Levi has a broken nose

Today was supposed to be a good day. It was a good day up until about 4:15 this afternoon. Levi, Macey and I were playing outside in our backyard. Usually, Levi just runs around looking for rocks or playing in the dog's water bowl. Grandma Cindy bought Levi some Gerber baby cheese puffs so I was giving those to him while we were playing. Levi went to our patio door and tripped on one of our patio stones and landed nose first on bricks. There is a little brick step right outside our sliding glass door before you get on the concrete. That is what Levi hit. I heard him scream, then saw blood, then I screamed! I couldn't get to him fast enough. Grandma Cindy is a retired nurse thankfully. She came right over to help me. I don't know what I would have done without her here. We took Levi to Richardson Regional on Renner. The nice new hospital that just opened. Luckily, the ER was empty and we got right in. They took a CT scan of his brain and face. Sure enough his nose is broken with no other fractures or injuries to his brain. Matt left work instantly and made it from North Richland Hills to the hospital in 30 minutes. Levi is resting ok and he will be fine. It just breaks our hearts to see him in such pain. Matt gave him a blessing tonight as well. We love him dearly and he will now be wearing a football helmet until he is 19!

Our trip back home

We survived our trip to Wyoming and Montana. We left on Thursday and flew into Billings, MT. Then we drove 2 hours to Sheridan, WY. We spent the night in Sheridan. On Friday we drove back 2 hours to Billings and spent the night there. Saturday was the wedding at the Billings Temple and it was beautiful. The feeling inside the temple is so breath taking. We are so happy for Alex and Carlee. The reception was back in Sheridan so we drove another 2 hours back there and spent the night. Sunday we drove 1 1/2 hrs to Gillette, WY to go to church. This is Matt's home town. Matt has wanted to take me there for 4 years and show me around. We went to Matt high school and visited his choir teacher. That was great until Levi peed down my leg. We didn't realize how full his diaper was! I was able to see Matt's house where he grew up. We spent the night in Gillette and Monday we drove 4 hours back to Billings. We spent the night in Billings and left for home on Tuesday morning. We did A LOT of driving!!

Now let me tell you this. I am born and raised here in Texas. I have been to Canada and all over the western US. I have never experienced a cold like this before. We did not see any snow until Monday morning in Gillette. It was -16 degrees with wind chill! I felt like someone was poking me with 1000 needles. On Tuesday morning it was -3 degrees. How do you function or live in that? I was so glad to get back to Texas.

Levi was able to play in the snow for the first time. He really didn't care for it too much. It was cute though. Also, Levi learned how to drink out of a straw. Yippee! We enjoyed being with Matt's family even if it was only for a short time. We loved spending time with Grandma and Grandpa. We love them so much and miss them already.

Are these people related? I'm not sure.

Billings Temple

Matt in his tux. He was a groomsman.

The happy couple after the wedding.

Levi in the snow for the first time.

Matt's house in Gillette, WY. You can't see the whole back part of this house. Huge!

Grandma with Levi. We love you Grandma.

This is what we had to drive 4 hrs in on Monday. It was beautiful!

Thrifty!

It is so hard to pass up a good deal when you find it. You keep thinking about that one thing until finally you just break down and go and get it. You then ask for forgiveness from your husband later for spending some crazy amount of money! That's kinda how I am recently except I don't have to ask for forgiveness. My husband thinks it is awesome when I find a good deal.

It started with tomato sauce on sale at Walgreens for $.39. I needed tomato sauce for homemade bbq sauce I would be making this week. Why not stock up on it while it is on sale? So I got my 3 cans. Also Sally Hansen lip gloss was on clearance for 40% off this week. With some coupons I had I was able to get 2 tubes of lip gloss for about $.59 each. I also had 5 coupons for $1.50 off Colgate toothpaste. Again, it was on sale for $.99 so I got 5 tubes for free. My total savings at Walgreens was $21.37.

I went across the street to CVS for my next stop. If you know anything about CVS when you make certain purchases you can get Extra Care Bucks back. You can use these on your next purchase. I purchased 3 Suave body washes that were on clearance for $2 each. I had 3 coupons worth $1 off each body wash. So I paid only $3 for 3 body washes. I got $2 in Extra Care Bucks back. Cereal was on sale for $4.79 and also was buy one get one free. So I got 4 boxes. With the coupons I had for cereal my total came to $1.58. I used my $2 in Extra Care bucks so it was free! I also had 5 more coupons for $1.50 off Colgate toothpaste. It was on sale for $.88 cents. So it too was free! Campbell's soup was on sale and also buy one get one free. For 4 cans and with my coupons I paid $.98. My total savings at CVS was $40.57.

My total out of pocket expense: $6.83. Now that is just thrifty.

My best friends

I am so lucky to have 2 of the best friends in the world. Sometimes you have to find out the difficult way who your true friends are. Friends are supposed to be there for each other through thick and thin. True friends don't pass judgement or talk behind each others back. These 2 people in particular I love more than anything. My friends Laura and Megan are just so unbelievable! I really don't know what I would do without them. We have known each other for 7 years. Gosh it has really been that long! Laura lives in Phoenix with her husband and Megan lives in Aubrey with her daughter. We don't get to see each other as much as we would like to but we still manage to talk as much as our busy lives allow. I would say over the last 7 years we have been through a lot together. Ups, downs, marriages, babies, dogs...you name it we have done it pretty much. Thank you Laura and Megan for always being there for me. Our friendship has traveled the world. From Texas to Arizona and even Japan and back to Texas. Laura and Megan are the definition of a true friend.

My bling bling

Happy Valentines day to me! My hubby is the best! These are little garnet hearts. Beautiful! I love you Matt!

We're leaving on a jet plane...

We are off to Montana for 5 days in March! We are so excited to see Matt's family. Matt's younger brother, Alex, is getting married in the Billings temple. Alex recently returned home from his mission in Germany. His fiance' Karlee waited the whole 2 years for Alex to come home. How awesome is that! We fly into Denver and then on to Billings. I am more nervous about flying with Levi. He is older now and so I think it will be way more difficult to keep him occupied. The last time we flew he was only 7 months and it was so easy. I almost want to start packing and getting things ready now. Just to make sure I have everything. Matt says I worry too much but I just can't help it. We know Grandma and Grandpa can't wait to see Levi. We love them so much and we are so excited to see everyone soon!

My personal journey

Since July of 2008 I have been working so hard to accomplish a major goal. I have been trying to lose 40 lbs. Pretty big goal I set for myself, I know. But I had to do it. I had to get my baby weight plus more off. As of today I have lost 25 lbs. I can't believe it! What a change it has made in my life. I haven't done any sort of diet plan like South Beach or Atkins. I just changed my eating habits. Those who know me, know that I am such a picky eater. So doing any sort of diet plan is a challenge. I have been able to still eat everything that I love and enjoy just with moderation. In July I started running or walking around our neighborhood. I did this just about every day for at least 30 minutes. Then in November I joined a gym. I hate running in the cold. Doing all of this has changed the way that I feel about myself and the way that I carry myself in public. If you ever doubt that you can accomplish something it will only bring you down. My wonderful husband has been the best support for me. I love him so much and I owe so much to him for keeping me motivated and going strong. I could not have done this at all without him by my side. My goal is to get back into my wedding dress. I haven't tried yet to see how close I am but I will do it. I am challenging myself to lose 10 more lbs in the next 3 months. I will keep you updated on my progress. I can do it!!!!