Happiness is. . .

"Happiness is a matter of how you feel INSIDE rather than things that are happening OUTSIDE."

I was looking at my Windows Live profile and this was a quote that I had included. I don't even remember putting it there, nor do I remember where it came from. All I do know is that it's something I really needed right now.

Many moons ago I used to be an EXTREMELY happy person. Always smiling. I mean, people would dare me NOT to smile and I couldn't do it. But as life happened and disappointments came, my happiness level slowly started getting smaller and smaller. I started dwelling on things that really didn't matter and things I couldn't control.

Not don't misunderstand me. I'm not walking around in this big cloud of doom and gloom, but I know that I am not the person that I once was. And that makes me sad. I think sometimes in life we fall into the "I'll be happy when. . ." type of thinking and we can't think that way. We have to be able to maintain a positive attitude no matter what life hands us and accept things for what they are.

I would encourage all of us to change our way of thinking and be HAPPY.

(p.s. I know this is more of a "personal" blog then what's going on with the Ward Clan, but I don't know how many people read my personal blog and I wanted everyone to hear this)

Long over due. . .

And the answer is B) $54.47. Here is the proof:

And this is how much we saved total:

Pretty awesome, huh?! When I saw that over-all savings, I was totally pumped! The only thing we've completely eaten has been the banquet meals pot pies. I definitely recommend coupon clipping and taking advantage of in store rewards to any one. Go us!!

The person that answered it correctly, Amanda. Way to go girl! I give you an air high five-yeah!

What do you think?

With the times being what they are and trying to save money for adoption and IVF we have been trying to save money where we can, especially when it comes to food. Our friend Jenni suggested we check out Pinching Your Pennies. It's about coupon clipping and using in-store deals. We've thought about coupon clipping before, but we figured it would be too much work especially since we don't get the sunday paper. After today though, I think I'm a believer. Here's a picture of everything we got at Albertsons:


Here is a list of everything that we got:
2 dozen eggs
7 Banquest Frozen Entrees
2 Banquet Frozen Dinners
12 Banquet Pot Pies
2 One pound bags of shrimp
1 Five pound bag of sugar
2 52 Fl oz of Welches Aqua Juice
2 Boxes Nabisco Saltines
3 Jello puddings
3 Jello Gelatins
2 boxes of Jello single servings
6 cans of Tomato Soup
4 boxes of Cereal
7 pounds of variety cut pork

My question to you: How much did we pay?
A) $100.89
B) $54.47
C) $35.67
D) $75.36

I'll give you the answer next week. Stay tuned!

The day we celebrate our love. . .

This is what I got for Valentine's Day:

Nic was gone for a couple of days, so on Valentine's Day morning I went and picked him up at the airport. I was sooooooo happy to see him. I hate it when he's gone the bed-the bed is colder, I can't sleep and I get scared in our big house. We went to the grocery store to get some things for Valentine's Day dinner and then went to Shopko, which is a store that I think I have under appreciated the last six and a half years that I've been in Boise. After that, we went home just to cuddle and enjoy each other's company. Gosh! I really miss my hubby when he's gone.


After laying around for a few hours, Nic went out to get me one final Valentine's Day gift (well, two-roses and the newbook by Sheri L. Dew (man I love her!). We were going to go out for dinner at Texas Road House (our Bishop and his wife he given me a gift card for baby-sitting there SEVEN kids) but Nic and I decided to save it for another day. Instead, I made Cesar salad, shrimp scampi, garlic bread and baked spaghetti. I was going to make individual sized cakes, but after everything else I didn't have the energy :(

After dinner we watched this movie. And while I totally LOVED Michael Cera in this movie, I was a little disappointed. Nick and Norah's playlist (aka soundtrack) is one that I think I can get into but the movie was kind'a slow and all kind of rambled. It had some funny parts ("It's not a cab my friend. I promise."), but it was okay. Overall it was a great Valentine's Day and I'm so glad Nic was able to be home and spend it with me.



p.s. If any of you guys want the super yummy recipes, let me know and I'll email them to you.

Fixed for now

Well, I think my page is fixed. . .though, I'm tired of the back ground and I need to change it up. I designed the background for my alma mater page, maybe I'll give it a go for our page. All my links are back up, but if yours is missing-let a sist'a know.

If you stalk me and want your blog listed, let me know and I'll throw it up. Peace out for now.

Problems

So, I've been working on my high school reunion blog and our family blog and somewhere in there I lost everything on our family blog-totally sucks! Hopefully I'll have it fixed over the weekend. . .but probably not.

Adios guys!

Do you know what today is?

Well it's Elvis' birthday AND it's our anniversary! Four years ago Nic and I were sealed for time and all eternity. Last night we were talking about the drive up to Oakland the day before the wedding (Pleasanton to be exact). Nic rode up in our rental with my brothers and I rode up with my parents. I never knew this but the night we got up there, the boys went for a walk to Wendy's in search of food. Probably not the best idea to go walking the streets of Pleasanton at night-not the best place. Then the next morning I rode to the temple with my parents. Looking back, it was kind of like my parents giving me away, it was nice and very symbolic I think. Though we've only been married for four years, Nic and I have been together (really) since 2002-this summer it will be SEVEN years!

This last year I think Nic and I have done the most growing. We bought a house (YEAH!!), made career decisions and decided how we were going to start our family. These very difficult decisions brought us closer together, especially spiritually. I think more than ever, we have learned that the Lord is overall.

I'm so very grateful for Nic and his constant support. He is truly the BEST husband a girl could ask for. He does the dishes (without being asked), he helps around the house, he does laundry, and he always takes care of me. He encourages me to be the very best person I can be and tells me that I can accomplish anything that I set my mind too. I appreciate his optimism and his desire to serve others.

I love you Nicolas Ryan!!!

Love,

Squeaky