If Parenting were a job description (this is right up my alley)

POSITION: Mom, Mommy, Mama, Ma, Dad, Daddy, Dada, Pa, Pop
JOB DESCRIPTION:
Long term, team players needed, for challenging permanent work in an often chaotic environment. Candidates must possess excellent communication and organizational skills and be willing to work variable hours, which will include evenings and weekends and frequent 24 hour shifts on call. Some overnight travel required, including trips to primitive camping sites on rainy weekends and endless sports tournaments in far away cities! Travel expenses not reimbursed. Extensive courier duties also required.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
The rest of your life. Must be willing to be hated, at least temporarily, until someone needs $5. Must be willing to bite tongue repeatedly. Also, must possess the physical stamina of a pack mule and be able to go from zero to 60 mph in three seconds flat in case, this time, the screams from the backyard are not someone just crying wolf. Must be willing to face stimulating technical challenges, such as small gadget repair, mysteriously sluggish toilets and stuck zippers. Must screen phone calls, maintain calendars and coordinate production of multiple homework projects. Must have ability to plan and organize social gatherings for clients of all ages and mental outlooks. Must be willing to be indispensable one minute, an embarrassment the next. Must handle assembly and product safety testing of a half million cheap, plastic toys, and battery operated devices. Must always hope for the best but be prepared for the worst. Must assume final, complete accountability for the quality of the end product. Responsibilities also include floor maintenance and janitorial work throughout the facility.
POSSIBILITY FOR ADVANCEMENT & PROMOTION:
None. Your job is to remain in the same position for years, without complaining, constantly retraining and updating your skills, so that those in your charge can ultimately surpass you.
PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE:
None required unfortunately. On-the-job training offered on a continually exhausting basis.
WAGES AND COMPENSATION:
Get this!You pay the children! Offering them frequent raises and bonuses. A balloon payment is due when they turn 18 because of the assumption that college will help them become financially independent. When you die, you give them whatever is left. The oddest thing about this reverse-salary scheme is that you actually enjoy it and wish you could only do more.
BENEFITS:
While no health or dental insurance, no pension, no tuition reimbursement, no paid holidays and no stock options are offered; this job supplies limitless opportunities for personal growth, unconditional love, and free hugs and kisses for life if you play your cards right.

** AND A FOOTNOTE...THERE IS NO RETIREMENT -- EVER!!!

Blogs worth your time and $$

I added a list of blogs on the left hand side that I read to find out the best deals.
It would be so much work for me to scan all the adds and match them with my coupons. What I usually do is copy and paste the finds off the blogs onto another spreadsheet and then print it out by store and then go and match up my coupons before hand. I know it seems a little OCD, but we have gotten a lot of free stuff from me clipping the coupons.
Just a reminder: Winco does not take coupons printed off the internet, at least the ones here. Oh and Tams, you can get some great deals by reading the CVS blogs because they have great deals, we don't have them here or in ID.
Oh, and because I am dense and it took me awhile to get the hang of the lingo, make sure you read the right hand column of the centsible sawyers blog.
These ladies are hard core savers, almost to the extreme of getting too much good stuff. I just take what we need or if I will get it for free (without excess) I will go and get it. I plan to start a box of free stuff and give it to family or people at church who are in need.
OK. Start Saving your monies!
And a pic of my boy, he has another cold, as does the whole family. yuck.

Saving

So as I said before, since going back to work part time, I have been looking for ways to save money.

Walgreens
They have a promotion going where they have an easy saver coupon of $5 off 2 packages of their jumbo diaper packages, then if you buy 3 packages you get a $5 coupon off your next purchase.
I got 2 packages of diapers (7.99 each - $5 coupon = 11.00)
and a bottle of desitin (5.99 - 1 man coupon)
total 15.00 getting a $5 coupon off next purchase.
transaction 2
2 packages diapers (7.99 each - $5 coupon = 11.00)
total 11.00 - $5 coupon = 6 dollars
I think getting 192 diapers for 17 dollars is pretty good. The walgreens brand diapers seem fine to use.
Safeway
I just have been couponing it up! I saved $75 today and spent $75 and got a $5 coupon off my next purchase. They are having a summer savings deal going right now and only $25 more dollars til we can get .10 off each gallon of gas at their gas station.
Albertsons
They are having a buy 10 general mills products and get 2 free movie tickets
I have coupons for cereal and betty crocker items.
Office Max
Sign up for their max rewards and you can get 3 dollar credit for each empty cartridge. I have tons of empty cartridges and each set comes with 6 cartridges and is 35 dollars for the cartridges and 200 4x6 photo papers. Yeah!


Lastly, I bought this book

The idea is that you make your dough and refrigerate it and pull out the amount of dough every day and bake for that day. IT WORKS!
All I have done is made the dough (in Kitchen Aid mixer with dough hook) You just throw it all in the stand mixer and turn it on until it is incorporated (like 5 minutes).
Put the dough in this bucket and let it sit for 2-5 hours depending on dough recipe, this one is the challah recipe


Then put it in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
The first night I made the regular Challah.

Then today, I made hot dog buns for lunch.

This is saving us money because I am not buying buns or bread. This is the second batch. I have made cinnamon rolls, hamburger buns, and regular bread. I love it because it takes 20 min to preheat the oven, I rip a piece of dough out of the bin and then form it (no kneading) and bake it for 20-25 minutes and voila!

Uhhh... How is it Wednesday July 9th, ALREADY??!!!

Yikes. Time flies when uuuuhhhhhhh you are

...living

...working

...loving

...eating

So the fourth was fun O rama... and family O rama

There was pig roasting

Oh the love of pig

It was kind of gross to watch

But Oh so delicious to eat

And Bubbles!

These are so easy to make and soooo fun. Just take a water bottle, cut out the bottom and rubberband a cut out peice of an old washcloth on the end, stick the end in water and dish soap and blow! Instant bubble foam. I had so much fun with it and so did the kids!

Picking Strawberries!

Putting on makeup!

Monkeying around

Uncle Ben thought it would be funny to give Noah a banana

Feeding the goats

Noah met Uncle Bart

Oh and these were delicious (there was a chocolate bar in the center)

and the fireworks.

4 Months

Dear Noah,

Yesterday we went outside and I was taking pictures of you. I was cracking up so much because you would smile right after I would snap the picture. You are getting so much personality.

You are growing and growing more each day. I can't believe how fast these months are passing.

This month we have had some adjustments. Mom went back to work and you have been spending a lot of time with Nanny. You and her are getting along great! You have still been sleeping awesome throughout the night, 10-12 hours! Your dad and I still appreciate this because the weeks get a little crazy because of the new schedule.

You had your first cold this month and had to be prescribed a puffer but you loved taking the medicine, you were so silly. Every time we would put it up to your mouth you would give big smiles.

You also have been drooling ALOT. I still refuse to put a bib on you for this, so we just keep wiping it up with a burp rag.

You are weighing in at 13 lbs 10 oz all your measurements are right at the 50% mark.

You are laughing. (this fills my heart with happiness)

We found out that you love your grandpa... we weren't quite sure how your feelings toward him were, you seemed to always cry or get grumpies when he would hold you, but alas, you do like him and the reason you were grumpy was because he always saw you in the evening, your grumpiest time of day.

You discovered that your hands and feet are fantastic. You are using them more and more each day and grabbing at them!

We made a trip to Boise this month and met your first boy cousin, Titus. I think you two look like twins :), just kidding.

Overall this month has been great. Mommy has had a rough time coming to terms that she cannot spend every day all day with you because she has to work. But you are doing ok with it. Daddy and I love you very much and we both go to bed each night smiling because we are so happy to be a family.

XOXO, Mommy

Movie

So along the savings line, Regal is doing free movies for families this summer.
Here is the Boise schedule (giving love to Idaho) :)


Boise Downtown Stadium 9760 Broad StreetBoise ,ID 83702208-338-3821
06/24/2008-06/25/2008
Doogal (G)
Shrek The Third (PG)
07/01/2008-07/02/2008
Jonah: A Veggie Tale Movie (G)
Bee Movie (PG)
07/08/2008-07/09/2008
Pirates Who Don't Do Anything - Veggie Tales (G)
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (PG)
07/15/2008-07/16/2008
Nancy Drew (PG)
07/22/2008-07/23/2008
Charlotte's Web (G)
Water Horse: Legend Of The Deep (PG)
07/29/2008-07/30/2008
Wallace And Gromit (G)
Surf's Up (PG)
08/05/2008-08/06/2008
Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium (G)
Alvin And The Chipmunks (PG)
Check for regular Movies and Showtimes
Boise Stadium 22 & IMAX7701 W Overland RoadBoise ,ID 83709-1628208-377-9603
06/24/2008-06/25/2008
Jonah: A Veggie Tale Movie (G)
Bee Movie (PG)
07/01/2008-07/02/2008
Pirates Who Don't Do Anything - Veggie Tales (G)
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (PG)
07/08/2008-07/09/2008
Nancy Drew (PG)
07/15/2008-07/16/2008
Charlotte's Web (G)
Water Horse: Legend Of The Deep (PG)
07/22/2008-07/23/2008
Wallace And Gromit (G)
Surf's Up (PG)
07/29/2008-07/30/2008
Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium (G)
Alvin And The Chipmunks (PG)
08/05/2008-08/06/2008
Everyone's Hero (G)
Fantastic 4: Rise Of The Silver Surfer (PG)
Check for regular Movies and Showtimes

Here they are for Vancouver (yeah to the 'Couv)

Cascade Stadium 161101 SE 160th AvenueVancouver ,WA 98683360-882-5458
06/24/2008-06/26/2008
Arctic Tale (G)
Firehouse Dog (PG)
07/01/2008-07/03/2008
Doogal (G)
Shrek The Third (PG)
07/08/2008-07/10/2008
Jonah: A Veggie Tale Movie (G)
Bee Movie (PG)
07/15/2008-07/17/2008
Pirates Who Don't Do Anything - Veggie Tales (G)
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (PG)
07/22/2008-07/24/2008
Mr. Bean's Holiday (G)
Nancy Drew (PG)
07/29/2008-07/31/2008
Charlotte's Web (G)
Water Horse: Legend Of The Deep (PG)
08/05/2008-08/07/2008
Wallace And Gromit (G)
Surf's Up (PG)
08/12/2008-08/14/2008
Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium (G)
Alvin And The Chipmunks (PG)
08/19/2008-08/21/2008
Everyone's Hero (G)
Fantastic 4: Rise Of The Silver Surfer (PG)
Check for regular Movies and Showtimes
Cinema 99 Stadium 119010 NE Hwy 99Vancouver ,WA 98665360-571-0984
06/24/2008-06/26/2008
Doogal (G)
Shrek The Third (PG)
07/01/2008-07/03/2008
Jonah: A Veggie Tale Movie (G)
Bee Movie (PG)
07/08/2008-07/10/2008
Pirates Who Don't Do Anything - Veggie Tales (G)
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (PG)
07/15/2008-07/17/2008
Mr. Bean's Holiday (G)
Nancy Drew (PG)
07/22/2008-07/24/2008
Charlotte's Web (G)
Water Horse: Legend Of The Deep (PG)
07/29/2008-07/31/2008
Wallace And Gromit (G)
Surf's Up (PG)
08/05/2008-08/07/2008
Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium (G)
Alvin And The Chipmunks (PG)
08/12/2008-08/14/2008
Everyone's Hero (G)
Fantastic 4: Rise Of The Silver Surfer (PG)
08/19/2008-08/21/2008
Arctic Tale (G)
Firehouse Dog (PG)
Check for regular Movies and Showtimes

Sorry Tams, there are zero regal cinemas in Montana offering it. If you don't live in Boise or Vancouver click Here for the link. Showings are at 10am. Popcorn and drinks are discounted.

Coupons

Since working part time, I have been looking into ways of saving money. This week I have discovered that using coupons is a great way of doing this. Yesterday I got a whole box of honey bunches of Oats for FREE using a coupon. But I came across a deal that I had to share. $10 off a purchase of $25 at Lowes. I know all of you (all 2 of my readers)have home repairs and are probably going to spend at least that in the next week. This coupon is good through the end of July and I think you may have to use a card with a Visa logo, I am not sure but it is easy registration and they send you your coupon to your email address.
I guess you may want the link....
Press HERE.
I love savings me some monies.