Funeral

As some know, and many who don't, my g-ma passed away on Oct 14. She had battled cancer for as long as I can remember, around 17 years. She had it beat once (large cell lymphoma) and then came down with a completely different, and unrelated type (renal), which ultimately took her life.

Despite having cancer she was able to serve a mission with G-pa which I think brought her some of the greatest joy she has ever experienced.

In May of this year she orginized what would be the last family reunion with her. All of her children and most of her grandchildren where able to attend. It was a wonderful event. My g-parents had pictures of G-ma taken so everyone could have one to remember her by. At the time though no one knew how short her days really were, we simply knew it would probably be within a year.



On July 23 G-ma collapsed at home at the dinner table. She was taken by ambulance to the hospital in St. George. Because she was displaying symptoms of having had a stroke, a CAT scan of her brain was done. It was then that a large cancer mass was discovered in the right side of the brain. The Renal Cell cancer had now metastasized to the brain, as well as other places previously that we knew about. She was given the choice to have surgery and prolong life for a few additional months or just let it take its course. She chose the latter.

So G-ma and G-pa moved to Rexburg and lived with my mom to wait out the few short (and long) months. My uncle got remarried at the beginning of August, he moved up the date and changed the location from SLC to Idaho Falls so G-ma could be there for it.
(Thank you Deanna for introducing my g-parents to the church so we know that families can be together forever)

At the end of August I was able to go to Rexburg for almost 3 weeks to help take care of her. What a blessing that was to all of us, especially me. In a month she had gone from being a crazy, independant woman, to being totally dependant and as a little child. We had to help her walk, go to the bathroom, get dressed, everything, day and night like a new born or toddler. But it was the greatest opportunity of service I have ever had and I am so greatful for it. She did so much for me growing up it was the least I could do. We got to spend a lot of time talking and playing cards. How I will miss playing cards with her. I will cherish those few short weeks I had with her.

Her she is in her wheelchair (by the time I left she couldn't walk at all or even really use her hands). At least I have pictures of Axton and her so he'll have somethign to know this wonderful woman by.


The biggest thing about my g-ma that I remember is that she NEVER complained, and if she did I never saw it and it was probably few and far between. She was dealt an extremely rough hand in life and yet she was able to overcome it all and be so happy and positive. She knew that the gospel was true, that the Savior loves her and that she would be returning to live with him again. She knew her work was done here on earth even though she didn't want it to be. She was a silently strong woman. We all love her and miss her but I know she is doing more good where she is and that she is looking down and watching over all of us.

Axton's Birthday

My baby turned 2 a month ago and I've been a slacker. But with everything going on who can really blame me!! Like I mentioned in a previous post we were in Idaho and then flew to San Diego the day before Axton's birthday so he got a little jipped but we made up for it. He got a monkey cake in Idaho with Grammy and Papa and some other relatives which I already posted. Then when we got home (about a week after his birthday) I got around to wrapping his presents so he could open them.

He definitely understood the concept this year but he still wanted to pull the wrapping paper off piece by little piece.


I'm always amazed by the things he likes the most and those that he's not that interested in. He loves his flash cards and his choo choo train, but didn't care too much for his truck with shapes or another one that I don't know how to describe. The movies didn't get his attention either, but boy were they a lifesaver on our road trip to Idaho (more in another post to come).





His cousin also got jipped for her birthday so Kim made cupcakes and we all went to the park with Brad and Corina's family and also Greg's cousin Gina and her family. Once again Axton had no trouble blowing out the candles!!



All of the great grandkids on Greg's mom's (Shari) side of the family. 6 of the 7 are Don and Shari's grandkids and they all live within a few miles of each other!! Family is great!


I can't believe he is 2 already!!

My favorite things:
1. If you ask him how he is and how OLD he is- the answer is the same... 2 using his hands to demonstrate. He can't hold up only 2 fingers so he holds up 4 put crosses the middle and pointer fingers so you get it.
2. He loves the word NO but says it so sweetly that you can't help but smile and laugh when he says it.
3. He is obsessed with coloring, I have to hide all pens, pencils, crayons, markers, etc. This boy will find anything and draw you pretty pictures... even if it is on the bathroom wall where you have spent hours tracing designs (long story-pictures to come).
4. He loves "helping" us with projects. He gets right in with Greg when Greg is trying to fix things and Axton will often times take the screw driver (or any other tool) and try to do the same things as Greg. He loves to help me mop the floors and gets out his own vacuum when I am vacuuming. He loves to wipe down the toilets with disinfecting wipes too!
5. A recent discovery is that he'll repeat anything you tell him too (if he feels like it) except one person's name.... Katie!! Sorry we still love you. We will go through EVERYONES names on both sides of our families and he will repeat them until we ask him to say Katie. Then he just shakes his head and say nu-no in the sweetest little voice. I don't know why he won't say Katie but he just won't.
6. He loves to have clothes on. So often you hear the opposite. This boy does not like to be naked for anything. You might be able to get away without pants on occasion but if you leave him shirtless he cries and cries and until you or he finds one and gets it put on. He doesn't like to get his clothes wet either, that calls for immediate crying or changing of clothes.
7. He's a lover. He will get in random moods where all he wants to do is go back and forth and give kisses alternating between Dad and I. It usually doesn't take him long to start giving kisses to G-mas and G-pas too.
8. He loves his sleep and alone time!! We put him in bed and he plays for who knows how long and then sleeps. We put him to bed at 7 and he usually "wants" out at around 8-8:30 the next morning. I say "wants" because he's usually awake by 6 but loves to just hang out and kick the walls, blabber to himself, or do seat drops in his crib. If we interupt this then he's usually pretty grumpy the rest of the day. I also put him down for a nap around 12 and its not unusual for Greg to get home at 4:30 and have him go get Axton out. I'm spoiled I know!
9. He has the most mischievous looks. You can almost see him plotting his next move. He usually does it when he is planning on taking something that will get one of us to chase him around the house. How the boy loves to be chased and scared!
10. I love that he's just so happy all of the time. I definitely got it easy with my first, and I hope it's not because he'll be my only!! Rarely is he overwhelming. He has his moments when he doesn't want to share toys, or doesn't want to eat dinner, but on the overall he is really easy going and loves people. I am so grateful that I have at least one beautiful child to spend my days with and who lights up my face daily. Motherhood is a wonderful opportunity to love and grow, and become more christ like. Thank you Axton and Greg for letting me have this wonderful opportunity in my life.

Last Coupon Sense Post.... maybe

Here are a few pictures of the things I got with coupon sense. Axton was pretty excited although he didn't know why!!



We got 5 boxes of cereal, 5 boxes of poptarts, 9 hamburger helpers, 6 progresso soups, 16 campbells soups, 2 things of butter, and sour cream. The total: $100.59 WITHOUT coupons. I only spent.... $22.67. So I am sold. It takes time and practice but I think it's a fun hobby for me. Some of this I wouldn't buy not because we wouldn't eat it, simply because I'd rather make something else or it's too expensive for me to justify it. However I did get it because it was such a great deal and because it makes for fabulous food storage which we haven't had before now.

Oh yeah and last night.... we got 3 containers of breyers ice cream (Greg's favorite) and 1 box of klondikes for $5. I don't think I'll ever be able to pay full price again.

Ok I think I have it out of my system for now. I'm telling ya though you should give it a shot!!

Coupon Sense

Several people have told me about couponsense.com and so a while back I decided to bite the bullet and give it a try. As my luck would go I went to a class and learned a ton about it and was super excited about it..... and then went to Idaho for 3 weeks and didn't do anything. So I kind of forgot all the ins and outs of how it works. Luckily I have a wonderful instructor that I can call anytime and she will answer my questions.

So despite my lapse of time and memory, I still decided to give it a shot. The results: in the last 2 days my bills came to $146.19. And how much did I pay? $51.24!! That's a savings of almost 65%. On the things I used coupons for my savings would be about 85%. Unfortunately things like "cream of" soups/fruits and veggies/etc. rarely, if ever, have coupons which is what dropped my percentage.

Not too shabby since I didn't do much to prepare. I simply made my shopping list exactly like I would have before, and then compared it with couponsense.com to find where had the best prices mixed with coupons. I didn't buy anything that I wouldn't normally unless it was free. It was easy, a little time consuming since it was my first go, but way easy. I'm not big into going to lots of stores so I limited it. All of this was done at 3 stores: my main grocery store, Target, and CVS since they are all within about 5 miles of each other. I have decided though that if I have time I'm willing to go to more now just as something to do and as a cheap way to get my food storage. So yesterday we went to Fry's and today we went to CVS and Target. We might hit up Safeway and Albertsons (which is a whole block away) and then Bashas which is about 2 miles from us either today or tomorrow, maybe not until next week. But only if I have nothing better to do.

My reasoning for going to these other places is simply to increase my food storage because they have some amazing deals. At Safeway right now I plan to spend $5 and will get 5 boxes of cereal and 5 boxes of poptarts. At Bashas I can get 12 cans of chicken noodle soup for $0.29 a piece!! Talk about great food storage items. Also Betty Crocker Hamburger (etc) helper is only $0.66 a piece. I'm not big into Hamburger helper but I'll eat it if I need to, I can think of worse things to eat. I got yoplait yogurt for $0.30 a container.

The other great thing is that couponsense.com has lists of free stuff and under $0.50stuff. I managed to get 4 body washes, mousse, and hairspray for $.28 each, talk about stocking up. I also got face cleaner, 4 razors, 2 dental flosses, a small first aid kit, a glade candle, and 6 things of crystal light for free. I still plan to get bar soap and baby wipes for free too but only if I end up going to walmart for some reason before Wednesday, which is likely to happen.

And did I mention that I got free lunch today for Axton and I? A gas station is running a promo of buy a sandwich and get a 32 oz drink free. Well I had a coupon for the sandwhich so I didn't spend a penny and it fed both of us and was surprisingly good.

This has turned into a fun game for me and I can't wait to see what savings I can earn for the rest of the month. It would be even better if I didn't have to lug a 2 year old around with me but I think he enjoys being out and about almost as much as I do. I hope this post helps someone else out there. Couponsense is nationwide I believe and exceptional in 7 states including AZ, CA, UT, and ID from what I've heard. If you go forward with trying couponsense let them know that you learned it from me so I get rewarded!! I think you can give them my name or use this number 1718734!! Happy shopping!

BOUNTIFUL BASKETS is on the move too. It is now in Washington State and Idaho. It's also spread to Cedar City for those of you interested check out their site. I got 40 lbs of pears for $12, guess we know what I'll be doing all of next week!

Birthday Boy.... sort of

We are in Rexburg and Axton's birthday is Thursday. We fly to San Diego for a wedding on Wednesday (so Axton is still free!!) so Axton was going to get the jip for his b-day (hopefully he'll at least get to see his dad for his b-day). Good thing he's only two. Since we flew I wasn't able to bring any presents. I did however think to bring a cake pan in the hopes that just maybe we might get around to making it for him whether here in Rexburg or in San Diego.

I think it turned out pretty stinking cute for being my second one! He is way into monkeys lately, which I was excited about because I love this monkey pan and recipes! You can make it with a cake, rice krispies, or brownies (something for everyone).

Getting ready to sing "happy birthday"

Yes I'm immature and stuck the candles in the nostrils!! I was so happy and sad when Axton blew out his candles all by himself. I was looking forward to helping him but as I was inhaling he blew them out!!! I was very impressed that he got it right away.

He got ONE present!! Hurray! Luckily it was a book so we can fit it into our suitcase! I am at the max already so I told my mom to give me money and we'll buy something when we get home.

He enjoyed the frosting more than anything, and then the ice cream. The cake itself he wasn't so sure about, he must take after Mom and Dad.

And incase you didn't notice. I chopped all of my long, beautiful, annoying hair off and I love it!! Hopefully Greg will too!!

Ride in the Convertible

Great Gpa Hillier owns a 1965 convertible so he took Axton and his other great grandparents for a ride. This boy is spoiled (especially with all the grandparents he has!!).

Axton was ready to get out of there and wouldn't stop saying bah-bye!





Axton loved the ride but we had a rough time when it was over. As I was trying to get his car seat out he was playing with the door. It pushed it too hard and it bounced back and hit him in the face. It was kind of funny. But at the same time that he landed I was getting out and ended up stepping on him. So that really sent the tears going. Overall though I think everyone had a good time.

Tautphaus Park Zoo

We took Axton to the local zoo. It's not very big but when Gma had to push Axton the whole time and I got to push Gpa around because he broke his foot, it was plenty big and quite the workout. It took us about an hour.

They have a free petting zoo although there wasn't much to it. Axton liked petting the goats until it came time for pictures.

Axton couldn't wait to touch the lizard.

This cute little monkey was swinging all over the place.



I think the monkeys were Axton's favorite, besides maybe the lions and tigers.


It was fun being in the bird area because they weren't afraid of you at all. Hence the one letting me touch it. I love Axton's sounds for birds.