Nikon, Youkon, We All Can Nikon

Let's hope my new camera is easier to use than the title of this post is to say! I am so excited for this progression in our family's photos. We wanted to make good use of a Dell gift card that was soon expiring. The manual makes this camera appear very user friendly, let's hope!

Nursemaid's Elbow

Some mistakes you make only once, hopefully...

like parking your manual vehicle and not putting the parking brake on, it tends not to be where you left it (did I mention I did that a few months ago?...oh, I didn't did I...yeah, there's a reason for that lol)

or changing up a beloved chicken noodle recipe by making entirely wheat noodles and adding some minced garlic...Kirk chose to have a peanut butter and jelly sandwich instead of soup leftovers for lunch the next day, ouch

and pulling your child up by their wrist from sitting to standing, it could cause their annular ligament to get forced out of place causing immense pain until undergoing some manipulation. The short story is this happened to Bruce tonight. After a period of time and some research we called into our pediatrician's office and were advised by the on-call doctor to take him to urgent care because it did, in fact, sound like Nursemaid's Elbow (when I asked Kirk why it was called this he said, "...because the nursemaid would always pick up the kid by the elbow because it ain't her child"...mean old nursemaids! haha) We got in to see the doctor, he tried the rotating trick once. After a few minutes we could tell his arm was a bit better, but definitely not back to normal which is supposed to happen quite rapidly. The doctor came back a bit later and tried it again and that time worked like a charm. He felt the tell-tale click and we immediately saw a positive response. Throughout this evening we've felt a strong wish that any pain of our poor lil fellar was experiencing would be transferred to ourselves....my mind immediately turned to the Savior and Heavenly Father. How selfishly grateful I am to have the experience of being a parent. What a smoothing and polishing I am undertaking!

Forced Vacation

On November 10th K was laid off from his job. This came as a surprise and yet not. His beloved company had to discontinue his employment due to the bad economy and little work. I was out shopping when K came home early in the day. I saw that he was calling my cell, but couldn't answer because I was in line checking out. I felt horrible when he told me he had been laid off and asked why I wasn't home (to be of comfort and assistance). No time for laziness or moping, K got to calling different contacts. Two interviews with local companies occurred during the week. By the following week K had received offers from each. Both would have been exactly what K wanted to do and were good opportunities. So, long story short....the Lord really blessed us. We took an extended Thanksgiving vacation to Mississippi, K now has work to keep him busy, and he feels that this is a great change for his career.

Update: K started his new job on Monday and is busy working on a project already.

Cafe Rio Recipes

Need I say more?

Trippin on 11/2

My trip went like this...

Purchased goods totaling $39.45
- $37.22 in Coupons and Extra Bucks used
= $2.23 spent to get 4 Colgate toothpastes, 2 Pampers 34 count Diapers, 1 Deodorant

$8.49 Extra Care Bucks earned for future purchases

Not bad for a week's work!

Do Your Best...

...the Cub Scout motto. I've been recently called as a Webelos Assistant. I'm both excited and nervous. This is a great opportunity to learn about a program that I hope Bruce will enjoy in the years to come. It's a weekly calling that leaves me free on Sundays to take care of Bruce and attempt to participate in a lesson.

Halloween

After a stressful week I can finally say "Happy Halloween" with ease. Bruce and Kirk's costumes were sewn Wednesday and Thursday, finishing just in time for our ward Trunk-or-Treat. We were pleasantly surprised that Bruce kept his hood and hat on the whole time. Kirk participated in his company costume contest. Sadly he did not place, but at least he got to bring his claymore to work.

First Family Photo

I've been waiting for this for some time....sooo excited to have some family pictures now! And fantastic ones at that thanks to the talented Meredith Rowley, she's the answer to all your family photo needs, lol. Bruce was such a stinker. Try getting him to sit still AND smile, riiiiight. Oh, you may need to scroll down a bit on Meredith's Photo Blog.

Trippin

I've jumped on the CVS couponing bandwagon! For those of you who are unfamiliar with this I'll summarize...
- each week CVS has sale items that give you Extra Care Bucks (dollar off coupons good for your next purchase)
- the idea is that you combine these Extra Care Bucks and coupons to make your purchase items free, almost free, or money makers
- you initially have to spend a bit to build up Extra Care Bucks, but you'll ideally be using only these to pay for future purchases

My first trip went like this...

Spent $63.26
- $17 in Coupons = $46.26
- $20 Extra Care Bucks earned = $26.26

I bought 2 packages of 30 count Huggies Diapers, 2 Johnsons Baby Wash and 1 Shampoo, 1 package of Always, 1 Listerine Mouthwash, 1 Listerine Whitening Pen, 1 Family Size Herbal Essences Shampoo and 1 Family Size Conditioner, 1 Gerber Veggie Crackers.

On this first trip I wanted to spend money on items we would actually use. So I shelled out almost $50, but have a credit of $20 for my next shopping trip. I'll make sure those purchases are earning Extra Care Bucks so I shouldn't be spending more than a few dollars if any in the future. Here's to saving some money!

Mormon Battalion Rocks

Well yeah, just sharing the love...check it!