So, I'm tired. It seems like today it's gone on much longer than 24 hours. We had an electrician come out today and after $200.00 in the hole it was determined that Jon switched the wires around on one of the outlets and that was our problem. Although, I'm still not convinced that is it entirely. We got an estimate for replacing our panel...not overly horrible, but not a walk in the park either.

I've nearly completed my coupon book re-organizing, and I hope to have it 100% finished tomorrow. Then Thursday I plan to finally finish painting our master bedroom. I'll send pictures once it's done.

No further exciting news that I know of to report. Hope you are all well.

Brothers and sisters, can you imagine how dark and empty mortality would be if there were no priesthood?
If the power of the priesthood were not upon the earth, the adversary would have freedom to
roam and reign without restraint. There would be no gift of the Holy Ghost to direct and enlighten us;
no prophets to speak in the name of the Lord; no temples where we could make sacred, eternal
covenants; no authority to bless or baptize, to heal or comfort. Without the power of the priesthood, . . .
there would be no light, no hope—only darkness.
(Robert D. Hales, “Blessings of the Priesthood,” Ensign, Nov. 1995, 32)

Does that not put things into a clearer perspective? I've not thought about what it would be like for a long time because the gospel has been a part of my life for so long it's somewhat of a constant. How blessed we are to have the fullness of the gospel to help us light the world. I just really love that quote.

Today I was in the grocery store getting my deals and this couple asked me several questions and I ended up giving them coupons and telling them what to get to get the best deals. How funny. I even gave them my email so if they are serious they can contact me and I'll put them on the list for a class. It's so funny.

When Austin was in school, Alex and Sam helped me at the store. Alex held my coupon folder and Sam was put out I didn't have her do it. So I gave her my chapstick to hold onto so she felt like she was helping too. How wrong I was to even think this was a clever idea. I was rummaging through the diapers that were on clearance and when I went to push the cart away I noticed the cart was kind of slimy. Sam had managed to demo the chapstick and had smeared it all over the cart, her arms and shirt and had it smashed in her. When I asked her what she was doing she said, "pretty". I guess there are worse things to smear all over, but it is still annoying.

We didn't do a whole lot that was overly exciting, but aren't most days that way? We went to church and I was able to teach the sunbeams. Alex broke down in hysterics when it was time to go because he thought I was leaving him, but once he found out that I was going to be his teacher he was fine. He's so funny sometimes.

Jon worked some more on the playset and it's about 80% done now, he hopes to finish it tomorrow...I hope so too. It's actually quite huge. I'll put some pictures up once it goes up all the way, right now it is in sections all over the yard. Nice. I'm sure the kids will love it once it goes in though, Sam has been really loving being outside and just wants to hold Cherrio all the time and pick up bugs and look at everything. It's very cute.

Well, getting ready to work on some dictation so it gets over by tomorrow. Hope you all had a great day.

So, ya. We attempted to put together the playset today, but didn't finish. It's absolutely HUGE! Matt came over to help out as best as he could, but he hurt himself a couple of days ago so was limited on the things he could do. The kids poked around most of the day while we were working.

Overall, it was a good sunny beautiful day. I have the sunburn to prove it actually was sunny in Oregon for once.

Toys R Us finally called us to let us know that our playset has finally come in! I'm so excited for the kids, for me too, but for the kids especially. It will have a little clubhouse/playhouse at the top, monkey bars, rockwall, sandbox, 3 swings and a slide. We are going to head out tonight to pick it up. I think that we'll set it up this weekend, but boy do I look forward to it.

We have decided that we are going to the new water park in Washington this summer for a couple of nights. The only concern we have is for Samantha being a little too little, but it says it is fun for all ages and they have other activities besides just water activities so I'm sure it will be ok.

No other really exciting news. Hope all you mother's out there had an enjoyable Mother's Day. :)

Cherrio found!

Well, this lovely lady and her husband found Cherrio about a block or so down the road running with Buddy. The little devil got out of the backyard through the neighbor's pass through and then out through their yard because Ray took out a stone to nail something into his new garage and forgot to put it back. Needless to say he felt horrible. This lovely lady gave Cherrio a bath and brushed her teeth and let her sleep with her and her husband and they fell in love with her. So, she's at home now and was happy to see the other dogs and the kids, and liked being held and cuddled.

Cherrio's missing. :(

So, Jon went to feed the dogs tonight and found that Cherrio is missing. That darn dog. They are outdoor dogs now, almost pretty much since we moved into the new house. The main reason for them being outdoors permanently is because Buddy is doing MARKEDLY better outside than he was doing inside. He can walk normally now and even run around without the costly meds! When he comes inside he doesn't do well at all and his paralysis comes back in his hind legs. Weird huh? The only thing I can think that is contributing to his improved health is being outside and their little room is like a sauna and I think that has helped Buddy. Regardless, they like it out there and it's a win win situation. However, Jon and I just spent a little over 1/2 hour scouring the backyard for any holes that she could have escaped through and found none. So, it's a mistery how she managed to escape. My guess is that Trevor went to get a ball from our backyard and opened the pass through and let her out into his yard, which she could get out of. Trevor's the neighbor kid.

So, tomorrow it looks like I'll be calling Andrea first thing to check to see if anyone called about a dog. We didn't even get her new tags yet with our new number or address. Stink. What a weird day.

backyard apple tree, couldn't decide which one was best.

QUIT TAKING MY PICTURE ALREADY!!

Jon stayed home from work today again. Today he was feeling a little better though and actually got out of bed around noon, yesterday he spent the entire day in bed. I'm not feeling too well now, but I've felt this way for a good month...I feel sick then better and it's basically on a daily basis.

There's nothing really more to post, I'm going to put a picture of our apple tree up so you can see how beautiful it is in our backyard. Other than that, nothing really more to note.

So, today I went to Albertson's and got 70boxes of cereal and 30 boxes of Nature Valley, or Curves granola bars for under $15.00. Pretty nice. I also got Austin's iron supplement today and boy howdy, that is expensive. Fortunately I had a $10.00 off $50.00 and another $10.00 living well coupon so I was able to get four bottles for $29.00 instead of $49.00.

Jon came home from work today and has been in bed ever since. He's got what the kids have had the last few weeks.

We are going to have Taquitos tonight in honor of Cinco de Mayo...yum. Ok, gotta go. Trevor's over here playing video games with the boys, but I have to keep an eye on them periodically so they don't get into too much trouble.

So, we got part of Austin's tests back today, we are still waiting to hear on the lead testing. His CBC was normal, but he's anemic. We have to give him a vitamin with iron in it and then also get a special iron supplement for him. Dr. Johnson says that the treatment for moderate elevations of lead is iron supplementation and a calcium supplement, so that won't hurt him either. She's going to order some other labs though, so I'm not sure when that will be done. Anyway, that's all we know so far.

Made of Honor

Ok, so a friend and I went to see Made of Honor last night with Patrick Dempsey. That man is so easy on the eyes. It was a great movie, a little predictable, but funny and made us laugh. It was a great girl's night out and after dinner and the movie we went to get ice cream at Cold Stone. What a nice time. Jon even met me for lunch with Alex and Sam while Austin was in school, so that was nice too.

Today I get to go to the eye doctor to check my vision. Since I've had the lasik surgery to keep my warranty I have to have an eye exam every year...not a huge price to pay for a lifetime warranty really.

Ok, going to go work out and then clean some house, I've got a lot to get done today. The kids are better, so that's really nice, too.

Everything is just nice.

So, today has been a pretty good day overall. I got more sleep last night, so that's a plus. Alex threw up this morning at about 6:30ish, but that's the last time he's puked. He's kept down food the rest of the day although he says he has a headache and stomach ache still. Sam woke up a pistol and screamed for a good 1/2 hour, but has been fine since and no puking for her. :) I think it's on the up and up now, which I'm pretty excited about.

Tomorrow I work, which is a blessing after this week. Then in the evening I'm having a girl's night out with a friend and we are going to see the new movie with Patrick Dempsey (heart throb) Made of Honor. I'm excited to see it. Going to use my free movie tickets I got the other day, well a few of them that I got anyway. Might even go out to dinner first, too, but haven't decided that yet, will depend on what kind of work load I have tomorrow.

I cleaned the bathroom downstairs since it was bombed this week with all sorts of fluids, so I feel better. I'm going to finish up some dictation and then fold the rest of the laundry. Pretty exciting life huh?