So this is honest labor!!!

The above photos are of 15 months of an entire school collecting them!

Keep in mind that I volunteered for this! Last year I had a wonderful idea to really pitch in and help the new school make money. As I searched for things to do, everything I could find already had somebody doing it. Then the idea came: Cream of Weber milk tops! I get that kind of milk anyway!
You always hear about schools getting like $700 for box tops, so I was really excited--we go thru 3-5 gallons a week, so I thought "The Gordons could do that alone!" Ya right! There was already quite a few milk tops when I began the project 15 months ago. I have been collecting them, and storing them at home for 15 months. Sean had threatened to throw them out several times. I knew that he was serious this last time, so I finally counted them up.
For a grand total of 771 milk tops. After I get my paperwork completed, in a couple months our school should get a check of a grand total of........wait for it...........yes..........$38.00! That is an average of 8.4 cents a day!
Okay, so seriously I am totally happy to do it, and every bit of money is helpful and appreciated, and yes we are doing it for the kids, but it reminds me:
On a shopping trip, Tupperware party, Christmas, buying school stuff, etc., you could totally blow a ton of money without even blinking an eye. If you are trying to save money, by scrimping on groceries, gas, entertainment, hand me downs, etc, IT TAKES FOREVER just to get $30!!!!!
So the next time we are slothful and buy whatever we want, or struggle to save for something special, I hope to remember the MILK TOP story for MYSELF and my family, and really make my choices count!
(Now my subtle tribute to Paul Harvey): So now you know THE REST OF MY STORY...GOODDAY!

Raspberries!!!

We are so excited and in disbelief! Jaron was outside playing and said "Mom, come look. We have raspberries!" I knew that we had acouple of buds, so I said "Ya, are they white?" "No, they are purple or red. I had to go look for myself. We actually got raspberries this year! We were able to eat 6 raspberries today! Hopefully we should get about 2 more in a couple days, and if the weather holds out for another few weeks, another handful. SO AWESOME!!!! We have really been blessed this year. I have loved having a garden! BUT, does anyone need yellow squash?!?!!!

Potatoes!

Jarons class has been learning about potatoes in school. As part of their studies, they went to the potatoe expo in Blackfoot. Today we went to a farmers field to glean potatoes. They will be donating them to the foodbank.
When I was about 12 I did this with a youth group. I remember the potatoes being few and far between. With this memory in mind, I decided to pick up all the potatoes (even the ones the size of my thumb.) I did manage to fill a bag (probably a hundred potatoes). I kept noticing that I was giving the kids bags constantly. The crazy thing was that they were getting full!...with BIG ones, too. Before long, bags were breaking, and I was running to help kids. Then I noticed these rows full of large potatoes. The kids were sitting by the row just loading them into the bags!
Once again memories from my youth come back to me wandering away from the group finding huge potatoe after potatoe. Then getting in trouble because I was digging where they had not been harvested yet. To myself I am thinking "Oh no, they are going to get in trouble." I then notice that it is not just the kids doing it, but all the adults as well!
I kept making comments like "Oh, looks like they missed a few, or You call this GLEANING? or do you really think it is okay to get THESE ones." **Okay, so I admit I am a paranoid dork!** But they all just laughed at me! As we were driving to the spud cellar, the thought occured to me.."I bet he left those out so it would be a little easier for the kids, afterall, they are going to the foodbank!"
After we took the kids back to school, Sean and I went back and got some for ourselves. And by then of course, they had all been harvested! I was right (eventually), that farmer was just being a really nice guy to us! So needless to say, I worked very hard for those potatoes...the first time out of stupidity, the second time because I really WAS gleaning! I am sore and tired, but so very greatful for the wonderful experience with Jaron and Sean, and for the blessing of those potatoes!

I was just looking at the couch

Last weekend we had friends over to hang out and play games. Emily was getting pretty grumpy, so we put on a Strawberry Shortcake show. After a while, Jaron came in (tired from running and playing outside.) He sat by Emily on the couch and started enjoying the show with Emily. About 5 minutes later, Jarons friend comes in. He looks at Jaron. Looks at the TV. Looks at Jaron again, and says "Are you watching Strawberry Shortcake!?!!!"
Jaron jumps up (super fast!) and said "No way! I was just looking at the couch!" We all bust a gut laughing. He still swears that he was looking at the couch! YA RIGHT, JARON!!! We still love you--Of course those are some of the things we love most about Jaron!
I am repeatedly amazed at how diffrent each child is. They each have their own strenghts and weakness, things you really love about them. I am so greatful for Sean, and for each of our beautiful kids. My greatest desire is to show them how special they are, and let each of them know how much I love them!

Sean Fishing with his bros

Sean just e-mailed me this photo of his fishing trip. He and his brothers went fishing on the Snake River this weekend. I am so excited for him. 11 years of marriage, and he has never done anything like this. (Too busy with work and kids!) They left on Friday morning at about 7am, and I am expecting him home tonight around midnight.

Apparently the fishing has been great, and the cookies I made were a hit! (Always good to know your cooking is appreciated!)

I have been blogging, and the kids have been playing gamecube and watching movies. For the grand finale, I think we will have a pizza for dinner. Kind of embarrasing to admit, but oh well, that's me!!

I feel so greatful for such a wonderful husband. I am so glad he got to do this. He is always so supportive of me. With that being said, I really do look forward to having him home tonight. :)

Up and running!

Okay, my new websites are up and running! Please check them out.
This is the shopping one: http://ihavebeengivenmuch.blogspot.com/
This is the excess exchange one: http://becaiseihavebeengivenmuch.blogspot.com/ Yes, I know I mispelled it!

So, I will need everyones tips to make them a success! Thanks for being such good friends, and so supportive of my crazy ideas!

What a slacker!

Man, I have been wanting to update my blog for a couple weeks.  Time has really gotten away from me.  On the positive note, I have been really involved with the kids, and keeping up the home, so that is a good thing.  We are all doing good.  The kids had parent teacher confrences today.  We are so lucky to have such great kids, and wonderful teachers who care about them.  Even Emily has such a wonderful time at preschool.  I feel so blessed.  I have been enjoying cooking and organizing our home.  I have also been plotting how to stock up my food storage.  I missed Smiths case food sale, but am anxiously awaiting Ridleys in about 2 weeks.  I am going to start 2 new blogs.  One will highlight all the sales and bargains I find.  The second will be like a sight where you can exchange stuff with eachother  ie.  "I have an extra shower curtain and 4- 4T dresses, and baby blankets, if you know anyone who needs them (free)"   or " am looking for a night stand for my kids room (free or really cheap)."  I think I could open it so people could just post on it themselves, or send me an e mail I could just cut and paste from.  Basically it would just be offering it to people before loading it to the DI.  Do you think these would be a good idea?

HAIIIYAHH!

After church today as we we changing out of our church clothes, Jaron walks into our closet and flexes his muscles at Sean. Then he said "Dad, can I see your muscles?" Sean obliged. Then while Sean was ironing his shirt, he and Jaron started talking about the resurrection. Sean told him that our bodies would be made perfect, that missing limbs would be replaced, and that we would not have disease or sickness.
Here is the conversation:

Jaron asked: Will we be strong?
Sean said: Yes.
Jaron: Is Jesus strong?
Sean: Oh, yes.
Jaron: Does Jesus know kung fu?
Sean: What?
Jaron: Does Jesus know kung fu?
Sean: Jaron, do you think that Jesus needs to know kung fu?
Jaron: Yes, because if bad guys tried to beat him up he could (imagine the jump, sound, and hand jestures etc.) "HAIIIYAHH!"

Yep! Thats my boy!

I want to try "it!"

Last night we had a fantastic enrichment night. It was on ways to use your food storage. It really showed me that you should be learning how to use it, incase you ever have to, and also that it can save you quite a bit of money just on your regular groceries. I think about how many time I have to borrow an egg, or a little sugar, or oil or something, and I think that would be so nice to have some less expensive, less space required, easy to store items so I would never run out.
I also think it will take some time to adjust to the new ways, and also help the old body to get use to the new food. We sampled whole wheat pancakes, taquitos, spanish rice, pumpkin chocolate chip cookies, crepes, chili, and angel food cake! It was wonderful, but I was running to the bathroom all night, I am just not use to that much wheat!
I think you could easily do wheat flour, eggs, and milk (in cooking--Sean warned me to not even try to give it to him to drink!) Due to the lunch preparation tips (ie. bagging snacks, making and freezing sandwiches ahead of time etc) I can already tell that I am saving money, and a lot of headache and time! Another thing they demonstrated for us was to make our own mixes ie. cookies, pancakes, instant oatmeal. I am totally going to try this!
First step: organize food storage to see what I have.
Second step: Assemble some recipes to try.
Third step: Hang on to your hats, it may be a crazy ride.
I will keep you posted along the way, and will share any great tips I find. If you have some good tips for me, let me know!

PS--Anne was feeling ill last night, and asked if I would make the angel food cake for her. She brought me everything, and it was really easy. During the presentation Cami said "We had other people bring some stuff, and they are going to tell us about it." So I was sweating it, and sure enough I needed to comment on it! I only did it, because it could be great blog material! Anne, you owe me BIG time!

You better be my friend, or I will beat you up

So today was Emily's first official day of preschool. She is loving it! I drive Emily and Caleb to preschool, and Anne picks up. As I was taking them to school this morning, it was so fun to hear their conversation.

Out of the clear blue Emily says "**** is the meanest girl in the whole world!" I said "Oh, that is not true, she is a nice girl. If you hear people say mean thing you need to say 'that is not true, she is my friend, don't talk that way about her' You guys need to be good friends with everyone! I expect you to be nice today, okay?"

Emily: "But what if they are mean to me and hit me?"

mom: Then you tell them "stop that, I don't like that!"

Emily: "Then I will say, 'You better be my friend, or I will beat you up!"

Somehow, I think I have missed something important as I have taught her!LOL

Inquiring minds want to know: Yes, she did wear her bows today, and yes she pulled them out the moment she walked in the door!

When the moms are away, the dads will play!!

Today was the stake "sisters in white" temple day. After much encouragement, I drove up there with Anne and Jen Rhodehouse. We had fun visiting, and went to Johny Carinos for lunch afterwards. The temple was beautiful. It is so wonderful to be there. It has been too long, and I have missed it.

While we were there, Sean and Jason took the kids to explore the lava tubes. You can see the fun they had on the video. I feel so lucky to be Seans wife. He is so good to me.