MY ALTATUDE ON LIFE

The other day we were driving home from St. George and Charlie had something that he wanted to say. He got all of our attention and proclaimed, "Mommy, can I go back into your tummy?" "Why?" I ask. "Because I want to hatch again." Gotta love him!

We have been trying to more careful about the ways that we spend our money lately, and the other night I found a great way to have beautiful fresh produce for less than half the price we pay at the grocery store. I was at a Parents Night Out for Cystic Fibrosis and they were doing a round table of a bunch of different information that might be of use to us. One of the stations was lady that was promoting a food co-op. I was a bit hesitant at first, but as I listened to her I fell in love with the idea. This co-op is called The Harvester Food Co-op of Utah. I haven't recieved my order yet, but I will be picking it up on the 29th of this month. And the best part is that they have pick ups all over utah, the one that I go to is in the University Housing West buildings. That is like 2 blocks away, how great is that! So they have many different options of shares that you can buy, the only money that you have to put up is for that months. This months full share is $23 and it includes:
2 lbs Boneless, Center Cut, Pork Loin Roast
2 lbs Split Chicken Breast (boneless, skinless)
1 lb Lean Ground Beef
4/4 oz Cubed Steaks
Fresh Fruits (3 varieties)
Fresh Vegetables (5 varieties)
Stone Ground’s Artisan Wheat Bread
16 oz. Lentils
Looking into co-ops that night I got home from the meeting, I found another co-op that sounded really great too, so I signed up for that it as well. This one is every week but each location does it every other week. So last Saturday I had to go out to Daybreak, and this Saturday I am going to Bountiful. Unfortunately there isn't a pick up in SLC, but I am hoping to change that. When I picked up my basket I was shocked at the wonderful produce was. So fresh! This Co-op called Bountiful Baskets cost $15 and it was a laundry basket totally full. This is what was in it: Honey Crisp apples, bananas, plums, persimmons, bosc pears, pomegranates, carrots, celery, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, 10lb. bag of New Potatoes, oh year and a big bag of red grapes. This is something everyone should look into, because the more that people get involved the less expencsive the food becomes. Think about it, it's a win win situation! So from one frugal mom to another, this it totally worth your time and money. This Saturday I will take a picture of my basket so that you can get a better idea!

Hey Friends, I am coming to you and asking if you can help me. I am doing a boutique fundraiser for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, and am in need of people wanting to be a part of it. We won't have a booth fee or a percentage cut from your profits, we just ask that you can donate what you can of your proceeds. I understand that times are hard right now and people are pretty strapped for money, so I wanted to make it possible to donate your time and recoup your material costs on things, and if you are able to donate more. Even if it is baking some bread, or making some cookies, it doesn't really matter. We will be having it on December 4th and 5th. That is a Friday afternoon/evening, and Saturday morning. It should be really fun, and if you can't donate anything come and do some philanthropic Christmas shopping. It is for a good cause. We will also be having a silent auction if you have only one of something or would work better for that. I really appreciate all of you help and support, and if I can ever help any of you please please just ask, and I would do it in a heartbeat!
Love to you all!

Here are a few pictures Mike's mom took of us up on the North Shore. I am so bummed because the 2nd to last day we lost our camera, but the worst part of it all is that we lost all of our pictures. It put me in tears, I so wanted to document this trip because we are so bad at taking pictures in the first place. Total Bummer!

I haven't been able to sleep the past couple of nights very well. I find myself staying up way to late, and awaking before the break of dawn. Granted some of those days I have an alarm set for my long runs, but like today I woke up with no reason. Laying awake in bed for hours seems pointless to me when I can be getting so much done while the rest of the house is still sleeping. Mike and I are leaving our kids for a week and going to Hawaii today, and I kinda think that is the main culprit for my insomnia. I have such a hard time leaving home, Mike thinks I am a little silly, but it really is so hard for me. My 3 little ones are my world, that is what I do 24 hours a day, I am their #1. It is hard sometimes, and I go a little crazy and wonder what I got myself into, but it is times like these that I realize how much they are a part of me and who I am. Ahh, I have butterflies in my tummy, and tears in my eyes. Bless my parents for watching them while I am gone, it is such a peaceful thought to know that they are in such good hands. My parents are such wonderful people, and I couldn't ask for better more loving and supportive parents and grandparents for my children. I think that each of my children feel like and think that they are their favorite, and isn't that just how if ought to be? Ok I can't get started here or I will be a complete mess. All I can say is that I have the most wonderful parents in the world, and the very sweetest children ever, and I am going to miss them so very much. I will miss my Boo, Char Man, and Bubba, your mommy loves you more than words.

Top Sirloin steak, Blue Cheese Lettuce Wedge, Asparagus, Yellow and Green Zucchini, with Sweet 100 Cherry's sautéed in garlic olive oil and fresh basil. Every thing here is fresh except for the steak. Our cute neighbors row asparagus in their garden and occasionally they have more than they can eat and bring it to us. How lucky are we. Our garden has been extremely bounteous. Gardening is so fun when you can reap what you sew.

20% of all proceed go toward the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation! Eat, Drink and be Merry! Monday, September 21st!