The value of a dollar

I have learned so much since I have been married.  Having a husband in school and having a young child, money is tight.  I used to spend money like you can't believe.  I thought it grew on trees.  I was terribly mistaken!  I decided to get into couponing awhile ago.  I would have never known that everything I needed and more, that I could get for free.  The first month, I was buying a ton because I thought getting body wash for $2 was a good deal.  Wow, I was wrong.  I only look for free stuff now.  Everything I get, I either get for free...or I make money off of.  Like, for example...my coupon trip from this Monday to Rite Aid.  Here it is:

I got all of this for free, but I actually made $0.28...so Rite Aid paid me to take all this product.  There are 3 boxes of laundry detergent in that picture by the way.  Later that day I went to Walgreens and got 21 packs of gum for free...and can go back on Friday to get 15 more packs.  

I am just shocked at the value of a dollar.  I used to think you couldn't buy anything for a dollar...I was so wrong.  I am so happy to learn how to be so frugal.  I have a hard time spending money now.  It is hard for me to go pay for anything now....I just think about everything I could be getting for that money.  I am just grateful for everything I have learned.

I am grateful for the opportunities that couponing has given me.  I now feel like I have done my part as a mother and wife to provide for my family.  My husband brings home the money, and I do everything I can to prepare our family for the tough times we may have ahead of us.  I have been so overstocked on so much, I have felt a little overwhelmed.  I decided to call my Relief Society president and ask her if she knew of some people in our ward that was struggling and could use a gift basket of goodies to help them out a little bit.  She said there were 2 families in our ward who were really having a hard time right now.  So I have put together 2 baskets full of everything from all beauty supplies, to dish soap, cleaning supplies, medicine, air fresheners, etc.  I am just so happy that not only have I been able to help out my family, but help out others as well.

I am so grateful!  So grateful for everyone who has helped me and supported me through my crazy shopping trips.  I just love how something as little as couponing has taught me so much.

I just love it.

Life

Today has been great.  It is Allen and my 2 year anniversary.  It is crazy how in those two years, we have lived in three places, had a son, and bought a dog.  It has been an eventful, and crazy two years.  I love my husband so much.  I am so happy with the choices I made.  I know that everything I have been through has brought me to where I am today.  I am so grateful for my little family and am so excited to see what's ahead of us!

I love you babe!

Mission bound

My little brother Brandon went into the MTC this morning.  It was such a great experience.  My brother is such a stud.  He just loves the gospel so much.  I am so proud of him, you have no idea.  What a wonderful missionary he will be.

He is in the Provo MTC for the next 9 weeks and then is off to the Paraguay Asuncion Mission.  He is speaking Spanish.

I can't even explain the love I have for this kid.  He is one of my very best friends.  I enjoyed our last few minutes together sitting in the back seat of the car.  I will miss him so much, but am so excited for this new chapter in his life.  It is so hard to know he is back here in Provo, just down the street...but this time I cannot see or talk to him.

I love you so much Brandon!  See you in two years!

We got a dog!

I have never had a dog before.  We went to the animal shelter on Saturday and adopted a dog.  We named him Koda, and he is a pure bred, short hair, black and brown dachshund.  He is just the cutest thing ever and for sure the best dog in the world.  He just lays on the floor next to me all day long and keeps me company.  He never barks, and he is SOOO friendly.  Riley just adores him already.  All morning he would walk around following the dog.  Riley loves to pet him and say "hi" to him.  We just love our new dog so much!  

Car rides

Since Riley is forward facing now, he is just so much fun in the car.  He loves to talk to me while I drive.  He also looks in the rearview mirror and makes funny faces at me.  This morning I was out doing my typical Monday morning (couponing) and we were driving back.  I had some music going, and he just started rocking out to it.  He was head banging to the beat of the music.  Oh my gosh, it was the funniest thing I may have ever seen.  I just love that kid of mine.  He is so much fun.  And, in case you are curious what goods I got this week, here you go!

Even AFTER all the sale prices, all of this would have cost $59.16 + tax.  I only paid $0.47 + tax.  Woohoo!  I just love couponing.  So fun! 

The dreaded chicken pox

Riley woke up this morning with the chicken pox.  I feel so terrible for him.  He is covered on his stomach, back, neck, and face.  His fever still hasn't broke.  He is miserable.  It is hard as a mother to sit back and watch him like this.  I just wish I could make it all better!  We were supposed to go camping with our ward this weekend, and now we cant.  We were also supposed to speak in Sacrament this Sunday...and now we can't.  Bummer about the camping...but not bummer about the talks :)

On a happier note I went shopping at Rite Aid yesterday morning.  I walked out with all of this beauty for free!

Oh, and I made $3.17 too!  I love when the store pays me to take their product.  Thanks Rite Aid...you rock!

A good day

Today has been a good day!  Great morning couponing...then taking care of a sick child and hubby.  Now I am going to go make some cookies and figure out what to make for dinner.  Then later tonight I am getting together with some friends to watch the Bachelorette and help them organize their coupons.  Fun day!

My baby is so sick

Poor little Riley. I feel so horrible for him. He wasn't eating well all today and I thought nothing of it. We had to go to Winco tonight to get him some more milk and stuff, and he was totally fine. Normally when he is in a shopping cart, he just gets so excited and happy. Not this time. He just sat there still and so quiet. We put him in the car and the whole drive he just sat there and wouldn't move. He was a little whiny at first and then just went quiet. When we got home, I went to get him out of his car seat. He was covered in thick green throw up. He just sat there starring at me. I felt so horrible for him. He was burning up. His skin was so hot is was unbelievable. We took him inside, cleaned him up, and then he sat on daddy's lap on the couch. I just can't believe how sick he is. He is completely lethargic. I hope he feels better soon. I just love this little boy of mine!

Balancing

Riley is a crack up. For the past 20 minutes, he has been walking around the house balancing clothes on his head. When they fall off, he hurries and puts them back on his head and continues to walk around. I just love this kid so much.

I love my family

Today, I am just so grateful for my family. I just love Riley and Allen so much. They mean the world to me. Yesterday, one of my best friends had a baby. All last night I was just so excited for her. I remembered exactly what it was like in the hospital with my new baby. Children change our lives. I couldn't help but sit here and think about how our lives have changed since we had Riley. Riley is the happiest little boy who just loves life. I absolutely love him. He is only just over a year old, but he has taught Allen and I so much. I love Riley's laugh. I love his smile. I love his kisses. I love his personality. I love his cute little face. I love everything about him.

I am so grateful for Allen. I am grateful for his love and kindness. He works so hard for our family, and I am so grateful. Last night we just laid there cuddling and talking. I could lay in his arms forever. He makes me feel so safe in his arms. We sat there talking about fun times when we were dating. We laughed about fun little things we could go do now. I am so grateful to have Allen in my life. I love him so much. I can't even imagine what my life would be like without marrying him. He has given me the most adorable little boy. I am forever grateful.

Big boy carseat

So on Monday we switched Riley to a big boy carseat. Boy does that kid love it. We didn't have money for a really nice one so we had to get like the cheapest one from Walmart. It was either that or take money out of our savings, so we went cheap. Allen had bought my a food processor from there for my birthday in March and the motor went out after one time of using it. So we returned the broken food processor and got Riley a big boy carseat instead.

When we put him in it he was so excited. He couldn't stop smiling and kicking his legs. He kept making noises for us to turn around and when we did, he would freak out. It may have been the cutest thing I have ever seen. I just love that kid more than I could ever say.

I didn't know how much he weighed so I never switched him to a new carseat. Well last Friday my sister in law Maria took him and stood him on her scale and he was 21 pounds...which means he could now go forward facing. He just stood there on the scale smiling so big. It was just so cute.

A fresh start

I was inspired today by Shelli. She wrote a blog post about how she has become embarrassed by what her blog has become (I absolutely loved it by the way)...she felt like she went from talking about her family to talking about all the stories when she was angry or hurt. She said that she wants to use her blog for what it used to be.

I have too done this with my blog. I used to use my blogs for a diary. I used to talk about what was going on in our lives and post pictures. I now only blog every once in awhile and only about coupons, designs, give-aways, etc. This is not what our blog is for. From here on out, I will try and be better. I want to track our lives of what they are. I haven't taken a picture of Riley for MONTHS. I haven't written down all the funny things he does. I will be better.

I am starting over with my blog. I gave it a new look, and now I will be better about my posts. Here we go!