Once in a life time

Josh had a once in a life time experience...............

On Monday night our awesome friends, the Clary's, took us to the Jazz game and we had dinner served. We were pretty much VIP. While we walked into the Energy Solutions building some guys threw us each a Jazz hat (for free). Now at this moment we thought we were pretty special. Well a second later, a guy walked up to Josh and asked him if he would be interested in shooting during the 2nd time out. Of course Josh would be interested- is that a trick question? I ran to buy him a Jazz shirt, so he was sporting the right team and everyone would know too. Then we went up to the top in a kind of scary elevator that had a man working it. It was one of those that you see in the movies and of course the idea of if we got stuck in it there would be no way out. Well we got to the top and ate some good food. The view was awesome, you could see the whole entire basketball stadium. Once the game started we were in our seats and Josh took off so he could get ready for the big shooting. To make matters better- he was shooting for money. No pressure. It's crazy because as I watched him waiting on the side lines with the cheerleaders to get on the court I felt nervous for him. Josh had never had so many people just staring at him. As he got out there each area of one side of the court was marked with the money amount. Starting at $25 for the layup shot, $50 for the foul line, $ 100 for the 3 point line and $1000 for the half court line. Josh was on the big screen and I was his biggest fan. Screaming at the top of my lungs for my 30 second famous husband. 

Once they said GO......

He shot the first...

He scored -----$ 25

He stepped onto the foul line.....

He shot.....

He Scored----$50

The crowd went crazy .

He runs to the 3 point line....

No basket.

Next is half court....

So close, it hits the rim, but misses. 

Then they yell out that he has 3 seconds to do any of them.

He shoots from where he is at the 3 point line.....

No basket.

Ya!!!! He walked home with $80 , I guess a $5 tip for a job well done. 

Who else can say they can get paid $80 per 30 seconds. Maybe a NBA player, but Josh felt that fame for his 30 seconds of excitement, nervousness, adrenalin and pure fun.

I was so proud of him. All those eyes on him must have been a little intimidating and nerve racking. 

Way to Go Lover Boy!

We had a terrific night. Fun with great company (Thanks a ton Becca and James!), good entertainment, good food and a bit to much nachos and cheese.The game was close- had to go into over time, and we came out loosing. But that is what Josh wished for so that they would have a higher draft pick and maybe, just maybe Jimmer could one day play for the Jazz . At least that is what Josh hopes for. 

 Jimmer has been a big deal around these parts. Especially since BYU made it into the Sweet Sixteen. We have heard the "Teach me how to Jimmer" over and over again, due to Josh's man crush on Jimmer Fredette. I am convinced one day I will learn how to Jimmer.

I do like how he is so known and the example he is to all of us. He is humble, kind and he really seems like a good person. There needs to be more role models like him in the day and age for our kids (and us) to to up to. 

I have never really been a TV watcher of sports, but love the games. Yet with this game I was nervous for the players and totally into the game. Josh on the other hand was a bit to invested into the game. He became overly passionate, but was eventually able to get over the loss. 

March Madness is coming to an end, and I am proud to say that this year I have actually watched some of the games and have show interest in my husbands passion of basketball and the big deal of March Madness.
Go Jazz!!

And Good Job BYU for getting so far!
James is such a BYU fan. Anytime he see's daddy wearing his BYU shirt he wants to be just like him. He will say BYU Cougars when ever he sees the slogan or sign. And he just loves getting all decked out and supporting good old BYU.

James's Quotables and Notables

 James's normal night time routine includes:
 read scriptures, kneel down and pray, read 2 books (usually dinosaur books lately) while James finishes his sippy of milk, brush teeth while we sing the song "If all the raindrops were lemon drops and gum drops.........standing outside with my mouth open wide.... Uh, uh, uh. uh .... " ( this seems to be the only way lately to have him open his mouth to brush his teeth), then last but not least singing songs and snuggling.
On one particular night while I lay next to him, he put his arm around my neck and snuggled and then I looked at him and said "James I love you." He said back to me without a pause "Momma I love you." That was the first time he said that without me asking him to say it back to me. It was the dearest sentence I have heard come out of his mouth. I just hugged him and told him how wonderful and special he is to me.
This little guy has been talking a ton lately. I even find himself talking to all his toys and to the baby too.
I have noticed that every stage of life so far for James has been a blast. Seeing him progress and grow just shows me how fast life does pass before my eyes and how just these small little moments develop into the boy/ man he will become one day.



Rachel at 7 months

Little lady, you are now 7 months old and always moving. 

Some of your favorite things to do are:

• To roll all over the place. I can turn around to do something and you have already rolled all the way across the room.
• You love to eat oatmeal, rice cereal, sweet potato's, carrots, squash and mixed veggies.
• Gnawing on pizza crust, but recently with your 2 new bottom teeth you actually end up ripping it apart, as though you are T-Rex or something.
• You love love fruit, but I have been very strict on not giving you any, so that hopefully when you are older you will like your veggies. But I have given you some banana and you get so excited and anxious for more. 
• Being held is still one of your favorite things, but you do so much better not being held all the time, you are actually allowing mommy to get somethings done around the house.
• You love to move and you prefer sitting up or being on all 4's and rocking back and forth back and forth. 
• Being with your mommy is one of your favorites. When you are with someone else, you will be fine until I come in the room again. Then you start to get a little sad- as though you are saying "Come on Mommy, hold me".
• You love having a silk blanket or you mini blanket right next to your face when you sleep. 
• Sucking your thumb is now a must when you go to sleep. This is one of my favorite things too, because it indicates that you are so ready for bed.
• You love your daddy and how he makes you laugh. You will see him smiling at you from across the room and you will giggle so much when he comes towards you with the tickle claw.
• Big brother is someone who you can just watch for hours and you love to take anything he is playing with, but he has finally caught on that if he wants something you have, all he has to do is exchange it with something (anything- you don't really care yet, as long as it's something you can put in your mouth).

Somethings you do not like are:

• Green beans, any type of baby meat, and not being fed when everyone else is eating.
• When mommy doesn't put you to sleep on time and you are overly tired.
• Dirty diapers, your poor cute and dimply butt hates being dirty.
• When you roll into a couch and can't figure out how to keep going.

 

You love to stick your tongue out all the time. When I was taking pictures of you, you stuck it out probably 80 % of the time.You are one silly girl. 

I love hearing you shriek when daddy or I tickle you or grab your thighs.

James is a great brother to you and actually likes having you around him the majority of the time. While James is watching a show I will sometimes have you sit by him and you two do great together, as long as you have something in your hands to play with. 

You always have to taste whatever is in your hands. It goes- grab, hold, mouth, touch, mouth, repeat again.

Your Grandma and Grandpa came to visit you. You loved it, they spoiled you with so much love. 

Nana always loves to cover you with kisses. 

Your Grandma, Grandpa and Nana just love your little spirit and can't get enough of you.

Just this last month I feel that you have grown from a little baby to a little girl. 

You are so aware with things around you and you can get around on your stomach, knees and your little push. I love watching you do your push-ups.

It's crazy that you will be crawling any day now. I was about to help you learn how to crawl, but then thought to myself- Why teach her, she is going to be crawling and walking the rest of her life.

I was reminded:

"Let them be little, because they are only that way for a little."

It was finally nice enough to take you for a walk in the double stroller.  I was so excited. You fussed a little while I put you in, next to James, but once we started going you loved it so much that you fell asleep.

I probably used the Johnny Jumper more this month than any other and you like it for about the first 10 minutes, then you seem to want out. I don't think it will last much longer.

You have the wings of an angel

You have made me a better person.

You create so much joy in my life every single day.

You allow me to understand just how much our Father in Heaven loves me.

You are my angel here on earth.

YOU GIVE ME WINGS TO FLY, 

as I completely love being your 

MOMMY.

FYI: The first three pictures are some of my first ones done with my new camera and photoshop. I am just learning, but this is a start.

Photoshoot with just us girls

 

During my sisters visit, she took a few pictures of my sweetie and I. I love the color and I just love how dang cute Rach is. Check out her photo's that I took, but she edited ( amberholtphotography.blogspot.com) she's a beauty with her little handsome man. Thanks Amby Bamby for more fun pictures. Now I just need to develop them and get them hung in my house to show off. Love you so much and thanks a million for creating these memories I can always look back at . Oh these moments are passing oh so fast. Look at her, she is already standing with help and so ready to almost crawl.
I love her little chunky cheeks and legs.
You are the bomb Amber, thanks again!!

Coupon Craz

For the longest time I have been wanting to save money while shopping. I mean I don't bring in any money anymore because I get to be with the kiddo's. So I thought if I save money it is almost like making money too, right?

Well at the end of December I subscribed to the Daily Herald. I guess the mail man had a hard time finding us, so I didn''t receive all of them. While they did accumulate, I had no idea what to do with all of them, so my stack kept on getting bigger and bigger as weeks passed. Well, I met a girl who does Savvy Shopper and I went shopping with her. I guess I felt overwhelmed and like I wouldn't be very successful. I never use coupons so it was a total new thing to me. Lauren was awesome, she totally hooked me up. Thanks to a worker at Walgreens too, she helped us out a ton. As I saw the savings I was making, it gave me a high that felt so good. We also went to Rite Aid too, which wasn't as great, but still pretty good. 

So here is my first shopping trip:

 2 Right Guard Body Wash
4 Huggies Diaper Wipes in Containers (72 ct each)
2 Huggies Diaper Packs (36 each)
3 Cascade dishwasher soap
2 Ocean Spray 100% Juice
3 Kellogg's Cereal
4 Febreze
2 Lysol Fabric Mist
5 Gain Dish Liquid
3 Venus Embrace Razors (2 blades in each)
3 Colgate Toothpaste
3 Packs of Halls Drops
4 Hershey Chocolate Assorted Packages
4 lg Reese's Mini Bags
6 Aerosol Hairspray (Finesse)
2 Hairspray (Finesse)
2 in 1 Shampoo/ Conditioner (Finesse)
6 Shampoo( Finesse)
6 Conditioner (Finesse)
1 Freezer Pops
 Bubbles4 Coloring and Activity Books (Disney)

Did I save money?

Oh ya!!

Walgreens:
Total Cost at Regular Price: $244.75
Spent: $61.00
Saved:$ 183.75

Rite Aid:
Total Cost at Regular Price: $84.15
Spent: $25.49
Saved: $58.66
So I was happy with my savings. I was told that the deals I got weren't even the greatest and that I could have done even better. Well I guess I am learning and when I saw how much I saved I was jumping for joy.

So today after a few nights of cutting out all the many coupons from December (hours on end and staying up until 4 a.m., so my little guy wouldn't trample all over them was not fun at all. But today I finally felt organized and like I just might be able to go on my  own. Couponing is like another language to me, so I really was intimidated by the whole thing. So I took off  with my huge binder in hand and told Josh I was going to save money. First stop I totally questioned one of the workers on a few things I didn't understand. She was super nice, so that made it so much more easy. But I forgot that new shipment comes in tomorrow, so lots of the stuff I went for was out of stock. Darn it. But these were the findings I did get:

 2 Listerine Mouthwash
3 Jumbo packs of diapers (each one was usually $10.99, go them for $4.99 each)
2 Venus Razors (got paid to get these )
2 Hershey drops bag
Parsley seasoning
Giant Nerds
Lip Balm

Did I save Money?

Yes, but I didn't feel like it was amazing by any means.

Walgreens:

Total Cost at Regular Price: $63.37

Spent: $22.30

Saved: $41.07

Next Place I went to, hoping  I could get food, was Smiths. But I had to hurry, so I found the following. I thought they would have better and more deals.

1 Pineapple
2lbs grapes
5 cans Hunts Spaghetti sauce
3 Whole wheat pasta

Did I save Money?

Yes, but only if I would have bought these items at regular expensive prices that Smiths had them priced at before. I have never really shopped there, because of the high prices.

Smiths:

Total cost at regular cost:$20.78

Spent:$7. 51

Saved: $13.27

Well, I did learn some new things today about couponing and the greatness of finding a good deal and then using coupons on top of those deals, using Walgreens rewards and how a smile and asking questions can really educate you on saving money. I know that I still have a ton to learn, next time I will probably go with my friends who are more experienced, so I can learn to tricks too.

I am a believer of SAVVY SHOPPING. 

If you want to save money for your family go to savvyshopperdeals.com and get a few Daily Heralds on Sundays.I went to a seminar on Savvy Shopping and it did help a lot. I am excited to save money!! It really does give me satisfaction and a total HIGH!!

So here begins my experiences of being in on the Coupon Craz.

High Five for shopping and feeling good about it.

Happy....... Sad

So happy that my mom and dad came to visit and brought an amazing surprise- my sister Amber. I almost cried when I saw her. My family is my everything and I wish so bad that they lived really close to me. We have way to much fun together. Mom and dad only stayed for a short time, as they were driving through to go to New Mexico for a short time. 

Amber stayed with me for half of the week (which was not long enough). We had a blast together. We shopped, ate at Cafe Rio a few times (they don't have it in Canada and it's our favorite), she taught me more about the camera, we did a photo shoot together and am learning from the best. We got to sew some real cute girl dresses, play games and just talk.

I just love her to pieces. We had so much fun with our little babies who are just a few months different in age. It was such a happy time having her here with me, we are the best of friends. I love you Amber so much, thanks for making the trip down here and for just being so great about everything. We have the best times together being the wierdo's that we are.

Then mom and dad came back up and spent a day with me, we played Settlers of Catan of course (a tradition every time we see each other) until early in the morning, we ate at Olive Garden and just hung out and laughed together (not to mention Josh's famous dance moves- Josh was our number 1 entertainment for the night). Nan also joined in on the fun (she's our favorite exchange student from Tia land. She thinks our family is a little crazy and she is totally right, but she loves it.


Rachel and Channing sat by eachother and observed one another (not much interacting yet- Channing in 2 months younger, but just as big as Rachel) They look like they could be twins. How do people do it with twins. I was holding both of them at the same time, just feeling for those mommy's of twins.

James loved loved playing with Grandma and Grandpa. He was laughing so hard last night as grandma chased him around and played hide and seek and yelled out Rarrrr when he found her. He sure thinks they are awesome. He totally would ask Grandma to tuck him in each night.

SADLY.........

When they left this morning early, I was so sad they had to go. I always dread the day they leave. It makes me a little depressed as I wave goodbye to them and watch them drive off. How fun would it be if we were just minutes away from each other. I would be with them all the time. Oh... to only dream that one day I will be living real close to at least one of my sisters or my parents. That would be pure bliss. I already miss them so much and long for the time I see them again. 

I love you guys more than words can say and please come visit anytime you have the time. There is always a place to stay and you know you are always welcome here.

 xoxoxooxoxo

I miss you and am so happy you made my week, but so sad you had to leave me.

All Mine!

Holidays  are always a big hit at our home.  

Any reason to make a big deal about something, especially about the ones you love, I am all over it. 

This year for Valentines, daddy did an awesome job.

For starters he let me sleep in and took his little Princess shopping with him early in the morning. When James and I woke up we went into the kitchen and there was a huge balloon that read " Be my Valentines!" Then each of us had a gift and a card that expressed his love for us. Daddy loves us so so much.

Mommy got a dozen red roses, chocolate and a thoughtful card.

James was spoiled with gummies (daddy and his favorite), and a transformers dress-up.

Daddy's little princess got one single red rose (daddy's new tradition- each year give her a rose) and a Minnie Mouse stuffed animal blanket (which she sleeps with all the time now).

 Then I made a " HEARTY"breakfast for my lover boys.

 While daddy went to school, James and I made Valentines for our loved ones. James showed great interest in taping things together and coloring by dotting with the marker.

For dinner, I made one of Josh's favorite meals- pasta with artichokes, capers, cabbage, chicken, bacon and an Alfredo sauce (almost like Macaroni Grill).

Then we went bowling as a family. James loves bowling so much. He's a strong little stud, as he grabs the ball and proceeds to walk as far as he can toward the lane, before he drops it. He gets so excited when he gets a pin down. Pure joy was shown in his little eyes that night and I just savor these small little moments. He is growing up and I can't do anything about it. He is little Mr. Independent.

Then Josh and I  ended the night with cuddles and a movie.

It was a great day and I just love my sweet and thoughtful husband, my tough and growing baby / big guy James, and my sweetest little princess Rachel.

I am so lucky that they are MINE!!

A few small parts that made me smile, from Josh's love letter to me read:

I love you so much, every good thing I have in life came from you........

I love the woman you are, the mother you are, the person you're trying to be and the person you have always been.......

I know God loves me because he sent me you.......

All these words, pictures, thoughts, moments, memories and sweetie pies  are

ALL MINE!!