go treasure hunting in our own backyard.


We loved hanging out with the Card family - Sterling and Arien arrived the day after Christmas and we spend a fun evening doing the nativity play and opening gifts, and then the next day we had an adventure getting our pictures taken in the snow and rain. Why did I even try to do my hair??? It was really fun to hang out as a family for three days in a row!

Attack of the Tarantula!