Super Shopping

Lately a lot of people have been trying to persuade me to take up the art of coupon shopping with promises of great deals. I haven't shown much interest until my Relief Society President committed me to simply add a local blog that "does all the work for you" to my google reader and watch it for a while and see how it works. I figured I could do that much. Within days I was sucked into the world of deals. A post arrived in my google reader about how to get diapers for pennies at K-mart. I also put together my own super deal noticing a sale at Rite Aid, an online coupon from Rite Aid and a stack of coupons my sister in law Sarah gave me for Bart's one and only cereal he eats every morning, Honey Bunches of Oats. My girls and I arrive at K-mart with my coupons and instructions from the Utah Deal Diva and load up my two packages of diapers in my cart. I proceed to the check out and the nice check out lady looked at me like she had never seen a coupon in her life. I explain I printed them off of the K-Mart website. She fiddles around trying to get it to work and finally just grudgingly gives me the $10.00 off. So I leave the store feeling proud that I got such a good deal on diapers.
Next stop Rite Aid only to discover they are completely out of Bart's cereal. I know sometimes they will do a rain check when they run out so I go to the counter and ask the lady. She said that wouldn't be a problem and then I lay down all my coupons and in a confused panic she calls the manager. The manager arrives and is completely bewildered by the predicament and calls some boss guy from in back of the store. He was not the slightest bit happy to be dealing with this "problem" spurting out comments like, she expects to get these on a "Friday". I stood there silent and a little embarrassed to be the "coupon" lady holding up the line. Finally he waves his hands and says just go get any cereal and we'll give you the sale price. So I cart my girls back and load up on 12 boxes of the expensive $5.00 cereal we never buy like Raisin Bran Crunch and I didn't think twice when Emily dumped some Lucky Charms in the cart. I head back and the same manager walks by does a double take on my cart and says how many coupons do you have. I fumbled with my words as he waves me on saying whatever. So I left with 12 boxes of "expensive" cereal for $17.00 feeling emotionally drained but proud of my accomplished super shopping experience.

I'm converted that deals are out there but is is worth it to always be thinking about diapers and be the annoying lady holding up the lines with all of her coupons? Hmm...The verdict is still out.

Popcorn Popping

Our Apricot tree just finished blossoming. A week or so ago we were eating breakfast and I pointed our blossoming tree out to Emily and I burst into Popcorn popping on the apricot tree song. For a few days we sang that song while eating our meals. Then Emily one morning noticed that the "popcorn" was falling off the tree and requested to go and fill up a basket full of the "popcorn". So we head out to the back yard basket in hand. Emily walked up to the "popcorn" picked up one and with a questioning look said this isn't popcorn. I explained about how it just looks like popcorn but it is really blossoms. She seemed OK with the new realization but had no desire to load up the basket. She has now been pointing out blossoms on other trees as we are driving. Emily said at church they were singing the above song and she said the teacher was singing "popcorn" but Emily wanted them to say blossoms because it's not really popcorn on the tree. I know Emily can be rather argumentative when she thinks she is right. I probably need to bring her sweet teacher some treats for being so patient! Maybe I should make her some popcorn balls?

I finished (barely)

I ran the Salt Lake City Half Marathon this morning. I decided to just do it although I haven't been able to train the way I would have liked due to a nasty groin pull that is taking forever to heal. I stayed awake most of the night with anxiety about the race and then had anxiety because I wasn't sleeping. Well the first 6-7 miles was a breeze. I felt really good and was making good time but then my knee started acting up. I think it was all the down hill. Then my groin pain decided to make it's appearance. I was actually surprised that it took it 8 miles to come back. So now I have two bummed legs and 5 miles to go. It was the most painful 5 miles I have ever ran. The most frustrating was I actually felt my endurance was really good but my legs wouldn't cooperate. Once I got to Liberty Park I had this thought, if there were only a way to get a hold of Bart I think I'd have him come and pick me up. Ironically I turned the corner and was surprised to see Bart. Even more ironic was that seeing he and my girls gave me this surge of energy and will power to continue and finish. I saw them again on State Street which almost made me cry. Toward the finish I must have looked really bad because people were trying to cheer me on saying things like "Oh you poor thing keep going you are almost there" I know they meant well but I really just wanted to flip them all off. Anyway I did finish! Hooray!! I saw this shirt that sums up my feelings and the race "I might be slow and come in last but at least I finished, which is better than starting and not finishing, which starting and not finishing is better than not starting at all."

My baby is 4!

Sometimes Emily will catch my eye and I can't believe how tall and grown up she seems. Is this the same girl that used to be my sweet petite little baby? It's hard to remember what my life was like before Emily. A whole lot more boring that's for sure. She keeps us on our toes with her opinions and observations about everything. Happy Birthday my sweet Emily! Here are some pictures of s her Birthday with my family in St. George, swimming and a pizza party at the park, and a Birthday party with Bart's family last Sunday.

Emily with my Grandma Morrell. Even though they've only seen each other a handful of times there is definately a special bond between them.
Pizza after the swimming party!
This Birthday party was completely Bart's doing! Impressed! I was!!! On the way home Emily asked why daddy didn't come to St George with us and I told her he had to work. In Emily fashion she replied, "Yeah and then there wouldn't be anybody at home to make me a birthday cake and get my party ready. That's why daddy had to stay home"
What would we ever do with our man of the house!


One can't have a 4 year old birthday in April without getting her first pink big girl bike equipped with a basket and streamers.
I know this should be all about Emily but I got the biggest kick out of these pictures of Jane. I have a feeling it won't be that long before Jane will want her own bike and helmet.

Early Birthday Action

All year Emily has been talking about bringing donuts for her class when it is her birthday just like Miss Sharon did. On Valentine's Day Bart took Emily on a daddy daughter outing to get his haircut and as a treat took her to Banbury Donut's next door to the 5 dollar Haircut place. That experience solidified her plan that she was going to bring those donuts to her class. Yesterday as we were making the plans she told Bart "Daddy you need to show mommy how to get to the Donut place because it's far away". He assured her I'd be able to make it and this morning we stopped by on the way to her preschool. We arrived at her preschool equipped with a dozen sprinkled donuts and was Emily so excited. Jane and I waited a few minutes for morning snack to catch the action. Jane was so happy to be able to stay and play in Emily's classroom. Emily's friends doted on Jane like she was a new baby doll. Jane loved every minute of the attention and Emily was such a proud big sister. The donuts were a hit! As Emily might say "That was a good idea right mommy?"
(Now if I can only get Emily to look at the camera longer than a fraction of a second now that would be a good idea)

National Richards Vacation Finale= Thanks Ally & Matt

Sunday evening I found myself on a park bench with Allyson watching Emily play on the playground. The weather was absolutely perfect with a slight breeze and I longed to stop time. Our family vacation was so fun. Thanks Ally for being the perfect hotel, taxi, restaurant, photographer and hostess. Thanks Matt for letting Emily's think you are her BFF. In Emily's words "I just love Ally and Matt"

Can we come back next week?

National Richards Vacation Day 4= I could live here

After sending Bart home on a plane to be with Jane, we finally made it up to Ventura and the beach. Allyson and Matt showed me around the place including their dream neighborhood right on the beach. Emily loved, loved, loved the beach, even though the water was really cold. We practically had to rip her away from it. We had lunch and hung around the town for a while. We stopped by the biggest & funniest outlet mall I've experienced. Next time I'm bringing a bigger suitcase and planning a whole day there. On the way home Allyson and I made big plans about how we could both move up to Ventura together. I'm a big fan!