Memories

Last weekened we spoiled our girls. Really made the time about family and fun. Friday night we took the kids to a KHS football game. We did this a lot in 2007 and 2008, none in 2009 and so we had to go in 2010. As usualy KeHS fell apart well the whole game and was a huge disappointment, but the kids loved it. We had dinner at the tailgate party pregame. $10 fed the whole family, killer deal.

Saturday morning we got the girls up and moving so we could get on the road to Silverwood. I was the only one who had been there before and it had been over a decade, so it felt new to me too. The girls had a blast. They did rides I never thought possible. C and the two older ones went on one called the panic plunge. I never thought they would go on that but they loved it. Well, the girls did anyway. Amy coersed me to go on it too and it was scary and fast. She also took me on a crazy roller coaster that made me ill for two hours after but it was worth it. It was a surprise to the girls that the Parkers were there. We acquired free tickets from the lovely Anne Rogers from church. Our day consisted of bumper boats, a log ride, ferris wheel, countless airplane rides, tons of walking, homemade potato chips, juggling, a train ride and the list goes on.

Sunday we came home and surprised them with a Tri City Americans Hockey game. Chris got some free tickets from work so we went. It was kids carnival night so they played some games for .25. The game was over by 7:30 so we came home, put girls to bed and fell into bed ourselves. Exhausted would be a good word for the weekend. I think this will be one that goes down in the books as a weekend remembered for them though. fun fun fun

Love of a Lifetime

I really dont think about this phrase much. As many of you know the general roles in my marriage are reversed in several key areas. C is definitely the "great love of my lifetime." While speaking to a soon to be bride last night she referred to her groom in this way. A couple months back I really pondered this thought. It is so clear but often the depth of it is missed (by me anyway). We get one lifetime. When God gives you a spouse he gives you a witness to your "one" lifetime. THis is all we get folks..... this one lifetime. To say, " I have chosen to spend this time I have with you, all of my life", is an enormous gift. You are asking that person to be your witness in the good and bad, high and low, ugly and beautiful moments. ASking them to trudge thru the difficult spots and rejoice in the joys. This sounds better in my head, not always the best with words. Anywho, I really feel blessed by the spouse I have. I was overcome with a sense of honor thinking that I am the one that C wanted to be with for his lifetime. (I wouldnt choose me half the time, but he did....and now is stuck with me WHAHAHAHAH)

Oh, the luck!

The above photos are from the Tri City herald and look who is in them. That's right, he's with me. No not the joker on the ground, the hottie in the back.

There is a home off of 27th that is constantly being run into. I feel horrible for them. It is usually just their fence, but the paper this morning tells a different story. Not only did the most recent offender run into their fence.... but into their house. Over the years I have watched the morning bring disheveled fences. They will put huge posts in the corner of their lot (hopefully warranting off crashers) but to no avail. It seems as soon as they fix it, it is hit again. I would hate to be their home insurance carrier. One year the person ran into their corner fence and then proceeded down their property continuing to take out the fence along the ditch. What luck? Honestly, you couldnt pay me enough to live there. NO WAY!

When Mom's here!

Fun time begins! My mom is an amazing woman. When I was a kid she did so many things that were special and that I will remember forever.

- She dressed up as a witch when I was in first grade and brought "ghost pops" to my class. I did not realize it was her because her make up was so great. Complete with green face, black wig and warts. Classic!

-I never remember her losing her temper with my brother and I. Some days I begin at the end of my rope. I never remember that with her. She always had time, always made time and included my bro and I, not as an obligation but because it was truly what she wanted to do. I remember my brother dropping the "f" bomb in a grocery store when he was little. She didnt blink an eye but rather went about her shopping and met him at the front of the store. He later ate soap but she was stellar under pressure.

-She was my brownie leader when I was a kid. Being a mother now I realize that this was truly a sacrifice on her part. I know I dont want a houseful of girls weekly, but she did it and did it with flair.

-when I was in middle school I had really low self esteem. I was concerned with my complexion, my weight, and my buck teeth. She made it her personal goal to help me feel better about these things. I got braces. She started me on a skin treatment system and I stopped eating. Well, she didnt help with the last one, that was self-initiated but it took care of the weight thing. LOL.... can we laugh about this yet mom?

-Birthdays and Christmas were really special! We didnt have much money but these were really special times.

-My mom would pack my lunch on my birthday full of presents. I would act surprised when I opened the box at school (after the first couple years I caught onto this and would anticipate it) and she would come and bring me McDonalds. I spesifically remember getting Garbage pail kids cards in my lunch box in fifth grade. Really special and I have tried to continue this tradition.

-At Christmas time she would bake probably 15 different types of cookies. Our house was seriously like a bakery growing up. Better even. Have you tasted my moms ninamo bars or double decker fudge? You havent lived until you have tasted those....heaven!

-I share a love of cookbooks with mom. We love to pour through them and earmark things to make. The cookbook must have pics tho!

-It was always really special when my mom would come an visit me after having a baby. I was so excited to present her with her new grandchild. It was like the revealing the heavily anticipated gift after 9 mos.

These are just a few of the fun things that I remember my mom doing. A couple weekends ago she let C and I go on a late anniversary trip to Selah. When I got home I found these in the fridge. They are octopus hot dogs. One daughter did not find this appetizing, but the other two thought it was great. She is so creative and my girls adore her. I hope that I measure up to her in the eyes of my daughters! I love you mom!

Dani Moriah

This girl made me a mother! I cant believe I have had her on the outside world for 10 years! Am I old enough to have a ten year old? Amy, no one asked you! Anywho, today we will celebrate her tenth year of life with the fam. She wanted a blizzard ice cream cake for her birthday but I was hesitant. Those puppies are crazy expensive.....but C said that he would celebrate his birthday on the same night so I can get one cake for the two birthdays. Also.....bonus, ice cream cakes are half price on Monday. So, boom! $15 for a huge blizzard ice cream cake for everyone to enjoy.

For those of you who dont know us, we have one big party a year. Between the three girls we could not have three large parties and quite frankly we still get together with family on their special night. This year it was Leilani's party and she chose to go to chuck e. cheese with friends and family. Next year, Alli will be getting her big party.

Last night C and I got a date. I love this night and look forward to it. We usually get dinner (discount at Fiesta, 1/2 price steak fajitas, yum-o!) but last night we dinnered and then shopped for birthday shoes. heeleys to be exact. Dani's feet are almost as big as mine, 5 1/2. WOWZA, she is getting so tall! We finally found a pair at JC Pennys and the price tag read $65. Yikes, but we were gonna get her that one thing. Well when it rung up it came out to be $30 off. So happy! We then went over to target and got her a DS game she wanted, also on sale, and went home feeling accomplished. So today, Happy Birthday to my Dani!

Bye Summer

Last weekend at the B&B the owner served this amazingly simple water with lemon and cucumber in it. Delish. I know there cucumber haters out there, but really you should expand your horizons. You know who you are! Since we got home I have been implementing this incredible drink and have been more hydrated this week than all summer. I think it tastes like summer. Refreshing with a little kick.

Popcorn

Anyone else out there love popcorn? Well, I do and yesterday (after frequenting one of my favorite blogs: fistfulofcoupons.com) I found this and tried it out. Did you know that you can make your own microwave popcorn by putting 1/3c of corn kernels in a small brown lunch sack and microwaving it for two minutes? Be sure to fold the top over two times to ensure that the popcorn doesnt go everywhere in the micro. I was sure the thing would catch on fire, but to my delight it did not. The first time I tried it I was standing by with fire extinguishing measures.......on second thought I should have let the fire department be dispatched here. Dang! Anywho, delish popcorn and completely healthy! When it was done I added some spray butter and salt....perfect! I would recommend that you listen for popping to slow and then pull it out. By no means am I assuming responsibility if you all set your kitchen on fire. So instead of buying three bags of microwave popcorn for $2.50, I bought 1 lb of kernels and 50 bags for $2.50. This will make between 15-20 bags of popcorn. AND, if you do movie night with the kids you can give them each their bag and let them flavor it to their liking. My personal fav is either the above mentioned or some tapatio and parmesan cheese, delish. Killer deal!

A Weekend Remembered

Last weekend C and I had the opportunity to steal away for a night and celebrate a late anniversary and go to the most beautiful wedding I have ever seen. First off, the B&B was called The Wine Country Inn. It was located in Selah and was exactly what we needed relaxation wise. There was no tv and no internet connection (which I thought would make it boring) that turned out to be a blessing. We had time to lounge in the hammock, walk the grounds, feed the koi and enjoy each others company.

We also had the chance to meet two couples while there, both on their honeymoon. The first was really interesting. I love to watch the dynamics between people and try to fill in the blanks. This couple was young, in love, and still not at a complete comfort level with each other. Their movements were awkward and interaction stiff. Not stiff in a bad way, stiff in an "Im still getting to know you" way. It was pure to watch them interact and to see this new bride and groom feeling what it was like to live as husband and wife. Truly it was a gift. They didnt know it, but it was to me.

The second couple knows people from our church and is moving to kennewick. Their car was decorated as one might expect a honeymooners car to be decorated. On his side of the car it said things like "I love sex!" and hilarious pictures of anatomy. On her side was talk of love. Their friends had blacked out their license plate and C was sure that was so that they would get pulled over alot and have to explain their car. Hilarious! Small world.

Our final fun on the trip was Rey and Diane's wedding. It was the most beautiful thing. Located at the Cascade Gardens in Yakima, Rey had traded electrical work on the facility for use of it for his wedding. Bartering does not happen often enough in my opinion. C did a fabulous job.....I get to brag on him. If you dont like it, get off my blog! I felt like he very eloquently removed himself from the service and put the spotlight on God and on the couple. Diane was so Beautiful! The family and friends were exceptionally kind and a woman named Belinda took us under her wing and let us hang with her family. We loved! Horchata, rice, chicken, beans, tortilla chips, salsa, and pork was on the menu....delish! Praise God for a beautiful weekend and for leaving us longing for more!

Hi, My name is Jaimie and I am a couponer!

So last night was a very successful couponing trip. At Albertsons Kraft is running a promotion that for every 5 items you buy you get a $5 catalina. Killer deal! So this is what I got

5 Oscar Mayer Hot dogs (or weiners for those of you who like to say weiner)

10 kraft cheeses (shredded or mini bricks)

10 cool whips

_______

2 ice creams that C asked me to come home with

Total out of pocket: $2.50

Wowza! this is a rolling deal so you can just keep doing it over and over and over and over.... you get the idea. I did this 6 times alternating with a friend and other shoppers were amazed. They were like, " you are getting all that for free?" Yes, yes I am!

Hi, My name is Jaimie and I am a couponer!

The other photo is of Lou's first day of school. She is soooooo cute. Today mommy get's a little treat b/c I am going to a firefighter viewing....I mean I will be chaperoning a field trip to the fire department. WHAHAHAHAH!