Coupon Newbie

Ok, I just started couponing. It took a bit of thinking, printing, clipping, and sticking to my list, but I saved $100 at Albertsons today. I got meat, seafood, milk, yogurt, a bunch of produce, some snacks, my favorite no calorie SoBe water, and more. Pretty good so far! We'll see how next week goes.

Buy 3 Get One Free (July Special)

It's Christmas in July!

Storybooks

Four 5 x 5 storybook credits (#7448) . $89.85

Four 7 x 5 storybook credits (#7449) . $119.85

Four 8 x 8 storybook credits (#7450) . $149.85

Four 7.5 x10 storybook credits (#7451) . $179.85

Four 11.5 x 8.5 storybook credits (#7452) $209.85

Four 12 x 12 storybook credits (#7453) $239.85

Four 13 x 11 storybook credits (#7454) $389.85

Calendars and Cookbooks/Planners

Four calendar credits (#7466) . $89.85

Four cookbook/planner credits (#7467) $59.85

Posters and Prints

Four small poster credits (#7455) $29.85

Four large poster credits (#7456) $44.85

Four small canvas credits (#7457) . $299.85

Four large canvas credits (#7458) . $399.85

Four 12 x 12 individual page credit 5 pks (20 pages) (#7459) $44.85

Four 8.5 x 11 individual page credit 5 pks (20 pages) (#7460) . $29.85

Four 8 x 8 individual page credit 5 pks (20 pages) (#7461) . $26.85

Cards

Four 5 x 7 greeting card credit 10 pks (40 cards) (#7462) $74.85

Four 5 x 7 postcard credit 10 pks (40 cards) (#7463) . $44.85

Four family fold credit 10 pks (#7464) . $119.85

Four decks of cards credits (#7465) $59.85

there’s more!

Let your creativity fly

with a limited-time

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subscription offer:

3 months for

just $29.95

Relax and Enjoy

Our Date

On our date last night we started off at a bookstore that sells old books. I found a book written by Mark Twain about Joan of Arc. We were all baffled by it (the clerks and the two of us) since we didn't realize Mark Twain had written this particular book. I got the hardcover for $6. see example

For dinner we went out to PF Changs (yummy!), then went for a drive up Warm Springs Ave. We went a little farther this time and head up the foothills into a beautiful neighboord that looks like it's just scattered amongst the trees on the hill. You can look out over the Treasure Valley from most of the lots. It was beautiful and peaceful. On our way up we saw a deer (not afriad of us) munching on grass, and then saw a fox casually running through the neighborhood! I told Jeff I bet people didn't keep outdoor cats very long up there.

It was lovely and peaceful, and nice to see another side of Boise. We both realized how and why Boise is called "The City of Trees." It seemed like the city was surrounded by a blanket of solid trees. It's also called that because of the myriad of types of trees.

We then did a little shopping at Fred Meyer.

When we got home, we put away the groceries, and decided to watch a movie. Long date, but very nice.

I LOVE YOU

From my sweetie, he wrote a poem for me. He brushed up on some Shakespeare for inspiration! :)

In an instant I knew you were the one for me,

Later I understood how much I needed you for my life to be full.

Over and over I thank Heavenly Father for the gift of having you in my life.

Vastly superior to me, you make me better everyday,

Even when we disagree I can not imagine how empty my life would be without you.

You are simply made for me; I can’t believe anyone else could bring me as much joy.

Our life has had its ups and downs, and I love that you willingly have taken the ride.

Undeniable your beauty is, both inside and out, and you keep me in awe daily.

Your loving husband,

Jeff

15 Years

This weekend Jeff and I celebrate our 15th wedding anniversary. It's pretty crazy to think this much time has passed by. Fifteen years is quite a milestone. I still sit back and can't believe how fast the time has gone. I still remember throwing up on our wedding day, after being evacuated from the hotel that morning due to a bomb scare. Thankfully, my dad gave me a blessing and I had my family to support me.

I remember thinking, as weak as I was, how relieved and good I felt as soon as I saw Jeff. He greeted me as I entered the temple. I was a little nervous like most brides are on their wedding day, but seeing Jeff melted any of the fear away. As soon as he took my hand and we walked down toward the sealing room, I remember thinking "this is right." I knew there was no turning back, and I was not afraid of that thought. I knew what I was doing was right, and he was the right "one."

I still feel that way. He is my best friend, and the person I love more than any other on this planet. As much as I love my kids, he is my companion, my partner, my love. We drive each other crazy sometimes, but it's easy to forgive and move on. Somehow, even if we argue, five mintues later things are fine and we move on. Our kids are our joy, but he's the one I get to have by my side forever.

So, today I am reflecting on my Jeff, my best friend. I look forward to the next 15 years, with eternity after that.

Our Judeo-Christian Nation

War on God

Do, Re, Mi

This is so AWESOME!!!!!!
It was a stunt to promote a new tv show in Belgium, but it still brought tears to my eyes!

More updates...

Ok, so I update about school, now I'll update on activities.

JJ is doing multiple Scout camps in the next month. He's not thrilled about these, and honestly Jeff and I have a hard time making him go. But, it's good for him. He learns a lot of good skills that reach farther than camping and life-saving, but also communication and working together with other boys who he is not close with. We have a great youth group in our ward, but he doesn't have a strong connection to any of the boys. He's the only boy his age. He is sort of trapped in a weird situation being a little younger than the only boy close to his age. The problem is that boy is homeschooled. They don't get many chances to connect. The other boys are nice but all younger. JJ is not super social, and he does not like to be the center of attention. He dislikes the attitudes he sees when other kids "social climb" or show low morals. He's kind of particular. His best friend is a little comedian, and is a lot like him.

Garrett is doing baseball right now. He enjoys it, but struggles. Neither of our boys have shown a love for sports. Their athletic ability only seems to show up toward the end of any sport, after a lot of practice and coaxing. I think they need to find something they actually like, before they'll really shine. I think gymnastics or dance might be Garrett's thing. He told me he wants to learn hip hop.

Brenna is done with ballet for the summer. She automatically does little ballet moves without realizing it. It's cute. Lately she's been taken with jumping on our old family room couch (doing a sort of face plant). I think I need to convince her to get out on the trampoline more.

They are all doing piano. I'm giving Brenna some of the beginner lessons until we can afford all 3 of them this fall. We might also do some string instruments and participate in the Academy orchestra. We'll see.

I have a week long classical ed training next week. I am getting college credit for it through the Academy. I am LOVING it. If I could be a student for a living, it would be my perfect job.

We plan to head to Lagoon for JJ's youth trip the end of July. We aren't sure if we'll do any more traveling since we headed to Utah twice in the last month, and we are super busy the rest of the summer. We'll be working in swimming lessons after my class is over.

I'm also still busy with running the PFA for the Academy. Basically, I am starting a non-profit organization from scratch. It's a lot of work, but it's for a great cause, and I have great people to work with.

Well, I need to get to bed. Summer makes it too easy to stay up late, and catch up with sleep later.

Mr Darcy

I love Mr. Darcy, but not sure I'd love this guy!

Alphabet Soup

I had to take a break from laundry and dishes to do an update.

The kids finished the year doing wonderfully. Brenna has straight "A's" in every single area a little Kindergartner can get (they don't get A's but basically she scored off the charts in all areas). Garrett got 6 A's and 3 B's (6 out of 9 A's - yay!). He has done really well this year. He is our spacey child and has a hard time remembering to turn things in, or finish the whole page. I did hear from a couple teachers, this comes along with his age, but happy to see he's either growing out of it or trying harder. JJ also ended the year with straight A's (except we haven't gotten his report card yet). I got updates of of his grades weekly before school ended, and he had all A's for the last 2 months of school. Unless he bombed some finals, his grades should stand at straight A's.

The kids all earn $5 an A if they get straight A's. If they get even one B, they get $1 an A. So, the kids pretty much clean us out! We are very proud, though. It's worth the money to see our kids achieve something so worthwhile.

They also all scored well on their standardized testing. Most all categories were above grade level. Brenna was 2 grade levels in some things. That isn't a true test of their intelligence, in my opinion, but still glad they can test well.

I'm happy to see my children doing better than I ever did. I think part of the difference is we expect A's, and not just "good grades." We don't harp on the kids to be perfect, but we do remind them daily that we expect their best effort, best work done on assignments, always go the extra mile to do extra credt (regardless of what grade they have), get work done early instead of just on time, and to study every day - even if it's just 5 minutes. Now, I'm not always perfect at reminding them of this daily, but we talk about a lot. Getting B's is not good enough, when we know they are capable of A's if they just take things seriously. None of them seem to struggle much with school, so I don't think A's are unreachable.

Anyway, that's long, but we are very proud of them. I know next year will be a lot harder on them. A classical education is much more rigorous, but so much more fulfilling. I'm excited to help them through it, since I'll get to learn along with them!