Mish - Mash

A lot of my neighbors are serious 'couponers'. It's an automatic in on most all conversations if you mention some ad or coupon you found. I've been making fun of them since we moved in. I thought it was ridiculous to spend hours every week searching and cutting just to save a few bucks. My neighbor told me that she spends $150/month on groceries and food storage for her family of six!!! That's when I started to become really curious. I asked her how long it took her to shop and prepare for shopping. She told me that the first couple of months took a few hours to get ready every week, but after that it's really just 20 minutes of preperation and 2 stores a week. Anyway, I decided to have her teach me the ways of the syth (aka couponers). This is my first week trying it out. I spent $100 on a dozen boxes of cereal, 110 diapers, baby food, snacks, chicken, bread. My total savings added up to $50!!! I came home so excited about how much I saved. I then told my neighbor and she explained that I would have saved $30 more if I had the Sunday paper (which I'll start getting this week). So, I'm telling you all this because if you want to learn the skill I'd be happy to show you how. It all comes down to grocerysmarts(dot)com. To find out how to get the best deals you need a password (which is free, but you have to find the right one for your state). If you google grocerysmarts and your state you should be able to get it through one of the sites. But, even with out a password you can still print off all the coupons for free. If you need any help feel free to email or call me.

In other news:
Noah's first 'real' food!
Yummy green beans

Ok, I realize my nose is all squished and funny in this picture, but I love Noah's face. He's such a cutie!

An AyeAye for an Eye

I've had a few questions about my eye situation and so I thought I'd post this to give an update and a good excuse. So, about a month and a half ago I had some major problems with my eyes. Refer to THIS. A couple of weeks had gone by after all of the Doctors visits and eye drops and I still fealt like I wasn't seeing as well as I should. I called and they said that it sometimes takes a little while for eyes to adjust to a new prescription. My eyes were MUCH better than they were during the whole incident, but I was still getting a bit annoyed, since before then (with my contacts or glasses on) I had GREAT vision. Anyway, this last weekend I was telling Brett how frustrated I was with my eyes. I was standing in the kitchen and he was sitting on the couch in the living room. I explained to him that I could see that he was sitting there, and I knew his head was faced in my direction, but I couldn't see his eyes, or the expression on his face. That was the first time Brett realized how serious I was. We decided to call the Doctor on Monday, and I was able to get right in. After an hour and a half of checking and re-checking my eyes they told me that I MAY have permanent scarring on my right eye from the ulser and that they are unable to improve my vision with a new prescription. There's a chance that the scarring will decrease, but really we won't know other than waiting it out for a year. If in that time my vision doesn't improve than it's probably not going to. I have no problem seeing well enough to drive and do everything else. It's really just the fine tune stuff that I struggle with. I notice it the most if I'm at the store trying to read the isle signs or in a crowded area I have a hard time picking people out. I sometimes squint when I watch TV and I have to lean in to see if there are any comments on our posts. I'm glad I'm not in school anymore, because I'd struggle seeing the board. It's really not that bad. My eyes could be MUCH worse, and if I squint I can usually see pretty well. So there's the update on my pirate eye and excuse me if I don't see you immediately at a store or if it looks like I'm glaring at you.

Push-ups

A little update: Brett and I have really been trying to be more healthy in our daily lives. Eating better, and less, cutting way back on junk food, and exercising regularly. Yes, this is a HUGE lifestyle change, since we didn't do any of those things before. . . ever:) Anyway, it's been going really well so far. We've noticed having more energy, clothes fitting better, and less stress. We've even been having the boys join in. Here's a video of Noah doing push-ups. (Just so you know, he does these ALL the time. It's so funny.)

Make an on-line slideshow at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Mostly Done

With moving into a new home almost 4 months ago there are so many things to get done in the house. We know that we can't have everything all at once, and the thing that makes a house a home more than anything are the memories over time of building, creating, and enjoying. But, Brett or I get the 'where is progress?!?!!' bug about every week. . . usually we take turns. So, even though there is still furniture to purchase, dining room chairs to be delivered, and curtains to be hung; here are some pictures of the one area in the house that is the most done.
The playroom:
Before

After

The first AFTER picture has a big glare on the left side, sorry about that. We do have a few more things we'd like to do with the room, but it's looking much more complete now with all the vinyl (thanks Mic!) and the tree branch.

And heres a little Noah camoflouge. What a happy boy!

The Chase

So, this video isn't the best because Hyrum kept running around Brett, so it was impossible to get them in one screen. But, I had to show you our favorite game. I hold onto Noah and he and Hyrum chase each other around. They both always end up laughing hysterically. Even though you can't see the whole thing I just love listening to them laughing. (excuse the weird clothes. . it was Sunday; 1/2 pj's, 1/2 church clothes)

Make photo slide shows at www.OneTrueMedia.com

2 Years

I can't believe how much time has past. Hyrum was born 2 years ago on July 5th. The night before Brett and I watched the fireworks. Brett convinced me that I needed to stop 'nesting' for one night and play a dice game with him, because I wasn't going to have my C-Section for another two weeks. I would only play if he would paint my toe nails. It was a deal. . . I even got him to do 4 coats with sparkles! Anyway, that was the night my water broke. Surprise! Our lives were so different then. I'd like to say they were simpler. . .but life was really just missing the best part. Hyrum has changed us for the better. He makes us laugh every day. He's so smart, funny, and spontaneous. . .full of surprises just like the very beginning. He prefers to eat his sugar cookies frosting first, which usually means a big mess on his face. One of his favorite things to do is RUN, usually he says 'running. running. running. . . 'Here he's playing with some of his new toys. I loved how he wanted his dog 'Bowny'(Browny) to ride with him.

Hyrum, we love you SOOOOOOOO much. Thank you for being our handsome little man!

4th of July Weekend

It was a great patriotic weekend starting with. . .The PGB (Partridge Golfing Brothers)The annual BBQ of goodness. It started with great food and then fun relay games followed by resting the full bellies on the nice grass.

After a little shopping fun we all came back to our place for games, candy, and fireworks.