If you find a dream inside your heart,

don't ever let it go...

for dreams can be the tiny seeds

from which tomorrows grow.

- Roy Reiman

The funny things he says!

I told Jacob to ask his dad if he was feeling better.

Jacob then said to Heath, "Daddy, are you deader?"

I'm Happy I'm Happy I'm Happy I'm Happy

Bad Day. I totally shouldn't be blogging----that's like writing in your journal on a bad day----you look back and read it and think-----oh no----now that's permanently part of my history....

But here's the plus to blogging---i can delete this. HA! 

Negative part---the world reads it. 

OH well---in case you don't already know---life isn't all flowers and sunshine. I'm normal. :D

what the heck? i even said that with a smile and laughed to myself while I wrote it. ugh. my inner happy is trying to come out----go away---i'm angry today.

Do you ever feel that way? Your sad, upset, angry, or depressed or something and you just think you want to stay that way? I mean---you start to feel better naturally and your stinkin feelings get in the way----"no I'm sad - - leave me alone". OK I'm sure I'm not on my own on this one.  

So do I need Yoga or something? Does that help me to get rid of stress and all that junk. You know---maybe I need a stinking HOME! Wait, when I get my home I definitely need a place to retreat. ahhhh. I'm just gunna think about that. 

Things that make me happy: paying my bills (believe it or not), organizing something, a hug & a kiss on my hubby's cheek, laughing with my kids, a nap, sleeping through the night (hasn't happened for 12 months-no joke), talking on the phone, diet coke, an inspirational thought or scripture, vacuumed floor, chocolate milk, ----i can go on and on. 

So here's my key to happiness: Try accomplish at least 3 of these things daily. Its not hard---considering the list is so big...and this usually works for me. What works for you? 

No real worries over here- just a bored mom in a boring town. I keep hanging on to the fact that its temporary...I Can Do Anything that's temporary. That's what I said to myself when we decided to live with family for 2 months. I'm doing it! wohooo! That's an accomplishment right!? 

Alrighty- I'm happy. Thanks for the vent. :D

Busy Being Happy Happy Being Busy. 

julie

Nighty Night Princess

Lexi fell asleep during lunch....HAHAHA. She started nodding off so I decided to end the meal----went to grab a wet paper towel----and here's what I came back too. Love it.

Making Wipes...what?

OK---so I've heard of this before but I really thought that it sounded kinda ghetto---but check out this site and watch the video.

Click HERE

Thanks to All Things Frugal (on my sidebar)

She has them in a nice tupperware container, uses a very soft brand of paper towels, and great safe ingredients to keep baby healthy and clean.

It actually looks like fun :D cheesy. But I might try it. There's two recipe options on this website and I already have all the ingredients for one of them. YES! But the tupperware? hmmm. I'll have to look around---on the video her container is PERFECT. I'll do some hunting.

Thankful Thursday

This is my ongoing post dedicated to Blogging My Blessings! My goal for this post is to help me focus on the GREAT things in my life. The things I love and the love I have to give. Not all my posts will be mushy...

28. My Heath came home early! He's been on a little business trip for work in San Diego...He left Tuesday morning and came back last night...a day early! I was pleasantly surprised when he called me and said he'll be home in 2 hours. yay :) Here's the best part----his business associate he was working with is also his best friend---Heath easily could have stayed another day to PLAY and wanted to come home to be with me instead. awwww. sweet. I know we always hope/assume our husbands would choose family over play---and last night heath came home to see his wife and kids. I'm so proud and thankful for his choice (honestly i thought for sure he would have stayed!) I'm a happy wife = happy home today. :D

29. My Home. OK well, no i don't actually have a home....but I have my home traveling with me...Here's what I mean. I worked on the side making wands last year for a man named BOB. POOR BOB had his house burn down in the SoCal fires last year! SO SAD! I received my tax info from him yesterday so I called to thank him for sending it and to see how he was doing. He said its been a nightmare. I cannot imagine. Thankfully he's a very successful businessman so he was able to use his own $ to buy clothes and put $ down for a place to live until an insurance check would come. He lost ALL his things. I just cannot imagine. I now have a renewed effort to make my home Prepared----72 hour kit to quickly grab (one for each family member) another empty bag designated to grab the necessary items like hardrive, vital records, pics&albums...i don't know...? I need to work on that. Also FOOD STORAGE is so important in case I'm stuck at home----NO WAY would I want my kids to suffer and starve because I was too busy or not frugal enough to prepare. I think my biggest concern is water...as soon as I report to AZ I'm gunna hunt for a good deal on water and get at least a 2 week supply....I'm so scared. If your prepared you won't fear, right?! Ok---sum it up. I'm thankful to still have all my personal belongings that help me to make my family a nice cozy home. My prayers are with those that are still affected by the fires that are now long gone.

30. I have a renewed love for coupon shopping. I have been in a bit of a slump lately since I'm not the cook and I don't really have room to store my shopping items anyways here at my in-laws. But we're almost don here----4 more weeks. sweet. So--I put aside one empty box and said I can put my coupon shopping items HERE until we more---but NO MORE than ONE BOX. I'm now on my 3rd box and I'm OK with it...I'm stocking up...some of these things will NEVER be this cheap again and other things won't be this cheap for a LONG time. So my new love for coupons---I organized my 'coupon box' last night. It was in desperate need! My coupon box just has my 12 pocket folder that keeps all my dated newspaper inserts, my budget and bills folder, thank you cards, miscellaneous coupons, and my folder with things i want to save for scrapbooking. I know I know---whats up with the random stuff...it works for me. Its like my OFFICE IN A BOX. Its all i have and it works for me. PLUS its portable. I can work on the kitchen table during naptime or on my bed when Heath's home (that almost never happens anyway). I always feel so charged up and ready for anything when I have ORGANIZATION----chaos makes me so frustrated and unable to function. Super coupon shopping, bill paying, thank you card sending, scrapbooking queen----hahahaha---now that my box it clean. tah tah.

Julie

Haha. Lexi's wearing Jacob's shirt cause we had a little wardrobe malfunction-----wet hear-----AND wearing Jacob's hat.....yikes. This is a fun one. Grandma Avery's house 01/2009.

What's new with the Family?

The theme for the talks on Sunday was about getting your life in order.

This cartoon was given as on of the examples. Lol.

Even though the frog has been totally swallowed up----he's still fighting and Hanging On!

We can do it! Hang in there.

Not much to report----we're still living at my in-laws in Morongo Valley CA. We have 4 or 5 more weeks until we move into a rental house in AZ. We've decided not to buy a house yet----mostly cause we're not really ready or prepared to buy ----but also cause we're not sure where we want to put down roots. I'm trying to convince my hubby that Maricopa AZ (where my brother, his wife/kids AND my parents live). Its 28 miles from where we think my husband's office will be. Perfect right?! We are a little concerned about the weather cause I'm a wimp----but in my visiting AZ experience....I've decided that the heat isn't that bad. I think if it were up to Heath we'd live closer to Scottsdale or Flagstaff...whateva. We'll see for the future. Currently we're house hunting in Maricopa and we've found lots of great potential places....when we decide I'll post a pic----wait, when we actually sign papers I'll post a pic.

Lexi will be 12 months on February 10

Yea!

My sister Courtney is getting married! Wohooo! She's having an April wedding...her fiance's name is Brenden and he's from Washington. They met at school in Idaho. I had a chance to meet him last week while I was visiting in Az....he was visiting too. He's such a cutie and really funny. Courtney is so happy ---ahhhhh-----I'm so happy for you!

Jacob said to me the other day, "Mom - you don't have to lie to kick it!" OK----he's so silly. I tried a few weeks ago to teach that to him---then just out of the blue he said it! lol. He also says, "Holla atcha Boy!" - thanks chelsey :)

That's all for now.

-pj

$24

I'm really proud of this one....mostly cause its really stuff and I need/want. Its one thing to get free stuff or cheap stuff that you maybe want to try or would give away----but when its stuff you need?! The Tylenol was the only thing I feel like I totally got ripped of on---I paid full price for it....$10.49 (ugh!) Stinkin, I mean POOR Lexi is teething---mommy isn't sleeping---bring on the Tylenol!

I spent $24 for all this....I saved $97 !!!!

For those that just don't have a clue----diapers alone would have cost me between $8-10 per pack! I'm so proud of myself. I ran home to tell my Heath and he gave me a cheesy smile and said cool. That's good enough for me! I'll take it.

With our big move to AZ coming up in 4 weeks---we've really been focusing on budgeting and preparing for a our new adventure. I've researched (mostly family:D thanks) the utility pricing, food costs, approx mileage to shopping, housing costs, insurance, etc....and then there's the OTHER stuff...

Clothing

Baby Needs

Food

Personal Care

blah blah blah...

And I feel so happy to report that these are some of my smallest categories. It feels so nice to know that it IS possible to save 60-70 % on these categories AND stock up for future months at the same time. Yea! I feel like I give my "testimony" on coupon shopping often-----but really, I love it! I had a friend growing up who's mom coupon shopped and I remember thinking SHE'S CRAZY! That's ghetto----or that takes too much time. Yes - it does take lots of my time ----but for those that just don't have the money----MOST of US-----then you better find a way to stretch your buck! Start small...keep track of your savings and you'll be soooooo surprised.

Thanks to all my buddies that love to coupon shop and keep me excited about THE DEALS!

I love Mitchum!

Obsessive about stockpiling....for those that just don't know the trick already...I prefer to buy the items I love when their on sale so I don't have to buy them when I need them and I don't have to pay the dreaded-----FULL PRICE. Yuck. Now---currently I don't stockpile on a lot of items cause its just not the right time for me cause I'm moving----but this time it was just too good to pass up.

This is the only deodorant Heath and I use and it was on sale for the Cheapest I have ever seen it! Woohooo! At Target and Walmart its usually around $3.50. On sale it goes for about $1.99 and this time the sale was $1.66 SWEET! And my friends (yet another way to show their love:) printed me coupons! So between me and my friends I had 18 - $1.00 off coupons. (some deodorants not in the pic----already in use:D)

Only $0.66 each +tax. Now that's a sweet deal.

Park in AZ

What is this stuff?

Can I eat it?

yup.

Mmmm.

My parents, sisters Chelsey & Kacie, kiddos Lexi & Jacob, & I all went to the park on my visit to AZ earlier this month. Lexi was a little unsure about the sand but soon found that it was quite tasty. Jacob & Grandpa loved the sand scooper....we I love the park. It was great weather----a little overcast. Just perfect for AZ.

Always a Rose

My sister Courtney and I were discussing wedding flowers today and now I cannot get it off my mind. Oh---I just melt inside when I think of roses. My Heath gave me a beautiful painting of a rose for our first Valentine's Day and below it said, "Always a Rose". Oh----so cute. I have the painting packed away currently, sad face. But the rose above it beautiful too. :)

Pics at the Newport Beach LDS Temple

silly smile---and he has cookie on the side of his mouth. hahaha.

Here's just a couple pics from the Temple when we went last month for my cousin's wedding. My kids are so terrible when it comes to staying still for photo shoots...but its a good try. :) My sister Courtney was amazing and snapped a shot of Jacob while he was holding still and (well-this is inappropriate) but he was pooping. hahahaha.

My sister in law Tenille gave me this totally cute idea....She takes pictures of her kids in front of different temples, frames them, and puts them up around her kids' room! So Smart Tenille! I heard before that ever child should have a picture of the temple in their room----but this is just genius! When we were in St. George for the Marathon last year----her and her little family took a special trip to the St.George Temple to take a picture of Tate for his room. That's so cute and such a great tradition.

Thankful Thursday - Finally!

This is my ongoing post dedicated to Blogging My Blessings! My goal for this post is to help me focus on the GREAT things in my life. The things I love and the love I have to give. Not all my posts will be mushy...

Its been way too long----oops.

25. My friends Loooooove me! We met for a lunch date in December at Chick Fil A in Moreno Valley -sorta the 1/2 way point between the 3 of us. We use to all live in Corona, Ca and in the last few months I've moved to Morongo Valley (by palm springs), Cari moved to Mira Loma, and Jen is still in her totally cute house in Corona. And look how much my friends Loooooove me....

My Cari gave me all this stuff....look at this picture...

Crazy huh?! She had flex pay money to use before the end of 08 and she spent it on me! Yikes! She's so awesome. She spent over $200 on me!!! My other buddy Jennifer is so sweet---on the same day she gave me an awesome bike for my boy! I love that Jen gives me clothes and toys from her son----I love it! It's totally helpful when it comes to saving money. :D

26. Scrapbooking. Ok - so I totally don't have time to scrapbook right now. I've started (not finished) 2 - 2page layouts for Lexi----I've got the itch lately and no time or a place to do it! Ugh. BUT----my amazing mother gave me a gift card for my birthday ~ To Michaels! So I bought scrapbook stuff with it! Yea! (that's deserves its own post...)

So with all this time I don't have...I've been searching YouTube for videos on scrapbook rooms. Heath and I plan on having an office/craft room for He and I to share and I've made the mistake of looking at other scrap rooms......oooooo....... Here's a video of a CRAZY cool scrap room. I will NEVER have a room like this But a Girl Can dream :D

JenniferMcGuire's Scrap Room. Wow. And this is only part 1.

27. Lexi's Pacifier. I love this stinkin thing. She used to use the newborn one she got at the hospital pictured below

But I decided I wanted something that was a little more girly and this is what I found. Lexi loved it and I think its so cute. I would totally recommend it! She has the pink and green ones. I think she has at least 12-----scattered all over from CA to AZ since I swear we loose them all at once, buy more....then find all of them at once....drives me nuts.

until next post----pj

I bought 340 items at Michaels!

Now I know what your thinking....what the....? Look at my receipts. HAHAHA. Ok----here's the scoop. The paper was on sale 7/$1 - not the cheapest ever----but a stinkin good deal! Since I'm on this scrapbooking kick right now I decided to take advantage! My wonderful mother gave me a gift card to Michaels for my birthday so I got all this paper for less than $20 out of pocket!! I also purchased a few other items like clearance Christmas embellishments and black letter stickers. The cashier Sheryl was so sweet...I told her that I had a TON of paper to ring up and she totally closed her line just to help me! Thanks :) I lined up the bar codes for her to help the process go a little faster----but it still took at LEAST 20 minutes. NO joke! And who knew.....there's a limit of 200 items per transaction----we figured that one out....lol. Hence the two receipts. Love it. I had my two kids with me and they were absolutely amazing!

**Pat on my back---I said to my boy during the transaction (for like the 3rd time in the store that day), "Jacob, your being such a good boy Thank You!" Then, Sheryl complimented me and said that I was a great mother and that my parenting techniques must be working. smile. "HA----I wish" I responded. Then she said that she saw my boy perk up when I said that, and that he grinned to himself. I kinda wish I had a more grateful response to the cashier but I think she realized that she made me feel good. Note: I complimented Lexi with kisses and "thank you's" at the store too----equality is good.

Side note:

Actually---I try very hard to have positive parenting and I DO feel like its working....yes my boy is absolutely a 44oz bottle of energy-----but that's ok. I actually love it. Almost as much as I love my 44oz diet coke.

Back to the SCRAP----Aren't they so cute...I only got a few duplicates of the stuff I totally loved and would use for more than one layout.

Jacob Bedtime Fun

My boy is so silly. Wearing my sister Kacie's fun sunglasses.

wow. she's so talented.

http://courtneycorynn.blogspot.com/

my sister's blog ------wow. you'll have to read it------she's so talented. 

I believe her blog is devoted to posting her essays online. her first essay is about a plane trip. 

check it out. let her know what you think....

pj

Here's the scoop

Heath and Julie dating----sometime in 2004 HAHAHAHAHA

Gangsta faces.

THE MUSIC

Its almost Valentine's Day and its bringing back memories...

When Heath and I were dating we went to an amazing Mae concert of like 40 people on Valentine's Day. It was so romantic and super fun. Enjoy!

MY LIFE

Still living at my in-laws its been a month or so now and I have about 7 weeks left (wooohhoooo!) Its going smoothly and I actually am appreciating the time I have to be with them and have my kids so close to Heath's parents and his siblings. At the end of this month we'll be making final decisions on rental house near Phoenix, AZ. We plan to move by March 1st.

My birthday is this sunday. Yea :) One year older and wiser too....hmmm. The big 2-4. Goodness. Time just zooms by. Tomorrow I have a hot date with my Heath. We're going to Ruth's Chris and I'm making him take me to Bride Wars. If it wasn't my birthday I don't think I would be able to drag him to that movie. hahaha. He's usually a trooper but that one looks super dumb to him.

I just got back from AZ again. I seem to visit there every other week. I love visiting and dreaming of my new life in Phoenix. Yes - I'm a little scared of the big step for our family....but I'm so excited for Heath's work opportunity and support him 100%. (including the 14 hour days 8 months out of the year and the 12 hour days the other 4 months....ugh) I'm really pushing for him to have every other saturday off sometime in the future....but currently its looking like he'll work 6 days a week still. Shoot----I'm single again. Need a friend anyone? Heath is starting the Phoenix branch of a new pest control company (name not 'allowed' to be talked about) whatever! In the future he has plans to be over 3-5 branches and not specifically assigned to work the typical 6am-6pm shift anywhere---more freedom? I sure hope so. Saturday's off for soccer games? I sure hope so. Currently he's working from home writing process manuals and making arrangements for the new company. Today he's in Corona, CA packing up the rest of the office and saying a final farewell to Moxie Pest Control. SEE YA!

KIDDOS

Lexi turns 1 on February 10th and I'm so excited. I cannot believe this year is just gone! All I have now are pictures and memories of Lexi as an infant. So sad. Advice that I have for every new mother.....that I received from a good friend....Hold your baby lots! You can never hold your princess too much. Spoiled----no way. Babies need love and affection and the first few year of life its more important to let them know that they are loved and to build great self worth. Hugs and kisses :D

Jacob started primary! I can't believe its that time already. We were in AZ so I took him to my mom's ward. I CRIED! I tried really hard not to let Jacob (or the teacher) see cause I was embarrassed. haha. He did great...stayed the whole time, sat down when appropriate, and MOSTLY listened. wooohoooo! Ah-----my boy is growing up. This week we'll be in CA and my in-laws ward and my mother in law and my sister in law are both in primary....oh I sure hope my boy listens and having family in there doesn't make it harder. You can do it Jacob!!!

That's all for now.

pj

SUPER funny quote by ME & Chelsey (sister) AND Resolutions

Disclaimer: This is NO WAY has to do with my parenting philosophy....this more has to do with the way I feel about siblings. hahaha.

Violence is never the answer...but always an option.

Bumper sticker? Totally.

Don't mess with me. I'm a crazy, over worked, under paid, mother of 2 crazy munchkins.

Tah Tah for now.

Happy New Year :)

Oh wait....resolutions this year.



Keep in touch with friends and family. Since I'm moving out of state I'm going to make it a SUPER Goal of mine to k.i.t....emails, phone calls, b-day cards, thank you notes, Christmas cards....etc. You know.....try to step out of my own life to think, 'what are my friends up to today? Wonder what my brother is doing today? Does my friend miss me (hahahaha not that one)'



I really really want to be a better mother, wife, and friend this year. I think some of the best friends that I've had throughout my life were great listeners and made me feel special and loved----I really really want to be that kind of friend. Ya, Ya, I know that I can be tha way...but I want to be known for being that type if woman.

SO----This post has been saved FOREVER---my intention was to ADD to my list of resolutions but it didn't happen. So this is all for now...