Our Orange Belt

Jackson is still loving karate. He is an orange belt for now, he goes for his blue belt test next month. He works hard in class and at home practicing, so he knows his kata and should have no problem progressing. His class is from 6:30-7 p.m. 2 nights a week. They are allowed to attend the earlier 6 p.m. class to get extra practice *which is usually 1 or 2 students to a teacher* plus that is the first class and so the teachers are there at 5:45 for warm up practice... so he spends an hour to an hour and 15 minutes at least 1x week, sometimes both days. He had to get a new ghi .. his was too small after almost a year of karate.

Jackson has decided to forgo winter ball to continue with karate as they overlap. He is really committed to progressing and it is a pleasure to watch him do something he enjoys so much.

Mustangs Tournament 7/26-7/27

The Mustangs played in a tournament in Elk Grove this weekend. They lost all 3 games but still had some fun. Steven played 3rd, catcher and 1st during the 3 games. He was almost out for good on Sunday when a ball caught him right above the heart, after bouncing off the bat. He has a big purple bruise, but after sitting out one inning..headed right back in to play 1st base (and make 3 outs! that inning).

This was only the teams 2nd tournament... we played a team we had played in the previous tournament on Sunday... a mom stopped us after the game and said they could hardly believe it was the same team -the boys had improved that much!!! We were happy to hear that they noticed and only hope the boys continue to come together and play serious ball.

They have another tournament next week.. so we'll see how it goes......

100% savings!

Ok -I just got back from Safeway and had my BEST shopping day ever!!! I had 100% savings!

I bought:

11 Kleenex 200 count w/lotion tissues
6 packages of cookies
8 Oscar Mayer hot dogs
2 Wheat Thins Multigrain

Shelf Price: $95.42
Total after coupons $0.00!!!!

Plus I earned a 20 cent/gallon reward .. so I get 20 cents off per gallon on my next gas fill-up!

I am so excited about this! I started using coupons as a way to save some $$. Then I got hooked on the challenge and the game.. finding things I use (not generic) at lower prices.. it is fun for me. I spend about 2 hours a week cutting coupons and shopping.. but I have lowered our grocery budget to $350/month for the 4 of us.. including all health and beauty/OTC medicine/paper products. Not a bad hobby really.....

Just the two of us...

So here is a scene that greats me just about every day (Monday thru Friday) around 3:22 p.m.
River gets so excited when Jon gets home.. and since neither of them have been featured in any blog
posts recently -I couldn't resist snapping this picture. The lighting stinks, not my best photography
ever -but I love the result.

River - I never even wanted a dog. I never had one growing up and the idea of a dog scared me really. I wasn't real comfortable around dogs as I was inexperienced. But my husband persisted... he found River online and the promises started... He would take care of him and walk him everyday. We both get frustrated when dogs don't get enough exercise -it just isn't fair to them. Of course that lasted about a month.. now I take care of him, remind the kids to feed him (if I don't do it myself out of frustration), and take him to the dog park almost every day. He sits with me in my recliner. He cuddles with me on the bed before I go to sleep. I love him so much -I just can't imagine not having River here with me everyday. The best part... just seeing him makes me smile. I never knew that would happen.

Jake the Monkey

This is a picture of me and my monkey Jake last weekend. My cousin Logan was here and he brought Drilbit Tayler. It was a good movie. I got Jake at Teddy Crafters! He is fun to play with. Jake was my 5th animal!!

Great Grocery Day!

Today the boys were not getting along so well -Steven wanted to do things alone and Jack wanted him to play with him.. so Jack agreed to go to the grocery store with me. My Safeway started a Savings Marathon last week and when you buy 25 items you get $20 to spend off your next purchase. So today we bought all of this.. total $142.86... with coupons we paid $42 and have $20 to spend on the next purchase!! Jack was shocked at the final total -which was higher because I told him he could pick popsicles before we went, then he talked me into the orange soda, 2 Sobe waters, watermelon, Cheerios, cauliflower and cucumber -none of which were on my list!

In the end I got 8 boxes of Kleenex, 10 packages Oscar Mayer HotDogs, 2 bags of carrots, 2 bottles Ranch, 8 Ragu pouches (love these!) and 3 Planters honey roasted peanuts .. plus Jack's stuff.

I am going to have to go back and roll my $20 coupon .. into more $20 coupons... for example, I can buy 25 Kleenex at $1.50 each and then use a 50 cent coupon for each one.. I end up with a total of $25.50 and pay with my previous $20 catalina and my out of pocket is only $5.50 for 25 boxes of Kleenex --or 22 cents each!!

Not that I need 25 more boxes of Kleenex -although we send in 2 per kid for their classrooms at the beginning of the year and usually a few more in the winter.. but for $5?? I am not sure I can resist.

Happy Birthday Brian

What can I say about Brian? He loves the Tennessee Titans, Houston Rockets and Houston Astros and has been unwavering in his support of his teams since he was about 11. He is a loyal friend and someone you want on your side in an argument. He is an avid reader and movie watcher. He is a fantastic, hands on, always there father. He is the fun, everyone wants to play with him Uncle. He is diplomatic in his speech and staunch in his views, yet can agree to disagree. He treats others with respect and empathy. As is true with many in the IT field .. he bases his reactions on fact, not feeling.. and tends to not deal as well with those who respond on an emotional level.

I can't remember a time when he wasn't there for me. Growing up he was my biggest tormentor, yet my biggest supporter. He made sure I didn't get hurt by others and always listened when I cried (which was way more often than I care to admit).

I can't imagine what my life would have been like without my brother. In fact, I married a man very much like him... coincidence? Maybe.

So, here's to a happy birthday and fantastic 38th year!!! You deserve it.

Just another Monday...

It is July 14, 2008..
I am thinking... about school supplies
I am thankful for... air conditioning on hot days
Today in the kitchen... Crockpot Peppercorn Steak --I really hope it tastes as good as it smells..
I am going... to the Post Office later to mail some packages
I am reading... Talent is Never Enough by John Maxwell --awesome book!
I am hoping... to get the times for Steven's tournament games today or tomorrow -for this weekend
I am hearing... 105.1 KNCI ...country music station
Going on around me... boys are talking about their pokemon game
One of my favorite things... I recently found this blog and bookmarked it ..this gal has been cooking in her crockpot every day since 1-1-08 and has some great recipes..including the one I am trying today! http://crockpot365.blogspot.com/2008/07/crockpot-peppercorn-steak.html
Some plans for the rest of the week: Hook is playing as the free movie.. we'll try to see that Wednesday.. also hoping to go see Nim's Island at the $3 theater tomorrow (free popcorn day!)
A picture thought I am sharing... these are bushes in my moms backyard.. I think they are beautiful and I love to look at the vibrant colors of them.