4th and 18

At church yesterday we had a combined meeting for the adults for the 5th Sunday. The bishop addressed us and it really impressed me so I would like to write down my thoughts. He gave a number of 41% and said that along the Wasatch Front only 41% of the young men from 12 years old to 20 receive the Melchizedek Priesthood and are active in the church. We LOSE almost 60% (this number is a little lower for young women). He talked very boldly and to the point. Satan is working overtime and we have no more time to be idle and procrastinate. He gave the analogy-It's 4th and 18 (if you don't know what that is, BYU was down against Utah 10-9. Max Hall got sacked on 3rd down to make it 4th and 18. He threw a 'Hail Mary' to Austin Collie and we ended up winning the game.) We have no more time. We need to teach our children now. We need to be examples to them now. He said there are a few that think that general conference is a day off (as well as stake conference). But that's when the prophet of our church speaks to us. If we go to church on Sundays and then "take the day off" during General Conference weekend, it is confusing to our children and sets a precedent. Children are very observant and notice what's important in their parents' life. The bishop said Life is hard, the Gospel isn't. I love that quote and will use it more often. 

The counselors also addressed us about self-reliance. They, too, were blunt. Many will need to get rid of their recreation toys, second homes, satellite dish, vacation plans. The church welfare program sustains life not a lifestyle. 

I also went to the YW General Broadcast on Saturday. President Monson was so powerful. Among many valuable and inspiring words, he said we don't have the 10 suggestions but the 10 COMMANDMENTS. The world will disguise evil and make us believe that it's okay to be sexual permissive if we are safe. The prophet said IT IS NOT! Powerful, powerful words. Return to Virtue.

My cup is full and then I get to look forward to General Conference. 

My deals for the week

I went to Walgreens and bought 2 Arm and Hammer Laundry Detergent, 2 Glade Air Freshners, 2 Campbells soup and a toothbrush. Grand total (drum roll, please) 72 cents!

And then I bought 10 pace picante salsa at Smiths and 3 packs of gum for 70 cents!

I know, I know you don't believe me. I didn't believe it either and even the guy in the checkout stand couldn't believe it and said "You bought all of that for 70 cents!" But I can prove it with my receipts. Needless to say, I am addicted and get a high knowing how much money I am saving. My drug of choice: coupons!

Old McDonald had a farm

I was out voted 5-2 (Sterling votes with me) and we got chickens. Paul has been begging me to get chickens. Our neighbor built a deluxe hen "spa" and so we asked him to build us one. It really is a sight! Those chickens are living in luxury. We don't even have to fetch the eggs. They just roll down in a separate compartment. So now we've become farmers. Actually I gave in because I thought it would save us money and be pretty neat experience for the kids. You are all welcome to come look at the chicks. They are really cute right now. And in 6 months they should be producing eggs so if you ever need to borrow an egg, give us a call.

All the chicks huddled together under the heat lamp to get warm. So CUTE!

Painting the chicken coop

The deluxe hen "spa"

Happy Birthday Sterling!

Today is Sterling's 1st Birthday. Time flies. I remember when he was born. I was very anxious for his arrive. Like most of my pregnancies, I was in utter misery. It just seems that when I am pregnant life goes so much slower. I was big, fat, and swollen. I wanted him on a Sunday just because I never had a baby on a Sunday. I went into labor that morning, sent the kids off to church with Paul but they shortly arrived back home. He couldn't last with all the kids alone! The pains weren't too bad all day and I started to think that maybe I was in false labor again. I had false labor a lot this pregnancy. I went for walks trying to get labor going. I called my family and told them that I think today was the day but yet I really wasn't in a lot of pain. Then it hit me, around 3pm I started feeling the pains. I started to get really nervous. I have a fear that if I wait too long, I can't have the epideral. Luckily, the hospital is very close (a couple of miles, I should have thought to walk there and get labor going quicker). We head to the hospital. I wasn't there in the hospital more than 30 minutes and my water broke. Never has happened to me before. I always needed the doctor to break my water. Paul was grateful it was in the hospital bed not in the car! They get me all ready for delivery, my family arrives (my births are a family event, all are welcome...I apologize for any that need counseling afterwards). I love sharing this special occasion with my family. I actually zone them out so I really don't notice they are there until after delievery. Then at 6:11pm Sterling Paul came into the world. He weighed 6 lbs 12 oz. and was 19 inches long. My sweet, perfect baby boy was finally here. I remember thinking how perfect he looked. Now Sterling is 1 years old. He has been a complete joy. He has always been a good baby. He is so sweet and always smiles. I love you Sterling, to the moon and back.

Shopping maniac

I have never really enjoyed shopping. Part of it is because I hate spending money. I think I finally have found what I like...coupon shopping. I do like finding a good deal. I can't wait to get home and show all my merchandise and disclose the total. Here is what I got this week for under $20!!!



6 bags of Huggies diapers-$2 each
10 bars of Buddies soap-free (had to pay tax)
1 Gillette Shampoo and Body wash-$1.50

I did have to go to 2 Walgreens and to Target. I also went to Maceys and Smiths to get groceries at the cheapest price (I bought 10 bags of pasta for 50 cents each at Smith!). This did take all day to shop at all those stores but I had such a rush knowing how much money I was saving. Totally worth it!

Where's Sterling?

Where's Sterling? Is Sterling playing hide and go seek. Let's go find Sterling...

Oh there he is. Hi Sterling!

Sterling found an apple and secretly was eating the whole apple. We couldn't believe that he took real bites and ate the apple (without choking).

Welcome our new addition!!!

It's finally here and we are so excited! We finally got shelves in our cold storage for our food storage and emergency preparedness.

Before pictures...

During pictures...

Yes, that is Paul just standing there watching Craig do all the work.

After pictures...

I know my food storage is weak but that is my goal for this year, build it up, one week at a time. I will soon have a mini grocery store. I have never been so passionate about something. Once Obama was elected, that was my wake up call. I need to be more self-reliant and prepared. Bottomline, I need to follow the counsel of the prophets. I finally get it and I can't express the joy and excitement I have felt getting my food storage together. It's exciting to plan and find the best deals around. I feel an urgency to remind everyone else that if you haven't started, start; if you have some, continue building on it; and if you have more than me, good job!

Kailene Storytelling

I entered Kailene into the Manila Elementary School Storytelling Festival. She had to memorize a story and tell it to her Kindergarten class. It took about a week but she memorized the book "My mother never listens to me", with actions, and was ready to do it in front of her class. Her class loved it and since she was the only one (not only in her class but in the whole Kindergarten) to enter she moved on to the next round. She then had to tell her story in front of 3 judges. She was so nervous her legs were shaking. When we left the room, she told me that she should have thought of the judges in their underwear and maybe she wouldn't have been so nervous (advice from her older brother). The winner of the lower (K-3) and upper (4-6) was going to be announced during a school assembly. But, first, they wanted her to tell her story in front of the whole school. I wasn't sure she would be able to do it because she was nervous just to do it front of 3 judges. On the way to the school, which is less than a mile, she was crying and telling me she didn't want to do it. "I can't do it" she kept saying which my reply was " You CAN do anything you say you can." I told her she didn't have to do it but it's  a cute story and she does a good job and everyone wants to hear her story. A little bit of bribery helped too. When they called her name she got up there and did the whole story all by herself. I only had to prompt her a couple of times. I was in shock. She did such an amazing job. I was so proud of her. I don't think I would have had the courage to do that.  She won the lower division. She got a cool trophy which she is proud of and shows it to everyone. She now has to do her story in front of the storytelling festival judges, which she is not happy about because she is tired of during it and doesn't want to do it  anymore. I only got her to do this video for Emma, her cousin in Texas. So here you go Emma. We miss you and wish you lived closer. Way to go, Kailene!

I'm a coupon clipper

I have never been good at coupon clipping. Either I don't use the item that is on sale or I forget to bring it when I purchase the item. Lately, I have been looking at different websites and blogs on how to save money in groceries. I have been very hesitant because I don't know how to use coupons or how to "work the system" to get items for cheap or even free. I have decided to try it so I am starting out small and with very few purchases. I ventured out to Target, with coupons in hand, and got 10 bags of goldfish. The final cost for each bag was .79. So I thought, I could do this. Next mission was Progresso Soup at Smiths. It's on sale this week for $1.33 (regular price $1.65) and with a coupon from online it's $1.10 off. I bought 30 cans with the total of $8.10! That made each can 23cents! I saved over $42.00. Can you believe it! I am so excited! Not only did I save money in groceries but I have added to my food storage. Now for my next mission...