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June 30, 2010

Surgery and Summer Camp

So in two hours I am off for kidney stone surgery. Boy I hope it all goes smoothly. More than anything I am worried about the anesthesia, but its all part of the deal. Pray for me!
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I wanted really quick to let any of you who I haven't already know about my friend's AMAZING kids summer camp coming up in a couple weeks. If you need something fun fun fun for your kiddies to do this summer come check her out at
I am going to help her and it is going to be super fun! Kids will be learning and playing and lunch is even provided! So give her a call and sign em up!
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I am off to get ready for my BIG day! Hopefully on to the road to feeling like my self again real soon! Thanks for all the love and support all my family and neighbors have given! We can't thank you enough!

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June 25, 2010

Lil Update

WOW!!!
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I am BEYOND impressed how many of you were interested in my coupon adventures! I am telling you what, there is no high like a coupon high so I guess I shouldn't be surprised.
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I PROMISE I will post asap with tons more details so you all can start on your coupon journeys too! I have confidence you will all be coupon divas within a few weeks!!
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Today, sadly, I just lack the energy.
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I just got back from the doctor again. For the love I am sick of that scene. I have NEVER felt this horrible in my life. I keep trying to pretend I don't feel like I am about to die, but all honesty, death may have been easier than this pain. Thankfully, they FINALLY know what is wrong with me.
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I was up all night in terrible pain. I had Lortab in me and it was not TOUCHING the pain. So I called and got in first thing this morning. I was sent to get a CT scan and once that was done the answer to all my pain and suffering was pretty dang obvious.
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I have a freaking 5 CM kidney stone. The pipe that it is trying to go down is only 2 CM hence the pain from ... well yeah there. I am again on SERIOUS pain meds trying to get it to do its thing but on meds I am completely incoherant. My life rocks.
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Thank goodness for my beyond wonderful husband who brings my meds, rice bag, water, phone etc and has had to take off a billion hours to help me in this mess I am in. He has been wonderful and helped me in every way he possibly can. But he can only do so much...
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I honestly wouldn't wish this pain on my worst enemy.  Child birth was like a walk in the park and didn't last for 4 weeks either.
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Enough complaining though...just thought I would let you all know. Keep me in your prayers pretty please and we will rock the coupon world asap! Promise!
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xoxoxo

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June 19, 2010

Comin Along

Sorry for the lack of posting lately folks. My life has been very unexciting since I am laying on the couch in a ball, full of pain meds the last two weeks. I try really hard each morning to get a bunch accomplished but by 2 o'clock each day I have been pretty down for the count and back to the couch. They still aren't sure what is wrong...something with my kidneys. I am on my 2nd round of antibiotics and if things are not all cured by the end of this round, we are taking testing to the next level. Joy
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So there are not a lot of great pics of us doing fabulous things. I have made it to Cherry Hill twice simply cuz I can sit in a chair and watch my kids swim...not too rough. I'll post all about that later.
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A few months ago one of my bestest friends, Crystal, up and moved to California. Its been rough to have her gone but they are adjusting and making new friends so we are super happy for them. While helping her pack, she offered me her food storage shelves since they would not be going to Cali with her. I have wanted shelves in my storage since we moved in but it just never made it to the top of my list.
I WAS THRILLED TO HAVE SHELVES!!!
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Up until that point this is what my food storage consisted of only this...
I was determined that now that I had a place to put it, I was going to really get going on my food storage. Problem was, I didn't really have the money...or so I thought.
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First off, I have ALWAYS been a coupon queen. I WILL NOT pay full price for ANYTHING, never have! I shop everything to death and I am always determined to get the best deal. I have been very lucky and fortunate in shopping my whole life, and I knew I wanted food storage to be the same.
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I started to follow 6 different blogs that laid out all the deals for me. All I had to do was make a list, pull a few coupons and head to the store. All the hard part of figuring out what sales went with what coupons was done for me. I was exstatic!!
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Crystal gave me her shelves about the first week in April when she moved...
So far this is what I have done!
Funny thing is, I have spent half of what I was spending in groceries etc and yet have aquired 4 extra of EVERYTHING!!!
I don't quite have a year supply of everything...
but I have QUITE a supply of several things
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Like for instance cleaning supplies...
Shampoo, Conditioner, Soap and I have body wash coming out my ears. I spend less than 3 dollars total for all in the pic here...WOW right!!!
I have more than a year supply of toilet paper and paper towels. I hit a clearance and cleaned em out for $.64 a 6-pack of double roll TP. Rock on!
All this deodorant, feminine hygeine, razors and toothpaste I actually made money on.
CRAZY RIGHT?!?!
I have a variety of condiments, marinades, dressings etc and didn't pay more than 39 cents for any of it
IT IS VERY ADDICTING to practically rob a store by taking a cart full of stuff for under ten bucks!
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Wanna see a few secrets to how I do all this crazy stuff?
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First off, I LOVE to be organized! I have this trusty binder which I take with me EVERYWHERE. It is like a diaper bag for a baby, you CANNOT leave without it, just in case!
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I bought all these tabs and made coupon categories so when I see something on sale I have know I have a coupon for, it is super easy to find!
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I have always couponed and tried several methods and although this one is a lot of cutting out coupons, it has worked the very best for me because I have yet to miss a deal or waste 20 mins in a store searching for a coupon. Shockingly, I don't have very many coupons ever expire. Maybe 1/10 if that, so I don't think cutting them all out each week wastes my time.
After I check the blogs and am told the great deals everywhere, I ALWAYS make a list of what I am going to buy and how many. Sticking to your list is a HUGE way to save money. Only get what you came for unless you hit a clearance you just can't pass up
Then I just pull out my coupons I know I will be using and put them in a page protector. I head to the store with my list and my binder and breeze right through the store!
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I promise it is super super fun and easy!  I can't believe how much fun it has been to do something that is very important and we have been counseled to do for YEARS. My kids enjoy going because our trips are very planned out and quick so we can be in, out, and moving on to bigger and better things!
I hope this inspires some of you to get COUPONING!!
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If you need any help, just let me know! I would be happy to get ya started!!!
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June 15, 2010

Miss Madysen :)


Twenty Reasons I Love My Madysen

  1. She is a very obedient child

  2. Her nostrils flare and wave when you get her laughing really hard

  3. She has that motherly instinct, especially around small children

  4. She loves to read and is reading on a 6th grade level at the end of 2nd grade

  5. She is the first to help me whenever I need it

  6. She is a great singer and performer

  7. She hates fruits, veggies and meats but is getting better at tolerating dinner

  8. She is my only daughter and first born....awwwh

  9. She loves to wear dresses and skirts and accessories!

  10. Every parent teacher conference I have been to the teacher tells me they wish all 30 kids were like her and she is by far the most helpful. My heart melts

  11. She knows I love beds made early, so she rolls out of bed and gets as far as she can before nearly peeing her pants just to please me.

  12. She has more shoes than me because I am addicted to buying her clothes that make her EVEN cuter! She gets that sometimes, beauty isn't the most comfy

  13. Her favorite food is Top Ramen (I know right?)

  14. She has PERFECT hair. Thick and full of volume!

  15. She has a testimony and is diligent in reading her scriptures

  16. When playing soccer she asks who her team is versing rather than who they are playing

  17. She tries harder than anyone to please her parents with everything she does

  18. She is self confident and not shy

  19. She is very sentimental and would save EVERYTHING if I would let her

  20. She makes me cards almost weekly to remind me that she loves me!
I love you Miss Madysen! You are such a joy to me!

Love---
Mom XOXO




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June 11, 2010

The Annual

So this has been a rough week.
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To say the least it's been a terrible week actually
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I have been at the doctor's office 4 out of the last 6 days. Not exactly how I would love to spend my money or time but it was not a matter of choice
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They are still not quite sure what is wrong but that is for another day. I have spent most of the week on the couch trying to pretend I am doing fine.
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Except yesterday...
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Yesterday was my "annual" doctor appointment. Again, not my joy, but it was PAST time to go.
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I made my appointment almost 2 months ago so there was no way I was canceling no matter how bad I felt.
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I got to the doctor's office at about 9:25 for my 9:30 appointment. I checked in and sat down to be called. I flipped through magazines and ripped out coupons while all the other patients around me eyed what I was doing. I am CERTAIN they were simply thinking how smart I was to be finding coupons in the waiting room, not that I am a crazy coupon theif.
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At 9:50 my name was finally called. Sheesh...I could have taken a nap
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As we walked to my room we stopped by the scale. NOT my favorite part of ANY day
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Then we went to my room and I was given a beautiful one size fits all FLORAL GOWN. It was 100% cotton, worn by 10,000 before me and just as gorgeous as it sounds
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The nurse left and gave me "gown" instructions. She left and I began to change
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Then the discomfort started. Undressing in a doctors office down to...well nothing... is not my joy. After I put the gown on, I realized something horrid.
I HAD FORGOTTEN TO SHAVE MY LEGS
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I have been sick and on pain meds all week and it completely slipped my mind...until THAT moment.
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I was horrified! Not only was I about to be in the most uncomfy situation in just a few moments, but my legs assured any onlooker that I am indeed a MAMMAL.
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I was trapped. I couldn't do a thing about it. Or could I...
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15 minutes later the doctor arrived (apparently it takes people 15 mins to put this fabulous gown on sometimes sheesh). He and I chatted for a minute and then he called in his assistant for the BIG MOMENT.
He extended the stirrups (joy) and as he reached for my leg to assist me in putting it in the stirrup, I lurched forward and plunged it in myself.
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Even with gloves on, my legs were NOT to be touched. He did his thing and then I quickly folded myself into a pretzel on the table so my hairy beasts were tucked under my lovely gown.
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It was over.
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Thank GOODNESS
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The nice part was that he and his assitant both pretended not to notice that my legs were a few days away from braids.
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I came home and hopped in the shower to deal with my problem only to realize my razor was BEYOND dull.
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Naturally
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Sometimes....I'd have to say I DON'T have the greatest of luck
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Hope your week is going a lil better. Mine HAS to lookin up ;) 
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June 4, 2010

Like a good neighbor...

My lil boys have found a new friend and interest this spring. The minute our backdoor neighboor Kurt steps foot outside, both my boys run out to see what he is up to!
He is so sweet to always be patient and let them "help" with all his yard projects.
Today it was the tiller! Kurt loves to till his yard. It is downright hilarious to watch a person love to till so much, but nontheless, he does.
So today, Kurt taught the boys how to till.
I popped my head out the door to see what the 3 of them were up to and before I knew it I was running for my camera! He is tilling with Coop on one handle, and holding Judd's hand so Judd isn't run over by the tiller. Judd is using his free hand to shield his ears from the noise haha!
Having wonderful neighbors is something I thank my Father in Heaven for every day.
The people who surround me are salt of the earth.
Us moving into this place was a very spiritual experience and we moved here in blind faith hoping for the best.
It is moments like these, and SO many others that remind me that we are here to be around all the wonderful people in this neighborhood.
I am guessing that over the course of the next several years, we will be seeing a lot of lessons coming out of our awesome backdoor neighbor. I am so grateful he is loving, kind and patient with my boys!
We just love ya Kurt!
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June 1, 2010

A Brother is a Gift

The other day when I came down from the shower I saw this...
My two boys snuggled together watching television.
My boys are such great buddies. I love to watch them play. They are never alone because they always have each other to play with and although they are as different as night and day, they are friends.
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The best part about them sitting this close...
They had LOTS of other space to sit, but they chose to be on half a cushion just to be by each other. That just melted my heart!
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Love you boys!
I hope you are always this close and always turn to each other for everything and anything! You are truly lucky to have each other!Photobucket