Signing Time

Hunter and Tutu waiting for the Signing Time to start.

Here is the Hopkins hairbow we took to give to Rachael. As usually I forget to take picture of what I make until the last minute.

Clarissa's new photo face, covering her eyes!

We were so excited this is Clarissa and tutu's 3rd year seeing Signing Time here in Las Vegas. (Hunter and I were at my sisters graduation in MI the first year). This year Alex and Leah were there. See Leah holding the Hopkins hairbow. Clarissa wants a jacket like Rachel now. She is a jacket lover.

It was great fun. I need to practice my signs.

Vegas PBS puts the event on for FREE so, it's the best kind of family fun!

My personal race for a cure!

The kids got Hero capes.

Let's just say it's been a rough year. Full of personal challenges and growth.

I have walked in to many to count Race for the Cures. I walked preggers w/ Clarissa at the point of stopping to puke. I walked 1 week to the day after having Hunter. Then last year well I was feeling sorry for myself and didn't want to walk alone so I didn't walk. Well I think that lead to a year of regret. My BFF moved almost 2 years ago. We did race together, we did lots of things together, not as much as many people thought but, we were together some times we worked at the same schools, one year we didn't, It's OK we still car pooled 3 days a week. Well for 2 years now I've been on my own. The first year was easy to pretend she was still here as we saw each other a lot. The second less and less and this year 2009. I think I may have spent a total of 5 hours with her if I'm lucky. So anyway Race weekend was here (Last Saturday). I had many reasons to not participate. I was on the committee for our Stake RS Enrichment activity and it was that day. I was decorating for the activity til 11pm (OK so that is not late for me).

I could not live another year in regret, so I walked alone. I didn't try to find anyone to walk with me. I even left my kids at home. It was a personally victory for me. I had vowed many years ago to never let the absence of another person keep me from doing what my heart desired and last year I did. I have lived my life, in such a way that if I wanted to do something and it was physically, emotionally and finically possible I have done it. I have traipsed all around the United States alone, and loved it. I was not afraid to get in my car and go, to see a movie alone, to eat dinner alone. I was not going to miss out on things I wanted because no one else wanted to. I do not want to lose that person. I know it is harder to go to a movie alone than in a group. I have even been to Disneyland alone. (I have a great time with myself. We eat at the best places, we never get lost and we always meet up at the right time. OK Laugh people laugh) I also love traveling w my BFF as we travel well together too.

So while I walked for a cure for Breast Cancer that has taken the lives of 3 of my great aunts, and almost a 4th (she is a 2x survivor). This year I was able to renew my own energy, to remember who I am. To remember I can do it what ever it is, I can do it alone or I can ask for help. Yeah, I said it ask for help. As I walked I was able to think. (I love walking for that reason, I do my best thinking walking.) I saw the power of one but, the fun of a group. I knew that I could have asked for help and someone would have come walk with me. I learned a lot in my 3 mile journey. I learned that even though I have had a failed attempt at making one new friend this year, I have made many friends. I learned that "all you need to do is call" and they "will be there". So next year save the date the first weekend in May! Come walk with me!
I love personal growth. I love being reminded that while I may have physically been walking alone, I knew my Heavenly Father was walking with me. I was reminded of the many times in my life he has carried me when I could not walk. I'm thankful for those opportunities to grow. I 'm thankful for my friends. I miss many of them but, their being far away provides me with opportunities to travel and explore.

Better late than never

Easter 2009

Hunter w/ the Easter Bunny

Rissa playing Peek A boo w/ the Easter bunny. One of the many reasons I love going to visit EBunny and S. Clause at Bass Pro. I get the best pictures as they are not rushing you through. We always get invites to their special preview nights (I wonder why?). I'll admit they are usually late on Sundays but, we go anyway as my kids get to visit the holiday character. We have the best picture of Rissa holding Santa's hand walking in the store.

Carrots anyone? I mean Cheese My mom made Clarissa's dress. I was such a good mom this year. By this I mean this was the only Easter dress she had. Yeah Economic hardship. We're bad she usually ends up with several Easter and Christmas dresses. I think we even were down to 2 Christmas dresses. Aren't you proud of my restraint at trying to keep a budget.

Clarissa loves Joseph Smith

Clarissa has a fond love for Joseph Smith. see this post from last summer. She continues to recall the story when every she sees pictures of the Kirtland temple (To her delight there is a picutre in her sripure). In March we went to SLC for my friend Beth Kelley's wedding. Rissa had asked for scriptures a few months earlier and I told her we'd get some when we went to SLC. I wanted to make it memorable. We went to temple square and bought her scriptures. We went up stairs in the JSM building and she saw the statue. She just had to examine it and pose like Joseph Smith. We also went over to the Beehive house where she got to see her name sakes Clarissa Young's room and wedding dress. I found it impressive that Clarissa Young was also a small girl as is Clarissa. I can only hope she continues to grow in her love for this gospel. I have found her a few night sleeping with her scripture pronounced sripures. She is an amazing little girl and can and will do anything she sets her mind to. Not to sure who she got that determination from.

What are you

I took the 43 Things Personality Quiz and found out I'm an
Extroverted Self-Knowing Romantic

Not to sure if it's true but, I'm now intersted in reading the book.

It's almost Summer fun group time.

Just thought I'd put a plug in for my summer fun group/ blog. It's almost that time. I can hardly stand it. Parks, Movies, and fun FREE stuff. I'm taking suggestions. I'm thinking this year I may be just a little wild and do it on different days weekly. Let my hair down a little. I like routines but, it seems so restrictive and it leaves people out.

Here is the link to my summer fun group. Come visit us! Come play with us. Give us suggestions of fun things you'd like to do.

on a side note, my friend Maggie is the party queen I want to be like her. I'd love to have fun parties all the time. I have 2 reservations. 1- I think I have party anxiety that no one will show up. 2- I think I need to do it all. All the decorations, All the food and it gets taxing and expensive cause if you know me you know it's all about being cute. Sorry It's an OCD I have. Just my thoughts. Check out maggies cool parties.

Hunter is 3

Happy Birthday Hunter! You are the sweetest boy ever!



Hunter opening some Easter candy. He is a candy fean!
The picture of Hunter in teh helmet is one ofmy favorite.
Chocooolate face, Hunter can sniff out chocooolate a mile away and has a sweet tooth.
This is Hunter at a year old at his grandparents.

Hunter you are my sweet boy, We love you. You bring balance to our family! You are everything your sister is not.
You are quiet and loving. You can play for hours alone with your cars or with your sister. You love your sister so much. You love to talk when given the opportunity. You are the best hugger a mom could ask for. I love to cuddle with you (although you're quickly out growing your mom's arms).

Some things about Hunter:
He Has recently changed his favorite color from orange to green.
He loves to fix things aka take them apart.
He loves his sister and misses her when she is away.
He is Momma's boy and gives the best hugs.
He is quiet most of the time
He loves his candy and chocoolate. (The reason for his M & M bday)
He loves balls and sports. (soccer and T ball right now)
He is our jokester. (We're scared for our future) He is always making us laugh. such as telling me I'm making his head go away as I post right now.
He is easy going and goes with the flow.
He is the best brother ever!
He loves Thomas the train and Cars and Handy Manny!
He wants a dog or kitten bad.
He likes to go to the Library with his Tutu.
He loves elephants.

Hunter's M &M bday party

Hunter's 3rd Birthday party

Here are the cool Marshmellow pops I keep seeing on people's blogs. I made mine w/ M&M's. It was one of the party favors in their gift bags.

Thank you tubes for the guests.

Toss the M&M game.

Invitations I made. They were easy and fun. I'm thinking of trying to sell them on etsy.

We had cupcakes instead of cake and I think this turned out so cool!

I love Fresh and Easy!

OK, anyone who knows me and knows me well knows I'm a bargain hunter ( I secretly like it when people thin other wise, that makes the game all the more fun). In fact I'd like to think I'm the queen of bargain shopping. If it's not on sale it's not for me. I keep thinking I'll start a blog all about bargain shopping. anywho. I'm not a coupon person. I like them, I cut them out but, I only collect them I never use them. Well unless they are for Gymboree. I never forget a Gymbo coupon. Never met one I didn't like or find a way to use. I'm addicted but, I'll out grow it in a few years. Speaking of Gymbo. Don't forget it's time to redeem Gymbucks again! YAHOO and I even got some cool coupons. I can't wait. It's my one indulgence in life.

Anyway back to my story. I hate grocery shopping as I never feel like I get a good deal. Well I have a new friend Fresh and Easy. They have great deals. The other day I got $120.00n worth of groceries for $50.00. We are eating better food and paying a lot less. My budget, yes, I said the B word is loving it too. I mean all kinds of meat and veggies on sale. I got a watermelon Sat. pm for a dollar. Grapes for a dollar. Who can beat it? I'm in love! So is my husband I got Halibut for 4, ribs for $6- food I'd never buy. I've even learned to make homemade Pizza (you can buy the whole wheat dough for under $2. It's great! My frig is full of fun stuff. I do have to say I'm weird I hate a full frig. I like to look and see everything, so that is disturbing but, I'm living with it.

Final a deal at the grocery store. I like to shop when I can find a bargain!

Oh yeah and one more bargain for the week Michael's has Cricut cartridges on sale and lots of other fun stuff! I can't wait to get there but, my bank account can wait!

Don't forget to get your Easter stuff it's all on sale/ clearance at Target. I'm done for next year. Did I tell you I have my kids Christmas done too and b days. Yeah I like to shop early. I'm sure I'll add to it but, if the economy doesn't let that happen they will be taken care of. I'll let you in on a little secret. I have a closet full of toys ready to be gifted. I had vowed to scale it down. But, with the economy as it is I have just been adding here and there. Some people have food storage I have present storage(Hopefully I can barter for food.), It makes my favorite time of year much more enjoyable. Ok I'll stop coming out of the closet now and get back to Hunter's b day planning.

Oh that brings me to my last bargain of the day. We went to M&M world tonight as my dad is here and is staying right across the street. Hunter is having and M&M bday party on Friday. I made cute invites, I'll show them later Yes, you guessed it I found M&M party stuff 50% OFF! CAN YOU BELIEVE MY LUCK. I got party hats, blowers, table cloth and wrapping paper. I was so excited. It did take me over budget but, it was/ is totally worth it. I also got cool bags to put the party favors in. I can't wait! I can't wait to share pics. Soon I'll have it all finished!