late start

Well, I am already off to a late start with blogging this year! (of course)

This past Sunday, we switched to 9am-12pm church time. I have always loved the early meeting schedule. You are home by lunch and then everyone gets to take a nap. Well, my kids don't take naps anymore, unless they are sick. Unfortunately, I don't think I will be getting my Sunday nap...

My calling as Young Women's President is taking more time than ever. With me working most of the week and a counselor who works, it is looking like Sunday nap time is the only time we will have for presidency meetings and visiting. sigh Don't get me wrong, I enjoy serving in Young Women, but it does take a lot of time and sacrifice. The girls are worth it, though!

With early church, ward council meetings are even earlier - 7:15am! Wow.

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Yesterday, the kids headed back to school. None of them were thrilled about it. It was the very first year, though, that Sophia did not cry! She has always had such a struggle with leaving me to attend school and going back after Christmas break was so hard. She is really growing up. She also has a wonderful teacher this year who really understands her. What a blessing!

Corey ended up working from home, so it still felt a little like vacation. I feel like I spent the day doing things just for me. :) I walked on the treadmill, met with Leslie (she is designing some fabulous yw jewelry for me!), went to lunch with Corey and got a massage from the great Hannah Reasoner! The time flew by - but it was a really good day!

I really need to work on taking more pictures!

Holiday Fun

We have had a very laid back Christmas break. I have really enjoyed it.

We ended up not traveling to visit family this year, due to a lack of funds. I was sad about that, at first, but we are planning trips soon. We missed seeing everyone, but knowing that we will see them soon helped.

Corey's last day of work in 2010 was December 23rd. It has been a wonderful week having him home. I have LOVED sleeping in! Now that Alexandra can babysit, no one even wants to run errands with us anymore. They would much rather stay home. So, Corey and I have gone on a lot of small "errand" dates this week!

We also took the opportunity to swap kids a couple of nights this week with our dear friend, the Ryan's. We dropped our kids off at their house at 2pm Monday and picked them up at noon on Tuesday. They brought their kids here on Thursday afternoon and picked them up at noon today. This works out so well for us, since neither of us have family here who can take the kids for us. Also, our kids get along so well! They have a great time being together.

The New Year is upon us and I have so many plans/thoughts running through my head! One of my major goals is to keep up with this blog at least 3 times per week. This will be my journal of the year. Since I am really not scrapbooking anymore, I plan to turn this blog into a book at the end of the year. I am very excited about this and hope it will keep me from forgetting all of the small moments that mean so much to our family.

I hope you all have had a wonderful holiday! Happy New Year!!

a watched pot never boils

Or, I should say, a watched email account never delivers. (huh?)

I have been waiting for over a week now for a particular email. It is very frustrating. Part of me, though, is fine with this email not arriving. This email equals change. BIG change. for me, at least.

We have decided that it would be best for our family if I were to go to work. yikes. Yes, yes, I know that I teach preschool. It just isn't bringing in the income that we had planned on this year. So, in addition to teaching preschool I am going to be a substitute teacher.

I am definitely looking forward to the extra income, just not the work hours. Our nights are already so busy, I'm afraid that I won't be able to get everything done. No, this isn't a full time job. I will only be subbing at my kids' elementary school. I am hoping, though, to work 2 days per week. This will give me 2 days of preschool, 2 days of subbing and 1 day for errands and laundry.

Instead of feeling overwhelmed, I am trying to use this time before the email comes to get more organized. I've been going through drawers and closets. I've been compiling my list of crock pot meals. etc. etc.

I'm sure it will all be great. There is always a transition phase when starting something new. My family is very supportive and I have a loving Heavenly Father who continues to bless me. So, I am grateful.

wicked

Last night, Corey took me to see the musical Wicked! I have been wanting to see it for a really long time. He surprised me with tickets for my birthday. What a wonderful husband I have! It was so much fun. I really enjoyed it. I can't wait to see it again!

I had Alexandra take a picture of us before we left. This was the best shot of many. Can you tell that Corey is trying extra hard to keep his eyes open? He was squinting in a lot of the pictures. heehee

"rock and grohl"

Corey loves The Foo Fighters. So, for our 15th wedding anniversary, one of his gifts was a handmade finger puppet of David Grohl, the lead singer! How clever am I? No, I didn't make it. I found it on etsy. (I love that place.)

We had a great time on our anniversary date! We didn't do anything spectacular, but it was nice to just have time together. It has been a fabulous 15 years and we can't wait for an eternity more. (wasn't that cheesy? but true!)

BeCentsAble

I am so excited about my newest adventure! (do you ever wonder when I won't have a new adventure? Corey does...) Anyway - I am now a certified BeCentsAble Educator! What does this mean, you ask? This means that I will be conducting workshops; teaching people how to save time and money on their grocery, household, baby and pet purchases!

As you all know, I just LOVE to get a good deal and save $! I am also quite the talker. :) Becoming a BeCentsAble Educator combines both of these and I get the opportunity to help others. In this economy, who doesn't need to save money??

Another exciting aspect of this is that you can take the course online! This is great for those who do not have an educator living nearby or who are unable to attend a workshop. In-person workshops are $25 and the online class is $20.

I am currently looking for those who might be interested in hosting a workshop in their home. As a host/hostess you get numerous incentives, including a free workshop. All I need is access to a TV and dvd player for the presentation.

In addition to home workshops, I can also do fundraisers. Just think, you wouldn't have to sell or distribute any products!

Please let me know if you would like more information. Thanks!
You can email me at centsable.april@gmail.com