Frugal Woman

On Friday last week Laura and I attempted to organize our bathroom cupboard and drawers because it was getting difficult to find certain necessary items. I have always been amazed at Laura's drive to reduce, reuse and recycle and after this experience I see how deep it runs in her veins. Many of us have heard the saying, "use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without," and after our organizing experience I feel that we could add to the end of that saying, "and if you aren't sure how to do the following place it in a random drawer until you figure out how."

Of the precious treasures that we found some of my favorite treats were:

1. Old deodorant remains in a worn out plastic bags
2. Lotion bottles cut in half to get every last bit and than forgotten.
3. Urine analysis strips from Physiology lab
4. 2 years worth of expired aciphex medication
5. At least 1o years worth of contact lenses
   
6. Broken curling iron that surely could be fixed
   
7. 5+ Wrinkled magazine cut outs of cool hair dews

"You Are My Hands"

Love is what inspired our Heavenly Father to create our spirits; it is what led our Savior to the Garden of Gethsemane to make Himself a ransom for our sins. Love is the grand motive of the plan of salvation; it is the source of happiness, the ever-renewing spring of healing, the precious fountain of hope.

As we extend our hands and hearts toward others in Christlike love, something wonderful happens to us. Our own spirits become healed, more refined, and stronger. We become happier, more peaceful, and more receptive to the whisperings of the Holy Spirit.

With all my heart and soul I give thanks to our Heavenly Father for His love for us, for the gift of His Son, for the life and example of Jesus the Christ, and for His sinless and selfless sacrifice.

- President Dieter F. Uchtforf

Peaches

This summer has come "late" this year and favorite fruits like apricots and peaches have yet to ripen.  I have been waiting and waiting for peaches to come in season and hopefully they will at least come in September.  Likewise, our little peach seems to be needing some extra time as well.  At the doctors yesturday she said to not be suprised if she hangs out an extra week or so.  We still have a week left till her due date but I am trying to be patient, knowing it is important that she comes when she is ready.  On the other hand, my leg would thank her if she decided now was a good time.  Plus, how much longer can you wait to hold such a little bundle we have been anticipating for so long?  We are just so excited to welcome her the rest of the way home. 

In the meantime, I have been using this extra time of pregnancy to be productive for our little one.  For teh past three days while Jared goes for his run, I have been sewing.  Or perhaps more appropriatly I have been decorating using a sewing machine.  I was first inspired by my sister Emily's creations two years ago for her little girl.  Since then, I have been wanting to do this for our baby.  Now that she is coming and I have a sewing machine, I have been having a lot of fun.  Thought I would share some of my latest creations.

A little caterpillar

 

A little Jcrew style

 

Some periwinkel flowers 

 

 

Is there any girl to young for a tutu?

I found some sweet tangerine dye and had a lot of fun with this one. This one I did a lighter than the others, and it turned out kind of peach.  I love it.

This one is from an old t-shirt of mine. 

 

And last a fancy little number.

Plagued

I haven't eaten a doughnut since freshman year in high school when our seminary teachers used to bring them at the end of the year for a treat.  I'll admit, I enjoyed them but knew they were not good for me.  And after that, decided they didn't taste good enough for how bad they were for me, so I declined them.  Haven't even had the desire to have one since ... that is until my second trimester.  Then, out of no where the desire for a doughnut hit.  It comes and goes; but has not completely left since.  I have kept telling myself don't eat one, they are not good for you our your little daughter.  But today, after just telling my coworker that I felt like this day needed some chocolate and she wholeheartedly agreed, some people in the office next to us invited us over for some fresh soft doughnuts.  I couldn't resist.  Today, I divulged in half a chocolate doughnut and half and apple fritter, free of charge.  Delicious.  I hope my stomach and body don't start hating me for my decision 'cause it was pure melt-in-my-mouth delight.

The 4th of July that lasted 4 days long

Here is a smattering of pictures from all of our escapades this weekend.  It has been SOOOOOOO nice to have Jared home.  We have been playing lots with his family this weekend.  None stop parties since every day has been the 4th of July here.  It finally cooled down a bit this weekend (70's and 80's) which has made outside activities much more pleasant!

Sadie's (Jared's little sister) awesome cupcakes for our Friday 4th of July potluck and fireworks evening at the Nymans.

Cooper (Estee's yougest son) going in for his watermelon.

Oh yeah.  That's good.

A bunch of the boys (Griffin, Sam, Benny, Charlie) having their own pyromaniac show before the fireworks began.

Jared cooking our Saturday 4th of July crepe breakfast.  It was delicious.  And yes, all the cupboards being open we have definitely decided is a sign of Watt's cooking.  
Guess that means I belong in the family too!

Lindsey's (Jared's sister-in-law) birthday hug from all of us.  Yes, she loved it.

Anita in time-out from cooking in the kitchen.  What lesson did we learn Anita?  Just to take a breath when everything goes wrong.  It still all tastes good.

Sitting in a circle chatting after out Sunday 4th of July dinner.  Apparently, I must have said something real funny.  That's me, with the extraordinarily long hair, from the back.

Sweet sweet Grandpa Cal.

Cooper enjoying a face full of apple.  Yum.

Carter taking little Coop for a ride on the Watts Family's new favorite mode of transportation, the wiggle car.  Carter is such a good uncle to his two nephews.  They are always palling around together.

Apparently only half of us got the memo that this was a funny face picture.

Ah, there is a nice face one.

And our last day of 4th of July celebrations were spent at Bear Lake today.  It was a GORGEOUS Monday with clear skies.  The boys (Todd, Andy, Drew, Carter, Sage, and Jared) spent part of the afternoon in a heated, albeit rather skill-less game of soccer.  How much skill can one really have in 7 inches of water?

Yep, proof. Most of it was spent face first in the water.  It was hilarious.

What I've Been Up To

If I am not at work or reading books about pregnancy, labor, and babies, here's what I have been doing ...

A soft and cuddly sleeper for our little one.  

 I am loving learning how to use my new sewing machine, even if it does take me forever to get anything done.  No rush right?

Sleep tight little girl!

"double the pleasure, double the fun"

Last Wednesday night I was missing my man and companionship real bad.  Mostly, things are well here.  I am staying real busy with work (which I really enjoy!), feel blessed to have us both working, have a wonderful home, feel our little girl growing healthy and strong inside, and enjoy this funny spring/summer weather of rain and sunshine.  But some nights I can't help but missing Jared anyway.  He is my best friend.  Instead I tried making contact with my other increadible girl friends but none were available.  So in a great blessing from above Jared just happened to go into work last Thursday morning (usually he works 4 10 hour shifts, mon-thurs) only to have his supervisor request a change in schedule for the following week to come in Tuesday through Friday instead of his usual.  Knowing that meant a four day weekend for him, he packed up his bags and headed home first things Friday morning.  Can I tell you how elated I was?!!!  Seriously, nothing is quite like having the whole day to spend with my husband.  We soaked up the weekend together, thanks to my wonderful bosses who let me have the time off Friday and Monday morning. 
In addition to this wonderful wonderful and needed surprise, Erica my dear dear friend since high school rang me up for a spur of the moment visit to Logan with her sweet boy Scott.  So they spent Thursday night with me and we went for a beautiful morning hike in Logan Canyon coming home just in time for Jared to arrive home. 
Here are some pictures: (might I note not the most flattering, but oh well)

The part way up our hike view

A bit of delicate beauty spotted by Erica on the way

At the top!  Look at those cliffs behind us

What was behind us

On the way down we saw this sign.  I was a little nervous we might see some naked "bums ahead".  Erica thought a picture of the sign needed to be taken with my "bump."

 Not the best picture, but look who we found when we got home!

By the way, all of these pictures are courtesy of Erica and her talented eye and skill with a camera.  Everyone is welcome to come visit, I will take you up our beautiful canyon or out to Bear Lake!