Borders Sale

So my friend, Taryn (who is amazzzzing at finding great deals), found out about a Borders $1.00 sale:

I bought 24 items, for $25.91 and saved a total of $517.77

January update

2010 is here!

January update:
My resolutions include:
Getting in shape
Eating healthier
Saving money where-ever possible (especially groceries)
Doing my family history work (genealogy)
Food storage/72-hour kits
Be a better wife, daughter, sister, aunt
and a few more important things

So far I have been slacking on a few of my resolutions, but if I keep myself motivated I know I can accomplish them. It's so easy just to stay home rather than get to the gym, which is only a mile down the road. I need someone to get me up and get out there. The weather is amazing right now, perfect for tennis. If any one near me wants to play, I'm your gal!

On the other hand I have been able to save on groceries... It can be more work than usual, and it definitely requires a lot of planning but coupons really do help you save money when you use them right. (Using coupons when the item is on sale is the *key* in saving money. Using a coupon on an item at full price helps, but you could be spending a lot less if you wait for that particular item to go on sale)

I went to my local Fry's with all my printed out coupons and purchased all the food above for $16 (before all discounts = $63). And the food below I spent $26 (before all discounts = $83). If anyone in interested in knowing more, I can help them. I am just learning the ways of couponing, but I can try my best to show you what I know!

One recent event we had was Jordan's family came to visit, for 10 days. It felt like 2 and I wish they could have stayed longer. It was nice having them stay with us and spending time with them. It makes me want to be in NY! I miss my family there, and Jordan's as well. Hopefully we'll be able to visit after the summer. I think we appreciate our families more because we are away from them, it makes us realize how important they are.

Do you remember the owl from my last post? Well we all went for a walk around the neighborhood and we saw another one… or could have been the same one. I thought it was pretty neat…. and crazy how his head can turn alllll the wayyyy around!

But the greatest thing in January to happen was that Jordan and I got sealed in the Mesa, AZ Temple. It was and will be the most sacred experience in my life that I will cherish forever. Words are not sufficient enough to describe the love and such overwhelming feelings of joy I felt that day, as I looked into Jordan’s eyes (when I wasn’t crying) and could see our future together.

Black and white

In Color

There were 5 Birthdays in January:
Jessica
Patrick
Gerret
Olivia and Jaren (birthday buddies)

February Birthdays:
Parker and Brady
and the writer of this blog

This little guy was outside our house today. I thought I'd just post a picture or two. We think he is a desert owl... pretty cool huh?

naughty kitty...

Before:

After:

(someone's getting coal this christmas, jk!)

Moved to tears...

I am such a proud wife of a guy who not only works hard to support our family,but is smart, funny, athletic, caring, lovable, and a guy who inspires little kids to want to come to church. Jordan and I both have a calling in the primary, which we started just a few weeks ago. I teach a very sweet class of 5 year olds, and Jordan teaches a great group of 6 year olds. Last Sunday, someone came up to me and told me how one particular boy in Jordan's class always argued with his mom and had no desire to come to church. Something must have changed because recently, he wants to attend church, and when his mom asked him what brought on this change he said, "because of Brother Murray."

It made me tear up.

I love him.

And I hope I can inspire the little ones in my class, as well as those around me.

I hope she doesn't mind me doing this! I had a friend attend church with me a few weeks ago, and she recently started taking the discussions with the sister missionaries :) And I am excited to share that she is getting baptized. The big day is set for Dec. 26th! I am so happy for her, especially after a devastating loss of her fiance less than two months ago. I have been helping her plan out her baptism details and it brings back memories of my baptism...

November marked my 5th year as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I love the gospel and have an overwhelming love of the savior. I often wish my family could share this great blessing with me, for I am the first in my family to join the church. I hope someday they will learn what I know and be able to experience all that I have.

Our quick visit to Trumansburg

Two weekends ago, Jordan and I got to fly to New York for a quick visit. We received a call involving a death in the family. We got the sad news that Jordan's grandpa Murray had passed away. He was a great man, and always such a pleasure to be around. I didn't know him very long, but who would need to, to know how great of a guy he was. At first, we didn't expect to make it, but then decided it would be nice to surprise J's family and come up for the weekend. We bought two tickets to Rochester, and reserved a rental car, in hopes that our surprise visit would make up for us not being with our families for Christmas. (I love that my dad and J's family are just a 10 minute drive from each other, it makes our visits so much easier!) But, our surprise didn't go as planned after we missed our first flight! We had to spoil the fun and call my mother in law to let her know we were coming and that we needed a ride from the Syracuse airport!

The funeral was peaceful and I loved hearing the stories of Grandpa Murray at his memorial service. What a sense of humor he had! As for the rest of our time there, it was much needed... the laughter, the games, the nephews and siblings, yummy food, snowfall and a nice testimony meeting in our old branch all made our trip enjoyable. Speaking of church, I got to announce my "good news minute!" For those of you thinking what's a "good news minute?!" It's a time for us ladies, to share something that is happening, will happen or has happened in our life recently with the other sister's at church. Hence... "good news" minute :) Well my good news is that Jordan and I are going to be sealed, for time and all eternity, in the Mesa, Arizona Temple in January. I am excited, and my heart beats out of my chest every time I think about it! :)