La Smala de Muche

Outings

2011-12-31T21:18:00.000-08:00

One last time at the Phoenix Zoo before the membership expires.

Finishing up with the Temple Lights and a very tired little boy!

The next day, we visited the Ghost Town of Goldfield, north of Apache Junction.

We brought 2 extras but left the older one at home (too cool for us cowboys).

T'was the season...

2011-12-31T20:51:00.000-08:00

T'was the season for Gingerbread houses, and...

Christmas concert (I had to show that I was there because my singer never saw me!), and...

Gifts from my brother on Christmas Eve, and...

The BIG day!!!!

Merry Christmas!!!!

Ormie the pig

2011-12-24T12:49:00.000-08:00

This will be me after January 1st!!!!

It's really funny, whatch it with your kids!

Mad World

2011-12-21T13:57:00.000-08:00

Last week, a mad man opened fire in the center of my beloved home town Liege. He killed 5, including himself, coward. He injured over 120. This is a busy season, there was a Christmas market and a ton of young students waiting for the bus after taking their finals. A perfect time for a perfectly senseless crime. My heart hurt to hear about it. Here is a video in honor of its victims. If you've been following my blog, you will recognize the area as one I photographed back in June.

Winter Wonderland

2011-12-18T20:46:00.000-08:00

This year, thanks to a good friend, we made it to the Polar Express up north and took our kiddos to the North Pole (in Williams, Az). We kept it a secret, we didn't even tell them we were going out of town. I packed the bag while they were at school and on Saturday morning, told them to get their teddy bears to sleep with. The girls say now that they guessed where we were going. They knew we had a big surprise and had thought it would be going to the movies (hmm, yeah, we obviously don't do that very often since they think it'd be THE big surprise!). The boys had no clue, even when we got to the train station :) and the girls didn't really guess, they only hoped.
It was fun, a bit expensive for a family of 7, plus staying in a 4 star hotel (it was a 1 star, and I think it got 1 star because of the 27 inch flat screen TV or maybe the telephone with no cord, or the antique windows, and the mismatched furniture, not sure).
We played in the snow too. I realize that my kids are big wusses when it comes to cold, I need to move them where it snows for a a couple of years, just to expose them to the real world, geeeezzze!
Now is the big count down, only 6 days to get all the wrapping done and bake the goodies and get them delivered, yikes, gotta get going!

That cookie is bigger than his little face!!!

If you know the story, the little boy loses his bell because he has a whole in his pocket. Santa gave a bell to Tommy and said: "here you go, I hope you don't have holes in your pocket"! So I checked, and look at that!!! He didn't want to wear his pjs, because he's too cool like that.

Oh baby it's cold outside!

This looks like a male snowman for sure!!!

In case you didn't get it in the mail...

2011-12-18T20:04:00.001-08:00

Email from Santa!

2011-12-15T15:31:00.000-08:00

If you go there http://www.portablenorthpole.tv/watch/gksHoRdSQxNh8FdqGv2MVPw you can see an email we got from Santa himself. It's really fun, just go to http://www.portablenorhtpole.tv.com/ and make one for your kids. It's free and requires no sign up. Sooo fun!

Another birthday

2011-12-07T21:00:00.000-08:00

Here is the next birthday in the Inman household.

A new bike (thanks to a great friend, you know who you are :)

Ready to brave the AZ elements, we have had frost in the am, the Spiderman hat and gloves are a necessity these days.

Yes, that's 6 fingers you count!

...and no, I didn't make that cake either (Fresh and Easy, $5.39)

Saint Nicolas, patron des ecoliers

2011-12-07T16:23:00.000-08:00

This year again, Saint Nicolas came to our house, all the way from Belgium, for some very undeserving children, but that's another post!

Put your shoe by the cheminey (or tree if you don't have one) and he'll bring you goodies on December 6th.

He is stuck on our tree at our house though, hope he can make it back to Belgium for next year!

We did Christmas early with my parents, since they leave on Saturday to make sure St Nicolas gets back okay.

He looks thrilled! and yes, he got glasses, that poor kid was as blind as a bat on the left eye!

My BFF Vanessa sent us a package too this year, all fat free items, of course!

Oklahoma

2011-12-07T14:49:00.000-08:00

Eleven years ago, while struggling to get pregnant, I started following a support group for women fighting PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrom). I met Heather. We ended having a baby girl just days appart, and we stayed in touch. She had one more girl, I had 2 more boys. We emailed, followed each others bloggs, then facbooked, then played "words with friends" and texted...then Southwest was doing cheap tickets and they happen to fly to Tulsa. So last week-end, Reed and I flew to Tulsa, then drove to Bartelesville, OK for the week-end. I met my best cyber cyster ever and we hit it off just as planned. It was such a great time. The kids stayed in AZ with Papy and Granny visiting from Belgium, which made the time even greater!

Here is me and Heather

Me as a snow bunny...well, I did see snow from the plane!

In front of Oral Robert's University

Very tall people in Tulsa, I sure am happy this guy didn't have to pee.

Saturday was a big College ball game: OSU vs OU. OSU won after many years of being defeated. They are now going to Glendale for the Fiesta Bowl, while OU is going to Tempe for the Insight Bowl...what's up with all of Oklahoma fans coming to AZ...could it be the 70 degree weather we'll be having at that time of year?

Each town in OK (or around us anyway) had a different animal as a mascott or something. They have a bunch of them, all painted differently. Bartlesville has Bufalos and this one, my friends, was very special because of his disco balls!

If you have ever been in Belgium or Gernmany, you will recognize this store. It is one of my favorite place to shop and it looked and smelled the same as at home...ahhh, a piece of Belgium in OK! Who knew (well, I guess the Belgian flag by the universtiy was an omen ;)

...and you even have to put a quarter in the cart to use it, just like in Europe!

Ever heard of Keepsake Candles? This is where they make them and ship them all over the country and the world.
We learned a lot about that State and we loved the company!

Thanksgiving

2011-12-07T14:19:00.000-08:00

We kicked off Thanksgiving with a visit from our dear old friends from Germany, the Cordrays. They now live in New Mexico, but Brian was our bishop in Munich 8 years or so ago. They didn't stay for turkey day, helas.

Here is your Master Chef. This year, I did a brine for my turkey for 24 hours. It was so moist and delicious, Alton Brown's Foodnetwork would have been proud of me!

That was the beginning of the end for my diet and work out regime...well, no, breaking my leg ended that a while ago. It was yum, because I'm a great cook, so there!

Upside down.

2011-12-07T13:57:00.000-08:00

I'm a bit behind on my blog, but here is Elly's upside down/inside out birthday party.

I swear, I'm a genius for coming up with ideas for parties after so many years of doing them! And I've got sooo many more years to come up with more ideas, yikes!!!! This one was fun though.

A new decade!

2011-11-17T07:14:00.000-08:00

Elly hit a new decade! I can't believe that it has been 10 years for Elly! It is though comforting to see that she still fits in her 5T clothes :)
Happy Birthday!!!

Halloween 2011

2011-11-05T13:25:00.000-07:00

And here we go again, time to kick off the favorite seasons of the year! We'll start with candies and more candies!!!

A little craft

This is just the school "character" day. Tommy isn't mad, he's just ready for prayer ;)

Block Party at the park, round 1

Hungry me.

More Utah

2011-10-31T09:31:00.000-07:00

I have some more nice pix from our Utah trip. So here, enjoy..

Alec, Nicky, Tommy et Quentin

Estelle et Elodie

These kids are so cute together, they've only met twice before, but they are all such friends! These are my good friends the Ardizzone's kiddos. Vincent is my best friend from church Belgium who happened to marry my American sister Melanie (whose family I stayed with in Utah in 1990)...and yes, it is my fault they got married :)

Now some pretty one from Temple Square

Such a bad angle, yuck, but how I love this guy!!!

Do you notice how impossible it is for us to get all 5 kids in one picture!!! This would have been such a perfect Christmas picture, but nooooooooo, someone had to be grumpy!

2 October Birthdays

2011-10-31T09:02:00.000-07:00

We had two birthdays in October. One of them was just an extra year, making the person come awfully close to the 4th decade. The other one was "golden" as he put it: 18 on the 18th, and I still made him go to school, so cruel!

No comments!

2011-10-22T17:46:00.000-07:00

Gardner Village

2011-10-13T20:47:00.000-07:00

Can we call this a tradition if we go there twice? I so wish we had a true fall in AZ and could enjoy Halloween the same way as here...but then we'd get that white stuff that we see here on the mountains!

Utah Trip 2011

2011-10-11T16:29:00.000-07:00

So we are doing that again: a road trip! I sure hope to come back with all limbs intact this time, keep your fingers crossed. We started our vacation with the Tree House in Ogden, Utah. It's a sort of children museum, with lots of hands on things to do.

We started with a horse ride, all cowboyed out, of course.

Maddy is having the time of her life!

La piece de resistance!

Then we went back to school in 1838

I got another x-ray and my bone has healed fully now, thanks to the Utah air.

I ran for office, forget the first African American President; we now have the first Mormon FEMALE president (I beat Romney!)

This little doll said "Naples, Italy". This is actually from Binche, Belgium. I told them about it and they changed the sign :)

The Royal Family (see who the King is)

That's not coming out, no Kindom for you!

And always finish with a rescue!

Very fun place, check it out if you ever go up to Ogden.

http://www.treehousemuseum.org/

Still Home

2011-09-20T10:04:00.000-07:00

Tommy and I are still home bound (someone tell me why I couldn't break my LEFT leg, at least I could drive...not that I can walk anyway!). So here are a couple pix of the super star of my life. He's such a fun little guy, he's my buddy and I'm sooooo grateful he came along almost 3 1/2 years ago, or right now, I'd be in a Loony Bin going through this broken leg trial all alone during the day. He keeps me happy. We learned the letter D yesterday :) I've been telling myself and Reed that I'm an amazing women...yes yes, I am. I broke my leg skim boarding, not every 38 year old mother can do that. Then, after 10 weeks of no walking, other than driving, I can do everything else, even take the laundry downstairs. I also potty trained my last child...and I found a job (tutoring French at night). I. am. so. amazing, I tell ya!

We're a bit early, but those pjs are just too fun to wait for October!

This is when I had a couple of hours to myself and didn't know what to do!!!
Random conversation:
Tommy: "Mom, put this in the trash!
Me: No, I can't walk, you do it!
Tommy: Oh yeah, I CAN walk, look, like this. You can't walkkkk, ah ah, you cannn't"

Little Stinker!!!

Free 200 prints Kodak

2011-09-02T14:02:00.000-07:00

I would usually only put this on my deals blog, but I don't know who reads it besides my husband! So if you click here and see the 200 free prints, go down, "getting started". Once you add them to your cart, the total is ZERO, you only pay $1.99 for shipping...Kim, that one's for you (only 3,800 to print now).

Da Boyz

2011-08-22T15:21:00.000-07:00

Nicky is Reed's son, Tommy is my son, can you tell? Well, we made them both together, but it's funny to me how one looks more like one of us, while they still look like brothers. In any case, they're both so stinkin'cute! It's hard to believe Nicky is gone all day, but it's not hard to feel it in my house! No more crying or fighting...until 4:00 o'clock that is! Tommy has been such a sweet boy to me. I was worried I couldn't cope and take care of him alone, with only one working leg. But he is so good. He plays, watches TV, makes me plastic lunches, plays tigers with me or airplanes or legos or playmobiles...and sometimes he asks if he can go play with the Barbie house (the perks of having girls and boys, they're exposed to all kinds of playing without having to actually buy him a doll and make my husband cringe :). It's been really hard being home bound, all day. I miss going places ALONE! Besides the bathroom, I really can't go anywhere alone. I wish I had broken my left leg so that I can drive sooner. I'm not allowed to put my foot down yet, no weight bearing for another 4 to 6 weeks, so even with a left broken leg, I wouldn't drive...but I would sooner than in this case. I've had a boot for almost two weeks, so I've been able to take it off, bathe, shower and swim. I sleep without it too, and I am trying to regain the mobility in my ankle. I can wiggle my toes and draw the abc with my ankle (easy I hear you say, ha, try doing that after not moving it for 4 weeks!), true baby steps. But the physical part is nothing compared to the mental challenge. I have good days, but also long boring bad days. Week-ends are usually good, because there are a lot of people around me. But the week is long...and then I start counting how many weeks I've done, how many potential more I have left...and down goes my mood! Okay, enough, today's been a good day so far and I'm keeping it that way, so enough of feeling sorry for myself! I have a lot to be grateful for, really a lot:
- Reed, serving me and supporting me 100%
- my 5 kids, keeping me busy
- my good strong healthy leg, so muscular I look like a dude
- my sense of humour
- my friends who text me or drop buy or call me
- my scrabble games on my phone
- my parents whom I can call any day
- my knees, not that I can pray on them, but I sure can crawl and get a lot done (as long as it's carpet)
- nail polish, I love taking care of my 10 toes
- Vicodin, no comment
- 2011 and not 1911, where I would have lost my leg...although it wouldn't have been proper for a lady to skim board back then, so maybe I wouldn't have this problem in the first place
- chores, yep, they make you feel useful
- make up, when I put it on, I feel alive
- computers and free prime shipping on Amazon

but I'm mostly grateful to have the knowledge that things will be okay in the end, that I must endure.

"And I will also ease the burdens which are put upon your shoulders, that even you cannot feel them upon your backs, even while you are in bondage; and this will I do that ye may stand as witnesses for me hereafter, and that ye may know of a surety that I, the Lord God, do visit my people in their afflictions." Mosiah 24: 14 (Book of Mormon, www.lds.org)

- my

La rentree scolaire

2011-08-10T12:59:00.000-07:00

It's that time of year already. The time when a small percentage of the population is depressed at the prospect of going back to school - the teachers...but when a big percentage of the rest of the population is rejoicing - the Moms! It's back to school time (la rentree in Francais)

This year, we have a 12th grader (gone way earlier for the picture), a 5th grader, a 4th grader, a Kindergartener and a stay-at-homer

Nicky told me the most exciting part of the day was riding the bus! This is the kid that used to cry to get on that yellow bus everytime we dropped off his sisters. Now was HIS time, finally!

We dressed up for the ocasion.

A special sign-in

2011-08-10T12:48:00.000-07:00

We had a special evening! It was the day before school started and as promised, the kids got to sign Ol'Purple! I don't plan on keeping that thing, so here are some pictures to make it memorable!

This one says "ANDY", courtesy of Alex ;)

A dream for Arizona

2011-07-26T14:13:00.000-07:00

This is my paren'ts new creation. I just thought all my Arizonian friends would love to see how some part of the world is so green on its own, without the $138/month for water usage :)

Up and about

2011-07-24T16:54:00.000-07:00

Well, no, not really, but I wanted to let you all know that my other blog with the deals is up and running again. Since I'm home bound, might as well look at good deals I can send hubby get :) I just posted a few freebies, including a cute little plush poney for free. Go check it out and keep it in your favs if you want. http://www.muchesdeal.blogspot.com/

I get my new boot tomorrow, whoop whoop! I get my stiches out also, not so whoop whoop, more like yikes yikes. I promise photos of the damage, so you've been warned! It's quite amazing how many things we take for granted in life, like TWO working legs and such! I went to Target last night, it was not super comfortable, but I'm going crazzy staying on the couch all day, so that was our date. I used their little electic chair, and I know many of you are soooo jealous of me just for that privilege!!! I had put my crutches inside the basket, and sure enough, at the first turn down a crowded aisle, I took out a whole row of Littlest Pet Shop, killed them all!

A break in the Summer!

2011-07-17T15:48:00.000-07:00

As you saw in the previous posts, we went to California for about 10 days. We had a great time. The appartment was old and not super, but look at the location:

From the kitchen, I'd say it's a beach view :)

Our is the little blue one in the back ground, between the two $4 millions beach front.

The BBQ was crap so we bought this fantastic pan, called a grilled cheese pan, but it can be used to grill 4 or 5 hot dogs at the SAME time! That was our 4th of July big meal :)

We played Volley-ball

We played Football

We went skimboarding

We made new friends

We learned a new sport
And then, then, then, Mom had to learn a new sport

I had to try, it didn't look that dangerous, of course...and then, then, then

It doesn't look that bad, you say...oh yeah, look...

I had the whole "Baywatch" episode going. I fell, the Lifeguard came, called his buddy who came with the truck. I heard my tibia crack, I knew it was not a little ouie! They loaded me on their truck, up to where the ambulance was waiting (next to the two beach houses further up, not a long drive thank goodness!). From there, up to Newport Beach Hospital. I was admitted for a couple of days because, frankly, I had nowhere to go. Our beach apartment was just not possible and I was in pain. Reed drove the kids partly home on the Saturday (I broke it on the Friday, about the last 15 minutes we were going to stay, we had started repacking everything to head home), his parents met him on the way. He came back, packed the apartment and picked me and Alex who had stayed with my comatose self at the hospital. The trip home to AZ was a blur, really. I saw the surgeon and had surgery. I'm going to be recovering now, that's all there is left to do.

Some good things about a broken leg:

Only shave one leg.

No gym for a while.

Everyone loves you, you can blame everything you say/do on the drugs.

The TV remote is yours.

You get a temporary handicap parking.

My brother asked Alex:" How's your Mom?" His answer: "Horizontal"

Newport Beach Temple

2011-07-07T20:00:00.000-07:00

Gosh, even the Temple looks on vacation! How beautiful, and the vegetation makes me want to pack my bags and move!

I had a good idea with the door in the back, but obviously, I had no co-operation from my significant other!

Newport Beach

2011-07-07T19:48:00.000-07:00

Our appartment is stinky and nasty. It dates back from 1964, looks like it and smells like it...but we are 50feet from the beach and Newport's beautiful sand. The kids aren't complaining about a thing! And location really makes for the lack of comfort in the appartment. On the plus side, we saw a random guy rollerblading while only wearing a Speedo Thong, and that, my friend, is all worth it! (no pix, sorry)

Legoland California

2011-07-07T13:14:00.000-07:00

Oh yes, it is dorky that I dressed them all in orange, but with a gang like that, it's easier to spot them in a crowd! Alex loved it ;)

Elly still crazzzy about giraffes!

Probably the very few times that these two get along! Maddy is always Alex's ride buddy, she has no fear and goes on all the rides with him.

We build it, yes we can.

A bit of a rest before more fun.

The REAL Bob!

We finally got Elly to ride something!

Highlight of the day for Alex.

Something else we built.

My favorite oranges!

Summer's here!

2011-06-23T13:29:00.000-07:00

Darn swim suit, can't stay in place!

Voila ce qu'on fait tous les jours, ou presque...
Y'a eu ca aussi

Daddy Day

2011-06-22T10:54:00.000-07:00

I just lovvvvve this bunch!!!

Get him a little tipsy...

and he's ready to party!!!

He got TWO party hats this year...boy O boy, the Dollar Store spoiled him this year!

I'm afraid he'll have to hide his hat if he doesn't want farmer Tom to take it!

BFF's

2011-06-05T14:04:00.000-07:00

My brother and I are extremely serious sibblings!

My High School BFF's; Vanessa et Anne

Home

2011-06-03T13:37:00.000-07:00

I am home for the week, home as in Belgium! Today, my mom and I did our shopping trip downtown Liege, like we used to. We even took the bus to save on parking. I have no idea how I am suppooded to stay under 55lbs for my ONE allowed suitcase, really!

Waiting for the bus to take us to town.

My High School/ Athenèe Royal de Chenèe

Total make out spot in front of school.

Bus 33 vers Liége

Place Cathédrale

The red carpet is not good enough for my Mom, it has to be purple, thank you very much!

This Gallery is a couple of hundred years old.

My fisrt job at 18 (like yesterday)

Le Palais des Princes Eveques ou le Palais de justice de Liège

Palais de Justice means court house

Same court house, second court. This used to be the residence of the city's Prince Bishop

In French, English, Dutch, German and best: Walloon, the local dialect!

And last but not least: mu dad's book being sold à la Fnac, one of the biggest bookstore in Europe!

Before/ After

2011-05-28T16:05:00.000-07:00

Don't you just love peaking at the inside of people's house? I do!
So, here is what we did:

Counter top for 6 years here:

No counter top for 4 hours here:

New counter top here:

New back splash that I PUT IN MYSELF!!!! Reed has to do the outlets (big deal, puhhh!)

Yes, I'm proud of my work!!!!

O Prom Night, how you make me feel...old!

2011-05-07T21:54:00.000-07:00

Pictures speak for themselves.

No, this can't be!

2011-04-28T09:00:00.000-07:00

My Baby turned 3 on Friday!!! And he is SOOO the baby in the family, he knows it, we all know it and we all go along!!! He is spoiled rotten, mean, not lean, and we all love him to death!!!! I am very proud of having a typical "last child", giving him full rights to the syndrome!

Mormon Prom

2011-04-27T08:45:00.000-07:00

Will she? The question was in the eggs, with the last grand finale egg with Alex's picture in it. He did this all by himself, even the name tag, which he did better than I could have!!! He left this by her front door at night to be discovered in the morning.

I guess she will!

Liege, ma ville.

2011-04-06T08:49:00.000-07:00

Voici de belles images de ma ville natale, clickez ici

Here are nice pictures of my native city, click here

I'm going home for a week in June, my mom and I are already planning which stores we'll hit ;)

New Blog

2011-04-04T12:07:00.000-07:00

Did I tell you I have a new blog? http://www.muchesdeal.blogspot.com/
That's where I put all my good deals, how to do it and such. Check it out, add it to your list. I know there are tons of other sites to check out, but mine is personal ;) Leave comments on what you find too! So click here

Monster Truck

2011-03-31T09:17:00.000-07:00

This year, all my boys went to Monster Truck. Tommy was a little nervous, ya know, monsters and all! I did fine and enjoyed the show! I stayed home with my girls and went to build-a-bear, much more up my ally!

They met up with Uncle Jimmy and Paker.

Pioneer Trek

2011-03-23T14:43:00.000-07:00

Alex went on our Stake Pioneer trek last week. It was a great experience for him. He was one of the oldest, and we were told that he more than pulled his own weight! We're very proud of him for being an example. He also provided comic relief, we were told! To copy his outfit: shirt and pants are a Goodwill Dollar Thursday deal. Hat is Walmart. Suspenders are TRW Airbags.

The "Jackson" family

Always a musician.

Yes, our religion is an organized one: organized back rubs!

I love this one. He is writing us a letter, on his Home Depot bucket. This was emotional for him. We had written him a letter to be given to him during the trek. His reply brought much tears to my eyes. What a great kid he is. I just love him to pieces! I'm proud of him!

Other blog

2011-03-23T13:58:00.000-07:00

I started another blog to post good deals and reviews. Since I sign up for a bunch of things that require me to write reviews in order to get free samples and such, I figured I'd create a new blog for that. I will also post links to great deals, and links to get free stuff, so check it out when you're bored! http://www.muchesdeal.blogspot.com/

Another one

2011-02-26T13:21:00.000-08:00

I did another one, I did the 5K race this time, I'll do another 10K sometimes, not now. I improved my time and didn't need 3 5"long bandaids afterwards. This was easier for me. I enjoyed it and my body did too. It was for two little girls that were conjoined. They were supposed to be separated soon, but died during a routine operation last summer. This was a memorial race in their honor, benefitting another charity...but I'm sure those two little girls were enjoying watching us run from Heaven and had a much better view :)
http://www.twosistersoneheart.blogspot.com/

Blog for Books.

2011-02-11T16:09:00.000-08:00

I started Blogging for Books, I receive my first free book to review. You can go rate my review there http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/bloggingforbooks/reviews/view/3636, give me a 5 star if you're my best friend :))))
So, here we go...
It is called "God gave us the world", by Lisa Taw Bergen and Laura J. Bryant.
Here is my review:
I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for review two weeks ago. I first glanced through the book when I received it. It has a lot of pictures, very colorful and very cute. What a great choice: who doesn't like a cuddly white bear! I started reading it to my 2 year old, who sat through the whole book, quite amazingly. My 5 year old came after a couple of minutes. We read it again the night after and I think it will be one of our fave. I liked the fact that it had main focuses that little ones can grasp: God made us different and He gave us the world. However, I think it would've been better to focus on one of these topics instead of both. It's a lot to understand for such a young age. He made us different, one book. He gave us the world, another book. The other thing that would have been a bit better was the capitalization of the letter H when referring to God, "He", I think it would have been a nice touch. Even if the wee ones cannot read it, the parents can. I think that the "H" makes it stand out, and makes it clear of who or Who we are referring to.
The pictures were cute, and gave a lot more to discuss with the kids. It's a book that can be read again and again, and has great values, of course.

How to get good diapers for cheap...

2011-01-22T23:33:00.000-08:00

I'm posting this on my blog, because I know a lot of you still have wee ones in diapers...now skip to the cute smurf on the chair if you have no interest in buying diapers.............

I just bought 156 Pampers for $21, yes, that's it.

Here is what you do:

Go to http://www.amazon.com/, search for amazon mom.

Click on the size and type of diapers you want. It will show you a price, then there is a box to the right that says "delivery option and sign me up". Do that, you'll be in the Amazon Mom club. This will give you a 30% discount on the diapers.

It might also give you an option of $1.50 off (just click the coupon)

If you feel this is a great deal, than stop there. Make sure you unsubscribe from the club, unless you like the convienience of the auto delivery, but I don't think you'll get another 30% off next time, just 15%.

If you want more savings, get another coupon. Parents Magazine (on sale for $1.00 for 12 months sub. on http://www.bn.com/ with this code at check out K9B9J4H) has 20% off amazon momy in their magazines often. But, if you don't have a magazine with the coupon, you can buy one on ebay (do a search "amazon mom coupon"). I bought one for $2.35, recieved the code within minutes. Now, the coupons you get from Parents have a letter assigned to them. I purchased a Y coupon. Had I been able to find another letter coupon, like a U coupon, I could have used that one on top, another 20% savings. You can use up to three coupons. However, it didn't look like there were any other coupons available at this time.

Once you get the code, just copy it on your order with Amazon and off you go!
So recap: 156 count Pampers
$40.88
Free shipping
-$12.26 discount
-$8.18 eBay coupon
-$1.50 Amazon Coupon
+ $2.35 eBay coupon
Total: $21.29, cheaper than the crappy diapers you could buy at Big Lots!!! (don't ever buy those, unless your kid poops his pants while you're there and you realize you didn't bring the diaper bag with you!!!)

Now, I'm hoping to get them for even cheaper in the near future, as in ZERO $$$ because I won't need to buy them anymore! But we all know I'm not in control and that he is the boss!!!
...I realize this needs a clarification: the boss is Tommy, who's in control of what and where he does it, regarding his potty habits; NOT Reed who would decide to have another baby requiring diapers!!!!

Oh the blue frosting...makes him a real Belgian, because the Smurfs are from Belgium, did you know that? Les Schtroumfs, bien sure que si, de Peyo! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Smurfs but do they p...p blue too, bringing us back to the diaper issue (see, it all ties togethere here!).

In the Company of Heroes

2011-01-15T07:41:00.000-08:00

My parents live near Bastogne. On December 16th, 1944 began one of the most decisive battle of WWII. It was fought on my land. The Americans saved my people from Hitler's last attempt at regaining control over the war. I grew up hearing war stories, of my grand parents, living in fear of the V1 Bomb attacks over their city Liege, of my mom being born in the mist of a war, of my grand father being a prisoner of war in Germany and of my family's home destroyed completely by a bomb, killing my great grandma, her brother and a baby cousin. WWII is big part of my life, and I will be forever grateful to these young innocent lives that gave their all so that I can be born in a country free of German dictator.

On a cold December day, veterans of the Battle of the Bulge reunite at the American cemetery in Luxembourg. Here, guarded by tall pines, rest the mortal remains of some 5,000 American boys who died fighting to liberate Europe. As the veterans reflect amidst the gently falling snow, their welling emotions confirm their often-stated belief: "The real heroes never came home." Here, they feel a presence, a warmth amidst the cold. Something tells them they are not alone and this silent reunion is not the last.

Oh coupons coupons coupons

2011-01-13T11:56:00.000-08:00

I started doing more coupons. I've always been good at clipping the Sunday ones, but this time, I am buying 3 sets of Sunday papers (some people go up to 6, but 3 is enough for me) and I signed up for a website that tells me what to clip and where to go. But some of it is pure luck and savvyness too. I realize that if you go to a store very late, the cashiers are tired, and even if you tell them they're charging you too little for an item, their response is always "bah, don't care, I'm tired"!

The total of this is less than $20.00, plus $2.00 and $10.00 coupons on next purchases.
At Safeway: the cereal, the milk, the pop and the fruit snacks (4 boxes that I put in jar) and two loaves of bread (not shown, $1.29 each): $3.57 and $2.00 off my next order. The Glade: free with coupon.
The rest was CVS, but I forgot to put the $10 mascara in the picture, all for $15, with $10.00 off my next order.
Is it worth it to spend so much time getting ready to shop? I'd say yes!
This is of course one the best bargains, thus the blogging about it. However, in the last month and a half, I've saved on average 65% of my bills, counting diapers and other misc, and a little more spending for Holiday dinners. I think I'll get even better at it with time.
Best of all, I'm enjoying this new sport. If you work full-time, I'd say there is no way you can do this and keep your sanity. But for me, this is a good time to be able to do this, as long as Basha's has free child care too!
I know there are a lot of places to go to, but I signed up with www.couponsense.com
You can also get free advice and list of coupons, plus daily deals emails from www.pinchingyourpennies.com (like Children's place doing 15% everything, even clearance and free shipping with codes)

Old Tucson, coming soon...

2010-12-29T15:43:00.000-08:00

Joyeux Noel - Merry Christmas

2010-12-25T16:56:00.003-08:00

Winter Wonderland.

2010-12-17T13:27:00.000-08:00

Not in AZ, of course, but this is my parents'winter wonderland!

Noel Noel

2010-12-12T20:10:00.000-08:00

Just a couple of our boys, both young and immature :)

Always Buzz

Cute YW :))

Nicky is 5

2010-12-07T08:44:00.000-08:00

Joyeux Noel de Tommy

2010-12-07T07:39:00.000-08:00

A bragging blog.

2010-11-27T07:24:00.000-08:00

I did something that I never thought I could on Thanksgiving...no, I didn't eat a whole turkey...but I ran a 10K race!!! It's 6.2 miles for my metric challenged friends. I did it in 1h 14 min 54 seconds. That's a perfect 5 miles/hour. I didn't stop once, I had to slow down to take a picture and to get a drink. I had to pee for the first 3 miles, but I burned that little water after a while and was just fine. Of course, I place 2300th but there were also 300 people behind me! I'm not a runner really, this was my first race, but I'm thinking not my last. The kids asked me if I won and I said "Oh yes I won" and I think I did!

Waiting for mom

Becky (looking beautiful) and me (didn't get the memo that make-up and hair was required for a race, I did put deodorant on)

Being past by over 2,000 runners. I didn't even care.

See, people are behind me still

I won!

Happy-achy-tired-38yr old Mom of 5!!! I am proud of me :)))

Liege, ma ville

2010-11-24T07:54:00.000-08:00

http://www.flickr.com/photos/rdumoulin/sets/72157606826990365/show/

This is a link to a slide show to photos of my home city. It made me very homesick to watch it. Will I ever get to live there again? How I wish I could go back in time! Sighhhhhhhhh

For Buzz Fans

2010-11-03T08:22:00.000-07:00

http://www.disneymovierewards.go.com/promotions/special-offers/ts3lptw-coupon

On sale for $24.96 at Walmart

There is a $5 rebate from Campbel soups too.

Or, for $3.99 at CVS when you buy $25 of products you need anyway (toilett paper, etc...)

http://cvs.shoplocal.com/cvs/default.aspx?action=entryflash&citystatezip=%20ZIP%20Code

I love to see the Temple

2010-11-01T07:56:00.000-07:00

"I love the see the Temple
I'm going there someday
To feel the holy Spirit
And listen and to pray
For the Temple is a house of God
A place of love and beauty
I'll prepare myself while I am young
This is my sacred duty"
Primary Song
LDS church
To find out more about our mormon Temples, write me or visit http://www.mormon.org/ or http://www.lds.org/

Bountiful, Utah

Saint George, Utah

Provo, Utah

Jordan, Utah

Oquirrh, Utah

Salt Lake, Utah

There are Temples all over the world. There are two in Arizona right now, but two more are bein build. One of them, the Gilbert Temple, will be 10 minutes from our home. Reed and I were sealed for eternity in the Mesa, AZ temple.

Morgan and Matt's wedding

2010-10-31T15:47:00.000-07:00

This is my first niece to get married (my kids have 34 cousins!). She was 4 months old at my wedding. I could now be a great-aunt any day.

But how could I feel old when I have this little one! Although he is trying to catch the bouquet, so I should worry he'll leav me soon!

What will they think of next?

2010-10-31T12:55:00.000-07:00

We have been TP'd and even egged ...and now, this is what we found last night...
Albertson must have a new way of doing advertisement! We have no idea who that came from, but I laughed so hard, that was sooo good!!! I love Teenagers!!!! Thanks for the great new stroller ;)

Gardner Village

2010-10-22T14:04:00.000-07:00

Did you know that it is fall in Utah! Notice the scarf I'm sporting, I was so excited to wear a fallish outfit!!! And the color of the scarf matches most of the witches, that says a lot!!!!

Lots of "sprogs" (Tommy still cannot say "Fs")

My three boys share the same girlfriend. She is a hottie, you gotta admit, they have good tastes!

America's favorite pass time: witch ball.

Ogden

2010-10-22T13:42:00.000-07:00

First day in Utah, we went to Ogden and played on the trains.

Then we went to my friend Jill for dinner and smores.

And we finished the evening at Grandma and Grandpa Corry for an ice cream, yum!

They have a full ice cream parlor in their basement. Elly didn't want to leave, although this pic above doesn't show her having fun!!! This is the family I stayed with in 1990 after high school. I came to perfect my English. I did that, but although learned about the LDS church through them. I have such a special bond with them. They've always been such a great example to me and I owe them a lot!

St George, Temple, Utah.

2010-10-21T08:07:00.000-07:00

Premier temple fini en Utah. Il est repeint tous les 10 ans et lave tous les ans.
All Latter Day Prophets have spoken in the tabernacle near the temple, except one (Joseph Smith was martyred in 1844 in Illinois). Love love love this temple, beautiful!

Fall Break, trip to Utah

2010-10-18T09:48:00.000-07:00

First things first. On our way to Utah to see Reed's brother, we stopped by Las Vegas.

An experience for the kids (always good to expose your children to homeless people, booze and pictures of naked women!!!!). It was amazing to me how much more aware I was about the crap littering Vegas with the kids around. I usually block it out and don't care, but with them, it was not as possible. We just stayed a few hours and left.

Belated Birthday

2010-10-18T09:15:00.000-07:00

It was on October 3rd, but better late than ever!

I made my cake this year, it doesn't look anything extraordinary, but it's made from scratch and was soooo good, will all 3 stick of butter and all!!!

Another Disney Coupon

2010-10-04T21:44:00.000-07:00

http://www.disneymovierewards.go.com/member/index.htm

You don't even need the old VHS for this coupon. Just print it. It's on sale starting October5th and the coupon expires October 12th. Great Christmas gift for little and big girls :))

My Dad's new book. Le livre de mon pere.

2010-09-30T10:59:00.000-07:00

http://www.weyrich-edition.be/fr/detail-produit/paroles-d-exode.htm

It's all in French, but here it is. It's about the Belgian Exodus during the war, told by the survivors themselves. My father had put an add in newspapers for testimonies and recieved hundreds. He compiled them into two volumes, not sure when the next one will come out. This is not his first book. He is a historian for the Battle of the Bulge and a tour guide in Bastogne.

Je suis bien fiere de mon papa! Bravo!!!!

Meet Junie

2010-09-16T09:04:00.000-07:00

It's Character Day at school. So here is my own Junie B. Jones!

A Brother's Surprise!

2010-09-15T10:18:00.000-07:00

My dear Hubby got free VIP tickets to the Jonas Brothers Concert last night. We found out right after the girls left for the school bus, so I couldn't tell them until they got home from school. Needless to say, Reed was a super hero that day!

I too was overjoyed! I don't think I knew one song, but it wasn't about me! I lost 10% of my hearing that night, not from the music, but from the thousand of screeming tweens and pre-teens in love!

Demi, from Camp Rock was the opening act. We don't have Disney Channel at our house, so again, I acted like I knew all the songs, I fooled everyone!

They are kinda cute

Okay, he's really cute!

We had VIP tickets, meaning we got to hang out in the VIP lounge and have dinner (hot dogs, so fancy!). We had our own VIP bathrooms, but that was about the only perks from the lounge. Behind us in the lounge, we could see the tour busses. Some people were waiting for them after the concert, but you could only see through the cracks of the fence, so we passed! Elly wasn't feeling well, a little too much for my emotional child and she was tired. We had great seats and a great time...especially when it's free!!!!

A little make over.

2010-09-04T22:37:00.000-07:00

This is the before picture, blah and during...

Oh YEAH!!!
I love it, it's bold, crazy but so much more lively. No more boring front room at my house!!! I actually moved the table in front of the couch and need to get a little something to put the lamp and phone.
You like?

Behind Mommy Lines

2010-09-02T08:55:00.000-07:00

A day ...
Got woken up by a text from hubby's work at 5ish, he went to the gym, got home, took a shower and I didn't hear a thing, like everyday. He woke me up to have our prayer together. He lives a whole other life before I even realize I have one!
Got all the kids up, readied lunches, checked teeth and hair (yes, I brushed it Mom, sha-right!) and sent the girls off to the bus.
One little boy dropped off at my house and playing with my two for a little bit before preschool.
Cooking some hard boiled eggs for salad later.
First text from Alex who's sick and wants to be picked up from HS.
Shower. Second text, still same story...and it's a good thing the High School has a new rule about using phones/Ipods during school hours, hmmmm!!!!
Phone call from nurse's office for another child/school, she has a stomach ache, but we both know that this girl of mine likes to stress over nothing. The nurse isn't duped. I don't pick her up, the drama will soften itself with time.
Off to preschool.
Walmart, need a roast for a dinner for another family tonight, can't just feed them cold cereal or pop tarts.
Text, text, text "when are you commmminnnng, I'm siiiiiccccck"
Pay for Walmart, back to High School to get the dying teenager.
He's at lunch, so I get escorted by a security guard and go look for him myself. I get to actually go back to high school, 20lbs, grays and wrinkles extra! My son has passed the age of being embarrassed by his mom, and he's actually happy to introduce me to his friends. He's also showing off his little 2 year old blondie cutie brother too (you thought I was gonna say girlfriend, huh...nah, she was sick that day!).
Back home, finally. Throw the roast in the crockpot. Run down the street to a short meeting for scouting, my new passion (read sarcasm there if you want).
Home for lunch. More scouting thing, one jumping-in-bed-should-be-napping boy. Making the potato salad promised earlier.
I sit down and watch TV for ONE HOUR...well, no, I fall asleep on the couch!

Rest of the troop home from school, snack, check the roast (please be done by 5:30). Run to drop girls off to an activity. Drop off scout things. Home for 20 minutes, check the roast and pray for cooking to speed up. Back in the car, pick up the girls. Back home, roast is done, load it all in the car, drop off at the deserving family, who are home and grateful (hmmm, yeah, my previous experiences with making dinner for others haven't always been so great, another post!).

We are all home, quick swim, good dinner, pjs, scripture study, prayers, bed.
Realize one signature is missing for scout stuff, back in the car.
End up the evening with hubby, eating an ice cream at Mcdonald's.
The end...till tomorrow
Would I trade my life, NO WAY!!!!!

La rentree scolaire

2010-08-11T12:53:00.000-07:00

And her we go again, another year of schooling started on Monday

3rd and 4th graders

Loaded up with supplies

Actually excited about the day

Nicky's turn

Pre-schooler and Spoiled stay-at-homer

I'm not so good at remembering to take pictures at the school!

And this is what we do while the big kids are at school

A boy after my own heart: loves M&M's!

and shopping for lip gloss!

Le Lac d'Ech-sur-Sure

2010-07-16T16:25:00.000-07:00

Beat that Saguaro Lake, huh! Another one of our little adventures, it was about 1/2 hour from my parents's home, in Luxembourg. The water was chilli, but what a nice day!

Tommy is white like Aspirine, except that he doesn't disovle in water.

We had to get out quick when we saw these come!

Hmm, no, this is from the Aquarium at the University of Liege.

We came home on Monday, so this is the last pretty green post I'll do for a while. I miss my parents and my country so much right now. After I've been here for a while, the pain subsides gradually. A lot of "what ifs" go through my mind, what if I didn't meet Reed, what if we had moved to Belgium a long time ago, what if what if...but my life is here for now, and I have made peace with that on most days. But after I come back from a month of mommy time (and 5 extra lbs added to my butt thanks to her cooking), the old ache is rekindled a bit.

Liege, cite ardente.

2010-07-15T11:04:00.000-07:00

Liege is my home city. I was born and raised there, I am proud to be a Liegeoise. My city is over one thousand years old. While the country of Belgium went from the hands of the Dutch, to the French, to the Spanish, the Principality of Liege remained independant, with its own Prince Bishop. Maastricht (Holland now) used to be part of it. It is rich in culture and just beautiful. My parents have moved from there and now live in the Ardennes, so we took a day trip there.

Le Perron, symbol of freedom

Free

Old buldings, Place du marche

Palais des Princes Eveques, Place Saint Lambert

La Meuse (river)

This is a cafe, but the saying is in Wallon, which is the dialect of the French speaking part of Belgium. It says "House of Peket"; Peket being a white alchool well known and loved by the good people of Liege :)

Just doors to an old church

Lost of walking, lots of heat, but lots of fun with Papy and Granny!

PS: my parents are both from Liege too, but you'd never know looking at my tourist dad!

Dinant

2010-07-03T13:50:00.000-07:00

Here is another place to see in Belgique. The fort dates back from the 11th century. Around 1450, one mean French duke(Charles the Bold) threw 800 men in the river Meuse (see below) two by two, nice guy! Then he burnt the city down. It was bunrt down again in 1914 by the Germans...not a good history for these Dinantois!

The Happiest Place on earth

2010-07-03T13:24:00.000-07:00

There are some really big chipmunks in Paris

We didn't find the Eiffel Tower, even with the maps!

We did find this cowboy, who laughed at our silliness...

no Arc de Triomphe here either...

Here is their Eiffel Tower, with strange ears

So we left, but not empty handed

and went back to our cabin in the woods of France.

Bastogne

2010-07-02T14:01:00.000-07:00

An American Tank that was part of the battle of the bulge in December 1944. My dad and two others actually wrote a book about this tank and its occupants. He found the survivors or their descendants and wrote their story. I translated it into English. It is now standing at the McAuliffe's Square. See the little Belgian and American flags on the bottom.

My twin sister

A rare picture of my brother not messing around!

Tommy's new girl (don't tell Eden). She actually already cleans and keeps house pretty well!

Les Frites

2010-07-02T13:48:00.000-07:00

I have no idea why OUR fries are called French Fries, as if the Frenchies knew how to make them!!!

If you ever go to my country, the one thing that you cannot leave without eating are these...and yes, with mayo

Beuatiful Day

2010-06-24T13:38:00.000-07:00

The sun lives here

2010-06-22T09:14:00.000-07:00

We've had some pretty cold rainny days, but today the sun came back.

Some of the food

2010-06-22T09:10:00.000-07:00

My goal when I come home is to eat eat eat. Here are a few things we eat, but there will be more.

La Roche

2010-06-22T09:06:00.000-07:00

We are in Belgium for a month. This is a little place near my parents' home

(10 x 2) + (15 x 2) - 10 =

2010-05-13T08:32:00.000-07:00

40!!!!!!

Call the Fired Department!!!!

Happy Birthday to the man of my dreams!

I truly believe that you are better and better with age, just like old cheese and wine!

Mormon Prom Night

2010-05-10T19:43:00.000-07:00

I don't think it needs much comments :) They all had a great night!

A week-end in our beautiful State

2010-05-04T15:34:00.000-07:00

I haven't always loved Arizona, it took me a while to enjoy the desert and to look past the heat. But after 15 years in this gorgeous state, I'm proud to be an Arizonian.

My young husband is turning 20x2 in a week, so we dropped off the kids at his mom and went for a two days trip. First, Sedona, where the delicate flowers encounter rough elements and thrive no matter what. Keep this in mind for your next trial and tribulation period!

The Dukes of Hazard, Daisy need lymposuction though!

Our Sedona house, I think some people make too much money!

Who said money doesn't grow on trees!

Flagstaf, 34 degrees!

Snow

Montezuma Castle

2 years already!

2010-04-23T22:51:00.001-07:00

Air compressor + Camera + Teenager

2010-04-20T18:11:00.000-07:00

There you have it

Pretty disturbing, huh!

If this is the first time you ever look at my blog, my kids are actually really cute!

De belles fleurs pour ma Maman

2010-04-18T20:00:00.000-07:00

Maricopa County Fair

2010-04-09T23:19:00.000-07:00

The County Fair is on April 14-18. I was thinking about going, but probably won't. However, this is what I found on it, for free:
FREE RIDES and ADMISSION APRIL 15, 2010

"Read to Ride" rewards students who read! All county children in Kindergarten through 6th grade are eligible.

They just need to fill out a form here http://www.maricopacountyfair.org/Read%20To%20Ride.htm
It's usually free for kids 8 and under, and $8.00 for the rest. Parking is $10.00

I don't know what's up with me and my bargain posts, but hey, might as well make my blog useful for others too :)

Pre-school Field Trip

2010-04-09T21:29:00.000-07:00

Nicky had a field trip at the Chandler Fire Station. Very fun!

2010-04-09T21:18:00.000-07:00

Why take bites? If it fits all in my mouth, I don't see why I should!

We just go crazzy around Easter

Another deal.

2010-04-05T21:10:00.000-07:00

Although this had to be the most annoying movie ever produced, the kids love the squeaky munkies. So, CVS has it on sale for $4.99 if you purchase $20.00 worth of certain P&G products. There are coupons in the Sunday paper for those products too, so it's a good deal since you need them regardless. I got Tide, Charmin, Downy, Crest, Always and Cascade products. Check out their ad or this link if you don't have the ad.
http://cvs.shoplocal.com/cvs/default.aspx?action=entry&pretailerid=-99973&siteid=172&storeid=2567986
Just thought you'd like to know :)

2010-04-04T10:44:00.000-07:00

Joyeuses Paques de nous 7

Arizona Museum of Natural History

2010-04-03T23:35:00.000-07:00

Oh cool, di-ah-sores

Reed's looking for gold to make me a mother's day gift!

Alex got the same idea, but it's to buy himself a Mustang!

I'm so cool!

Green screen. Wouldn't that be cool if I could make my kids disappear like that, just for a few minutes, to go to the bathroom or something!

Movie Stars with Tommy The kid, Nicky Doc'Holiday and Calimity Elly

Alex's new room.

With it's own plumbing, I don't know what he's complaining about!
A fun day for all of us. Very neat museum...I got a membership for our hot summer days coming up anytime now!

A Bargain Story

2010-03-26T14:56:00.000-07:00

Here is a good bargain for you. If you own the movies Toy Story and Toy Story 2 on VHS, you can print a $10.00 coupon off the combo pack for the DVD and the Blue Ray. If you purchase both movies, Toys Story and Toy Story 2, in combo pack they are each $16.99 at Toys R us (ad match at Walmart so you don't have to drive far). I printed the coupons, brought my ad to walmart and got the two movies for $6.99 each. PLUS, there is a free movie ticket for Toy Story 3 included in the movie box (coming out June 18th). So if your boys are absolute fans of Woody and Buzz like at our house, this is a great deal. Here is the link:
http://disney.go.com/disneymovierewards/tsupgrade/?cmp=dmov_dmr_emc_tsupgrade_wdshetest

A date

2010-03-17T08:48:00.000-07:00

A basket

A guy

A girl

A place

With ducks

A kiss

Time is ticking away!

2010-03-17T08:39:00.001-07:00

A bit scary, and no, I don't feel old!

Lost in the translation

2010-03-09T13:35:00.000-08:00

More often than not, the French translation from English is pretty hilarious! I am not sure how much money companies save by not using a translator, but my amusement is priceless. Here is an illustration of what I mean:

It reads "Stackable 1 Door Storage"

In French, it reads "Memory stackable of 1 door"...storage in computer language is not the same as storage for furniture. How cool is it that according to this box, in French, we are able to have stackable memories easily accessed through one door, and all that available at Target on the clearance rack! "Alex, did you remember to take the trash?" "No" "Hmmm, let me open that door for you and unstack that memory so that next time, you can take the trash".

English: 1 door with elegant handle....

Perfect storage for clothes....

Create your own look with these stackable storage from QubeMates

French: 1 door with elegant treatment (I can kinda see it, that one's not bad)

Perfect Memory for clothes... (I can't remember where I put my underwear...oh, wait let me open that memory with my nifty elegant treatment)

Create your own eyesight with the stackable memory. Now our memory can improve our eyes too, it is treated to be elegant.

Are you lost in translation?

ZZZZZzzzzzzzzzz

2010-03-07T17:59:00.000-08:00

Is he praying?

Is he playing Hide-and-go-seek?

Nope, just too tired to make it to bed!

Zoo Again

2010-03-05T16:50:00.000-08:00

Just using my zoo membership again

I think they are playing Basket-ball?

Globe Trotters doing a little promo