TaLkIn TuEsDaY

I know I know, it's a little late today. It's only 7 mins until midnight so technically it is still Tuesday. To be honest I really didn't have much to talk about today until now. Since everyone is in financial crises mode because of our wonderful economy, for those that don't already do what I am about to let you in on or don't know about it at all I thought it would be useful. So since about August I have been clipping coupons from the Sunday paper, who knew right. I never thought that I would EVER clip coupons. When Dev and I first started dating he always had coupons for restaurants and I always made so much fun of him. So when I quit my job to stay at home and only had so much money in my budget each month for groceries I thought this would be a good way to help save a little bit of money. I thought even if I could save just a few dollars each time I went to the store then that would be better than nothing, little did I know I would be saving almost $100 a month or more! So tonight I went to Albertson's and bought 15 Items and my total with tax and everything came to $13.75 and my total savings was $32.60 This means that I spent around .92 cents yes cents for each item I purchased! And to be honest this wasn't even my best purchase thus far for saving money. Another time I went and saved $60.00 and then a couple weeks ago I went to Walgreens and saved $45.00 and that purchase included diapers, wipes and formula. Some of you already know how and why this happened and some of you are wondering how and why. It is simple really. Albertson's once a week has these deals 2 for $5 3 for $5 4 for $5 and then particularly this time for every $10 you spent you got an additional $4 off your purchase and then plus my coupons this is how I saved myself almost $33 and paid around .92 cents for each item I got. Albertson's isn't the cheapest grocery store around but when they are having their deals and I have the coupons for the stuff I need anyway for those deals, it is great. Also I have found Walgreens to be the best for diapers and wipes most the time as well and sometimes formula.(if I have my coupons and they are having their deal or coupons too) Anyway this is just a little part of it, it would take to long to write all out and explain so if you are really interested in hearing or learning more just let me know and I would be happy to tell you. I think everyone should be doing this and everyone should know all about it, why not what do you have to loose, you can't afford not too!

Gary Coleman and Santa Clause

Easton opening up his Christmas present from his cousin~


So this past weekend we drove down to Devin's parents house for the annual Jensen Family Christmas party! We headed down Saturday afternoon when the roads and weather were terrible! The roads were completely iced over it took us 2 1/2 hours to get to Gunnison when it usually only takes a little over an hour. On our way down we saw 23 accidents along the way, about every quarter mile there were either cars off the road, in the median or completely rolled over. People were just driving way to fast for how the road conditions were and the weather! We only went about 35 miles per hour from Springville to Nephi. On our slow drive down along the freeway, we passed this truck on the right and there was Gary Coleman driving in the slow lane talking on his cell phone. For those that don't know who he is, he was a childhood actor from the 80's that played in the TV comedy "Different Strokes" that's were the saying came from "what you talkin bout Willis". Anyway kind of weird, I knew he lived here in Utah County but had yet to see him. So we made it safely down to Devin's parents house and then got ready and went to the Christmas party. We ate really good Mexican food for dinner and then exchanged our gifts and opened ours as well.After the party Devin's mom wanted to get some family pictures. As you can see some of them turned out pretty cute. It was so fun this year to have a little girl so I could get her a pretty little Christmas dress and to have two kids to have them match.



My little Family


Easton and Gracie


Devin's parents with all four grandkids




The next day we went to church with Devin's family, ate an early dinner and then left for home. The roads weren't as bad as they were the day before. We got home and got the car unpacked just in time to head to my moms to go see Santa. Easton didn't know that's why we were going there. We were there for about half an hour before Santa showed up, Hunter and Easton answered the door, they were both really surprised! Easton's surprise wore off quicker when I think he realized it was Uncle Scotty who was under that Santa costume and the fact that Irelyn kept pulling down his beard it was so funny. All in all I think he enjoyed it but it was Gracie who was a little concerned! It was a busy and fun weekend, can't wait for Santa to really come. :)

TaLkIn TuEsDaY

This is something I have been thinking about for awhile and has been on my mind lately. I would like to bring up BLOG BULLIES. Ya you know who you are the ones that go onto OTHER PEOPLES blogs and leave rude and nasty comments. Now this hasn't happened to me yet and I am sure it will sometime or another but I have noticed on other peoples blogs. What makes someone think that they can go on people's blogs and leave rude or unnecessary comments to a complete stranger about what they think this person should be thinking or feeling. HELLO this is that person's own right to put or write about whatever they want on their blog, if you don't like it then don't read it. It's because of people like this that some bloggers decide to go private. I personally don't want to go private, I am not a private person (about most things anyway) and don't care if complete strangers are reading my blog as long as it stays safe of course. I read other peoples blogs all the time that I don't know, I feel that blogging can be a positive and uplifting thing and I think that goes for most of us. I like the fact that I can see a different view of this world and a little into people lives to see what goes on around me, to get a different perspective about things, that there are other moms and women like me experiencing and going through the motions just like I am. I know of a few people's blogs that have opened up my eyes and have taught me so much, others that just make me laugh, and some that make me cry and realize that there is alot worse than just me not having a spotless house or a perfect hair day. My point is I would never go on any one's blog and leave some rude random comment (especially if it's a complete stranger) and give or put my two cents in, tell them how they should be, how they are feeling, and what there life is like. You think you know everything about some one's life just because they post stuff on a blog?? I know like some of you i do this blogging thing as a hobby, for fun, and the social aspects but mostly because I do most of it for journaling purposes. I do not type everything all out on my blog expecting everyone to read it, if they do great, but what I put is mostly for myself. Obviously most people are not putting every single thought and feeling they have on their blog and if you think because what they are blogging about is their life in a nut shell, that's crazy. So again if you don't like what people say or disagree then don't read it and move on. Also for those that leave the comment that is unnecessary and then have it be anonymous, well hey come on if you have the audacity to leave an unsolicited comment at least then don't be a coward. If you feel you have a right to leave that comment then you should also have to leave your name and own up to what you stated. One more thing on this subject I also know there is some blog out there that copies stuff from other people's blog basically just to make fun of them or the stuff they write or put on their blogs. These Blog Bullies (as I like to call them) obviously don't have anything going on in their lives, that they feel the need to take stuff from other peoples blogs and make fun of them! And to those blog bullies I say "GET A LIFE" because hey the rest of us already have one and that's the only reason you are able to post stuff on your mean blog. As for the rest of us keep blogging and posting because you never know the positive and inspiring affect a simple blog can have on other people's lives!!

Out of the loop

(Devin and I at the Jazz game sitting 6 rows behind the basket)

So I have felt a little out of touch lately in the blogging world! You see we only have a lap top computer (we really need a desk top) and Devin is in finals last week and this week for his masters program so he has had to take it every day with him and then he comes home and works on it ALL night until one in the morning. So needless to say I have had not one second of computer time except maybe to check my online banking for 3 seconds that Dev gives me to use the computer! So here is a little summary of what we have been up to. The night before Thanksgiving Dev and I had the opportunity to go to the Jazz Game with his business partner Jim and his wife Teresa, we sat in the sixth row behind the basket on the opposing teams side. We had a really fun time!(picture shown above) We had a great Thanksgiving at my parents house with all of my family. My moms sister Kay came down from Idaho with her family and it was fun to visit with them for awhile. Of course the next day I got up early to do my traditional yearly day after Thanksgiving shopping. It wasn't to bad we only went at 7:00 a.m. this year because I had already had most of my shopping done. Just went with my mom and aunt to Rodworks and then hit the mall for all their great deals. Then of course we have just been getting the house all ready for Christmas. Here are some pics of everything:


oUr cHRIStMaS tREe

oUr HOuSe wHIcH dEV dId A GREAT jOb ON

ThE yArD

AND tHe REst Of THE hOuSE




i AM SO EXCITED BECAUSE i JUST LOVE THIS TIME OF YEAR, i LOVE THE LIGHTS, THE SONGS, THE DECORATIONS, THE GIVING, THE RECEIVING, THE FEELING! i HAVE ALWAYS LOVED LOVED CHRISTMAS (PROBABLY LIKE EVERYONE ELSE). iTS HARD SOMETIMES BEING OLDER BECAUSE THE MAGIC YOU FELT WHEN YOU WERE A LITTLE KID WAS SOMETHING i WILL NEVER FORGET! tHAT NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS AND THAT CHRISTMAS MORNING THERE WAS NOTHING IN THE WORLD LIKE IT. i ALSO JUST LOVED THAT FEELING MY FAMILY HAD AND THE TOGETHERNESS. iT IS JUST DIFFERENT NOW THAT'S ALL AND THE SPIRIT AND ANTICIPATION YOU FEEL IS A LITTLE DIFFERENT NOW I WILL JUST HAVE TO FEEL IT AND EXPERIENCE IT THROUGH MY KIDS AND MAKE IT SPECIAL FOR THEM LIKE MY MOM ALWAYS DID FOR US.