Groceries on a budget??!!

Okay, can I just say that I am proud of myself?!  This Dave Ramsey thing is really fun.  I went grocery shopping with a budget of $30 (normally it will not be that low) and I spent $27.48 for what is pictured! 

Not only do I feel excited about getting my finances in order, but I am more excited about exercising and eating right:D

Snowshoeing

This past weekend I got to go snowshoeing like I do every year.  Usually I go once a year and also go cross-country skiing too, but I cannot find someone who likes to cross-country ski. It was a beautiful day above the inversion in the valley and maybe that made it warmer too, because we were warm before we started hiking.  I loved seeing the wild turkey's too:)  The best part was talking with my friend and seeing the gorgeous snow landscapes.  Can't wait to do it again!!!

 

 

Change of life

Back before Christmas I was thinking about New Year's goals I wanted to make.  One in particular had to do with finances.  So I signed up for a Dave Ramsey class but had conflicted feelings because it cost money and I am trying to save it.  Then for New Year's my parent's gave us all his book.  I have loved reading every minute of it!  I haven't finished it yet, but I have made some big changes already.
 
First off I was planning on moving, but didn't for several reasons, but mostly because of the principles in the book.  Second I was going to buy a new couch set the weekend I read this book and decided to wait.  Third I cut up cards.  The biggest change I made was trading in my car for the model below.  The picture is not my car, but is the exact model.  I got a 2006 Hyundai Sonata that was older then my Prius and had more miles on it, but I now owe a lot less and will be able to pay off all my debts a lot quicker.

If you have not read his book you MUST!  He doesn't just make valid points, but these are common sense principles that everyone should be living.  I love this quote..."It is human nature to want it and want it now; it is also a sign of immaturity.  Being willing to delay pleasure for a greater result is a sign of maturity (doesn't this remind you of Elder Uchtdorf's talk about the marshmallows?)."

Best quote: "If you will live like no one else, later you can live like no one else."

Wow, I couldn't say it better!!!

Amazing dating advice!

Restless

This is how I feel inside...

 

 

I don't know were this feeling came from, but all of a sudden I want to get out, be on my own, start fresh, etc...Well, I think this feeling came from being sick of roommates.  I don't mind having one roommate, but not more than that.  I have never wanted a place all by myself, but now I wouldn't mind.  So what am I looking for in a place to move to?

 

1 ) A place were memories can be created...

This was my grandparents house in Missouri. 
They don't live here anymore, but I have memories.
 

2) A place were I can decorate how I want...

I am wanting to buy this couch right now and may soon:)



 

3) Last, but the most important, is a place were the Spirit is very strong.  I cannot stress enough that this is the most important.  I don't care if I live under the staircase as long as the spirit is there.  I want it to feel exactly like this...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Miss E

Last week my brother, sister in law, and niece came to visit.  It was so fun to have them just for a few days.  Every time I spend time with my niece it makes me more excited to be a Mom someday.   We were able to get family pictures, go out to eat, play games, and chat (well the boys mostly watched football).  I always have fun sleeping over at my parents, but babysitting E makes it more fun.  We also opened up the remainder of our Christmas gifts.  My siblings seemed to like what I got them and I am excited to read the Dave Ramsey book that I got.  I am super excited that by the end of the summer I will have 2 more nieces/nephews.  Little kids make family gatherings ten times better!

She loved wearing my shoes I think mostly for the click-clack.

So tired at dinner she couldn't keep her head up

She loved this Piggy Bank she got for Christmas, I love her sweater:)

Aren't those curls to die for?! (Note, this was right before she threw up on me).

When feeling sick she loves to cuddle

You can tell this is when she felt the most sick with the flu.
Sadly this was right before they hit the road to drive the 24 hours back home.

 

Happy New Year!!!

I think last night was the first year I didn't go over to my parents at midnight.  Every year I hang out with friends, but seem to find my way back home so that I can bang on pots and blow the conch shell.  I missed it, but it was still an eventful New Year's Eve, well actually most of this holiday season has been eventful.  On Christmas Eve it was just me, parents and grandpa.  I made dinner and cleaned up so Janet wouldn't have to.  We also popped over to visit with the Nielson side of the family.  Christmas morning we all slept later.  My family is still under the impression that I am going to wake them up at the crack of dawn, but I got out to the presents around 9.  Present opening was fun, I had few to open since I mostly got money.  I think my grandpa loved getting socks, LOL!  Some of the presents I gave are still not opened since some of them are the same and I wanted them to wait to open until all the siblings were here.

We also had the paramedics over on Christmas Day since Grandpa wasn't feeling well.  He improved only to have the same thing happen again the day after Christmas (while I listened over the radio at work) and be transported to the hospital.  He was in the hospital Wednesday to Saturday.  Now he is in a temporary care facility enjoying football bowl games and being visited by family.

This past weekend I was supposed to go out of town only to have all my friends cancel.  So we are going this weekend.  So I went on a date to see Les Mis.  Good movie, but darker then I would chose.  I also talked to my Bishop in my family ward and have decided to go back to the singles ward.  I just don't think I do very well if I am not super social!  So this Sunday is my last time teaching the youth.

New Year's Eve I was able to buy a brand new laptop, which I am so excited for since the one I am using is pretty old and the sound is going out.  I also went to a birthday party and a singles bash.  I would have been happy staying at home and watching a movie or reading a book, but it was nice to be social.  The lack of sleep is not good for me, but I am headed to bed soon.  I am also looking forward to my brother and his family coming to town tomorrow and we will get new family pics this week (not excited about this bc I am pretty heavy right now).

The best part of the New Year I have never been excited about...setting goals.  Don't get me wrong, I like setting goals, just on my own time and not when everybody else is doing it.  This year is different for some reason so I have been thinking of some great things to accomplish.  TTFN:)