Shopping and Coupons

Thanks to my sweet sister in laws Melodie and Keri, I've been introduced into the game of couponing. It is a game, and I'm having so much fun. Then Janice introduced me into CVSing. I've had some great success. One of my early weeks at Albertson's I spent $4.19 on $80 worth of groceries. That was before I knew about splitting orders and using my printed in store coupons the same day. So this was a really fun week at Albertson's. I spent $94.21, I saved $84.10 in clipped coupons and $132.70 in "Albertson's Preferred Savings" (That's 70% savings). I still have $24.00 in free groceries at Albertson's too. We had a few glitches at the check stand, but they were so nice and helpful. So like any good coupon shopper I came home and took pictures. I thought of Bentz as I unloaded, he would be glad to know we have some good junk food in our home, Meagan is not so pleased, because she is trying so hard to avoid sugar, but I showed her the few good snacks I bought for her.

Valentines Day Weekend

Last weekend was one of those fun filled weekends where we feel so blessed. Meagan decided our "service project" this month should be a Valentine Party for little kids. Really she was just trying to find a way for her mom to fund another party, but it sounded good so we went with it. She planned it we all shopped for it, and everyone helped (especially Locke who provided great entertainment for Conner). We did have a lot of sweet little girls over who made us smile, laugh, and dance. Painting, decorating cookies, eating candy, and playing lots of fun games.




Then soon after that one of our favorite missionaries came over to celebrate his birthday. Elder Peterson has served in our ward for about six months. We have enjoyed getting to know him and appreciate his challenges to help us stay focused on missionary work.

Then Uncle Mark and John came to stay for the night on their way to Sheldon's race the next morning. We were glad we could visit for a few minutes while watching the "family" (minus Marylynn's) favorite show "Numbers".


Bright and early Saturday morning Sheldon, Mark, John, and Conner headed to the race, a couple hours later Meagan and I left. This is my favorite race because we get to see the truck every 5-10 minutes. Meagan loves races and becomes a little competative (we don't know where she gets it from). From moment the we caught first glimpse of Sheldon Meagan was sure her dad was driving to slow to win. It was a little decieving because there were other cars in other classes (all too complicated for me) . All these trucks were racing at the same time as Sheldon. Sheldon did really well until something started on fire in the last lap. Overall he still came in second, and he is still trying to convince Meagan he was going 72mph over the jump. (I seem to really be off on my timing with the pictures, maybe it was because Sheldon was going so fast -- I did get a video, but it seems that I don't know how to upload them on my blog?!?)

Then we came home and off the St. George. My anniversary blog tells about the first part of our trip. Then Sunday after church we were able to have a nice visit with the Hallewell's and see their new home. Then Aunt Evonne gathered everyone for a large family dinner. Lots of Aunts, Uncles and Cousins were there. We had yummy tortilla soup and salad, and of course dessert (apples, ice cream, and cookies)

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Moday we spent part of the day seeing the Parade Homes. We loved the home Randy helped with the most it was the best. Meagan is sure she should buy it, because it was a PERFECT PARTY HOME. Most the girls just stayed home and played. The love spending time with cousins. (I know one of the greatest blessings of my life is that we have such an incredible family, with so many cousins that provide such strength for our children) Sydnee wrote on a report on Monday her most comfortable place to be is St. George. Then we gathered at Pirate Island, a restaraunt in St. George Randy helped build and is part owner. It was so much fun and really good food.

Happy Anniversary

Sheldon and I celebrated our 21st anniversary on Thursday. We both new it was a very hectic day, but Meagan our live in party planner always knows how to celebrate. As I came out of my bedroom for the morning -- she was standing there and told me to GO BACK TO BED. I didn't argue, and soon after we were served breakfast in bed. Once we got up, we saw the house decorated with 21 reasons we're glad our mom and dad got married. She makes it too easy for me but here they are:

1. We can watch your wedding video for a laugh!
2. You had Christiana to be our BIG SIS!!!
3. You had Meagan second...
4. You had the middle, picked - on, teasing Loryn.
5. You had the one BEST brother: Conner
6. You had our smiley baby SYDNEE
7. You are able to have Sarah as a new addition.
8. You let us get PETS! (That you help us with)
9. You make us BREAKFAST daily
10. We always have the PRIETHOOD in our HOME
11. We can have FAMILY time
12. We have the BEST FHE's
13. We have teachers (Homework helpers)
14. You take us on FAMILY trips
16. YOU LOVE US!!!
17. You're our spiritual teachers!!
18 We can look to you for ANYTHING
19. We have two WONDERFUL IDOLS.
20 There are only two people we want as PARENTS: YOU TWO
21. We could come to this earth with GOOD LOVING parents.

Meagan can help everyone get in the mood to celebrate. Our evening was very booked with kids activities and work, so I met Sheldon for lunch and we went to Landry's. It was so nice and I was so glad I could spend a few minutes sharing the day with him. I am so grateful for Sheldon and love him just because...


Then we had a bonus surprise Saturday morning. Randy called to tell us he was going to put Sheldon and I up in his new theme hotel room. They would watch our kids for the evening. (We were going to St. George Saturday afternoon after Sheldon's races to spend the weekend with Randy and Tammy and see his Parade of Home). Audrie the hotel's coordinator called us and made all the arrangements, preferences for drinks, breakfast, snacks, etc. We arrived late Saturday evening, but Randy took us over and showed us all the fun amenities, and then left us alone for the evening. It was spectacular. We teased Randy and said we didn't quite have enough time to get the "Feel for the whole experience" so we'd need to try it out again, but we truly did enjoy every bit of the room.

(You can check out Randy's website edenskeep.com)

Divine Nature

Yesterday Melodie called me and while we were visiting she mentioned she had to give the lesson in Young Women about Divine Nature. She was struggling with how to put it together. We visited for a few minutes and talked about using some music, her suggestion was Daughter of a King. I told her when I got home I'd listen to it along with some of my other music. I know the song Daughter of a King, but I was amazed how I was taught about our Divine Nature as I listented to it. As I pondered about the subject I was reminded of a phrase in The Family A Proclamation to the World and how the spirit overwhelms me still every time I read it, "Each is a beloved spirit son or daughter of heavenly parents, and as such, each has a divine nature and destiny." Next thoughts of the song "Fingerprints of God" came to my mind and then the book by Max Lucado "You are Special". I was reminded that each of us has different divine nature - unique to us but given by God -- All of us have divine nature and this wonderful gift help us carry out His plan. I pray that I will use my divine nature in the way God wants me to.

Grandma's Stories

Although, Grandma Edwards lives far away, we still benefit from her sweet gift from many years ago. Probably over ten years ago she brought over the book "Funniest Story Book Ever" by Richard Scarry with a tape of her reading the book. She even rang a bell so the kids would know when to turn the pages. All of my children have thoroughly enjoyed this book. For years my kids have listened to it from time to time to go to bed. We only had one tape and one book so we would have to put the tape player in the hall and play it loud for all to hear and we'd have to take turns with the book. Now thanks to Linda we have it on CD and on our ipods. I can play it through our entire home. Conner and Sydnee love listening to it every night to go to sleep. They like it dark in their rooms so they don't use the book. Today Sydnee was sick so I got some books out to read to her and "Funniest Story Book Ever" was in the pile. I couldn't read it to her she wanted grandma to read it. So I turned it on for her. Then when Sarah came home from church she saw the book. She listens to it until Sydnee and Conner fall asleep, but had never seen the book. She had a fun time looking through it too. We are just so grateful for an inspired Grandma who can't come over and read, but we still feel her here all the time. Thank you