I am that person...

Ok, so the coupon craze is all over the media.. there is a show on TLC about some crazy couponers, etc. Now, I have begun couponing after a presentation at a moms group, and have found it fun. I am not trying super hard, in that I have not ventured into stores I do not normally frequent (rite aid, etc). However, shopping at mostly Safeway and Albertsons, armed with my new found knowledge and patience (and a folder of coupons), we have cut our grocery bill by 30%. Nice.

OK, now this week, I may have crossed the line... Darn safeway coupons. This week there is a lot of stuff on sale, including cereal, frozen veggies and fruit snacks. (NOTE: I am not a huge fan of fruit snacks, preferring the whole fruit fruit leather at Costco, but for a special treat....) Anyway, back to the point... I have found myself making multiple trips to Safeway each day, in order to stock up... and when I say multiple, I am almost embarrassed to say I mean 6!!! ok, six in one day... that meant 16 bags of veggies, 10 boxes of simply fruit rolls, and 8 boxes of cereal. Then, of course, the next day.. I went back!!!!

All in all, I have spent under $20... and have a stocked pantry in fruit snacks and cereal... and frozen veggies.

Finally...

After much anticipation..... it finally arrived. Our first snow day of the year....

I love snow. It is clean, pure and beautiful. Makes me think of the hymn.... "White as snow.."

MOPS Angels...

After much talk, the gals from MOPS got together with a couple firearm instructors and spent a morning learning about hand guns, safety and shooting!! There were about a dozen guns to try, and countless rounds of ammo... So, needless to say, it was a fun morning.

I had never shot a gun, so I was a bit nervous at first, but in the end, it was not a big deal... but I also would not describe it has "fun". I mean, the whole day was fun, shooting with friends and all, but shooting is not something I would do regularly for fun.... I will stick with scrappin'. :)

Conversations with....

So,I remember a while ago reading about or seeing a book called "Conversations with God". Now, I will be honest, I have not read it nor did I open it... but I remember thinking, that would be interesting... and wondering, what would I talk to Him about given the opportunity...

Then this week, I was hit by the amazing conversations I have with.... my toddler. Why hasn't anyone written this book? Conversations with Toddlers. I mean, it could be educational, humorous, foreign language, religious, self help.. this could be a best seller. just sayin.

5 years....

Where has time gone? I know, it seems cliche, but really? Where does it go?

You see, this week my oldest turned 5. Yes, 5. OK, so for some that may not seem such a big deal, but to me that seems so strange. There is something about that number. 5. Not a baby, not a toddler. A little kid. It means the beginning of school (beyond, Preschool, that is).... Next year, she will be in kindergarten.

You know, so much has changed in these 5 years. 6 years ago, if you had asked me what I expected my life to look at in 2011, I am not sure what I would have said... but I know I would not have said that I would be a full time mom. I never expected to make the decision to stay home, but after having Allie, well... my world became a much different place. My values and priorities certainly changed... and I became a different person. Strange how a small 6 pound bundle (now a 40 pound 5 year old) can do that so quickly and effectively.

I have loved being home with her over the past 5 years. I have enjoyed watching her go from newborn, to toddler, to big sister, to little girl, and now to a girl. She has brought us so much laughter, joy and has taught me a great deal. It is always amazing to see the world through a child's eyes, and Allie is no exception. She brings light and love to us, and I am so thankful that God has brought her to our family.

Happy 5th Birthday Allison!! We love you very much!

Running towards the finish line....

So, I signed up for the Shamrock run again!! Yep, I did.. :) March 13 I will do the 15k one more time, in an effort to beat my time from last year. You see, I am not competitive against others, but my own time... so, I will run the 9plus miles, four of which go up a hill, then you go down... This year, though, I am part of a large team of folks from Mac taking on the Shamrock, so that should make for a fun after gathering!!

Next up....

Mac Triathlon. yep, I have not signed up for this.. but I will do so soon. May 21st, the McMinnville Parks and Rec Sprint Triathlon will be my first Triathlon... and I am looking forward to this..

Then, in August....

216 miles from Diamond Lake to Bend, Oregon... It is a 12 person relay team event, with each member doing 3 legs, ranging from 5-8 miles each. Uh, whose idea was this? this invovles van rides, sleeping in strange places, running at odd times, etc.

Then... Lets see... in September we have the Warrior Dash and Pints to Pasta... :)

Who knows what is between now and then... but atleast I am signed up for events that will keep me going, keep me motivated and keep me active... and a bit sane.

Forgiveness...

One of my relatives had this as their face book status recently:

Many times we withhold our forgiveness as a punishment to the one that hurt us. But, by doing so we are only punishing ourselves. Forgiveness is not a free pass to the offender; rather, it frees our hearts from the anger caused by hurt. An unforgiving heart is a hardened heart and, like an old, dried up sponge, a hardened heart is unable to soak up God’s love.

Forgiveness is a funny thing. Anger is even funnier. As a counselor, I have come to recognize that anger often is a secondary emotion, and is what comes out when we are hurt. Often we are "angry" at the person who has hurt us. However, what does this anger do? Does it change the other person's behavior? Does it make you feel better? No, No. It sits on your heart. It weighs on your soul.

I have had the conversation about forgiveness often with one of my sisters, and the concept of "letting someone off the hook". I know in my heart, that carrying around anger only hurts me. It is not changing anyone else, nor helping me move forward. It serves no purpose other than to bring more unhappiness into my life. Forgiveness does not excuse anything. Ultimately, why not forgive? Why not let it go? I have heard that the person does not deserve to be forgiven. Hm.... Didn't God give us this ultimate gift that none of us deserve? He sent His Son, to be alive with us and then to die for us? Did we deserve that? No, it is called Grace. God's great grace. No way can we ever earn that.

So, why do we feel so righteous that we will demand others to earn our forgiveness?

Currently, I am in place where I am looking closely at the concept of forgiveness, and balancing it out with accountability. You can forgive someone and hold them accountable, can't you? Either way, I think that what also speaks highly is the manner in which we move forward with this forgiveness and accountability. Responding to a sin by acting sinfully is wrong.

But how do we help those whose hearts are so hardened that they cannot see the path to forgiveness and just bring negativity where ever they go? Perhaps we do not help them. Perhaps we just lead by example and choose not to allow their toxicity to impact you. Not sure how to do that always, but it seems worth a try.