best of both worlds

We just had a money matters lesson in one of our Sunday school classes yesterday. They suggested the classic envelope technique where you divvy up the months income into your expected expenditures. You are apt to spend less when you actually have to see the cash leave your hands.

That's smart and all but I would be terrified to loose my envelopes or get my purse stolen. Cash is cash and when it's gone it's gone.
I'm a partial to credit cards myself. We pretty much use our card for everything. We're still smart and pay it off every week thus avoiding interest and late payments, and it doesn't hurt that we get reward points with our visa either! If you loose your card or if someone steals your number, you can call in for a replacement or sign an affidavit for the fraudulent charges. But I must admit, it IS easy to get carried away with a credit card. (the whole "have now and pay later" mantra)

So I got to thinking... I want to actually try living by a budget (vs. just drawing one up and glancing at it from time to time) but still have the security of a credit card, and then it hit me:
Keep the envelope idea, but instead of putting cash in them, put a 3x5 card in them with the designated amount on top. Throughout the month you can subtract amounts spent from the remaining total, and still use your credit card to make the purchases.

This plan still requires more effort and will power than the cash technique, but it's a great tool to keep track of your budget better.

that's a wrap folks. I hope this suggestion helps!

talking with your mouth full

Maybe it's the freshness a new year brings, but it feels like I need to tackle my projects and get after some hefty new ones! Frankly, I feel like I've bitten off more than I can chew, but I really want to blog about my lofty ambitions to you all. :D

I just decided that I want to write a series of children's books- this cute little name popped into my head last night/morning (4 am ish... yeah..... that's morning...)along with a funny/cute idea. However- now that I'm fully awake, that funny/cute idea seems off the wall and weird :S
BUT I am keeping the name of the main character. So we'll see where it goes from here.

I really want to start painting and designing my kitchen. I've been wanting to paint over this off-white/cream that's been smothering my kitchen with a bright fresh white on top, and a nice warm ash gray on bottom. Do some chair rail, some wainscoting action in the dinning room, and have a fresh blue accent wall by my cabinets. FINALLY finish the floors and maybe/maybe not take out the existing cabinetry and start all over in that department....hehehe (AJ's really loving me right now :D)

some more sewing projects, a couple birthday parties to plan, more yard work and landscaping, and last and not least: building a toy chest for Treson's 3rd birthday. Yes, even though I thought of this idea... I really don't intend to build it.. the sneaky sly part is getting AJ to do it for me! (*snicker snicker*)
so shhh! don't hint at this while he's around! :)

Ask and you shall recieve

here you go Daddy-o!














thank you again for the camera!

A look at the year 2010

It started in January, with a change of the salary
No more bad bugs to monitor, with AJ’s new job as auditor
Two certifications in one year, is a feat that not many hear
As the new Mission leader in our ward, he no longer has time to be bored


Treson turned two; we went to the "zoo" (aquarium)
Potty training is his new thing, we’re so happy we could sing
Planes, trains, and automobiles, he loves anything with rolling wheels
We’d test his I.Q. but he’s only two
He loves letters, colors and arts, 'cuz he’s got his mother’s smarts



After having Treson we wanted more, in May our family went from three to four
Ellie’s cute, she’s cuddly, she’s pretty in pink, with her in our lives we’re all now in sync.
She can say Momma & Dadda & loves her shoes, sitting up & pierced ears are both recent news



Mommy’s had decent sleep since Ellie arrived, without Aj’s help she wouldn’t have survived
Voted by Daddy as the best Mom of the year, we’re so glad she chose this as her career
We’re lucky to have her eye for design, our garden and house are looking quiet fine
She’s into landscaping, when it’s warm she’ll be outside, with Treson helping in the dirt by her side

This year’s been great with many memories to share,
Here’s to another year, now you all take care.

a very Merry Christmas

This Christmas we stayed at home and celebrated with our little family. It was nice, laid back, and with very little structure (a nice breather for someone like me!). We decided to tote the kiddies to Temple square to see the lights on Christmas eve, and had Treson hand out clementines to those in want of citrus fruit.


we came back home, opened our Christmas eve presents (aka jammies), gave Treson the milk and cookies to set out for Santa, and sent him off to bed. The next morning, I put cinnamon rolls in the oven, AJ woke the Treson-boy, and I got the video camera posed and ready to capture the magic.


Christmas is so much more fun when you have little ones to open up gifts on Christmas day. Treson was particularity joyous to see that the milk and cookies had been enjoyed by Santa, his bulging stocking, and wooden sled from G&G Wakamatsu.

I for one was spoiled this year by a wonderful husband and my parents. I couldn't have asked for more than the smiles of my children on Christmas morning, and that's exactly what I got- a loving husband who loves our children, and a shiny new camera to take those priceless moments :D



(shoes- a perfect mobile for this Ellie-girl!)


I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas!
stay tuned for our Christmas letter and vlog posts of recent events :D

so in love!

when we found out we were having another child, I was secretly wanting a boy. I could remain the "queen" of my castle so to speak, and we could easily use all of our boy stuff again!(talk about economical!) I wasn't disappointed when I had a girl though, exactly the opposite in fact. We named her Krishelle, after my middle name my mom came up with, and I get to dress her up in all sorts of cute clothes! She's so affectionate and happy with brief episodes of feminine hysteria. I just can't get enough of her- she just makes me want to spoil her rotten- I literally have no choice!

failure and success

Never count a discouraging result as a failure- rather it's a chance to reconsider and reformulate your plan to produce desired effects. (didn't some famous dead guy say something about the definition of insanity- expecting a different result by repeating the same actions?)


Well I've hit a wall with Treson's potty training. he was doing really REALLY well.... until he told me (after me suggesting the potty) "nnnnoo! I go in dyper." there was a short spurt of regular potty-going when I bribed him with new toys- but that died down all too soon. I'm now trying to put him in big boy underwear (I call them big boy panties) with a diaper over top. I'm figuring- this way he'll feel the consequences of not going in the potty and there will be very little cleanup on my part! Friends have told me it's nothing to push- and he'll go when his ready.... and I'm being careful not to- but I just hope this little trick will act as a catalyst.

and now for the success!
ok so maybe there are a couple...
Ellie is sitting up now- all-by-herself! It'll last 3 minutes tops (enough time for me to snap a couple shots). she absolutely loves it. She loves to view, and toy accessibility, and most of all our reaction to it all!






Treson wrote his first "T" the other day!!! by the time I got the camera there was some additions- including the dirt.... but you can kinda see it in the middle of the picture


and last- (and probably least)... I made a perfect fortune cookie- first time ever!



I'll throw this picture in for good measure. I love you AJ :D