Day 181, 6-30-09

{R} and I have been living on a very strict budget. We got most of the ideas and "plan" from Dave Ramsey financial advice along with our good buddy Steve who is a big time financial planner and boy does he know his stuff. It has been fun to just sit and talk money with him and he's so willing to share his knowledge. It has been fun to watch our savings grow and debt shrink. I made this little book to help keep track of our progress.

It's hard to tell from the picture but each page is a pocket where I am putting worksheet type inserts to track our goals and progress. These are the Jan/Feb pages

Here is July and August

November and December.

Day 180, 6-29-09

All 3 of my kids LOVE to do crafts and we have done a ton this summer. It has been a lot of fun to see all the cute little creations they have come up with. So today we made art kits for them to keep all of their own supplies in.

I gave each one of them a box and we covered it in plain newspaper. (I get it by the roll and it is a definate must have in our house)

then the kids decorated their boxes

They all seemed pretty excited to get to have a special spot for their own supplies

Before {R} left for work we all headed off to the store so they could each pick out their own supplies to put in their box such as tape, glue, crayons, markers, colored pencils, stickers ect...

They were so excited and I'm not even sure how many times they got their boxes out today, but it was A LOT and I'm loving how good they clean up after themselves.

Day 179, 6-28-09

After I got the kids in bed I decided to read my Ensign for a little bit. The talk I turned to was just what I needed and I just thought I'd jot down a little of what I learned because I think that no matter what someone is going through this can apply to them.

I was reading a talk by Sister Beck about personal revelation. She said "We must heed all revelation. We must be STILL, revelation takes serious mental effort. PRAYER is the firm foundation for revelation. We should then study it out in our minds. Revelation comes on the Lords timetable, so we must move forward with FAITH" I know that our Heavenly Father knows us and has a plan for us and that it is our job to find out what his will is and to trust Him. I feel so blessed to have the scriptures and Ensign to go to whenever I need help, comfort or direction.

Day 178, 6-27-09

{B} found this cute little dolly in the dollar bin and fell in love so I thought heck for a buck we'll get it. It has been the best $1.00 I've ever spent. She takes her everywhere and just has to sleep with her every night. {K} asked her what her babies name is and she said "AMY" most of her babies are Lexi after her best friend but this one apparently is named after my best friend. The only thing I don't really care for is the red little shoes that she loves to take off and on and loses about 20 times a day, but other than that it's worth it for the happiness this cute little baby brings to my little baby.

Day 177, 6-26-09

I AM...

I am statements are very powerful. If I say I am whatever (positive or negative), I believe it and it comes to pass. I learned this same lesson in a parenting class, that our children will become what we label them as. The thoughts we have and the words we say take on an energy and it can go either way. Today I want the positive energies to flow in my life.

I am productive and efficient
I am happy
I am energetic
I am a great mom
I am a good wife
I am in tune with the Spirit and everything in my day happens for my greatest good
I am able to do my work quickly and easily
I am forgiving of those who have been unkind
I am a good runner and getting more healthy day by day

The list is endless of what we can put out there. Here's to thinking positive and becoming who I want to be!

Day 176, 6-25-09

While talking on the phone with my friend I told her how bumbed I was that I got some cooking oil on one of my favorite shirts while browning some hamburger. She recommended I get some Dawn direct foam dish soap and put it on before washing the shirt. I ran right over to the store and bought some and it worked wonderfully. I am so glad to know this trick. I am so bad at remembering to wear an apron and have ruined many shirts that way. Thanks Courtney you're such a life saver!

Day 175, 6-24-09, you want me to do WHAT???

This was the look I got when I told {B} it was time to get her jammies on. She was holding her baby and when I said that she dropped it and gave me this sad little look. Oh to be 2 again. hee hee.

Day 174, 6-23-09

One of {B}'s new jobs is to help me make lunch.

She takes her job very seriously

and has a ball doing "mommy stuff"

She did a great job of putting some grapes on Daddy's plate.

she also did a good job at sampling the grapes :)

What a good little helper we have around here.

Day 173, 6-22-09

{R} has been on a special detail assignment for work so he's had a different schedule which means he had Fathers Day off. It was so fun to have him around and get to try and make it a special day for him.

The the kids had fun looking at the scrapbook I made {R}. We got all done reading it and {J} said, "WOW, I was in a lot of pages" Click here if you want to see the gifts I made {R}. They turned out pretty cute and were fun for me to do.

I made {R}'s all time favorite dessert "Death By Chocolate".

We had a big dinner of BBQ ribs, potatos, rolls and salad. Then we played games and had fun spending time together as a family. It was a great day and I hope {R} knows how much we love him!

Day 172, We love our Daddy!

I'm so glad when daddy comes home...

Glad as I can be

Clap my hands and shout for joy

then climb upon his knee

put my arms around his neck, hug him tight like this

pat his cheeks and give him what??? A great big kiss!

MUAH!!!

You are such a fun loving hands on dad and the kids just adore you. I fall more and more in love with you as I watch you care for and love our family. You are the best, HAPPY FATHERS DAY!

Day 171, 6-20-09 Family Bike Ride

Day 171, 6-20-09

We had a lot of fun riding bikes together this morning as a family.

It's so fun to watch all of the kids just take off and go. They sure are growing up fast!

I am loving this nice mild June weather we have been experiencing. It's great!

Day 169 and 170

Day 169 6-18-09

I love the way my boys play with and adore their baby sister. While running errands I was listening to {j} playing with {B} in the back seat and he said "{B} has anyone ever told you that you have the beautifulest eyes?" ahhh...it's true she's got beautiful blue eyes. I love the strong little bond my kids have. They sure do make me proud.

Day 170, 6-19-09

I don't know where {K} picked up this phrase but he told me tonight after family prayer that "he was going to go hit the hay". I'm still laughing as I type it. I know it's a common phrase but {R} and I never say it and it just cracks me up to hear him say it. Oh the things kids pick up!

Day 167 amd 168

Day 167, 6-16-09

we spent another afternoon at the pool

My kids are like fish in water

Day 168,6-17-09

So after the doctors told me a couple week ago that it would be next to impossible for me to ever have another child (not what we were hoping for) I decided to go ahead and sign up for that half marathan I have been wanting to do. I've been training faithfully ever since. This ipod has gotten me through many many miles. I love working out to good music. It really helps the run feel so much easier. I especially like to run to Taylor Swift, even her slow songs are good to run with.

Day 165 and 166

Day 165, 6-14-09

I have had so much fun using my cricut to make different charts for the kids. It's fun for me to make and makes the kids responisiblities a litte more fun. This is our Summer chart. {J}taught a FHE lesson on "Being A Happy Helper" and how Jesus wants us to help with out whining or complaining. Then we hung our new chart up. For now I have them draw a job about of a jar. That way I can customize it to what needs to be done that day.

The kids think getting to stay up late is the greatest. So I made this summer time bedtime chart for them. It has worked out reall good. Once they are tucked in, they have to stay in bed. If they get out or talk and be silly I move their moon to an earlier time. Also if they are late going to bed then the time for the next night moves up. It's so funny we pray about 5 minutes before the bedtime for the night. Then I tell them when it's a minute til bed. Boy do they move. I love finding new things that motivate them.

Day 166, 6-15-09

we had a fun game of red light green light tonight for FHE activity.

The kids and {R} were so cute. Lots of laughing went on. It was GREAT!

Day 163 and 164

Day 163 6-12-09

{K} finally got to go his very first cub scout Day Camp. He's so funny, he came home the first day and said "I did not like Day Camp!" I said "oh dear, that's too bad" I was about to give him a little speech about having a good attitude and you get out of it what you put into it ect... and then he said "I didn't like it I LOVED it!" I was relieved to hear him say that and boy did he ever love it, he's still talking about all the things they did. They made marshmellow guns and this cool sling shot. He thought is was extra special to have his Dad come as one of the parent chaperons, I love how envolved and supportive/willing {R} is, it means so much to me and the kids.

While {K} was at day camp I took {J} and {B} out to dinner. Then we rented a movie and they each picked a treat to eat while they watched the show. {J} picked swedish fish and {B} had M&M's.

Day 164, 6-13-09

For today's "adventure" we had a pizza party. The kids LOVED making their own pizzas.

check out {B}'s pile of cheese. :)

In the oven they go.

Mmm...looks too cute to eat.

I'd say...

it was a big hit

for everyone!