ALL FOR FREE

Check out my stash of free items! I am completely amazed at the wonder of it all. By being a savvy shopper at CVS and using coupons I actually got all of this for free...4/12 pks of Dr Pepper, 2 bags of Lays chips, 2 hand soaps, 2 toothpastes, 1/4 pk razors and 2 zip fizz...In addtion, I made back 8$ to spend at a later date. So I actually made money on this shopping trip. Amazing!!! My new favorite webspot is www.moneysavingmom.com Every day there are new posts of what is on sale along with links to printable coupons. Why didn't I discover this sooner?

THE BEGINNING AND THE END

Today is the beginning of a new school year for Madison (7th) and Ethan (5th) and the end of another summer. It is always with some regret that I send my kiddos off to school. Regret that the summer ended so quickly and that we didn't get to spend more time together. Ahh...the anxiety of a working mom! I do however, love the preparation for school..buying new clothes, shopping for school supplies (oh how i love the smell of office depot!) and the anticipation of a new teacher.

I had mixed emotions when I waved to Madi as she boarded the bus for Jr High at 7:10 am...she is growing up so fast. I held the tears back and it helped that I had Diablo with me who was a distraction...He cried when Madi got on the bus and I had to restrain him from running after her! It seemed like her years in elementary school were LONG and these next 6 years I know from experience are gone in a blink of and eye. Before I know it she will a SR!

Ethan didn't want us to come to school with him this morning..he thought he could handle it all on his own. Talk about independence! He continues to amaze me with his humorous insight and 10 year old wisdom. Only two more Halloween Costume Parades to go!!

We are trying hard to follow the Dave Ramsey program to get ourselves completely out of debt before Landon heads out on a mission in 18 months. But, I need help! I would love your advice and wisdom on how you save money budgeting and particularly how you make your grocery dollars stretch. With the high cost of fuel, most of our "expendable" income goes to that and food. There never seemes to be enough to go around.

Lots to think about...

While on vacation I found out that my childhood friend, Stacey French, passed away after a tragic accident. She left her two daughters behind, as well as a new husband and step children. Each time I would travel home to Canada, I would see her at her store in the Food Court at the mall. We would chat, I would buy a diet coke or sometimes she would give it to me "on the house." We would trade quick stories and that was that.
When I heard of her passing, I immediately had this flash of memories that played like swift movie clips all connected together into one. I saw us walking to primary afterschool, stopping at her house to raid her mother's food storage for koolaid packets and jello that we would eat on the way...I saw us picking flower on the way for our primary teacher...and getting yelled at by the lady whose garden we "borrowed from"...I saw us in Jr High at Basketball practice...then as Football Cheerleaders...the list goes on. Most of all I could hear her infectious laugh playing as the soundtrack.
I cried for her family who lost a brother and a son just a few months past. I cried for her daughters who will not feel the arms of their mother around them. I cried for myself that I wasn't a better friend. It strengthened my resolve to wrap my arms around those I love more often than I do and to tell those I love, "I love you" at every opportunity. Our time here on earth is not our own, I want to live with no regrets.

Vacation come and gone.....

We looked so forward to our Utah vacation! It is hard to believe that it has come and gone already. Here is just a sampling of how we spent our time. It was great to see so many of my first cousins at our "Alley" family reunion at Bear Lake. It was a diet coke fest, for sure! We loved spending time with them. It was so great of the Utah Evans to let us camp out at their place the whole time. We can't wait to return the favor someday. The boys enjoyed their soccer camp at good 'ol BYU. It was fun taking the campus tour in golf carts with Landon and Bradley. Madi stayed behind for 10 more days to visit with the Péo's. Jeff flew her home a week ago Sunday. It was wonderful to see my brother Dusty and his family as well as Delise and her's. Not to mention spending time with Mom and Dad. It had been a long 18 months. Darin and his family were definately missed!

PUPPY!!!

Here is an updated picture of our sweet pup. He discovered the sunny side window here just big enough for him to warm up in. Both ears are up now. (one used to be floppy) He is doing pretty well adjusting to his new home. Madison carries him around like a baby most days. He is definately spoiled! He is getting braver by the minute with Sydney our cat.

Sleeping Beauty

Landon is snoring away upstairs. You can see from this picture his shoulder is bandaged and the immobilizer/stabilizer that he will have to wear 24/7 for the next 30 days. The surgeon told us that tommorrow will be a hard day for him once the block wears off. He also said that this surgery is one of the most painful you can have....I hope he does ok. He has been sleeping for about 3 hours now. I bet he will be hungry when he wakes up.

Landon's Surgery

These pictures were taken right after the anaesthesiologist did the regional block in his neck. He was sedated and was LOOPY! I got to ask him a bunch of questions that he may or may not remember that he answered for me. Oh, it is good to have leverage!
Landon's surgery went very well. The surgery only took about 1.5 hours. The labrum was torn completely in 2 places which was allowing that piece to float and get caught in the joint. (no wonder it hurt) They were stiched back together and the little pieces that were floating were removed. It was all done laproscopically so just 3 little incisions to heal on the outside. He had a regional block which allowed him to wake up from anaesthesia pain free. He should be able to rest comfortably most of the day without pain meds. We got home about an hour ago and put him to bed. He asked for Chipotle...so we know he's doing ok!

WEBELOS CAMP

Ethan had a fun 3 day webelos camp this past Thursday thru Saturday. He earned all the pins you can earn at camp plus recieved his "whitlin' chip" which means he can carry a pocket knife "officially" now. I'm pretty sure that getting being able to carry a knife was the highlight of the camp. His days were long...6:30am to 9:30 pm. He and several of the other boys slept each night at the leaders house making it a real adventure. When the big boys and I got to camp Friday afternoon at 5 pm it was 100 degrees with about 50% humidity, the camp was under a heat advisory. We had brought up dinner to eat there with him, however, Ethan was waiting at the picnic table and was ready to go home. It was too hot to eat outside! In fact he was too hot to really care about showing us around. So, we hopped in the van, cranked up the air and headed home!