What I want for my kids...

Sometimes your kids are so profound, you just have to share...I was looking through Nathan's (the 7 year old) schoolwork over the weekend and found this...






Translation: "Be a righteous man..."

Life would be: "Nice- it is righteous"

A boy of few words, but profound. That's the only thing Mike and I want for our children, to be righteous. Everything else is extra...We've been doing so many "important things" with the kids lately that really aren't so important in the long run. It's good to keep in perspective what is most important. You took the words right out of my heart, Nathan!

Sunday afternoons...

Having a lazy Sunday afternoon. It's cloudy and cold- although I'm not complaining- my family has it worse in the snow all week while we had 70 degree weather... I love it when all the kids decide on a project themselves and all get along so well. Today they decided (the younger 4, although Bradley escaped the picture) to have an art class in front of the warm wood stove. Hoping they cleaned everything up, too!

First trip to the dentist!

Addy went to the dentist and had her teeth cleaned, counted, and flossed! She was a very good patient and hung on to her goody bag all day!

Great wrestling Season!

After some encouragement from our Bishop (he is a wrestling coach), we decided to put the boys in wrestling at the middle school. They both did great for their first year. It's not my favorite sport- I'm always afraid of them getting hurt and it's too intense for me, but they love it! Mike loves it too, since he was a wrestler himself. I found all 3 boys (including the daddy) wrestling often on the family room floor. Nathan took 2nd place in two tournament, including the county finals and got a medal. He was a tough competitor! Here are some highlights:

Growing up...

Addy is quickly growing up, much to the sadness of us all. Wish we could stop time right now, since this is one of our favorite times in this little girl's life. She is so much fun!
Here are some evidences of her growing up...
She came out of her bedroom telling me how pretty she was. She had put 2 slips on and 2 different shoes. She kept that outfit on all day, not willing to change clothes. She loved to spin around the front room with the slips.



We bought a little toddler bed for her and she LOVES it! She was so happy to get out of "jail" and we weren't sure she'd stay in this bed, but she does!


She helped me cut her daddy's hair the other day and did a pretty good job!



Our dishwasher has been on the fritz for the last couple of weeks so I have been doing dishes by hand. Addy found her love of washing dishes (AKA playing in the water), so whenever I start, she said, "I an wash dishes!" and runs to get a chair and a scrubber. She'll stay there for an hour working along side me. Not sure I want to get the dishwasher fixed! It's nice to play in the water with her!

She also decided to potty train herself this last month. I wasn't sure if we were ready, but we tried a couple of times and she didn't do anything, but when her friend Penny came over and used the potty, she decided to do it herself. So one day, she wanted little unders. I thought I was in for it and would be changing messy unders all day, but she would put herself on her little potty every couple of hours, dump it in the toilet, then climb on the toilet seat and wash her hands! Then she'd come out and tell me "I went potty, mama!" Wow! She's only 27 months--but I decided it must be my reward for having five children!




I think she will always be our baby girl! You are very loved, Addy!

Couponing craze...

I have joined once again the coupon craze. I have not done it since I was first married and I used to be good at it when we were struggling students. Now it's a lot easier and I have learned a lot about doing it. I've been saving hundreds a month, which I have been putting towards paying off the house...YAY! It is also helping me collect food storage! It's a fun game...does take time...I spend about 4 or 5 hours per week, but now I have a system down. Yesterday was my best day yet...4 stores, rebates, sales, coupons, gift cards, etc...I ended up with all this...






FOR JUST ABOUT $5 !! (yes you read that right- FIVE dollars). I took Sydney and Addison and Sydney was dying when she saw what I could do! I had to bring it home, set it up and take a picture like I see on the couponing websites!

CVS- made a profit of $17 (counting Extra care bucks for next time)
Rite Aid- spent 6$ after rebate
Safeway- spent $10
Target- spent $5 after I get my rebate back

The kids laugh at me when I come home with my deals a couple times a week! But it's a fun challenge! Do you coupon?