Couponing Gone Wild

Wow.

Woman cited for gathering coupons
By Randall Jeppesen
OREM -- An Orem woman has been cited after going too far to get grocery store coupons.
Police were called to approximately 300 West and 100 South in Orem after a woman was seen going through various mailboxes. A witness wrote down the woman's license plate and called police. Officers tracked it to a 28-year-old. At her home, police say they found she had a large stack of ads and coupons along with mail from various locations. The woman told police she was after the Albertsons double coupon ads. She was cited for theft.

Ok, I am all about getting a deal... but lets not go overboard! Crazy!

Friends Rule

We were so excited that the Barons stopped by their old stomping grounds while out and about attending family functions the last few weeks! We were thrilled to get to see them! Little Austin was born just 2 weeks after Mase and we've been dieing to have them together ever since. The boys really enjoyed each other... or at least watching each other! It was so great seeing Mandy - and Matt got to see Andrew too - hopefully it won't be so long until we're together again...

(No pictures of the parents? What? We'll have to fix that next time...)

Couldn't resist a bathtub picture!

Sweet Pioneer Day!

Since we currently live in the lovely state of Utah, we get a perk that comes with it -- a state holiday - Pioneer Day! The LDS Pioneers arrived in the Salt Lake Valley on July 24, 1847 - and as I was lounging in the pool this hot Pioneer day, I was grateful I wasn't a pioneer who came across the plains and mountains! Brutal... I can't imagine it.

We didn't waste any time enjoying Matt's day off of work!! We went for a walk around the neighborhood in the morning, to the pool at midday, and for a 10 MILE bike ride in the afternoon! We topped the day off with ice cream and hot dogs on the grill.

Back to that bike ride.

Did I mention I hadn't been on a bike in 6 years? And that was only one time I was on a bike when I was 19 - before that I hadn't been on one since I was 15. Not sure about Matt... but I'm sure it'd been a good amount of years for him as well. Well, we inherited two bikes from Matt's parents (WAHOO!) -- they are moving back to TN (boo) and we managed to come away from their house like bank robbers :) (thanks you two!) So, we promptly decided we needed some apparatus for Mase and we'd be on our way. A really cool front-mounting seat and a helmet later, we were on our way! It was sooooo fun! Obviously it was, since we couldn't seem to stop ourselves as the miles ticked by. Mason really enjoyed it too and I think all the people we passed loved Mason as well ("awwwww!"). An even better indicator that we loved it: we hopped back on the next day and went another 8 miles. hahaaha We're biking fools!

These shoes are made for walking

Thanks to Grammie Thomas and a gift card, Mason is now sporting two (TWO!) new pairs of shoes! Since starting his walking venture, it became necessary for some good shoes so he could go cruising outside. He looks pretty stinkin cute in them, if I do say so myself. I never realized just how extensive (you can also switch the T with a P) the world of baby shoes was - oh my heavens, there are three bajillion different kinds and styles! We were lucky that Matt and I eventually agreed on what to buy. He will be set for the next few months (months? ouch).......... in style! ;)

He is a sightsee-er when he walks outside:

walk-walk-walk, pause, look, walk-walk-walk

Canyon, Camp out, and Rafting - Oh my!

I looooooooooooooove driving these mountain roads in the summer. This is Provo Canyon, just 15 mins across town from us. Pictures don't really do it justice.

This past weekend we had our second annual Young Women (the girls in the youth group at church) "Camp Out" -- I put it in quotes because we stay in a cabin in the canyon :) No tents for us! Much thanks to Tara's family for letting us stay in their cabin!

On Saturday we braved the Provo River --- more like the girls braved it - I ended up as a boat captain... and lets just say, I'm no river guide! Luckily, the river isn't much more than a lazy river... we survived. I think I might do it again in just a tube, although your bum will definitely be numb by the end!

Numero Uno

We got our first cherry tomato from the garden yesterday! Hooray for summer!

So Sad

Matt's Mom called this morning to tell us her church burned down last night from a lightning strike! This church was not only historic, but home to many memories and special events in the family. I was only there once - for a sweet Christmas program the children put on this past year. The church was built in 1836 (the article has the date wrong) and will be sorely missed! My heart goes out to all those who attended there - including Matt's Mom, Step-Dad, and Grandparents!

Click here for the link to the newstory.

What do you call it?

"Have you ever noticed that when your mind is awakened or drawn to someone new, that person's name suddenly pops up everywhere you go? My friend Sophie calls it coincidence, and Mr. Simpless, my parson friend, calls it Grace. He thinks that if one cares deeply about someone or something new one throws a kind of energy out into the world, and 'fruitfulness' is drawn in."

Sometimes it isn't just 'someone' but 'something' - like a new word, for example. You've never heard the word before, then all of a sudden it is everywhere. Ever had that happen?

My friend Kristen calls it "total recall". Do you have a name for it?

The above quote is from The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society - I just finished reading it and really, really enjoyed it. I recommend it! I have become a reading junkie in the last few months - I got out of 'enjoyment reading' while in college and am so happy to be back into the groove. Goodreads.com is my latest best friend -- I like getting recommendations for books (I'm not much of a 'cold copy' reader). Anyone have one to recommend?

New Fav Toy

Since Mason has been actively walking around things for a few weeks now, I figured it was about time to get one of these fabulous "stride to ride" toys. After doing my consumer research (of course), I decided on this lion fella. He has not disappointed! Mason is in love.

I also discovered that Toys'r'us is a dangerous place. For me. I feel like a kid again! I wanted to buy EVERYTHING. Luckily I got out the door without too much damage. Self control, Jordyn, self control.

Here is a short clip of the action... sadly, he dead ends pretty quickly in our house. He has kind of gotten the idea of shoving it so it turns and can continue on, but I have a feeling I will be re-directing Mr. Lion for a while. Luckily, Mason can keep up with him on the wood floors too. Hours of fun!

HEALTHY! & Matt's yearly update

Just wanted to report that the antibiotics did the trick and I am FINALLY healthy again. About 2 days into taking the pills I was feeling at least 85% better and was 100% within 2 more days. It feels sooooooooo good to feel good again! A month was WAY too long to be feeling crummy. Lets not do that again.

On other news, Matt is doing great! I feel bad that he often does get much 'post-time' on here. I keep telling him he needs to post something on occassion... but I don't see that happening. So, here is my update for those who would like one!

He is working, working, working w/BMC still and we are quite grateful that he has a job. Knock on wood, but his job seems pretty stable for now in spite of their recent bankruptcy. "It's a good kind of bankruptcy, not a bad one." Right! He'll be wrapping up school this coming April and he is already looking around for large companies where we can apply that will get us heading eastward - closer to family. We're trying not to get our sights set on anything too particular since we have no idea what the market will look like next Spring! Hooray for graduating! He started school in Jan of 2005 and took a break that spring/summer - so he'll be graduating in 5 years time - not bad for working full time and supporting a family! What can I say, he is amazing.

He is also keeping quite busy with church where he is now serving with the young men (12-18 yrs). He never participated in Boy Scouts as a youth so he is learning a lot! He is also still serving as the HOA president, but his term will be up in September... yay! That yay is mostly for me, because even if he does complain about it from time to time, he likes it deep down. :)

He also got a Seven Peaks (water park) pass and so he is excited for many quick family rendevous in the wave pool this summer. We had our first jaunt together Monday night and it was nice to get out and have some fun for a bit between school, homework, and everything else!

*Matt told me to add "and I love my wife!" :-D

Now I better get to other things I need to get done while Mason naps.............. ta ta for now!

Free Chocolate

Who can't use a free chocolate bar?

I have been using this site for quite a while now, but just thought, "hey, I should share that".

Every Friday (through the summer, I believe), MARS is giving away 250,000 chocolate bars. It is really easy and simple - no strings attached. You can get up to 4 per household each Friday - you just have to have different email addresses (so I always request one for me and one for Matt).

Enjoy!!

realchocolate.com

Still Sick

I would like to say that this picture is (almost) actual size. Swallowing this thing is a feat! And I get to take two a day for the next little while in hopes of getting cured of this funk I've had for ALMOST 4 WEEKS NOW. This blog tends to be more of a travel log rather than a journal, but I am going to whine for a minute. I AM TIRED OF BEING SICK! It seems like I have been sick over and over again since having Mason and it is DRIVING me CRAZY! Did Motherhood kill my immune system? Needless to say, I have been brought to many fabulous products due to my misfortune: the steam humidifier, puffs plus with vicks, and the neti pot! Never heard of the neti pot? I had, but hadn't ever used one... well, a friend of mine convinced to go out and get one the other night. Let me just say: it's AMAZING. Really strange, but great. You will be shocked and amazed by what comes out of your nose. haha It gives me great relief for a time and I'm sure is helping the overall process of getting rid of this gunk I've got. I am sure it does wonders for people with allergies, etc. I got it at Albertsons for $13.50. Worth every penny.

In the meanwhile, I am *trying* to rest and drink a lot of water and do all those other good things. What is most frustrating to me is being SLOWED DOWN. Not only is it interfering with responsibilities, but also with fun. Booooooo. For now, Mason will be getting away with making great messes bc I just don't have the energy to control the environment all the time. Here is a picture of what he did while I wrote this blog post.... hahahahaha. Good times!

Here is to hoping I'll be healthy any day now!

8 whoppin' months

8 months...

Our active man is walking around furniture, walking as he pushes the laundry basket, has climbed up two stairs (luckily he hasn't tried again... yet), and of course, crawling like crazy around the house. Whew.

He devours any and all food (except those babyfood 'meals'... he gags every time). He is VERY anxious to be eating everything we eat and eats whatever we offer. He nurses and then eats 10-12 oz of food for dinner (about that much at lunch and a little less for breakfast and demands snacks in the afternoon). He is small, but he EATS. We're scared to see our food bill as he gets older!

Here is a video of him tolerating enjoying some fun at a park last weekend:

Lately he has been shaking his head when he is excited while crawling... and sometimes he crawls crooked because of it. haha Here is a short, toned down example of the action (he gets even more animated):