happily random

Snowed in!

They're saying it's the worst snow storm in 12 years. It's certainly the worst storm we've seen in our four winters here in North Idaho. It started snowing Saturday about 1 p.m. and didn't stop until last night sometime. On our deck that was shoveled before it started, we got 21" as you can see by the ruler that I stuck in the snow. In the yard and on our road that had snow on it already, the snow is much higher than that. Joel started plowing last night and after 3 hours, it getting dark & the plow sticking 3 times, he had to call it a night after not even finishing our driveway. He came in completely wet to the skin and frozen to the bone. This morning, he and the neighbors are starting a mass snow-removal project, and this time I made him suit up in his snow suit to stay dry.

So, right now we are completely snowed in. Joel cancelled work and everyone is being advised the the city to stay home if possible. There is more snow expected today and pretty much every day for the next week, so we've gotta clear what's here to prepare for what's coming if we ever want to leave our house before spring! We have plenty of food, but we're low on milk and coffee. Coffee would be reason enough to get out of here! :) Thank God we still have electricity.

Winter is my favorite season and I love snow, but what is it they say about too much of a good thing? I guess I should amend that to say that I love snow as long as it does trap me in my own home. LOL. I have coupons that I need to use by tomorrow, so I hope to be able to make it out to the store by then. But as I said, more snow on the way.

Kid thoughts

"Mom..." Tyler began this evening (as he begins every new idea or question he says to me, whether we've been chatting together for 10 minutes or just started talking), "why don't you have any toys in your room?""

"Toys?" I asked. "Like cars & Barbies and things like that?"

"Yeah... toys!" he said, like of course that's what he meant.

"Well, no, Mommy doesn't really play with toys. Most grown-ups don't," I answered.

"Oh.... (thinking) when I'm a grown-up I'll have lots of toys in my room. And I'm going to be a grandpa," he finished.

"You want to be a grandpa when you grow up?" I asked.

"Yes, a grandpa," he said.

"Why do you want to be a grandpa?" I questioned.

"Because I want to," he said adamantly.

Well of course that explain everything.

Recipe Cards

Our January sponsor at iScrap was Melanie Colosmo from OScraps. I chose to use her recipe card templates. An added bonus was that I got to doll up a couple of my recipes for the assignment. TFL!

Recipe Card Template - Cookin' Up Love 1 (Melanie Colosimo - www.oscraps.com), Papers, Star - Wonderful Kit, Stitches (www.shabbyprincess.com), Grunge Overlay - Katie Pertiet (www.designerdigitals.com), Swirl Brush - Spring Frippery Kit (Rhonna Farrer - kaboose.twopeasinabucket.com)

Recipe Card Template - Cookin' Up Love 1 (Melanie Colosimo - www.oscraps.com) Patterned Papers, Flower - Forever Family Kit (www.heatheranndesigns.com), Staples - Refresh Kit, Scalloped Edge - Decorative Edges Kit (www.shabbyprincess.com), Sanded Overlay - Katie Pertiet (www.designerdigitals.com)

6 years & 1 day

Lucas is SIX! I spent the morning in class with him yesterday, bringing cupcakes to celebrate with his classmates. It turns out that a little girl in his class shares the same birthday, so she brought cookies to share as well. Loaded those kindergarteners up with sugar! LOL. I enjoyed spending the day with him in class.

Lucas, the Lego Master that he is, received two new Lego sets for his massive collection. I guess it's like money: you can never have too much. ;) His aunt and uncle sent him a very cool stuff Spiderman Venom, which he took to school today to show his teacher.

I still have plans to do a birthday party, but I must admit, I've been dragging my feet. Is there a mom out there who enjoys kids' birthday parties? Ugh. All the kids, the craziness, the noise; I have enough of that in my daily life! LOL. I am a big advocate of home parties because I think kids' birthday parties have gotten completely out of hand these days, but with the road to my house nearly impassable I'm thinking I'd better have it elsewhere. So I just can't decide where to have it. I'll have to figure it out this weekend. Lucas is getting antsy about it.

My couponing is going fabulously. I absolutely love doing it. It's like a game to see how much I can save. When the speaker at our MOPS group told us not to pay more than $1 a box for cereal, I thought she was crazy, but now I get it!!

Like this week, Albertsons had Scotts toilet paper 10 for $10, so with the ten $1 off coupons I "bought" from The Coupon Master last week, I got them all for 60¢ (that's the tax on $10) plus the $1 I spent ordering the coupons. Then at RiteAid I got a Quattro Razor, retail $6.99, for a final price of 99¢. For that one I had a $4 off coupon and then RiteAid has a $2 rebate. But what's even better is the Crest Pro-Health Mouthwasth. That was 3 for $12. Then I had $1 off for each of them, bringing the total price to $9. Then RiteAid has a $10 rebate on 3!! That means I earned a dollar buying them. Same with Electrasol. It was $2.99 and I had a $2.25 coupon for it. Then RiteAid has a $1.50 rebate on top of that, so I made a profit of 76¢ on that one too.

I admit, it takes a bit of work: clipping and organizing coupons, going through the grocery store ads, making lists & shopping at more than one store. But it is so worth it! I have cut my grocery bill in half and I have twice the groceries for that price. It's amazing what a little work will earn you. 

Back to the grind

School started up again on Wednesday. I must admit, I wasn't ready for it. I've enjoyed the slow days at home with the kids with nothing planned and nowhere to go. Now we're back to the morning time table to get everyone dressed, fed & out the door by 8:10. No more staying in my jammies until noon. I'm already looking forward to summer vacation. I miss my kids.

Our three feet of snow is melting away into a slushy, mushy mess. We've been hit with a winter "heat wave" of 40 degree days and 35 degree nights which is making a big mess of my beautiful snow. The road to our house is nearly impossible to drive up, certainly impossible without four-wheel drive. Oh, and did I mention it's raining too. Ugh. I'm not a fan of winter rain.

I have had a heavy heart these last few days, which I'm sure is just a combination of the kids going back to school, Joel going back to work after two four-day weekends, the icky weather, & post-Christmas blues. But here is a little verse I came across that brought me cheer:

Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21

2008 Not-Resolutions

Happy New Year!

Last night Joel & I had a yummy tri-tip dinner after the children were in bed, watched Pirates of the Caribbean III (still hoping they'll make a fourth!), played Lego Star Wars on the XBox 360 & drank sparkling wine. We even made it till midnight, I think the first time since we started having children. LOL.

Oh, and I've done quite a few things on my list of things to do for the weekend, except for the trip to the dump. I guess it'll have to wait until tomorrow. Oh, and I still need to finish that layout, but there is still time. I did pick up my pictures for it from CostCo, so that' s a step in the right direction. The Christmas decorations are all down and stowed (yeah!) and our bedroom & closets are clean (Double-YEAH!).

Now, I don't believe in resolutions, but the New Year does bring to mind things I would like to better about myself & my life.

1. One habit you'd like to break totally: Biting my nails! I've done this my whole life. I don't bite them to the quick or anything, but they aren't beautiful either. I need to remember put nail files everywhere.
2. One person you'd like to get to know better: Ali B. She's someone I've been friends with for awhile & I'm pretty sure doesn't read my blog to know I would like to hang out with her more, but still. And Melissa K. (who does read this blog from time to time) -- I miss hangin' out with you!
3. One random act of kindness that you'd like to make a habit this year: Birthday cards. I love getting recognized on my birthday and as adults we really don't get much of that anymore.
4. Something that you'd like to own by the end of 2008: A bounce flash for my camera. And a remodeled house... not that I'm holding my breath on that one, but I'm hopeful!
5. Something that you'd like to get rid of by the end of 2008: A few pounds would do. :)
6. One change you'd like to see in your life in 2008: A bit more financial stability would be nice. Time with God each day.
7. One thing you'd like to memorize in 2008: More Bible verses. It's such a blessing to have them bouncing around in my brain.
8. Something that you'd like to improve on: Saying "yes" to the kids more. My knee-jerk reaction is to say "no" when they ask me for something instead of really considering their request & thinking of a way to make it work.
9. Something you'd like to learn in 2008: I would love to start playing the piano again. It's been 12 years now since I've played, so it's like learning it anew! ;)
10. Something you're looking forward to this year: Getting to see Shannon, my best friend, again. Remodeling our house (the end product, not necessarily the process). 
11. One thing you're going to make sure does NOT happen in 2008: Hmm... don't know.
12. One person that you want to be closer to this year: God. My husband & children. I think those core relationships are the most important to keep growing & building on.
13. One old acquaintance that you'd like to reconnect with this year: Did that with Christmas cards. There are so many people that I get cards from each year that I haven't seen since high school or college. Lots of fun hearing from them all.
14. One place you want to visit this year: I would love to go to Yellowstone.
15. One thing that you'll move from 2007's to do list to 2008's to do list: Paint the house. It still needs it. LOL.

There you have it, my 2008 Not-Resolutions.

"But seek first his kingdom & his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Matthew 6:33-34