Coupon Clipper (That's right. I said COUPON CLIPPER)

So, let's be honest. Kenny works. I work. We bring in a decent amount of money. But, we also have quite a bit of debt. Even still--I have always been under the assumption that because we both work, I deserve to go to the store and buy whatever I want (when it comes to food, etc.--because I can.) I also told myself many times that I am not poor, and I don't need to be one of those penny-pinching-make a shopping list-keep track of my budget grocery shopping women. Seriously. I was really obnoxious like that.
Well, Brooke (who I love by the way) had a grocery party at her house or whatever it was called officially... and I went to it. One of her friends taught us (very simple by the way) how to save money on our grocery bill. So, I thought...well, I'll try it.
This week was the first week that I really clipped the coupons and looked for the sales. And, it may be of no interest to anyone besides myself (and Becca because she went with me)...but I was pretty proud of myself for my shopping...so let's see how I did.
(I went Albertsons and Smiths. Albertsons for most all of my shopping, but Smiths also because there were a few deals I could not pass up. )

I bought the following....

2 bottles of Wesson cooking oil
5 4 packs of Hunts pudding
5 bottles of Hunts ketchup
4 boxes of popcorn
1 package of Hot Dog buns
2 boxes of Gushers
2 boxes of fruit roll ups
3 boxes of Capri Suns
6 Easy Mac
2 loaves of bread
4 12 packs of coke products
3 Fiber One Pop Tarts
2 boxes Alberton's cereal
4 boxes of Kelloggs cereal
1 package of Mini delights
2 cartons of egg beaters
2 packages of Kraft american cheese singles
3 8oz chunks of cheese
7 boxes of Lean Pockets
2 Deli Select meat packages
8 oranges
3 boxes of Electrosol tabs (that's 60 total dishwasher loads)
2 gallons of Milk
6 packages of hot dogs
1 roast
2 bags frozen potatoes
1 10 lb bag of potatoes
1 bottle Kraft salad dressing
1 bottle Kraft bbq sauce

Now, Becca was trying to help me figure out the percentage I saved. I can't remember exactly but it was I want to say 65%. But, don't quote me on that because I don't really know how to do it with all the tax and stuff. But, If I was to pay regular price for the food I bought...I would have paid $257.45. But, I paid $95.85. Um....HELLO? What have I been wasting my money on this whole time?
Now, some of you may be wondering why in the world I bought some of this stuff. 5 bottles of ketchup, 6 packages of hot dogs etc. Well, why not buy it when I get it super cheap, instead of only buying one and then having to pay full price when that one runs out.
I'm sold. Seriously sold on this whole thing. Kenny thought I was bonkers...because I taking pictures of the food I bought...but it was entertaining to him I think. But I mean--I'm never ever going to look at shopping the same. It's totally given me a new appreciation for the money that I have been "wasting" this whole time at the grocery store.
So, yeah...I'm a coupon clipper. At first I was nervous to admit it--but, I'll say it again. I'm a coupon clipper, and proud of it.

Phew!

So, that's it family and friends...I'm caught up. You're thinking....What? It's been a month and that's all that happened? Well, pretty much. We work, we play, we ....work we play....and sometimes we do other things....but, really, we're just living life and enjoying our little Kira who is not really that little anymore.
I am making an effort to keep up with my blogging more because I really do love it...and the posts are a lot more entertaining to do when I don't have a months worth of pictures to upload and weed out. For anyone still looking at my blog...I'm back. Wooo Hooo!

I really do try

This is my effort to show everyone that I do try. Do you see this flower in Kira's hair? It was in a total of 10 seconds. And, that's because I put it on 5 times, and it stayed there for 2 seconds each. I went through a phase where I made hair bows. She'd rip them off. I bought little cute clips, she'd pulled them out. I put funky fun hair ties in--she won't rest until she yanks every last one of them out. I think some people think I'm one of those moms who doesn't care if her kids have cute hair. I totally do, but this child HATES stuff in her hair. I try. Just wanted that in the open--I try--it doesn't really work.

Binkie?

Kira has never been into binkies. She never really needed it for soothing...and we never really gave them to her often. She discovered a binkie in her room, and has found it entertaining to stick in her mouth and chew on...until dad found out. He wasn't fond of the binkie activity...and I agreed. Why get her addicted to something she never cared about before. So, this is one of the few pics I have with her in a binkie, and i thought it was cute.
On a side note--this child is GROWING. at her 18 month check up she was 28 lbs 6 oz, and 33 inches tall. She's growing, and learning, and overall she's really quite healthy.

It's time for summer

As if we didn't do enough together....workout together, hang out together, ....let's get our hair done together. And, this is my hair post (because I always do one.) I went blonde this time. And, Keelee...of course I love it. Summer is coming.... Time to tan the skin, and lighten the hair. I love sunshine!

Kira loves her babies

Kira likes to take her babies everywhere now. When we go shopping, she makes me buckle the baby in the cart. She holds one while she's in the car, or when she's going to bed, or when she just wants to play. She pats her back, gives her kisses, takes her for walks...and dumps her out of the stroller onto her head.... Well, she's still learning. :)

Little Green Monster

Kira is coloring nicely. She's in her highchair with crayons and paper. I do the dishes. Kira is still coloring nicely. I go the laundry room and return a minute later...Kira is eating crayon. Oops. Oh well, a little crayon never hurt anyone, right.....?

"Grandma" Tori

Depending on the day, or week, or month...Kira and I like to visit Tori. I either take her and she plays with Tori or we both go and hang out. On this day, Tori was showing Kira her new bird...and Kira fed him grapes. There's me with the camera trying to take her picture, the whole time thinking that bird might bite her finger off. Nope--she came home with all of her fingers, and I'm sure we'll be back again soon. :)

Sweet Kira

These pictures show 2 of Kira's favorites.

1. One of her favorite spots to sit is either in her rocking chair--or here, right on the bottom step. It's perfect for her height.

2. She loves to read. When she's cranky, or bored, or just playing...she will either sit on the step and read her book, or bring it to me to have me help her. She's going to be really smart. I just know it.

Gun Club

Kenny teaching Kira how to throw rocks.

Cody and Kenny

Every year since I've met Kenny the family has gone to the gun club for their round robin. Not as much family did it this year, but Kenny and Cody shot. They both made it to states, and luckily the day of states, I got to go because it was finally not freezing cold, windy, or raining. It was a fun day to be out in the sun and hang out with family. Hopefully next year the weather is better, and I get to go every week. :)

Sick Baby

Kira had a runny nose. And, when i say runny nose, imagine a nose that runs ALL DAY LONG. Poor baby...we just kept thinking it would go away, but after a week I took her to the instacare because I finally thought enough was enough. We were there with whole state of Utah who thought they had the swine flu. While they were sick and miserable, Kira walked around and waved at everyone. We were there forever, but I'm glad we went. She had a little infection from her poor nose--antibiotics and she's good as new. But, look at this sad little face. :(

Egg Hunt

Alright...so it's been a while since i've blogged, and never remember in what order the pictures post...so they are out of order. Oh well, right? Kenny I took Kira to the Easter Egg hunt at the park the day before Easter. She went with Dimitri and Zachary. We get to the park, and there are 2 groups--little kids. Big kids. Of course, we were with little kids. I told Kenny he had to go with Kira to get the eggs. For some reason, I was worried she wouldn't get any eggs and she'd be sad. She doesn't know any better--but that's how I am. Well, when it was time for the egg hunt to start the fire engine went off, and Kira started crying. I think it was from the people all running around. Luckily daddy helped her get a couple eggs, and then her sweet little friend Zachary just started putting his eggs in her basket. Awhhh...

Well, then we played at the park for a while, and before I knew it she was running to the top of the play structure and going down the big slide all by herself. That stuff happens when dad goes to the park with us--he lets her do things i'm too worried to let her do. :)

Matching Friends

Well, Becca showed up because we were venturing out...and yes...we all had the same color shirt on. I changed so we didn't look like dorks, but it was funny anyway. Here are 2 pics of Kira and Becca--please notice in the top pic the crumbs on the table. Becca was teaching Kira how to smash her animal crackers. Awesome Becca. Thanks. :)

Swimming Lessons

Kira "freaking out" ...she doesn't like being on her back

Kira and Daddy

Kira's boyfriend Zachary, his mommy, and the swim instructor

Kira and Dad

We decided to take Kira to "swimming lessons" which are these parent and tot classes. The purpose is not so much to help them learn to swim, but to get them more comfortable in the water, and understand they can't play in it alone. We've been going for a few weeks now, and Kira loves it. She gets a little cranky on her back, but she's doing really well. This morning when I went to get her up and dressed she clapped when she saw her swim suit. That's a good sign. :)

I'm going to have my hands full

Me: Okay Kira...let's go. We're already late.
Kira: No.
Mom: Kira, hurry let's find your shoes.
Me: NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
(imagine child running around in circles and falling down.)
Me: We're leaving in 2 minutes.
Kira: NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
(imagine child running to toy box, throwing things everywhere until she finds her purse)
(child puts purse on her arm and sweetly looks at mom)
Kira: Shoes? (as if to say, Come on mom...what are we waiting for? Find my shoes and let's roll.)
Awesome. Can't wait til she's 15.