Derby Time!

'Tis the season for the Pinewood Derby. Last year Christian had the fastest car in the pack. This year he hoped to fair as well. He designed his own car and after cutting almost all the wood off he came to me and said, "Mom, when I am a dad I am going to tell my son not to cut his car so thin because it makes it so light and it will need lots of weights." He was right. The wood that he left only weighed 1 oz. Almost the entire bottom ended up lead. Brandon was a little disappointed knowing that his car would be faster with all the weight in the back but there was really nothing else we could do. He raced against 20 other boys and he took

2nd Place!!!

Yay Christian! He had so much fun!

91 years young

My Grandma Dawson turned 91 the other day! One of the these days when I have several hours (because that's how long it will take) to sit down and type out how wonderful and amazing she is and all the ways she has helped make me the person I am today I will. For now you will have to settle for the montage I made for her 90th birthday last year.

Now I know the only people that will be interested in viewing this are my family and they already have a copy but I am posting it anyway because I love her.

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Free Stuff Friday

Since I am into saving lots o' money here are my free or almost free buys this week:

1 Jar McCormick seasonings FREE plus they owed me $.01 cent
1 Secret Deodorant FREE plus they owed me $.01 cent
6 Large 12 ct. Boxes of Poptarts $.50 each
4 boxes Rice Crispy Treats $.50 each
4 boxes Totino Pizza Rolls $.30 each

The I Love You Project

Well the last time Brandon and I went out on a date alone together was all the way back for anniversary in Sept. I know! GASP!!! Since Brandon has been working 6 days a week and we live so far from our babysitters it's been difficult to get away. I don't do teenage babysitters so we've been stuck here to do creative dating at home usually consisting of one or more of the following, secret take-out food, a shared Betty Crocker Warm Delight, a Red Box movie or an episode or two of Stargate SG-1. Can I just say I look forward to the weekend ALL week because I can't wait to watch Stargate with Brandon. We are still on Season 7 (I know the show finished with Season 10 like a year ago).
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For the first time since New Year's Day Brandon had a day off besides Sunday this last weekend. We decided to "get away". Get away back home without children that is. I desperately wanted to go to Las Vegas but with the NCAA championships there this year, spring break and the weekend it was impossible to find a hotel room under $100 a night. I checked 20 hotels on and off the strip. We thought about

Jackson, too cold.

Salt Lake, St. George, what's the point?

Seattle, Phoenix, too far.

We tried coming up with another idea all the way until the last minute Thursday but couldn't come up with anything.

So home it was and it was awesome! Thank you mom!

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We drove 1 hour to take our kids to Brandon's mom, our overnight sitter, and drove another hour back home. We stopped at Smith and Edward's together. I have not shopped there in years. Holy cow what a fun store. We ate at The Olive Garden, finished our Easter basket shopping at Walmart and because Brandon LOVES me we bought movie popcorn with LOTS of butter at the theater and took it home to watch movies together. Why break a weekend tradition?

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In the morning we went to breakfast and had plans for more shopping together. As soon as we got out of the car at Denny's Brandon realized for the first time in at least a decade he had locked the keys in the car. Apparently he was so twitterpated with me, his beautiful wife, he became absent minded.

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twitterpated
1)to be completely enamored with someone/something.

2) the flighty exciting feeling you get when you think about/see the object of your affection.

3) romantically excited

4) the ever increasing acceleration of heartbeat and body temperature as a result of being engulfed amidst the exhilaration and joy of being/having a romantic entity in someone's life.

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What could we do? Well, we laughed and decided to go in and eat our breakfast. We started to think of people who could help us in our predicament. We called my dad. He couldn't help for several hours. Everyone else was too far away. Then Brandon had an epiphany! He had a student exactly 1 block away who worked at a mechanic/tire place. He called a flight student we affectionately refer to as "Dan the Man." Dan was getting off work at noon and had a tool instead of a hanger and was happy to help us! PHEW!

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We ate our breakfast and talked and talked and talked. That is what Brandon and I have always done best for 16 years. We reflected on our faith, our kids, our life, what we wanted to be when we grow up. . .

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As it got closer to noon we left the restaurant and waited outside. We must have been quite a sight. There we sat the two of us on a big cement barrier separating Denny's parking lot from the business establishment next door. As we sat there dangling our legs we bonked shoulders over and over as we talked and talked and talked. This time we talked about how some couples would have been really bothered by the locked keys in the car. It could have caused a fight or mean sarcastic comments or something else. Instead we laughed about the time I did it 3 times in one day. As we sat there we tried to remember the last time we were mad at each other. The only date we could come up with was Feb 13 of last year, 2008. We think we may have had a disagreement since then but can't remember when or what. We decided that is a great thing. :) We talked about how spouses take on character traits of the other spouse. How I used to be much stronger willed and now I'm much more laid back like Brandon. We decided that too is a great thing. :) I remember something President Hinckley said in a talk during a General Conference a few years ago he said he and Marjorie had NEVER had one major fight or quarrel. That their marriage had been ideal. I remember hearing that thinking, "That's us!!!" I often hear people talk about how marriage has it's ups and down, ebs and flows. While life in general has had ups and downs our marriage never has. I know that sounds like a total lie but I promise it is true. Now we are by far not perfect people but we get along really well. Anyway back to the story. . .As we sat there both of us commented on how much we say, "I love you." It just spills out of our mouths, all day, every day. We don't even think about it. It just comes out. And that's when I got my idea. I decided to count how many times we say "I love you" in one day, from the time we wake up to the time we go to bed.
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So it started yesterday morning my I Love You Project and the result is 31. I quietly kept track all day long and "I love you" #31 was said as we both drifted off to sleep. Now I'm not any sort of relationship expert and my experiment is by no means official or scientific but I'm thinking 31 is a pretty good number.
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Post edit:

At approximately 12:30pm Saturday we got back into our car and our weekend date resumed! Just in case you were wondering. :)

My life according to Facebook

If you are not a Facebook user you are really missing out on a world of excitement. Besides re-connecting with long lost friends and family members Facebook will tell you all kinds of things about yourself. You can take a plethora of quizzes just in case you need to discover your internet identity.



Like:

What's your real name?
Which 80's band are you?
What is your Japanese name?
Which Simpson's character are you?
Are you in love?
What will happen to you in 2009?
Are you a true Southerner?

Some of them appear to be quite useful particularly if you are not good at making decisions. Like: What should you be for Halloween?

I admit I took the bait.

According to Facebook I am 16 years old. Seriously! LOL After filling out a short questionnaire about my health habits I am biologically less than half my age! I'm not sure if I should be offended or flattered. Anyone want to be 16 again? Not me.



Then I took the "What kind of Mother are you?" quiz


The result is: Susie Homemaker

You my dear are a Susie Homemaker!!! Walk into your house and the sweet smell of baking is in the air!!! There are fresh flowers placed by the front foyer, in the ladies room and at the bedside table. The childrens artwork is on full display in the kitchen and not on magnets but hung on the wall perfectly. You my dear have a craft center for the children, scheduled playdates weeks in advanced and annual parties that no one else can live up too. The only little secret you carry is that if things weren't so tidy you'd crack! It's ok though!!! Be who you are.. just try to let loose once in a while and find some time to play in that sand box with the kids and get a little dirty too!!!


This one is partially true see:

Not hung perfectly but also not on the fridge.

Craft center. LOL Got to keep it somewhere. Right?

Only problem. I Despise cleaning. Really. I keep things clean because I have too but I certainly wouldn't crack if they weren't. And with my kids, I get plenty dirty. LOL


Then I learned something I never knew.

I should be living in Seattle.

"You are tired of the scorching sun and the heat. You want to go somewhere were you can enjoy the rain and the ocean and feel like you are at home. You want to go to the top of the space needle and see everything around you. You have an adventurous spirit that is itching to explore."

And finally:

Stephanie took What color is your personality? quiz and the result is Yellow You are Yellow, I can't think of a happier color!! It is a color of Sunlight, joy, happiness, earth, optimism, intelligence, idealism, wealth, summer, hope, and friendship..

So there you have it everything you wanted to know about me and then some at least according to Facebook.

Luck o' the Irish

Happy St. Patties Day!

Yet another year, another leprechaun trap, and no caught leprechaun.

Christian preparing his trap. This has been a yearly event for the last 4 years. He has studied leprechauns extensively and is certain someday he WILL catch one.

I have no clue what this was for but it was important!

And our St Pattie's Day culmination, green shamrock pancakes, green applesauce, and green eggs and ham. The picture does not do them justice. They were greener in real life. I contemplated making it all greener but after the 12th drop of food coloring I started to get sick!

My very favorite part of the whole thing this year was Parker's comment to Christian. Some preface, Christian has thoroughly indoctrinated us on Irish folklore and leprechaun magic.

Christian: "I cannot understand how they are getting out every year."

Parker: "Well you know Christian leprechauns are MAGIC (with much sarcasm) they can get out of traps."

I love that kid! He's all about keeping it real! LOL

Because I'm cool like that

I don't know if anyone cares but it really doesn't matter because it's my blog.

I got more free and almost free stuff today.

Want to see?

Today at Albertson's I got:

1 jug Treetop Trim Juice $ .50 cents

1 McCormick jar parsley flakes $-.01 cents (yes they owed me a penny!)

8 bags Hersey and M&M Mars Easter Candies $1.02/bag
like Cadbury mini eggs, mini Reester bunnies, Robin eggs, Starburst jelly beans. . .

6 cans Pringles FREE

6 15 stick packs Wrigley gum FREE

3 bags Bird's Eye Steamfresh Frozen Veggies .33/bag

Total out of pocket today including sales tax $10.45

I saved $44.59!

Once again YAY me! :)

Wings as Eagles

“But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary; and they shall walk, and faint.” (Isaiah 40:31)

24 months ago

Brandon got better after almost 4 years
The nightmare ended
Life started moving forward again
A miracle happened
Prayers were answered
Dreams started coming true

Oh and testimonies were increased!

“Into every life there come the painful, despairing days of adversity and buffeting. There seems to be a full measure of anguish, sorrow, and often heartbreak for everyone, including those who earnestly seek to do right and be faithful. The thorns that prick, that stick in the flesh, that hurt, often change lives which seem robbed of significance and hope. This change comes about through a refining process which often seems cruel and hard. In this way the soul can become like soft clay in the hands of the Master in building lives of faith, usefulness, beauty, and strength. For some, the refiner’s fire causes a loss of belief and faith in God, but those with eternal perspective understand that such refining is part of the perfection process.

In our extremities, it is possible to become born again, born anew, renewed in heart and spirit. We no longer ride with the flow of the crowd, but instead we enjoy the promise of Isaiah to be renewed in our strength and “mount up with wings as eagles” (Isa. 40:31). –President James Faust

So long Walmart

Well since I am still on my food storage kick I'd thought I share some of my recent accumulations. Perhaps this is a new hobby? It is kind of fun getting things for free or almost nothing. Perhaps it's related to our new situation here in Cache Valley. We are far from stores and money is tight especially with all the bad weather month after month and Brandon unable to fly.

Something that has really been great for me is I am no longer dependent on Walmart. In fact I maybe stop in once a month now. I have always known that Walmart really does not have the lowest prices. I know the argument goes both ways but if you are wise and know when and how to buy things you can beat Walmart's prices on almost everything even their Great Values brand. I can hear you all now. "What about diapers?" Even diapers are cheaper if you know when and how to buy them. For instance, right now at Walgreens when you buy $25 in Huggies products you get $10 back. Online there are $5 & $3 off coupons. Using coupons and Walgreens Register Rewards it is possible to get 3 jumbo packs of Huggies diapers and a giant pack of refill wipes for $11 out of pocket. Recently at Albertsons you could get Pampers for $2.50 a pack. Don't let Walmart fool you into thinking they have the lowest prices.

In the past I think I relied on Walmart so much because of convenience. It was 2 minutes from my house and they seemed to have the best prices. There is no such thing as convenience when it comes to shopping for my family here. It doesn't matter where I go, all the stores are the same distance so I might as well shop around and wait for the rock bottom prices. It certainly seems to be paying off. :)

This month I decided to spend the bulk of our food budget on our food storage. Every Associated Food store is having their case lot sale right now so it was a good time to stock up. I really researched and found that my Dad's store, Ridley's in Hyrum, had the best prices, beating Walmart and Macey's by a land side. I made my list and paired up coupons with the ad.

Each month our total food budget is $300 (up from recent years) which to some seems like very little but if you follow any of the Utah coupon mom gurus my budget is very generous for my family of five. And if you haven't figured it out by now we do not eat Hamburger Helper dinner. I actually cook almost every night. We also budget another $100 per month for other household items like diapers, paper products, personal Hygiene items, cleaners, etc.

Here is what $170 got me this month:

6 lbs of spaghetti

25 more lbs of flour

25 lbs of sugar

Case of 24 Chef Boyardee Ravioli

Case of 12 jars pasta sauce

12 cans mushrooms

12 cans sliced olives

Case of 48 cans tuna fish

Case of 24 cans diced tomatoes

12 cans black beans

12 cans red beans

Case of 24 corn

Case of 24 green beans

12 cans peas

12 cans pineapple

24 cans Cambell's Cream of Chicken soup

12 cans tomato sauce

72 rolls of TP

15 rolls of paper towel

Case 24 Mac & Cheese

24 assorted seasoning pouches

12 cans garbanzo beans

2 lbs dry pinto beans

12 cans Manwich

12 cans refried beans

6 boxes Pop Secret microwave popcorn

1 Gallon jug Pancake Syrup

5 more lbs ground beef. (I know I have a ton of meat but I couldn't pass up $1.30/lb)

This will last us a long time and save us lots of money in the long run.

I used some of my new food storage for dinner last night.

Taco Soup

1lb Ground Beef $1.30

1/2 onion chopped $.10

3 cans beans $1.50

1 can vegetable soup FREE from my Albertson's trip
1 can corn $.33

2 cans diced tomatoes $.90

1 packet taco seasoning $.30

1/2 jar salsa $.75

1/2 cup sour cream $.22

Some crushed chips $.25

1 cup shredded cheese $.80

Total for the whole pot $6.45

Feeds my family 2 meals so 1/2 will be frozen for another night.

Total cost for one dinner to feed my family of five using food storage $3.25

Heritage

Well here we are in Cache Valley. Who knew we would move to the home of my forefathers? Well at least a couple of generations back.

You see my maiden name is Bullen. Bullen is a pretty important name in Logan. At least I like to think so. My great-grandfather, Roy Bullen, was the mayor of Logan back in the day. You can read more about him here. My grandpa's (also named Roy Bullen as is my father Roy Bullen) cousin Reed Bullen was an Ex-senator and the Logan temple president.

The Bullen family still owns a lot of the land in town as well as Bullen’s Inc. owned by my grandpa's 1st cousin Charles William Bullen, Sr. is an agricultural supply and irrigation implement company serving small and medium scale farmers of the Cache Valley in Utah and in Southern Idaho for over 30 years. His company provides alfalfa and corn seed as well as irrigation equipment from several vendors in the U.S. and remains a chief resource for farmers in the area.

There's the Bullen Center next to the Eccles Theater on main street and even Bullen Hall on the USU campus. My great-grandpa and great-grandma even have scholarships in their names. The Roy Bullen Memorial Fund for Engineering Students and Annie (Nan) Nibley Bullen (my great-grandma) Scholarship for The College of Family Life. I have always been proud to be a Bullen.

Every year my entire life growing up we would pay homeage to our great name and family by visiting Cache Valley on Memorial Day. We would spend time at the cemetary visiting the graves of loved ones and every year I got told how much I looked like my dad's cousin Sidney when she was a little girl. EVERY year, I kid you not! The best part of the visit was alway eating at the Bluebird Restaurant downtown.

Brandon and I decided it was time to take our kids downtown and tour historic Logan. We also read the histories of Mendon and Petersboro online with our children. It is amazing how hard the early Saints, many of them our ancestors, had to work to build the town we live in today. History is so cool!

Parish Family Affairs

Here's a little update.

Stuff happens here.

The kids keep growing.

Brandon is finally busy. Thank goodness! Just look at his crazy schedule! I had to make myself a chart to keep things straight.

I made the most adorable meatloaf muffins in the oven. I had the bright idea of wrapping some of them in bacon. Despite putting the muffin pans on a cookie sheet I set the smoke alarm off 3 times in one meal causing permanent hearing loss I am sure. Needless to say, Easyoff became my new best friend.

I got a new dishwasher today! Thanks Chris and boys for coming and installing it.

Christian got an award for being in the top 10% of all 3rd graders nationally!

He's earned his Bear rank in Cub Scouts as well as 6 arrow points, 3 belt loops, and 3 academic pins. All in 5 months time. He's been busy!

Parker is reading! He is also a model student. Who knew he had it in him? He's wearing the pants Christian was wearing in the fall when school started. I told you they were growing.

Ella is keeping us really busy. She is in the dumping stage. She dumps everything, games, cereal, craft supplies, anything with lots of parts.

We decided the kids needed to experience a little more of what Cache Valley has to offer so we took them to see the elk at Hardware Ranch. For a meager 20 bucks we got a real sleigh ride and guess what? It smelled just like Hyrum and Nibley!

What was the kids favorite part you ask? The sleigh ride? Seeing the big Elk? Learning something? NOPE! Elk poop. Isn't it amazing?!!