Hanging Around

We haven't been doing a lot lately.  Just chilling at home, working out, reading and spending time together.  We're looking forward to this four day weekend, even though I have no idea what we're going to do! 

A cheesy smile from my silly boy.

So tired from running around.

Snuggling with Pluto.

Posing with his Pluto.

Evan doesn't like shopping anymore!  No fun!  And he let's me know how displeased he is!

You can see Evan's sweet Spidey PJs in this picture.

Future blackmail picture.  He really wanted my headband.

The quilt I made for our friends the Duddings.  They had a baby girl a month ago. 

I've started a new blog covering my teaching experience and advice/help (hopefully) for other teachers.  You can find it here.

Father's Day

Rick and Evan just a few minutes after Evan was born. 

Rick holding a cuddly, demanding and innocent little guy.

Playing "airplane"

Evan loves playing video games with his Daddy. 

Evan on Rick's shoulders at Disneyland!

I don't have any pictures from Father's Day, but we had a wonderful time and Rick  was pretty spoiled.  He got snacks and root beer from Evan and I got him a table top gas lit grill.   I just thought that I would post some pictures of Rick and Evan together.  They are just wonderful together.  They're best buds and whenever Daddy comes home, Evan runs to the door with a big smile and hugs Rick's leg.  And whenever Daddy leaves, Evan is crying and crying!  I have to hold the door open and we always have to watch Daddy get in the car and leave.  Then he is happy.  Evan just loves Rick so much and I am just thankful to have both of them in my life!

3 Years!!!

It's been 3 years since Rick and I were married!  I am so grateful to be married to such an amazing man.  Tuesday, Rick had the day off.  I worked out in the morning and then came home.  A friend in our ward watched Evan for us while Rick and I were able to go to lunch together at yummy Japanese restaurant.  Then we walked around the mall.  We overall just had a relaxing wonderful time together.  I love spending time with Rick.  We always enjoy our time together and it was so nice to relax and enjoy each other's company for the day. 

This past year has been a bit tumultuous.  We've just had a lot that's happened, and life has been very busy.  Just a few things that have happened this year:
-Moving to Mississippi, residing there for 9 months. 
-Our first do-it-yourself move to Maryland. 
-Evan's first Halloween and first birthday.
-Rick's attendance and graduation from his tech school.
-Back to back miscarriages.
-Visiting family back home.
-My 25th birthday and Rick's 26th birthday

We've had a lot that's happened this past year that has been very hard.  I am grateful that I have such a loving, supportive and kind husband.  He does so much for our family, and I am so thankful to be married to him.  We're really excited for this next year of marriage for us.  We can't believe it's already been 3 years and I am looking forward to the future! 

Hooah Army Birthday 5K

Our base has a "run series" from April to December.  I made a goal back in February to run a 5K and a 10K this year.  Well, I ran my 5K this past Saturday, and I won't say it was fun!  It was difficult--- part of the reason is that I didn't do very well with training because I twisted my ankle and I was sick the past few weeks, so very little training for me.  I did finish though.  And I jogged it a lot more than I walked it!  I'm a slower runner, just so you know.  My 5K time was about 45 minutes.  Rick's time was 24 minutes.  I'd like to take off 10 minutes of my time the next time I run a 5K, which will probably be August or July.  September I plan on running in their 10K.  October, November and December will be another 5K for each month.

This is at the first mile.  I was still going strong at this point.  However, they didn't have mile markers, so  I became discouraged pretty quickly. 

Rick at the finish line.  He finished in 24 minutes.  Evan beat him by a half second though!

Me towards the end.  With my red face and slouched posture (I was over it by this time). 

Our family at the end of the race!  I survived!

Honestly, I think running pictures are so awkward!  But I want to document my first 5k that I ran! 

Anyways, I am now addicted.  Seriously. All I've been thinking about is wanting to improve that time so bad!  So, I'm pretty sure that I will be training harder than before and I think I need to add some cross training in as well.  I am looking forward to losing some weight also so I don't have the extra baggage weighing me down! 

Couponing, Food Storage and Organization

I have recently started getting the Baltimore Sun and Washington Post on Sunday.  The reason is because I want to save money on groceries.  I spend way too much money, even with the the benefits of the Commissary.  It's interesting too, because honestly, isn't it supposed to be cheaper when you make everything from scratch?  Because I hardly ever buy boxed meals.  I make everything from scratch. 

I wanted a garden to help cut produce costs, but I recently discovered that we don't have a spigot/faucet to attach our hose to in the backyard.  What the heck!?  All I have to say is it's army housing. 

Well, I have been avoiding coupons because I think some people are crazy about it.  And with my previous experiences in trying to use coupons, it seems like all the coupons out there are for things that I don't buy, like overly processed and boxed stuff. 

I decided after seeing how much money I spend each month on groceries that I would try coupons.  I honestly don't care about being an "extreme couponer".  Any word with 'extreme' in front of it, isn't very good.  If I could just cut the amount of money we spend on groceries by 50%, I'd be very happy. 

So, on the 1st I went to the Commissary, which has the best prices that I am aware of for most items that I buy.  And I saved $15.  I spend the amount I usually spent per week, but I was able to get more stuff with that amount of money. 

The 2nd trip, I saved $20.  I'm okay with that too.  I am trying to give myself limits and I think next week we're going to start taking cash to the grocery store with us.  I am also coming up with a new system to organize my coupons, because right now, I am seriously spending at least 2 hours in the store.  That's probably going to be normal, but I'd like to think that I don't have to spend that much time each week. 

This week I am going to be organizing and doing more organizing.   Although we're "moved in", it's amazing how disorganized everything still is.  First thing is our spare bedroom has food all over it.  It's our food storage pantry, with a bed and two bookcases also stuffed in the room.  (we really need a bigger house!) 

Well, I keep adding to the family storage, and yet we don't have a shelf for anything to sit on.... yikes!  All the food/items are in their boxes still!

I'd also like to create labels and an inventory sheet for all the food that we do have so we can keep track of everything.

On a related note, I've signed up for a Shelf Reliance account through one of my friends at church.  I have a plan set up where our family spends $50 a month, and they send us food to our door.  What I like about it is that they have a large variety of food, including tons of freeze dried fruits and vegetables, which they really don't have at the LDS Family Storage Center.

It's the best feeling in the world to be able to know that you're doing what you can to keep your life and family prepared and organized.  And while this does seem like a random post to me, organization, coupons and food storage all kind of go hand in hand with each other. 

If anyone has a good idea for organizing food/family storage, please let me know!  I welcome all suggestions!

Lately...

We've been very tired in this house.  Evan and I have been sick as could be the past few days.  I've felt terrible, so it's easy to see why Evan's been ten time worse.  He's only wanted to cuddle and be touching you.  He hasn't been sleeping very well.  Thank goodness his favorite TV show "Yo Gabba Gabba" went to Netflix instant play so he has been watching that when he cuddles with me.  It sure does help him rest and stay still.  Hopefully, we'll be recovering well from this bug.  I really want to go to church tomorrow, and I am praying that I can make it.  I might have Rick stay at home with Evan because Evan shouldn't be in nursery when he's just getting over the cold/fever/virus that he has.

And a picture:  This wasn't even when he was sick!

Just tired out from a long warm morning running around with mommy. 

Good, Better, Best

That is the title of a very important address to me.  And it can be found here.  

Lately I've been thinking a lot about this talk.  Seriously, there is so much that goes on in our world today.  So much of what we have is a blessing.  The internet, TV, books, sewing, crafting, cooking, exercising, etc.  I seriously am thankful for my talents and interests, but I've been thinking a lot about the most important things we have in this life.

While it's good to have those things, talents, hobbies, etc, isn't it better to do something more worthwhile?  Instead of spending time on the internet or watching TV, it would be better if I was exercising my mind, spirit and body, pushing myself to learn more and to become better?  Sometimes I think I just need a big wake up call. 

Too often I've put aside the more important things for those things of less importance.  And, I've decided that I need to prioritize more.  I guess these can be considered midyear resolutions. 

Top Priorities:
1) Family
2) Church
3) Health (exercising and eating right)
4) Talents
5) Self Reliance/ Food Storage

Here's to the next 6 months of 2011 and, hopefully, I can remember these priorities for the rest of my life.