Frugal Challenge - Month #3

$231.10

I know, I know... that's $31.10 OVER my budget.

But technically, it isn't my fault.

It's Russ Wallace's fault.

If he hadn't FORCED me to eat

some of his Shrimp Ceviche,

I wouldn't have been dreaming about it.

craving it.

needing it.

I have no self control. At least when it comes to yummy food!!

So... a quick run to United this morning to get all

the ingredients (plus some hamburger on sale)

The result:

Here's the recipe for all of you

now craving it too!!

Shrimp Ceviche

1 lb. shrimp, peeled and cut into 1 inch pieces

juice from 4 limes

1 cup finely chopped red onion

2 jalapenos, finely chopped

1 cup chopped cilantro

1 jicama or cucumber cut into 1/2 inch chunks (I LOVE jicama!!)

2 avocado, cut into 1/2 inch chunks

1 tsp Valantina's Mexican Hot Sauce (optional)

Mix shrimp and lime juice and refrigerate 30 minutes

Mix in onion and jalapenos. Refrigerate 30 minutes.

Add cilantro, jicama and avocado. Serve with chips.

OK... so back to my frugal challenge. It was a good month! I got 40 bags of Iams dog food for FREE. Donated some, gave some away and stored the rest for our 2 canines. Not as many deals as February, but we are still eating great and keeping the cupboards full.

All so I can...

see a whale

catch a fish

gaze at eagles.

West Texas Sunset

The sunsets in Lubbock or so amazing that sometimes, the inside of our house will seem to glow. The other day this was happening, so Braden grabbed the camera and took these great photos. (after mom of course yelled "be careful with my new baby!")

Beautiful.

I'm supposed to be working right now... but there is a snow storm outside and I'm listening to Paul Cardall on www.pandora.com and drinking hot chocolate. Much funner than work.

Letter and pictures from Kayla

Kayla sends us an email every week (which I forward to some of you - but if you don't get it and want to, let me know! They are wonderful!) and she also tries to send letters to each of us. All those lectures I gave her on writing home must have worked! Here is part of today's email:

Wow, It seems like this past week has lasted for like 10 years! So much has happened! So I think this email will be fairly long :) So first I'll put you all out of suspense and tell you about transfers......We got transfer calls Sat. night and me and sister Kim are staying in Lakota Creek for at least 6 more weeks! We are way super excited. the work here is going great and there are some exciting things that are going to be happening this transfer that we would be sad to miss out on. This past transfer has been a little tough, because me and sister Kim came out at the same time and were both a little worried about what the transfer would bring. You know, as a new missionary you worry that you don't know enough and that you haven't been trained enough, but I've learned that the best way to learn and to grow, is to be put in a tough situation. I have learned so much this past transfer, and my teaching abilities have grown tremendously. When we're put in tough situations, it's really our choice if we will grow from them or not.

There were plenty of times this transfer that I just wanted to give up, but by enduring and turning to the Lord when those times came, I know I am becoming more and more what my Savior knows I can be. He knows our great potential, and the only way we can reach that potential is if we go through a learning experience, usually a trial or a hard time. I'd like to quote the stripling warriors from the book of Mormon.....I don't have my scriptures with me so It's not a direct quote :).......but they said something like this, "Behold, our God is with us, and He will not suffer that we should fall" This is like my motto for this upcoming transfer. I love the stripling warriors and really look up to them, what they said is so true. God is with us, and he will not let us fall, as long as we let him help us. When someone is falling, how can someone else stop their fall if the person falling doesn't reach out? That's how it is with us and god. He will not let us fall, as long as we reach out to Him.

I really wasn't expecting to go off on that tangent....but I think it was a good one :)

Oh....GUESS WHAT!!!!!!!!!!!!! I ate fish! and shrimp! and guess what!? I LOVED IT!!!!!!!!!! I only had a little bit, but I the taste was so familiar and i really really enjoyed it :) especially the shrimp :) Man, I am so silly. It's going to take a little bit, but slowly but surely by the time I come home, I will like seafood :).

Kayla got in an accident last week.

Snowy roads and inexperienced driver.

But like Shea said, "at least they aren't dead"

My sentiments exactly!

Kayla and Sister Kim

"Yummy chicken from Walmart.

Shopping makes us hungry:)"

"Jelly Belly's!

Who knew two sister missionaries

could have so much fun trying to mix

Jelly beans and make cool flavors :)"

Spring Break at home

Not Disneyland.

Not the beach.

Not at a condo with our friends.

Spring break at home.

Just us.

and a little bit of fun.

Flying kites.

Camping in the backyard.

Cracking a coconut.

Garage sales.

Playing at the park.

Braden volunteering at

the Ronald McDonald house.

Shea helping our neighbor.

Egyptian Lentils for St. Patricks Day

Isn't this what everyone has on St. Patricks Day?

lentils, brown rice and pasta

"Kusherie"

I like to have at least one meal a week with beans or lentils.

My family LOVES me.

But not to worry....

I forgot to take a picture of breakfast.

green eggs. green pancakes. green milk.

Shea's first song

Last week we found out there have been quite a few break-ins in our neighborhood, including some good friends on the next street. After finding out about it, Shea asked if she could sleep in our room. She was settled in for the night and Robert and I were right outside the room in our dining room/office area talking when Shea asked me to come in and write down the words to a song she just thought of. It was the first verse and then over the next week, Shea wrote the rest.

My Family's Voices
by Shea Sawyer

I love to hear my family’s voices
They make me smile and say
I have a happy home
Filled with love and joy

When my Dad says let’s read the scriptures
And learn about the prophets
I feel happy all inside
To learn these sacred stories

Then my mother says it’s time to pray,
I bow my head and say
Dear Heavenly Father
We’re grateful for this day

And even when I’m sad or feeling lonely
I’ll remember the love I felt
When I heard my family’s voices

WOW. REALLY WOW!

Shea is going to work with a friend of ours to put it to music some time this week. We'll give you the finished song as soon as it is ready.

Spring in Lubbock

We went on a walk today.... looking for spring.

Shea and Braden are dog sitting "Kanga" for the next week.
Jack doesn't mind her,
but Sasha has a TINY problem
having another dog in the yard.
We think she needs a therapist.

I think I am better at photographing plants than kids and dogs....

Ducks coming and going....

My new baby!!!

I've been dreaming and scheming for MONTHS

and FINALLY.... got my Canon Rebel.

Thanks to the IRS.

(they probably don't get that very often)

WOW - look how dirty my mirror is!
I don't have time to clean.
I'm a photographer. A professional.
and professionals don't have to clean.
They have to WORK. WORK. WORK.

a sample of my early work...

So... the kids were at school and I had to practice on

SOMEONE.

Thank you, Sasha the Evil Dog.

Shea's first swim meet

Today was Shea's first swim meet. We were up at 6 a.m. to drive to Abilene.... I love being a mom!

This first photo is of Shea and her friend Hailey - so cute! They were great sports at all the waiting that goes on during a swim meet. Since they have only been on the team for about a month, they competed in just two events; 25 Free Style and 25 Back stroke. They both did fabulous!

Yes - I am dying for my new camera, and hopefully I can figure out how to take these kinds of photos and actually have them look good. This is a photo of Shea doing a practice dive-start. This is not easy to do with your body extended and she looks great!

Shea and Robert... waiting for the next event....

Shea doing the Free Style.

Frugal Challenge - Month #2

I would have been right at $200 (see original posts here & here)

but I was able to pick up 20 1lb

packages of pasta today for .20 a box!!

So my total for February is:

$205.33!!

~free mentos and cheap pasta~

This was a great shopping day earlier in the month.

Lotsa lotsa food for only $39.48!

Here are some of the things I got for FREE this month:

Razors, Excedrine, Wheat Thins, Ritz, cashews, canned tomatoes, cleaning supplies, deoderant, Ocean Spray juice, dog & cat treats, shampoo, makeup, first aid stuff, aluminum foil. And then lots more for much, much less than regular price. My cupboards are filling up and I have been able to share stuff. I did add back in $60 for opening new bank accounts and $10 from a rebate.

All so we can walk on this street...

Creek Street in Ketchikan, AK

Doesn't that look fun??

I'm definitely taking my kids on the tour of this old

"red light" district. Isn't that what all good mom's do?

We will be taking the AK Marine Ferry to and from Ketchikan.
Only way to get our vehicle there!
6 hours up. 36 hours back.
Fun. Fun. Fun.
I've already got dramamine for the kids.