Thankful Thursday

This is long overdue! I have so much to be thankful for and I need to get back to doing this! I'll start at number one again (:

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...

1. My Heath, he works so hard for our family and is such a great man. I love that he and I mirror each other's weaknesses as strengths. I'm happy that he's my kids' dad. I'm so crazy and off the wall sometimes and heath is the perfect father to balance that out with my kids. Sure, he and I have weaknesses and as a family we're not perfect, but I'm glad that we're in this together. I'm happy that we're both trying to be better people and better parents. I have a quote on a tile in my kitchen counter that reads, "We may not have it all together, but we have it all". I truly feel like we have everything we need...A loving and supportive extended family, 2 wonderful children that make us smile, a job (!!!!!), and the spirit of the Lord in our home to guide us and teach us.

2. The pool. I love that we're swimming so much this summer! Its so fun and the kiddos are loving it! Jacob is in swimming lessons and I think he might get the hang of it by the end of the summer. My parents have a pool in their community so they let us borrow the key! thanks mom! I'm sooooo thankful for this fun activity to help us keep cool.

3. Barros Pizza---thank you! When I'm feeling like I just can't make myself cook dinner...or if my dinner fails miserable---Barros Here I Come! Its so close and its only $12 for my little family of 4 to eat and its YUMMY.

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

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

Thankful Thursday - late again!

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...


22. My Mom. This week I've been hanging out with my mom and I've LOVED it! Its so fun to visit her in AZ and to just run errands, talk, and just be together. I love to watch her interact with my kids and to see the love that has strengthened with her and my children. A grandmother's love is so precious and I feel so lucky that my children have my parents and Heath's parents.

23. Christmas lights. This year Jacob is noticing the Christmas decorations all around ESPECIALLY the lights and decorations outside at night. Its so cute to watch him getting excited about the different houses. He's always looking for a house that has a train on the lawn (or dirt front yard in AZ...haha). He LOVE LOVE LOVED going to see the Mesa LDS Tempe lights last week. He and my mom walked around together having a blast looking at the lights and the different nativity scenes.

24. Baby Proof. My mom's house isn't baby proof (as much as we try...its totally impossible....however, my kids are totally doing great! I cannot believe that the are listening to mommy and grandma and leaving the decorations (mostly) alone. I love to see my mom's house at Christmas and was so worried that my kids would just trash the place. She puts kid friendly decorations like stuffed Christmas animals and nativity blocks within reach, perfect! Its so cute to watch Lexi looking at the Christmas tree. She loves the lights. Some of the lights twinkle and there's absolutely beautiful ornaments on the tree---I would be so heartbroken if one of my kids broke one...and they haven't! Miracle! They've been so obedient and stayed far enough away from that room and in the "play room". Love you mom. Thanks for letting us visit.

Click HERE to view previous Thankful Thursday posts.

Thankful Thursday (late) Oops!

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...

19. First of all - let me just say...I'm VERY THANKFUL that time is just zooming by. Its already FRIDAY! OOPS! My little family is currently crashing at Heath's parents home for a few months while we wrap things up here in CA with work. Its always hard not having your own place---I sure hope these next few months FLY by. Heath's poor parents went from being empty nesters - to having 1 big baby, Julie, and 2 little babies. :D

20. GPS. Heath decided to buy our family a GPS for our new moving adventures on Black Friday. I LOVE LOVE LOVE my GPS. Its great to be able to leave the house here in Palm Springs (area) and know exactly where I'm going! I love to have my own personal navigator to help me around a new town when I need to get out of the house. It will also be super helpful when we move to AZ. The freeway system in Phoenix area is stinkin confusing.

21. Sleep. I'm REALLY REALLY hoping that if I start being thankful for the little sleep I'm getting....then I'll be blessed with more sleep!!! I know, I know, this is really complaining - not thanking...I'm so tired. My girl is waking up so much lately. The first night we were here she woke up 6 times. Is that even possible!? The second night she only woke up twice, last night she woke up 4 times. Its killing me. Sleep deprivation is a killer. Anyone that has had a baby would know this all too well. When we were living in Corona she was pretty much sleeping through the night and sometimes waking up. Ahhh, lets get back to that.

Click HERE to view previous Thankful Thursday posts.

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...

16. Family. Kacie my sister told me to blog this as my first Thankful post. Really---during the holidays I feel especially thankful for my family. I love that we can have fun together just talking and laughing. Our Turkey day today has been great, food was yummy!


17. My sister-in-law Tenille. We have been great friends for almost 10 years. It crazy to think that we were both just crazy teenagers when we met (she was my brother's girlfriend:) She's always been such a great sounding board and always thinking of someone else. She's so selfless. I called her today to talk about her birth experience with her baby #2 - she had so many questions for me about my move and how I was feeling. For those of you that know me---I love to talk about myself, I can't help it when she talks to me. She's so interested in my life and she's such a great friend. We've worked together, cried together, played together, and now we've been family for 4 years. I love you Tenille. Congrats!!!!


18. The Tent. Jacob is sleeping in a tent (yes---a camping tent) in Chelsey's room this week. She's so nice to have Jacob as a guest in her room. Last night Jacob climbed in bed with Chelsey. She's so sweet. Thanks Chels!

Click HERE to view previous Thankful Thursday posts.

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...

I totally forgot that today was Thursday. I'm a little late cause I've had a hard week in the way of COUNTING my Blessings. I haven't felt - lets just say - peppy. Buy here it is:

13. Positive Parenting book by Dr. Latham. This week Jacob has tested my patience so much. I know how to prevent bad behavior and how to manage it --- but this week --- I don't have time to be a mom! Not really, just a little too busy to give it my 100%. Jacob bit Lexi today, IN THE FACE!!! And my parenting techniques were put to the test! I have to say, I failed miserably. I wasn't prepared for that one. But the second time he bit her, in the arm --- I was ready! I'm happy to have books that help me *PLUS my mom and friends to talk it through with. I really feel like this book is a book of INSTRUCTIONS that should have been attached to Jacob when he was born. Love this book. I recommend it to EVERYONE!

14. Cari & her Suburban. She's been such a lifesaver this whole month. She helped me get boxes with her big car. Also, I needed to go get my tires changed this week and she came along to be our transportation, entertainment, and Sams card holder :) Its so much work preparing for this move. *Shoot, I just remembered that I need my oil changed before Monday. Oooo.

15. d.coke. I really like diet coke. I'm not going to make a big fuss about it...Just love it. Look at this cool necklace - I want one!

Click HERE to view previous Thankful Thursday posts.

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...

10. 4 Generations. On Tuesday my little family and I had a chance to visit my grandparents. My grandma was so generous to find us some boxes for our move! She's so sweet. My grandma made us a yummy dinner and even made Jacob a cake for his birthday! I'm so sad to be moving out of state soon away from many of my extended family. Thanks so much to my grandparents for a wonderful & memorable evening.

11. I'm lovin my tape gun this week. Its really helpful and Jacob loves this thing. Its lots safer than lugging around a roll of tape and scissors~~both equally dangerous with Jacob around.

12. Watching videos online! I'm loving the technology that gives me the ability to watch inspirational videos (mostly general conference) online! HERE is the link to the LDS website that has all the gen. conf. talks from October. Its easy to just turn a talk on while I do dishes or something or even while I'm playing with the kids. Jacob is learning the names of the apostles and I love to watch him listening to the prophet's voice.

Click HERE to view previous Thankful Thursday posts.

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...

7. Jacob's HIGH pitch laugh is so infectious lately. Lexi loves to giggle every time that Jacob breaks the silence in the house. I love that he brings so much happiness to our home.

8. PROP 8 in California PASSED!! It was so fun to do sign waving the night before the election! Here's a couple pics. Thanks to my friend Jennifer for letting me borrow her sign. Good job Jacob!

9. Holiday Clearance. I spent about $10 total for my kids costumes for next year! Lexi is gunna be a Lady Bug and Jacob will be Thomas the Train. : D I'm so excited! This year Jacob was Peter Pan and Lexi was Tinkerbell. It was stressful (but worth it) to make/assemble the costumes and next year will totally be STRESS FREE! Pics of Halloween coming soon.

Click HERE to view previous Thankful Thursday posts.

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...

4. Yummy smelling home. I love my Lysol Freshmatic! I love it and I have it right next to my front door. I think its the goal of every housewife to have her home smelling fantastic. I know that the smell of a home isn't always the first thing that you notice when you come to a home----but a yucky smell is definitely high on the list. I've made it a goal of mine to have a clean smelling home but its always so hard with 2 kids in diapers and a really small home to have it smelling great all the time...my Lysol totally helps! Love you Lysol!

5. Church Family. Last night we had our annual Trunk-or-Treat. There was a chili dinner, costume march, booths with games, and the trunk-or-treating. There were tons of people there! It was great to have such a fun gathering with people that I see and worship with on Sunday and other friends visiting too! I'm so thankful to have a religion that I love and people to share that love with. My beliefs bring me purpose in life and help me to focus on my eternal goals. Having a goal and working daily to achieve it helps me so much to prevent the mundane day-to-day troubles from bring me down.

6. Bean Bags. I just love bean bags. I think they have tons of uses and every use I can think of is FUN! I love to make them and it requires sewing----so I feel sorta domestic. : D Here's an idea I was thinking about doing to help Jacob learn to count. Make 20 beanbags each with a number on them (see picture below). He can practice throwing them in a bucket while we say each number. In the future we can practice addition and subtraction this way too. I have a feeling (cause my boy is sooooo crazy active) that he'll need lots of hands on learning. This bean bag set below is for sale on THIS website. Its 22.97 - yikes. I think with Joann's coupons I could probably make if for less than $10. I'll keep you updated. Oooo-----this would be a good Super Saturday craft. hmmmm.

Click HERE to view previous Thankful Thursday posts.

Thankful Thursday

This is my first of many posts to say all the things I'm thankful for and that I love! I think I'm also tagging some of my buddies~not my original intention for this post~ but why not. (Cari, Jen---that means you do it too!)

1. Jacob's interest in Trains. I love that he has something he loves. I love to watch him make designs with his train tracks (geo trax) and watch the tracks morph (is that a real word?) into something different throughout the day as they slink from his bedroom, to the living room, then under the table, and in front of the T.V. His interest started when his Great Grandma Avery gave him a Thomas the Train blanket for his 1st birthday. He sleeps with that stinkin blanket every night.

2. I love blogging. I love to have an online journal for my thoughts. I like to think that someone is interested in something I have to say. Lets just face it - Nobody reads every word that I type (except for MAYBE my mom) but I love to have an outlet. This has kept me sane and kept me in touch with friends. ALSO, this Blog World gives me great ideas for how to save money!

3. My Heath. Last week we celebrated 4 years of married bliss. lol---That's so cheesy and I love it! Love you Heath! (dang, I wish I had a pet name for Heath...it sounds so impersonal when I type 'my heath') His card for our anniv. of course ended with, "You love me. -your pj" (princess julie;)