Monday, August 8, 2011
Back to school...
Okay, so now that I have composed myself a bit, I feel that I can write. As of this morning, Leah and Jacob are officially in school. Leah began the Third grade and Jacob is now in Kindergarten. The kids were so excited to be starting this morning. I think that Leah woke up before 6 this morning out of anticipation. This summer has gone by so amazingly fast. I feel as though the summer has barely begun and that we should have tons of time left to do all of the things that we didn't get to do. I'm hoping to be able to help out in their classrooms as much as possible and work with them some in the mornings before school. But, as for the rest of the time, I get to hang out with my Noah. He and I will have so much fun, and he'll help me to keep my mind off of how much I miss his brother and sister.
Saturday, July 16, 2011
10 Years later....
Who would've thought that that young man and even younger woman working together at a Pizza Hut in Albuquerque, NM would get married and be where they are 10 years later? Not me!
The last 10 years have been quite a journey. There have been good, great, "ehhh", stressful, hilarious, and frustrating times. But, through all of those times there was one constant; love. We have had plenty of trials and, though I'm not asking for more, I do appreciate the ones that we have had. I have really enjoyed "growing up" with, and learning how to be better for, each other. We have produced three children that amaze and inspire me(though often they are the source of the frustrating times) every day.
I must say, my life hasn't been what I once dreamed that it would be, but it has been exactly right for me. I love my husband for all that he has and all that he will continue to accomplish over the course of our marriage. I love him for his patience, even when he thinks he's impatient; for his youthful tendencies; his devotion; his "no worries" attitude, even when it drives me nuts; his care and concern for me; his tolerance of me when I'm less than rational(which is NEVER!); the hard work that he does to support his family; his desire to spend time with us; and, among many other things, for all of the efforts that he has made to be a better person for his own sake and the sake of his family. I love you, Jas, and I'm looking forward to our continued journey.
The last 10 years have been quite a journey. There have been good, great, "ehhh", stressful, hilarious, and frustrating times. But, through all of those times there was one constant; love. We have had plenty of trials and, though I'm not asking for more, I do appreciate the ones that we have had. I have really enjoyed "growing up" with, and learning how to be better for, each other. We have produced three children that amaze and inspire me(though often they are the source of the frustrating times) every day.
I must say, my life hasn't been what I once dreamed that it would be, but it has been exactly right for me. I love my husband for all that he has and all that he will continue to accomplish over the course of our marriage. I love him for his patience, even when he thinks he's impatient; for his youthful tendencies; his devotion; his "no worries" attitude, even when it drives me nuts; his care and concern for me; his tolerance of me when I'm less than rational(which is NEVER!); the hard work that he does to support his family; his desire to spend time with us; and, among many other things, for all of the efforts that he has made to be a better person for his own sake and the sake of his family. I love you, Jas, and I'm looking forward to our continued journey.
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Better late than never.....
I've been horrible! As with so many things in my life, this blog included, I find that if I skip it for a week or two then it became easier and easier to just keep skipping it. Though I've found that typically those things that get skipped and soon cast aside are the things that are most important and beneficial in our lives(ex: journal writing, scripture study, exercise, bathing - okay, so I threw that in there to see if you were paying attention). As with all of those other things that I have "skipped out on" at times, blogging was always in the back of my mind. I've known that I should be doing it at least to keep an online record of my thoughts and occurrences with my family. It's just been one of those (sigh)"I'll get to it tomorrow/next week/soon" type things. Well, better late than never, right?????
1. In March, Noah turned two!!!!!! He is getting so big, for a little guy! He speaks so well now....and constantly!!! I wish that I would've been better about keeping track of his cute sayings, but believe me, there have been some super-cute ones. He generally has excellent manners; saying things like "excuse me(either when he needs to get through or when he burps), thank you, please, you're welcome, no thank you". He can be so sweet and loving with his hugs, kisses, and consolation when someone is sad. He can also be one of the goofiest kids that I've even come to know and makes me laugh so often. He loves animals and dinosaurs just like his big brother. He enjoys reading, coloring(on paper and walls), building with blocks, watching tv, pretending to be a pirate, riding his bike around the house, but mostly spending time with his family.
2. Jacob went to preschool. A good friend of mine started up a preschool out of her home for just a few kids. I had expressed my frustrations with her regarding Jacob's stubbornness when it came to learning at home, so I was truly grateful when she invited him to her preschool. He LOVED going to school. He only went two days per week but I could tell that he was progressing quite well. My stubborn little guy that would never draw pictures or practice writing was finally starting to enjoy it. Prior to preschool he would always get frustrated with drawing and writing because he wasn't able to do it as well as his big sister and would give up or refuse to try. After being in an environment with kids his age he began to love doing those things. He would come home from school and ask to draw pictures and kept wanting to practice writing letters. Well, preschool is over now and Summer has begun so hopefully he can maintain his passion for learning until Kindergarten starts in August. Current Jacob likes: playing on the Wii, drawing, writing, guns(don't ask me; he's fascinated by them though), dinosaurs, animals, hunting, playing with his brother and sister, and being ornery.
3. Leah is 8!!!!!!!!! How did this happen!!!??? She's just a baby! She can't be 8 already!!?? Well, she's a big kid now. She finished up 2nd grade with flying colors and it seems as though we will be attempting to keep her at home for 3rd grade on a trial basis. She had her birthday party about a week-and-a-half ago and got soooooo spoiled!!!! Leah was fortunate enough to have her Grandma(my mom) here for her birthday, of course that also meant that she was able to be here for my birthday, too. There is no doubt about it, she loves my mom. Thanks to my mom and step dad, we were able to stay at a hotel for the duration of their stay so that we could all have our space and comfort over those few days. Leah spent LOTS of time with her grandma, got to go swimming, shopping, to a little amusement park, go out to eat, and have a party at Chuck e. Cheese. Leah's likes: playing on the Wii, computer, and Nintendo DS; watching iCarly; reading, swimming, playing with friends, talking on the phone, writing, arts, crafts, and getting as much attention from her family as possible.
4. Jason got a job with Dish Network as an installation technician. It's hard work but he seems to enjoy it and it's even helped him to lose some weight and get a tan/farmer's tan. We're so grateful for him and all that he does for us.
5. I'm 30! Wait! Did I just admit that!? It doesn't seem realistic to me yet. So many things from the 90's and early 00's(is that right?) seem to still be so fresh in my mind. I often find myself thinking of things that have either occurred in the world or my life and thought, "That wasn't that long ago", and then I find that it was a good 10 years ago. I guess that's what having 3 kids has done. It's funny because I can recall that when I was a young girl it would seem as though time were practically standing still and I would NEVER get older but now that I am reliving childhood through my own children it is just zipping right on by and I wish that it would slow down.
~Fin~
1. In March, Noah turned two!!!!!! He is getting so big, for a little guy! He speaks so well now....and constantly!!! I wish that I would've been better about keeping track of his cute sayings, but believe me, there have been some super-cute ones. He generally has excellent manners; saying things like "excuse me(either when he needs to get through or when he burps), thank you, please, you're welcome, no thank you". He can be so sweet and loving with his hugs, kisses, and consolation when someone is sad. He can also be one of the goofiest kids that I've even come to know and makes me laugh so often. He loves animals and dinosaurs just like his big brother. He enjoys reading, coloring(on paper and walls), building with blocks, watching tv, pretending to be a pirate, riding his bike around the house, but mostly spending time with his family.
2. Jacob went to preschool. A good friend of mine started up a preschool out of her home for just a few kids. I had expressed my frustrations with her regarding Jacob's stubbornness when it came to learning at home, so I was truly grateful when she invited him to her preschool. He LOVED going to school. He only went two days per week but I could tell that he was progressing quite well. My stubborn little guy that would never draw pictures or practice writing was finally starting to enjoy it. Prior to preschool he would always get frustrated with drawing and writing because he wasn't able to do it as well as his big sister and would give up or refuse to try. After being in an environment with kids his age he began to love doing those things. He would come home from school and ask to draw pictures and kept wanting to practice writing letters. Well, preschool is over now and Summer has begun so hopefully he can maintain his passion for learning until Kindergarten starts in August. Current Jacob likes: playing on the Wii, drawing, writing, guns(don't ask me; he's fascinated by them though), dinosaurs, animals, hunting, playing with his brother and sister, and being ornery.
3. Leah is 8!!!!!!!!! How did this happen!!!??? She's just a baby! She can't be 8 already!!?? Well, she's a big kid now. She finished up 2nd grade with flying colors and it seems as though we will be attempting to keep her at home for 3rd grade on a trial basis. She had her birthday party about a week-and-a-half ago and got soooooo spoiled!!!! Leah was fortunate enough to have her Grandma(my mom) here for her birthday, of course that also meant that she was able to be here for my birthday, too. There is no doubt about it, she loves my mom. Thanks to my mom and step dad, we were able to stay at a hotel for the duration of their stay so that we could all have our space and comfort over those few days. Leah spent LOTS of time with her grandma, got to go swimming, shopping, to a little amusement park, go out to eat, and have a party at Chuck e. Cheese. Leah's likes: playing on the Wii, computer, and Nintendo DS; watching iCarly; reading, swimming, playing with friends, talking on the phone, writing, arts, crafts, and getting as much attention from her family as possible.
4. Jason got a job with Dish Network as an installation technician. It's hard work but he seems to enjoy it and it's even helped him to lose some weight and get a tan/farmer's tan. We're so grateful for him and all that he does for us.
5. I'm 30! Wait! Did I just admit that!? It doesn't seem realistic to me yet. So many things from the 90's and early 00's(is that right?) seem to still be so fresh in my mind. I often find myself thinking of things that have either occurred in the world or my life and thought, "That wasn't that long ago", and then I find that it was a good 10 years ago. I guess that's what having 3 kids has done. It's funny because I can recall that when I was a young girl it would seem as though time were practically standing still and I would NEVER get older but now that I am reliving childhood through my own children it is just zipping right on by and I wish that it would slow down.
~Fin~
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Smart Shopping
I was asked quite a while ago(I think it may have been shortly after I started this blog) by a dear friend that I make a blog post about my "deal findings". Well, I have delayed this post because I haven't been too certain what I could possibly write about the deals that I have found and how I go about finding them. Over the past year or two I have been fortunate enough to have obtained the following:
Kitchenaid stand mixer - $20
Gamecube system - $3
Leapster case with 4 games - $2
1-night stay at Red Roof Inn - FREE
laptop computer - $10
Jeep jogging stroller - $15
Working car - $375
Wheat grinder - $35
Those were just a few of the things that we have found. I can't even remember all of the yard sale, thrift store, and free deals that I have found over the years. I don't profess to be a master deal finder. I know that there are always people out there that are better at deal finding. I can also admit that we have erred in our purchase-making decisions in the past, but it was usually when we acted more on impulse rather than sticking with my "rules". For the most part I feel that I can chalk most of my deal finding up to being "luck".
I will just share with you my fundamental philosophies.
"Rule of thumb" number 1: "Try to NEVER pay full price for anything".
I believe that by having that mentality all of the time helps me to gain the ability to find resources that help me to save whenever possible. Of course, I am well aware that focusing on saving money on things that aren't necessities means that I'm not really saving money, but rather wasting money in a less irresponsible manner. That focus, though, has allowed us to enjoy many luxuries that I know we would never have been able to enjoy otherwise. Seeking out deals can be quite fun and provide a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction when a really good deal is found, but the process can be daunting and time consuming.
Rule number 2: "Can I afford it?" and "How much am I willing to spend?"
Answering those two questions is a must. Having a price in mind before you go any further is an important part of following the remainder of my "rules". Knowing how much you are willing to spend can sometimes pre-determine whether or not the item can be purchased new or used. Following this step can also narrow down your options which would allow you to do your research from there.
"Rule of thumb" number 3 is: "Is it something that I have to buy new or could I be happy with a used one?" That is a question that should always be asked. There are items that should just never be purchased used if it can be at all avoided. Electronics can be iffy when purchasing used. Consider purchasing from a respectable retailer either online or in-store. They almost always offer a warranty or repair program. Refurbished electronics can be a prime option. I actually can't think of a single refurbished product which we have purchased that I have regretted purchasing. The refurbished items have typically had their issues already and then the manufacturer has "worked the bugs out" and tested the product to ensure functionality and re-sells it to consumers at a fraction of the cost. They almost always come with a manufacturer's warranty included. Housewares and most clothing are perfectly acceptable to purchase in used condition. I could never bring myself to purchase secondhand underpants, but that's not to say that it's not acceptable for someone else. After having been to countless yard/garage sales and thrift stores I must say that I have been shocked by the amount of new and unused merchandise that people have to offer, so it never hurts look around.
Fourth rule: "Never buy the first one you see without doing your research."
Know what you are wanting to purchase. Find out all of the details and specs of the item prior to purchasing. Seek out reviews of the item and compare prices. Find websites(fatwallet.com, dealighted.com, woot.com, and 1saleaday.com are a few of my favorites) and as many resources as possible that can help you to obtain the best deal possible. I feel that I am rarely disappointed if I have made an educated purchase. In fact, often times I have found that if I see something at the store that I am interested in purchasing and I come home and do some research first that I will usually find one that I like even better just by looking around. Also, following this step has greatly discouraged impulse buying in my life. Sometimes, just by walking away and doing a bit of research may even help you to discover that you don't even want the item at all.
My fifth rule: "Be patient!" .
There will sometimes be things that are needed or wanted right away. I have learned that the things that aren't so urgent will almost always be more affordable if you are patient. "Why do I want this item?" is a question that I always ask myself when contemplating a purchase. "Am I wanting it so that I can be "up-to-the-moment and trendy" or "can I make due without?" are two more essential questions dealing with patience. I have found that simply by being patient for weeks or sometimes months that I have almost always found the best deals. Don't be fooled by retailers telling you things like: "Hurry NOW because this deal will be over soon and will be gone forever!". Whenever they say things like that they are really just meaning that that particular deal is going to end soon but they don't tell you that the next deal might be even better. Sure, hook phrases like: "Lowest price of the season" and "Lowest price ever" sound great but that just means that the price is only likely to continue going down.
Sixth rule: "Don't be too proud to ask."
Whether you're at a garage sale and are hoping to get a lower price on an item or are at a retail store and want to know if/when certain items might be going on sale or clearance; it doesn't hurt to ask. Some retailers match competitor's prices and offer discounts in addition to those prices, and some will continue to match prices for up to thirty days after the date of your purchase to offer you a refund of the price difference. Most people don't have this knowledge without asking. In our "digital age" it seems that many people are too afraid or self-conscious to actually confront and ask people for help. Humble yourself and ask!
These are the general rules that I try to abide by, but just understand that "great" deal finding can sometimes seem a lot like work and that, just as with anything else in our lives, we must try to balance ourselves and not allow it to consume all of our time or energy. The things that you purchase can be investments but your family is the best investment of your time that you could ever make.
I intend to follow-up to this post with a grocery shopping entry, as requested by a friend.
I'm also very open to shopping and deal finding suggestions that anyone else may have, so feel free to share.
Kitchenaid stand mixer - $20
Gamecube system - $3
Leapster case with 4 games - $2
1-night stay at Red Roof Inn - FREE
laptop computer - $10
Jeep jogging stroller - $15
Working car - $375
Wheat grinder - $35
Those were just a few of the things that we have found. I can't even remember all of the yard sale, thrift store, and free deals that I have found over the years. I don't profess to be a master deal finder. I know that there are always people out there that are better at deal finding. I can also admit that we have erred in our purchase-making decisions in the past, but it was usually when we acted more on impulse rather than sticking with my "rules". For the most part I feel that I can chalk most of my deal finding up to being "luck".
"Rule of thumb" number 1: "Try to NEVER pay full price for anything".
I believe that by having that mentality all of the time helps me to gain the ability to find resources that help me to save whenever possible. Of course, I am well aware that focusing on saving money on things that aren't necessities means that I'm not really saving money, but rather wasting money in a less irresponsible manner. That focus, though, has allowed us to enjoy many luxuries that I know we would never have been able to enjoy otherwise. Seeking out deals can be quite fun and provide a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction when a really good deal is found, but the process can be daunting and time consuming.
Rule number 2: "Can I afford it?" and "How much am I willing to spend?"
Answering those two questions is a must. Having a price in mind before you go any further is an important part of following the remainder of my "rules". Knowing how much you are willing to spend can sometimes pre-determine whether or not the item can be purchased new or used. Following this step can also narrow down your options which would allow you to do your research from there.
"Rule of thumb" number 3 is: "Is it something that I have to buy new or could I be happy with a used one?" That is a question that should always be asked. There are items that should just never be purchased used if it can be at all avoided. Electronics can be iffy when purchasing used. Consider purchasing from a respectable retailer either online or in-store. They almost always offer a warranty or repair program. Refurbished electronics can be a prime option. I actually can't think of a single refurbished product which we have purchased that I have regretted purchasing. The refurbished items have typically had their issues already and then the manufacturer has "worked the bugs out" and tested the product to ensure functionality and re-sells it to consumers at a fraction of the cost. They almost always come with a manufacturer's warranty included. Housewares and most clothing are perfectly acceptable to purchase in used condition. I could never bring myself to purchase secondhand underpants, but that's not to say that it's not acceptable for someone else. After having been to countless yard/garage sales and thrift stores I must say that I have been shocked by the amount of new and unused merchandise that people have to offer, so it never hurts look around.
Fourth rule: "Never buy the first one you see without doing your research."
Know what you are wanting to purchase. Find out all of the details and specs of the item prior to purchasing. Seek out reviews of the item and compare prices. Find websites(fatwallet.com, dealighted.com, woot.com, and 1saleaday.com are a few of my favorites) and as many resources as possible that can help you to obtain the best deal possible. I feel that I am rarely disappointed if I have made an educated purchase. In fact, often times I have found that if I see something at the store that I am interested in purchasing and I come home and do some research first that I will usually find one that I like even better just by looking around. Also, following this step has greatly discouraged impulse buying in my life. Sometimes, just by walking away and doing a bit of research may even help you to discover that you don't even want the item at all.
My fifth rule: "Be patient!" .
There will sometimes be things that are needed or wanted right away. I have learned that the things that aren't so urgent will almost always be more affordable if you are patient. "Why do I want this item?" is a question that I always ask myself when contemplating a purchase. "Am I wanting it so that I can be "up-to-the-moment and trendy" or "can I make due without?" are two more essential questions dealing with patience. I have found that simply by being patient for weeks or sometimes months that I have almost always found the best deals. Don't be fooled by retailers telling you things like: "Hurry NOW because this deal will be over soon and will be gone forever!". Whenever they say things like that they are really just meaning that that particular deal is going to end soon but they don't tell you that the next deal might be even better. Sure, hook phrases like: "Lowest price of the season" and "Lowest price ever" sound great but that just means that the price is only likely to continue going down.
Sixth rule: "Don't be too proud to ask."
Whether you're at a garage sale and are hoping to get a lower price on an item or are at a retail store and want to know if/when certain items might be going on sale or clearance; it doesn't hurt to ask. Some retailers match competitor's prices and offer discounts in addition to those prices, and some will continue to match prices for up to thirty days after the date of your purchase to offer you a refund of the price difference. Most people don't have this knowledge without asking. In our "digital age" it seems that many people are too afraid or self-conscious to actually confront and ask people for help. Humble yourself and ask!
These are the general rules that I try to abide by, but just understand that "great" deal finding can sometimes seem a lot like work and that, just as with anything else in our lives, we must try to balance ourselves and not allow it to consume all of our time or energy. The things that you purchase can be investments but your family is the best investment of your time that you could ever make.
I intend to follow-up to this post with a grocery shopping entry, as requested by a friend.
I'm also very open to shopping and deal finding suggestions that anyone else may have, so feel free to share.
Thursday, October 21, 2010
The beginning of the end
Normally I would post classic quotes from my kids into my sidebar, but this one deserved its own blog post. Now, if Leah discovers that I have made this post then I will probably never hear the end of how much I embarrass her. But.....oh well! I'm a parent and that's what I do ;>) .
So, yesterday I picked Leah up early from school so that we could have some family fun(blog post on this is yet to come). I let her ride in the front seat with me for the mile drive home and she turns to me very seriously and says:
"Okay, Mama, I have three reasons why I think that that boy "A" loves me.
Reason 1: In P.E. he said, "But I didn't get a chance to race Leah yet??!!"
Reason 2: He stared at me for more than like 20 seconds!
and lastly
Reason 3: I heard from a friend who heard from another friend who heard "A" say: "Leah is just like an angel." "
Oh boy! What's a parent to do???? I love that girl so much and it saddens me to think that I only have a few more years before the "crazy" hits her. I hope that they will be a good few years.
So, yesterday I picked Leah up early from school so that we could have some family fun(blog post on this is yet to come). I let her ride in the front seat with me for the mile drive home and she turns to me very seriously and says:
"Okay, Mama, I have three reasons why I think that that boy "A" loves me.
Reason 2: He stared at me for more than like 20 seconds!
and lastly
Reason 3: I heard from a friend who heard from another friend who heard "A" say: "Leah is just like an angel." "
Oh boy! What's a parent to do???? I love that girl so much and it saddens me to think that I only have a few more years before the "crazy" hits her. I hope that they will be a good few years.
Monday, October 11, 2010
Negligence and Procrastination
Wow! It seems as though it has been forever since I posted on here! It's been in the back of my mind constantly but I just haven't found a good time to sit and blog. I haven't even had time lately to sit down and take care of our emails. You know, all of those lovely emails that I intend to read sometime but never actually do. It finally got to over 200 emails this morning and I decided that I had to take action. Now, 200 emails may not sound extreme to some people but I'll just say that we try to keep our emails to a bare minimum and that's usually less that 10. So, our emails were overloaded, our DVR has such a backlog that I feel like when I do finally have the time to sit and watch any of the shows that I wind up falling asleep right in the middle of the episode, and I haven't been able to sit down and read for several weeks; at least not recreationally. Then I realized that withdrawing myself from all of this media has not necessarily been a negative in my life. Have I been able to sit down and zone out with mindless drivel? Not really. Have I felt lost without it? Nope! Have I been able to take the time to accomplish more of the things that are potentially enriching and edifying? Yup.
Our church held its General Conference a little over a week ago. For those that are unaware of this semi-annual event, it is when the leaders of our church speak and offer counsel and inspiration to anyone willing to hear their messages. During this last General Conference, President Uchtdorf, a Counselor in the First Presidency of the church, touched on many things but what I felt was most applicable to me was his mention of time management. Have I been busy? Yes. Have I been focusing more on things that really truly matter? I like to think that I have. I am trying to focus more on the truly important things and steer away from the things that just seem more enticing. In the past it's seemed relatively easy to tell the kids, "I'll be there in just a minute. Just wait until I'm done with [insert meaningless internet site or other frivolous task]". It's so easy to find other things to do that seem so much easier than tending to the things that really should be priorities in my life. This may mean less frequent blog posts and it may mean fewer deals found online, but are those the things that are vital? Not really. I feel good about the things that I have began to make improvements upon. I have felt more organized in my life. I have had a greater sense of accomplishment and hope to continue on with this for as long as possible. Here's hoping.....
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