Where did I come from? Why am I here? Where am I going?

A couple of days ago, I was cleaning and came upon a journal my mom had started when she was one month pregnant with me. It was so fun to read her thoughts as she was going through the same stages I am with Avalyn (4th baby). I came across this cute story & picture from when I was about 18 months old.

"Tonight was the ward Christmas Party. Our family dressed up - Melanie was an angel, Ben a shepherd, Paul a donkey, Roice a king, Mom was Mary, Dad was Joseph, & Sara was Baby Jesus. Mom & Dad sang a song while Melanie tapped danced (not a planned number) & knocked over a backdrop. Dad went to work after the party & mom took everyone else home - except Melanie. Mom thought it was a quiet trip home! Found out a block from the house that Melanie wasn't in the car. She was still at church playing with Sister Donaque. Jon Bosis brought her home, asleep and o.k. Mom was not o.k. Dad thought it was funny. Mom did not think it was funny....

Melanie at church with Str. Donaque, looking for a ride home from the party. Notice the questions on the bulletin board in the background. So true, so true!" (questions on the bulletin are the title of this post)

And wouldn't you know it... two days after reading that story, I forgot to pick up Colby & Taylor for the very first time! I typically bring the kids to school and our neighbor picks them up. But today, our neighbor was sick and so I was supposed to pick them up, which I didn't remember until 15 minutes after school was out. I threw Halle & Avalyn in the car and raced up to the school. Taylor came running out, crying and so upset. Her adorable little face looked so pitiful! The worst part about it was that I never watch the news and I had no idea it was supposed to be freezing with a chance of snow today and I didn't even send Tay to school with a jacket. She had to wait outside until the last parent showed up before they took her inside to wait for me. Her poor little hands were freezing. But we tried to make up for it when we got home with hot chocolate with rainbow marshmallows, girl scout cookies, a warm comforter, and a whole hour of cartoons! And mom, at least you thought to put a coat on me!!!

Extreme Couponing

I have a friend who is into extreme couponing. She saved me a bunch of money on toys at Christmas time, but I have resisted learning how to do couponing for every day items for some time. One day, she posted on her Bargain Blog a list of what she pays for "stockpile" items. I wanted to focus on non-food items first and basically everything on her list was free to less than a dollar. And so, I succumbed and decided to try it out. My husband is in dental school and we could definitely use a few free things right now;). However, I have to admit that my first experience wasn't wonderful and I am not completely sold on keeping this up.

Here is what I got today:
196 diapers, 6 Dove men's body washes, 9 coloring/activity books & 4 tattoo books (to use for Taylor's birthday party on Monday), 2 toothpastes, and one package of M&Ms.

THE GOOD: I paid a total of $16.25 for everything (it would have been less, but I messed up a few times). The diapers were basically free and I was able to get some cute party favors to stick into Taylor's party bags. Jared won't need soap for a couple of years.

THE BAD: I spent about 3 1/2 hours today printing coupons and driving around to different Walgreens. I spent more time than I probably want to recognize trying to figure out how it all worked and planning my trip for today. I also spent money in gas driving all over town. I forgot to scan a couple of the coupons which was frustrating. Several of the stores were out of what I was planning on getting and so I spent a long time trying to figure out what to buy instead. At one store... I accidentally left my $3 register rewards in the car and the ladies behind me were offering to pay for the $3 for me as I was digging in my purse looking for it. That was pretty awesome.

WAS IT WORTH IT? I'm estimating that I saved about $45-$50 from what I would have spent on soap, diapers, & toothpaste for the same amount. (Not what I would have spent on the same items I purchased today. In other words, I did get fancier men's body wash but when I normally buy Irish Spring; I have to base my estimations on what I would normally have spent.)

When I look at the numbers, I guess I should think of it as a part time job, although I already have 2 part-time jobs and I'm not sure I need another one. I'm not giving up yet, Melissa:) I have to believe that it can be easier than what I did today and this is something I can get better at. It is just overwhelming and I'm not totally convinced that it is worth it yet.

Has it really come to this???

Did I really see this ad in a magazine today? Really?

In case you can't read it... it says, "Peel & Stick Abs. Get the abs the easy way! Just adhere the ab sticker and viola! YOU'RE BEACH READY. Comes in patterns for men & women and sized from S - XXL." I tried to find it online to see if it was for real but I couldn't find anything. And yet... who would go to the trouble to create an ad and then pay for it to go in a magazine if it wasn't for real? I am stumped... and laughing... and well... this is just silly.

My new obsession: Green smoothies!

Blend together 1 c rice milk, 1/4 box of spinach (stems & all), 1/4 cucumber, 5 frozen strawberries, 1 TBSP of honey... YUMMY!!!!! I'm not kidding. It really is good! If Colby will eat them, then you know it has to really be good. And it is so fun that our family is flying through boxes of spinach.

Thank you Sara for the awesome balloons from India! We have been having a lot of fun!

It's Official...

I just signed up to run the ZOOMA Half-marathon in Austin on March 27th... anybody want to join me??