Just Messing Around

We went camping this weekend and I had my brother-in-laws camera. I was looking at some of the photos I took and decided to mess around a little bit. The first one is the original picture.

Comparison Shopping

Alright everyone, I promise, this is my one and only "Coupon Shopping Post." I promised a friend I would do this eventually and I think this is the best comparison shop I've had so far.

Back in May I started doing the coupon grocery shopping again. I've done it before and I quit after awhile and now I am up and doing it again. The first picture is from a shopping trip to my local Associated Foods store. I love that store and I felt I had done an awesome job of shopping when I got home from that trip.
The second picture is today's Albertson's trip. If you are interested I did an break down of everything below.

• LEE'S

Total Cost 87.08
Total amt items= 46
Avg cost per item= 1.89

• ALBIES

Total Cost 78.47
Total amt items=63
Avg cost per item=1.24

Now this isn't the best sale I have walked out of Albies for. Usually I can get items for under $1 an item but I liked looking at the larger items that I was able to get using my coupons versus the much smaller items I had bought before clipping coupons. I am still getting started again and I have made a goal of not spending too much time on grocery sales so I am probably not getting all the deals, but that is ok. My food storage is up and my grocery bill is working it's way down. I can't complain.

Thankful Thursday

1. Perseverance-A little over a year ago I decided to start being thankful every week. I didn't realize how hard it was going to be to keep going. Thursdays can be the worst day of the week for me sometimes. I know that is the adversary trying to keep me from looking at the positive side of life and I am sure glad that I have made it a goal to keep going. I feel the small change in my self as I look for the good every day. I love the change I can see in myself and in my family.

2. Back to School Night-This is probably one of the craziest nights of the year! All the parents cram themselves into the little gym and listen to us crazy PTA people talk and talk. I actually missed that part this year but back to school night always gets me adrenaline pumping (for lack of a better term) and ready to go. As much as I love having my kids home I get really excited for school. Our house loves learning!

3. Father's Blessings-Yep, it is that time of year again. I love the night before school. Dirk gets to exercise his priesthood and give each of his children a blessing before school starts. I love hearing the things the spirit whispers to him and how each blessing is so individualized for each child. It is proof to me that Heavenly Father really knows each of us and our needs. I am so grateful for the blessings and the comfort they bring.

Family Photos

It isn't easy finding someone to take pictures for a group of 28 people. Especially when 14 of those people are kids! My MIL really wanted a family shot before Jake and Melese headed back to Canada today. (We miss you guys already!) My friend Mandy agreed to do the pictures and I think they turned out great!

Twin Lakes '09

I was waiting to post about our Twin Lakes trip so that I could get some more pictures from everyone else but I am not sure if that is going to happen so here it goes...

We had a wonderful 3 days at Twin Lakes with our friends the Schwartz's. We decided this year that we would go from Sunday to Wednesday instead of Thursday to Sunday. It was a great decision. The second lake was all ours for pretty much the entire 3 days. The weather was great and the beach was perfect. The kids had so much fun. Lexi is starting to learn to swim and wakeboard and she was very brave jumping out of the boat for both. Rayden was a little more shy about jumping out of the boat but we got him out there eventually. Simon was completely opposite. He wanted to be in the water all the time. Thank goodness for life jackets! Simon analyzed everything everyone was doing behind the boat. You could almost see his mind figuring it all out so he could get out there and do it too. Heaven help us when he is a little older! It was a great vacation and we never regret getting out and spending time as a family!

Thankful Thursday

1. 9 years-I am thankful for the early years with Dirk where we started building our marriage and getting to know one another. I am thankful for the joy and emotions when we had our first child and the added joy that was brought to us when the next 2 children were added. I am thankful for the all the blessings we have received as a family. I am thankful all of the hardships that Dirk and I have faced that have only made our bond stronger. I am so thankful that 9 years ago I said yes to the most wonderful blessing in my life. Last night Dirk asked me if he could have the next 9 years of my life as well. How about the next 90 to eternity instead?

2. Big Sky-Dirk and I were sitting on our deck last night enjoying 4 different things. The first was each others company. The other 3 were the full moon to the east of us, the wonderful lightning show to the west of us and sky full of stars to the north of us. How wonderful that we could sit and enjoy and make another memory.

3. Primary Songs-Nothing can lift my spirits like music. I love my calling in the church as the junior singing chorister. I always pray that I can get the message of the songs across to these young children. It warmed my heart the other day when I heard my 4 year old singing Teach Me To Walk in the Light. A year ago he would throw fits through singing time. I am so glad to have this testament that he is feeling the spirit through music. I am so thankful.