A few things I have been learning.........

To continue with what I have been writting about on my blog or if you follow me on Facebook- u know that i have been keeping up really well with my new years resolution with Couponing! I am meeting my goal of learning the ART of couponing. I am loving it and have become a little, *cough* shall we say, obsessed?! I am sure Jason would say that is an understatement. But MAN...when u can get TONS of free stuff and GREAT deals on other things, how can you pass them up?!?!?!
I have learned a few things about shopping with coupons and being KRISTA.(which lets face, really can be a scary combination)

* Don't go shopping with 2 little kids if you have another alternative(which I REALLY have no choice but if I could shop at midnight everytime, I TOTALLY WOULD!)

*Don't try and coupon shop when you have very little time to do so(like 10 minutes before Logan's swim lessons, heehee)

*It isn't a good thing when U don't have your coupons and list out and organized before you go through the checkout stand......and that ONE coupon u miss, may mess up your WHOLE money saving deal. (Happened twice now, eck)

*I love the fact that all of the COUPON Blogs out there do all the work for me and all I have to do is check their sites and print and cut coupons.

*Wonders sometimes if her husband is right about the fact that ink for my printer costs 20 dollars and if it is really worth it in the end. THANKFULLY this week, I paid off one by getting a bunch of free Laundry detergent, deodorant, etc. few, I am safe or a while.

*I am worried at times I will be one day on that show that goes into the lives of Hoarders. And really, I can see how people can get there-NOT the garbage part...but with FREE products. Prayerfully, my obsession won't become THAT bad. Though, Jason may think I am already there.

* There is a POINT where I just have to TURN MY COMPUTER Off and not worry about finding the BEST deals and spend time with my beautiful precious kids and amazing husband. They are the most important thing to me. But really, when it all comes down to it, I am doing all of this for them.

*Couponing really is a GAME....I love the hunt and the challenge. It is a TON of fun!!!

*********Side note.....I did go to the store last week and had to buy some icecream WITHOUT a coupon because I didn't plan a head for it for a B-day party...I seriously had the worst feeling in the pit of my stomach going through the check out and not saving even a penny! I think that means I am officially a coupon freak*sigh* I finally understood a little why Kate Gosselin was so upset about her husband at the time forgetting to pay with a coupon-on one of their episodes- though I don't agree with her freaking out of him. ********

Meet my friend....Luke

***********nerd night at FSB 2003************************
Luke Osler was a good friend from FSB. Infact, I considered my friendship with him much like I do of my friendship with my younger brother. He was my little brother away from home. He was such a blast to be around and he was so on fire for Jesus. It was refreshing hanging out with him. I remember a afternoon we were traveling back from Scottsbluff and talking about all of the goals that we both had for our lives. It is a special memory between us and I really think it was the day that I fully understood Luke and his passion for life.
I was on my facebook a couple weeks back and I got discouraging news from his sisters status. 16x14x10 cm tumor in his abdomen(the size of a nerf football) , 2 or 3 smaller tumors lower in his pelvis. There are also 3 lesions on his liver and 1 on his spleen. He had a biopsy done and they have discovered cancer. Extraskeletal Ewing's Sarcoma is the name and it super aggressive and very deadly. He will start chemo this week and surgery will follow soon. Luke has 3 young kids and a beautiful wife. Please be in much prayer for him as he goes through all of this. I pray that God will get all of the glory in this time but more then anything that our prayers can just be encouraging for Luke and his young family. His wife Krystal posted this on a prayer page for Luke.
"Thank you everyone for all your prayer and support! I can honestly say that Luke and I have a peace in our hearts that passes all understanding! Thank you, please don't stop praying! "
Hearing those words just broke my heart. Of course in happiness and in just grief. They have challenged me in so many ways and they have only just begun on this journey. Please, if you think of Luke, pray for him. He is such a treasure to this world and has been a wonderful friend in my life.
Luke's favorite verse:
Isaiah 40:31
"but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint."

3 down....9 to go

I finished "The Host" this afternoon. I just LOVED that book. Different then anything I have ever read before. I am not really into Sci-fi kind of stuff but this book was great. U just add some love into the picture and I am hooked! I am now having my little pitty party because the book is finished, yet I am still hooked and wish there was more of the story to read. *sigh* I enjoyed this one so much, I think I am may have to wait a week or so to get over it in order to start another book. (for sure adding this one to my library) Stephenie Meyer...why do you always do this to me????!!!???!!!

My little Punky

Currently, this child of mine is screaming her head off because I laid her down for a nap and she would much rather be on the Trampoline with her Brother and Cousin. *which I must say, I am very impressed with her balance on that thing.* So, in honor of her broken heart, I thought I would post these CA-UTE pics of her I took the other night. She never stays still and smiles for me...I think she is so beautiful!

Look...it's the sun....(kind of)

This week we actually got to enjoy some DRY days!! We treasure these days, almost like they are Christmas! They are so rare on the Oregon Coast in the winter.
Logan was a super HERO pretty much everyday this week! He was thrilled that mommy and daddy let him go to Freddy's as BumbleBee and Sleep in it for his PJ's. (we did make him take off his blue power ranger outfit for Awanas, We didn't think a Blue visitor would help with the already SUPER HYPER kids.)
3 days in a row, we hung out on our Favorite toy for hours! WE love your Trampoliny:)
Logan is so handsome.
I just LOVE this picture of Peyton! Her Hair was so cute! It took me a million shots to finally capture this adorable picture!
Both my kids LOVE wearing scarfs! Of course, Peyton doesn't have a small enough one, so she had to where mommies.
I love this little man!
CUTIES in their shades...Peytie wasn't thrilled I was taking a picture. I was pretty camera happy this week.
LOGAN'S first time ROLLER SKATING!!!! He had a BLAST!!!!!! Has talked about it everyday since!
Mommy, shoving his foot in those things....It took forever!
This is Peyton's favorite thing to grab out of the bottom cupboard and carry around the house!(it's a costco nestle quick mix.) She cracks US UP!
LOGAN still LOVES swimming Lessons. He told me the other day, "Mommy, I wanna do swim lessons forever." Bless his heart. To bad it's $44 dollars a month!
Peyton LOVES KITTYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We found this little Kitty at a little store in the mall. She won't put it down!!! She puts it on her arm and waves, bye bye to mommy and walks around the house like she's about to leave. Such a cutie!!

obsession...I think so;)

Here are my amazing deals of the WEEK!!! FYI: these were in several different shopping trips and all of my catalinas allowed for me to get these amazing deals. *3 boxes of honey nut cheerios *14boxes of betty crocker fruit snacks *3 boxes of yummy instant oatmeal(Maple and brown sugar, my fav) *15 bags of kraft shredded cheese _____________________________________________ I paid NOTHING and have $1.55 in Catalina coupons left over!!! IS THAT AMAZING OR WHAT??!?!?!?! SOOOOOOOOOO excited!!!

FYI: For those of you new to the coupon world here is the definition for a Catalina Coupon: 'Catalina Category Marketing (CCM) rewards purchases of promoted products with “catalinas”, also known as “check-out coupons”. These offer incentives good on your next shopping trip to that retailer. There is usually a 4-week window on any given program/incentive promotion.'
Example: of what it may look: pretend it this looks like a coupon:
Thank you from Kraft. Here is $5 towards you next shopping trip

So far, so good

OK!! So, so far I am keeping up with THIS! I've finished TWO books!!! I read the "Blindside" a few weeks ago! A VERY inspiring but SAD story. I kept going back and forth between being so HAPPY for Michael and just plan old MAD at his mom!!! UGH! Read the story and find out why! Super awesome though. Jason and I watched the movie after I read the book, and I pretty much cried the whole movie! Very emotional! I just finished, "Redeeming Love"by Francine Rivers as loaned to me by my beautiful sister in law! Another super good read! EMOTIONAL as well but a wonderful, wonderful reminder of God's amazing Grace!! Logan's verse this week for Awana went so well with this book, "While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." AMEN and so very thankful He did!
I am starting "The Host" by Stephenie Meyers tonight! I will be excited to see if she keeps up with her amazing Twilight series.
I saved more money with COUPONS and Catalinas!!! YIPPY!!! I am getting so many free goodies my little family is feeling so lucky and this MAMA is happy! I love having full cupboards and a full wallet;) This week I got 5 boxes of fruit by the foot, 2 boxes of yummy oatmeal, and a box of honeynut cheerios for 1 dollar after a Catalina Coupon;) I am loving it!!!!!!
The marathon thing is kind of going out the window for now...Jason isn't getting home til 4pm and it gets dark by 5 so, I am thinking, once the sun stays out a little longer, I will work on that goal...right now, my elliptical and Biggest Loser video is doing a good number on me...can we say dripping and sweating? I have a pair of pants that aren't so tight anymore! That is always a fun thing!!
We start Zoo-phinics with Logan this week!! He LOVES IT!!!!!!!!!:) PTL PTL:) AND I am so enjoying my One Year Bible! I am keeping up and so enjoying reading about Joseph right now! I love the forgiveness he had for his brothers after such a horrible thing they did! (I am so thankful for God's word! It is changing my heart and life right now! God is really working on me and sometimes it hurts but I am thankful for it, because I know it is all for his Glory and for my good.)